Monday, December 29, 2014

Narre Warren War Memorial

The Narre Warren War Memorial was officially unveiled by Colonel George Knox on March 12, 1922 (1).  It was originally erected on the corner of the Princes Highway and the Narre Warren North Road at the recreation reserve. The original memorial had a lovely arch, which you can see in the photograph, below. The arch was removed in 1949 or 1950.  The War Memorial was moved in 1993 to a location near the Civic Centre at Narre Warren and is now located on the Bunjil Place forecourt.


Narre Warren War Memorial, erected 1923.

I have done some research on the men listed on the Narre Warren War Memorial, which has the names of 29 men. The list of names came from the Casey Cardinia Remembers website entry on the Memorial, read it here.  It took a while to identify some of the men and there are still a few I still haven't been able to identify. If you know any information about these soldiers, then I would love to hear from you. It's interesting to note that seven of the men had a Narre Warren connection because their fathers were Victorian Railway employees and had been appointed to the Narre Warren Railway Station. What follows is the list of First World Soldiers who are listed on the War Memorial, their connection to Narre Warren and their Service Number (SN) so you can look up their full service records on the National Archives website, www.naa.gov.au

I have also researched the 18 men on the Narre Warren North War Memorial and any other men not on either Memorial, but who have a connection to the area. You can read about them here.

Brown, J  This man is currently a mystery. There were two Mr Browns who had a Narre Warren address  and they were brothers -   Robert Woodside Brown (SN 3040) who enlisted July 21, 1915. He was a 24 year old farmer.  Robert Returned to Australia on May 18, 1919. His brother,  Alfred Hart Brown (SN 1217) was a 21 year old carpeneter and he enlisted on November 8, 1916.  Alfred Returned to Australia on December 11, 1918. They were the sons of Edward and Claudia (nee Kerr) Brown of Narre Warren North. Neither of them are J. Browns, so if anyone knows who this is, I would be interested to know.


Farewell to Alf Brown, Herbert Battersby and Walter Young.
Berwick Shire News May 3, 1916  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92089861

Buchanan, Eric Alexander  (SN 1676) Eric was from Station Street, Berwick and enlisted on July 14, 1915. He was a 21 year old Clerk, the son of Charles and Christina (nee McPhail) Buchanan. Eric Returned to Australia on July 23, 1919. I am not sure of Eric's full connection to Narre Warren  - he was born in Yarrawonga, but his mother changed her address as next of kin in January 1919 to Narre Warren North. The Dandenong Advertiser had an article on October 10, 1918 (see here) about the death of Trooper Louis Tchampian of Cockatoo and it mentioned that he was a pal of Sergt. Eric Buchanan of Narre Warren, so Eric was obviously identified with Narre Warren.


Farewell function for Eric Buchanan
Berwick Shire News October 13, 1915 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92091152

Burns, Charlie  I know this is Charlie Burns, as there are various reports in local papers at the time of his talents as a entertainer at local functions. At the annual cricket club concert held October 9, 1914, Charlie was again to the fore with his humourous songs, clog dances and spoon items (Berwick Shire News and Pakenham Gazette October 14, 1914)  There was  a report of his recent enlistment in the February 16, 1916 issue of the paper. The AIF Project website has five Charles Burns who enlisted from Victoria and going by occupation (he's  a labourer) and date of enlistment I believe (but I cannot confirm) that our Charles has the Service Number of 4373 and enlisted on December 24, 1915. He Returned to Australia May 29, 1919.



Charlie Burns enlists
Pakenham Gazette  February 16, 1916

Dewar, Alfred James (no SN listed) Alfred enlisted on July 20, 1915 and he died of 'cerebro spinal meningitis'  less than a month later on August 15, 1915. His father's address was Drouin on the enlistment papers. A report in the Berwick Shire News and Pakenham Gazette of August 18, 1915 said the  Dewar family of Drouin who have suffered so severely through the meningitis epidemic were some years ago residents of Harkaway. Mr Dewar owned a property on Hessell's Road near the old church. An earlier report in The Argus (August 13, 1915) said that Private Dewar had returned home suffering form what he thought was influenza, but it turned out to be meningitis and his mother, who was nursing him contracted the disease and died after 24 hours illness. A tragic story.

Duncan, D   I believe this may be David Baird Duncan  (SN 2366) based solely on his occupation of Orchardist. There were two other D. Duncans who enlisted from Victoria -  David John Duncan (SN 2292)  was a coach builder and David Francis Duncan (SN 6665) was a jeweller, both have a Melbourne address. The Bailey family has established  an orchard at Narre Warren North in the 1890s and this was the first of many orchards in this area, thus being an orchardist is a likely occupation for someone from Narre Warren, but I cannot find any actual connection to this area. David was born in Scotland and enlisted on May 10, 1915 at the age of 20. He Returned to Australia April 5, 1919.

Duncan, James Ramsay (SN 432) James was born in Berwick and he enlisted on September 28, 1914. He was a 30 year old commercial traveller.  James was a Lieutenant and he returned to Australia on April 15, 1918. He was discharged on medical grounds suffering from Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

Dunwell, Fred   (SN 1392)    Fred was from Narre Warren and he enlisted July 31,  1915. He was a 25 year old carpenter, born in Yorkshire, and his next of kin was his sister, Hannah, also of Narre Warren.  Fred returned to Australia on July 18, 1919.

Hillbrich, A  I am not sure who this is - There are only three Hillbrichs (or Hillbricks as they are spelt on the Nominal and Embarkation Rolls) who enlisted - Ernest and Harold are written about below and the other one was Norman (SN 5326) who enlisted on January 4, 1916 and Died of Wounds on May 6, 1917. He was the son of Gustav Wilhelm and Jessie (nee Neame) Hillbrich and born in Korumburra according  to his enlistment paper. His mother was living in Western Australia, which is where he enlisted. The Memorial lists A. Hillbrich as having returned, so that doesn't tally with Norman's record. 
Hillbrich, Ernest William  (SN 3989 and 1045)  Ernest was a  19 year old farmer from Narre Warren when he enlisted on March, 9, 1915. He was born in New South Wales, the son of Edward Gustave and Amy (nee Morton) Hillbrich. Ernest Returned to Australia on March 28, 1919.
Hillbrich, Harold Herbert (SN 11760)  Harold was born in Narre Warren to Ernst Johann Gottlieb and Maria Augusta (nee Schoppe) and enlisted on November 3, 1915. He was a 22 year old postman. Harold Returned to Australia on June 12, 1919.
The three Hillbrich boys are all descendants of Johann and Maria (nee Wagner) Hillbrich who settled in Harkaway in 1855. Norman and Harold were grandsons; Ernest was the son of Harold's older brother and he was thus a great grandson. (Some of this family information is from Early Settlers of the Casey Cardinia District, see here).

