The Soldiers of St Marks on the Hill

The Society recently received a copy of a remarkable book chronicling the experiences of 48 soldiers who served during the Great War. Each man had a connection to Leopold and to the Anglican Church of St Mark, which stands midway up Leopold Hill.

Their biographies are recorded in detail, accompanied by carefully selected photographs from the Australian War Memorial and personal portraits where available. One story that caught my eye was that of Herbert Oswald Ash, whose father, Jabez Ash, was a Leopold resident. It’s likely that Ash Road, which descends from the top of Leopold Hill toward Lake Connewarre, bears their name.

Herbert was nearly 24 when he enlisted in July 1915. You can readily picture him: a fresh complexion, light brown hair, brown eyes, standing five feet nine inches tall and weighing 10 stone 10 pounds.

He arrived in Egypt in early February 1916 and was assigned to the 58th Infantry Brigade at Tel el Kebir on March 15. By June, he was in France, entering battle at Fromelles on July 19. In 1917, after recovering from mumps, he fought at Bullecourt, and later at Polygon Wood following a brief 12-day leave. In 1918, his battalion took part in the pivotal battle of Villers-Bretonneux, and continued the advance through Le Hamel, Ville-sur-Ancre, and finally Péronne on September 1.
Though Herbert survived the fighting, he tragically succumbed to influenza on December 11, 1918, and died at Maubeuge seven days later—one of the 60,000 Australians who gave their lives in that conflict.

The book, authored by Rob Wight, has been generously donated to the Society and is available for members to borrow. If you would like your own PDF copy, Rob can be contacted via email: robwight@southernphone.com.au.