Formation and Early Training

• The 58th Battalion was raised on 17 February 1916 in Egypt, as part of the AIF's expansion.
• Half of its recruits were Gallipoli veterans from the 6th Battalion, while the other half were fresh reinforcements from Australia.
• The battalion trained in Egypt and guarded the Suez Canal before heading to France.

Deployment to France

• On 17 June 1916, the battalion boarded the H7 Transylvania in Alexandria and arrived in Marseilles on 23 June.
• After a three-day train ride, they arrived at Steenbecque, 35 km from Fleurbaix, to continue training.

First Combat at Fleurbaix (July 1916)

• The 58th Battalion entered the trenches for the first time on 11 July.
• They were positioned in reserve for the Battle of Fromelles, with the 59th and 60th Battalions leading the attack.
• The 58th’s role included carrying ammunition, digging communication trenches, and providing support for the frontline troops.

Battle of Fromelles (19-20 July 1916)

• The battalion was called into action on the night of 19 July after a delay due to weather.
• They faced heavy machine gun fire from the German "Sugar Loaf" salient and endured difficult conditions while attempting to dig trenches.
• By 6:00 AM on 20 July, the 58th Battalion was relieved by the 57th Battalion.

Casualties and Aftermath

• The 58th suffered 27 killed, 167 wounded, and 53 missing from the 1,002 men who left Egypt. By the end of the Battle, 35 died of wounds, 1 died as a prisoner of war and 118 lay dead, of which 64 remain unknown.
• The following days were spent recovering the wounded and burying the dead, under sniper fire and the battalion remained near Fleurbaix until the end of August.