Beaconsfield War Memorial

The Beaconsfield War Memorial was officially opened on Saturday March, 13 1920 by General Brand. At the opening ceremony, the President of the Memorial Committee, Mr W. Nixon said that he was proud of the fact that 33 men had enlisted from there. All regretted that 9 of these had been called upon to make the Supreme Sacrifice. 

Pakenham Gazette March 19, 1920

The Memorial only has the names of the nine men who did not return, and they are listed below with their Service Numbers (SN) so you can look up their full record on the National Archives of Australia website.

Bragg, Arthur Robert (SN 2564) Arthur was 39 when he enlisted on August 2, 1915. His next of kin was his wife, Emily, who owned the Central Hotel in Beaconsfield. He was reported missing in France on July 28, 1916 and  a later Court of Enquiry determined that he had been Killed in Action on July 19, 1914. We have come  across Arthur before in this blog as he was in a list of men who had played football for Berwick and who enlisted. You can read about these footballers and Arthur and a fairly salacious report about his divorce from Emily here

Childs, Albert George  (SN 2599)  Albert enlisted on July 7, 1915. He was born in England and was a 29 year old dairyman. His father was his next of kin, from Bridport in Dorset where Albert was born, His address on the Nominal Roll is Primrose Park, Beaconsfield, however he is listed as living at Nar Nar Goon in the 1914 Electoral Roll and so he is also honoured on the Nar Nar Goon Honour Roll which is at the Nar Nar Goon Public Hall.

Christie, John Leslie  (SN 3054) He was listed as L. Christie on the Memorial, so it seems like he was known as Leslie, so that's what we will call him.  Leslie was born in Lang Lang and was 25 years old when he enlisted on July 22, 1915. His next of kin was his father, William Christie of Beaconsfield.  Leslie was listed as missing and a Court of Enquiry determined that he was Killed in Action on July 19, 1916, in France. 

Dineley, Edward Bernard (SN 1151)  Edward was born in Charters Towers and was a 22 year old engineer when he enlisted on March 22, 1916. His next of kin was his mother, Mary Dineley, who had the Cardinia Park Hotel at Beaconsfield.  Edward was Wounded in Action in Belgium and he died from these wounds on September 22, 1917.

Beaconsfield War  Memorial

Photograph courtesy of the  Casey Cardinia Remembers website

www.caseycardiniaremembers.org.au

Harbour, Herbert Joel  (SN 3337) Herbert enlisted on July 19, 1915.  He was 27 years old, born in Beaconsfield and his next of kin was his father, John, of Beaconsfield. Herbert was Killed in Action, in France, on February 2, 1917.

Manning, George William Harold (SN 219)  George enlisted on August 17, 1914. He was 20 year old salesman. His next of kin was his father, J.G Manning of Beaconsfield. I presume this is John Goodyear Manning, who is listed in the 1914 Electoral roll at Beaconsfield.  George died of wounds, which were received whilst fighting at Gallopoli,  on August 8, 1915. 

McNaughton, Hugh (SN 3869b)  Hugh enlisted on August 2, 1915. He was 31 and his next of kin was his mother, Mary McNaughton of Beaconsfield. Hugh was Wounded in Action on October 16, 1917, suffering gun shot wounds to the head and arm. He was sent back to Australia on the hospital ship, the Euripides, which reached Melbourne on March 21, 1918.  He was discharged from the AIF on May 1, 1918 and died at the Caulfield Hospital on May 16, 1918.

Osborne, James Patrick (SN 2733)  James was born in Walhalla and enlisted on August 2, 1915 aged 36. His next of kin was his mother, Bridget Osborne, of 'Lower Beaconsfield', I assume some people still called the town around the Railway Station that to distinguish it from Upper Beaconsfield. James was Killed in Action in France on August 19, 1916.

Tucker, John Frederick  (SN 2795)  John was an orphan and he enlisted at the age of 22 on August 2, 1915. his next of kin was listed as his employee, Mr A. W Shorthouse of Upper Beaconsfield. There is an Arthur William Shorthouse in the  Electoral Rolls, so I believe this is him.  John was Killed in Action in Belgium on September 3, 1916. There is a letter on his service file at the National Archives, from Mr Shorthouse, requesting John's medals. Mr Shorthouse said that John had no blood relations and had lived and worked with him for eight years, prior to which he was an Orphanage boy. The AIF would not give him the medals as the Deceased Soldiers' Estate Act had  a prescribed list of whom the medals were to go to (they had to go to a blood relation) and suggested that Mr Shorthouse get a Statutory Declaration setting out his claim. This was in March 1921 and the file does not tell us whether Mr Shorthouse was successful.

