As a little girl Candace Humphreys lived on a farm called ‘Bellicourt’ at Anna Bay, so named after a village in the north of France.
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“I lived on the farm until I was four,” the great grand daughter of World War One survivor Joseph Robinson said.
“I had no idea of the significance of Bellicourt until years later.”
‘Joe’ Robinson, as most of his family knew him, was born June 4, 1893, at Tomago to George Robinson and Ann Cromarty. He enlisted on February 17, 1916, at age 22, standing five feet seven inches tall, with a medium complexion, brown hair and blue eyes.
He had been a member of the Legion on Frontiersmen, a volunteer mounted militia, before he left Sydney on April 14, 1916, for a period of training in Cairo. He was transfered from the 53rd battalion to the 56th and embarked on Marseilles on June 19, 1916.
Committed to the Battle of Fromelles – Australia’s first major battle on the Western Front – he was on July 19 involved in what was a disastrous attack, later described as the worst 24 hours in Australia’s entire history. He survived, but sustained a gunshot wound to the left shoulder and transported to hospital in Calais.
He rejoined the 56th in time for Christmas – the coldest European winter in 40 years – in the Somme Valley. He was promoted twice in 1918, first to Lance Corporal on April 17 then Corporal on October 3. In March 1918 the German army began its Spring offensive on Amiens.
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The 5th division including the 56th battalion defended the sector around Corbie, denying the enemy access. Sergent Walter Edward Kirkham was killed, which prompted Joe’s promotion to Lance Sergeant.
Joe was again wounded on October 1, 1918, admitted to hospital with a gunshot wound to the left thigh. He father was notified in letter though his actual condition was “not stated”.
He rejoined his unit February 24, 1919, and was placed on ordnance guard duty until he returned to England on May 1 and returned home on June 23 and discharged September 23.
He established a dairy farm, Bellicourt, between what is now the public school and the Boat Harbour roundabout. He married Grace Rush, a nurse, in 1922, where they raised four children, all of whom are said to have experienced the side affects of his service.
“Bellicourt was one of the nicer places he saw,” Mrs Humphrey said.
“It was really dangerous for his wife. He would often wake up dreaming he was at war and she would ‘have to move quickly’ to avoid harm.”
Garlic was banned from the house.
“He said it smelled like the Hun’s trenches,” Mrs Humphreys said. “My grandmother said it would bring on these dreams.”