Reginald Harrington's Journey of Remembrance: Blog post 4

 Off to foreign lands....

Prior to Reg's time on the front lines, like so many of the first AIF, their experiences mirrored those of a tourist travelling to foreign places and lands, new and fascinating. Lieutenant Harrington's letters refer many times to the interesting and extraordinary sights he witnessed. En-route to Egypt he wrote about his very first exposure to people and places across the seas:

'Sunday 15th November 1914: 

Ceylon in sight in going on deck this morning and all hands are fairly excited the first land since leaving dear old Australia a fortnight ago. All morning we steamed along the coast, not near enough to recognize the vegetation, and we passed numerous native fishing  boats or catamarans as they are called and funny things they are. Each boat being manned by 3 or 5 Ceylonese, who wear a fig leaf  and a turban. Came to anchor in Roadstead off Colombo at 10 o'clock a.m. and near enough to get a grand view of trees and a portion of the city. 

The scenery through the telescope is really fine and I should love to land and have a look around. Everybody who is not on duty is spending their time hanging over the side or gazing through field glasses at the town and of the latter I have done a good deal. So have the officers. One poor beggar thought he would not live to see it and was buried off the Africa coast this morning.

Monday 16th November 1914: 

Colombo at night as seen from the transports looks lovely and we would all dearly like to get on shore and look around. It must be great on shore and would be well worth a trip . This morning the thing most noticed by me  was the presence of numerous butterflies, all sorts shapes and sizes and of beautiful colors, they were really lovely and one could easily fancy what they would be like on shore.  Red ones with black or fawn wings, pure white, yellow, black and red ones, spotted and salmony colored ones, it is past to state  the blend of colors  but one could watch them a long time without getting tired.'

And as our 2022 group begin their WW1 journey across the former European battlefields, we too play the role of tourists as we soak up the regional differences of the places we visit. Obviously our world is a globalized one, with many recognizable features like those in  our own homeland. However as we begin our adventure,  we immerse ourselves in those things that are different or unusual, just like Reg did 108 years ago. 

Exploring beautiful Amiens on our first day on the Somme. 

(Photo credit: Julie Reece, Sunday 25 September 2022)

The back lanes behind the Amiens Cathedral are recounted by  Sebastian Faulks in his iconic WW1 novel ' Birdsong'. 

(Photo credit: Julie Reece 25th September , 2022)

'The Boulevard Du Cange was a broad, quiet street that marked the eastern flank of the city of Amiens...The Azaires' house showed a strong formal front towards the road from behind iron railings.' (page 3) 

Reginald Harrington's Journey of Remembrance: Blog Post 3

 LEAVING AUSTRALIAN SHORES : 1 November, 1914 and  23 September 2022

As the 2022 Connecting Spirits Community Tour finally depart for Europe, we will look back at the day Lieutenant Reginald Harrington DCM, also finally left Australian waters. His ship was in the very first convoy of troops from Australia that left from Albany in Western Australia on the long journey to the western front via Ceylon, Egypt, Turkey and finally to Marseilles. He writes of the sadness about leaving his young wife Edith and baby Gwen and looks forward to the day of his return. Reg and his brother Keith sailed from Port Melbourne on 18^th October, but it wasn’t until Sunday November 1^st that his contingent finally left Australian waters. Conditions on board were not great and many horses and some men died on the long voyage across to the middle east. He wrote:

‘I slept on the deck last night but tonight am in my hammock, these are hung in troop deck, above the mess tables, and in my opinion far too close, especially as first above ones are the horse stalls, the smell from which are far from pleasant. I would not be surprised if we are subjected to an epidemic of some sort before the voyage is over.

