Koo Wee Rup North State School's brave teachers

After the First World War the Education Department of Victoria published a book called The Education Department's Record of War Service 1914-1919. There were two teachers listed who had taught locally and they had both been at Koo Wee Rup North State School. By coincidence, both of them were awarded medals for bravery - Captain Frank McNamara received the Victoria Cross and Captain William Wilson received the Military Cross. There were 64 Victoria Cross medals and around 2,400 Military Cross medals awarded in the First World War. The Koo Wee Rup North State School opened in July 1894 and closed in November 1959.

What follows is the extract and the photos from The Education Department's Record of War Service 1914-1919 book on the two soldiers.*

Captain Frank H. McNamara, V.C

Captain McNamara was the son of Mr. F. McNamara of ‘Moondyne’, Royal Parade, Caulfield.  On 2nd August 1915, he was selected with seven other officers of the Permanent and Citizens Forces for the third course in Military Aeronautics at the Central Flying School at Point Cook.  Officers so trained were then due to be attached to the Indian Army for duty in Mesopotamia.  The Commonwealth, however, offered to form a complete squadron, and this offer was accepted by the Imperial Authorities.  The squadron was formed in January 1916, and it sailed on the Orsova on the 16th of March.  He disembarked at Egypt on 24th of April, and on the 28th of the same month proceeded to England for training.  He returned to Egypt on the 28th of August, and joined No.1 Squadron at Heliopolis.  On 21st of October, he joined the 67th Squadron at Kantara.  On 20th of March, 1917 he was wounded in action, and was evacuated to the hospital at Abbassia.  Later, he was promoted Captain and Flight Commander of the 71st Squadron, and served in Sinai and Palestine.  He returned to Australia as an invalid on the transport Boorara on the 27th of September.
Deed for which the Victoria Cross was awarded – ‘For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an aerial bomb attack upon a hostile construction train, when one of our pilots was forced to land behind the enemy’s lines.  Lieutenant McNamara, observing this pilot’s predicament and the fact that hostile cavalry was approaching, descended to his rescue.  He did this under heavy rifle-fire, and in spite of the fact that he himself had been severely wounded in the thigh.  He landed about 200 yards from the damaged machine, the pilot of which climbed on to Lieutenant McNamara’s machine, and an attempt was made to rise.  Owing, however, to his disabled leg, he was unable to keep his machine straight, and it turned over.  The two officers, having extricated themselves, immediately set fire to the machine, and made their way across to the damaged machine, which they succeeded in starting.  Finally, Lieutenant McNamara, although weak from loss of blood, flew this machine back to the aerodrome, a distance of 70 miles, thus completing his comrade’s rescue.’ Prior to enlisting, he was teaching at School No. 3198, North Koo-wee-rup.

Captain McNamara was the first Australian Airman to receive the Victoria Cross. He was born in Rushworth in 1894, the son of William McNamara and Rosanna O’Meara. He attended Shepparton Agricultural High School. In 1924 he married Hélène Marcelle Bluntschli of Brussels whom he had met in Egypt during the War and they had two children. After the War he served with the newly formed RAAF and was the Officer in Command at the Flight Training School at Point Cook and later at the RAAF base at Laverton. In World War Two he was promoted to Air Vice Marshall and, in 1942, moved to England where he worked with the RAF. Captain McNamara died in England in 1961. There is a bust of Frank McNamara in Rushworth and even though he only had a short connection to Koo Wee Rup, I am claiming him as Koo Wee Rup’s VC recipient!

