Aarons, Daniel Sidney
Captain Daniel Sidney Aarons MC & Bar 16th Battalion AIF
Daniel Sidney Aarons was born in Donald Victoria on the 1st August 1885 to Solomon and Annie Aarons. He received most of his education in Broken Hill NSW.
His early years were spent in Victoria but he arrived in Fremantle Western Australia and took up work for the Vacuum Oil Company.
His elder brother John Fullerton Aarons was also living in Western Australia but he had taken up residence in Subiaco WA with his wife Marion at 6 Kings Road.
Daniel did well at the Vacuum Oil Company and he took to life in the Port City. He became a member of the Fremantle Rowing Club and as part of the Fremantle crew he represented WA in the 1912 championships.
Daniel enlisted into the AIF on the 2nd August 1915. He was assigned to reinforcements to the 16th Battalion AIF. He was promoted a Sergeant in his early training and his attributes and leadership abilities quickly shone out and he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and was assigned to the 15th Reinforcements to the 16th Battalion AIF.
He embarked with this group from Fremantle Harbour of the 1st April 1916. After arriving in Egypt he was taken on strength of the 16th Battalion. He left with them for France on the 1st June 1916.
After arriving at Marseilles the 16th Battalion were sent north to the Armentieres sector to get their first taste of life on the Western Front. In July 1916 they moved to the Somme regions and in early August had their first taste of a major battle at Pozieres and Mouquet Farm. Daniel survived these actions unscathed and in September 1916 was promoted to Lieutenant.
He continued to serve through 1917 and at the Battle of Bullecourt he was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery. He later wrote a few comments regarding the Bullecourt actions.
“The morning before the attack – the morning of April 10th- a ‘rehearsal’ was staged. It was the biggest blunder in the whole scheme. A patrol of the 4th Bde comprising the late Capt. Jacka VC of the 14th Bn, and Capt. F Wadge, and Lieut. H.J. Bradley, both of the 16th Battalion, reconnoitered the German line, and later Jacka and Bradley captured two Germans in No Mans Land. One was an Officer. The capture was made somewhere about the tape line, and if I remember rightly, the enemy patrol had been actually inspecting the tapes. This alone gave them the necessary information as to an impending attack. The reason for the postponement was that the tanks due to take part did not turn up at the scheduled time.”
"The 16th Bn was on the right flank of the brigade movement, the 14th Bn on the left flank; three lines of enemy trenches honeycombed with communication passages and dug-outs leading back to strong points in the rear, row upon row of uncut wire-a thousand yards of ground covered by a light fall of snow, stretched between the assembly point and the objective. Dawn was just breaking. There was no artillery to precede or support the attack. It was like advancing to meet death half way. The only manner of negotiating the wire was to walk jaggedly across the top of it. Even were a man lucky enough to find one of Fritz’s deliberately conceived communication passages, perhaps a few feet wide, he had little chance of escaping the bullet fire directed upon the passages with hideous insistence…Many of our boys got through the wire and to their jobs but what a hopeless task they had! No possible chance of reinforcement of men, ammunition or bombs; and so like the other battalions, we were just simply pressed back bit by bit, with no means of retaliation."
"There was at one stage and element of hope that we could hang out until nightfall when support would have a chance to reach us, but that hope was short lived. Attempt after attempt was made to get runners back to headquarters appealing for artillery support, but none of the runners was successful in getting back. Later I myself took a chance and with the aid of providence got through."
Captain Harry Murray VC later wrote about the battle an Daniel Aarons
"Aarons and I were in close touch during our holding of the German lines, and his coolness and clearheaded appreciation of the position were outstanding, and his gallantry an inspiration. He had been through hell and had lost 60 per cent of his men. We were in a desperate plight without artillery assistance, and we could not get this owing to misunderstandings. We could see the Germans massing behind their lines; could see them swarming about the houses of Reincourt, free from danger, without so much as one shell to hinder them. It soon became evident that we could not hold out without bombs and artillery support. We sent back two volunteer runners with joint messages, but no response came.
All this time we were being shot at freely, and heavy bomb attacks were made while our own supplies of bombs gradually ran out. Aarons bravely volunteered to attempt the journey back to headquarters with a message in the hope that by bringing the weight of an officer’s personal report on the position artillery assistance would be afforded, while bombs would be brought up under cover of the artillery fire. It was extremely dangerous to move at all in the rear of the lines we had occupied for even on a solitary man a regular barrage of machine gun and rifle fire was directed. The chance of anyone getting through was at least 10 to 1 against. None knew that better than Captain Aarons."