Ireland, Percy Markham De Courcy (SN 1116) Percy's parents, De Courcy and Margaret Ireland are listed in the Electoral Rolls at Narre Warren in 1903, so it is possible that Percy went to school at Narre Warren. In 1914 the family was living in Heidelberg. Percy enlisted on May 25, 1915; he was a 21 year old Electrical Engineer. Percy Returned to Australia on April 13, 1919.

Kent, Alfred Ernest (SN 3336). Alfred enlisted on August 2, 1915 at the age of 40.   Alfred is also on the Berwick Grammar School memorial in Church Street, Berwick.  He was born in Berwick and was married to Alice Webb, the daughter of Sidney and Ann Webb.  Lance Corporal Kent was Killed in Action in France on May 5, 1916.
Kent, Charles Edward  ( SN 237)  Charles was a 36 year old farmer from Narre Warren and he enlisted on February 28, 1916. He was born in Berwick. Charles Returned to Australia on April 5, 1918. 
Kent, Norman Archibald  (SN 1009) Norman enlisted on October 1, 1914. He was 32 years old, born in Narre Warren and a farmer.  Second Lieutenant Kent Died of Wounds on April 12, 1917.
The Kents were from Narre Warren  and their parents, Anthony and Mary Kent, had arrived in Narre Warren around 1875 and purchased Granite Park, which they re-named Oatlands. 


The sad news of the Kent family
Pakenham Gazette, May 18 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92155593

MacKenzie, Dugald (SN 6069) Dugald enlisted on March 22, 1916. He 33 years old, was a widower and his occupation was 'nurseryman labourer'. His address on enlistment was Cecil Street in South Melbourne, but a Dugald MacKenzie is listed in the 1914 Electoral Rolls at Narre Warren, occupation Nurseryman, so I am sure that we have the right man. Dugald was Killed in Action in France on May 4, 1917. He left behind a daughter, Edna, who was being cared for by her grandmother, Kate O'Shea of Footscray.


I came across this note from the Upper Murray & Mitta Herald of May 31, 1917 about the death of  a Dugald MacKenzie. Firstly, the age does not tally with the age of 'our' Dugald, however Mr Stedman was the Station Master at Narre Warren in from 1898 until 1906 and his two sons are also on the Memorial. Mrs Stedman was Helen Jane Bell and Dugald was the son of Archibald MacKenzie and Jessie Bell. This means that Dugald was the first cousin of the Stedman boys, listed below.


McClure, Alexander David  (SN 516) Alexander enlisted on February 10, 1915. He was the son of Colin McClure. Alexander was a miner from Benalla when he enlisted and I found his connection to Narre Warren in a report in the Berwick Shire News and Pakenham Gazette of May 17, 1916. the report states that McClure, road foreman on the Victorian railways at Yackandandah, who was well known in this district as one of the prominent members of the Narre Warren Cricket Club, has had the sad misfortune to lose his son in the war. The article then has some reports from his friends about his death and his friend said that Alexander died as he lived, game and cheerful to the last. Alexander Died of Wounds, received at Gallipoli,  November 20, 1915.

Mouser, George.   Lieutenant George Mouser  enlisted on May 1, 1916. His next of kin was his father, John Mouser of Narre Warren. John was the Station Master at Narre Warren from July 1915 to August 1918.  He Returned to Australia on July 24, 1919. George is also listed on the Bunyip Methodist Church Honour Roll  His father was at the Bunyip Station around 1903.

Muffett, John Henry (SN 3104) He is listed as Muffit on the War Memorial.   John enlisted on January 6, 1917 and was Killed in Action on August 26, 1918. I believe that the connection to Narre Warren can be found in a report in South Bourke and Mornington Journal on April 8, 1903. The article reports that railway line repairer, Benjamin Muffit (sic) was killed on the railway line. Muffit resided in a gate house on Lalor's Road, about a quarter of a mile from the Narre Warren Station. He was 42 years old at the time of the accident and he left a wife and four children. There is a birth of a John Henry Muffett in 1892 to a Benjamin and Mary Muffett and his next of kin on his enlistment paper is his mother, Mary. I believe that John is the son of the deceased railway worker and may have went to school at Narre Warren.


The Narre Warren War Memorial at the Civic Centre.
Photograph courtesy of the  Casey Cardinia Remembers website

Neil,  W  No luck so far in identifying this soldier. There was a William Neill who was the Station Master at Narre Warren from April 1912 until he was transferred to Yarra Glen on June 1, 1914. Is this the connection? He had a son Wilfred Vivian born 1894 but I can't find any evidence that he enlisted.  Any help appreciated on this one.

Nutter, S  There were only four men who enlisted with the surname of Nutter - Alan and Lawrence are brothers from Killara in Sydney; John Nutter was from England and enlisted in Sydney and doesn't seem to have any connection with the area. There is also a William  Nutter Scott, born in England and enlisted in Sydney and once again I can find no connection between him and this area.

Sage, Louis Francis (SN 30437)  When Louis enlisted on March 2, 1916 his next of kin was his mother, Margaret Sage of Narre Warren North and he was 23 years old and  a farmer. He Returned to Australia on January 30, 1918. He was discharged on medical grounds, due to acute rheumatism.