Captain William G. Wilson, M.C
Killed in Action on 30th September, 1918. Captain W.G Wilson, M.C., late head teacher at Koo Wee Rup North. His widow, Mrs Lilias Wilson, lives at ‘Whroo’ Tooronga Road, East Malvern. William George Wilson was born on 19th September, 1882. He became a junior teacher at Moora South in 1901 and was head teacher at Lalbert Road from 1905 to 1908, then at Harrow till 1911 and at Koo Wee Rup North till 1912. He was an excellent teacher. In 1909, he received an official letter expressing the Director’s appreciation of the good work he was doing, and the success that had attended his well-directed and zealous efforts to secure the whole-hearted co-operation of parents and pupils. He enlisted in June 1915 and proceeded to camp early in July. After serving about six months and passing successfully through the Officers’ Training School, he obtained his commission. He embarked for Egypt on the 7th of March,1916. After spending some four or five months in Egypt, he embarked for England on the 29th of July 1916, going through France. He was Instructing Officer in the 14th Training Battalion for some time, and was chosen with other Australian officers to attend a three weeks’ course at Chelsea Barracks, London.  He passed the examinations successfully. On the 4th of November he embarked for France and was serving on the Somme some months when he contracted trench fever. After two weeks in hospital, he again rejoined his Company, and was in the line till the 24th March, when he crossed to England and was in hospital for four weeks, suffering from another attack of trench fever. Until the 4th of November, 1917 he remained in England, training and embarking reinforcements for France. On that date he again returned to France and was there in the line for a few weeks until he was prompted Captain (28h November).  He remained in line as officer in command of A Company. On 28th July 1918 he led his company so successfully through an engagement that he was awarded the Military Cross. The following is an account in the London Gazette of the deed for which he was awarded the Military Cross - ‘For conspicuous gallantry and initiative. He led his company forward during an attack with great judgement and skill, under heavy fire. Though there was a gap of several yards between his flank and the unit on his left, he pushed on and reached the objective with very small casualties. His courage and splendid example of determination materially contributed to the success of the operation’.

Captain Wilson had married Lilias McLennan in 1907 and they had four children, James (b. 1908, Roy (1909), Marie (1911) and Kenneth (1913), so when William was Killed in Action in France, Lilias was left a widow with four children aged from five to 10 years old.

*I am indebted to Polly Freeman, of the Cranbourne Shire Historical Society for bringing these two men to my attention.

Cardinia tree plantation in honor of local soldiers

On Arbor Day, July 6, 1917 trees were planted at the Cardinia State School, in honor of the boys of this district who have responded nobly to the country's call. These weren't the only trees planted on this day in honor of  local soldiers, a grove was also planted at Tynong State School, you can read about that, here.

The event was reported in the South Bourke and Morningon Journal on July 19, 1917.

South Bourke and Mornington Journal  July 19, 1917

 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66192418

Here is the transcript of the article - At the invitation of the head teacher, Mr Sumpton, a most enthusiastic gathering of residents of Cardinia met at the school on Arbor Day, 6th July, for the purposes of planting trees in honor of the boys of this district who have responded nobly to the country's call. Before adjourning to the grounds, the visitors had the pleasure of listening to very interesting and instructive speeches  on the cultivation of trees by Mr Duff (Chairman),  Rev F. Betchers, Messrs Simpson Hill and Walter Moxon, also some fine essays from the school children, which indicated that have been educated in the national importance of trees. Anzac trees and shrubs were planted in honor of the following soldiers.... [See list below].....Sumptous refreshments were provided by the ladies and a very pleasant afternoon was brought to a close with the singing of the National Anthem.

Here are the soldiers, who were honoured with  a tree. I have listed their Service Numbers (SN) so you can look up their full record on the National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au  Some of these soldiers have  a Clyde address, as it does appear that, early on, Clyde and Cardinia were used interchangeably for the same area. 

Allars, Sydney George  (SN 816)   

Allars, William Stanley (SN 817)
Sydney and William both enlisted on January 29, 1916. Sydney was 22 and William was 19. They were both farm labourers. Sydney Returned to Australia December 21, 1918 and William Died of Wounds received, whilst fighting in France, on  May 2, 1917.  The boys were the sons of Alfred Charles and Emily (nee Osment) Allars of Clyde.

Andrews, Cecil (SN 2123)  Cecil was a 26 year old farmer when he enlisted on May 1, 1916. His address on the Embarkation Roll was Dalmore and his next of kin was his mother, Emily, of Mordialloc. Cecil was Killed in Action in France on October 16, 1917.  I have written more about Cecil on my post on Dalmore soldiers, here.

Bell, Thomas Stanley (SN 3773) Thomas was a 23 year old labourer when he enlisted on August 12, 1915. His next of kin was his mother, Mary Ann Bell, whose address was St Germains, Clyde. A notation on his file said that his father was 'not recognized'. Thomas Returned to Australia October 18, 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds in January 1918 - Gun shot wound to the thorax.

Conroy, John Patrick (SN 1123 and  2146)  John wasn't honoured with a tree but he was mentioned in the article below (between the entries for Dudley Hill and Charles Hobart, or read the article here) when his family members received an 'illuminated certificate' at a ceremony to honor Cardinia soldiers - so we will include him in this post.  John was a 32 year old Railway Repairer when he enlisted on September 28, 1914. His next of kin was his sister, Johanna Conroy, of Cranbourne. John was wounded at Gallipoli in April 1915 and was sent back to Australia, then re-enlisted and was sent back overseas and arrived in England in September 1916.  He was Killed in Action in France on September 26, 1917.

