Monday, December 21, 2020

Letter from Cairo from Bruce Forsyth, 1915

On April 15, 1915 Bruce Forsyth, of Iona, wrote a letter from Cairo to his parents. Robert Bruce Forsyth (SN 203) was a 23 year farmer when he enlisted on August 18, 1914. Captain Forsyth was twice Mentioned in Despatches and was also awarded the Military Cross. He Returned to Australia November 6, 1918. Bruce had a Soldier Settler farm near Alexandra, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here. He married Amy Williams in 1920 and died in 1980, aged 88.

The Bunyip Free Press of May 27 1915, published Bruce's letter.
Letter from a Bunyip Soldier.
The following letter has just been received by Mr. and Mrs. W. Forsyth, of Iona, from their son Bruce, who is in Egypt with the First Expeditionary Force: -

Mena Camp, Cairo, 
15th April, 1915.
Dear Mother and Father,—
I received your over-welcome letters yesterday, dated 16th March, and was glad to hear you were all well. You said you heard the first contingent had left Egypt. Well, the infantry and one squad of light horse have gone but we don't know where to. There are only A and B squadrons of the light horse left here now. We are, unluckily, the last ones to shift.

Last Tuesday my mate and I took a trip to the Citadel and also went all through the Mosques, they are marvellous places. We had a guide to show us through them. There are several Mosques around the Citadel all fixed up inside as places of worship. The brother, sister and parents of the present Sultan, also the man who built the Mosque, are buried in them, and they have lovely tombs. We had to put on a pair of slippers they gave us before we were allowed to enter, as they say it is holy ground. 

There were natives kneeling around every where, rubbing their noses on the ground; and going through all kinds of forms. There are large fountains inside where the people have to wash three times before they pray. It was here Napoleon fired on those mosques from the citadel, and there are great lumps of masonry knocked out of the walls, and also one big cannon ball still wedged in the wall where it struck. There are also holes in the door going up to the citadel. One door in one of these places cost half a million pounds, and is made of gold and silver. 


The Citadel in Cairo, as Bruce would have seen it.
Image dated c. 1914-1918. State Library of Victoria Image H99.166/305

The Citadel is full of wounded Indian soldiers from the front. We went in and saw them. Now that the others are gone we get a very easy time of it, mostly just exercising our horses, and we are getting quite lazy. 

All the chaplains have gone with the infantry, so our Colonel holds the service on Sunday mornings. He is a good speaker and is well liked. Well, I think I've told you all the news for this time. Remember me to all my friends. I was very sorry to hear of "Bill " Sullivan's death."

Your ever affectionate son,
R. B. FORSYTH.


The letter is edited, you can read the original, here

Letter from Egypt from Charles Ware, 1915

The Lang Lang Guardian of March 15, 1915 published the following letter from Charles Ware of Yallock.

Soldier's Letter
The following are interesting extracts from letters received by his people from Pte. Chas. Ware, late of Yallock, dated from Egypt, Jan 24: 
Do not worry about me, as I will be all right. I've got my chance to take like the rest, but I hope to get home again safe. I don't think any one could die for a better cause, and l'm willing to do my little bit as soon as they want me. I hear the boys in Australia are enlisting well. There are a lot of new lots coming forward. We are here just six weeks tomorrow, so we are used to the place now. The sand is crook, though, for drill, I have not done any drill now for a month, as I've been on light duties owing to having my stay in the hospital.

I've written nearly fifty letters since I've been here, so I am expecting a big mail. I was as pleased as if I were home when I got your letter last night, but I hope this time next year to be back again with you all. If you have any papers send them along, as we never get anything here to write about. I went in to Heliopolis on Saturday night and had my photo taken in a group. I had three of my old mates with me. I sent you five of my p.c. in my last letter. You can see I'm not looking to bad on it. I think I put in most of my time writing letters.


Heliopolis, where Charles had his photo taken in January 1915.
Heliopolis - Avenue des Pyramides, c. 1915. State Library of Victoria Image H99.166/308

I am sick of Cairo. I don't go out much of week nights. I hope we get a shift before long, as this is very little good here as far as the safety of the soldier is concerned, as Cairo is the worst place on earth. I had a walk about yesterday, and went over to see the Virgin Tree and the Holy Well. It was lovely to see. First of all I went to the R.C. Church, which is supposed to be the first Church the Virgin Mary went into, after leaving Jerusalem, I am also sending you the piece of wood I cut off the tree.

I saw young Bob Gray from Lang Lang. He is camped in with Frank McGrath. He's a big fellow, too. I've met dozens of the boys here. They do a lot of heavy drill now, with full packs up and our rifle too. It weighs about 60lbs, and it's pretty crook carrying it all day. (
Lang Lang Guardian March 15, 1915 see here)

Charles William Francis Ware (SN 3285a)  enlisted at the age of 23 on July 27, 1915. He was employed on the Railways. He suffered a severe gun shot wound to his right buttock and Returned to Australia on March 17, 1917 and was discharged for medical reasons on July 9, 1917. He was born at Nyora, and his next of kin was his mother Mrs Christina Wilson Ware who lived at Kongwak.   His father was Charles Joseph Ware. After the War, Charles took up a Soldier Settler farm at Kernot. You can read about this on the Battle to Farm website, here. Charles married Elsie Priest in a pretty wedding at St Mary's Ararat on March 4, 1919. Elsie wore ivory silk, trimmed with silk lace. They honeymooned in Lakes Entrance. You can read a lovely report of the wedding in The Advocate of March 15, 1919, here. Charles is listed on the Yallock Honor Roll, see here and he died in 1944, aged 61. 

Charles mentions 'Bob Gray from Lang Lang' - this is Robert John Gray (SN 1478). Robert enlisted at the age of 18 on August 14, 1915. He survived the War and Returned to Australia June 15, 1919. The Frank McGrath mentioned is possibly Francis Edmund McGrath (SN 1178), born in Poowong and who lived at Woodleigh.  Frank enlisted at the age of 20 on June 8, 1915. He died of wounds at Beersheba on October 30, 1917, a long way from Gippsland. 

Sunday, November 29, 2020

Tommy Atkins Fund

Late in 1899, during the time of the Boer or South African War, people in Australia began raising money for the Tommy Atkins Fund. Tommy Atkins was generic name for the brave British soldier. There is an interesting account of the origin of the term, which is said to have been suggested by the Duke of Wellington, here on the Historic UK website. The Fund was for the relief of the wives and children of the British soldiers killed in the War. 

Australians took up the fund raising with gusto and partiotic concerts were held in towns and local Councils also contributed. The Shire of Berwick was especially enthusiastic. At their meeting held on Janaury 13, 1900 they had a whip around and raised eighteen shillings. At a Council meeting on February 10 the President, Cr. Vieusseux, moved and Cr. Barr seconded, "That a sum of £37 based on 6d. per assessment throughout the shire, be voted towards the funds now being collected, in the following proportions: Patriotic Fund, £15; the Bushmen's Corps, £15; and the Tommy Atkins Fund, £7 14/." The motion was carried with the utmost enthusiasm, the councillors rising from their seats and calling for three cheers for the Queen and the Empire. The president initiated a local subscription for the Patriotic fund, and the sum of £10 3/ was subscribed by the officers and the councillors. It is intended to hold a public meeting in Berwick on Friday evening next to further augment the subscription lists (1).