Smith George Stephen (SN 3679).  George was born in Horsham and was living at Longwarry when he enlisted on  August 7, 1915. He was Killed in Action in France on March 31, 1917.  It took some research to identify George as, according to the Australian War Memorial website, there were 53 G. Smiths who did not return, of these 19 were Victorians, so I concentrated on these 19 and still could not find  a Narre Warren connection until I found a George Adolphus Smith listed in the 1903 Electoral Roll, where he was the Station Master at Narre Warren. Then I went back to my 19 soldiers and discovered that our George was the son of a George Adolphus Smith and that the elder George was listed as the Station Master at Longwarry in 1914 Electoral rolls, so it all fitted. George was 19 when he enlisted in 1915, thus born around 1896. An article in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal of  June 23, 1909 reports that Mr George Smith was leaving Narre Warren after eight years as Assistant Station Master, so both young George and his brother, William (see below) would have attended Narre Warren State School. As a matter of interest, Colin McClure, the father of Alexander McClure, above, 'occupied the chair' for the Smith's farewell social.
Smith William Edward (SN 20121) William is also the son of George Adolphus and Alice Elizabeth (nee Bail) Smith and was born at Creswick and was living at Longwarry when he enlisted on April 4, 1917, just four days after his brother was killed. He was 18, thus born about 1899. William Returned to Australia July 18, 1919.

Stedman, Albert  (SN 3262) Albert enlisted on July 14, 1915 at the age of 18 years and 8 months, or so he said.  He was an 'asbestos worker' not an occupation that you hear of today. His father, also called Albert, was Station Master at Outtrim, was listed as his next of kin.  Albert was Killed in Action in France on July 28, 1916 and a newspaper report on The Herald said he was actually on 17 years and 8 months old, so he was only 16 when he enlisted. 
Stedman, Walter (SN 3909) Walter enlisted on November 4, 1915. He was 26 years old and a grocer. Walter Returned to Australia February 13, 1917 and discharged on medical grounds due to a gun-shot wound to his right foot. 
Albert senior was the Station Master at Narre Warren for eight years and he left in July 1906 as he was appointed to Port Fairy. A report in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal of July 11, 1906 says that Mrs and Mrs Stedman had a very enjoyable farewell  social at the Mechanics' Institute. The boys are the first cousins of Dugald MacKenzie, listed above.


Report of Albert Stedman's death.
The Herald November 29, 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article242453294


Wanke, Arthur Robert (SN 1427)  Arthur enlisted on March 3, 1916. He Returned to Australia on December 12, 1918.
Wanke, Frederick William (SN 6379) Frederick enlisted on April 28, 1916 and Died of Wounds received May 17, 1918.
The boys were the sons of Emmanuel and Bertha (nee Aurisch) Wanke of Narre Warren.  Fred's death and this photograph was in the Dandenong Advertiser on July 4, 1918 - 

Quite a gloom was cast over the district of Harkaway when the sad news recently came to hand, that
Private Fred. Wanke had been killed in action "Somewhere in France," on 17th May. This young hero was born and educated at Harkaway, and took a keen interest in any movement that was likely to improve the district. He was a member of the Harkaway Young Men's Club, and was always a true sport. When in camp, while on many of the numerous expeditions with his mates, his motto was: "Age before honor," and he never could do too much for any of the older members of the party. "Fred" was of most genial and obliging disposition, and was 28 years of age. He left a good home and loving parents, to go forth and do his share with the boys in the trenches, where he made the extreme sacrifice. When on furlough he devoted his time to studying the different methodsof farming, and was keen on acquiring a knowlege of new ideas. Much sympathy is expressed by his many friends throughout the district, for Mr and Mrs Wanke and family, of "Hillcroft" who have lost a noble son, and brother. Private Arthur Wanke a brother of this fallen soldier, and who was also a member of the Harkaway
Young Men's Club, is on active service in France. (Dandenong Advertiser on July 4, 1918, see here)

Wauchope, Neil Andrew (SN 2239)  Neil was born at Narre Warren and he enlisted on July 9, 1915. He was 26 years old and a butter maker. He Returned to Australia on August 24, 1918 and discharged on medical grounds due to  cardiac insufficiency. Neil was the son of William and Maggie Jane (nee Brunt) Wauchope. 

Woodley, George Herbert (SN 4570)  George enlisted on August 18, 1915. He was a 32 year old salesman and his next of kin was his wife, Maggie, whose address was Powlett Street, East Melbourne. On July 3, 1919 George requested that he be discharged in London, rather than having to return to Australia, as he had a position waiting for me in Calcutta and my presence is necessary there in August.  This was granted. George's brother, Ernest Simmill Woodley, had enlisted on August 16, 1915 but  he was discharged due to being medically unfit on May 29, 1916 as he suffered from 'traumatic epilspsy'.  George and Ernest were the sons of Thomas and Hannah (nee Buckley) Woodley. Thomas operated a baker's shop on the corner of the Princes Highway and Webb Street (click here to see a picture of the shop). Thomas had died on New Year's Day, 1906, he had gone to Melbourne to watch an interstate cricket match and partook of a meat pie after leaving the cricket ground, and that the pie caused ptomaine poisoning, which, with a subsequent sharp attack of peritonitis, was the cause of death (South Bourke & Mornington Journal January 3, 1906).


This picture was taken in 1993, just after the Memorial was moved to the Civic Centre site.That's long serving Council Officer, David Westlake with a colleague.

Footnote
(1) A short report of the unveiling can be found in the Box Hill Reporter, March 17, 1922, see here. You can read Colonel Knox's Australian Dictionary of Biography entry here. The City of Knox is named after him. 


Monday, December 15, 2014

Bunyip War Memorial

The War Memorial at Bunyip was unveiled on Wednesday, February 9 1921 by Frank Groves, M.L.A. There  are 36 names from the Great War on the Memorial. It would be interesting to know how the names were selected as the Australian ANZACs in the Great War website lists 78 people with a  Bunyip address who enlisted and  a further 53 with a Garfield address and 16 with an Iona address, so there was no shortage of potential candidates who could have been honoured.


The Argus, February 12 1921

Here is a list of the 36 soldiers and their Service Number (SN) so you can look up their full record on the National Archives of Australia website www.naa.gov.au   If you want to read about other men from Bunyip who are listed and on the Bunyip Methodist Church Honour Roll then click here.

Beswick,  Edwin  Ezard (SN 6725) Edwin was the son of John Beswick of Garfield and enlisted on September 16, 1916.  He died of gas poisoning on October 9, 1917.

