SAPPER HECTOR JOSEPH MOOD
1374 – Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company
Sydney, New South Wales was the birthplace of Hector Joseph Mood on March 10, 1892 the son of John and Margaret Mood.
At the Recruiting Depot in Sydney, NSW on January 30, 1916 the twenty-three year old professional musician applied to enlist for active service abroad. Passing the medical examination he attested at Casula camp, near Liverpool, NSW on February 1, 1916 and Attestation Forms were completed. Described as 168cms (5ft 6ins) tall, weighing 55.4kgs (122lbs) with a chest expansion of 79-86cms (31-34ins). His dark brown eyes tested to good vision and had a dark complexion with dark brown hair. Distinctive mark was a scar on the front his right upper forearm. Roman Catholic was his religion. Next-of-kin was his mother Mrs Margaret Hood of 32 Peawell Street, Enmore, NSW. He was sworn in on February 9, 1916 at Casula camp.
He was assigned to the 1st Reinforcements to the Mining Corps on February 1, 1916. His rank was Sapper with the regimental number 1374.
At a civic parade in the Domain, Sydney on Saturday February 19, 1916, a large crowd of relations and friends of the departing Miners lined the four sides of the parade ground. Sixty police and 100 Garrison Military Police were on hand to keep the crowds within bounds. The scene was an inspiriting one. On the extreme right flank, facing the saluting base, were companies of the Rifle Club School; next came a detachment of the 4th King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, then the bands of the Light Horse, Liverpool Depot, and the Miners’ on the left, rank upon rank, the Miners’ Battalion.
The Corps boarded HMAT A38 Ulysses in Sydney, NSW on February 20 and sailed for the European theatre. Arriving in Melbourne, Victoria on February 22 the Miners camped at Broadmeadows for a stay of 7 days while further cargo was loaded.
Another parade was held at the Broadmeadows camp on March 1, the Miners’ Corps being inspected by the Governor-General, as Commander-in-Chief of the Commonwealth military forces.
Leaving Melbourne on March 1, Ulysses arrived at Fremantle, Western Australia on March 7 where a further 53 members were taken on board.
On Wednesday March 8, 1916 the whole force, with their band and equipment, paraded at Fremantle prior to leaving Victoria Quay at 9.30 o’clock.
The ship hit a reef when leaving Fremantle harbour, stripping the plates for 40 feet and, although there was a gap in the outside plate, the inner bilge plates were not punctured. The men on board nicknamed her ‘Useless’. The Miners were off-loaded and sent to the Blackboy Hill Camp where further training was conducted.
The Mining Corps comprised 1303 members at the time they embarked with a Headquarters of 40; No.1 Company – 390; No.2 Company – 380; No.3 Company – 392, and 101 members of the 1st Reinforcements.
Finally departing Fremantle on April 1, Ulysses voyaged via Suez, Port Said and Alexandria in Egypt. The Captain of the shipwas reluctantto take Ulysses out of the Suez Canal because he felt the weight of the ship made it impossible to manoeuvre in the situation of a submarine attack. The troops were transhipped to HM Transport B.1 Ansonia, then on to Valetta, Malta before disembarking at Marseilles, France on May 5, 1916. As a unit they entrained at Marseilles on May 7 and detrained on May 11 at Hazebrouck.
A ‘Mining Corps’ did not fit in the British Expeditionary Force, and the Corps was disbanded and three Australian Tunnelling Companies were formed. The Technical Staff of the Corps Headquarters, plus some technically qualified men from the individual companies, was formed into the entirely new Australian Electrical and Mechanical Mining and Boring Company (AEMMBC), better known as the ‘Alphabetical Company’.
Sapper was detached for duty with the 177th Tunnelling Company, R.E. on August 22, 1916. He was taken on strength with the Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company on October 7, 1916.
Entries from the Dodd Diary add to his service on the front:
1916
December 24
The nurses and orderlies came in to the ward last night and sang three carols, "The Shepherd Watches", "There is No Hell" and "Come All Ye Faithful". It sounded very nice indeed! Got out of bed yesterday.
December 25
On waking up this morning found that the old Father Christmas still visits people. Was thinking last night of last Christmas Eve how Mum was kept waiting on the wrong corner and also her coming into the town with us in the evening. It seems rather strange to feel cold and see rain on Christmas day. Shall send a couple of cards received in gift parcels home. Went up to No.6 Ward for dinner. Had a good meal and Christmas pudding. Went down to billet this afternoon and found majority drunk. They had some fine music. Brought Hector Mood from trenches, when in this state he can nearly make violin talk!
He went sick December 30, 1916 to the 12th Casualty Clearing Station with P.U.O. (Pyrexia (Fever) Uncertain Origin) Trench Fever and returned to his unit on January 15, 1917.