Sunday 1^st November 1914

As expected, we sailed early this morning from Albany, got under way about half past 6 o’clock and we have been steaming three quarters speed since: the sight of all the transports is really wonderful. We do not know where we are sailing but are now 7 o’clock p.m. nearing the ‘Luewin’ and so, I suppose have seen the last of dear old Australia for some little time to come. The sea is very calm, and the prospects are for fine weather. Our squadron had to do stables today, and early this morning we put overboard the fourth horse, destroyed by the vet on account of becoming mad! The second from the same cause since leaving Melbourne. It is a mark against our administration I think that arrangements were not made to land the horses whilst we were laying in Albany, as we’re there over a week.

Reginald Harrington's Journey of Remembrance: (Blog Post 2)

‘DEPARTURES’ (Blog post 2)

23 September 2022 has been a long time coming! After planning this tour in mid to late 2019 and making bookings, arrangements and then facing Covid where all the plans were put on hold, our tiny group is finally departing for Europe in two week’s time. Despite undertaking nearly 20 commemorative tours since 2001, this one feels like the first. The adrenaline kicks in with the anticipation and excitement of finally leaving but within the context of some unknowns that international travel post Covid presents. So, when we look back to the journeys of over 330,000 Australian military personnel in the Great War, reading letters and diaries from departing soldiers, in many cases the sense of adventure and excitement seeps through their writing. As we follow the letters of Lieutenant Reginald Harrington DCM, they  give an extraordinary insight to one man’s wartime journey as he wrote to his wife Edith over the 4 plus years he was overseas. This is his story:

16 November 1914 (Colombo, CEYLON) 

From what I can gather it is intended to remove the embargo on letters, sealed after leaving this post, so now I am going to make an attempt to write a long letter and tell you my own darling wife all the little incidents that have happened on our voyage so far. It is now a month since we steamed away from Melbourne, and it will be nearly another month before we reach England. From the day we knew we were to leave I have kept a little diary and I will write this letter as a copy of it as you may see, darling girlie, that every night when writing it up I have had you in my mind and have longed to post you a decent letter, but as the instructions given us were definite, I could not let you know a single thing as regards our movements. I have not had a letter from you, darling since the day before we sailed, so it is now over a month since I last heard from you and I am actually awfully anxious to know that my darlings are well. 

(Further on in the letter, Reg describes his feelings at the point of departure in the previous month from the docks at Melbourne bound for the war.) 

18 October 1914 (Melbourne)

Reveille sounded at 11.30 pm on the 17th …coffee at 12.30 am. Cleaned up the horse lines, and tidied the tents, withdrew lead ropes and heel pegs, and put our kits on a motor lorry, saddled up our horses and in full marching order…left Broadmeadows camp at 3 o’clock on Monday morning. We rode through Melbourne down to Port Melbourne and reached the pier at 6 o’clock. On reaching the pier we took off the saddle and bridle and put on the ship halter with which we were provided and led our horses on board our transport. The horses went on splendidly. And gave no trouble at all : fancy my darling wifey, the whole of our squadron had its horses, over 150 in all, on board in 40 minutes. Nobody was allowed up the front but on the deck we could hear them cheering as we got away from the pier. It is strange the emotions one feels at times like this and  felt glad indeed my darling girl  that you were far away.  and so spared the pain of a parting  before going on board and then again I felt I would give dearly to be able to say one last fond goodbye before leaving our coast, we came to anchor in bay that that might dear, and as I managed to get some postcards of the ship, I sent you one and also one to dear little Gwen.  

'The 2nd LH Regiment leaves Brisbane's Pinkenba Wharf. The scene was the same at other ports of embarkation in Australia and New Zealand.'

Photo and text from 'The Anzacs', Pedersen. P ( 2007) page 21.

Walking in the footsteps of Lieut. Reginald Harrington DCM (Blog post 1)

 

 

REGINALD HARRINGTON’S Journey of Remembrance 2022: Blog post 1

With our 2022 Connecting Spirits Community Tour departing in two month's time, our itinerary planning is nearly complete. As part of this year’s much awaited tour, the group will follow in the footsteps of one South Australian soldier Lieutenant Reginald Harrington D.C.M from his and brother Keith’s departure from Australia through to his final days in the UK. The first post sets the scene with a letter Reginald sent to his daughter Gwen who was only two years of age at the time. In this evocative document, the South Australian officer explains to little Gwen, his reasons for leaving her and enlisting to fight in the Great War. His daughter kept the letter for all her life and when she was 90 years of age, Gwen explained to me the significance of this powerful text. The letter was sent from the training camps at Mena in Egypt on 24^th February 1915 two months prior to his participation in the infamous Gallipoli campaign.