The Patriotic Fund was to support  dependents of soldiers from Australia who may fall or be wounded during the South African campaign (2). The Bushmen's Corps or Fund was to raise money to send a contingent of troops or bushmen from Australia to South Africa (3).

The Shire of Berwick also organised a concert to raise money for these causes, to be held on February 16, 1900 at the Rechabite Hall in High Street, Berwick.


Advertisement for the Patriotic concert
South Bourke & Mornington Journal February 14, 1900 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/70045327

As you can see by the advertisment the Tommy Atkins Fund was to help the home that Tommy's left behind. This was a line from a song by Rudyard Kipling, The Absent-Minded Beggar. It was set to music by Sir Arthur Sullivan (the Sullivan of Gilbert and Sullivan fame). The song is very 'nationalistic' or patriotic but it is a product of it's time. It really is a tribute to the British soldier, Tommy Atkins, who volunteers to fight for his country and the need to support his family left behind. You can read story of the song and see the full lyrics here on the Gilbert and Sullivan Archive website, but here is one verse to give you an idea of the song -

There are families by the thousands, far too proud to beg or speak:
And they'll put their sticks and bedding up the spout,
And they'll live on half o' nothing paid 'em punctual once a week,
'Cause the man that earned the wage is ordered out.
He's an absent-minded beggar, but he heard his country's call,
And his reg'ment didn't need to send to find him;
He chucked his job and joined it - so the task before us all
Is to help the home that Tommy's left behind him!

The Berwick concert was a most brilliant success (4) and altogether a total of above £37 was raised, a very creditable sum....During the singing of "The Absent minded Beggar" by Mr. T Bergin the sum of £4/19/7 was collected. At the close of the entertainment Mr. F Barr offered a donation of £5., conditionally that another £5 be collected. The condition was fulfilled almost immediately (5).

Mr Bergin repeated his performance of The Absent Minded Beggar at a concert held at Pakenham on February 23, 1900. A sum of £27/10 was raised, £7 of which was contributed during Mr Bergin's song. You can read a full report of the concert, here (6). The Absent Minded Beggar song would have been familiar to most of the concert goers, with the lyrics well circulated. At a concert at Upper Beaconsfield held on February 10, copies of this song, provided by the Cameo Cigarette Company, were distributed, and the chorus was taken up enthusiastically by the audience (7)

Another concert at Berwick was held on Friday, March 2 1900. The locals knew what to expect as nearly all the artists from the first concert were scheduled to appear again - Miss Perry, Miss L. Perry, Miss Mauger, Miss Rankine, Miss E. Taylor, Miss Searle, Miss G. Taylor, Miss A. Hands, Mr. Bergin, Mr. Latta, Mr. Robt. Young, Mr. H. Perry, Mr. G. Perry, Mr. Colvin, and Mr. Edgar Latta. As the South Bourke & Mornington Journal said they were truly a great combination of talent (8).

Over all the Shire raised over £200 for these three causes. The South Bourke & Mornington Journal reported the district must be well satisfied at the result achieved. Over £200 is an amount worthy the reputation of the shire, and, if the adjacent municipalities subscribe similar of amounts, it will draw attention to this portion of the colony for its loyalty and generosity. In addition to the following list, the outlying portions of the shire did their part towards swelling the grand total; Beaconsfield contributing £20 and Gembrook £11 11s. 6d.; whilst nearer home. Pakenham raised £24, and Narre Warren £19 (9). The bulk of the money went to the Patriotic Fund, £17 to the Bushmens Fund and over £13 to the Tommy Atkins Fund. You can read the full break-up of the amounts raised here.

Other reports of local concerts to held to raise money for the Tommy Atkins fund where The Absent Minded Beggar was sung were held at Cranbourne, Lang Lang and Lyndhurst.



Concerts at Cranbourne and Lang Lang.

 

Patriotic Concert held at Lyndhurst, where Miss Connie Martyn 
sung The Absent Minded Beggar.

Trove list
I have created a list of articles relating to find raising for the Tommy Atkins Fund in the Casey Cardinia region, access it here. All articles referred to here are on the list.

Footnotes
(1) The Age February 13, 1900, see here.
(2) The Argus, January 3, 1900, see here. There is also a good overview of the Tommy Atkins Fund in The Age, December 20, 1899, see here.
(3) The Age January 4, 1900, see here and The Age, January 6, 1900, see here.
(4) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, February 28, 1900, see here.
(5) The Argus February 19, 1900, see here.
(6) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, March 7, 1900 see here.
(7) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, February 14, 1900, see here.
(8) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, February 28, 1900, see here.
(9) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, March 14, 1900, see here.

Monday, November 9, 2020

The Poppy: a symbol of remembrance and gratitude

The Poppy was first sold to commemorate Remembrance Day or Armistice Day - November the 11th - in 1921. They were made by the orphaned school children in France (1). It was estimated that over 9,000 French children were orphaned due to the War (2)The poppy was adopted because during the First World War, red poppies were among the first plants to spring up in the devastated battlefields of northern France and Belgium. In soldiers' folklore, the vivid red of the poppy came from the blood of their comrades soaking the ground (3).

The sight of poppies on the battlefield at Ypres in 1915 moved Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, to write the beautiful poem In Flanders field  - 

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae died of pneumonia and meningitis in France on January 28, 1918. You can read more about his life on the Veterans Affairs Canada website, here.


Souvenir of France. Postcard, dated September 23, 1916,  written from 
son Tom to father Mr J. O'Halloran, North Castlemaine.
State Library of Victoria Image H41582

This is a report from The Herald of November 11, 1921 of selling of the poppies in Melbourne for the first time (4). 

