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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
Thanks for that, much appreciated. Keith Cahir was my grandfather.
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