Military History Society of NSW presents:
The Australian Railway Companies of the Western Front, 1916–1918
Charles Bean mentions Australia’s railway units in perhaps half a dozen places in his Official History of Australians in the War of 1914–1918, and then mainly in footnotes. They were never part of Australia’s initial offer to Britain in 1914. Yet by 1918, Australia had effectively deployed a railway regiment of about 1,500 soldiers operating in France. So how and why did they get there, and how did a group, which despite contradicting Australian policy and initially not being legally part of the Australian Imperial Force, end up being very much part of the AIF? What role did they play, and as a side issue, how did ten NSW Government Railways locomotives end up wandering about France?
A party of the 4th Australian Pioneer Battalion with a recaptured English light railway engine, no. 796. They were tasked with getting the engine going again to transport ammunition. Unknown photographer, 8 August 1918. Image courtesy Australian War Memorial, accession no. E02787.
About the speaker
Lieutenant Colonel (retd) David Deasey RFD OAM served in the Australian Army Reserve for 33 years before retiring, and between 1995 and 1997 in the capacity of Commanding Officer of the University of NSW Regiment. He is the co-author of The History of the University of NSW Regiment 1952–2006 (2009). David is also a retired teacher, having taught English and history at various schools for 37 years. In 2019, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to community history, particularly in connection with his work as chair of the National Boer War Memorial Association’s NSW Committee. He is a member of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) for Defence and Security Studies, NSW. He has spoken and written widely about military history.
Event details
When: Saturday, 4 April 2026 at 10:30 am.
Where: The Auditorium, Anzac Memorial Hyde Park, Sydney CBD.
Admission: Free, but a donation is appreciated.
More information: Email president@militaryhistorynsw.com.au
About the venue
The venue for the Military History Society of NSW lecture program is the Auditorium on the lower level of the Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park, corner of Elizabeth and Liverpool Streets, Sydney CBD. Numerous bus services stop at the location, and Museum Railway Station is a short walk away. The venue opens its doors from 10:00 am.
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