Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Iona Honor Board

The Iona Honor Board is at Columba Hall, at St Joseph's Catholic Church at Iona. It was originally at the Pioneers Hall, which was demolished in the mid 1930s, it was then re-located to the Iona State School. The School closed in December 1993 and the Honor Board eventually moved again, this time to the Columba Hall. I don't have a date for the unveiling of the Honor Board.

I have done some research into the forty five soldiers on the Iona Honor Board and found six more soldiers with an Iona connection and they are all listed here, along with same basic information and their Service Number (SN) so you can look up their full service record on the National Archives website (www.naa.gov.au).

I have used two books by Denise Nest in the preparation of this post - On the Edge of the Swamp:  a history of the Iona Primary School, No. 3201, 1894 - 1994 and Call of the Bunyip: a history of Bunyip, Iona and Tonimbuk, 1847 - 1990.



The very elegant Iona Honor Board
Image: Heather Arnold.

Bailey, William Stephen (SN 3771)  William enlisted on July 19, 1915. He was born in Kilmore and was a 30 year old farmer and his wife, Annie, was his next of kin and her address was North Melbourne. William was Killed in Action in France on May 3, 1917; he left behind three children Jean, John and Henry. It took me a while to work out who this W. Bailey was and then I read about the Baillee family in the Call of the Bunyip by Denise Nest. Mrs Nest writes - Thomas Baillee was born in County Cork, Ireland, and came to Australia aged seven years, with his parents Thomas and Hannah, brother Dan and sisters,  Lucy and Helena....After  a few years in Melbourne where a daughter, Kate was born, the  family moved to Kilmore where three more children, Bill, Joe and Walter were born. Bill died in France in 1916.  It was Thomas and his wife Rose and their family that moved to Iona in 1908, where he operated a blacksmiths shop.
Why did Bill spell his name as Bailey and not Baillee? I don't know. Did he ever live in Iona? I don't know. Am I sure that the Bill Baillee who died in France is the W. Bailey on the Iona Honour Roll? No, but I cannot find a better alternative.

Black, Charles Frederick (SN 10586) Charles' address on the Embarkation Rolls is Iona and he enlisted on July 17, 1915 at the age of 39, his occupation was Ship Steward. This is not a occupation that I would have thought could have been carried out in Iona. His next of kin was his father who lived in England. Charles was discharged October 18, 1915 for 'larceny of Government property' then rejoined 2 days later and was discharged August 25, 1919 whilst still in England. Charles is one of the six soldiers in this post who is not on the Honor Board.

Bunyip Free Press June 3, 1915

Bolger, Arthur Ernest  (1338)  Arthur was a 21 year old labourer, working at Mr Schmutter's farm at Iona,  when he enlisted on November 2, 1914. His next of kin was his foster mother, Charlotte Bolger, of the Ragged Boys Home at Frankston. Her occupation at the time according to the Electoral Roll was Matron and she later moved to Richmond. Arthur was Killed in Action at Gallipoli on April 27, 1915. Mrs Bolger wrote the Army a letter in 1920 saying that Arthur had been in my care from the age of 6 weeks and was adopted by me and I have not seen either his father or mother since that time and have no knowledge of them whatsoever and he has neither brothers or sisters. In an interesting twist, Private Bolger's war medals were found amongst the property of  an 'old Age pensioner' John James Patterson when he died at the Corowa Hospital in 1935 and the Public Trustees were seeking to locate someone to give them to. Perhaps, Mr Patterson was a friend of Mrs Bolgers. I don't know. Arthur is one of the six soldiers in this post who is not on the Honor Board.


Letter written by Charlotte Bolger about her son, Arthur.
National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au 
First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920

Bolger, William Joseph  (SN 1784) William (listed as Joseph on the Embarkation Roll) was born in Footscray and his brother, Patrick, who was his next of kin, was also in Footscray. They were the sons of Michael Bolger and Mary Dowling. William enlisted on July 17, 1915 at the age of 26  and was Killed in Action in France on March 23, 1917. Was there any connection between Arthur and William? Once again, I don't know.