The Poppy's Appeal - City Red with emblems - Remembrance and Gratitude
The Poppy, the universal memorial flower for the Allied fallen soldiers, reigned supreme today. More than 300 ladies sold the little silk emblems which had been made by the orphaned school children of Flanders, in the regions desolated by the war, throughout the city streets, for the Poppy Day Appeal. Melbourne, having honored the Dead, remembered, the orphaned children. The occasion was a day of solemnity. It was the most subdued street appeal which has been seen here. Women workers of the Alfred Hospital Auxiliary, under the leadership of Mrs James Angus, had a stall in Queen's Walk, and the volunteer staff of the Anzac Buffet also gave help. The six kiosks in the city, under the supervision of Mrs McMillan, Mrs Deakin, Mrs Herbert Brookes, and Mrs Collins, displayed practically nothing but floral emblems. Stationery, in the form of writing pads, calendars and Christmas cards, all bearling the red decoration, were also sold. But tomorrow the street cleaners will have little work to do in restoring the condition of the city to its usual standard. There will be very little rubbish left strewn about on the road ways and footpaths.
Buyers Eager
Mr A. M. David, secretary of the Victorian branch of the Returned Sailors and Soldiers' Imperial  League of Australia, who is acting as organising secretary, of the Poppy Day Appeal, said this morning that he expected all the 250,000 silk poppies of the smaller size would be sold during the day. One lady from Albert Park had returned her collecting box filled at ten this morning, and had taken away another. The larger flowers, for which 2/6 was demanded by the voluntary sellers, had been eagerly sought after, and though their number ran well into four figures, very few of them, were left on hand before noon. Many of these had arrived from Flanders made up into the form of crosses and wreaths, large and small, and it was hoped that generous sympathisers would buy them with £5 notes. The star attraction was a large aeroplane model which had been decorated with those larger poppies by Mrs Jocelyn, of the Anzac House staff. It was hoped that this would bring in many pounds to the fund, of which 50 per cent, will be sent to France to succor the orphans of French soldiers, and 50 per cent., less 10 per cent., will be devoted to the fund for the Anzac House Memorial Building. The balance will be given to the sub-branches of the R.S.S.I.L., which have undertaken to soil poppies in the country.
Business at Its Best
When the congregations poured out of the many city churches, after the Armistice Day services, business at the kiosks was at its best. Buying a poppy at a kiosk - and most of those sold there were of the larger size - seemed to be part of the devotion to the fallen. The lighter vein was seldom noticed. The organisers had many offers of help from musical parties, willing to sing and give "stunts" in the streets, but in view of the day's commemoration it was very wisely considered undesirable to encourage any theatrical displays. Tonight the boxes containing money will be counted at the National Bank, but Mr David wants to point out that those who have been unable to leave their homes today, or have passed the time in quiet contemplation, may still send their donations to his Poppy Day Appeal office, in the basement of the Town Hall.

Footnotes
(1) The Herald, November 11, 1921, see here.
(2) Some of these orphan made their way to Australia, read about this here https://sjmc.gov.au/french-orphans-who-came-to-australia/ 
(4) The Herald, November 11, 1921, see here.

Thursday, October 8, 2020

World War Two soldiers with a connection to Vervale

This post looks at the men who served in the Second World War (WW2) who have  a connection to Vervale. Vervale is a small town on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp between Cora Lynn and Iona. I grew up there on a potato farm, but even I will admit that calling Vervale a small town makes it sound so much grander than what it really is, which is a collection of paddocks. You can read more about Vervale here.

The World War Two Nominal Roll, see here, list fourteen men who have  a connection to Vervale, either through place of birth or residence on enlistment. Some of the World War Two records have been digitised by the National Archives of Australia, www.naa.gov.au

Burnett, John Thomas  (VX44163).  John enlisted in the Army in July 1940 and was discharged in October 1945. He was born in Garfield on December 28, 1916 and was the son of Thomas and Laura (nee Wheildon) Burnett. They are listed in the 1942 Electoral Roll, along with his brother Edgar, at Catani Road, Vervale. Catani Road is Pitt Road, the continuation of 13 Mile Road. The two boys are listed as labourers and Thomas as a Dairyman.  


John Thomas Burnett
National Archives of Australia
Second Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1939-1947


Costain, Colin Ramsey (V367934). Colin was born at Inverleigh on January 18, 1890. He enlisted in the Army in March 1942 and was discharged September 1945. His next of kin was his wife Edith (nee Jenkins). Colin was a farmer and they lived at Vervale. Colin's first wife Jessie, the mother of his two sons Ian and Ewen, died in December 1929.  His WW2 record has not been digitsed, so we don't have his photograph. Colin had also served in the First World War (SN 12267), having enlisted in July 1915. He Returned to Australia April 5, 1919.

Damon, John William Frederick (VX1471, V367967). John was born June 21, 1917  in Glen Iris to Henry and Mary (nee Bath) Damon. He enlisted twice in the Army and served from November 1939 to March 1940, then March 1942 to November 1943. His next of kin was his father, Henry, of Walker's Road, Vervale. John's WW2 record has not yet been digitised. In 1946, Mr Damon wrote a letter to the Shire of Berwick complaining about the state of Walker's Road, which had not had any maintenance since 1930, well before the War.


Mr Damon's letter to the Shire of Berwick complaining about his road.
Dandenong Journal, October 23, 1946  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214796083


Davies, Albert Maldon (V506952, VX148225). Albert was born on February 12, 1916. The Nominal Roll says he was born in Vervale and enlisted in February 1944. His service record says he enlisted in March 1942 and he was born in Vervale and on other pages his place of birth is listed as Nagambie. He was discharged in May 1945. His next of kin was his mother Evelyn and she lived at Vervale. Albert's occupation was listed as 'building's labourer.'


Albert Maldon Davies
National Archives of Australia
Second Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1939-1947


Evans, Rupert Buller  (VX23604, VX58804). Rupert was born December 26, 1901 at Whittlesea. He enlisted twice from June 1940 to March 1941, then from July 1941. Rupert was a Prisoner of War and died from illness on March 14, 1945 in Borneo. Rupert and his wife Pearl and family lived at Vervale.


Rupert Evan's death notice


Rupert Buller Evans
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1709438


Folks, Eric Baden (VX 58158, V7362)  Eric was born in Boonie Doon. He enlisted in July 1940 and was discharged July 1941 and then enlisted again June 1941 and was discharged January 1943. I don't understand why he enlisted twice or why there is a discrepency with the dates, however in July 1940 he put his birth date as May 25, 1900 and he said he was 40 and in June 1941 his date of birth was May 25, 1902 and he said he was 39 and a half. Eric was a farmer from Verale and his next of kin was his wife, Eveline.


Eric Baden Folks
National Archives of Australia
Second Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1939-1947


Green, William Alexis (VX104338, V42090).  William was born on June 26, 1897 at St James, and was a farmer at Vervale when he enlisted in July 1942. He was discharged in June 1943. He had also joined the Australian Military Force in 1921 and served for a number of years. His next of kin was his wife,  Margaret. 'Billy' Green was a handy footballer as well as being inventive, as this article, below, attests. William's WW2 record has not been digitsed, so we don't have his photograph.


William Green's invention


Land, Arthur Frederick Charles (VX25317). Arthur was born on October 29, 1905 in England. He enlisted June 1940. Arthur died in Ambon, Dutch East Indies of  illness on March 15, 1945. What was his connection to Vervale? The Nominal Roll has his locality on enlistment as Vervale. Arthur's WW2 record has not been digitsed, so we don't have his photograph and nor do we know his occupation at the time. Arthur's latest entry in the Electoral Roll was 1937 when he and his wife Kathleen were living in Cobden Street, Kew and his occupation was an agent, which seems an unlikey occupation for a chap who lived in rural Vervale. Kathleen is listed in the 1943 Electoral Roll at 12 Gordon Avenue, Kew, so I am wondering if the Vervale location in the Nominal Rolls is a mistake. We will find out when his record has been digitised.

