Learning to be a soldier

For the next two months the men at Broadmeadows learnt the routines of army life and were issued with equipment, kit and uniform.

All tasks were conducted in the open air or under canvas. In wet weather, which was not infrequent, there was a lot of mud about. Water ran into the tents from time to time and soaked the straw/hessian mattresses and kit.

Musketry training was carried out near Williamstown, the men being taken down and back in a day by train. Members of the Rifle Club acted as instructors. Some attention was given to entrenching.

By August 1914 there were 199 officers and 5,970 men at the Broadmeadows Camp (3 June 1915, The Bendigonian newspaper).

At this stage we can note that in the 1st AIF, the 5th Battalion (at full strength) would have comprised of 29 officers and 1007 other ranks. Each Battalion was divided into seven Companies - A.G. Adams in 'F' company which was led by a Captain Carter. Each company was divided into platoons which included two officers, two sergeants and other ranks. A.G. Adams was listed as a "sergeant" on 17 August 1914, as he had some experience in the cadet unit at his school.

A sergeant's uniform in the 1st AIF would have had three chevron stripes below the shoulder. Note this Australian War Memorial image:
http://www.awm.gov.au/blog/2014/07/31/australian-imperial-force-aif-badges-1914-1918/

 This will  help us identify A. G. Adams in future photos.