Bradshaw,  Stanley Guelph  (SN 2280) Son of Joseph Bradshaw of Bunyip, Stanley enlisted on August 21, 1916. Stanley was Killed in Action in Belgium on October 4, 1916.

Carter,  William  (SN 2266) Enlisted on July 17, 1915 and he died of wounds on August 6, 1916. William was the son of William Carter of Bunyip.

Clarkin, William.  (SN 1522). William was born at Bunyip and enlisted at Tynong in December 1914 at the age of 21. He died of wounds in France on August 26, 1916. His next of kin was listed as his brother L. Clarkin of Iona, although an annotation on his Attestation paper says it is his eldest brother, John Clarkin of Garfield. William is also on the War Memorial at Cora Lynn.

Dawes, Gladstone (SN 4178) Gladstone enlisted on July 20 1915 aged 18. His next of kin was his mother, Mrs A. Dawes of Iona, and his father was listed as Alfred Dawes, Senior. Gladstone was Killed in Action in France on June 17, 1918. Gladstone had four brothers who also enlisted, you can read about the family, here.

Bunyip War Memorial, c. 1921 


Devine H. G I have not yet discovered who this is.

Doherty,  Edward Francis (Frank)   (SN 1218) The son of John Doherty, a farmer of Tynong,  Frank was Killed in Action on August 4, 1916 and is also listed on the Cora Lynn War Memorial.

Donald Henry Gordon (SN 6001A) Henry was the son of Elizabeth Donald of Garfield, He enlisted on March 30, 1916 and was Killed in Action in Belgium, exact date unknown, but from June 7 to June 9, 1917.

Fallon Joseph (SN 3521)  Joseph was  born in Bunyip and enlisted on April 17, 1917. He Returned to Australia July 8, 1919.

Fitzgerald D  This could be Daniel Fitzgerald (SN 3312) from Iona, who enlisted on October 5, 1914. He Died of Wounds on October 6, 1917.  It may also be David William Fitzgerald (SN 37563) also of Iona. David enlisted on February 27, 1917, he spent some time in a military hospital after the war and Returned to Australia on April 10, 1919.
Fitzgerald John Lawrence (SN 2474) John, from Iona,  enlisted on July 15, 1915.  He was Killed in Action in France on July 19, 1916. I presume these three boys were brothers as they all had a David Fitzgerald from Iona, listed as their father.


This is a report from the Dandenong Advertiser of  September 14, 1916 reporting the deaths of  Frank Doherty and Jack Fitzgerald.

Fitton James Herbert (SN 3979)  James was born in London and was the brother of Wilfred Fitton, who is listed as living at Bunyip in the 1914 Electoral Rolls. James enlisted on July 28, 1915 and was Killed in Action in Belgium on September 30, 1917.

Gachin John (SN 2528) - his last name is listed as Gaghin and Gaghain on other sources, but looking at his signature on his enlistment paper, I believe Gaghin is the correct spelling. John is the son of Michael Gaghin of Garfield and enlisted on June 16, 1916.   He was Killed in Action in France on April 11, 1917.

Green Francis Regis (SN6013)  Francis was the son of Catherine Green of Iona and enlisted on April 17, 1916 and was Killed in Action on May 12, 1917 in France.

Gunnelson Percy Oskar   (SN 893)
Gunnelson Ingelbert Thomas  (SN 3160) Percy and Inglebert were the sons of James Gunnelson of Garfield, sadly they were both Killed in Action, Percy on  May 8, 1915 and Inglebert on October 4, 1917.

Holland William George Sydney (SN 850) William was born in Bunyip and enlisted on June 3, 1915. He died on November 1, 1918 after being gassed.

Leeson William Herbert Charles (SN 1178) William was Killed in Action at Gallipoli on May 2, 1915. He was the son of Philip Leeson of Garfield.




Bunyip War Memorial
Photograph courtesy of the  Casey Cardinia Remembers website


McDonald Allan Walter   (SN 2474) Allan and his wife Jessie lived at Garfield when he enlisted on March 3, 1916. He died of wounds received in France on April 17, 1917.

McIvor John Edward (SN 26655) His next of kin on enlistment was his wife Edith, who moved around after John enlisted on January 1, 1916. One of her addresses was C/O Mrs Scealy  of Bunyip, this was Margaret Ellen Scealy, Edith's sister. There may have been another Bunyip connection, but I haven't established it yet, as John was born in  Footscray and enlisted from North Carlton. John was Killed in Action on July 25, 1918.

Milligan, Joseph Lewellen. (SN 5376). Farm hand of Cora Lynn;  his mother was Catherine Milligan also of Cora Lynn. Joseph was Killed in Action on February 23, 1917. Joseph is also on the War Memorial at Cora Lynn.

Moore Walter Henry Edward  (SN 3428)  Next of Kin was his wife, Mrs E, Moore of 'Kia Ora' Bunyip. When he enlisted on July 7, 1915 his address was Prahran. Walter died of disease on February 1, 1919 and is buried in England.

Mynard Charles  (SN 459) Charles enlisted on August 17, 1914 and was Killed in Action at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915. He was from Garfield.

Pearson Frederick Francis (SN 869)  Frederick was Killed in Action at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915. He was the son of Charles Pearson of Bunyip and had enlisted in September 4, 1914.

Plant Lawrence (SN 1804)  Born in Garfield and enlisted at Tynong on he was Killed in Action in France on May 12, 1917.

Reardon Eric Charles (SN 2524). Eric enlisted on June 3, 1915 and died of wounds on September, 9 1918.  He was the son of James Reardon of Bunyip.

Slattery Gerald Malyon   (SN 272) Gerald's occupation on his enlistment papers butter maker and he enlisted on March 15, 1915. In the 1914 Electoral Rolls he was living at Iona and his occupation was Creamery Manager. He was Killed in Action in France on July 19, 1916.

Sleigh Stephen   (SN 3244) Stephen was the son of Mary Jane Sleigh of Bunyip and he enlisted on July 16, 1915. Stephen was listed as missing on July 28, 1916 and  a later Court of Enquiry found that he was Killed in Action on July 7, 1916.