Lennox, Keith (VX9720) Keith was born in Vervale on May 3, 1915. He enlisted in December 1939 and was discharged in August 1945. The Electoral Roll list his address as Cottonwood, Catani and his occupation as labourer.  Catani is just south of Vervale. Keith was the son of Robert and Eleanor (nee Forsyth) Lennox. His next of kin was his wife, Joyce, whom he married in 1942. Keith's WW2 record has not been digitsed, so we don't have his photograph.


Keith Lennox's send-off.
Dandenong Journal, February 7, 1940  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/216059623


Miller, Lindsay Francis (V285310). Lindsay was born in Yarram on June 20, 1922. He enlisted in Garfield in October 1941 and was discharged July 1944.  
Miller, Stanley (VX41895). Stanley was born on  March 20, 1911 also in Yarram. Stanley served from June 1940 until May 1943.
The boys were the sons of James Alfred Miller and his wife Maria May Wilson. In the 1949 Electoral Roll Lindsay and Stanley were both listed as farmers from Vervale; their parents address is 'Little Yannathan Drain, Iona'. Neither of the Miller brother's WW2 records have been digitised.

Sherwell, Benjamin Alex (V285314).  Benjamin was born at Tempy on April 11, 1922.  He was living at Vervale when he enlisted in October 1941 at Garfield and was discharged in November 1945. His next of kin was Robert Sherwell. In the 1937 and 1942 Electoral Rolls Robert George Sherwell has his address listed as 'off 13 Mile Road', Garfield.  Benjamin's WW2 record is another one that has not yet been digitised.

Stewart, James Gilbert (V42247). James was born in Vervale on October 17, 1918 and enlisted at Garfield in August 1940.    
Stewart, John  (V100332).  Johh was also born in Vervale on June 3, 1915 and enlisted in Leongatha in May 1941.
For some reason the Nominal Roll does not list either of the brother's discharge dates and their WW2 records have not been digitised. The 1942 Electoral Roll lists John at Catani Road, Vervale and James at Vervale. They are both farmers. Their next of kin when they enlisted was their father, Laurance Mouat Stewart. His address in the 1942 Electoral Roll was 13 Mile Road, Vervale, which as we know is also known as  Catani Road and Pitt Road.


Mr Laurance Stewart's death notice, listing his family of five girls and five boys.  His funeral was held at the Presbyterian Church at Iona.
The Argus October 16, 1956  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article84391851

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Casey Cardinia and the Boxer Rebellion connection

Do you have an ancestor who served in China during the Boxer Uprising? This little known part of our history is the subject of the book The Australian Illustrated Encyclopaedia of the Boxer Uprising, 1899-1901, by Justin Corfield (1).  The book includes maps, photographs, details of the major players and groups involved and for family historians, the biographical details on all the Australians who served in the Boxer Uprising.


What was the Boxer Uprising? Western Countries, especially France, Germany, Britain and the United States controlled most of the trade between China and the West at the end of the nineteenth century. Merchants from these countries also demanded land, the right to build railways and ‘extra territorial rights’ where they were subject only to the laws of their own country and not Chinese law. As a result, many Chinese joined anti European Secret Societies, including the violent I-ho-ch'uan (the Righteous and Harmonious Fists) who were named the Boxers by Western media. In 1899, the Boxers and other militant societies combined in a campaign against the Westerners, including merchants, Missionaries and westernised Chinese. 

In 1900 this uprising became more wide spread and nine Western nations responded by sending in warships and armed forces. Though Australian troops were largely involved in the Boer War in South Africa, the Australian Colonies sent Naval Contingents to China to support Britain. One hundred and ninety seven men came from Victoria, two hundred and sixty three from New South Wales and one hundred and three from South Australia. The first Australian contingents left at the end of July 1900. Many of the Australians were too late to take part in battle and instead had a role in restoring civil order, and they left China in March 1901 to return to Australia. No Australian was killed by enemy hand, although six died of illness or injury.

I have found a Casey Cardinia link in the book. Joseph Edward Hughes, who was born in 1861, was part of the Victorian Naval Contingent (2).  Joseph had married Elizabeth Anna McDonald in 1887 in Sydney. His occupation on his marriage certificate was ship's mate (3). The couple moved to Victoria where their children were born - Edward Dominick, 1889 and registered at Collingwood; Emma Augusta, 1890, Collingwood; Elizabeth Anna, 1892, Carlton; Joseph Edward, 1894, Koo Wee Rup;  Neil Alexander, 1896, Bunyip South (later called Iona) and George, 1900 in Surrey Hills, Melbourne (4)

In the 1890s, Australia was in a Depression, with up to thirty percent unemployment. Unemployment benefits were generally linked to Public Works schemes, one of which was the Village Settlement on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp. The aim of the Village Settlement was to stop people drifting to the City, allow them to receive an income and become self sufficient on their small farms. Under this Scheme, men could obtain employment with the Public Works Department, if they were married, registered as unemployed and accept a block of land of up to twenty acres (8 hectares). They had to work for wages for two weeks and undertake improvements on their block on the alternate two weeks. By August 1893, 265 men were employed by the Public Works Department.

Was Joseph Hughes one of these settlers? Certainly the time frame fits. He was a married man with children, so he fitted the demographic of the Village Settler. Two of his children were born on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp. By 1899 the Village Settlement Scheme was abandoned, and at least one third of the settlers had left the area, including the Hughes family. The most common reasons for leaving were the fact that twenty acres was not a sufficient size of land to support a family, there was no alternative employment and many settlers had no previous farming experience, such as Joseph Hughes, whose occupation is listed in the book as a painter. 


SS Chingtu, the ship which bought Joseph Hughes back to Australia from China in 1901.
Australian War Memorial Image A05054. Their caption is A parade on board SS Chingtu, returning from China in 1901 with the Australian contingents of the NSW Naval Brigade on board. Note the birds in the cages. The China Steam Navigation Company's SS Chingtu was Transport 105 for the voyage carrying the contingents back to Australia in 1901

The family had moved from the Swamp and were living in Surrey Hills in Melbourne in 1900 when Joseph enlisted. Did Joseph enlist from a sense of duty, a sense of adventure, the need for a secure pay packet or did he have a yearning to go to sea again? We don’t know and it may have been a combination of all these factors. He embarked for China on July 30, 1900 on the SS Salamis, his rank was Able Seaman,  and returned to Australia on the SS Chingtu on April 25, 1901 (5).  It then appears the family moved back to New South Wales and lived in another Surry Hills, this time in Sydney.  Joseph died at the age of 64 in 1925 and Elizabeth died  in 1921, aged 57. They are buried at Rookwood Cemetery in Sydney (6)

Joseph and Elizabeth’s sons Joseph and Neil enlisted in the First World War. Joseph was 23 when he enlisted in April 1918, but he was rejected on medical grounds due to acute rheumatism. His next of kin was his father, Joseph, of 565 Crown Street, Surry Hills, Sydney (7). His birthplace was listed as Bunyip, but as we saw before the birth was registered at Koo Wee Rup, because the first Registrar of Births and Deaths at the eastern end of the Swamp was not appointed until January 1, 1895 when James Pincott was appointed for Bunyip South (8)

Neil (service number 3322) enlisted in August 1915 at the age of 19, his birth place is listed as Bunyip and his next of kin was his father of the Crown Street address. In July 1916, Neil suffered a gunshot wound to the back and abdomen and  later returned to Australia and was medically discharged in November 1917 (9)

I do a lot of research and sometimes you are fortunate that you find a document that ties everything together, so I was pleased to find this letter written by Joseph senior in Neil's A.I.F file at the National Archives of Australia. The letter gives 19 year old Neil, born on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp at Bunyip South, permission to enlist and is signed by his father, Joseph Hughes and underneath he has written Late of the Naval brigade and China Naval Cont [Contingent].