With a companion from the 13th Battalion, Aarons left the trench and rushing from shell hole to shell hole and crawling under what little protection there was, they made their way back to headquarters where the message was delivered. Unfortunately by the time the message arrived it would be too late, though Aarons was later awarded a Military Cross for his leadership and courage in this battle, the recommendation of which reads;
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He took command of his company and led his men forward with great gallantry. Later, he went back under the most intense fire to report the situation.'
"A few stout fellows voluntary surrendered; by agreeing to stand over the dugouts to prevent Fritz from throwing bombs down them to further injure our wounded men below. Stretcher bearers tried to collect our wounded. Fritz intimated his displeasure by firing upon them forcing them back. Later on the German allowed the stretcher bearers to approach the wire and remove the badly wounded. It can only be assumed that their first action was to give themselves an opportunity of re-manning their line, and possibly also to permit them to collect those of our men not seriously hurt."
Daniel Aarons final words on Bullecourt were;
‘Bullecourt…….April 11th 1917. In conception a terrible tragedy; in result, a bloody calamity
Despite the 16th Battalion's experience at Bullecourt there was no rest and they took part in the Messines offensive in Belgium in June/July 1917. In July Daniel was promoted to Captain.
Unfortunately in July, his brother John was mortally wounded at Messines. He was buried at Trois Arbres Cemetery Steenwerck.
Daniel Aarons was wounded at Ypres in October 1917 (pictured above) and was subsequently evacuated to England. He returned to the 16th Battalion in December 1917;
"Saw New Years Day ushered in at Templeaux le Fosse. Band roused everyone to tune of God Save the King followed by few other lively tunes. Unpleasant weather, very cold wind driving snow with it."
In early 1918 the Battalion soon returned to Belgium and took up much patrol work and raiding activity.
"Party Fritz approached No.8 post. 13th Bn killed one. 93rd Regiment. This does away with our proposed raid…Relieved by A Coy & returned to Oak support trench. On way back to support with Men & signallers it was pitch black – we missed our way, for 5 hours were hopelessly lost – eventually got in at back of our support lines – just by chance. I fell into a shell hole full of water in my wanderings, so was awfully delighted."
In March 1918 the Germans conducted a major offensive which broke through the British lines. Daniel commented that;
"Stopped by C.O. I will be OC raiding party when we go into the line – self, 2 Officers & 50 men…Big Boche offensive on Western Front launched. Huge advance made on 80 mile frontage. Thousands of prisoners, 100’s of guns & villages captured."
The 16th Battalion were soon ordered to proceed south to Hebuterne to help stop the German offensive. Daniel left some notes of this time;
"26th March 1918: Ordered out of Saulty at 10 minutes notice, forced marched 7 miles to Squastre, took up positions in open. Ordered out at 3 o’clock to move to Bienvillers, rendezvous of Brigade had tea there, then on to Hebuterne where we dug in & established ourselves. Tommies and artillery retiring in great numbers, civil folk leaving carrying a few odds and ends, really a pitiful sight. Villages burning all around us. No actual signs of Boche but are in close touch.
27th March 1918: Extended line to right & established connection with NZ Bde. Boche very active with Machine Gun fire.
28th March 1918: Swung our left flank forward (B Coy) & (D Coy) to swing support flank in harmony. Dug in 2am and got up against Fritz. 8am went out to reconnoiter Fritz position with idea of attacking tonight, found he had withdrawn.
29th March: Lt Muir wounded. Pte Kelly shot by our own sentry accidentally. Fritz very active with Whizz Bang fire.
30th March: Fritz bombarded area unmercifully with 5.9 shells, a perfect hell all day.
31st March: Men salvaged Hebuterne Village – brought back flour, rice, tea, sugar, shirts, greatcoats, Canvas Palliases. Great stunt. All have some souvenirs varying from gold watches, necklaces to almost rusty nails. Extremely quiet all day particularly on Fritz’s side.
April 1st: Capt Ahearn B Coy & myself organised a little stunt. CO gave his sanction. B Company bombed up one way, D the other. Huge success D Coy took 80 prisoners & between us 5 machine guns and accounted for about 200 killed and numerous wounded…Both companies congratulated by all Commands. B Coy getting main credit for show but D Coy boys bore brunt of work and captured every prisoner. Sgt Thompson D Coy got off 2300 rounds from 1 Lewis Gun, did wonderful work, recommending him for DCM.
April 2nd: Yesterday’s stunt gave us complete control of around four miles, we have high position & command miles of country. Fritz made counter-attack with bombs, but quickly repulsed.
April 3rd: Senior, myself & 2 boys patrolled enemy lines & captured two machine guns and collected a few souvenirs. Reconnoitered enemy gun position & in evening Harlow took out a small party & collected the gun. No casualties. Had dinner at HQ and made out report of stunt for war diary – estimated Fritz’s killed – 200, prisoners – 80, wounded possibly 150.