Bunyip Methodist Church Roll of Honour

The Bunyip Methodist Church Roll of Honour is in the Uniting Church at Bunyip. The Bunyip Methodist Church was in High Street, just up from the Post Office, and officially opened on October 8, 1899 and by 1902 the Church had been lined, a new porch added and,  later, a Vestry added. The Church closed in the 1970s and was later demolished.

Bunyip Methodist Church

Source: Call of the Bunyip by Denise Nest.

There are 25 names on the Honour Roll and I did naturally expect that they might all have been Methodists , however only 12 were. Five said they were Church of England, four were Presbyterian, one was Catholic and one was Baptist and two had no religion stated. So either the Bunyip Methodists were a very ecumenical lot or else there were some mistakes made at the time. Either way this is an interesting list and is an example of one of the thousands of Honour Boards established after the War by churches, schools and businesses.

Here is a list of the 25 servicemen 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 the other men from Bunyip who enlisted and are on the Bunyip War Memorial, then click here.

Barnett, Charles Henry  (SN 1673) Charles was born in 1896 in Bunyip. In June 1912 he signed up to Royal Australian Navy for seven years. He was on the Cerberus, the Protector and the Sydney. He was in Navy until 1921.  Charles and Clifford, below, were the sons of William and Emma (nee Mills) They were at Bunyip  from at least 1896 when Charles was born and were on the Electoral Roll at Bunyip  to 1912, but not on the Roll in 1914.

Barnett, Clifford (SN  2257)  Clifford was born in 1898 and he joined the Royal Australian Navy in October 1912, perhaps inspired by his brother, Charles, above. He was on the Tingira, the Australia, the Platypus and the Cerberus. Clifford was in the Navy until 1923.

Bastin,  John Alfred (SN 2339)  John was born in Bunyip and was a fisherman. He enlisted on January 7, 1916 and his next of kin was his father, Alfred Bastin. He Returned to Australia on March 14, 1919. His stated religion was Church of England.

Campigli, Donald Hugh (SN 7460)  Donald  enlisted on December 11, 1914 at the age of 19, and served in Gallipoli where he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, was later at Dardenelles, and was discharged February 1916 but then rejoined  on July 16, 1917 and Returned to Australia April 1920.   On his second enlistment he was  one of the 'Sportsmen's Thousand' a 1917 campaign to encourage sportsmen to join the AIF. His father, James, was the Station Master at Bunyip from February 1901 to May 1904 but the family had been in Bunyip earlier than that as Donald was born there in 1896. His stated religion was Presbyterian.

Australian War Memorial collection ARTV00026

Dale,  Charles Coning.  Lieutenant Dale enlisted on November 3, 1914. His next of Kin was his wife, Sibyl,  of Canning Street, North Carlton. Charles was a soldier and had already spent three years at the Royal Military College at Duntroon.   He was Killed in Action August 7, 1915 at Gallipoli. Charles was born in Longwarry in 1894 and his parents, James and Elizabeth,  are on the 1903 Electoral roll at Bunyip. His stated religion was Presbyterian. Charles left behind a widow who had the delightful name of Sybil Daffodill (nee Wootten) whom he married in 1914. They had  a little girl, Valda Rita, who was born in 1915. Did he ever get to see his daughter? I suspect not as he left Australia on February 25, 1915.

Forsyth,  Robert Bruce   (SN 203) Robert enlisted on August 18, 1914. He was the son of William Forsyth of Bunyip. According to Call of the Bunyip, William had worked on the drainage of the Koo-Wee-Rup Swamp and Robert was born near Five Mile (Koo-Wee-Rup North) William was allocated  a block on the Main Drain near the Juction bridge.  William was the Superintendent of the Methodist Sunday School as well as being a member of the Salvation Army. In spite of this, Robert said he was a Presbyterian when he enlisted.  Robert was twice mentioned in Dispatches and was awarded the Military Cross. Captain Forsyth Returned to Australia November 6, 1918.

Heatley Edward (SN 6945a)  Listed as Heatly on the Honour Roll. Edward enlisted on October 19, 1917. He was a farm labourer and his next of kin was his father, William, of Bunyip. His stated religion was Roman Catholic. He Returned to Australia on July 1, 1919.

Heatley, William Henry (SN 246 and 5603) Listed as H, Heatly on the Honour Roll, so we will call him Henry.  Henry enlisted on December 24, 1914 was discharged on June 18, 1915 as he was medically unfit due to 'small multiple subcutaneaous tremors and variciceie'. He re-enlisted on February 8, 1916, served in France and then  Returned to Australia on November 5, 1917. He was discharged from the AIF in August 1918 as he was medically unfit due to 'multiple lipomata and debility'. His father William Heatley of Bunyip was his next of kin, though this later changed to his wife Muriel. His stated religion was Church of England. In spite of the difference of religion I believe that Edward (above) and Henry were brothers - the sons of William and Margaret (nee Hannan).

