Three times to war, Bernard Cripps

Bernard Allanson Cripps, enlisted to serve his country three times in his lifetime

Within days of war being declared in 1914 Bernard Cripps from Townsville, enlisted in the hastily formed ANMEF - Australian Naval and Military Expedition - which was tasked to protect Australian's northern interests in New Guinea and surrounding territories.

Bernard Cripps kept a diary of his experience:

8th August 1914
Busy all morning loading Troopship with stores. Had a few minutes talk to Jan. Ship left wharf about twelve oclock midst the most enthusiastic farewell that Townsville has ever seen. The day passed pleasantly. Very calm trip.

Private Cripps embarked with the other 500 volunteers, many from Queensland's Kennedy Regiment, largely untrained and under equipped aboard the requisitioned liner Kanowna and sailed for Port Moresby, where they rendezvoused with the remainder of the convoy, including submarines AE1 & AE2.

5th September 1914
Much excitement was caused this morning when the Troopship no 1 The “Berrima” came into the Bay. She has about 2300 on board all told. There are 1500 troops alone. About 10 oclock the H.M.A.S. “Encounter” came alongside.

Cripss' service with the ANMEF was short-lived however, when the stokers on board their ship mutinied, and the Kanowna was ordered to return to Townsville. He returned to civilian life but 12 months later he enlisted to serve with the 41st Infantry Battalion, bound for France and the Western Front.

His second diary describes his voyage to England:

26 May 1915
Received our first pay in the A.I.F. today. All the good shots are formed into a “Submarine Guard” and are to practice for the remainder of the voyage. The Guard is known as the “Tin Openers”. Concerts have been held and a boxing tournament is being started.

From Lark Hill Camp, they were given 4 days leave, and Lance Corporal Cripps spent his time in London with his Grandmother, before his active service began.

Arriving in France in November 1916 they proceeded to Armentieres and the bloody war on the Western Front. Cripps was promoted to Sergeant in February 1917 and 2nd Lieutenant in August, for his good work.

In October 1917 he was severely wounded by a gun shot to the stomach during operations in Ypres, Belgium. The severity of his wound required evacuation to the 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth where he spent two months recovering. Cripps returned to France in January 1918 and remained with his Battalion until he returned to Australia in 1919, where soon after he married Mabel Quin.

He continued his association with the Armed Forces, remaining on the Reserve List for 20 years, and speaking out for returned servicemen’s rights and conditions.

In July 1940 he was seconded with the rank of Captain. to 14 Garrison Battalion which was stationed on Thursday Island to act as a Garrison Coastal Defence Battalion in the Torres Strait. Later in March 1942 he was seconded to 11 & 29 Infantry Training Battalions, he was discharged in 1945.

Captain Bernard Allanson Cripps died in 1950, age 56.

Further Reading:

• OM71-49 Bernard Allanson Cripps papers, State Library of Queensland
• Service record: CRIPPS, Bernard Allanson 1914-1919
• Service record: CRIPPS, Bernard Allanson 1939-1945
• AWM: Unit Diary, 41st Infantry Battalion, October 1917
• 1914-15 STAR. The Brisbane Courier 7 June 1921, p.6

The information in this blog post has been researched by State Library staff and volunteers, it is based on available information at this time. If you have more information that you would like to share or further research uncovers new findings, this post will be updated.