Private Ernest Rewell Dalziell, 48th Battalion, AIF
Australian War MemorialErnest Rewell Dalziell was born in Perth, Western Australia, on 30 April 1898 to Walter and Lily Dalziell. He was the third of five children.
He grew up and attended school in Maddington, and when the First World War began, he had been working as an apprentice wood machinist for Buckingham Brothers. He was also serving in the 89th Infantry Regiment.
Dalziell enlisted on 22 May 1916 – with the consent of his parents, as he only just turned 18. He underwent training with a depot battalion until June, when he was posted to the 22nd reinforcements to the 16th Battalion. While waiting to embark for service abroad, he heard of the death of one of his brothers, Walter, who had been killed at Pozieres.
He was transferred to the 6th reinforcements to the 48th Battalion in September and embarked a month later aboard the transport ship Port Melbourne. Dalziell disembarked in England in late December and was sent to a training camp at Codford.
In early February 1917, Dalziell was sent to France, joining the D Company of the 48th Battalion, led by Captain Allan Leane. In March 1917, the battalion took part in the follow up action as the Germans withdrew to the Hindenburg Line. To assist the British offensive at Arras, the 4th Australian and 62nd British Divisions launched a hastily planned attack to capture Bullecourt.
At 4.30am on 11 April, the 48th Battalion began their attack. During the initial advance, D Company attained their objective; the only company in the battalion to do so.
German counter-attacks forced the Australians to withdraw. Dalziell was seen by Corporal Charles McColl twice during the withdrawal. He described Dalziell as having been wounded in the left side of his face, which was swollen and bleeding profusely. After the second sighting, Dalziell was not seen again.
The first attack on Bullecourt, which had been hastily planned and carried out, was an unmitigated disaster for the Australians. Over 3,300 casualties were sustained by the 4th and 12th Brigades, with 1,770 taken prisoner, the largest number of Australians captured in a single engagement during the war.
Dalziell was initially listed as missing in action but a court of enquiry held in December 1917 found that he had been killed in action on 11 April. He was 19 years old.
With the second battle of Bullecourt fought over the same ground only weeks later, Dalziell’s body was either not recovered or unable to be identified.
Today, Ernest Rewell Dalziell is commemorated at the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux.
Michael Kelly, Historian, Military History Section
- Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C2278444