Joseph Hughes' letter, giving his son permission to enlist, from Neil's A.I.F. file.
Image has been cropped. National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au 
First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920

Joseph Hughes and his family were only on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp for possibly four years, but he does give our region a link to the Boxer Rebellion in China.

Footnotes
(1) The Australian Illustrated Encyclopaedia of the Boxer Uprising, 1899-1901, by Justin Corfield (Slouch Hat Publications, 2001)
(2) Australian War Memorial Nominal Rolls -  https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1443019
(3) His marriage certificate is on-line on a family tree on Ancestry. They were married August 8, 1887. Joseph, who was 26,  was born in Monmouthshire, England (According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica on-line - see hereFrom the 16th to the early 20th century Monmouthshire was sometimes considered administratively a part of England and sometimes a part of Wales). His parents are George Hughes and Emily Maddox. Elizabeth, who was 24,  was born in Pyrmont, NSW to Neil McDonald and Annie Rebecca Baker. 
(4) I believe I have all the children correct - the information comes from the Index to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/
(5) Australian War Memorial Nominal Rolls -  https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1443019
(6) Ancestry Cemetery Headstone Transcriptions, 1837-2003
(7) National Archives of Australia, read his file, here.
(8) Victoria Government Gazette January 4, 1895. p. 1, see here.
(9) National Archives of Australia, read his file, here.

Thursday, September 10, 2020

Memorial to General Sir John Monash at Berwick

On January 26, 1932 The Herald published an article by Russell Grimwade (1) on the proposed memorial to General Sir John Monash, who had died on October 8, 1931. Monash was a civil engineer, a soldier and after the First World War  the General Manager of the State Electricity Commission, who established the power stations at Yallourn using the coal deposits (2).  In the 1920s Monash was broadly accepted, not just in Victoria, as the greatest living Australian (3) and thus shortly after his death the Monash Memorial Committee (4) was established to oversee the construction of a suitable memorial to him.

The Committee decided on a statue of Monash, on horseback, but Russell Grimwade, had a more innovative idea, as he wrote who in Victoria, resident or visitor, could pass along the Prince's Highway between Melbourne and Yallourn without being arrested and thrilled by a Monash column set on a suitable hill, say, near Berwick, and without being brought to an understanding of the benefits he has brought to this fair State? Russell Grimwade was a businessman and a partner in the firm Felton Grimwade. This firm was started by his father, Frederick Grimwade (5) and Alfred Felton (6).  They were manufacturers of drugs and later branched out into glass works and chemical works. Felton, is the 'Felton Bequest' person. He left a generous sum of money in trust, half of which was to support charities and the rest to be spent on works of art for the National Gallery.

Mr Grimwade's idea was supported by the artist, Daryl Lindsay (7) who said, inter alia, imagine a hilltop clearly visible from the Prince's Highway, carrying a memorial such as the Nelson Column in Trafalgar Square, built up on a simple base and topped by a dignified and symbolic figure of Monash against the skyline, surveying the vast tracts of country so materially assisted by him towards prosperity. Daryl Lindsay was an artist and the husband of Joan Lindsay (8), perhaps best known for her book, Picnic at Hanging Rock. 

The Monash Memorial was not built at Berwick, it was built in Kings Domain and as Daryl Lindsay said the Committee ended up deciding on an irrevocable plunge into mediocrity.  General Sir John Monash is remembered with Monash University and the Monash Freeway.


From a hill, looking south to Berwick. 
Would this have been a suitable site for the Monash Memorial?
This is the link to the photo at the SLV http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/451960 if you want a good copy so you an zoom in and see all the details.
Harvesting, Berwick, c. 1945-1954. Victorian Railways photographer. 
State Library of Victoria Image H91.50/2193

Russell Grimwade's article from The Herald of January 26, 1928 is reproduced below, or read it on Trove, here.

Monash Memory: a column set upon a hill - tribute to creative genius by Russell Grimwade.
The Monash Memorial Committee is confronted with a problem that has many solutions and one right one. The task is to perpetuate the memory of a rare citizen, whose gifts and abilities benefited his country in various ways. The choice of the particular benefit that is to serve as the theme of the memorial is narrowed by the early decision of the committee to make the memorial a State movement and not a Federal one.

His Gift To Australia
Surely that debars his military achievements from being the underlying theme for the monument now being conceived. His military talent was a gift to the whole of Australia, and is eternally recorded in the history of the Commonwealth in a manner of endurance that stone and bronze cannot surpass. According to the expressions of his friends, his success in war was accidental to his trained scientific thinking and his educated vocation of construction. Ethically-minded persons may consider it a needless perversion of right to choose a theme of destruction for a man of constructive mind when a unique opportunity for the latter is at hand.

A Great Opportunity
The choice of memorial is to be appropriate to the thoughts and acts of the hero. It is also desirable that it should reflect credit for all time on the discernment of its executors. The apparent predilection of the committee for an equestrian statue close to the Shrine is alarming in its orthodoxy, its commonplaceness and its failure to grasp the opportunity of recording in an original manner the constructive genius which our hero represents. Further, it does not strictly comply with the decision that this memorial should mark the appreciation of the people of Victoria of one of their outstanding sons.

Suez Canal Example
The world is dotted with equestrian statues of crusaders, monarchs and generals - crowded in their squares or palace yards, in different garb, but apparently on the same horse - until the passing stream of humanity accepts them with the apathy accorded to the lampposts or the fountains that support them. But who passes through the Suez Canal without thrilling to the welcome of Dr. Lesseps (9) and grasping his invitation to make use of his great work, and that without reading the lettering on the base?
And who in Victoria, resident or visitor, could pass along the Prince's Highway between Melbourne and Yallourn without being arrested and thrilled by a Monash column set on a suitable hill, say, near Berwick, and without being brought to an understanding of the benefits he has brought to this fair State?

The Master Brain
Sir John Monash may not have conceived the brown coal scheme. That may be to the credit of modest men who prefer to have others ask why a statue was not put up to them rather than why it was. But Sir John Monash's was the brain that carried the conception into effect against untold difficulties, that mastered them by choosing the men to master them, so that for all time the citizens of Victoria can live happier, cleaner, and less arduous lives.
Is it not easy to envisage such a monument in a commanding position in the most verdant part of our most verdant State, standing, away from the urbanities of our city and forming a focus of thought and attention that our young countryside so sorely lacks? Picture a chosen hill somewhere on the line of transmission wires about midway between his city and his great works crowned by a column with the figure of our hero in proper posture, surveying for all time the flow of material comfort to his fellow citizens.

