70th Battalion

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Brief History

On 1 February 1917 the British government made a formal request for a sixth division. On 15 February 1917 the Australian government assented and the Sixth Division began to form in England. By August the 16th and 17th Brigades had been formed, with the 65th, 66th, 67th and 70th Battalions the backbone of the 17th Brigade. The 70th Battalion was formed on 17 Mar 1917, designated as a (Western Australian/South Australian unit). It formally ceased to exist on 16 Sep 1917

Heavy casualties in the fighting at Bullecourt in April and May of 1917, and at Messines in June caused the project to be abandoned and the 6th Division was broken up in September 1917 with the men used to backfill other active units.

Battalion Personnel

• John (Senior) Shepherd 23 Mar - 19 Oct 1917
• Matthew Harwood 23 Mar - 28 Apr 1917
• William Plant 23 Mar - 20 Apr 1917
• Alfred Martin Tilly 23 Mar - 18 Sep 1917
• Frederick Ernest Capstick 29 Mar - 16 Sep 1917
• Paul Henzell Hemy 24 Apr - 16 Oct 1917