(Take note: Reg’s punctuation, sentence structure, capitalisation and grammar has been transcribed as HE wrote it)

 

My Darling little daughter Gwen

It seems strange to me writing a letter to you, when I know that it will be many years before your dear eyes will be able to translate my message. Two years ago today your Dad was the happiest & proudest fellow in all the world. Your dear Mother will have told you why, and today because I am so far away from you both I made my mind to write you a letter, for your Mother to give you when you are a big wise girl to read, and so that you might know, as you will find out for yourself, only too well later on in life, how your welfare and your image fills my mind & heart.

In a few days’ time, with the rest of the Australian Forces, we leave to go to the front and with the knowledge of what we have to face, in front of me. I know that whereas I may be lucky enough to go thorough it all, and return home to you, to see & watch over your life, at the same time, less than five minutes in the firing line, may be the end of my career. In this case my baby, when you read this letter, you will be about 18 years old (the age your Mother was when I first met & fell in love with her).

Your  Mother will, in the event of my not returning, have the care of your little life, your education, character, and learning and will have told you all about your Dad, and about this Great War and that, apart from Patriotic feelings and a citizen’s first duty, my further reason and purpose, for leaving a comfortable home, loving wife, small baby daughter & a good position, as well as all the other nice things of a peaceful life, for the rough and ready living of a soldier, was so that my wife, Your Mother, and you our little self may be able to live out your lives in peace, and to help stop forever, any chance of our enemy, fearful and cruel ever invading & violating the shore of our country.

Well my daughter the following are the things I want you to think about and do, only some of them, for there will be hundreds of little things your Mother will teach you, as only Mothers can. Always love your Mother & do as she teaches & tells you, never do the slightest thing away from her that you would not do in her sight. Tell your Mother all your little secrets, keep nothing from her, no matter what it is, and remember, Your Mother Gwen, is & always will be your best & wisest friend, so no matter what is wrong always go to her, for if your Mother won’t help you, then my daughter no one in this world will, so remember my wishes. Make your dear Mother your best friend & tell her everything. Do this dear girl and as I found out the truth of it all, in my later life you will find out for yourself. For the rest, everything lies in yours, and in your sweet Mother’s hands. God bless you both. Anyhow, I am going to get back alright, and so will be able to watch you grow up & oh! I hope till I am an old man, together with your Mother, but this is in case my luck is out. May God always protect & guide your dearest lives, is the burden of the prayers of your loving Dad.

 

As we tour the former Western Front this year, we will keep Reginald’s story front and centre of our journey. It is to be hoped that we will be able to continue the narrative in 2024 if we are able to tour to Turkey and re-join the narrative at Keith Harrington’s grave the resting place of Reg’s brother.  By following Julie Reece Tours Facebook page and ticking LIKE, you will keep in the loop of our planning.

 

Wife and daughter of Reginald Harrington : Edith with baby Gwen at the age when her father left for war

(Photo credit: taken from 'Journey of Remembrance, REECE, J 2002, pg 197) 

Lieutenant Reginald Harrington DCM 

(Photo credit: taken from 'Journey of Remembrance, REECE, J 2002, pg 197) 

 

 

Looking out over the Aegean from the Gallipoli peninsula

(Photo credit : Julie Reece 2002 visit to Turkey)

Canakkale, Turkey

(Photo credit : Julie Reece 2002 visit to Turkey)

 

 

Walking in the footsteps of Lieut. Reginald Harrington DCM (Introduction)

 