Jenkin,  Samuel  (SN 6533)  Samuel and his wife Alexandrina lived in Bunyip and he enlisted on October 4, 1915.  He was a farmer. He Returned to Australia on May 4, 1919. His stated religion was Methodist.

Jewell,  John George (SN 55)   John enlisted on August 22, 1914. He Returned to Australia on January 23, 1918. John was born in Bunyip and his next of kin was his father, William, of Bunyip, although the 1914 Electoral Roll have William and his wife Elizabeth at Tonimbuk. Call of the Bunyip  says that the Jewells had fifty acres as part of the Tonimbuk Village Settlement Scheme and they arrived at Tonimbuk around 1892. John's stated religion was Church of England.

Masters,  Percy Thomas (SN 1777 or 1580) Percy enlisted on January 4, 1915. Percy was awarded the Military Medal. He Returned to Australia on March 9, 1919. He was the son of  William and Clara Masters of Bunyip. His stated religion was Methodist.

Miles,  Eric Clive  (SN 3733)  Eric was born in Bunyip and he enlisted on December 15, 1917, when he was 18 years old. His next of kin was his father, Henry Miles of  Bunyip.  He Returned to Australia on July 1, 1919. His stated religion was Methodist.

Miles,  Ronald Birkett  (SN 2715) Ronald enlisted on August 2, 1915, when he was 20.   His parents were William and Mary Miles of Bunyip.  He Returned to Australia on December 21, 1918. His stated religion was Methodist.

Miles, William Joseph  (SN 3388) William was 29 when he enlisted on November 4, 1916 . He was a farmer from Bunyip and his wife Harriet was his next of kin. William was born at Mt Doran, as well  Ronald, above, so I assume they were brothers.  He Returned to Australia on July 13, 1919.   His stated religion was Methodist.

Bunyip Methodist Church Honour Roll

Image: Heather Arnold

Morrison,  George Alfred   (SN 2135) George enlisted at Bunyip on July 27, 1915. His next of kin was his mother, Sarah Morrison of Bunyip. George was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. He Returned to Australia April 19, 1919. His stated religion was Methodist.

Mouser,  George   Lieutenant George Mouser  enlisted on May 1, 1916. He Returned to Australia on July 24, 1919. 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 and had also been the Station Master at Beaconsfield from June 1912 to March 1914.  John is listed on the 1903 Electoral Roll at Bunyip, occupation Railway employee, so that's the Bunyip connection. George is also honoured on the Narre Warren War Memorial. His stated religion was Methodist.

Pomeroy,  Alfred John (SN 2745)  Alfred was born at Beulah and he enlisted on March 21, 1916. His next of kin was his father Richard of Barrow Street in Brunswick. His stated religion was Methodist. He Returned to Australia on July 1, 1919. What is his Bunyip connection?  Richard and Sarah Pomeroy are listed in the 1903 and 1909 Electoral Rolls at Bunyip South (Iona); in the Victorian Births Index there is an Alfred John born in 1893 to a Richard and Sarah Pomeroy at Beulah, so I am convinced that Alfred is our man. It would seem that Richard and Sarah are some of the hundreds of families that moved to the Koo-Wee-Rup Swamp in the 1890s and early 1900s due to the availability of land.

Ransom,  Harry  (SN 6366)   Harry was a 19 year old postal assistant when he enlisted on July 21, 1916. He Returned to Australia on December 11, 1918. His stated religion was Methodist. His next of kin was his father, Harry, who was then Station Master at Tallarook. Harry senior had been the Station Master at Bunyip from June 1908 to November 1910, so it is likely that Harry and his brother Herbert, see below, attended school at Bunyip.

Ransom,  Herbert William (SN 128) Herbert enlisted on August 18, 1914. He was 19 and like his brother, Harry, above, he was also a postal employee. At the time he enlisted his father was at Maffra. His stated religion was Baptist. Herbert suffered a gun shot wound to the abdomen and the bullet was still in his body as an operation was not considered necessary. Harry was discharged from the AIF on medical grounds and Returned to Australia on October 8, 1915.  

Spence, James Sinclair (SN 10339) James was 30 when he enlisted on August 2, 1915. He was an Inspector at the Melbourne & Metropolitan Board of Works. His next of was his wife Jessie. He Returned to Australia on May 11, 1918. His stated religion was Methodist.  James, Malcolm and Russell (see below) were brothers. They were the sons of James and Zillah (nee Ward) Spence, who came to Bunyip in 1892. Both James and Zillah had died  by the time their sons enlisted.  (Information from Call of the Bunyip) The three boys all stated that they were Methodists on their enlistment papers.

Spence, Malcolm (SN 4614) Malcolm enlisted on August 31, 1915, his next of kin was his sister, Harriet Walker of Bunyip. He was 22 years of age and was a postal employee. He was Killed in Action, in France, on July, 20, 1916.  Malcolm is the brother of James and Russell. Malcolm is also listed on the Bunyip War Memorial.

