Before the programme could be more than started, another aspect of the bridge question demanded attention. The available crossings over the Ancre were few and well known, and would certainly be heavily shelled in the event of a Boche attack. To ensure the supply of ammunition to the guns east of the river, emergency crossings were obviously needed, and were reconnoitred and put in hand. A crossing north of Bonnay, with two trestle bridges over the main streams of the Ancre, a number of culverts, and a long length of rough corduroy, was started by the 11th Field Company on April 3rd and finished on the 5th.
On the evening of the 5th a sudden demand was made for a crossing south of Bonnay. All ordinary working parties were already employed, but a hasty gathering up was made of all batmen, cooks, a few spare drivers, the O.C.’s groom, and so on, and with this party, Lt. Matters threw a three-bay pontoon bridge and a two-bay Weldon trestle bridge across the two main streams, in pitch darkness. The bridges were in use by midnight, and the
men concerned were more than a little proud to be the first to put the company’s bridging gear to real use.
Meanwhile the enemy had pressed forward on the south side of the Somme, and was reported to be very close to the steel bridge at Bouzencourt already mentioned. It was decided that the bridge should be destroyed and this was done early in the morning of the 6th by a party from No. 1 section, under Capt. Thirkell and Sergt. Oliver, assisted by C.S.M. Brodie. The main span of the bridge was cut and dropped into the canal. Sergt. Oliver received the Military Medal.
Sketches of this bridge and of the bridges over the Ancre, of panoramas from O.P.’s, and other features of interest, were made by Spr. Vasco, of the unit, well known as a caricaturist, and were used to illustrate the war diary. Unfortunately, Spr. Vasco died of disease in England before the end of the summer.
The war at this stage was not without its compensations. After the plains of Flanders the broad views from the downs were refreshing, and it was interesting to be able so frequently to see your enemy in the open. Billeting in the deserted villages was good, and the abandoned live stock of the country-side added variety to the menu. No. 3 section kept a poultry farm at their billet in Corbie and paid tribute to Company Headquarters in the produce thereof. They were also in the possession of a cow tended by “Bluey” Graham, the section Q.M. More than one revolution occurred in No. 3 after that time, and several Q.M.’s were deposed, but Graham can still claim to be the only section Q.M. who ever kept a vache. Unfortunately, while leading it along the road by a string one day he met a member of the French Mission….
On the 8th April No. 1 section moved into a rough bivouac in a chalk quarry overlooking the Somme, in order to be nearer their work. The 2nd Australian Tunnelling Coy. took charge of the various bridges on the 18th, thus releasing Nos. 2 and 3 sections, and next day No. 2 joined No. 1 in their riverside quarry. With more men available, the dugout industry increased apace.
Meanwhile the difficulty of supplying the industry with timber had become acute. Salvage operations in Corbie and neighbouring villages had yielded small supplies, and corps managed to send a little from time to time, but the demand increased much faster than the supply. Two or three Queensland bushmen from No. 4 section were early set to work with pitsaws in one of the woods, and helped appreciably, but the problem was not solved until a steam saw milling plant was “souvenired” from Corbie, repaired, and erected on the banks of the Ancre near Bonnay.
This developed into quite a prosperous, if entirely unofficial concern, and large quantities of sawn timber were produced from the plantations along the river.
On the 24th the enemy delivered his attack on Villers-Brettoneux, and the 3rd Divisional sector was heavily shelled. Company Headquarters and 3 and 4 sections were shelled out of Bonnay, losing several horses, but otherwise escaping without serious loss, but 1 and 2 sections in their quarry position were less fortunate, both Lieut. Matters and Lieut. Melbourne (who had just taken over No. 1 section) being wounded rather badly, and several men gassed. Driver J. H. Cannell subsequently received the Military Medal for rescuing a badly wounded man in Bonnay under very trying circumstances.