The Contrast
Contrast this with the impossibility, of raising an equestrian statue above the standard of many that already exist, and picture it set beside the stupefying mass of masonry that is the Shrine, and then consider which would better perpetuate the memory of a great citizen.


Perhaps a hill on the south side of Berwick may have been suitable for the Monash Memorial. 
Panorama of Berwick, c. 1920-1954. Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. 
State Library of Victoria Image H32492/8433 http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/58617


This is Daryl Lindsay's letter published in The Herald, on January 28, 1932, read it on Trove, here.

Letter to the Editor - Monash Memorial: Mr Daryl Lindsay's Views
Sir, - Mr Russell Grimwade's thoughtful article on the proposed Monash memorial should stir the imagination of all thinking people in this State. His unconventional suggestion to place a memorial column at Berwick, or some other conspicuous point between Melbourne and Yallourn, is full of significance.

The idea contains an clement of greatness, lifting it right away from the usual commonplace conception of the corporate mind. Public committees, however well-intentioned, are not usually blessed with Mr Grimwade's ability to visualise exactly what the memorial is going to mean to Victoria in the future. The aesthetic value of an equestrian statue, even of artistic merit, would be automatically negatived by the clumsy bulk of the Shrine in close proximity.

In a few years the inconspicuous horseman would go to join the ranks or Melbourne's forgotten statuary. Imagine a hilltop clearly visible from the Prince's Highway, carrying a memorial such as the Nelson Column in Trafalgar Square, built up on a simple base and topped by a dignified and symbolic figure of Monash against the skyline, surveying the vast tracts of country so materially assisted by him towards prosperity - such a landmark would be noticed and inquired into by every passer-by.

Apart from any personal bias in favor of a civil rather than a military memorial, I feel very strongly as an artist the need to decentralise such public work of art as we possess. In Europe one is continually charmed by the variety of silhouette - a ruined castle, a statue, or a village spire breaking the monotony of nature's outline unrelieved by man.

Australian landscape is sadly lacking in such points of interest. Let us at least consider the suitability and beauty of Mr Grimwade's conception before deciding on an irrevocable plunge into mediocrity.
Yours, etc...
Daryl Lindsay, Frankston, Jan 27.

Footnotes
(1) Sir Wilfred Russell Grimwade (1879-1955). Read his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, here.
(2) Sir John Monash (1865-1931). Read his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, here.
(3) Geoffrey Serle, who wrote General Monash's ADB entry, see here.
(4) I have written about the Monash Memorial Committee, here. There is also a photo of the Monash statue.
(5) Frederick Sheppherd Grimwade (1840-1910). Read his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, here.
(6) Alfred Felton (1831-1904). Read his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, here.   
(7) Sir Ernest Daryl Lindsay (1889-1976). Read his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, here.
(8) Joan A'Beckett Lindsay (nee Weigall, 1896-1984). Joan was the great-niece of Sir William à Beckett (1806-1869) the first chief justice of Victoria. Read her Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, here.
(9) Dr Lesseps (1805-1894). Creator of the Suez Canal, read about him, here https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ferdinand-vicomte-de-Lesseps

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

General Sir John Monash remembered at Lang Lang

On May 7, 1936 the Koo Wee Rup Sun published the following report - At the Lang Lang State School the Monash Memorial Committee presented the school with a memorial volume last week. Memorial trees were planted in the school grounds.


1936 report of the Lang Lang School receiving the memorial volume and memorial tree.
The Koo Wee Rup Sun May 7, 1936

The Age had a fuller report a few days previously - To celebrate the 21st anniversary of Anzac day the Monash memorial committee, through Captain Peters, associated itself with friends of the late Sister Hilda Knox, the late Captain A. Jacka,V.C., Lieutenant Bert Hinkler and ex-scholars of the Lang Lang school who made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War, and presented the Lang Lang State school with a beautiful memorial volume, and planted memorial trees in the school grounds in memory of those honored. (The Age May 1, 1936, see here)


1936 report of the Lang Lang School receiving the memorial volume and memorial tree.

The Monash Memorial Committee was established soon after General Sir John Monash died on October 8, 1931. He was a Civil engineer, a soldier, chairman of the Shrine of Remembrance construction body and manager of the State Electricity Commission. You can read his entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, here. The role of the Memorial Committee, chaired by Major-General, Sir Thomas Blamey, was to establish a memorial to General Monash. The memorial took the form of a statue and was finally unveiled on November 12, 1950. It was designed by William Leslie Bowles and is in Kings Domain. The statue was well under way in 1939, but the Second World War caused the understandable delay in the completion of the statue.


The statue of General Monash, the result of the Monash Memorial Committee endeavours.
General Sir John Monash. Photographer: Sutcliffe Pty Ltd. 
State Library of Victoria H88.33/101

I cannot find any other references in the newspapers of the Monash Memorial Committee donating a book or books to a school, which doesn't mean it did not happen, however if the newspaper report below is correct then the Lang Lang School was the recipient of books the previous year in memory of General Monash and others - At a combined Anzac day service arranged by the local branch of the R.S.S.I.L.A., and five district State schools, more than 200 children, accompanied by their parents and district residents, were present. The address was given by Captain L. G. Buckland, M.C., M.M., and the Last Post was sounded by Trumpeter V. Mills. A feature of the ceremony was the presentation of books to Lang Lang State school library in memory of the late General Sir J. Monash, Captain Albert Jacka, V.C., Squadron Leader B. Hinkler, Sister Hilda Knox, and fallen scholars of Lang Lang
State school. (The Age, April 25, 1935, see here)


1935 report of the Lang Lang School being presented with books

I wondered if there was some connection between members of the Monash Memorial Committee and the town of Lang Lang and that is why they received the books, but I can find nothing obvious. Lang Lang School may have raised funds for the Monash memorial, as this was encouraged by the Education Department, as we can see by the newspaper article, below. But I feel sure that other schools would also have raised funds and yet I can find no reference to them receiving books in honour of the General Monash's memory, let alone receiving them twice, as Lang Lang appears to have.


The Education Department allows Schools to fund raise for Monash Memorial.

There are a few questions that I cannot answer - what were the titles of the books and what sort of trees were planted?  Do the books still exist and are the trees still living?

Before we finish, we will have a look at the other people mentioned in this post -

Blamey, Major General Thomas Blamey (1884 - 1951) - the Chairman of the Monash Memorial Committee. Read his entry on the Australian Dictonary of Biography, here.

Bowles, William Leslie Bowles (1885 - 1954) -  the sculptor of the General Monash statue. Read his entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, here.

Buckland, John Leslie Gibson (1887 - 1956, incorrectly listed as Huckland in the 1935 newspaper report). Captain Gibson gave the Anzac Day address at Lang Lang in 1935. He was born in Werris Creek in New South Wales, enlisted in December 1914 and was awarded both the Military Cross and the Military Medal. He also served in the Second World War, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Mr Gibson was a consulting electrical engineer, when he was not serving in the Army.

