26 March 2021

Norman – ‘Rae’ of Sunshine...

 In honour of:

Captain Norman Gordon RAE, MC (1886-1977)

and the Australian Light Horsemen who served in World War 1.

From Nanneella to Nymagee, an intriguing narrative about a young farmer who advanced his life by becoming a WW1 Light Horse cavalryman, a courageous Defence Force Officer, a loving family man who experienced personal tragedies and an outback pastoralist, who devoted his life to national and community service. 

by 

Lance F Marke  (great-great nephew), who also provided the pictures. 

Edited by Leon J. Lyell, with thanks to Lance Marke for permission to do so and to publish the story.

Normal Rae as I remember him: Editor.


Early life and family

When Mary Rae welcomed the birth of her 7th child, Norman Gordon on 3 May 1886, she and her husband Michael could never have imagined the extraordinary and fulfilling life their son Norman would experience. 

Norman was born at ‘Prairie’, at Nanneella, near Rochester, Victoria, a vibrant rural area some 200 km north of Melbourne. He was a new brother to Annie Janet 11, Minnie Agnes 9, Michael Alexander (deceased), Florence Maud 6, Beatrice Mary 4 and Lilly Alice 2. Marion Mabel and Albert John would be born after him. 

Norman was educated at the Nanneella South State School and then Scotch College, Melbourne (1901-1903). At 17, Norman left Scotch College due to his father’s ill health returning home to help his mother and sisters complete the many arduous farming tasks. His father, Michael suffered from Parkinson’s disease and passed away in 1910.  

Norman was a great sportsman playing football for both the Scotch College 1st team and captained the Rochester Football team. He was an accomplished horseman and exhibited draught horses in agricultural shows including the Royal Melbourne Show and was a member a debating team.


Norman’s Parents 

Norman’s father Michael (1834-1910) migrated to Australia from Stirling, Scotland, arriving at Melbourne on the ship ‘Ebba Brahe’ in December 1857. Stirling, north-west of Edinburgh, was known for its rich farming land along the River Forth.  Michael’s early occupations included ‘gold miner’ and ‘farmer’.

Norman’s mother Mary (nee Campbell) (1851-1924) migrated to Australia unassisted on the ‘Red Jacket’ with her parents Alexander and Ann (nee McBain) and sisters arriving in Melbourne in February1866. The Campbell’s hailed from the ‘Bogs of Davley’, Forres, about 40 km northeast of Inverness. The Campbells first selected land at Timmering in 1883. Later they purchased land and built a home on Winter Road, Nanneella and became associated with the Rae family. Michael and Mary married at the Christ Church of England, Echuca, on 7 August 1873. 



Farming at Nanneella

The name ‘Nanneella’ is thought to be an aboriginal word for Sandy Creek. The larger district area was known as ‘Yalooka’, and for thousands of years was home to the ‘Pinpandoor’ aboriginal tribe.

The Federal ‘Grant Act 1869’ allowed prospective farmers to select land and apply for a licence. After three years of improving the land, farmers could either buy or lease the land for another seven years until the full price was paid. This legislation and the selection and leasing arrangement created a land rush to many farming areas including northern Victoria during 1870 -1874. The 1888 Nanneella Parish Plan shows the Rae family owning several lots of land near the current intersection of Webb Road with Winter Road.  

The 375 kilometres long, manmade Waranga-Mallee irrigation channel was a few hundred metres south of their property. The irrigation water provided by this channel was a lifeblood to nearby farmers, guaranteeing increased production of pastures, crops, fruits and vegetables. 

Michael and Mary were progressive farmers, buying and leasing more land to expand their enterprise, growing more cereal crops, as well as breeding draught horses, Jersey cattle and later a vineyard and orchards. They were well respected, energetic and community-minded. Later, Mary and the Timbering Rae’s children worked hard, farming their land and making value-added produce; cream, butter and jams.  