Spence Malcolm (SN 4614) When Malcolm enlisted on August 31, 1915 his next of kin was listed as his sister, Harriet Walker of Bunyip. He was Killed in Action in France on July 20, 1916. Malcolm, and his two brothers, are also listed on the Bunyip Methodist Church Honour Roll.

Stacey Ernest William  (SN4298)  Ernest enlisted on July 7, 1915. He was the son of Thomas Stacey who owned the Railway Hotel in Bunyip. He was Killed in Action in Belgium on October 5, 1917.

Streeter Henry (SN 2402) Henry was from Bunyip and enlisted on October 17, 1916. He was a Lieutenant and was Killed in Action in France on February 17, 1918.

Toner Francis John  (SN 5092)  Francis, the son of Catherine Toner of Garfield, enlisted on March 3, 1916. He was Killed in Action in France, March 24, 1917.

Williams Percy Francis (SN 7099) Percy enlisted on April 28, 1916 and was the son of Mary Ann Williams of Main Street, Bunyip. He died of pneumonia in a Military Hospital in England on March 14, 1917.

Watson Albert (SN 3664)  Albert was the son of  Mrs Jessie Adamson of Garfield and enlisted on August 25, 1915. He died of wounds received in Belgium on March 9, 1918.

Whiston Julian Thomas (SN 3526)
Whiston Frederick (SN 3524)   Julian and Fred were the sons of Fred Whiston of Cora Lynn. Fred was born in Garfield and Julian at 'Bunyip Swamp'. Sadly both boys died of wounds received, Fred on July 7, 1916 and Julian on March 21, 1918.

I wish to acknowledge the research of Chris McKenna of the Berwick RSL, who has researching local soldiers for many years, it has been very helpful in correctly identifying these soldiers.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Berwick Footballers who enlisted

This is a report from the Berwick Shire News of March 8, 1916 which lists the 23 Berwick Football Club players who had enlisted for active service (even though the article says 24). I have done some research to try to work out who these men were and I have also used the research of Chris McKenna of the Berwick RSL, who has researching local soldiers for many years.  I have listed their Service Numbers (SN) so you can look up  their full record on the National Archives site www.naa.gov.au


Berwick Shire News March 8, 1916

Avard, Hugo (Richard Hugo Turnbull Avard) (SN 1851) Hugo worked for the Post Office before he enlisted on September 11, 1915. He returned to Australia on September 26, 1917.

Bannan, John Joseph. (SN 1126) He is listed as Bannon on the War Memorial in Berwick and as Badnan on the Nominal rolls. John was quarryman, who enlisted on June 14, 1915 aged 24. He was married to Mary Ann and they lived in Berwick. He died of disease on October, 16, 1918.

Baxter, Frederick Edward (SN 4440) Fred enlisted on March 5, 1915. He was a gunner. He was Killed in Action in France on August 22, 1918. 

This is a report from The South Bourke and Mornington Journal of May 6, 1915 about Gunner Baxter's enlistment.

Bragg, Arthur Robert (SN 2564)  Arthur and his wife Emily had the Central Hotel Beaconsfield. Arthur enlisted on August 2, 1915 at the age of 39. He was Killed in Action on July 19, 1916.   Arthur is also listed on the Beaconsfileld War Memorial.

The Truth November 27, 1915

I found this interesting account of Arthur Bragg's divorce in The Truth newspaper of  November 27, 1915 - it's a bit hard to read but it appears that Mrs Bragg owned a hotel in Cloncurry, which she sold and she then purchased the Central Hotel in Beaconsfield. Arthur got into debt, they quarrelled and he joined up, but later admitted that he had been 'misconducting himself with women' The couple had three children. It lists his age as 44, 5 years older than the age he gave when he enlisted.  

Brocklebank, Ralph Thomas. (SN 3012) Lieutenant Brocklebank enlisted on July 20, 1915 age 22. He was a Bank Clerk. He returned to Australia April, 27 1919.

Buchanan, Eric Alexander. (SN 1676). Eric was a Clerk from Berwick when he enlisted on July 14, 1915 age 21. He was in the Light Horse and returned to Australia on July 23, 1919.

Clements, John William Henry  (SN 5995) John was a teacher at Officer State School when he enlisted on June 16, 1916. he returned to Australia September 25, 1919.

Crabtree, Walter (SN 242a). Walter, a driver, enlisted in Berwick on February 29, 1916. He returned to Australia August 22, 1919.

Faragher, Leslie Victor (SN 2624) Leslie was employed by R. J Espie as a blacksmith before he enlisted on August 2, 1915. He was Killed in Action in France on May 16, 1916.

Fleer, Harold Edward (SN 3112). Harold was a farmer from Harkaway when he enlisted on July 7, 1915 aged 18. Hist parents Edward and Martha Fleer, gave permission as Harold was under 21. Harold returned to Australia on April, 13, 1919.

Griffin, James Daniel (SN 26752) James, a labourer,  was living in Berwick when he enlisted on January 17, 1916. Returned to Australia June 16, 1919.

Grigg, Donald Douglas (SN 85a) Donald was a farmer and lived in Berwick when he enlisted on March 24, 1915.   Returned to Australia January 2, 1919.

Lewis, Frederick (SN 3897) Frederick was 24 when he enlisted. His occupation was baker's driver. His next of kin was his father, Caleb Lewis, of Wilson Street, Berwick.  Fred Returned to Australia March 28, 1919. Fred worked for Donald Rowe, baker, of Narre Warren. You can read about him, here

Loveridge, Ellis (Alfred Ellis Loveridge) ( SN 7880) Storekeeper of Berwick and enlisted on June 15, 1915. Returned to Australia May 3, 1919. 

Lyall, Edmund Ramsden (SN 3170). Edmund was a teacher at the Berwick State school when he enlisted July 24, 1915 aged 20 years, 11 months. He was the son of  John Lyall of Jindivick. Edmund was Killed in Action, in France, on November, 11 1916.

McKay, Albert Duncan (SN 4758) Albert, a labourer,  enlisted on February 2, 1916 and Returned to Australia on June 6, 1918.

Munro, Robert (SN 6542) Robert was a Quarryman and enlisted on June 5, 1915. Not surprisingly, as he had worked in a Quarry he was a Sapper. He returned to Australia April 13, 1919.

