Photo: James Pasby
Newcastle Journal Wednesday 24th October 1917
1st Division Signal Company.
Sunderland Echo Friday 20th February 1891
In
loving memory of
Albert (Kit) Diericx
Corporal, IV Australian
Divisional Signalling Company
second son of
Arthur and Emma Diericx
killed in action 17th October 1917
interred in Reninghelst Cemetery
Belgium.
"Until the barrage lifts".
Albert William George [Kit] Diericx was born on the 16th February 1891, at 11 Hampden Street, Higher Tranmere, Birkenhead, Cheshire, the second youngest son of three boys to Arthur Alexander Diericx, born 1862, [son of Antoine born 1827 in Ecloo, Flanders, Belgium, an interpreter, died 1909, and Mary Ellen born 1835], and Emma, [nee Welsh], born Southampton 1st August 1865, died 20th December 1957, they were married in 1889, he was the second son of three boys. His brothers were Walter Martin Diericx born Swathling, 1st February 1896, died 4th December 1951 at the General Hospital, 418 Westgate Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, [in 1939 was residing at 12 Spital Terrace, Gosforth, with his widowed mother Emma, as a journalist], Arthur Henry Eason Diericx, born Birkenhead, 5th December 1889, died 19th December 1965, [in 1939 was residing at 103 Appleton Gardens, Newcastle-upon-Tyne], a Ships Draughtsman, with his wife Elizabeth and child Elizabeth born 18th September 1919.
Arthur Alexander Diericx was a naval architect , and was the eldest boy of six children in 1881 residing at Royal Crescent Road in Southampton, his father Antonio was an Interpreter at the Royal Music School. In July 1884, Arthur Alexander Diericx was a crew member of a Four Oared Galley Match, he was the no 3. Arthur also was a member of the Royal Pier Amateur Sailing and Rowing Club which was recently formed at Cuckoo Lane, with an addition of a new Clubroom at Mr Stevens boatyard. Arthur was also in the Pleasure pair-Oared Match with coxswain partnered with a C. A Wells and in the double sculling Match where they came third.
On the 1st April 1886, Arthur attended a Smoking Concert at the Beehive Hotel, for a Mr T. Murray an engineer with the Royal Mail Company, on the occasion of his return from a voyage.
On the 25th May 1888, Arthur was promoted to head draughtsman of the shipbuilding department at Messrs, Oswald, Mordaunt, and Co at Woolston Works. His predecessor, Mr C. T. Weston had a presentation at the Hotel de la Provindence in Laurence Road, to bid him farewell as he takes up his new post in Barrow- in-Furness. Arthur presented Mr Weston with a complete set of photographic camera, with necessary implements of the newest designs and workmanship, and some valuable works on naval architecture, as well as testifying to his high ability and very obliging disposition.
Source : Hampshire Advertiser dated Saturday, 2nd June 1888.
The other five children were Mary Ann, born 1866, William, born 1867, Albert, born 1869, Walter, born 1874 and Ellen born 1879. In 1890 Arthur was married to an Emma and they were now residing at 11 Hampden Street, Birkenhead, with two children, Arthur Henry Eason Diericx and Albert William George [Kit] Diericx, just a month old.
In 1894 Arthur was working at Liverpool and residing at 16 Baltic Building for a while.
The family moved from Southampton by 1897. Because of the nature of Arthur's job he was required to move around.
By 1901, the family had moved to Gosforth residing at 1 Mayfield Terrace, with the youngest boy Walter Martin also now part of the family. In 1906 they moved to 67 Alwinton Terrace, Gosforth. Albert William George was an apprentice to Ralph Hedley, at St Mary's Place , Newcastle upon Tyne, and worked for them at least 4 years as a wood carver before emigrating to Australia.
Arthur was now working at the Armstrong Elswick works as a draughtsman earning between £3 5s to £3 10 s a week.
In June 1908, Arthur Alexander Dieriex, was summoned to the Moot Hall Police Court, Newcastle on a charge of persistent cruelty to his wife Emma. She had asked for a separation order and Maintenance. Mr Shaw who was representing Emma said :-"The parties lived at Alwinton Terrace, Gosforth, and had been married 19 years . There were three children of the marriage , the eldest being eighteen years of age. For some time, the husband, who was a draughtsman at Elswick, had been intemperate in his habits, and had frequently assaulted his wife. He had not given her sufficient money to support the family. The wife had an income of some £2 per week. But this was invested in a brewery, and might be considered a fluctuating investment."
