Mary Renshaw shares diary entries from Sapper Albert Edward Renshaw No 178, who sadly lost his life at Gallipoli on 26 April 1915.

20th August 1914, Thursday

After work on a cold Melbourne winter blast, I met up with my mate Macca (William McIntosh) and we decided to enlist and volunteer to go to war. I do not know who was more excited, Macca or me. We were going to look good in uniform. Everyone was talking about the war, there were large signs being put up around the streets, posters and leaflets in pubs, even signs up under the clocks at Flinders Street Station. Enlistment booths were being opened all over Melbourne and the Town Hall has been giving out recruitment papers for the last ten days.

War had been declared August 10th between Britain and Germany and orders came through to the Battery at Port Nepean to prevent any German flagged ships attempting to leave Port Philip Bay. It took just one shot across the bow of the German steamer, Pfalz to convince the captain to stop and the vessel was impounded with the crew which disembarked at Portsea. We were at war and yes, Macca and I were needed for King and Country.

We joined the queue at Alexander Parade and with our engineering background thought we could enlist as engineers, be officers and see the world together.

What an incongruous couple as best mates go, both of us were five foot nine and half inches tall but there the similarity ended. Whilst I had blue eyes, light brown hair and fair complexion, Macca had brown eyes, black hair and dark complexion. I was more handsome than Macca but I am not sure the girls thought this was so? Macca was turner whilst I had my boilermaker’s certificate and we have been mates forever.

The excitement of overseas travel was upon me, I only knew the areas of South Melbourne and Brunswick but Mum reminded me that I was born in Queensland and left there when I was five years old to come to South Melbourne Victoria. I was a travelled person.

Recruiting offices in Melbourne opened on 10th August 1914. As volunteers we had to go through strict physical fitness guidelines and when we enlisted I was surprised at the paperwork.

“Name,” the voice boomed across the table. “Albert.”
“State full name son.” “Albert Edward Renshaw.”
“Date of Birth.” “27th October 1886.”
“Occupation,” asked the soldier without looking up. “Boilermaker,” I replied.

Read Mary Renshaw’s complete testimonial to Albert Edward Renshaw

See the embarkation record of AE Renshaw