Hinkler, Herbert John 'Bert' (1892 -1933) - aviator who served in the Royal Naval Air Service in the Great War. Read his entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, here.

Jacka, Albert (1893 -1932) - was the first Australian awarded the Victoria Cross in World War One. Read his entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, here.

Knox, Hilda (1883 - 1917) - Army Nurse, who died of illness whilst serving in France. Read her obituary, here. The obituary mentions that after her death, her parents received many letters from around Australia -  One lady wrote to Mr Knox that her only son was in the 4th L.H., and was in the ward in a hospital in Egypt of which Sister Knox had charge. He had been nursed by her, and spoke of the unfailing attention which they had received. He said, "We used to watch the door for her to come in. Every man of us loved her, and called her 'Our Daughter of the Regiment.' 

Peters, Charles Harold (1889 - 1951) - connected to the Monash Memorial Committee. Enlisted in 1916, awarded the Military Cross and Bar. His peace time occupation was a bookseller, he worked at Melville & Mullens.  He returned to that occupation after the War and rose to be the Managing Director of Robertson & Mullens (which later became Angus & Robertson). Read his obituary in The Herald of January 10, 1951, here.

Thursday, August 13, 2020

75th anniversary of the end of World War Two

August 15, 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two, V.P Day - Victory in the Pacific Day.

World War II at home: Victoria Remembers https://www.wwiiathome.com.au/  is an interesting website which looks at eighteen different aspects of Victoria's response to the War such as the Explosives Factory at Maribyrnong, the Mallacoota Bunker and the Internment camp at Tatura.

Closer to home we have a number of oral histories which look at life in the area during World War Two - listen to them here https://www.cclc.vic.gov.au/browse/local-history/oral-histories/war/
These were recorded 25 to 30 years ago and we were fortunate to capture the memories of these  local people before it was too late.

As you can imagine the end of the War was a cause for celebration and this great account of how Tooradin celebrated is from the Dandenong Journal, August 22, 1945 (see here). It was indeed a gay day as the head line said and dancing went on until 3.15am!



Peace Day Was A Gay Day At Tooradin
Tooradin's Peace Celebrations Committee was not caught unprepared by the official declaration of peace last Wednesday. Its members had been quietly working and getting ready for the great day, and in no time celebrations were on the way. These opened with a general thanks giving meeting in the hall. Mr. R. Charlton, president of the committee was the first to speak, followed by Mr. W. Dawson (for the soldiers of the Great War) Mr. R. Roberts (ex-R.A.A.F., for the men of this war), Mr. S. Axup (for the people) and Miss Beryl Kernot (for the younger generation). Wreaths were then laid on the temporary cenotaph by Mr. Dawson (R.S.S. & A.1.L.A.), Mrs. Beckham (Red Cross), Mrs. Limer (C.W.A.) Beryl Kernot (Tooradin School), and many individuals who in this time of rejoicing did not forget those who had given their lives to achieve peace.

The afternoon was given over to the children, and the St. Leon family, of circus fame, brought, their clowns and circus ponies along to entertain and delight them. It was a real treat for the kiddies. The Misses Peggy and Stella St. Leon gave the children an exhibition of trick riding and tumbling, etc., and the clowns ‘‘brought the house down.” On behalf of the committee we wish to thank these young artists for coming along and entertaining the children. After the circus the young folk were regaled with afternoon tea. Everything was there to make the youngsters happy. After tea, races were held -prizes and no blanks! The money scramble in the saw dust also caused a lot of fun and excitement. It was a tired but happy band of children who made for home after a day they will never forget.

The night was given over to the older folk. The hall was thrown open to everyone and proceedings opened with community singing to music supplied, by Miss Cheesman’s orchestra, and under the baton of Mr. Frank Hamilton. Mr. Jack. Mclnnes sang “Under the Shade of the Old Apple Tree” and “We Parted By-The Shore,” and Mr. J. Higham obliged with “Take Me Back To Old Yirginny.” Mr. Limer gave a great exhibition of high kicking and conjuring, winding up with his celebrated Firefly Dance. All of the items were greatly appreciated by the large audience. Dancing commenced at 10.30 and went on till 3.15. Supper, tasty and satisfying, was served by the ladies, who were also responsible for the appropriate decorations which brightened the hall. We have a lot to thank these ladies for they are workers, believe me. Source: Dandenong Journal, August 22, 1945 (see here)

Thursday, August 6, 2020

Beaconsfield and Officer Great War Soldiers

The digital memorial to Beaconsfield soldiers, which was available on a terminal at the Community Centre had now been uploaded to the Beaconsfield Progress Association (BPA) website https://beaconsfield.org.au/digitalmemorial/    The BPA website also hosts a digital database of Officer soldiers https://beaconsfield.org.au/we-will-remember-them/


The databases are based on the research of Penny Harris Jennings from her two books -   Beaconsfield Avenue of Honour: Servicemen remembered (published by the Beaconsfield Progress Association, download a PDF version here) and We will remember them: Officer Roll of Honor World War 1 1914 - 1918 Commemorating the Centenary of Armistice 11th November 2018 (published by the Officer and District Community Association, download a PDF version here)




These databases are a wonderful memorial to the soldiers of Beaconsfield and Officer and they look at the military history of  each soldier as well as their life after the War,  if they were fortunate enough to return.

Penny should be congratulated on her extensive research and we grateful to the Beaconsfield Progress Association for making these two resources freely available on their website.

Thursday, June 18, 2020

Relief of Mafeking celebrations

The siege and battle for the town of  Mafeking in South Africa is one of the most well known events in the South African or Boer War. The siege lasted  217 days from October 13, 1899 to May 17, 1900. When the British (which included Australian forces) 'won' the battle and the town of Mafeking was 'relieved' there was wide-spread celebrations throughout the British Empire including Australia. These are some accounts of local celebrations, but before we look at these this is an account of the Siege from South African History on-line, see it here.

The Siege of Mafeking (now known as Mafikeng) was an important battle in the South African War (Second Anglo-Boer War). The war began in late 1899; President Kruger (1) issued an ultimatum, instructing the British to withdraw their soldiers from the border of the Transvaal. When the British failed to heed the instruction, Kruger's government declared war. In 1900 Afrikaans Commandant Eloff was sent to put the town of Mafikeng under siege. Eloff (2) instructed General Piet Cronje (3) to lead approximately 5000 Afrikaner soldiers (numbers vary) to Mafikeng. For almost seven months fighting ensued; with the Afrikaner soldiers burning the Barolong huts and the defences that the British lieutenant-general, Robert Baden-Powell (4), had set up. A turning point occurred on 17 May 1900, when British forces, led by Colonel Mahon (5) and Lord Roberts (6) fought their way into the city and lifted the siege. The British forces were dubbed "defenders of Mafeking". The relief is said to have sparked so much jubilation in London that a new word was coined in English, (to "maffick" came to mean "to revel inordinately). Although the war was fought primarily between the British and the Afrikaner soldiers, the battle of Mafeking claimed the lives of 400 Barolong, who fought alongside the British. The British lost were 212 soldiers and over 1000 Afrikaner lives were lost.
The Siege of Mafeking (now known as Mafikeng) was an important battle in the South African War (Second Anglo-Boer War). The war began in late 1899; President Kruger issued an ultimatum, instructing the British to withdraw their soldiers from the border of the Transvaal. Source: South African History on-line, see it here.