In June 1914, the local newspaper advised that Norman wished to sell ‘Trainors' consisting of choice irrigable land together with a four-bedroom weatherboard house. The farm was had loose loamy soils, post and wire fences, and irrigations channels, with every acre within half a mile of the Waranga-Mallee Channel. A few weeks later, the newspaper reported that the Norman was keen on moving to the Yanco irrigation area, north of Narrandera, NSW, which is supplied by the mighty Murrumbidgee River.  

All these plans came to a sudden halt with the outback of WW1 in August 1914. 

The Rae farm at Nanneella.

The Light Horse Regiments

In 1885, mounted infantrymen formed regiments known as the Victorian Mounted Rifles (VMR) to defend and protect their Colony from an invasion. A militia force of competent horsemen and riflemen holding designated ranks were located throughout Victoria. In the late 1890s, about 3,500 VMR members volunteered to go to South Africa to fight in the Boer War.

All existing cavalry and mounted riflemen after Federation in 1903 were designated ‘Light Horse’. The distinguished Victorian Rangers detachment at Rochester became the 9th Light Horse Regiment (VMR). In 1912, the 17th Campaspe Light Horse Regiment was formed by combining regiments from North and Central Victoria.  In 1913, King George V accepted an invitation to become Colonel-in-Chief of the Australian Light Horse.

Before WW1, there were 23 Light Horse regiments of militia volunteers throughout Australia. Many men from these units joined the Light Horse regiments of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) when WW1 commenced. Norman Rae had been a member of the 17th, Campaspe Valley Light Horse Militia based at Rochester for 9 years and rose to the rank of Lieutenant. 


Enlisting for WW1

At the start of World War I, Australia committed to providing an all-volunteer expeditionary force of 20,000 personnel known in the AIF, which would consist of an infantry division and a Light Horse brigade. As Australia's commitment to the war increased, the size of the Light Horse contingent was expanded, with a second and third Light Horse brigade being raised in late 1914 and early 1915.  Eventually, the Australian Light Horse regiments were organised into four brigades, 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th; and 12 Regiments, 1st to 12th. 

Norman Gordon RAE was a single, 28-year-old farmer when he volunteered barely a fortnight after the outbreak of the First World War. Many men enlisting in Australia Light Horse Regiments pleaded to take their own horses with them. Norman took his own personal horse named ‘Vanish’. The Government would have paid him about $60 to buy his horse, which was then branded with the Government broad arrow, the initials of the purchasing officer, and an army number on one hoof. Within eight weeks, Norman and ‘Vanish’ had embarked for overseas on HMAS ‘S.S. Wiltshire’ on 10 October 1914. Some 135,926 Walers (strong, hardy, stock horses) were sent overseas from Australia during WW1 (1914-1918), some being provided to the British and Indian armies.

Twenty men from the Rochester district enlisted with Norman. 

Captain Rae and 'Vanish' at Heliopolis, Cairo 1916.


The 4th Light Horse Regiment, part of the 4th Light Horse Brigade, AIF

The 4th Light Horse Regiment was formed as a divisional cavalry regiment on 11 August 1914. The regiment sailed from Melbourne arriving in Egypt on 10 December. Members of the Light Horse Regiment were experienced marksmen and excellent horsemen.  

Originally, the Regiment was considered unsuitable for operations at Gallipoli but was subsequently deployed in May 1915 without their horses to reinforce the infantry. Much of the regiment's time at Gallipoli was spent defending the precarious ANZAC position, most frequently around Ryrie's Post, but its squadrons were involved in several minor attacks. The 4th Light Horse Regiment withdrew from the peninsula on 11 December 1915. 

In 1916 the 4th Light Horse Regiment was engaged in security tasks in the Suez Canal Zone. In April 1917 it moved up into the Sinai desert in the wake of the main British and dominion advance but continued to undertake further security duties. 

Finally, after three years, on 31 October 1917, the Regiment was assigned its first major battle, known as the ‘Battle of Beersheba’, at short notice. The bravery and courage of the 4th and 8th Light Horse Regiments in securing Beersheba and its wells won them legendary status amongst defence forces around the world.   

