Returned From Active Service Badge: Private Arthur Edward Heywood, 39 Battalion, AIF

ID Number    PERS007

Title                Returned From Active Service Badge: Private Arthur Edward Heywood, 39 Battalion, AIF

Maker             Stokes and Sons

Object Type   Badge

Place made     Australia: Victoria, Melbourne

Date made      c 1918-1919

Physical          Brass

Description

Description

A circular brass badge surmounted by a King's Crown. Around the outside of the badge in raised lettering is 'ISSUED BY DEPT. OF DEFENCE RETURNED FROM ACTIVE SERVICE'. In the center of the badge is the rising sun under which is 'A.I.F.' in raised letters. On the reverse of the badge are two brass lugs, both of which have been twisted to accommodate a fastening pin placed horizontally. Beneath the lugs is impressed the badge number '219247'. Stamped under the badge number are the maker's details 'STOKES & SONS MELB'. Above the lugs has been marked ‘A E HEYWOOD’.

Summary

Arthur Edward Heywood was a 25 year old farm labourer from Narrung, Victoria, when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 26 January 1917. Arthur had previously attempted to join the AIF; however, he was rejected on the grounds of being unfit due to having a hernia. 3172 Private Heywood embarked for overseas from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A70 Ballarat on 19 February 1917 with the 7 Reinforcements of the 39 Battalion.

He disembarked at Devonport, England on 25 April 1917 and the next day marched into 10 Training Battalion, Durrington. On 17 August 1917 Private Heywood was sentenced 4 days Field Punishment Number 2 with a forfeiture of 28 days pay, for conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline in that he neglected to put on his web equipment when he was ordered to do so. Heywood proceeded overseas to France via Southampton 20 August 1917 and the next day he marched into 3 Australian Division Base Details, Rouelles, France. He was there until 29 August 1917. Private Heywood was taken on strength of the 39 Battalion on 1 September 1917.

On 12 March 1918 Private Heywood was accidentally wounded, suffering serve phosphorous burns to face, hands, neck and left arm.  He was admitted to both the 10 Field Ambulance and also the New Zealand Stationary Hospital, Wisques on the day of the wounding. On 31 March 1918 he was sent to 2 Australian General Hospital, Boulogne. Heywood was invalided to the UK and admitted to the Fulham Military Hospital, Hammersmith, London, on 8 April 1918. On 24 April 1918 he was admitted to 1 Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield. He was granted furlough from 30 May to 13 June 1918.  At the conclusion of his furlough Heywood reported to 2 Command Depot, Weymouth. He returned to Australia 6 August 1918 due to his injuries, disembarking in Melbourne on 28 September 1918. Private Heywood was discharged 18 September 1919. Arthur Heywood died on 15 July 1945.

Private Heywood took part in the battles of Broodseinde on 4 October, and Passchendaele on 12 October 1917.

For more information on the 39th Battalion, click here. 

Returned From Active Service Badge: Private Charles Samuel Michie, 5 Battalion, AIF

ID Number    PERS002

Title                Returned From Active Service Badge: Private Charles Samuel Michie, 5 Battalion, AIF

Maker             Amor

Object Type   Badge

Place made     Australia: New South Wales, Sydney

Date made      c 1916

Physical          Brass

Description

Description

A circular brass badge surmounted by a King's Crown. Around the outside of the badge in raised lettering is 'ISSUED BY DEPT. OF DEFENCE RETURNED FROM ACTIVE SERVICE'. In the center of the badge is the rising sun under which is 'A.I.F.' in raised letters. On the reverse of the badge are two brass lugs. Beneath the lugs is impressed the badge number '17392'. Stamped under the badge number are the maker's details 'AMOR SYDNEY'.

Summary

Charles Samuel Michie was a 21 year old bookbinder’s finisher from Fitzroy Melbourne, with 2 years part-time service in the Victoria Rifles, when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 17 August 1914. 696 Private Michie embarked for overseas from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A3 Orvieto on 21 October 1914 with D Company of 5 Battalion.  He took part in the landing on the Gallipoli peninsula on 25 April 1915.  He was wounded with a gun shot wound to the head on 9 May 1915 during the second battle of Krithia. He was evacuated from Gallipoli and was admitted to St. Andrews Military Hospital, Malta on 13 May 1915. On 2 February 1916 he reported that he had become blind in his right eye. He was transferred to the 3 Australian General Hospital Cairo on 27 March 1916. On 11 May 1916 he was returned to Australia due to his wounds and defective vision. He was discharged as medically unfit on 6 December 1916. His returned from active service badge #17392 was issued on 24 November 1916.

 For more information on the 5th Battalion, click here.

Samuel’s older brother, 621 Corporal George Michie served with 14 Battalion on Gallipoli and was wounded in action on 6 May 1915. After evacuation to Egypt he returned to Gallipoli on 20 May and was wounded a second time on 26 May, again being evacuated to Egypt. After developing Rheumatic fever he was sent to England in September. Following recovery, he was sent back to Egypt to join his unit in March 1916. He was subsequently diagnosed with cardiac disease on 2 May 1916. As a consequence of this he left Egypt to return to Australia on 10 June 1916. He was discharged medically unfit on 24 August 1916.

For more information on the 14th Battalion, click here.