Clarkin, William  (SN 1522). William was born at Bunyip and enlisted at Tynong on December 7,  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 listed on the Cora Lynn War Memorial.

Crudden, Thomas  (SN 15)  Thomas was born in Scotland and was 31 when he enlisted on October 7 1914. His next of kin was his mother, Mrs Crudden, of Iona. He Returned to Australia on December 23, 1918. Thomas was a Soldier Settler - you can read his full record here on the Battle to Farm website.

Curtain, William Patrick (SN 1701) William was 23, a farm labourer, and he enlisted on May 20 1915. His next of kin was his father, John, of Iona.  He was awarded the Military Medal and Returned to Australia August 1, 1919.

Daw, Charles Henry  (SN 4091) Charles was a 22 year old farmer when he enlisted on January 11, 1916. He Returned to Australia on May 15, 1919.
Daw, Christopher (SN 1372) Christopher enlisted on August 2, 1915   at the age of 26. He was a Labourer. He Returned to Australia on July 5, 1919.
Charles and Christopher had their mother, Mrs Margaret Eaton, of Iona as their next of kin.

Dawes, Albert (SN 736)   Albert was a 24 year old carpenter when he enlisted on October 20, 1914. His next of kin was listed as 'Father and Mother' Kirwan's Post Office, via Garfield and as 'Mr Dawes' on the Embarkation Roll.  He sustained a bullet wound in the left wrist and Returned to Australia on February 9, 1916 for a medical discharge. Albert was a Soldier Settler - you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website here.
Dawes, Clifford Gordon  (SN 5086) Clifford was an 18 year old farmer when he enlisted on January 26, 1916. His next of kin was his father, Alfred, of Iona. He Returned to Australia on July 21, 1917 for a medical discharge - 'Gun shot wounds  multiple' was the reason.
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 is also listed on the Bunyip War Memorial.
Dawes, Victor (SN 3080) Victor enlisted on July 20, 1915 aged 21 and his next of kin was his mother, Mrs Elizabeth Dawes of Garfield. He Returned to Australia on July 3, 1919.
Dawes, Walter (SN 4093) Walter enlisted on January 10, 1916. He was a 22 year old carpenter and his next of kin was his father, Albert. Albert's address was Kirwan's Post Office, via Garfield. Walter Returned to Australia June 4, 1919.
I have done some research into the Dawes family you can read more about them, here.

Donald, Arnold James (SN 6000A)  Arnold was 27 when he enlisted on March 30 1916. He served in France where he was Wounded in Action in May 1917.  Arnold Returned to Australia on April 5, 1918 and was medically discharged in the July.
Donald, Henry Gordon (SN 6001A) Henry enlisted on the same day as his brother, Arnold, above. He was a 21 year old farmer. Henry was Killed in Action in Belgium sometime between June 7 and June 9, 1917.
Arnold and Henry were the sons of Charles and Elizabeth (nee Nairn) Donald of Garfield.

Doran, F  Mr Doran did not survive the War so I would have thought it would not be difficult to work out who this is, but I cannot. I have found a number of connections between Dorans and Iona - according to the book On the Edge of the Swamp: a history of the Iona Primary School - May, Elizabeth, Fred, Henry, James, Patrick and Violet Doran attended the school in the 1890s/1900s, so I presume that Fred is our man. There is a Michael Doran, farmer, at Bunyip South / Iona in the Electoral Rolls from 1909 to 1913 and in 1914 there is a Frederick Joseph Doran, labourer, at Iona. There are no Dorans listed in the 1916 Electoral Roll. I cannot find a Doran in the Roll of Honour that had a connection to the local area, so another mystery.

Duckett, James Percy  (SN 2164)  James enlisted on February 3 1916, he was a 25 year old farmer and his next of kin was his brother who lived in England. James served overseas but Returned to Australia on December 21, 1917 and medically discharged in March 1918. He suffered from a number of conditions including 'infection and strain' and 'mitral systelic murmer' and 'dyspnoea on exertion'  John Percy Duckett is listed in the 1917 Electoral Roll at Iona,  his occupation was labourer. He had previously lived in Gormadale and attended a 'welcome home' there in September 1918.