Spence,  Russell Ayres (SN 3555)  Was enlisted when he was 19, on July 8, 1915. He was a taxi driver and his cousin was his next of kin. He suffered from various wounds and diseases and was still in hospital in England in 1919. He is listed in the 1924 Electoral roll at Footscray, so obviously came back to Australia. He later had a farm in Bunyip and he was the Superintendent of the Methodist Sunday School.  Russell is the brother of James and Malcolm.

Wheeler,  Ernest James (SN 22329)  Ernest enlisted  on January 10, 1916 His next of kin was his mother, Henrietta Wheeler of Bunyip. Ernest was a tile maker from Mitchum and he Returned to Australia May 29, 1919.  His stated religion was Church of England.

Withington,  Robert Charles     Major Withington was a Medical Practitioner who enlisted on December 2, 1915 at the age of 41.   He Returned to Australia March 16, 1919.   According to Call of the Bunyip, Dr Withington was Bunyip's first resident doctor. Robert, his wife Eleanor and daughter, Rewa, and had arrived there in 1904 from Fiji where he had been a Missionary Doctor. They had two other daughters, Irene and Elizabeth, born when they were at Bunyip.  Call of the Bunyip also says that Dr Withington held the distinction of being the first person in the Bunyip district to suffer in a motor accident when his car was hit by a passenger train. His stated religion on his enlistment paper was Presbyterian, however Call of the Bunyip says that the family was Methodist. After the family lived at St Georges Road in Elsternwick.

Williams,  Thomas Trevor (SN 7575)  Thomas was born in Bunyip and enlisted on July 18, 1917. His next of was his father, Benjamin, who lived in Elsternwick. He was 18 years and 2 months old at the time of his enlistment. He Returned to Australia on March 21, 1919. His stated religion was Church of England.

Nar Nar Goon and Nar Nar Goon North State School Honour Rolls

There are 51 soldiers listed on the Nar Nar Goon  Honour Board and 15 soldiers listed on the Nar Nar Goon North State School Honour Board. Eleven men are on both the Honour Rolls, thus 55 different men are honoured by having their name on the Honour Rolls.  The Nar Nar Goon Honour Board is at the Nar Nar Goon Public Hall and the Nar Nar Goon North State School Roll is at the Nar Nar Goon North Public Hall. The Nar Nar Goon North School, opened in 1889 and closed when it was amalgamated into Pakenham Consolidated School.

According to Discovering ANZACs and the Australian ANZACs in the Great War websites  there were 50 men who were either born or enlisted in Nar Nar Goon. Of the 55 men on the Honour Rolls only 22 are amongst the 50 listed on Discovering ANZACs and  Australian ANZACs in the Great War' websites.  Once again, it would be interesting to know how the local community selected the men who would be honoured on the War Memorials as obviously some with a local connection were not chosen.

Nar Nar Goon North State School Honour Board

Photograph courtesy of the  Casey Cardinia Remembers website

www.caseycardiniaremembers.org.au

Here is  a list of the soldiers with their Service Number (SN) so you can look up their full service record on the National Archives of Australia website, www.naa.gov.au

Aalto, Atolf Aleksanter (SN 3676)  Listed as Alto on the Honour Roll. Atolf was born in Nystad in Finland, he was a miner, he was Naturalised on July 6, 1915  and he enlisted at Bendigo on July 29, 1915. Atolf  was awarded the Military Medal and he Returned to Australia May 4, 1919. The Australian War Memorial website has used Atolf as a case study for their Education section - you can read about him here. What is his connection to Nar Nar Goon? He obviously spent some time there after his arrival in Australia  and before he enlisted at Bendigo. I can't find him in the Electoral Rolls after the War but there is a Adolf Aalto listed in the United States Federal Census, living in Michigan. He is the right age and arrived in the U.S in 1919. Is this the same man?

Blackwell, Gilbert Darlow (SN 4137) Gilbert enlisted July 12, 1915. He was the son of William and Primrose Blackwell who are listed in the Electoral Rolls at Nar Nar Goon in 1914; William  was a boot maker. Gilbert Returned to Australia on July 4, 1919.

Blackwell, Bernard Robert (listed as R,B on the Honour Roll) Bernard was also the son of William and Primrose. He enlisted on October 2, 1916. He had 'Bronchial Asthma' and was considered unfit for Military Service and was discharged in March 1917

Cahir, Joseph Keith (SN 960) It seems that he was known as Keith by his family, so that's what we will call him - Keith enlisted on October 1, 1914. His next of kin was listed as his sister, Stella Maris Cahir, of Mt Ararat house, Nar Nar Goon. Keith was reported missing in August 1915, held as a Prisoner of War in Turkey and not released until the end of the War in 1918. Keith had malaria in prison and then caught Spanish Influenza when he was released. He Returned to Australia on December 2, 1918. Keith is on both Honour Rolls.

