Raised in Sydney in August 1914 by two magnificent leaders - Onslow Thompson
and Charles Macnaughten, the Fighting Fourth battalion of the First AIF, went on
to land at Gallipoli and then participate in the fearsome struggle at Lone Pine
in August 1915, during which time over a third of the 4th Battalion died.
It was at Gallipoli, that his battalion firmly established its reputation as a
fighting unit under the leadership of Lieutenant-Colonel Macnaughten, and ably
assisted by other officers including Iven Mackay, 'Cast Iron' Jimmy Heane,
Charles Coltman, Edward Lloyd, Alan Scott, the irrepressible chaplain 'Fighting
Mac' McKenzie, and that famous fast bowler from New South Wales - Jack Massie.
From Gallipoli, the 4th Battalion went to the dreaded Western Front in April
1916, and fought in famous battles including Pozieres, Mouquet Farm, Bullecourt,
Ypres, Chuignes and on the Outer Hindenburg Line in September 1918, all places
where the unit further added to its impressive list of battle honours.
Although not winning a single Victoria Cross despite some members being
recommended for it, the 4th Battalion had firmly established a tradition that
was taken up and enhanced by the 2/4th and 4th Battalions AIF during the 1939-45
war.
Written by one of Australia's most prolific military historians, 'The
Fighting Fourth' traces the history of this famous New South Wales unit, from
formation, early training in Sydney and Egypt, through to Gallipoli, and then on
to France and Belgium. The book is profusely illustrated with many photographs
and maps, and the appendices include Honours and Awards, Honour and Nominal
Rolls.
Contents:
Preface
Foreword
1. Thompson Forms the Fourth
2. Off to War
3. The Landing at Anzac
4. Consolidation
5. Lonesome Pine
6. The Evacuation of Anzac
7. The Sands of Egypt Again
8. Off to the Western Front
9. Pozieres
10. Mouquet Farm
11. To Flanders Then the Somme Again
12. The Winter of 1917
13. Bullecourt
14. Third Ypres
15. 1918: The Final Year
16. Peaceful Penetration
17. The Big Offensive Begins
18. The End at Last
Appendix 1: Honour Roll 4th Battalion
Appendix 2: Honours and Awards 4th Battalion
Appendix 3: Senior NCOs of the Original 4th Battalion 1914
Appendix 4: Nominal Roll of the 4th Battalion
Bibliography
Acknowledgements
Index
Reviews:
'It is an inspirational story that should be welcomed with admiration and
gratitude, not only by historians, soldiers and descendants of the 'Fighting
Fourth' but by all Australians' - Major-General Gordon Maitland