REGINALD HARRINGTON D.C.M.: His journey of Remembrance 2022

In 2000 in the lead up to the first commemorative tour I organised, ‘Remembrance 2001’, one of the students who joined the project uncovered a superb collection of letters written by Lieutenant Reginald Harrington DCM. Reg along with his brother Keith, were students at the Hahndorf College prior to the war. Ben Huxtable was Year 11 in 2001 when the Remembrance 2001 group departed for Europe, and he researched and eventually commemorated 33 Hahndorf veterans who were buried overseas. In his attempts to locate and contact the families of these WW1 soldiers, Ben had several names he could not trace. He placed an advertisement in the ‘Sunday Mail’ listing the remaining names he was researching seeking help from the public to make contact. And this is where Reginald Harrington’s story came to light.

 A lady in her late 80’s contacted Ben and identified herself as Reg’s only daughter, Gwen. A lively conversation ensued when eventually Gwen told Ben that she had all her father’s letters right from the time of his enlistment (18 August 1914) through to the final letter written by his nurse in England writing to Reg’s wife Edith following the death of her beloved husband. (6 October 1918) Much to the consternation of Gwen’s own family, she handed over all the precious letters into the hands of this 16-year-old boy she had only just met! Ben and his mother Jayne then carefully and lovingly transcribed these letters and after the tour we published a book ‘Journey of Remembrance: an account of Mount Barker High School’s Remembrance 2001 project’ where most of the letters were included in full. (We made the decision to not include two of the letters due to the very personal nature of the correspondence out of respect for Edith his widow.)

So why now 20 years later is Reg’s story coming to light once more? The 2022 Connecting Spirits Community Tour group decided to focus on Harrington’s story and follow his journey each day we are touring. In the lead up to our departure on September 23, I will write a blog post featuring Reg’s letters as they pertain to that date. It may be that we are in the same location or on the same date he was writing. The relevant letter or extract will be shared at the start of each day and included in regular blog posts. In that sense we really will be following in the footsteps of this man from rural south Australia.

To conclude our commemorative journey, we will read the final letters at his grave in Netley Cemetery in Hampshire in the UK in memory of this remarkable man. The Royal Victoria Military hospital where he was cared for in his final days, closed in 1978 when a park was established by local authorities that surrounds the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery. The original chapel remains today and houses a museum sharing the stories of the hospital, medical treatments and those who worked and were treated there. It is our intent to visit the old chapel when we complete our commemoration to Reg.

I would like to acknowledge Allison Russell for allowing me to use her original idea in sharing Reg’s story in this manner. Allison produced a daily blog for the 2012 RSL/Connecting Spirits tour using this format for a different soldier William Murray FOWLER and has generously supported its use for Reginald Harrington. Thank you, Allison.

 

INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTERS

(Quoted from Chapter 8, ‘Journey of Remembrance’, page 196)

‘Over 25 of Reg’s letters are in existence and his daughter, Gwen Woodforde, has kindly given permission for these to be published. Because of their length and lack of punctuation some editing has been done, but the essence of his letters has been kept intact. His story is an extraordinary one. He enlisted early in the war with his brother Keith. They were both in Cairo during the riots in the red district of the Wazzir, and Reg gives a detailed account of this little-known event. He witnesses the mortal wounding of his beloved brother Keith and despite much sickness and lengthy periods of hospitalisation, he endures the horrors of the Western Front in the Somme region and later in 1917 -1918 in the hell of the Ypres Salient. Reginald Harrington was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and was invested at Buckingham Palace. Throughout his four years away from home and family, his letters convey his enduring love for his young wife and little baby Gwen. These documents are moving, engaging and a powerful record of one man’s experiences during World War One. His words encapsulate the tragedy that is the Great War.’  (Julie Reece, 2002)

Since the book and the letters were published 20 years ago, Gwen has passed away, but the legacy her father’s story has created, continues. Each week in June- September 23, extracts from Lieutenant Reginald Harrington letters to his wife Edith will be published on this blog.