After Gaza fell on 7 November 1917, Turkish resistance in southern Palestine collapsed. The 4th Light Horse participated in the pursuit that followed and then spent the first months of 1918 resting and training. The Brigade moved into the Jordan Valley in time to also participate in the Es Salt raids in April and May. 

In August, the regiment was issued with swords and trained in traditional cavalry tactics in preparation for the next offensive against the Turks. This was launched along the Palestine coast on 19 September 1918 - its objective, Damascus. The mounted forces penetrated deep into the Turkish rear areas severing roads, railways and communications links. 

On 1 October 1918, a patrol of the 4th Light Horse, commanded by Sergeant Frank Organ, was the first allied troops to enter Damascus. The regiment was soon involved in the next stage of the advance and was on its way to Homs when the Turks surrendered on 30 October.

Some long-serving troopers began to embark for home soon after and while the rest waited their turn, the 4th Light Horse was called back to operational duty to quell the Egyptian revolt that erupted in March 1919; order was restored in little over a month. The regiment sailed for home on 15 June 1919.

The Australian Light Horsemen through their courageous battles had liberated the lives of many historical occupiers of several ancient cities of Biblical times.  

The unwritten motto of the Australian Light Horsemen was that no sound man should allow himself to be taken prisoner and no wounded man should be allowed to fall into enemy hands. In the two and years of their campaigns in the challenging deserts, only 73 Light Horsemen were captured by the Turks, however, during that period the Light Horsemen captured 40,000 Turks. 

"The Australian Light Horseman has proved himself equal to the best. He has earned the gratitude of the Empire and the admiration of the world." - General Edmund Allenby.

Where the Lighthorseman got his skill.


The Battle of Beersheba

Beersheba, a heavily fortified town 43 km from the Turkish bastion of Gaza, was the scene of an historic charge by the Australian 4th and 8th Light Horse Regiment at dusk on 31 October 1917. 

The first attack had been launched at dawn but by late afternoon the British 20 Corps had made little headway toward the town and its vital wells. Although the British infantry had captured most of their objectives, it was the Australians and New Zealanders who had to make dismounted advances across open ground against two strongly defended hill-forts.

Major General Harry Chauvel, the first Australian to be promoted to Major General by the British High Command, was then appointed commander of the Desert Mounted Corps. He ordered the 4th and 8th Light Horse Regiments forward in an attempt to secure Beersheba and the much-needed wells under the control of Brigadier General William Grant. 

The 800 strong ‘ANZAC Mounted Division’ had made its way along dangerous, ill-defined pathways towards their assembly point, 4 kilometres from the Turk held outpost of Beersheba.

By late afternoon, the two British strong points had fallen, but there were still heavily manned trenches protecting Beersheba. Time was precious, the sun was starting to set, darkness would be an obstacle and many of the horses had already been without water for nearly 48 hours. The smell of moisture was in the nostrils of the thirsty steeds, nothing was going to stop them.  

Brigadier Grant suggested to Chauvel that two of his regiments, the 4th and 12th, could make a mounted charge against these remaining defences.  Such a thing had never been heard of; a mounted charge across about four kilometres of open ground against entrenched infantry supported by artillery and machine guns. Chauvel agreed.

The 4th & 8th regiments formed up behind the cover of a ridge and then moved off in a three-lined charge formation, going from walk-march to a trot, then a canter.  At the signal ‘charge’, the infantrymen rode at full gallop for the last couple kilometres, spurred on with wild yells, drawing their bayonets as swords and waving them in the fading sunlight with great momentum in the surprise attack on Turkish defences.

The Light Horsemen jumped the trenches and some leapt to the ground for an ugly man-on-man fight. Others galloped through the defences and into Beersheba as demolition charges, set by the Germans, started to blow up the precious wells and key buildings.