Private Duckett attended a welcome home in his old town of Gormandale.
Traralgon Record September 6, 1918.


Fitzgerald, David William (SN 37563)
Fitzgerald, Daniel (SN 3312)
Fitzgerald, John Lawrence (SN 2474)
Fitzgerald, Maurice (SN 6488)
John was 24 when he enlisted on July 15, 1915 and Daniel was 21 when he enlisted on October 5, 1914. John was Killed in Action on July 19, 1916 and Daniel Died of Wounds exactly three years after he enlisted on October 5, 1917. David enlisted on February 24, 1917 at the age of 21. He Returned to Australia April 10, 1919. Maurice served in the Navy, signing up on April 3, 1918 at the age of 18. These boys are the sons of David and Margaret Fitzgerald of Iona. The family arrived in the area in 1893. The Call of the Bunyip book says that both John and Dan were involved in cycling and Maurice took up the sport with gusto after the War, he used the name Jack, in honour of his brother. There is a a great article in the Sporting Globe of May 1, 1929 about Maurice's career, read it here.

Fraser, Donald John,(SN 5074) Donald was born in Morwell and was 22 when he enlisted on October 15, 1914. His next of kin was his father, John Fraser, of Bunyip. Donald Returned to Australia December 14, 1918.

Green, Francis Regis  (SN 6013) Francis enlisted on April 17, 1916 at the age of 20, his occupation was a farmer.  Francis was Killed in Action in France on My 12, 1917.
Green, Thomas Cole (SN 2421)  Thomas was a 28 year old Commission Agent who enlisted on April 11, 1916. Thomas Returned to Australia May 6, 1919. Francis and Thomas were brothers, their next of kin was their mother, Catherine, of Iona. Her address was later changed to Kirwan's Post Office, Garfield, this was later changed to Vervale (same place, different name).

Gully, James (SN 1167 SN sometimes indexed as 1147) James enlisted on September 28, 1914 at the age of 32. He was a miner. His next of kin was his father, Harry, of Bunyip. James Returned to Australia December 3, 1918, for 'Special Leave' and was discharged on medical grounds in March 1919 - having been wounded with gun shot in the shoulder and later wounded in the left thigh. What was his connection to Iona?  Even though his father's address was Bunyip on the enlistment paper, in the 1914 Electoral Roll his address is Iona. Plus the Bunyip Free Press of June 10, 1915 associated him with Iona, so that's good enough for us. James is one of the six soldiers in this post who is not on the Honor Board.

Notice that Privates Clarkin and Gully of Iona have been wounded.
Bunyip Free Press  June 10, 1915


Gunn, Archibald (SN 265) Archibald enlisted on August 19, 1914, he was a 23 year old farmer and his next of kin was his father, Daniel, of Iona. In July 1918 he suffered a severe gun shot wound to the left thigh and Returned to Australia November 20, 1918.  Archibald is one of the six soldiers in this post who is not on the Honor Board.

Hardy, W  I cannot find a Hardy who enlisted with a connection to the local area - or any Hardy family with a connection to Iona - so Mr Hardy is a mystery.

Harrold, Reginald Clarke (SN 26) Reginald was a 36 year old farmer from Iona when he enlisted on August 22, 1914. His next of kin was his wife, Mary, whose address was Somerset in England. Reginald Returned to Australia October 8, 1919. Reginald is one of the six soldiers in this post who is not on the Honor Board.

Hopgood, Arthur Norman (SN 208)  Arthur was a 20 year old brass finisher when he enlisted on August 17, 1914. His next of kin was G. Hopgood of Lygon Street in Carlton. Arthur Returned to Australia on October 23, 1918. What was his connection to Iona?  On March 14, 1919 he changed his address to Iona and he is listed in the 1919 Electoral Roll at Iona, his occupation is a farmer. Arthur was granted  a Soldier Settlment farm at Bunyip, you can read his file, here, on the Battle to Farm website.

Kelly, William Vincent (SN 3832) William enlisted on August 20, 1917. He was a 21 year old labourer and his father, William, of Iona was his next of kin. William Returned to Australia November 15, 1918. William was granted  a Soldier Settlement farm at Iona. You can read his file, here, on the Battle to Farm website.