Carter, George Henry (SN 2314)   I had no idea who this was and there were 32 G. Carters who had enlisted so I started going through their records to find a Nar Nar Goon connection and on the 20th one I found George! George enlisted on June 30, 1916. His occupation was a trapper, he was born in Yorkshire and his next of kin was his friend, Samuel Batten of Nar Nar Goon. He was Killed in Action, in France,  on April 5, 1918. However on the Honour Roll, George was not listed as dying in the War, so I am now unsure whether this is the correct G. Carter, but having gone though all the G. Carters I still have no-one else with any local connection, tenuous though this one is. As  a matter of interest, George was only 18 when he enlisted and he claimed both his parents were dead, however it turns out that his father lived in California and he didn't find out that his son had enlisted or been killed until 1919.

Castle, Frederick William (SN 1213) Frederick enlisted on July 26, 1915. His next of kin was his mother, Frances Castle of Nar Nar Goon and he was a saw miller. He Returned to Australia May 29, 1919.

Chatfield, Frederick Norman (SN 62) Frederick enlisted on February 25, 1916 and he was a 'chaff cutter feeder'. His next of kin was his mother, Mary Chatfield of Nar Nar Goon. He was discharged from the Army on April 19, 1920.

Childs, Albert George (SN 2599) Listed as Child on the Honour Roll. Albert enlisted in Melbourne on July 9, 1915, his occupation was Dairyman. He was born in England, his address on the Nominal Roll is Primrose Park, Beaconsfield, however he is listed as living at Nar Nar Goon in the 1914 Electoral Roll. Albert Died of Wounds on August 5, 1917 in France.  Albert is also honoured on the Beaconsfield War Memorial.

Dore, David (SN 2637a) David was born at Nar Nar Goon and when he enlisted on July 20, 1915 his next of kin was his uncle, Mr J, Dore of Nar Nar Goon. He was 18 years old and was an orphan. He was Killed in Action in France on August 9, 1918. David is on both Honour Rolls.

Drummond,  Walter Neil (SN 2571)  The only W.N Drummond I could locate was this Walter, he was a Blacksmith and was born in Eskdale and was from Officer, which is only two railway stops west of Nar Nar Goon, so this could well be our man. He was the son of  William and Margaret Drummond. of Pinehurst, Officer. Walter enlisted June 28, 1915. He Returned to Australia on April 13, 1919.

Edwards E.S -  I don't know who this is - The only E.S Edwards I can find is  Ernest Samuel Edwards (SN 1346) from Walhalla, he is a stoker and blacksmith.  There is an Ernest Edwards (SN 5327) who was a blacksmith from Longwarry (just four railway stops east of  Nar Nar Goon) There was a John Edwards who was the Station Master at Tynong from 1914 to 1917, so was E.S Edwards connected to him? There was also a Thomas Henry and Christine Edwards in the Electoral Roll at Nar Nar Goon in 1914 - so E.S Edwards connected to them?  Any help appreciated.

Ferguson, Alexander  (SN 798) There is a Nina Grace Lambert Ferguson listed at Nar Nar Goon on the Electoral Roll in 1914 and an Alexander Ferguson listed at Pakenham; there is also a marriage of a Nina Grace Lambert Heeps to an Alexander Ferguson in 1913. Alexander Ferguson (SN 798) enlisted on July 26, 1917 and his next of kin was his wife, Nina Grace L. Ferguson of Prahran. Alexander was born in South Australia, but given the evidence from the Electoral Roll I believe this is the correct man.  Alexander Returned to Australia on April 27, 1919. Alexander leased his farm to enlist, Nina must have moved to Prahran and during the War she moved to Portland and later on was on the Electoral Roll in St Kilda, but Alexander wasn't listed at all so did they divorce, live separately or did he just refuse to be enrolled?

Pakenham Gazette May 25, 1917.

Gaskett, Albert James (SN 1481) Albert was 19, a farmer from Nar Nar Goon, when he enlisted on November 9, 1915. He Returned to Australia on July 17, 1919. Albert is on both Honour Rolls.

Gaskett, William John  (SN 1830) William enlisted on February 2, 1916, when he was 20.  He Returned to Australia on July 21, 1917. William and George are brothers. William is on both Honour Rolls.

Harris, Leo  (SN 3132)  Leo enlisted on July 20, 1915. He was the son of Josephine Harris of Nar Nar Goon. Leo was Killed in Action, in France, on August 9, 1916.

Heffernan, William  There are nine W. Heffernans who enlisted, all called William, so we can be pretty sure his name is William - but I cannot find a W, Heffernan with a local connection. William is only on  the Nar Nar Goon North State School Honour Board , so I presume he went to school there - no William Heffernans are teachers, so he didn't teach there. Any help appreciated.