O'Sullivan, William (SN 3867) William was 27 when he enlisted on July 9, 1915. He is next of kin was listed as his cousin, Maud Maynard. He died of a self-inflicted gun shot wound on July 19, 1916. 

Randle, Henry George (SN 1274). Henry enlisted on July 7, 1915 aged 27. He was an orchardist from Narre Warren. Henry returned to Australia on May 15, 1919. He was in the First Light Horse Regiment.

Sherriff, Arthur Mason (SN 4529)  Arthur was a nursery man of Narre Warren and enlisted on December 24, 1915. He returned to Australia August 25, 1917. 

Smith, Clarence John (SN 107) Clarence, a horse driver,  enlisted February 4, 1916 and was Killed in Action in Belgium on June 8, 1917.

Warne, Charles Frederick Peneligon  (SN 254) Charles was 42 years old and a painter when he enlisted on January 29, 1916. He Returned to Australia Septermber 23, 1919.

Young, Walter Leslie (SN 632) There is a Walter Leslie Young listed in the 1914 Electoral roll, occupation merchant, address Narre Warren North and a Walter Leslie Young, occupation grocer, enlisting on February 2, 1916 so I believe that W. Young is this person. Plus there is an account of a Private Walter Young having a farewell social at Narre Warren North in April 1916, so I am confident we have the correct man. Walter Returned to Australia on May 27, 1919.


Sunday, November 2, 2014

Patriotic Concerts

Not long after the  Great War commenced, communities had already began to hold concerts and events to raise money for the 'war effort'.  Here are reports about three  early concerts - one held at Berwick on August 26, 1914; Tonimbuk on October 3, 1914 and the other held at Koo-Wee-Rup on October 30, 1914. These reports are of interest for a number of  reasons - firstly they show how quickly small towns were to support the 'war effort.' Secondly, the reports provide an interesting snapshot of the social life of small towns at the time - who was involved and what songs and music were presented. Finally, they are interesting from a family history point of view - perhaps one of your ancestors or relatives were involved in the concerts. 


South Bourke and Mornington Journal September 3. 1914

Bunyip Free Press October 8, 1914



South Bourke and Mornington Journal  November 5, 1914



Thursday, October 2, 2014

Exemption Courts

This article is from the Dandenong Advertiser of October 26,  1916 and is an account of the activities of Dandenong Exemption Court held on October 17 before Mr Vivian Tanner, P.M. The Court heard applications from men from Springvale, Clayton, Keysborough, Dandenong and also from our area - so below are some of the applications and outcomes from men from the Shire of Cranbourne and the Shire of Berwick. 


Dandenong Advertiser of October 26,  1916

What was an Exemption Court?  The government made a proclamation at the beginning of October 1916 declaring all unmarried able-bodied men between the ages of 21 and 35 were to undertake military training leading to the possibility of service within the Commonwealth. All men meeting those criteria had to enrol at enrolment centres where they were assessed for suitability. However, there was a procedure whereby men classified as suitable could appeal and be granted exception from service. http://localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au/

Courts were set up in each Federal Electorate and men who wished to be exempt from military training had to fill out a form in duplicate, deliver it to the military registrar and they would then be able to put their case at the Exemption Court. The article from The Argus, below, outlines the process.


The Argus October 2, 1916
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1629845



I have created a list of newspaper articles about the Exemption Courts on Trove, click here to access the list.

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Berwick Grammar School Avenue of Honour and War Memorial

There are three Avenues of Honour in Berwick which commemorate the service of local people in the First World War.  The City of Casey has produced a book on the Avenues in their region, including the three Berwick ones. You can down-load a copy of the book here.

The smallest of these Avenues is the one in Church Street in Berwick which commemorates the nine soldiers who were killed and who had attended Berwick Grammar School. This school operated from 1882 until 1928 and was located in the building on the corner of Church Street and Brisbane Street, in Berwick.


This is the memorial stone, in Church Street, which lists the names of the nine soldiers.


The Argus June 12, 1920

We know the Avenue of Honour was planted in June 1920 and an Honour Board listing the names of the 66 'old boys' who joined up was unveiled at the same time and I presume the memorial stone in Church Street was also erected at this time.

Who are the nine boys, who were honoured by the Avenue in Church Street?  It is not always that easy to specifically identify the names on a memorial and in this case, as Berwick Grammar was a boarding school as well as  a day school, many of the students did not have a local address, so I was lucky to find the following article on Trove

Berwick Shire News February 9, 1916

As you can see the article lists a number of 'old boys' who had already joined up in 1916, some of whom are on the Avenue of Honour stone. Below is a list of the nine students and their Service Numbers (SN). You can access their full service records on the National Archives of Australia website, www.naa.gov.au

Brunn, E.D'A. This is Eric D'Arcy Brunn (SN 3357) even though his enlistment papers at the National Archives have his surname as Bruun, Eric was born in Seymour and was 38 years old and living in Woodend when he enlisted on June 18, 1917. He was Killed in Action in France on April 25, 1918. I am unsure whether Brunn or Bruun was the correct surname -  his sister, Alice D'Arcy Brunn enlisted as a nurse in 1915 and yet I have found them on the Electoral Roll as both Brunn and Bruun. 

Elmes, H. O.  Herbert Oliver Elmes (SN 1543) was born in Berwick and living in Tasmania when he enlisted at the age of 40, on November 30, 1914. He was Killed in Action in France on November 5, 1916. His father, Thomas, was the Doctor in Berwick from around 1870 until his death on 1893.

Gaunt, E.G.  I believe this is Edwin George Gaunt (SN 2604). He was born at Yarraville and enlisted at the age of 37 on July 7, 1915, in New South Wales. He was Killed in Action in France on July 19 or 20, 1916.

Hodgson, S. I can't work out who this is. On the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour there is  only one S. Hodgson listed - Sidney Hodgson (SN 3562)  who was born and enlisted in New South Wales. He was 18 when he enlisted on September 7, 1915 and was Killed in Action in France a year later on October 22. Was this our S. Hodgson? The history of Berwick Grammar School (citation below) has an incomplete list of students and it lists an S. Hodgison -  but I cannot find any Hodgisons who enlisted.  If you know who this might be, I would love to hear from you.

