Jack the Rooster (ePub)

This war will live in the memory of man not because of its horrors, but despite its horrors and because of its glories, Its revelation of the love and self-sacrifice which ordinary men have for their fellow men - Pastor LW Baker, Adelaide, 24 June 1917

Near Chuignolles on 25 August 1918, Sapper Findlay was in charge of a wireless station . During the operations four of the wireless men of the forward station became casualties. He went forward, re-established the station and adjusted the instruments. Though wounded in doing so he remained on duty until telephone communication was established. It was entirely due to his bravery, initiative and devotion to duty that communication by wireless was maintained at a critical period when other means had failed. - Major Gordon, OIC 1 Division Signal Company, 15 October 1918 (A citation leading to the award of a Cross de Guerre).

There are Official War Histories, specific Corps and unit histories and a few memoirs by AIF Signalmen, but the Signal Service as a unique group of men has been overlooked. CEW Bean even apologised for omitting them from his works. This book collects those men for the first time. Jack the Rooster and his keeper were ordinary people doing an extraordinary job undertaking emerging specialist roles in war. The several hundred citations for gallantry makes for compelling reading. They are humbling by their mass. The work tells of leadership and faith in a just cause. These men set a wonderful example helping defend freedoms from tyranny. They are the antecedents of the Royal Australia Corps of Signals but that Corps and the Royal Australian Engineers ought to be proud to claim them. - Author, 2015

It is a fascinating read. - Dr Chris Holt, The University of Northampton, 2015

'Jack the Rooster' is a little gem - a labour of love on the part of the author, well researched, with interesting things to say about the AIF's Engineer Signal Service. He also makes excellent use of statistical material. It is a most interesting and valuable piece of history. - Gary Sheffield, Professor of War Studies, Wolverhampton University, 2015

© Des Lambley 2018

ISBN: 978-0-9944054-2-5

Non-Fiction

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(JACK THE ROSTER)