Holcombe, Archibald Jones (SN 68586)  Born in Wales and he was the son of Francis Holcombe of Nar Nar Goon. He enlisted on July 1, 1918 when he was 19 and embarked on October 22, however the troop ship was recalled to Australia due to the end of the War, so Archie did not see any active service, not through the want of trying it seems. There is a Statutory Declaration signed by Archie on July 1, 1918 stating that his mother and father refused to sign the verification paper, stating that he could go if he wished, but that they would sign nothing!

Huby,  Walter Percy Clarence  (SN 11351) He seems to have been known as Clarence, so that's what we will call him. Clarence enlisted on June 6, 1915 and he Returned to Australia on November 7, 1919. Clarence was born in York, England and his next of kin when he enlisted was his mother also from York. He married Ada Hollick, in England on October 16, 1919. Clarence's occupation was sawyer on his Enlistment papers and 'mill labourer' in the 1914 Electoral Roll when he was living at Nar Nar Goon. In the 1924 Electoral Rolls he and Ada are living at Gembrook, where he is commemorated in the Avenue of Honour. Clarence also enlisted for service in World War Two.

Jones,  Arthur Alfred Charles   (SN 5117) Arthur enlisted on January 4, 1916. He was living with his aunt in Northcote at the time, but his next of kin was his father, Robert Jones on Nar Nar Goon. He Returned to Australia on September 6, 1919.

Northcote Leader  October 26, 1918

Keddie, Bert John (SN 4833) Bert was a School Teacher, born in Stratford and his father who was his next of kin lived at Murrumbeena.  When he enlisted on January 1, 1916, he was 20 and was teaching at Ouyen State School and had received leave from the Education Department to enlist. He Returned to Australia on September 25, 1919, but before he returned had married Jean Hamilton on April 16, 1919 in Scotland. Bert and his brother Thomas, below, are on the Nar Nar Goon North State School Honour Board.

Keddie, Thomas Lee Heard (SN 856)  Thomas, like his brother Bert, above, was born in Stratford and was also a School Teacher. He was at Byaduk State School (south of Hamilton) when he enlisted, at age 24, on  August 18, 1914. He was discharged on December 12, 1915 as he was medically unfit after suffering a  gun shot wound on April 25, 1915. He then re-enlisted on June 19, 1916 and was discharged on August 1, 1916.   So what was the connection of the Keddie boys to Nar Nar Goon? Their brother,  Richard James Keddie, was  a teacher at Nar Nar Goon in in 1909-1910 is he the connection? The boy's parents are James and Jane - James is listed in the Electoral Roll as being a Railway employee - did he work at Nar Nar Goon and the boys went to school there?  According to Thomas' grand daughter, Elspeth, James was a civil engineer who designed bridges for the Railways. 

The Argus May 17, 1915

Kidd,  James Edward  (SN 64477) James enlisted on May 21, 1918. He was 20 years old and his father, James, was a blacksmith at Nar Nar Goon.  He Returned to Australia on July 3, 1919.

Lamb, Charles Hargrave (SN 3092)  Charles was the son Joseph and Annie Lamb.  Joseph Lamb was listed in the 1909 and 1914 Electoral Rolls at Nar Nar Goon, his occupation was boot maker. When Charles enlisted on February 2, 1917 his father was deceased and his mother, Annie, lived in East Brunswick. Charles was Killed in Action, in Belgium, on October 4, 1917.

Ledger,  John  (SN 4666) John enlisted on September 9, 1916 as Francis George Moore. he said he was 19 years and three months old, was born in Nar Nar Goon, he said he was an orphan and his next of kin was his Guardian, Mrs R.E. Smith of Nar Nar Goon. He Returned to Australia on July 7, 1919. There is a statutory declaration in his file, signed September 23, 1919 which says that he enlisted under the assumed name of Francis George Moore as at the time he was under eighteen years of age. He requested that all the records be amended so that his correct name was listed. Was he really an orphan? There is a Rosalie Emma Smith listed in the Electoral Roll at Nar Nar Goon in 1914, so she existed, and he obviously had some contact with Nar Nar Goon as he was recognised on the Honour Roll.  Ironically, when he returned from active service, lets say he was 17 when he joined up, he would only have been 20 when he returned, still not old enough to enrol to vote! You certainly have to admire his spirit.

Lia,  Matthew (SN 471) Matthew enlisted in Lithgow, N.S.W, on January 2, 1916. His next of kin was his father, Joseph Lia of Nar Nar Goon.  Matthew was awarded the Military Medal. After the War he was granted leave for 'non military employment' at A.C Carson Artificial Flower Manufacturing Company  and was discharged on June 7, 1920.