Knight, Harold Thomas  (SN 26780) Harold, was born in England, and enlisted on February 1, 1916, he was a 25 year old painter and his next of kin was his wife, Florence, of Iona. Harold Returned to Australia August 22, 1919.

Larsen, Olaf (SN 2404) Olaf was born in Bunyip and was a 21 year old sawmill hand when he enlisted on April 28, 1915. His next of kin was an aunt who lived in Port Melbourne. He suffered a severe gun shot wound to the face in November 1917 and Returned to Australia March 16, 1918.

Llewellyn, Charles Jatho  (SN 2197) Charles enlisted on November 21, 1916 at the age of 24. He was a farm labourer from Bunyip. Charles married Rosa Youdell in England on June 25, 1918 and the couple, along with their two children, Returned to Australia December 22, 1919 and arrived in Melbourne on February 5, 1920. Charles was granted a Soldier Settlement Farm, at Vervale, you can read his file, here, on the Battle to Farm website.

Mannix, Patrick  (SN 4754) Patrick was 32 and a Repairer on the railways, when he enlisted on February 17, 1916. His next of kin was his wife, Daisy, of Garfield. Patrick Returned to Australia May 4, 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds - Fibrosis Lungs.

Maybury, Albert Walter (SN 3075)  Albert enlisted on July 12, 1915. His next of kin was his father W.M Maybury, of Iona. Albert Returned to Australia on August 24, 1918 and was medically discharged in the November. He had a severe gun shot wound to the left shoulder,  which required amputation of the arm.

Albert Maybury died from a fall when he was 50, he had been working as a liftman. It was a sad end and I hope he had some happiness in his life.
The Herald April 29, 1940.

McAllister, Andrew James (SN 2702) Andrew was a 35 farmer when he enlisted on August 4, 1916. His address was Iona and his next of kin was his sister, Minnie Sinclair, also of Iona. He Returned to Australia July 16, 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds 'mitral incompetency' in October 1917.

McDonald, William Michael (SN 3192) William enlisted on July 16, 1915 at the age of 21.  His next of kin was his mother of Preston. William Died of Wounds on May 8, 1917 - he had a gun shot wound right knee and haemorrhage and sepsis. What is William's connection to Iona? I don't know, I don't even know if I have the correct W.M. McDonald. He was, however, a cheese maker by occupation and thus could have been working in a local cheese factory, such as the one at Cora Lynn.  There was a Allan Walter McDonald (he was a farmer) and Jessie McDonald in the Electoral Roll at Garfield in 1914, and Allan (SN 2474) enlisted on March 3, 1916, when he was 40 years old. Allan Died of Wounds received whist fighting in France, on March 28, 1917.  Allan is listed on the Bunyip War Memorial as well, but would A.W. McDonald be mistaken for W.M McDonald?

McGrath, Patrick (SN 51412)   Patrick enlisted on September 14, 1917 aged 28. His next of kin was his father, Michael, of Garfield.  He went overseas and in November 1918 was charged with unlawfully entering property and he was court martialled and sentenced to two years jail. He was released from prison in June 1919 and Returned to Australia July 8, 1919.

McRae, Eric Douglas (SN 3872a)  Eric was a 23 year old cheese factory manager  at Iona when he enlisted on  July 7, 1915.  His next of kin was his father, Christopher McRae of Bacchus Marsh. He was Killed in Action in Belgium on October 4, 1917.

McTighe, Thomas Francis  (SN 9346) Thomas was a 'motor bus driver mechanic' an unusual occupation for the time and he was 28 when he enlisted on July 7, 1915. His next of kin was his mother, Sarah, of Iona. Thomas Returned to Australia June 4, 1919.  Thomas is one of the six soldiers in this post who is not on the Honor Board.

Milligan, Joseph Lewellen (SN 5376)  Joseph enlisted at the age of 21 on March 8, 1916, he was a 21 year old farm hand of Cora Lynn.  His mother was Kathleen Milligan, also of Cora Lynn, was his next of kin. Her name was sometimes listed as Catherine. His father was James Milligan.  Joseph was Killed in Action on February 23, 1917. Joseph is also on the Cora Lynn War Memorial.