Hope, H.L.  Harry Leslie Hope (SN 61) was born in South Melbourne and was living in Elsternwick  when he enlisted  on June 4, 1915 when he was 30 years of age. He died of wounds, in France, on April 22, 1917. 

Kent, A.E.  Alfred Ernest Kent (SN 3336) was from Narre Warren and enlisted on  August 2, 1915. Alfred's parents, Anthony and Mary Kent had arrived in Narre Warren around 1875 and purchased Granite Park (which they re-named Oatlands). Alfred was married to Alice Webb, the daughter of Sidney and Ann Webb.  Alfred was 40 when he enlisted as was Killed in Action in France on May 5, 1916.

Lyon, C.H. Charles Hugh Lyon (SN 412) was born at Hawksburn and enlisted in Western Australia on September 10, 1914. He was 26  and his next of kin, his mother, was living at Harkaway. Lieutenant Lyon was part of the Camel Corp and was Killed in Action on November 7, 1917 in Palestine. 

Miller, A.H.  Lieutenant Alexander Henderson Miller was born in Berwick  and enlisted, at Beechworth,  on July 15, 1915 aged 29. He was Killed in Action in Belgium on September 25, 1917.

Robin, A. M.  Arthur Mervyn Robin (SN 2180) was born at Camberwell and was 21 years old when he enlisted on March 10, 1915.  He was Killed in Action in France on June 29, 1916.


The Avenue of Honour in Church Street, Berwick.

There is a  history of the Berwick Grammar School - The School that was: a history of the Berwick Grammar School, 1882-1928 by John Bellair. It was published by the author in 1992.

I have created  a list of newspaper articles about the Berwick Boys Grammar School on Trove, click here to access the list.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Les Cochrane - from AIF to MLA

Cochrane Park in Koo-Wee-Rup is named after Leslie James Cochrane.  Mr Cochrane died on April 25, 1972. His funeral was held on April 28 at the Presbyterian Church in Koo-Wee-Rup and attended by an estimated 1,000 people with another 700 people attending the service at the Springvale Crematorium. Mr Cochrane was a man who served his country in the Great War and then served the community after being elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in the Victorian Parliament.


Leslie was born in Bentleigh in 1894 to David and Lucy (nee Burgess) Cochrane. The family moved to Caldermeade when he was eight. He enlisted in the First World War on May 2, 1916 at the age of 21. His Service Number was 2162.  He was in the 46th Infantry battalion and saw war service in France. He returned to Australia in February 1918 and in the December of the same year he married Ivy, the daughter of Harry and Sarah Wildes of Yannathan.  Leslie and Ivy moved to a soldier settlement block on the Pakenham Road.  After the war, as well as running the farm, Mr Cochrane began a life of community service. He joined the Cranbourne Shire Council in 1930, representing the Koo-Wee-Rup Riding until 1964 and was Shire President on four occasions. It was said he never missed a meeting.




This wonderful photograph belongs to the Koo-Wee-Rup Swamp Historical Society and shows Les Cochrane, Billy McGree and Bill Gilchrist and their 'Welcome Home' party in 1918.


Mr Cochrane also represented Gippsland West in the Legislative Assembly from May 1950 until May 1970 for the Country Party. He held various Parliamentary positions and was the Country Party ‘whip’ from 1961 until 1970. When he died, the Premier, Sir Henry Bolte; the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Clive Holding and the leader of the Country Party, Mr Ross-Edwards, each presented a short eulogy on Mr Cochrane in the Victorian Parliament. In fact, Sir Henry pointed out that Mr Cochrane was the last surviving member of this Parliament who served as a member of the Australian Infantry Forces during the First World War. Mr Cochrane was also the President of the Westernport Memorial Hospital Board and he was awarded a Life Membership for his work with the R.S.L. He was a Past Master of the Koo-Wee-Rup Masonic Lodge and an Elder of the Presbyterian Church and was awarded an O.B.E in 1971.


Leslie and Ivy had two children - Irene (Mrs Jack Haw who died in 2001) and Stewart who died in 2000. Mrs Cochrane was also involved in community organizations such as the Presbyterian Ladies Guild and attended the first Koo-Wee-Rup Red Cross meeting. She was Foundation President of the Hospital Ladies Auxiliary and was awarded a Life Governorship of the Hospital in 1974. Mrs Cochrane died in September 1986, aged 91.

Cochrane Park was developed by the Apex Club in 1980 on Railway land. It was then taken over by the Lions Club who named it for Leslie Cochrane.

The two small photographs are from the Koo-Wee-Rup Sun May 3, 1972 from a report about Mr Cochrane's funeral.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Sister Muriel Instone - Army Nurse

Sister Muriel Instone enlisted on May 5, 1915 as an Army Nurse and embarked on the Mooltan on May 18, 1915. She served in hospitals in England and France throughout the War and returned to Australia on the Konigen Luise in January 1920. Table Talk, a weekly Melbourne newspaper at the time, had a full page feature on Nurses who have recently left for the Front in their May 27 1915 issue, so we are lucky to have  a photograph of Muriel.

Table Talk May 27, 1915

Muriel's Embarkation record, from the Australian War Memorial,  is reproduced below. As you can see, her address at the date of her enrolment was Pakenham.  

 Australian War Memorial (click on image to enlarge it) 

To find out where she lived in Pakenham I went to the Electoral Rolls, available through the Ancestry Family History database. In 1914 Sister Instone was living at IYU, a large property at Pakenham. 


This is the entry for Muriel Instone from the 1914 Federal Electoral roll.
Source: Ancestry Family History database

The IYU run  in Pakenham was taken up in 1839 by Dr W. K. Jamieson. It was originally nearly 13,000 acres (about 5, 200 hectares).  In 1849, William Waddell took over the pastoral lease and after his death his widow, Annie purchased the pre-emptive right section plus other land. Mrs Waddell built a large brick house, pictured below,  on the property in 1858 and this would have been where Muriel was living when she was on the property. The property at that time was around 4,800 acres and some subsequent owners were George Watson, Steven and Samuel Staughton and  John Kitchin, who operated what is thought to be Australia's largest dairy farm on the property.