On January 29, 1917 he entered the 109th Field Ambulance with ICT (inflammation of connective tissues) of his right toe. Moved to the Divisional Rest Station on February 4 and two days later was relocated to the 2nd Casualty Clearing Station diagnosed with ICT Big Toe. The following day was conveyed on A.T.10 to the 14th General Hospital at Wimereux and admitted with ICT right foot (slight). On February 11 he left Boulogne for England on the hospital ship H.S. Cambria entering the Middlesex Hospital, Clacton-on-Sea.
He was transferred to the Easton Park Hospital, Colchester on February 19 for amputation of his toe. On June 12, 1917 was discharged on Furlough and to report on June 26 to the Overseas Training Depot at Perham Down’s camp.
He proceeded from Southampton to France on July 9, 1917 arriving at the Aust General Base Depot in Rouelles a day later. On July 15 he returned to his unit after being invalided to England.
Blue Chevrons were issued to wear on his uniform for serving twelve months abroad.
He proceeded on leave on February 9, 1918 and on his return the following disciplinary action was taken:
Crime: W.O.A.S. [While on Active Service] A.W.L. by overstaying leave to U.K.
About 24 hours 23/2/18
Award: 7 day’s pay forfeiture
Total forfeiture: 9 day’s pay under R.W. (£2.5.0) 25/2/18
Sapper Mood spent time with the 2nd Section 39th Division, Royal Engineers but remained on strength with his unit and returned on August 31, 1918.
Further punishment was issued for the following:
Crime: A.W.L. during working hours from 9.30 a.m. till 11.30 a.m. 17/10/18
Award: 14 days F.P. No. 2 by C.O. A.E.M.M.B.C. 18/10/18
Hughy Dodd Diary:
1918
October 25 - 31
Still pulling job out. Four new men came out last Monday. Viollette, Vickery, Mood and Forsyth.
When Peace was declared Sapper was with his unit and the company remained on the front continuing to generate electricity and supply and service small engines and pumps for water supplies to those rehabilitating their areas.
Leave was granted by the Furlough Department from January 6, 1919 to January 20. While on leave he went sick from Headquarters on January 14 to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital in Dartford with Bronchitis. Discharged on furlough on January 27 with orders to report to the No. 1 Command Depot at Sutton Veny on February 2, 1919.
He was admitted to the 1st Aust. Dermatological Hospital at Bulford on February 19 and after three days discharged to the Convalescent Training Depot at Parkhouse on February 21 to continue treatment.
After demobilisation Sapper Mood embarked for Australia on May 6, 1919 on the H.T. Kaiser-I-Hind. Base Records advised his mother on June 2, 1919 that he was returning home. The ship docked in Sydney, NSW (2nd M.D.) on June 19, 1919. News of their arrival was published in the
Military Discharge was issued in Sydney (2nd M.D.) on August 11, 1919 on termination of his period of enlistment. Later that year he married Alice Jane Nelson with their marriage registered at St Peters, Sydney, NSW.
For serving his country Sapper 1374 Hector Joseph Mood, Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company received the British War Medal (34144) and the Victory Medal (33710).
He took part in a concert which was mentioned in the:
In 1925 their residence was Allan’s Avenue, Petersham.
A Statement of his Service was requested from Base Records by the Sydney Branch of the Repatriation Commission and forwarded to them on January 8, 1929.
They were residing at 30 Nelson Street, Belmore in 1930 with his occupation as a clerk and later that year changed to St David’s Road, Haberfield. From 1933 onwards were registered living at 12 Archibald Street, Belmore and his occupation was a storemen and in 1936 listed as musician.
In 1932 the following was reported in the:
Theses advertisements were published in newspapers give examples of various musical entertainment mainly old-time dance music played by his orchestras.
In March, 1963 Hector wrote from 12 Archibald Street, Belmore to Base Records advising that he was unfortunate enough to lose his Bronze Badge issued with his Discharge and as far as he knew it fell off his coat and would it be possible to get another badge. A Statutory Declaration was completed on March 27, 1963 in which he declared that he ‘lost the badge sometime in 1930, the only explanation I can give is that it slipped out of my coat.’ The Badge was replaced on April 10, 1963.
His wife Alice Jane Mood passed away on October 13, 1974 and was interred in the Roman Catholic Lawn section of the Woronora Cemetery in Lawn section 2, grave no 0010A.
Hector Joseph Mood died about a month later on November 19, 1974 aged 82 years. Family arrangements were placed in the:
Interment was in the same location in the Roman Catholic Plaque Lawn – Lawn 2 in gravesite 0010A of the Woronora Cemetery.
REUNIONS
Former members of the (Alphabet Company) Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company and Tunnellers’ in Sydney would meet to march in the Anzac Day parade then attend their annual luncheon. Roll Registers for newsletters of this annual event were kept and his name appears as follows:
1928 H. Mood c/o Musician’s Club, Castlereagh St changed to: 51 St David’s Road, Haberfield
Letter returned 2/31
1934 H. Mood 12 Archibald St, Belmore Letter returned ‘39
© Donna Baldey 2013 / 2015
www.tunnellers.net
with the assistance of Neil Hunter, grandson of Hector Joseph Mood.
photo courtesy Neil Hunter