THESE ARE SOME DETAILS OF THE WAR HISTORY OF
JACK BRIGHT
This is general information regarding the history of his unit
& where he is buried.
In Memory of
REGINALD JACK BRIGHT
Private
5979
37th Bn., Australian Infantry, A.I.F
who died on
Friday, 29th March 1918. Age 21.
Additional Information: Son of John and Margaret Bright, of Muboo
(Mirboo) Post
Office, Victoria, Australia. Native of Ballarat, Victoria.
Commemorative Information
Cemetery: DOULLENS COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION No.1, Somme,
France
Grave Reference/
Panel Number: VI. G. 10.
Location: Doullens is a town in the Department of the Somme,
approximately 30 kilometres north of Amiens on the N25 road to
Arras. The Communal Cemetery and Extensions lie on the eastern
side of the town, about 270 metres south-east of the road to
Arras.
Map
Of Conflict
Historical Information: Doullens was Marshal Foch's Headquarters
early in the War, and the scene of the Conference in March, 1918,
after which he assumed command of the Allied armies on the
Western front. From the summer of 1915 to March, 1916, it was a
junction between the French Tenth Army on the Arras front and the
British Third Army on the Somme. The Citadelle, overlooking the
town from the South, was a French military hospital, and the
railhead was used by both Armies. In March, 1916, the Arras front
became British, and the 19th Casualty Clearing Station came to
Doullens, followed by the 41st, the 35th and the 11th. By the end
of 1916 these had given place to the 3rd Canadian Stationary
Hospital and the 2/1st Northumbrian Casualty Clearing Station,
the former of which remained in the town until June, 1918. From
February, 1916, to April, 1918, the British medical units
continued to bury in the French Extension (No.1) of the Communal
Cemetery. In March and April, 1918, the German advance and the
desperate fighting on this front threw a severe strain on the
Canadian Stationary Hospital; the Extension was filled, and new
ground was occupied (Extension No. 2) on the opposite side of the
Communal Cemetery. There are now over 1,000, 1914-18 and 30,
1939-45 war casualties commemorated in this site. Each of the
Extensions curtains a War Cross, and Number 1 has a Great War
Stone on the Eastern boundary.
15th Infantry Brigade (Victoria) [Fifth Division] Formed in Egypt
February 1916 and assigned to Fifth Division. Subunits: · 57th
Infantry Battalion February 1916 to past November 1918 · 58th
Infantry Battalion February 1916 to past November 1918 · 59th
Infantry Battalion February 1916 to past November 1918 · 60th
Infantry Battalion February 1916 to 25 September 1918 · 15th
Machine Gun Company March 1916 to February 1918 · 15th Light
Trench Mortar Battery 5 July 1916 to past November 1918 ·
Commanders: · Colonel G.G.H. Irving 24 February 1916 to 29
February 1916 · Colonel/Brigadier General H.E. Elliott 1 March
1916 to past November 1918 · Campaigns Egypt, Sinai: Defence of
Suez Canal, Western Front: Fromelles, Retreat to the Hindenburg
Line, Bullecourt, Polygon Wood, Villers Bretonneux, Morlancourt,
Hamel, Amiens, Peronne, Hindenburg Line
War records obtained from the National Archives show the following details regarding the
enrolment of Jack into the AIF:
Full Name: Reginald Jack Bright
Place Of Birth: Ballarat
Age: 22 Years
Trade: Dairyman
Next Of Kin: Mrs Margaret Bright, Mirboo South
Date Of Enlisting: 18-4-1916
Family records indicate that Jack was born in 1894, which would mean he was indeed
22 when he enrolled.
He undertook training at Castlemaine 18-4-1916. It seems he then sailed from
Melbourne on the "Themistocles", arriving in Plymouth 11-9-1916. Here he was
"taken on strength" in the 37th Battallion 23-9-1916.
He proceeded to France 22-11-1916, and detached for duty with the 3rd Australian
Division Traffic Police 12-12-1916, rejoining his battallion 12-6-1917. He was
reported as missing 14-6-1917 only to turn up with his unit 3 days later.
