Pearcedale was originally called Langwarrin. When the Mornington and Stony Point railway lines opened in the late 1880s, the railway station near the Military Camp (now a Flora and Fauna Reserve) was named Langwarrin. A new town developed east of the railway station and was locally called New Langwarrin. Pearcedale was known as Langwarrin or Langwarrin Estate or Old Langwarrin until December 1905 when, at a meeting of rate payers, it was voted to rename the town Pearcedale to avoid confusion with the new settlement based near the Langwarrin Railway Station. Pearcedale was named after Nathanial and Mary Grace Pearce, early European settlers.
The soldiers listed below had their address on official papers as Pearcedale, sometimes Pearcedale, via Somerville and on occasions just Somerville. They may also have had Langwarrin listed as a birthplace, which when they were born was the name for Pearcedale. I have also included any soldiers whose family are mentioned in the book Pearcedale: Moments in history. You can read more about this book and Pearcedale here. If you want to borrow the book, click here
What follows is a list of soldiers, their connection to Pearcedale, their fate (i.e. when they Returned to Australia after active service or when they were Killed in Action) and their Service Number (SN) so you can look up their full service record on the National Archives website (www.naa.gov.au)
Barton, George Ormond (SN 965) George was a 25 year old orchardist when he enlisted on August 17, 1914. His next of kin was his father, Joseph, of Pearcedale. George Returned to Australia on September 23, 1918. You can read more about the Barton family in Pearcedale: Moments in history.
Charlie Bond (SN 3310) and his visit to Horsham.
Horsham Times June 17, 1919 page 5.
Bond, Charles Rundle (SN 3310) Charles enlisted on July 20, 1915 at the age of 21. He Returned to Australia on April 13, 1919. Charles was the brother of William (below). They were the sons of William and Emily (nee Smith) Bond who came to Pearcedale about 1910 (Source: Pearcedale: Moments in history)
Bond, William Arthur (SN 2575) William enlisted on August 2, 1915. He was a 24 year old labourer and his next of kin was his father, also William, who was an orchardist. William was Killed in Action on July 19, 1916 at the battle of Fromelles.
Clark, Alfred Hoswell (SN 13933) Alfred was born at Langwarrin and enlisted on May 4, 1915 aged 19. He was an apprentice to his father, his occupation being mechanic and motor driver. Alfred Returned to Australia on June 2, 1919.
Evans, Thomas (SN 8830) 17/8/15 Twenty two year old Samuel enlisted on August 17, 1915. His next of kin was his father, Samuel, of Langwarrin. Thomas Returned to Australia on August 9, 1919.
Clark, Alfred Hoswell (SN 13933) Alfred was born at Langwarrin and enlisted on May 4, 1915 aged 19. He was an apprentice to his father, his occupation being mechanic and motor driver. Alfred Returned to Australia on June 2, 1919.
Evans, Thomas (SN 8830) 17/8/15 Twenty two year old Samuel enlisted on August 17, 1915. His next of kin was his father, Samuel, of Langwarrin. Thomas Returned to Australia on August 9, 1919.
This article reports on the welcome home function for local Pearcedale soldiers - Thomas Evans, Fred Knox, John Knox, William White and Martin Nicholson.
Mornington Standard November 21, 1919 page 3
Feltham, George (SN 3064) George enlisted on February 2, 1917. He was born in Langwarrin, as Pearcedale was known at the time. He was a 26 year old boundary rider and his next of kin was his father, William, of Pearcedale. George Returned to Australia on September 25, 1919.
Grosvenor, James Edwin (SN 1044) James was born in Langwarrin and enlisted on August 18, 1914. His next of kin was his sister of North Fitzroy, but he was living at Tallandoon (south of Tallangatta) at the time He Returned to Australia on February 15, 1918.
Heazlewood, Walter Frederick (SN 7161) Surname also listed as Hazlewood. Walter enlisted October 27, 1916. He was a 32 year old farmer. Walter was medically discharged on January 4, 1918 and he died on December 12, 1922, suffering from Tuberculosis.