Fortunately, within minutes, the German officer in charge of the demolition had been captured by a Light Horseman. Most of the wells were saved.  The limited water available was shared by the troopers and horses as they swarmed the wells. Troopers watered their dehydrated horses in canvas troughs as they fell to their knees to drink beside their thirty mounts.

By nightfall, Beersheba was officially in the hands of British control under General Sir Edmund Allenby's army. Of the 800 men who rode in the charge, only 31 had been killed. Over 1,000 Turkish prisoners were taken.

The fall of Beersheba thus opened the way for a general outflanking of the Gaza-Beersheba Line. After severe fighting Turkish forces abandoned Gaza on 6 November and began their withdrawal into Palestine, changing again the history and occupation of the Middle East.

The Light Horsemen as mounted infantrymen with their superb Walers had carried out one of the most famous, successful and celebrated cavalry charges in history; against what seemed impossible odds.  During the five weeks of this Middle East offensive, the ANZAC’s of the Desert Mounted Corps had advanced over 800 kilometres, had taken nearly 80,000 prisoners and had lost a remarkably low 650 men from battle casualties.

This was a significant effort for the Australian Light Horsemen after the horrors and failures at Gallipoli. The Beersheba battle basically helped bring the three years Middle East War to a conclusion. The courage, commitment and unfortunate losses of our soldiers in World War 1 forged and sealed the righteous spirit and true values we still share as everyday Australians; mateship, integrity, courage, sacrifice, selflessness and ingenuity.    

Captain Norman Rae was commander in charge of ‘C’ Squadron during the ‘Battle of Beersheba’. 128 infantrymen made up a Squadron, therefore Captain Rae was ‘in charge' of about one 6th of the Light Horsemen who participated in this famous charge. He served in Gallipoli, Egypt and the Middle East.  He participated in every action undertaken by the 4th Light Horse Regiment. Vice-Captain George Rankin, a close friend of Norman’s also participated in the ‘Battle of Beersheba’. 

The AIF at Beersheba.


Norman’s Military Service

Norman took an oath to serve his King and Country on 27 August 1914, a few weeks after World War 1 broke out. He joined the 4th Light Horse Regiment of the 4th Light Horse Brigade with his own horse ‘Vanish’ and his Australian Imperial Force was 486.  He was promoted to Sergeant after 2 weeks on 16 September 1914 and served seven months continuous duty at Gallipoli.  

Norman’s 4th Light Horse Regiment was the only AIF unit to serve on each of WW1’s three major fronts; Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine. Norman’s war service record indicates he was promoted to be 2nd Lieutenant in succession to Lieutenant Bourchier on 20 July 1915.  

Norman got very sick with fever and gastritis in September- October 1916, was hospitalised and sent to England for treatment and recovery. He arrived back to Egypt in December 1916 to active duty again, re-joining the 4th Light Horse Regiment in late December 1916 and was promoted to Major on 10 May 1917. On 17 August 1917, he was assigned to command ‘C’ Squadron, with Vice Major G. J. Rakin appointed as his 2nd in command.   

On 16 November 1917, he was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry and devotion to duty in the field at the Battle of Beersheba. Norman returned to Australia and was honourably discharged in October 1919 after serving King and Country for 5 years and 2 months.


The Military Cross

The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces and used to be awarded to officers of other Commonwealth countries.  Norman was awarded the Military Cross in November 1917 however was presented with the Military Cross by King George 5th at a service held at Buckingham Palace, London.  His Military Cross citation reads: 

“...For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.  During the regiment’s mounted attack on the hostile trenches, he single-handed captured over 60 prisoners, and set a fine example to his men under heavy rifle and machine-gun fire.” London Gazette – Fourth Supplement No 30482, 15 January 1918.

The Military Cross.


Norman’s own family

Whilst in England, on leave from the military in 1918, Norman began courting his future wife, Margaret (Madge) Harris. Margaret was from a wealthy upper-class British family, being related to the business ‘English Harris Tea and Coffee’ merchants. She was used to being served by maids and servants.  Madge was born on 24 November 1892 at Black Torrington, Devon. Her father was a farmer, Robert Thornhill Harris and her mother Margaret Kate nee Gossage. 

