Leslie Barnes

The 30th Battalion was raised on 5th August 1915. Most of its recruits hailed from the Newcastle region and other parts of country New South Wales, Australia.

The 30th Battalion's first major battle was at Fromelles on 19th July 1916. It was tasked with providing supplies and ammunition but was soon drawn into the vicious fighting.

Fromelles was intended to divert German troops from the Battle of the Somme and involved Birmingham and Australian troops - find out more about Fromelles.

In early 1917, the German Army withdrew to the Hindenburg Line. During the general advance that followed, the 30th Battalion had the honour of occupying Bapaume, one of the original objectives for the Somme Offensive of 1916. The 30th missed much of the heavy fighting of 1917, being employed in flank protection and reserve roles at the second battle of Bullecourt and the battle of Polygon Wood.

The 30th Battalion fought its last major action of the war between 27 September and 1 October when the 5th and 3rd Australian Divisions, and two American divisions attacked the Hindenburg Line across the top of the St Quentin Canal tunnel; the canal was a major obstacle in the German defensive scheme. The 30th Battalion disbanded on 21 March 1919.