Murdoch, Arthur Charles (SN 2634). Arthur was born at Iona but was living in Brighton at the time of his enlistment on October 29, 1917. He was 19 years old and a motor driver.  Arthur Returned to Australia August 22, 1919.  George Murdoch, his father,  owned the Cora Lynn store from 1907 until 1922. Arthur is also on the Cora Lynn War Memorial.

O'Neill, E  According to the book On the Edge of the Swamp: a history of the Iona Primary School, there was an Edward, Daniel and Joseph O'Neil at the Iona State School in the 1890s. In 1908,  a Michael O'Neil is on the Electoral Roll at Iona, he is a farmer. I believe that Edward who was at the State School is the man on the Honour Board, but I cannot find an O'Neil, O'Neill or an O'Neal who enlisted with  a local connection.

Paul, Thomas (SN 2878)  Thomas Paul is listed in the 1914 at Iona, occupation is labourer. There are four men named Thomas Paul who enlisted but I believe our man is Thomas who was a 28 year old farmer when he enlisted on July 21, 1915. Thomas was born in England and his next of kin was his mother, who lived in Liverpool in England. Thomas Returned to Australia in September 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds - gunshot wound left arm.

Pratt, Percy (SN 12369/7894) Percy was born in England and was living at Garfield, according to the Embarkation rolls,  when he enlisted on April 15, 1915 at the age of 26. He appears to have two enlistment records and one of them has his address as C/O Miss  De Lacy Evans* of Vervale, via Garfield. His occupation was ‘sheep station hand’.  Lance Corporal Pratt received the Military Medal in July 1917 and the Bar in February 1918. He Returned to Australia on April 5, 1919. Percy was granted a Soldier Settlement at at Garfield, you can read his file, here, on the Battle to Farm website.



Letter showing Percy Pratt's address as C/O Miss D. Lacy-Evans, 'Vervalac', Vervale, Via Garfield.
National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au 
First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920


Percy Pratt and Miss Grace De Lacy Evans married on June 24, 1919 at 'Vervalac'
The Age  July 12, 1919. 

Rogers, Llewellyn Edward (SN 2537) Llewellyn enlisted on June 6, 1916. He was a 38 year old farmer and his next of kin was his mother, Elizabeth, of Iona. Llewellyn Returned to Australia August 1, 1919.

Schmutter, William (SN 21937) The Honor board entry is listed as Schmutter and there are only two Schmutters who enlisted, both from Sydney. There is however, a William Smutter who enlisted at the age of 44 on January 27, 1916. He was a bricklayer and his next of kin was his wife, Mary, of Malvern.  William Returned to Australia January 1918 and was discharged on medical grounds on April 8, 1918 - 'casualty senility.' The 1914 Electoral Roll has a William Schmutter, farmer, and a Mary Ann Schmutter of Iona listed. There is also  a William Schmutter, Junior, farmer and a Mary Ann Schmutter, of Bunyip South listed. So, inspite of the different spelling and occupation, I believe our William Smutter is one of the William Schmutters in the Electoral Roll - Senior or Junior - I cannot say.

Sheahan, T   There is a Timothy and  Mary Ann Sheahan in the 1909 Electoral Roll at Bunyip - he is a farmer; in the same roll there is also a Daniel Sheahan, Hotel Manager at Garfield. In 1912 and 1914 Mary Ann, Timothy Michael and Michael Patrick are in the Electoral Roll at Iona - the men are listed as farmers. In 1918 we have Mary Ann, Daniel, Michael Patrick and Timothy Michael at Iona and Thomas John Sheahan at Bunyip. In spite of all these leads I cannot find a Sheahan or a Sheehan who served with a local connection.

Slattery, Gerald Malyon   (SN 272) Gerald's occupation on his enlistment papers was 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. Gerald is also on the Bunyip War Memorial.