On 12-10-1917 Jack was reported as wounded in action by the 10th Brigade HQ,
and moved to the 11th Field Ambulance. From there he was transferred to the
8th Casualty Hospital at Wimereux with a "gunshot Wound Right Cheek".
On 15-10-1917 he was moved to 1st Convalescent Depot at Boulogne. This
stay was short, because records show that he rejoined the battallion on 17-11-1917.
It was not until 7-11-1917 that a form was sent to Margaret that Jack had been
wounded. There was no mention of the wounds received or their seriousness.
He saw some more action before returning to England for leave 5-2-1918, and then
rejoined his battallion from leave 21-2-1918.
Shortly afterward HQ of the 10th Brigade reported Jack as being wounded in action
again 28-3-1918. He was transferred to the 11th Field Ambulance with
"Gunshot Wounds Arm & Leg". He was moved to 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital, Doullens,
where he died of wounds 29-3-1918. No documentation was available
regarding the notification of his death.
However, there seems to have been some family dispute regarding his possessions.
*2 Wallets, Money Belt, Buttons, Badges, Field Almanac, Photos, cards,
Letters, coins (2) & cigarette holder returned on the "Australcrag" 31-5-1918
*Letters, Religious Book, Housewife (?), Cards, Mirror returned on the
"Australcrag" 14-6-1918
These items were sent to Mr. Jack Bright, Urangeline, Via Jerong Creek, New South Wales.
Even though Jack had listed Margaret as Next Of Kin, Jack made a will 22-7-1917, naming
Jack Bright as the beneficiary. Margaret took offence at this, writing on 28-10-1918:
Dear Sir,
Re my son Private R.J. Bright 37th Battalion, killed in action 29 March 1918.
I received word from France by letter dated May 19th 1918 that his personal
effects, etc. had been forwarded to me through the usual channels by the Regimental
Chaplain and have been advised to apply to you for same.
Hoping to receive same or hear from you shortly you will greatly oblige
Mrs. J. Bright
Mirboo PO
A response was made on 6-11-1918:
Dear Madam,
I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter 28th ult., concerning you son,
the late No. 5979 Private R.J. Bright, 37th Battalion, and to state his personal
effects have not yet been returned to this office, but any coming to hand will
be promptly transmitted to Mr. Jack Bright, Urangeline, as sole legatee under his will.
It is pointed out that, owing to the lack of shipping accommodation, considerable delay is
experienced in having the belongings of deceased members of the Australian imperial
Force transferred to Australia.
Yours faithfully,
Officer i/c Base Records.
This obviously upset Margaret who immediately wrote on 13-11-1918:
Dear Sir,
I have in my possession a true copy of the will of my late son R. J. Bright and in it he
bequeaths all his personal records to Mrs. Jack Bright Urangeline, which place is my
summer residence, and where I was when my son enlisted and the Defence Department
had no right to pay to any one else except myself, pay, or yet personal effects to
anyone but myself and I object to them being sent to anyone else.
Hoping you will see what is to be done kindly let me know at your convenience.
Yours in haste
Mrs. J. Bright
The departments response on 26-11-1918 was as follows:
Dear Madam,
I have to acknowledge receipt of your communication of the 13th instant concerning
the will of the late No. 5979 Private R.J. Bright, 37th Battalion, and in reply to state
the copy of deceased's will held at this Office prescribes the legatee Mr. Jack Bright,
Urangeldine, Via Yerong Creek, NSW. However, as you hold a copy of a will
executed by the late soldier I would be obliged if you will forward same to this Office
for notation and comparison with the document in my possession.
No personal effects of the abovementioned soldier have been received by this Branch
to date, but in the event ofany articles coming to hand later, they will be promptly
forwarded in accordance with his testimentary instructions.
The district paymaster, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne, is dealing with the
deceased's military financial affairs, and it is suggested that any communication on
this matter be addressed to him direct, in order to avoid unnecessary delay.
Yours faithfully,
Office I/c Base Records.
Link to an interesting site regarding the 37th Battallion.
Thanks to Kate Blake.