Private: 1804 John CARROLL 33rd Battalion, rushed the enemy's trench and bayoneted four of the German occupants. He then noticed a comrade in difficulties and went to his assistance, killing another German. He then attacked single handed a German Machine Gun Team, killing all three of them and capturing the gun. He later rescued two of his comraded who had been buried alive by German Shell Fire, and in spite of heavy shelling and machine gun fire he dug them out alive and saved them from certain death. John was awarded the Victoria Cross.

The German foward zone was completely engulfed and taken by the main assault. The two supporting battalions of each brigade then passed the leading battalion to continue the advance. The men were constantly re-supplied and the ridge was taken. There were many German prisoners taken during the offencive. The 3rd Division was well ahead with the 9th Infantry Brigade pushing on beyond Grey Farm, and on the right the 10th Infantry Brigade were veering left towards Septieme Barn north of Douve.

The German resistance was heavy but was generally brushed aside by tanks and artillery before the infantry had to become too involved.The 4th Bavarian Divisions Artillery had made little impact, but as the day wore on the 3rd Division and later the 4th Australian Division received many casulties from German artillery. (70% of all casulties during WW1 were from artillery).

By 9:00am nearly 6 hours after the assault began the Germans were in dissaray, but there was a major problem as the Australians received less casulties as anticipated and when ordered to dig into the ridge they had so many men, that some could not find shelter. the 35th battalion were dug in around Seaforth Farm.

The second phase of the operation was to take the Oosttaverne Line. The 3rd Australian Division would now be in reserve with the 4th Division attacking. The 9th Infantry Brigade (33-34-35-36Bn) were near Thatched Cottage facing Warneton. The river Lys was to their right and the Plugstreet Wood was now behind them.

Once their objectives were taken the troops consolidated. A barrarge to stop and counter attack was shortnened and caught three battalions which had to retire. By 9:00pm this part of the Oosttaverne Line was abandonded. At 10:45pm General Godley ordered the 3rd and 4th Divisions to retake it. This they did by the early hours of the 8th of June.

The Battle for Messines Ridge during May-June 1917 saw 35 officers and 1,631 other ranks loose their lives.

George is remembered with honour and is commemerated in perpetuity by the Commonweath War Graves at 110 Toronto Avenue Cemetery Warneton, Belgium. He is on the on Memorial Panel 122, and the Castlereagh Honor Roll.

14 July 1917.

Another Castlereagh Hero Killed in Action: June, 1917, will be remembered as having been, verily a month of widespread mourning throughout Penrith and Castlereagh and other parts of the Nepean District, for during that month in such operations as the capture of the Messines Ridge and other sanguinary engagements, in which Australians took a leading part, a number of gallant young soldiers of our town and district fell, heroically exhibiting in their transcendent valour that spirit of dauntless determination and fortitude, even to the death, which has made the name Australian a talisman and inspiration to the disciples of liberty and civilization all over the world.

Nepean Times, p3

29 September 1917

Amongst the casualties recorded in the lists for June we regret to note the name of Private George Denny (in the roll-call of the fallen), son of Mr Alfred Denny of "Riverleigh," Castlereagh, a fine stalwart young soldier, who was killed in action on June 8th, in his 21st year, having been only about a month at the front before meeting the glorious fate of those to whom the vindication of the rights of their Empire and of their fellows is greater than the supreme pain of violent death, or the worst discomforts of the battlefield. Private Denny (deceased) went into camp at Armidale on April 10th, 1916, and sailed for the seat of war on September 4th, 1916. He was sent to the Australian sector in North France on April 10th last, and during the month, or thereabouts, which intervened between his coming to the trenches and his demise he saw much severe fighting. The Denny family have been living at Castlereagh for about three and a half years, and deceased, who was, in a sense, "the mainstay of the home" (to quote his father's words), will be greatly missed, not only by his bereaved parents and family, but by all his associates and acquaintances. We might mention that Sergeant Coates (drill instructor) now in France, is a son-in-law of Mr and Mrs Denny, senr., who have no less than 15 nephews (English born) serving with the colors. While mourning the loss to his kin and country of Private George Denny, we trust that the reflection that he died gloriously in defence of the laws of God and the rights of democracy will be a consolation to his parents and family in their bitter hour.

Nepean Times, p1 c3

5 October 1917.

Late Private George Denny: Mrs Alfred Denny, of "Riverleigh," Castlereagh, is in receipt of the following letters relative to the death of soldier son, the late Private George Denny, who was killed in action on 7th June last: - France, June 26 1917. Mr Dear Mrs Denny - I very much regret that I should have to write to you of the death of your gallant son, No 1817 Pte George Denny. He was killed in action in the battle of Messines, on June 7th. His body was buried in the battalion cemetery in Ploegsteert Wood. Although your son only came to us in France on May 1st, yet he was with us long enough to prove himself a fearless, reliable and hard working soldier, - one who always performed his duties willingly and cheerfully. I greatly deplore the death of such a splendid man. Officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, all join me in offering you most heartfelt sympathy in this your great bereavement. Yours very sincerely, Leslie J Moreshead, Lieut.-Colonel.

Durrington Camp, England, 19/6/'17. Dear Mrs Denny - Today brings to hand a very sorrowful letter to me. It is a letter from a mate who was with George when he was hit. I think it my duty to write and express my deepest sympathy. Poor George, he was the finest mate I had, and it overcomes me to think he has been taken away from me. Pte A E Chapman, who wrote and told me fully how he was killed, and he wrote to Mr Denny so, in case the letter has gone astray, I will give you an extract from his letter to me. The letter goes on to say: "I suppose you will have heard about you old pal George being shot. He and I (Pte A E Chapman) were together ever since we left England. We were bombers in the big push. After taking Fritz's third line, and clearing things up a bit, we came back to dig in. A sniper's or machine gun bullet hit him in the throat, cutting it, and broke his neck. He was a good soldier, Bert, and one of the gamest." He goes on to say he wrote to his father in case he didn't know how his end was caused. I wrote to his sister (Mrs King), and gave her all the information I had. I can't write any more now, Mrs Denny, I feel too upset, and I know how you feel; so may these few lines help to comfort you and the family in your solemn hours. Your sincere friend Corporal: 1943 Bertie Meredith WOODHILL. (of Woodhill and Co, Richmond). [Cpl Bertie Meridein Woodhill enlisted on 16 Apr 1916, and returned to Australia on 12 May 1918.]

Windsor and Richmond Gazette.

25th October 1917.

Informant; Captain: James William SHREEVE. I assisted at the Burial of these men at the Cemetery at Toronto Cut Ploegsteert Wood on dates between 7th and 10th June last. The map reference to the exact position of the cemetery is:- 28 S.W. Addition 5A.U.15c.10.10.(Artillery Map) 3rd London General Hospital.

Private: 1817 George DENNY.

Corporal: 2068 John Henry HASSALL.

Private: 882 George Thomas TAYLOR.

Private: 2357 Harold Allan McNAMARA.

He attended Ufford Elementary School in Suffolk. Denny emigrated to Australia with his parents at age 16 and the family settled at 'Riverleigh", Castlereagh, NSW. On enlistment, a public farewell was given to Denny and Richard Frederick Baker (alias Voller) by the residents of Richmond NSW where both soldiers were presented with a wristlet watch.

(Australian National Archives)