Emma Diecirx said;Her married life (since 1890) had been unhappy. On Tuesday last she had words with her husband, and he struck her. About two months ago he asked her for money for drink. She refused him, and struck her on the face On a date soon after Christmas he also assaulted her, by striking her over the head. He also threatened to kill her, and in consequence of his threats she had compelled to close the house. Her husband had not given her money regularly, nor had he given sufficient to keep the house.
The Son Arthur Henry Eason Diericx gave corroborative evidence. There was no appearance for the defendant, but a letter was put in front from him, submitting to an order. The Bench made the order, the defendant to pay his wife £1 a week for maintenance.
Source : Evening Chronicle Saturday 20/06/1908.
The father in 1911 was a boarder at 26 Ladysmith Avenue, East Ham, at Henry and Elizabeth Ann Warren residence. In 1911 Emma and her two boys Arthur Henry and Walter Martin were residing at 67 Alwinton Terrace, Gosforth. Arthur was an apprentice ships draughtsman and Walter was an Office boy with an Insurance Company. Albert William George [Kit] Diericx had emigrated to Australia by this time.
Albert William George [Kit] Diericx enlisted on the 18th August 1914, aged 23 years and 6 months, he was a Wood carver. He had previously served 3 years in the R.A.M.C., as a Territorial Reserve and discharged himself when leaving for Australia. [Date unknown]. He attested at Keswick, South Australia. He is a Driver with the 1st Divisional Signal Company, service number 60. He is 5 feet 5 inches tall, 140lb, with a fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair.
The Division Signals Company was tasked with providing communications from the Headquarters to those of subordinate formations. In the case of the 1st Division, this meant the 1st (NSW) 2nd (Vic) and 3rd (outer states) Brigades and Division units (Artillery, Engineers, Pioneers, MG Battalions and Services etc). This would be by a combination of telephone (requiring the laying of line) and limited radio towards the end of WW1.
At various times homing pigeons and motorcycle despatch riders were also used. On Gallipoli, horses were also used for this high risk task. Line was buried where possible but it would often be cut or broken by artillery fire. Then it would have to be surface laid to maintain communications. Laying line was one of the most hazardous jobs in the front line. The "Linies" had to move above ground carrying a reel of wire. They could often be the only moving thing on the battlefield and thus attracted fire - both small arms and even artillery fire. Hence the task was often performed at night, with the added risk of getting disorientated on the battlefield. The "linies" also had the unenviable task of locating and repairing breaks in the line.
"Power buzzers" were also deployed forward to boost the signal being borne by the line. Later when radio began to appear, signallers would have to erect antennas / aerials, often exposing themselves to enemy observation and fire in the process. As antennas are invariably associated with Headquarters they would also attract the unwelcome attention of enemy artillery Forward Observers.
1st Division Signals Company was famously commanded by Major Stanley Watson, DSO, MC, MID designer and works supervisor of Watson's Pier at Gallipoli.
Training at Broadmeadows, from the 18th August 1914 until the 20th October 1914 when the Company embarks on the S.S. Kassas. Arriving at Alexandria from Port Said on the 4th December 1914. Disembarked at Alexandria on the 5th December. On the 9th December they proceeded to Mena camp near Cairo.
After taking over the Division's communications, they started instruction training for all Regimental Signallers.
The 1st Australian Division took part in the landing at Anzac Cove on the 25th April 1915.
At the start of the Gallipoli Campaign, the AIF had four infantry brigades with the first three making up the 1st Division. When the 1st Division embarked in November 1914 it did so with its 18-pounder field guns, but Australia had not been able to provide the division with the howitzer batteries or the heavy guns that would otherwise have been included on its establishment, due to a lack of equipment. These shortages were unable to be rectified prior to the landing at Gallipoli where the howitzers would have provided the plunging and high-angled fire that was required due to the rough terrain at Anzac Cove.
On the 13th December 1915 Albert is evacuated to Lemnos. He then embarks on the Grampian, arriving at Alexandria on the 3rd January 1916. He then embarks for Marseilles on the 21st March arriving on the 28th March 1916. Albert is promoted to Lance-Corporal on the 4th May 1916 in the field. He then is promoted again on the 1st August, to be a 2nd Temp Corporal. Albert eventually is promoted Corporal on the 30th May 1917.
He was a temporary Sergeant from the 15th May 1917. But on the 14th of July he is in Hospital sick, from the 1st Field Ambulance then on to the 9th Casualty Clearing Station on the 16th July. He is admitted to the 39th General Hospital on the 19th of July. Albert is in hospital for 49 days. And on the 31st August he is at Abbeville at the signal Depot.
He was killed in action on the 17th October 1917.
In his limited will he left effects of £100 to his widow.
Albert Diericx is remembered at Gosforth on G9.06, G9.19, G9.21 and at Matfen on M2.02