April 4th: Ahearn took ten men on a raiding stunt. I remained and directed protective MG fire. Party observed going up sap, had to come home owing to enemy concentration of fire.
April 5th: At 6am enemy opened intense bombardment on our sector, continued till 9.30am, then raised barrage to back area & launched an attack possibly two battalion strong and attack gloriously repelled by m.g, Lewis guns and rifle fire. Artillery also helped well. Our casualties possibly 15-20 in battalion from sniper fire. My Coy lost 5 killed, 5 wounded.
April 6th; My D Coy HQ which I vacated yesterday blown in by direct hit from a 5.9 shell. Luck still sticks to me."
After successfully stopping the Germans at Hebuterne, the 16th Battalion was sent further south to the Villers-Bretonneux region.
"The Chateau we are billeted at was one time the property of Henneseys brandy people. The grounds are very exquisite & spacious. At the moment all the trees are either in blossom or just breaking into green. The colouring is beautiful…
Moved off at 9am for La Motte on the River Somme. 16 miles, arrived at 1.30. Learned on going up that I had been transported to C Company, Lynas to D Company. Any Coy but C would not have been so disappointing. Moved off at 3 o’clock to join the Battalion in the line at Villers Brettoneux. Saw CO, told him reasons for not wishing to stay with C Coy. Visited front line during night, passed through village, once a fine place, now in ruins.
Temperature still high & doc evacuated me through 12th Field Ambulance with trench fever.
Complaint now diagnosed as Bronchial as well as T/F. Feel much better Temp 99 in morning, headaches nearly gone, here I am to be evacuated tomorrow. Capt Mitchell 4th MG Coy died here today, put up a wonderful fight against death for 4 days. Was shot through back, lungs and right arm."
After a short stint in Hospital Daniel returned to his unit;
11th June 1918: Visited Corbie, always breaks ones heart to see desolation. Fine town once and some beautiful homes. Place has been ransacked high and low and much to everyone’s discredit absolute wanton damage done. No care of property, nor thought of their brave allies homes, only one thought, loot, plunder & all this at the hands of our own. Australian and British soldiers and probably French soldiers too. Place now under control."
In July 1918 the 16th Battalion took part in the successful offensive at Hamel. Daniel left the following notes;
July 1st: 65 American troops attached to my Company for forthcoming stunt.
July 2nd: Americans & 2 platoons Capt Woods, moved up 10pm to front line, relieved 50th Bn prepatory to our stunt. Americans awfully keen & enthusiastic. Display great interest in everything shown them. I feel confident that they will do well in the show…I am to be kept at A.D.S for the stunt, interrogating wounded as to progress of battle and send by priority to 4th Div, 4th, 6th & 11th Brigades such information.
July 3rd: Balance of Coy moved up to front line. Stunt takes place tomorrow.
July 4th: Stunt a huge success, Our Battalion cleared Vaire & Hamel Wood up to time with barrage, caused enemy many casualties, captured about 20 machine guns, 6 minenwerfers, 300 prisoners. Our losses slight. Capt Woods, Lt Blee killed both of my Coy (Jack Kerr also wounded). My Coy lost 11 killed, 17 wounded, exactly 50% of Battalions casualties. I was on duty at ADS interrogating wounded & wiring through to Division the progress of the battle.
July 5th 1918: Had a look over old line and new line. Plenty Hun dead about. Trenches blown to oblivion by our bombardment.
July 6th: Moved up to front line and relieved 14th Battalion as support. Immediately commenced to dig homes (dugouts) for ourselves and link up a line which at this stage was a series of group posts. Enemy very active sniping from close quarters, one of my men sniped.
July 7th: Capt. Wilkinson, Potts, myself standing on Parapet watching a few Huns moving about, I was in centre, when “Crash” Potts shot through stomach and out the back – sniped – bad wound. Think his youth and physique will pull him through. Later in day worked up a C/T. Saw 2 boche, had a shot and simultaneously they shot at me, both missed, consider enough for the day in view of enemy activity. My Company moved up to Centre front line. CO holding me responsible for full Garrison.
July 10th: Heavy minenwerfer bombardment our lines 3am. B Coy had 3 men killed by one shell.
July 24th: Still in bed, trench fever disappeared, attack of dysentery, passing blood at times. Took Castor oil, think it will do me good. Mjr Harwood rejoined and took temporary command.
July 26th: Had a violent go in with Adjutant re generalities and apparent unfairness of BHQ. Seem to have had a bit of a win although got myself into hot water.
July 29th: Sudden seizure illness, confined to bed felt very seedy. Seemed like trench fever returning.
