Agricultural Leave WW1

[Siouxsie]

Hi,
My grandfather served in the Australian Army and in May 1919 he was granted leave (with an extension in July until 31 Aug 1919) to do agricultural work under Lieut. Benest on St Hellier.

My mother has only just found out about this side of my grandfather's war adventures and would like to know more.

Would love to know where these soldiers lived during this time, who Lieut. Benest was, what "agriculture" work were they doing and how they were received by the islanders.

My grandfather's name was John Thomas Hutton (known as Jack).

Cheers
Susie

[Siouxsie]

Hi,
As I have had no response to my post, I am wondering if anyone can point me to somewhere that could help me.

Cheers
Susie

[Hill]

Hi Suzie

Not sure whre you could go with this request.

The library has microfilm copies of the newspapers for that time but would require somone to gop through them as it's nit something they would do.

Your best bet is to make contact with the Societe Jersiaise at:

http://www.societe-jersiaise.org/

They make have some records which might answer your questions.

Stewart

[Siouxsie]

Dear Stewart,
Many thanks.....I will follow this lead up.

Cheers
Susie

[Hill]

I've just read my last posting. I really should read what I've typed before pressing the post button!!! What a load of gibberish. Hope you made sense of it.

Stewart

[Hill]

Hi Susie

I've just been reading the minutes of the Historical Section of the Societe Jersiaise from their March meeting and suddenly saw:

6.3.5.1   RM/M-LB – reported that in 1919 an Australian soldier worked in Jersey in agriculture under Lieutenant Benest.


I will be going to the next meeting later this month and will try and find more information.

Stewart

[Siouxsie]

Hi Susie

I've just been reading the minutes of the Historical Section of the Societe Jersiaise from their March meeting and suddenly saw:

6.3.5.1   RM/M-LB – reported that in 1919 an Australian soldier worked in Jersey in agriculture under Lieutenant Benest.


I will be going to the next meeting later this month and will try and find more information.

Stewart

Dear Stewart,
Many thanks for your interest....I have written to the Societe Jersiase and they said they would put it on their agenda....would love to know what is said!
Cheers
Susie

[Hill]

Hi Susie

It appears that the Island was used as a rehabilitation centre for "shell shocked" victims after WWI.

There is a book Brahms’ Waltz by Monk Gibbon that details the rehabilitation in Jersey of an Irish Officer in the British Army from shell shock. This should provide background for your research.

http://www.clentbooks.co.uk/si/3068.html

Stewart

[Siouxsie]

Dear Stewart,
Many thanks..........I have now heard that Australian soldiers were asked to volunteer for Agricultural leave as there weren't enough ships to take them all home at the end of the war, so they had to wait for the ships to return.

I know from my grandfather's records that he didn't have shell shock, but he did volunteer as he had worked on his sisters farm prior to enlisting.

Cheers
Susie