Hobbs, Rupert Roxborough (SN 13302) Rupert was a 36 year school master at Pearcedale when he enlisted on August 25, 1915 in the Field Ambulance Unit. He Returned to Australia on March 28, 1919.
Jarvis, Clarence James (SN 3853) Clarence was nearly 19 years old and an apprentice carpenter when he enlisted on August 16, 1915. On August 7, 1916 he received a gun shot wound to the chest, whilst serving in France. He Returned to Australia on March 17, 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds in July.
Jarvis, Oswald Lewis Listed on the Discovering Anzacs site as having enlisted at the age of 29, with a Pearcedale address, which doesn't tally with his birth date of 1895. He was a brother of Clarence, above, they were both born in Cudgewa, but I cannot find out anything else about Oswald's service.
Kennough, William Henry (SN 144) Surname is also listed on some sources as Kannough. William was living in Oakleigh when he enlisted on September 9, 1914. He was awarded the Military Medal in August 1918 and Returned to Australia October 18, 1918.
Killeen, Michael Francis (SN 3124) Michael was born in Langwarrin and was 21 when he enlisted on October 16, 1916. He Returned to Australia on July 18, 1919.
Knox, John Henry (SN 4845) John was 20 years old when he enlisted on November 10, 1915. He Returned to Australia on July 7, 1919. John and Thomas (below) were brothers. They were the sons of Edward and Mary (nee Pool) Knox of Pearcedale.
Kennough, William Henry (SN 144) Surname is also listed on some sources as Kannough. William was living in Oakleigh when he enlisted on September 9, 1914. He was awarded the Military Medal in August 1918 and Returned to Australia October 18, 1918.
Killeen, Michael Francis (SN 3124) Michael was born in Langwarrin and was 21 when he enlisted on October 16, 1916. He Returned to Australia on July 18, 1919.
Knox, John Henry (SN 4845) John was 20 years old when he enlisted on November 10, 1915. He Returned to Australia on July 7, 1919. John and Thomas (below) were brothers. They were the sons of Edward and Mary (nee Pool) Knox of Pearcedale.
Knox, Thomas Frederick (SN 4650) Thomas was a 27 year old farmer and he enlisted on January 4, 1918. He arrived in Egypt in the June and saw some active service and Returned to Australia on July 17, 1919.
Larsen, Joseph (SN 3345) Joseph was 24 years old when he enlisted on July 6, 1915. He was born in Denmark and he had lived with James Ridley of Pearcedale for four years before his enlistment. He was Killed in Action in Belgium on September 20, 1917. They could find no trace of his parents in Denmark so his war medals were given to Mr Ridley in August 1920.
Lyons: There were four sons of Patrick and Louisa Lyons, of Pearcedale, who served in the Great War.
Lyons, Charles (SN 6846) Charles enlisted on May 9, 1916, he was 18 years old. When he was overseas he got married on September 6, 1919 to Agatha Richards. They came back to Australia in August 1920.
Lyons, John (SN 3568) John was 22 years old when he enlisted on July 21, 1915. He Returned to Australia on February 9, 1919.
Lyons, Leslie William (SN 655) Leslie enlisted on March 24, 1915 at the age of nineteen. Leslie was Killed in Action in France on October 5, 1918.
Lyons, Patrick Edward (SN 3194) Patrick was nearly 23 when he enlisted on November 24, 1916. He Died of Wounds on September 27, 1917, the day after he was wounded in action whilst serving in France.
Patrick and Louisa (nee Henderson) had come to Pearcedale in 1910, they lived in East Road. Patrick died in June 1915, aged 52, leaving Louisa a widow. They had eleven children. I wonder what happened to Louisa and I hope she found some happiness. You can read about the Lyons family in Pearcedale: Moments in history.
Marsh, Edmund John (SN 5730) Edmund, born in Langwarrin, enlisted on March 13, 1916 at the age of 18 and was living in Wandin at the time. He Returned to Australia on June 12, 1919.