This is the IYU  Homestead. It was built in 1859 and destroyed by fire around 1929.
Photograph from: In the wake of the pack tracks, published by the Berwick Pakenham Historical Society.

According to the Shire of Berwick rate books, Robert and Constance Staughton took over IYU in 1913, which by then  was a mere 2,000 acres. I believe Robert was the son of former owner, Stephen Staughton. The Electoral Rolls indicate that  Muriel was in Melbourne until about 1914, so I am surmising that she took a job with the Staughtons - they had  four children between three and ten to look after and in March 1915 the entire family came down with ptomaine poisoning or food poisoning and needed medical assistance, so they were fortunate they had  an experienced nurse on hand. 


Dandenong Advertiser March 4, 1915
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88662306

Muriel Instone was born in Riverton, New Zealand in 1878 to Matthew and Emily (nee Brodrick) Instone, so she was 36 when she enlisted in 1915. Muriel was in Victoria in 1903 as she is listed in the Electoral rolls at the Homeopathic Hospital in South Melbourne. The Homeopathic Hospital was renamed Prince Henry's Hospital in 1934. Muriel's service record at the National Archives www.naa.gov.au  also indicates that she had experience at the Women's Hospital, that she had her midwifery certificate,  as well as experience in private hospitals and private nursing.  In 1909, Muriel and Daphne Instone were listed as living at 16 William Street, South Yarra. I am not sure of the relationship between Muriel and Daphne, but she was also a nurse. As I said before Muriel returned to Melbourne in 1920 but I cannot find any trace of her after that until her death on October 11, 1932 aged 54.

I was interested to find that when Muriel was still in England and still with the Australian Army Nursing Service that she undertook a three month motor driving and workshop course at Mansions Motor Training Garage in London and she made good progress and passed satisfactorily.  Many of our Army nurses were single women who had to support themselves and make their own way in the world and this training just supports this idea, so that when Muriel returned to Melbourne she could drive her own car and have a basic knowledge of the mechanics of it.

From Muriel's service record at the National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Langwarrin Military Reserve

Before Federation each Colony was responsible for its own defence. The Victorian Volunteer Act 1854 allowed for the establishment of volunteer units. From 1860 many towns had their own Volunteer unit , including Dandenong which was the head quarters of the local volunteers.   From 1884, the Volunteer Forces were replaced by the Victorian Militia Force. The Militia forces were part-time like the Volunteers but they were paid.and they were obligated to attend a certain amount of training each year in the form of annual camps.

The Volunteers and the Militia  trained at various locations in Victoria, such as Werribee and Queenscliffe, but it became apparent that a permanent training ground needed to be established by the Victorian Government and,  in 1886, land at Langwarrin was set aside for this purpose. The land had gentle slopes, natural water supplies and  a variety of vegetation. The reserve eventually consisted of 549 acres or 222 hectares.


Encampment Langwarrin 1887
State Library of Victoria Image H90.90/77

The first Langwarrin camp was held at Easter  in  1887.  The first buildings at the Reserve were stores for the Commissariat Corp; other buildings included caretakers quarters and  stables. Roads, Parade Grounds, and a  rifle range were other structures erected.  Numbers at some camps were large - in the 1890s some camps had over 3, 500 men, plus hundreds of horses. Langwarrin was used to train contingents of Victorians who went to the Boer war (1899-1902).



This is part of an article about the first camp held at Langwarrin
Australasian April 9 1887  

Originally, access to the Reserve was by trains which stopped at Frankston - after that troops, all supplies , horses etc had to be carted or travel down bush tracks to get to the Reserve.  An extension of the Frankston line was established and this reached the Reserve, with the station being called Langwarrin,  in October 1888.


Langwarrin Camp Ground 1897

There was, for  a short time, a School on the Reserve. It was the Langwarrin Railway Station School. No. 3023. This had opened in 1890 in the Presbyterian Hall and then moved to  a purpose built school in 1895 on  the south-west corner of the Reserve, near the corner of McClelland Drive and Robinsons Road. This School burnt down, around 1905 and children then attended the Mornington Junction  School which was built on the corner of McClelland and Golf Links Road , near the railway line. In 1919, the name changed to Baxter and it moved to its present location on the six cross roads in 1954. To be more precise, some children attended the Mornington Junction School, other children did not go to school, as this article from the Mornington  Standard tells us. The parents said that they are more than three miles from the school and thus not required to send their children to school,  unless they take  a short-cut through the Military Reserve, which is a bit dangerous on the days when rifle practice is carried out!




Mornington Standard December 16, 1905

The Reserve was handed over to the Commonwealth Government in March 1901 and various training camps were held  intermittently  and in declining frequency until World War One. The Reserve was not used to train men in World War One but it was used to house prisoners of war or internees i.e. German, Austrian and Turkish nationals that were in Australia after war was declared, and the crew of any German ships.  The Internment camp was first occupied at the end of 1914  Huts were built, a gaol was built for those that were deemed to need it. Most of these internees were removed to Liverpool in New South Wales in August 1915.


Victorian Infantrymen in camp at Langwarrin


Langwarrin was then used to as a hospital for men infected with venereal diseases, as this was a problem amongst soldiers. At one stage, over 800 men were housed at the Langwarrin Reserve. The Hospital complex had an operating theatre, a dispensary, kitchen, engine house, dental surgery amongst other buildings.  The Langwarrin Camp was closed in February 1921. It was used occasionally for grazing, some training exercises during World War Two, the Frankston small bore rifle club had the lease of some of the land from 1960;  various sub-division proposals came and went and were never acted upon. In 1980 the Victorian Ministry for Conservation took over about 207 hectares of the land, in 1982 the remaining land was purchased and on December 11, 1985 the land became the Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve.


The location of the Langwarrin Military Reserve can be seen on 1938 map, prepared by the grandly named Australian Section Imperial General Staff.



Most of the information in this post comes from the book Australian Aldershot: Langwarrin Miltary Reserve Victoria 1886-1980 by Winty Calder (Jimaringle Publications, 1987)  The Library no longer has a lending copy of this book, we only have  a  reference copy in the Local History collection, which can be accessed by appointment

Hastings Western Port Historical Society has  copies for sale, if you wish to acquire your own copy of this interesting book.
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~dromana/hastings.htm