Watson, Albert (SN 3664) Albert was a 'Manager, General Store' when he enlisted at the age of 22 on August 25, 1915. He Died of Wounds March 9, 1918. Albert was the son of Jessie Adamson of Garfield. His Will stated that he would leave his estate to his mother or is she predeceased him, his sister Mrs F. Gross of Garfield. He also left 50 pounds to his niece, Agnes Ritchie. Mrs F. Gross was Elsie May Watson who married Gottfried Gross in 1905. Albert's mother Jessie was born Jessie Ritchie.

Whiston, J  This is either Julian Thomas (SN 3526)  or John Ernest (SN 3525)  They were the sons of Fred Whiston of Cora Lynn. Julian's place of birth was listed as  'Bunyip Swamp' and he was 18 when he enlisted on August 7, 1915. John was born in Port Adelaide in South Australia and was 26 when he enlisted. on the same day as his brother.  Julian Died of Wounds received on March 21, 1918. John Returned to Australia on May 21, 1916 and was discharged on medical grounds in the August  suffering from 'Otitis Media mild' or deafness. Julian and his brother, Frederick, are on the Bunyip War Memorial, see the entry here. There is also a T. Whiston listed in a newspaper article about a Memorial  Grove  being planted at Tynong, I can only assume that Julian may have been know by his middle name, Thomas, and the entry refers to him - read about it here.

*My family has an interesting connection to Miss Grace De Lacy Evans, as my grandparents named their dog, Delacy, after her. They thought it was a nice name and it was meant as a compliment. You can see a photo Delacy, here.

Monday, March 11, 2019

Caulfield Area Memorials website

The centenary of World War One has not only been a time of reflection but has been an opportunity to create new memorials, especially on-line memorials, to commemorate our soldiers. One such new memorial is the Caulfield Area Memorials website http://www.caulfieldareamemorials.org 
This website, which is still  a work in progress,  covers  Great War Memorials in Glen Eira, Caulfield, St Kilda, McKinnon, Bentleigh and Murrumbeena. You can see the list of memorials covered by this website, here. The website partners are the Caulfield RSL, the Glen Eira Honour Roll project and the Brighton Cemetorians.

  
The City of Caulfield Honor Roll. The Roll was officially unveiled  February 25, 1931. 

Even though these towns are outside the Casey Cardinia region some of our soldiers have links to these area, here are a few examples. SN stands for Service Number.

Frank McNamara is on the Caulfield Town Hall Honour Roll as his family home was Royal Parade, Caulfield. Frank, however, was a teacher at Koo Wee Rup North State School when  he enlisted. In spite of this, he was not listed on the Koo Wee Rup North State School Honour Board 
Frank was awarded the Victoria Cross, one of only 64 awarded during the Great War to Australians, so he was a remarkable man. You can read more about him, here.

Louis Andrews (SN 4493) is in the database and was living in Glenferrie Road in Malvern when he enlisted. After he served overseas he resumed his occupation of printer and lived at Noble Park. He is buried at the Brighton Cemetery and the Brighton Cemetorians (the 'Friends Group' of the Brighton Cemetery) are involved in this database project, as many of the soldiers listed are buried there. Louis came from a pioneering Hallam family, being the grandson of John and Bridget Andrews, who settled in Hallam in 1854. You can read about them, here.

Alfred Scharf (SN 962) and Richard Scharf  (SN 7961) have trees in the Brighton Avenue of Honor - Richard's tree was in North Road and Alfred's tree in Point Nepean Road (Nepean Highway). Their parents, Henry and Liselle had lived on Finck's Road in Yallock, but were living in St Kilda Road in Elsternwick when the boys enlisted. Sadly, neither of the boys returned home - Alfred was Killed in Action in France on August 24, 1916 and Richard Died of Wounds received whilst fighting in France on May 1, 1917. The boys are also on the Yallock Honour Roll, you can read about it, here. The State Library of Victoria has digitised the memorial booklet which lists all the names on the City of Caulfield and Town of Brighton Avenues of Honour, you can see it, here.


