Veteran Story: Roland Elijah BUSH was born circa 1896 at Jerrawa, NSW to parents Elijah Bush and Sarah Jane LEWIS. Sarah and Elijah had married in Gunning NSW in 1881. During there marriage they had 11 children all born at Jerrawa and registered at Gunning NSW. Roland completed his Application to Enlist in the 1st AIF on the 25th September 1916 at Goulburn NSW, and at the time his postal address was 'Oolong NSW', he was aged 21 years 9 months and stood 5 feet 8 inches tall. As his next of kin he named his father Elijah who was living at 'Glenrock', Oolong NSW. He civil occupation was listed as a Labourer. He took his Oath on the 28th September 1916 and was accepted into the AIF. He embarked aboard troopship A29 'Suevic' on 11th November 1916 arriving in Devonport England on 30th January 1917. After 3 months training in England with the 14th Battalion, he proceeded to France on 25th April 1917 arriving in Etaples 26th April 1916. He was assigned to the 8th Reinforcements/55th Battalion and joined them in the field on the 30th April 1916. At the beginning of May the Battalion was at Becourt undertaking training. They moved from there to9 Faureuil on the 8th to a rest camp for the soldiers prior to going to the front at Norveil the next day. Once at the front the Commanders diary notes "Artillery activity on both sides was very brisk throughout the day and night, our front system being heavily shelled. The enemy used Gas Shells freely. Captain A R Gardner was killed by and enemy shell." This continued until 18th May 1916, when a message was sent to move forward and relieve the 56th Battalion. On the 25th May 1916 the battalion was ordered to fall back to Faureuil and they occupied the camp by 3.30 am on the 26th May 1916. By October 1916 the battalion has moved into Belgium to take up the fighting in and around the Ypres area. They remained there until relieved late October 1916 when it was reported that they had lost 13 men, 39 wounded or injured. On 22nd February 1918 Roland is finally given leave returning to his battalion on 11th March 1918. He remains in the field in France until he is sent to a rest camp for a few days in August 1918. He returns to the fighting until December 1918 and in April 1919 he returns to England to make ready for the return journey to Australia. He sailed from Plymouth England on 23rd June 1919 aboard the 'Orita' arriving in Sydney and disembarking on 9th August 1919. He discharged from the 2nd Military District on 6th September 1919. Roland married Roland is named on the Jerrawa School of Arts Pictorial Honour Board. He died on 10th March 1964 and was buried in Wagga Wagga Monumental Cemetery, Anglican Section, K, 32, 0595.