Norman wanted to return to Australia and set up a home before sending for Madge to join him in marriage. Madge migrated from Halwill Manor, Beaworthy, North Devon, United Kingdom, about 200 miles south-west of London. They were married at Christ Church, South Yarra on 28 September 1921; Madge was 28 and Norman was 35.  

They first settled on a farm called ‘Fernhill’, Crowther NSW, about 30 km south of Cowra. Norman had built their home, a slab hut, built from timber found on the property.  Whilst farming ‘Fernhill’, Norman and Madge had four children, Katherine Mary (1923-2006), Arnold Robert Michael. ‘Clancy’ (1927-2012) whose ashes are scattered over ‘The Overflow’), Gordon David Harris (1930-1936) and Murray William Harris (1932-1939).

Tragedy struck this family, two of their sons, Gordon and Murray died as young children.  Gordon, aged 6, was killed after being hit by a car in Sydney and Murray, aged 7, died of meningitis at ‘The Overflow’. 

In 1936, school was cancelled due to a polio outbreak.  Norman seized this opportunity to take his family on a world tour. Their 5th child, Tindall Constance was born in South Hampton, England on 8 January 1937. After returning to Australia, they moved their farming enterprise and purchased the outback station known as ‘The Overflow’, Nymagee, NSW, about 80 km south of Cobar.


‘The Overflow’, Nyngan, NSW

Almost being at the dead centre of New South Wales, ‘The Overflow’ is a traditional outback Sheep Station 90 kilometres South West of Nyngan and 600 kilometres North West of Sydney. It is located in the Bogan Shire on Pangee Road, near Babadah Rd about 30 kilometres south-east of Nymagee.  The station has good soils but rainfall ‘the gift of farming prosperity and life’, is somewhat unreliable.

The ‘Overflow’ entered the Australian cultural conscience in 1889 with the poem ‘Clancy of the Overflow’ by Banjo Paterson, where Banjo had met Clancy at shearing time.  

Norman Rae purchased the ‘Overflow’ station around 1937. In the 1970s this station covered some 10,000 acres but in earlier days it was much larger.  It boasted a 101-stand shearing shed and at shearing time employed 100 shearers and another 100 roustabouts and stockmen. Built in 1881, was a 48-stand shearing shed and a woolshed that could hold the locals use to know Norman by his nickname ‘The Captain’.  Later, Norman’s son Arnold was known locally as ‘Clancy’.


Norman’s Community Service

Such was the esteem with which he was held in Rochester that the position of President, Rochester Agricultural and Pastoral Society occupied by him at the time of enlistment, was kept open until his return from the war.

Norman was a Councillor of the Bogan Shire Council for 10 years and is thought to have served with the Frankston Masonic Lodge.

Norman and Margaret established a branch of the Church of England, firstly in the own garage and later a new church called St Silas, Church of England, at Seaford South, which was served with a minister coming from St Pauls at Frankston.  Norman and Margaret taught Sunday school there for many years. [Editor’s note: the St Silas story is worth telling and I hope to do so in later items. The Church began in the early 1960s and closed a few years after Norman Rae's death.]


Retirement

Norman and Margaret moved back to Victoria in 1951.

They had part of ‘The Overflow’ homestead transported to Fortescue Ave, Seaford where they built a new home.  They called their home, ‘Dunslavin’ because of the effort involved in the 850-kilometre move. [Editors note: tragically, this timber home with a veranda on three sides, was demolished and replaced by pleasant though unhistorical flats.]

Norman would often tell humorous stories about this time in the War to family members however he never spoke about his own personal astounding achievements. 

Norman passed away in 1977 and Madge (Margaret) in 1979. Both are buried at the Frankston Cemetery.

 

Further Reading:

Sunday School Captain: My glimpse of Norman Gordon Rae MC 

A ‘new’ photo of an Australian Beersheba hero? 


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