SAPPER DAVID GLYNDWR MADDERS
5136 - 1st Australian Tunnelling Company / 40th Infantry Battalion
David Madders was born in Torbanlea, Qld on January 12, 1896.
At twenty years of age, accompanied by his younger brother, applied to enlist at Rockhampton, Qld on January 19, 1916 where personal particulars taken give his address as Bluff, Q.C.R., standing 175cms (5ft 9ins) tall, weighing 64.5kgs (142lbs) with the chest measurement of 89cms (35ins).
Forms of Attestation were completed adding further information that his complexion was fresh with hazel eyes and brown hair. Methodist was his religious faith. Next-of-kin nominated was his mother Mrs Mary Jane Madders of Bluff Colliery, Q.C.R., Qld. The 'Oath' was taken and signed the same day.
Acknowledgement to the volunteers was published in The Capricornian on Saturday January 22, 1916:
CENTRAL DISTRICT VOLUNTEERS
An additional fourteen recruits reported for service in the Australian Imperial Forces left Rockhampton railway for Brisbane bringing the number who have left this centre in the last few weeks to [unreadable]. The following are their names:
A.K. Higgins (Emerald), E. Hudson (Rockhampton), H. Hall (Rockhampton), J.M. [unreadable] (Barcaldine), A.C. Francis (Barcaldine), J. Riley (Muttaburra), T. Madders (Bluff), D. Madders (Bluff), J. Allan (Bluff), P. Curran (Yarwin), D. Curran (Yarwin), W. McElligott, Bluff, John Hoare (Barcaldine), J.H.J. Saunders (Yarwin).
Basic training commenced on January 26, 1916 at Enoggera camp, Brisbane, Qld as a Private with the 11th Depot Battalion until February 29 when he was re-allotted to the Miners' Depot (1st Military District). He was sent for further training to their camp at Seymour, Victoria and assigned to the 2nd Reinforcements to the Tunnelling Companies with the regimental number 5136 in the rank of Sapper.
The Capricornian, Rockhampton, Queensland - 18 March 1916:
THE BLUFF - (From a Correspondent)
A very pleasant evening was spent in the School of Arts on the 8th instant, the occasion being a send-off tendered to five of our soldiers who were on home leave before their departure for Melbourne.
They were Messrs T. and D. Madders, J. Allan, W. McElligott, W. Ruff, and two other soldiers of the same company, Privates M. Bowen and L. De Chastel.
Fully twenty-five couples graced the floor. The music was supplied by Misses Napper, McCallum, and Messrs. McElligott, Ruff, and Lovejoy. Mr. J. Rodgers acted as master of ceremonies, and kept matters going merrily.
During an interval a presentation of a safety razor, shaving brush, soap, and pencil was made to each of the local soldiers and the two visiting soldiers were each presented with a silver match box with their initials suitable engraved. Mr. Rodgers, in making the presentation in a neat speech, referred to the number of enlistments from Bluff. He said no less than fourteen had been accepted, which he claimed as a record for Queensland, taking into consideration the population of Bluff. Should other towns and cities answer the call on a pro rata basis there would be no necessity for recruiting committees or conscription to be put into force. He also referred to shirkers and slackers and pointed out how Mr. and Mrs. Madders, senr., who have already given three sons, whilst the remaining two have been called on for medical inspection. This he claimed as hardly fair whilst there were still single men in Queensland who have no dependents on them and had no intention of enlisting.
In handing each solider his present he said he was proud to know there were such able bodied men as them who had heard the call of the motherland and so nobly responded to it. No doubt they had heard the call from their wounded comrades at Gallipoli and were now answering that call for assistance. On behalf of the people of Bluff he wished each and everyone of them Godspeed and a safe and victorious return at the conclusion of the war. He felt sure they would do their duty nobly and be a credit to the Australian troops who had already made such a name for themselves.
In reply Private Bowen said on behalf of his comrades he thanked the people of Bluff for the presents they had given them. He also wished to thank Mr. Rodgers for the kindly sentiments expressed by him. He was not an orator and would sooner face the Kaiser than an audience. At the conclusion of the war they would try to bring the Kaiser back with them to Bluff so that the ladies could tar and feather him. He assured them that each and everyone of them would do his best to uphold the traditions of the Australian troops.
Three cheers were then called for the Allies and three also for King George, which were heartily given. Dancing was continued until 3.30 a.m., when all the residents assembled at the railway station to see our boys depart. "Soldiers of the King" was sang as the train was leaving. The soldiers answered with a hearty cheer.
The Bluff, 9th March, 1916.
His Attestation papers went missing therefore was re-attested on June 27, 1916 at Seymour camp. Description at that time was 173cms (5ft 8ins) tall, weighed (142lbs) with a chest measurement of 89cms (35ins). Complexion was fair with grey eyes and brown hair. Methodist was religion. Distinctive marks were four vaccination scars on his left arm, a mole on left shoulder blade and coal-marks on his right shoulder and nose.
On July 17, 1916 he was assigned for departure with the Tunnelling Company Reinforcements.