John Conroy wrote this letter to his sisters and it was published in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal, June 24 1915.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66187929#

Duff, Charles Alexander (SN 859 and 237)  Charles enlisted on May 31, 1915 at the age of 19, then returned to Australia because of illness and the enlisted again May 16, 1916 when he was 20. Charles was Killed in Action in Belgium June 8, 1917.
Duff, William Vere Hobart (SN 860)  William enlisted on January 6, 1916 aged 23. His next of kin was his wife, Brenda, of East Malvern. William Returned to Australia on January 10, 1918.
Charles and William were the sons of  William Tucker Duff and Alice Laura Constance Beauchamp Hobart to give her her full name. Alice  (born 1867) was the daughter of  Charles and Rhoda (nee Withers) Hobart and thus the sister of  Charles Hobart, listed below.
The boys were also the  grandsons of the Reverend Alexander Duff and his wife, Annie Tucker.  Another son of the Reverend Duff, Walter, married Eva Sharp, who I assume is connected to Henry Sharp, listed below, possibly his aunty.  You can read more about the Duff family in the information about Henry Sharp, listed below. 

Duggan, Raymond Stacey (SN 409) Raymond enlisted on May 16, 1916, he was a 26 year old farmer and his address was Tooradin. Whist he was still overseas he married Violet Foster in England in September 1918. Raymond Returned to Australia August 8, 1919.

Hardy,  Horace Robert (SN 19995)   Horace enlisted on June 20, 1917 at the age of 21. He Returned to Australia July 13, 1919. Horace was the son of William John Hardy (c. 1855 - 1940) and  Sophia Wells Cadd (1856 - 1919) of Dalmore. His paternal grandparents, Emling and Emily (nee Gregory) Hardy took up land at Clyde North in 1856 - Hardy Road is named after the family. His maternal grandparents were Thomas and Sarah (nee Wells) Cadd who took up land at Clyde in 1862.

Henry, Alexander St Leger  (SN 5574)  Alexander enlisted on August 31, 1915 at the age of 23. He was a grazier and his next of kin was his father, John, of Pakenham. Alexander Returned to Australia May 20 1919. Alexander was the son of John and Vinie (nee Forrest also called Levina and Lavinia) Henry.  They had the property, Doneraille, at Pakenham. You can read John's obituary which includes a bit of family history, here.  John Henry was the son of Robert Henry who had the Cardinia Creek No.1 run of 5,120 acres from October 1842 until May 1851. You can read about the family here

Death notice of Alexander's grandfather, Robert Henry in The Argus April 19, 1873.

Hill, Graham John Dudley Bowman (SN 1574)   Looking at the article below, it appears that this man was known as Dudley, so that's what we will call him.  Dudley enlisted on September 6, 1915. He was  a 22 year old farmer and he Returned to Australia March 9, 1919. Dudley was granted a Soldier Settlement farm after the War, you can read his file here, on the Battle to Farm website. Dudley was the son of Cr Simpson Hill, mentioned in the article at the start of this post.
Cr Simpson Hill had two sons who went to war  and both had their address as Dalmore. The younger son, Arthur aged 18, enlisted on  June 11, 1918. Arthur's full name Arthur George Leonard Curnow Hill (SN 61869). He was sent overseas to England, but was not involved in any fighting and Returned to Australia September 22, 1919.
As a matter of interest, Cr Simpson Hill had also enlisted. His Service Number was  V21471 and he enlisted on February 16, 1916. His next of kin was naturally his wife, Charlotte. His occupation was Engine driver/Engineer. He was discharged on June 22, 1916 as he was unfit for service. He stated his age on enlistment as 44, but a notation on the file says 'is obviously very much over age' and lists his age as 56!

This article from August 1, 1918 reports on the very large gathering at

Cardinia on Thursday, July 18, the occasion being a welcome home and presentation of inscribed gold medals, gift of the residents of Cardinia, to three returned soldiers, who had  enlisted from this district, and illuminated certificates presented by the Cranbourne shire, to these and relatives of those who are still on active service. 

