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Condensed History of the 5th Australian Pioneer Battalion, A.I.F.
March 3rd 1916 – May 15th 1919
H G Carter
"Westover"
Shirley Rd
Roseville
5th Pioneer Battalion
I Egypt
Like most other units of the 5th Division, the 5th Pioneer Battalion was formed at Tel-el-Kebir Egypt the actual date of the formation being Mar 3rd 1916. The early administration was under the Australian Provisional Formations commanded by Maj General Sir H.V. Cox. Three Coys & H.Q. were first of all formed each brigade of the division sending officers & men sufficient for one company; The 8th Brigade party formed A Coy under Major (then Lt) Morrison. The 14th Bde B Coy under Major Peters & the 15th Bde C Coy under Capt Dwyer. Lt Col (then Major) Carter was appointed to Command.
After preliminary training constructing a rifle range & some preliminary training the battalion moved by march route to Ferry Post on the Eastern side of the Suez Canal where it became a unit of the 5th Aust Divn.
The march occupied 3 days halts being made at Mahsama & Ismailia & was most successfully carried out. At Ferry Post the 4th (D) Coy was formed from reinforcements received with Lt McVicer-Smyth in command. The Battalion was then up to full strength & contained about 100 men who had seen "Gallipoli" service. In addition over 50¢ of the men were qualified tradesman of some kind.
Capt (then Lt) Helsham was appointed Adjutant & Major (then Lt) Wilkinson took command of 'B' Coy with Major Peters as Battalion 2nd in Command. After a few weeks solid training the Battalion repaired 4 miles of Desert Railway constructed a large portion of the main Canal defences. The weather at this time was particularly trying, the heat being not only severe (119°F) in the shade for three or four hours daily but the wind & dust added to the troubles. Work & training was carried out in the early morning & late evening only. It was a great relief therefore when orders were received for entrainment & embarkation for France. The battalion was entrained in open trucks on the evening of June 18th & embarked the following morning at Alexandria on the "Canada"