Two days later Sapper Madders was one of 79 Reinforcements departing on HMAT A26 Armadale from Port Melbourne, Victoria on July 19, 1916. Durban, South Africa was reached on August 15, 1916 and leave was granted from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and they departed the next day. Arrived at Cape Town a few days later on August 20, 1916 and a Route March lasting three hours kept them fit before enjoying leave until 11 p.m. The ship was scheduled to leave at 2 p.m. but cancelled and left the following day at 5 p.m. The quality of liquor in town was considered bad. A one day stopover to refuel at Port le Grand, St Vincent was the last harbour visited on September 8, 1916. After a 64 day voyage the ship arrived at Devonport, England on September 20, 1916. The troops were detrained to Tidworth Station and arrived for further training at the No. 3 Details camp, Parkhouse the next day.
While in camp he was punished for the following on October 10, 1916:
Crime: AWL from 2400 8/10/16 to 1600 9/10/16
Award: 7 days C.B. [Confined to Barracks] by Lt Kennedy
Total forfeiture: 1 day's pay
The troops proceeded overseas to France arriving at the Aust General Base Depot on October 19, 1916. He was assigned to the 1st Tunnelling Company on November 29 and taken on strength in the field a day later.
On March 4, 1917 disciplinary action was taken as follows:
Offence: W.O.A.S. 2/3/17
(1) Being in an estaminet during prohibited hours viz. between 8 p.m. and 12 noon.
(2) Creating a disturbance
(3) Making an improper remark to the Military Police
(4) Not complying with VIII Corps R.O. 259 dated 23/8/16
Award: 16 days F.P. No. 1
And on May 26, 1917:
Offence: W.O.A.S. 24/5/17
(1) AWL from 8.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.
(2) Being inappropriately dressed contrary to camp order
Award: 4 days F.P. No. 2
Later in that year the following occurred:
Crime: W.O.A.S. from 19/11/17 till 20/11/17
Award: 10 days F.P. No. 2 by Capt E.S. Anderson C.O.
Total forfeiture: 12 day's pay
One of the Madders brothers, possibly David attended the Second School of Musketry for training. The following is an extract of the scores from the results mentioned in the Unit Diary:
NO 4 SECTION
Squad Sergeant: Sergt. Sewell J.
Squad No. 1. Second School: MUSKETRY
Fortnight ending 23-6-18
No. Rank. Name Grouping Rapid Vanishing Target Total
Sapper Madders 25 14 20 59
Average per man 23.5 15.2 22.1 60.96
Total average per man 60.96
Possible 70
No further incidents occurred and he was noted in an audit to be with his company on July 17, 1918.
On September 10, 1918 he marched out to the A.G.B.D. in Rouelles and seven days later was transferred to the 40th Battalion and taken on strength of this Battalion.
Leave was granted to England from October 16, 1918 and rejoined on November 1, 1918. He was with his Battalion when Peace was declared and they remained on the front.
Detached on December 29, 1918 to the 3rd Pioneer Battalion to attend a Civil Training Course and rejoined on February 26, 1919.
News from Mrs Wheeler was printed in the local newspaper:
Friday February 14, 1919
Letter Mrs H.G. Wheeler 15/11/18
D.G. Madders who wrote Oct 7, has been transferred. Article Abridged
On March 8, 1919 he was detached for Grave Repairing and returned on March 25.
Members of the company were recalled to Base on April 9 to prepare for England and returned to Havre for departure. Crossing the English Channel arrived at No. 3 Group camp at Codford on April 15, 1919.
He is mentioned by Mrs Wheeler after he had contacted her:
Letter Mrs H.G. Wheeler 8/4/19.
D.G. Madders expects to be in England this month on his way home. Article abridged
Sapper Madders departed on May 27, 1919 for Australia on the H.T. Rio Padre. Next-of-kin were advised by Base Records on June 21 that he was returning. He disembarked in Sydney, NSW (2nd M.D.) on July 24, 1919 and left for Brisbane (1st M.D.) and arriving a few days later.
The Queenslander on Saturday August 2, 1919 printed the arrival and list of returned soldiers:
WELCOMED HOME
TWO MORE BATCHES OF SOLDIERS RETURN
Two batches of soldiers arrived on Tuesday, the first lot by special train at 5.35 p.m., and the other by the Sydney Mail Train. When it arrived at Central Station the officers and men were welcomed by his Excellency the Governor and Lady Goold-Adams.
Per Pio Padre:
There were two in addition: Private D.G. Madders and R.Q.M.S. J. Wharton. Article Abridged
Military Discharge was issued in Brisbane (1st M.D.) on September 12, 1919 on termination of his period of enlistment and returned to the Bluff Colliery.
Sapper 5136 David Glyndwr Madders, 1st Tunnelling Company / 40th Battalion for serving his country was entitled to wear the British War Medal (19537) and the Victory Medal (19049).
The Brisbane Repatriation Commission requested from Base Records a Statement of Service which was dated May 3, 1949.
From 1936-1968 David is registered in Electoral Rolls at Torbanlea working as a miner.
© Donna Baldey 2012
www.tunnellers.net
brothers of David
