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However, despite the losses men continued to enlist although the
characteristics of the enlistments had altered.
As the years passed on, the age of the volunteers became considerably
older, with those concerned relinquishing long term occupations or
“callings” as it was called in those times when you enlisted or in general
conversation.
Certainly, as an individual, Harold Moore demonstrates immense bravery
when we consider that because of his existing medical condition he didn’t
have to enlist, and his illness and injuries would have prevented other
soldiers from going to the Front.
Family considerations also lead men to enlist. For example, later we will
look at the service of George Cuthbert Lane who being the younger
brother of, Ray, who was a doctor at Cessnock, thought it was important
he enlist rather than his brother who possessed a profession that was more
valuable to the local Cessnock community.
Many only enlisted after the great losses of Gallipoli and patriotic pleas
from the Australian government.
In this regard the last “Redhead” enlistment, who had not attended
Redhead School, but who is recognized in the Roll of Honour as having
been killed in action, John Tudor Griffiths, probably enlisted for patriotic
reasons to defend the British Empire.
John Tudor Griffiths (Regimental Number 5100)
The last enlistment, listed on the plaques and certificate, to be killed in
action was John Tudor Griffiths (5100). He had been born in Rhyl in
Wales and attended Rhyl County School. He was living in Lismore in
northern NSW. He had worked as a farmer in the Teven Valley near the
Richmond River in Northern NSW.
Griffiths had come to Australia when he was sixteen years old and
enlisted when he was eighteen years old. His Next of Kin was nominated
on his Embarkation Roll as his father, John Frederick Griffiths.
He was placed in the 9
th
Battalion. He was added to this Battalion as a
13-23 reinforcement (November to January 1916.). He had enlisted 9th
October, 1915.
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