South Bourke and Mornington Journal August 1, 1918

Read the full article here - https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66194429

Hobart, Charles Guy (SN 2424) Charles was 35 when he enlisted on June 5, 1916. His occupation was farmer but his address was East Malvern and his wife, Ann, who was his next of kin lived at Northcote. Charles is listed in the Electoral Roll at Clyde in 1909. Charles (born 1881) was the son of  Charles and Rhoda (nee Withers) Hobart and he is the uncle of Charles and William Duff, listed above.  Returned to Australia February 19, 1919.  

Lecky, James Alexander (SN 19922)  James enlisted on February 25, 1916 at the age of 25. He died of 'wounds  received in action' in France on November 14, 1918. The wound was a gun shot wound to the chest, which he sustained on October 25 1918.
Lecky, William Mervyn  (SN 6612) William enlisted on June 15, 1915 aged 20. He was killed in Action in France on September 1, 1918.
James and William were the sons of James Lecky of Cardinia Park in Officer. James (1841 to 1939) was a Cranbourne Shire Councillor from 1876 until 1905.  Their grandfather, also James (1802 to 1884) had taken up the Gin Gin Bean Run (later named Cardinia Park) at Officer in 1846 and he was a member of the Cranbourne Road Board and the Cranbourne Shire from 1860 until 1881.  Lecky Road in Officer/Pakenham  is named for the family. James and William are also listed on the Cranbourne Presbyterian Church Honor Board.

Lee, W  Not sure who this is. The book 'Look to the Rising Sun:  a history of Cardinia and District' by Eileen Williams and Jewel Beard lists a Bill Lee, who had  a sheep property and was known as Cocky Lee. The booklet 'A Clyde History' by John Campbell lists a  Lee as owning land in Muddy Gates Lanes. Then the Electoral Roll for 1914 has Harry and Gertrude May Lees at Clyde. So is W. Lee the William Lee known as Cocky Lee? Or Cocky Lee's son? Is William Lee the same Lee as the land owner from Muddy Gates Lane? Is William Lee connected to Harry Lees and the paper made a mistake with the spelling of the surname?  Many questions, but I have no answers

Moxon, Albert (SN 3342) Albert was 23 when he enlisted in July 7, 1915. Albert Returned to Australia September 27, 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds in the December due to  a fractured left ankle.

Moxon, George William (SN 2726) George enlisted on September 1, 1916 at the age of 22. George Returned to Australia July 24, 1919.
Albert and George were both farmers and had been born in Warrnambool. Their next of kin was their father, George, who in 1915, when Albert enlisted, had his address as Clyde. In 1916 when George enlisted the father's address was Chelsea.

Osborne, E.O  I am not sure who this is.  I can't find an E.O Osborne/Osborn or an E. C Osborne/Osborn or even an E.U Osborne/Osborn who enlisted. There is a Henry Houston Osborne listed in the Electoral Roll at Clyde from 1912 to 1926. His occupation was farm manager. There was a James Osborne - farmer, also listed at Clyde from 1912 to 1918. They were brothers - James died 1918 aged 59 and Henry died 1944 aged 84 - the sons of James and Esther (nee Houston) Osborne. According to James' death notice he wasn't married and had no children.  Henry married Leila Caroline Kennedy in 1895 - but can't find any record that they had children - and she was 35 when they married - so I don't believe that E.O Osborne is their child. As a matter of interest Henry served in the Boer War in the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles, he was a Lieutenant.  I feel that E.O Osborne is somehow connected to Henry or James but I don't know how - maybe a nephew.

Patterson, Alexander Twigg.  Captain Alexander Patterson enlisted on March 27, 1916. His next of kin was his mother, Elizabeth, of Mary Street in Hawthorn. He was nearly 27 years old and was already a member of the Military Forces of the Commonwealth, having joined in August 1910. He Returned to Australia July 26, 1919. After the War he  lived at Bondoola, near Yeppoon and Rockhampton in Queensland.  Alexander Twigg Patterson was the son of Alexander David Patterson and his wife, Elizabeth Harvey Twigg, who were married in April 1886 - the wedding notice is below. Alexander David Patterson (1858 - 1920)  was the son of Alexander Patterson (1813 - 1896) and Marion McMurtrie (1816 - 1889). This Alexander Patterson is considered to be the 'father of modern Cranbourne'  and took up the St Germains Estate in 1850.