Liston,  Thomas   (SN 1514)  The Honour Board has a C. Liston  listed, but the only Liston  I could find with a Nar Nar Goon connection was Thomas. Thomas was 29 when he enlisted on November 10, 1914. He was a farm labourer and his next of kin were his parents who lived in Brunswick. Thomas enlisted at Tynong, the Attesting Officer was William Carney, Shire of Berwick President and his medical examination was held in Nar Nar Goon. He Returned to Australia on June 23, 1919. As a matter of interest, there was a Private A. Liston who had a connection to Hallam, and I don't know for sure who he is, either, so for some reason the Liston soldiers are proving hard to identify.

Madden, Frank  (SN 1798) Frank enlisted on January 13, 1915 at the age of 19. His mother, Mrs G. Madden of Nar Nar Goon was listed as his next of kin.   Frank was awarded the Military Medal. He Returned to Australia on April 8, 1919.  Frank and Thomas (below) are brothers and they were both wool sorters by occupation - their parents are later listed at 9 Caroline Street, Clifton Hill.

Madden, Thomas William  (SN 2232)  Thomas' address on the Embarkation Roll is Nar Nar Goon and he was 25 years old when he enlisted on April 1, 1916. He Died of Wounds on October 18, 1917 in Belgium. He is the brother of Frank, above.

Matthews, Frederick George Gladstone  (SN 2272)  George, the son of William Matthews of Nar Nar Goon enlisted on July 24, 1915.  He  Returned to Australia on July 22, 1917 and was discharged from the Army when he got home due to a gun shot wound in the left knee.

McCarthy, Daniel Patrick  (SN 10447) Daniel enlisted on August 10, 1915. He was an orphan and his next of kin was his brother, Edward, of Nar Nar Goon. He Returned to Australia on May 20, 1919.

Moore,  Walter Frederick (SN Depot) Walter enlisted on September 18, 1918. He was 21 and the son of Arthur Charles Moore of Nar Nar Goon. Walter did not get to serve overseas as the War ended. Walter is on both Honour Rolls.

Pakenham Gazette September 20, 1918

Mortimer, Thomas Ernest Gregory (SN 6900A)  Thomas enlisted on August 17, 1917. He was born in Longwarry,  He was  school teacher and his next of kin was his father, George Mortimer, of Nar Nar Goon. He Returned to Australia on July 23, 1919.

Nash,  H   I haven't worked out who this man is. We know that he did not  return (or made the Supreme Sacrifice as the Honour Board states) but I can't find a Nash on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour with a Nar Nar Goon connection. I thought he might have a connection to the Nash family of Bunyip, but he isn't on the Bunyip War Memorial. so I don't feel that is the case.

O'Brien,  James Arthur (SN 2737) James was born in Nar Nar Goon and enlisted on May 3, 1916. He was a hardware assistant and the family was living in Yarroweyah (between Strathmerton and Cobram) when he enlisted.  He Returned to Australia on October 20, 1918. James is listed only on the Nar Nar Goon North State School Honour Board. 

O’Brien, James Joseph   (SN 1876) James was born in Nar Nar Goon and was 20 when he enlisted on July 20, 1915. His next of kin was his mother, Elizabeth Mary O'Brien of Nar Nar Goon. He Returned to Australia on November 25, 1917 and discharged as he had a gun shot wound to the left leg 'involving the joint.'  James is on both Honour Rolls.

O’Brien, Daniel Francis (SN 2379)  Daniel enlisted on August 16, 1916. His next of kin was his sister, Katherine O'Brien, of Nar Nar Goon. He Returned to Australia on  February 15, 1918.

Olsen, Charles Christian  (SN 3898) Charles was born and lived in Nar Nar Goon and was  sawmill worker. He enlisted on July 14, 1915. He was Killed in Action on June 12, 1917.  Charles and Richard (below) are brothers, the sons of Andrew and Martha (nee Warren) Olsen. Charles is on both Honour Rolls.

Olsen, Richard Henry  (SN 3026) Richard was born in Williamstown, Victoria and his next of kin when he enlisted on June 8, 1915 was his mother, Martha Olsen of Nar Nar Goon. Richard enlisted in South Australia.  He Returned to Australia on March 23, 1919. Richard is on both Honour Rolls.

Ord, Albert Leslie (SN 3889) Albert enlisted on August 7, 1915. He was the son of Frederick Ord of Nar Nar Goon. He died in France, of wounds  on September 26, 1916

Pepper, Harry Higham (SN 2744) Harry enlisted on August 2, 1915, his next of kin was his mother, Mary Ann Pepper of Nar Nar Goon and his occupation was farmer. He was Killed in Action in France on August 9, 1918.

Perry, Silas Cole  (SN 1337)  Silas was born at Nhill, his next of kin was his father, James Perry of Nar Nar Goon and he enlisted on November 2, 1914. He Returned to Australia on February 2, 1919.

