October 12, 1917, The Gordon cricketers at the First battle of Passchendaele
The First Battle of Passchendaele on 12 October 1917 was one of the most tragic events in Australian military history and the most likely of all Australian engagements that could have been avoided.
Incredibly, the 3rd and 4th Divisions at Passchendaele contained four Gordon cricketers: Johnnie Moyes, who was following on after Polygon Wood as the Major in charge of the 48th Battalion within the 4th Division, Harry Watts, who was backing up for a second innings after Broodseinde with the artillery, Dr Gother Clarke, who had opened his innings at the Battle of Messines and a newcomer, Harold Lilja, making his debut.