The wedding notice of Alexander's parents from The Argus May 1, 1886

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article6094185

Reeves, Albert Reginald (SN 629) I believe that this is Albert Reginald Reeves as he is the only A.R Reeves I can find who enlisted. Albert was farm labourer, so could have worked on a local farm, but I can't find  a specific local connection.  He enlisted on July 20, 1915 at the age of one month off 23 years of age. He was born in Essex in England and his next of kin was his father, who also lived in Essex. Albert Returned to Australia on April 19, 1919. Albert is also listed on the Cranbourne Presbyterian Church Honor Board.

Sharp, Henry James Duff (SN 5629) Although listed as G. Sharp in the newspaper article I believe Henry is the correct person. Henry was born at Clyde, attended Clyde North State School and was  the son of Henry Clark Sharp, who was a Cranbourne Shire Councillor from 1898 to 1903. Henry Senior and Junior were both living in New South Wales when Henry Junior enlisted on January 16, 1916 at  the age if 25. He was an Accountant. Henry was Killed in Action in France on February 28, 1917.  Henry's mother was Emily Eva Duff (1859 - 1938) she was the daughter of  Robert Duff and his wife Margaret, who was also a Duff. Robert and Margaret operated the Cranbourne Inn, in Cranbourne, from around 1860. In 1861 Robert died and Margaret married Edward Tucker and they ran the Hotel. Robert Duff was the brother of the Reverend Alexander Duff. You can read about the Duff and Tucker families, here.

Smith, Bruce (SN 408) 

Smith, Hugh Carruthers (SN 405)  Bruce and Hugh both enlisted on enlisted on March 6, 1916, Bruce was 27 and Hugh was 28. Bruce was a Dairy Produce Merchant and Hugh was a farmer.  Bruce Returned to Australia July 27 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds suffering from chronic pleurisy. Hugh Returned to Australia June 12, 1919. The boys were born at Devenish to Frank Smith and Mary Doolan, their father had died at the time of their enlistment, so their mother, Mary, was their next of kin and her address was Clyde.

Sumpton, Henry (SN 1827) Mr Sumpton, the Head Teacher at Cardinia State School who organised the planting of the trees had also served in the War. He was 21 when he enlisted on December 22, 1914. His next of kin was his mother who lived in Moreland. Henry was at Gallipoli and he caught Typhoid, also called Enteric fever. He Returned to Australia January 3 1916 and was discharged on medical grounds in May 1916. He then took up his appointment at the Cardinia School, however died tragically in a house fire on September 9, 1917 at the age of 23. Henry boarded with Mrs Caroline Jackson of Cardinia and the Inquest found that a kerosene lamp was 'upset', this caused the lamp to explode and the room (lined with hessian and paper) caught fire and spread to the entire house which was destroyed. It was found that Henry died of suffocation and burns received in the fire. A report in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal of September 20, 1917 had this to say about Henry -  He was highly respected by parents and scholars, and the children loved him. His amiable and generous disposition was appreciated by all with whom he came in contact and his many friends mourn their loss. 

Wall, Arthur Herbert (SN - nil) Arthur enlisted on June 3, 1916 at the age of 23 and he died of meningitis on July 14, 1916 whilst still in training camp. Arthur was born in Wunghnu near Shepparton, his next of kin was his father, Charles and his address was 'Royston', Clyde.

South Bourke and Mornington Journal July 20, 1916

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66190248

Wenn, Percival James  (SN 340)  Percy enlisted on April 28, 1916 at the age of 25. He was born in Cardinia, lived in Cardinia (he was a farmer) and his next of kin was his father, John, also of Cardinia. Percy Returned to Australia April 1, 1919 and was discharged on medical grounds in June 1919 - he had suffered  a gun shot wound to the right eye. Percy's father, John, had arrived in the district in the 1860s and is the source of the name, Wenn Road. You can read his father's obituary from the South Bourke and Mornington Journal here. Percy's mother, Jane, also came from an old local family. Jane was the daughter of Anthony and Sophia (nee Cadd) Ridgway, who arrived in Cardinia in the early 1850s. 

Woods, William (SN 2728) William was 21 and  a farm labourer, when he enlisted on May 9, 1916. His address was care of William Hardy of Dalmore. His next of kin was his grandmother, Mary Woods, of Maribyrnong. He Returned to Australia January 25, 1919.  William also served in the Second World War, he enlisted at the age of  45 in January 1941 and was discharged in March 1944. William was granted a Soldier Settlement farm at Werrimull, south of Mildura, after the Great War and was living in Mildura when he enlisted in 1941. You can read his Soldier Settler file, here.