Pettman, Isac William (SN 2419) Isac (unusually spelt with only one a) enlisted at Tynong,  on May 31, 1915. His next of kin were his parents, Isaac and Ellen, who were from Bunyip; he was labourer and 19 years old. He Returned to Australia on July 1, 1919. In 1919, Isac married Doris Augusta Blackwell, the sister of Gilbert and Bernard, listed above.

Prior, James Stanley Glenth (SN 31721) Mr Prior enlisted using only his middle name Stanley.   He was a Compositor, born in South Melbourne and enlisted in Claremont, Tasmania on October 16, 1916. His next of kin was his father, James, of Braeburn, Nar Nar Goon. He Returned to Australia on July 1, 1919

Reid, Kenneth Sutherland  (SN 14065) Kenneth was 18 when he enlisted on March 17, 1916. He was the son of Mr W. Reid of Nar Nar Goon and was a Medical Student at the time and had already spent a year with the Melbourne University Rifles. He Returned to Australia on February 28, 1919. According to the Electoral Roll he later became a research chemist.

Richardson, Henry Christopher (SN Depot) Henry, the brother of  Walter, below, enlisted on September 16, 1918. He passed the Light Horse riding test, but did not get to serve overseas as the War finished.

Richardson, Walter Sidney  (SN 3227)  Walter enlisted on July 14, 1915, his next of kin were his parents, Christopher and Jessie Richardson of Nar Nar Goon. He Returned to Australia on August 8, 1919.Walter is the brother of Henry, above.

Rogers, Vaughan Arthur  (SN 1275)  The  Honour Roll has a T.A Rogers listed, but I am pretty sure that it should be V.A Rogers and I cannot find any T. Rogers with a  Nar Nar Goon connection. Vaughan enlisted on July 20, 1915, he was the son of  W.H Rogers of Nar Nar Goon. He caught Rheumatic Fever and was sent home to Australia from England in October 1916 and discharged from the Army on February 16, 1917. Vaughan is on both Honour Rolls.

Rowe W  I have not discovered who this is. There is a W. J Rowe listed on  a list of  soldiers who enlisted from the Shires of Berwick and Cranbourne, but even with the initial of the middle name, I still can't find a Rowe with a Nar Nar Goon connection.

Smith, James Francis  (SN 2563) James was born and lived at Nar Nar Goon, he was the son Marmaduke Smith. He enlisted on April 19, 1916. He was Killed in Action in France on February 14, 1917. James is on both Honour Rolls.

Startup, Rupert Walter   There are no Startups who enlisted in the First World War according to the records at the War Memorial and the National Archives, however Rupert, born in 1896, did enlist in the Second World War in 1940, so I can only assume that this is the man on the Honour Board. Rupert was listed on the 1919 Electoral roll at Nar Nar Goon. Startup is a very well known Nar Nar Goon name - John Startup and a Mr Kettle took up the Mt Ararat run in 1854 - this run was said to extend from Pakenham to Drouin.

Nar Nar Goon Honour Roll

Photograph courtesy of the  Casey Cardinia Remembers website

www.caseycardiniaremembers.org.au

Taylor,  William David (SN 4530) William enlisted January 31, 1916, he was 30 years old and living with his wife, Cecelia,in Nar Nar Goon.  He was Killed in Action in France on March 27, 1917.

Wade, A   I don't know who this. There is an Arthur Wade on the 1914 Electoral Roll at Nar Nar Goon - his occupation is a groom. but if he did enlist I cannot work out  which of six Arthur Wades he might be (if any) as none have a Nar Nar Goon connection. I have checked the 14 A.Wades who enlisted and once again none have an obvious Nar Nar Goon connection and neither do the other 128 Wades.

Warren, Robert James (SN 5099) Robert was 18 and an orchardist when he enlisted on February 2, 1916. His next of kin was his mother, Catherine Warren of Nar Nar Goon. He Returned to Australia on April 1, 1919. Robert is on both Honour Rolls.

White, Sydney Pleno (SN 3638)  Sydney enlisted on July 12, 1915. He was born in England and his next of kin was his father in England and he was a coachsmith. His address on his Embarkation papers was Toorak however there is a Sydney Pleno White on the 1914 Electoral Roll at Nar Nar Goon (occupation farmer) so I presume, with that unusual middle name, that they are the same person. Sydney Returned to Australia on July 4, 1919. He was in Pakenham in the 1924 Roll, occupation orchardist and in Berwick in the 1931 Roll, occupation Dairy farmer. He died in Berwick in 1954.

Wilson, Robert Charles Percy (SN 685) Robert enlisted in January 3, 1917. He and his wife, Rachel, lived in Nar Nar Goon where Robert was the Station Master. He was part of the 1st Australian Light Railway Operating Company and was  awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.  Robert Returned to Australia on May 11, 1919

Acknowledgement: 
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.