War Memorial, Caulfield Park. 
State Libary of Victoria Image Image H32492/1068


Bert Keddie (SN 4833) and Thomas Keddie (SN 856) are on the Honour Roll at the Caulfield Town Hall and the Caulfield War Memorial in Caulfield Park. They are also both on the Nar Nar Goon North State School Honour Roll, read about this, here. Their family home was in Toward Street, in Murrumbeena. The boys were both school teachers when they enlisted, one at Ouyen and one at Byaduk. I don't know the exact connection to Nar Nar Goon North - their brother,  Richard James Keddie, was  a teacher at Nar Nar Goon in in 1909-1910 so he  maybe the connection. The boy's parents are James and Jane - James is listed in the Electoral Roll as being a Railway employee - so he may have worked at Nar Nar Goon and the boys went to school there. Not sure.

Arthur Charles Murdoch (SN 2634) is listed on the Caulfield RSL Roll. Arthur was born at Iona but was living in Brighton at the time of his enlistment on October 29, 1917.  George Murdoch, his father,  owned the Cora Lynn store from 1907 until 1922. Arthur is also on the Cora Lynn War Memorial.

This is, as I said before, a work in progress, so if you would like to volunteer or submit information then click on this link -
http://www.caulfieldareamemorials.org/about-the-memorial-database/submitting-information 

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Employment Schemes for Returned Soldiers 1919

In 1919 most of the soldiers who had served overseas (and survived) had returned home and they needed employment. Thus, the Commonwealth government has made a gift of £500,000, the amount granted the State of Victoria being £142,276, which is to be expended exclusively on works which will provide immediate employment for returned soldiers who cannot be it once absorbed into the ordinary activities of the community. The amount allotted to each municipality in Victoria was £742. (South Bourke & Mornington Journal (SBMJ) March 20, 1919)

Other conditions included  No portion of  the grant is to be available for the regular employee in the service of a local government authority, nor for any administrative expenses, and the local body must not consider applications for employment on these new works from men who are already in employment. If it should happen that returned soldiers are not available in sufficient numbers within the bounds of any local government area, the Repatriation department reserves the right to send soldiers from other centres, and thus take full advantage of tho new openings for employment. (The Age March 5, 1919)

When the Berwick Shire received the letter regarding this money The secretary suggested that Pakenham and Beaconsfield members expend their portion in clearing roads in their respective ridings, and that, in Berwick and Iona ridings, the money be expended in having metal crushed. The money had to be expended within six months. The clearing of roads was work suitable to put returned soldiers on. (SBMJ March 20, 1919) The suggestion was accepted by the Council.  The South Bourke and Mornington Journal approved  of this idea and wrote     A goodly number of returned men have availed themselves of this opportunity to become once more used to working conditions in their native land. Much valuable work may be done in this way, which other wise would have remained undone for years. (SBMJ July 10, 1919)


Road, Beaconsfield. c. 1914.  Photographer: G.G.M.
This road would have looked  much the same in 1919, when the Berwick Shire Council used the money for clearing roads. 
State Library of Victoria H2002.198/29

At a  Cranbourne Shire meeting   Cr. Hill, suggested that clearing be done on several roads. -Secretary said the money would be divided equally between the riding.-- Councillors were at first sceptical whether the money could be used, but after discussion Cr. Hill moved that the money be equally divided between the three ridings, councillors to draw up works in their respective ridings. (SBMJ April 10, 1919)

There were a number of suggestions as to how this money should be spent. The Closer Settlement Board wrote to Municipalities - suggesting that the council take into consideration the question of utilising a portion of such money in the improvement, of roads leading to estates purchased, for the settlement of returned soldiers. (SBMJ April 17, 1919)

Members of the public also had ideas as to how the money should be expended - this is a letter to the Editor from E.V. Purcell of Greenvale, Cranbourne. Now is the accepted time to make the Fisheries road suitable to travel upon. Seeing that the Commonwealth Government voted £500,000 to the various municipalities, to be spent on local government works, and to give returned soldiers employment, the Fisheries road could be made passable by a judicious and nominal outlay, for the time being. Eventually it will require to be put in order, as settlers will not be ignored indefinitely if it's their desire to make use of their holdings; such cannot be accomplished without good roads. (SBMJ, March 13, 1919)

I have created a short list of articles on Trove on this topic. You can access the list here. All the articles referenced in this post are on the list.