McCarthy, D As you can see from the article above D.McCarthy had a connection to Pearcedale, I just can't work out who he is. I feel that it is either Daniel McCarthy (SN 16051) a telephone mechanic from Traralgon or Daniel Patrick McCarthy (SN 10447) a farmer whose next of kin on his enlistment paper was his brother, Edward, who was from Koo-Wee-Rup and later changed his address to Nar Nar Goon and on the embarkation roll it was his uncle, T. McCarthy of Nar Nar Goon. Daniel McCarthy was an orphan, I feel that he is the more likely candidate, but if you ave any information then please let me know.
Monro: George and Amy (nee Ostler) Monro had six sons of which three served in the Great War. George was a market gardener and flower grower and had arrived in Pearcedale in 1900. You can read more about George and Amy and family in a short piece written by their grandson, George Monro in Pearcedale: Moments in history.
Patrick and Louisa (nee Henderson) had come to Pearcedale in 1910, they lived in East Road. Patrick died in June 1915, aged 52, leaving Louisa a widow. They had eleven children. I wonder what happened to Louisa and I hope she found some happiness. You can read about the Lyons family in Pearcedale: Moments in history.
Marsh, Edmund John (SN 5730) Edmund, born in Langwarrin, enlisted on March 13, 1916 at the age of 18 and was living in Wandin at the time. He Returned to Australia on June 12, 1919.
This article from the Mornington Standard of June 21 1919 reports on the welcome home to Rupert Hobbs, Charlie Bond, Robert Young and a D. McCarthy.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65852679
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65852679
McCarthy, D As you can see from the article above D.McCarthy had a connection to Pearcedale, I just can't work out who he is. I feel that it is either Daniel McCarthy (SN 16051) a telephone mechanic from Traralgon or Daniel Patrick McCarthy (SN 10447) a farmer whose next of kin on his enlistment paper was his brother, Edward, who was from Koo-Wee-Rup and later changed his address to Nar Nar Goon and on the embarkation roll it was his uncle, T. McCarthy of Nar Nar Goon. Daniel McCarthy was an orphan, I feel that he is the more likely candidate, but if you ave any information then please let me know.
Monro: George and Amy (nee Ostler) Monro had six sons of which three served in the Great War. George was a market gardener and flower grower and had arrived in Pearcedale in 1900. You can read more about George and Amy and family in a short piece written by their grandson, George Monro in Pearcedale: Moments in history.
Monro, Allan Clarence (SN 3208) Allan had first enlisted as a 19 year old on April 6, 1915 but was discharged as being medically unfit, due to bronchitis, on June 24 the same year. Then he enlisted again on March 25, 1916 and served in the Home Services until July 11 when he was discharged again. Allan enlisted for the third time on November 26, 1916, he went overseas in the December but Returned to Australia in October and was discharged from the Army as medically unfit on December 14, 1917. There are two interesting letters in his file - a 1942 letter from the Lighthouse & Navigational Services asking for a copy of his war record as Allan had been appointed the permanent lighthouse keeper at Cape Schanck and one written by Allan in 1947 asking for a copy of his discharge papers as they were destroyed when his house was burnt down in the Black Friday bush fires on 1939.
Monro, Eric Wilfred (SN 2732) Eric enlisted on June 30, 1915 aged 22. He was a mail carrier. He Returned to Australia on December 21, 1918.
Monro, Roy (SN 1083a) Roy enlisted on August 20, 1914 aged 24. He Returned to Australia on March 10, 1918.
Monro, Eric Wilfred (SN 2732) Eric enlisted on June 30, 1915 aged 22. He was a mail carrier. He Returned to Australia on December 21, 1918.
Monro, Roy (SN 1083a) Roy enlisted on August 20, 1914 aged 24. He Returned to Australia on March 10, 1918.
Nicholson, Donald (SN 986) Donald was 22 when he enlisted on September 18, 1914. Donald was Wounded in Action at Gallipoli, gun shot wound to left forearm, and he Returned to Australia on July 17, 1915 and was officially discharged in November 1916.