July 30th: Transferred to A Coy to command
July 31st: Moved 6am to Tronville Wood (through Blagny)…Moved at 10pm to reserve trenches. L’Abbe Wood trenches. Relieved 1st & 2nd Zouve Reg (French troops).
Preparations were underway in August for a large offensive which would take place on the 8th and push the Germans back. Daniel was in the forefront of the organisation of the 16th Battalion.
August 5th 1918: Arrived near Vaire 5am, remarkable congestion traffic, motors, guns, limbers, horses, men. Wonderful. Roads literally packed like sardines. 13th Brigade raided by Hun & lost prisoners, consequently Canadians could not take over our line in case they were raided, it would give Huns idea of a push coming off there.
August 7th: Fritz heavily shelled our area with gas etc. Col. McSharry C/O 15th Bn killed yesterday, a very sad loss to our Brigade.
August 8th: Everything wonderfully successful. Very dense fog lasted three hours. Wonderful work on part of 3rd Division who attacked through the fog. Our division followed up and took Cerisy & Morcourt and brought up near Mericourt. Our battalion did last phase of attack & would have suffered very few losses but Tommies on north of Somme failed at Chippily & we got it from there. Total Corps prisoners 7000 + 110 guns. Total Bn prisoners about 200. I was very lucky, bullet went through my legging and scraped shin bone only.
The advance was a success and Daniel would be awarded the Bar to his Military Cross for;
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in handling his company with great skill. He made a personal reconnaissance of the enemy's position, and rendered valuable and timely support during an attack. During an enemy counter attack he showed a very fine example of courage in encouraging his men to their highest endeavour. Throughout the whole operations his gallantry and powers of leadership were of a very high order.
Daniel continued with his diary,
August 13th: Moved up and relieved 3rd Brigade near Lihons. Our Bn went into support. 13, 15 , 14 into the line. Policy of peaceful penetration to be carried out.
August 15th: Fritz raided Tommies (they are on the left of the 14th), killed 20, took about 50 prisoners & never lost a man. Tommies here are dead rotten troops, real dopey.
August 19th: Nothing doing – still in support. Fritz sending over fair bit of sneezing gas.
The 16th Battalion fought their last action on September 18th 1918 and Daniel survived the action and the war though in November 1918 they were put to action to round up deserters;
November 1st 1918: All Saints Day, service by French civilians, they decorated the graves of British soldiers in Picquiney Cemetery. Our Battalion on parade. Quite an impressive ceremony.
November 2nd 1918: Whole Australian Corps from 9am to 1pm carried out an organized search & round up for all absentees & deserters. Streets were picketed, buildings, farms & dwellings searched, woods & forests beaten. I was in charge of 16th Battalion who beat Cavillon Wood. No captives. Pickets detailed for town under Lt McCarthy found 2 or 3. 8 found by the 4th Pioneers in Aily sur Somme. They exchanged revolver shots. 1 deserter dressed as 16th Battalion Corporal was shot & killed.
November 11th: Grand news today Armistice signed as of this morning. All hostilities to cease at 11 o’clock this morning. Germans have to unconditionally surrender. Civilians very rational, not much outward excitement in our little village, but what excitement in their hearts no one can tell. Picquigny flying many flags.
November 12th 1918: In the afternoon Ken Wadge & myself rode into Amiens, my first visit since the advance last March. Great rejoicing and celebration by civilians with crackers, lanterns, flags, fireworks and singing. Saw conditions of Armistice today. What a price Germany has to pay.
Battalion moved out at 8.30am as part of 4th Brigade via Bohain to Saint Souplet 12 miles. Passed hundreds of civilians returning to their (once) homes, now more or less ruined & emptied entirely of furniture. They have look of wonderful fortitude but tired and hungry.
Daniel soon received leave to England and was there to celebrate the new year of 1919.
Great assembly of people in evening dress. At midnight at Waldorf all lights went out for a minute and 1919 appeared on the ceiling. Auld Lang Syne was sung. National Anthems played and much dancing and revelry indulged in. People quite excited on this first joyful New Year for 4 years.
When Danel left Europe in 1919 he sailed via the United States to visit the head office of the Vacuum Oil Company. After returning to Australia, Dnaiel wrapped up his time if Fremantle and moved to Melbourne where he took up a high position with the Vacuum Oil Company. He later became General Manager of the Company in NSW.
He retired in 1947 but continued with his involvement with Legacy, The Civil Reform Association & the Liberal Party. In 1966 he received an OBE and was knighted for his services to Australia in 1970. He died in Sydney in 1983 aged 97.
Daniel Aarons extracts taken from
Aarons, D-Terrible Tragedy: 16th’s Black Day-Reveille April 1st 1932 pg24 and
2DRL0166-Diary of Capt D Aarons Australian War Memorial