The AIF Project

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Soldier wrote to parents from Mitcham Camp, Adelaide, 12 August 1915: 'I am sending you 5 photos as I have a few friends overhere who would like to remember me. Remember me, why did I say that? because (sic) I have joined the Army as you can see in the Machine gun Section. I hope you will both agree with my decision and I think you will, as all are wanted tosave the Empire. but perhaps I may be one of the lucky ones and get through safe, if so you will find me coming home, never, I hope to part again ... I hope you will not take this to heart as it is my very obvious duty ... '

Embarked Adelaide, 18 November 1915; disembarked Suez, 16 December 1915.

Found guilty, Ismailia, 28 January 1916, of (1) failing to appear at the time and place appointed i.e. Guard mounting 9 a.m. (2) when on Active Service using insubordinate language to a superior Officer in that he said to Cpl. Mules 'I don't want you bloody Corporals ordering me about': awarded 14 days' Field Punishment No 1.

Transferred to 8th Brigade Machine Gun Company, 9 March 1916, taken on strength, Tel el Kebir, 11 March 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 16 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916.

Reported wounded and missing, 20 July 1916.

Court of Enquiry, held in the field, 29 July 1917, pronounced fate as 'Killed in action, 20 July 1916'.

Note, Red Cross File No 2260413: 'No trace Germany. Cert. by Capt. Mills. 10.10.19.'

Statement, 1180 Pte J.W. MIERS, 5th Machine Gun Bn (patient, No 2 Australian General Hospital, Boulogne), 22 September 1916: 'On July 20 at Armentieres, the 8th Australian Machine Gun Bde were with the 5th Division at Armentieres. About 6 p.m. they made an attacks. Informant saw Regan fall in second line enemy trenches - as far as he could make out very badly wounded in the body. The following morning they had to retreat, and between first and second lines, the informant passed Regan still alive. Couldn't stop but informant thinks he could not have lived long enough even to be taken prisoner. There was an official list of prisoners sent from Germany of those taken that day and Regan's name was not on list.'

Second statement, Major R.J.MARSDEN DSO, 8th Machine Gun Company, 12 August 1917: 'Regan was wounded in the leg and as I saw him myself I know it was not serious. He left the position where he was hit to return to the Dressing Station, but never reached it and it is surmised that he rested in one of the dug-outs and was taken prisoner when the enemy retook the position.'

Letter, Mrs REGAN to Miss Vera DEAKIN, 17 May 1917: 'This Major Marsden of whom you speak, did [underlined] write to me in August last & told me he was almost confident that my boy was in the hands of the Barbarians. Do please to find out officially if he is really killed.'