Nicholson, Martin Terris (SN 7285) Martin enlisted on December 4, 1916 aged 20. He Returned to Australia on August 19, 1919. Both Donald and Martin were born in St Arnaud, Martin's mother was listed as Mrs Annie Perry and Donald's as Mrs Nicholson - were they brothers and their mother had remarried?
Orchard, Cyril George (SN 4747) Cyril was 27 when he enlisted on March 1, 1916. He was a farm hand and lived with his wife, Doris at the Balla Balla property. He was Killed in Action in Belgium on October 4, 1917.
Pearce, William Henry (SN 2561) William enlisted at the age of 21 on January 20, 1915. William was wounded whilst fighting in France on July 3, 1917 and died the next day. The town of Pearcedale was named for William's parents - Nathaniel and Mary Grace Pearce - in 1905. Read about the family, here.
Potter, Thomas (SN 7306) Thomas was a boundary rider, was 37 years old and he and his wife, Isabella were living at Pearcedale when he enlisted on August 5, 1915. He Returned to Australia on April 13, 1919.
Watt, Horace Alfred (SN 3147) Twenty year old Horace enlisted on July 8, 1915. He Returned to Australia on January 15, 1919. He was the son of Alfred Watt of Pearcedale and his occupation was dairyman.
White, George Edward (SN 69382) George enlisted at the age of 18 on May 20 1918. He left for service overseas on November 2 1918 and it doesn't say when he returned. His parents, Thomas and Grace had an orchard, Plumvale. You can read more about the White family in Pearcedale: Moments in history. George's enlistment papers list his address as Somerville.
Another welcome home party - this time for William Young and George White
Mornington Standard, March 22 1919 page 3
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65852345
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65852345
White, George Edward (SN 69382) George enlisted at the age of 18 on May 20 1918. He left for service overseas on November 2 1918 and it doesn't say when he returned. His parents, Thomas and Grace had an orchard, Plumvale. You can read more about the White family in Pearcedale: Moments in history. George's enlistment papers list his address as Somerville.
White, William (SN 5436) William was a 27 year old gardener and he enlisted on March 18, 1916. He and his wife, Sarah, lived at Bayview, Pearcedale. William was born in England and was granted leave from the Army between March and June 1919 to work on Mr A. White's farm, presumably a relative. He Returned to Australia on August 1, 1919.
Willis, Thomas William (SN 4045) Thomas was living in Tasmania when he enlisted on August 4, 1915, aged 18. He was born in Langwarrin. Thomas Returned to Australia on April 12, 1919.
Willis, Thomas William (SN 4045) Thomas was living in Tasmania when he enlisted on August 4, 1915, aged 18. He was born in Langwarrin. Thomas Returned to Australia on April 12, 1919.
Wisken, William (SN 985) William enlisted on July 3, 1915. He was 21 and his occupation was nursery hand. He Returned to Australia on September 9, 1916 for discharge due to 'adolescent insanity' he had previously been described as 'a simple childish boy'. I wonder what happened to him? William was the son of Henry and Rose Wisken who had arrived in Pearcedale on Boxing Day 1909 with their nine children of which William was the eldest. His brother George was President of the Pearcedale Cricket Club for 50 years and is the namesake of the George Wisken Memorial Oval (Source: Ian Wisken - from the book Pearcedale: Moments in history)
Young, Robert Charles (SN 3305) Robert enlisted on July 20, 1915 aged 23. He was a labourer and was a member of the Pearcedale Rifle Club. Robert was born at Mornington Junction, the original name for the town of Baxter. Robert Returned to Australia on April 13, 1919.
Young, William Hay (SN 1582) William enlisted on April 17, 1915 aged 28, he was an orchardist. William was Wounded in Action on two occasions and also gassed and consequently spent a lot of time in hospital when he was serving overseas. He Returned to Australia on January 14, 1919.
