Ian Gill. Fremantle to France; 11th Battalion AIF, 1914-1919.

Ian Gill. Fremantle to France; 11th Battalion AIF, 1914-1919, 637 pages, Battalion chronology and statistics, biographicals on award recipients, letters and diaries, Honour Roll, POW Roll and statements, Embarkation list, Officer Roll, Shipping list, Honours and Awards and more than 280 photographs and maps. A nominal index is also included. From Ian Gill, 8(B) Patfield Street, Myaree 6154 WA, 08 9330 1714 or 0407 983 975, [e-mail]

In the last 20 years there has been a wealth of 1914-1918 War unit reprints and new works for units that did not have a published history. Ian Gill's Fremantle to France is the first reference work published to compliment an existing battalion history.

In 1940 the late Walter Belford published Legs Eleven a well documented history of the 11th Battalion. The history was a large and informative work that was written by a member of the unit for members of the unit. I am sure Walter Belford would have liked to have published more information and this has been achieved by Ian Gill who has provided much previously unseen information and has enhanced the original work. Most importantly the material has been presented in a style that is accessible to the descendents of the men of the battalion who are seeking understanding of their achievements.

After the 1939-1945 War the 11th Battalion and the 2/11th Battalions amalgamated to form one association and it is most fitting the foreword is written by Ivan M Walter the President of the 2/11th Battalion Association from 1966 to 2002.

The book opens with a day-by-day chronology of the battalion supplemented by maps and photos. Either reading the whole work or using it as a reference a chronology quickly identifies the location and activities of the unit for a particular period. Nearly half the book deals with biographies of award recipients. The biographies vary from basic details gleaned from official records to full biographies containing detailed personal information. Many photographs accompany the biographies.

Ian Gill includes a fine selection of letters, diaries and recollection penned by the men of the 11th Battalion. These writings are also accompanied by photographs. I was particularly moved by the letter of 390 Corporal (afterwards Lieutenant) Matthew Spicer writing at Gallipoli on 14 August 1915 to the father of 385 Private John Duckworth describing how he was killed instantly on the morning of 25 April 1915.

What always saddens me about all 1914-1918 War unit histories is the length of the Roll of Honour. Neither Roll of Honour, list of the prisoners of war nor Embarkation Roll was included in the 1940 history. My only criticism of this outstanding book is that the names in the Embarkation Roll are not in alphabetical order. Having been well illustrated throughout, the book concludes with a 50 page gallery of individual and group photographs.