There was wide-spread joy at the end of the Mafeking Siege, which can be summed up by this report of a Berwick Shire Council meeting. A letter had been received from Mrs. Flower, Pakenham, requesting inter alia  that the name of the street be changed from King to Mafeking street. Cr. D. Bourke moved that....the change of name be made as desired .....Seconded by Cr. a'Beckett and carried.  (South Bourke and Mornington Journal August 15, 1900, see here).
The name was changed, it was still called that in 1918 but I don't know how long it lasted, because it is not called that now.


Nurse Lowen of Mafeking Street, Pakenham East
Pakenham Gazette April 26, 1918  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92152200

What follows are the accounts of local celebrations. This all took place 120 years ago - attitudes and language have changed  a lot since then.

Berwick
From The Argus, May 25, 1900, see here.
The enthusiasm here was intense on Wednesday. An immense bonfire was lit on the highest part of the township, and a splendid display of fireworks was shown, lasting for two hours. The school children were assembled at the post-office, where patriotic songs were sung. They were then marched to the scene of the bonfire, and cheers were given for the Queen, Major-General Baden-Powell and his garrison, and Lord Roberts.

Berwick
From the South Bourke & Mornington Journal May 30, 1900, see here.
The rejoicings over the relief of Mafeking are past, and Berwick turned out right loyally on Wednesday to participate in the general festivities. We had a grand display of fireworks and a large bonfire, in the evening, and it was a pretty sight to see the rockets and other incendiaries ascending.

Cranbourne
From the South Bourke and Mornington Journal, May 23, 1900, see here.
To say that Cranbourne looked gay on Saturday last would be putting it very mildly indeed. News of the relief of Mafeking caused residents to make a bold display in honor of the event, and the amount of enthusiasm shewn by the townspeople was very great.

Cranbourne
From the South Bourke & Mornington Journal May 30, 1900, see here.
Our quiet little township made a great demonstration on Wednesday last in honor of the relief of Mafeking. People from Cranbourne and district gathered in large numbers at the Shire Hall in the evening, when speeches of a patriotic nature by Mr. Downward, M.L.A. (7),  President Le Roux (8), and Mr. J. W. C. McLellan (9), and other gentlemen were given. Appropriate songs were rendered by Mrs. Wiltshire (10) and Miss Allan, each number being illustrated by the Rev. E. Robertson on a screen with the aid of a magic lantern. The assemblage sang "Rule Britannia" and "God Save the Queen," whilst hearty cheers were given for Her Majesty, Major-General Baden-Powell, Lord Roberts, and General White (11). At the close of the proceedings the Rev. A. A. Wiltshire (10) thanked those who had assisted in the evening's entertainment, and expressed the hope that the war would soon be over. The band played a number of selections, and a collection taken up to defray expenses resulted in over £2 being gathered. The hosts of our respective hotels laid themselves open for the occasion, and their respective houses were gaily dressed in bunting, whilst a line of streamers floated bravely over the main street. Truly "there was a sound of revelry by night," and-an-array of defunct "Sandersons" (12) in a certain pub next morning testified to the fact that both the "spirit" and the flesh were willing.



Relief of Mafeking Celebration in Pakenham
Image: North of the Line: a pictorial record (Berwick Pakenham Historical Society 1996)

Pakenham
From the South Bourke and Mornington Journal May 23, 1900, see here.
Our friend Host Hogan (13), of the Gembrook Hotel, was so delighted at the relief of Mafeking that he held open house for the night, and the rejoicings were carried out in a very enthusiastic manner, singing and dancing (for joy) being vigorously carried on till further orders. There in no doubt about Mr. Hogan being a Britisher, and he very fitly hoisted the Union Jack and Stars and Stripes interwoven at the salute on Monday. Never, before, and probably never again, in the lives of the present residents, will there be occasion to celebrate such a memorable and soul stirring event as the relief of Mafeking. For seven months, against overwhelming odds, "stormed at by shot and shell" daily, and the last month literally starving, this garrison of solid heroes knew not defeat, but actually, almost on the last days of the siege, rushed out of the beleaguered town and inflicted a severe defeat upon the enemy.

Little wonder that the whole civilised world is to-day looking with awe and reverent respect on the nation that can produce men capable of such a feat of endurance and such unsurpassed bravery and heroism; and it is good, that even in a little township like ours, that on such an occasion as this we should rejoice and be thankful that we belong to the empire that claims these heroes of Mafeking as her sons and daughters. On Saturday night, there was indeed "a sound of revelry" in the township, and every patriotic song known was sung and received with deafening cheers, the assemblage letting their long pent-up feelings loose with a vengeance. A tall pole was set up in the township and a large new Union Jack hoisted, whilst at Webster and James' and Paternoster's store, the empire's flags were very conspicuous.

On Monday the flag was hauled down until 2.30 p.m., when the local detachment of Mounted Rifles with their captain preparatory to their drill drew, up in front of the pole, and hoisted the Union Jack with which was interwoven the Stars and Stripes of America, amid the cheers of the people present, and fired a Royal salute to the flag, of 21 guns. The National Anthem was then sung and cheers given Baden-Powell and "Our Bobs," and with the consent of the captain, three more cheers for the American flag. The assemblage then dispersed, to meet again on Wednesday (to-day) to further celebrate this gallant and glorious defence and relief.

Pakenham
From the South Bourke and Mornington Journal May 30, 1900 see here.
The relief of Mafeking was celebrated in a right royal manner here, and our usually staid township fairly eclipsed itself in the effort to do honor to the gallant defender and his band of heroes. The children attending the three local schools marched in procession from the Toomuc Creek bridge through Old Pakenham, along the Main road to the Mechanics' Institute in the new township singing patriotic songs and waving Union Jack flags to the strains of music provided by Mr. C. Battersby, who headed the procession in a buggy. They were halted under a line of flags across the Main street, including the Union Jack, Royal Standard, Stars and Stripes, and others, when they sang the National Anthem. They then adjourned to the Hall, where tea and edibles were served to young and old. Patriotic songs were then sung by Mr. W. Close amidst ringing cheers, the singing being taking up by the audience must enthusiastically. Loud cheers were given for The Queen, Baden-Powell, Lord Roberts, and the Union Jack. The children were marched under the leadership of our worthy Racing Club secretary, Mr. R. C.Clements, who was assisted by the teachers of the respective schools, and every praise is due to them for the efficiency of the arrangements. A special word of praise is due to the members of the Rifle Club, as it was they who very fitly mooted the idea and to two of their members -  Messrs. W. H. Bloomfield and H. Hogan who collected the amount due to defray the cost of the treat - but they must have felt well repaid for any trouble taken in the matter to hear the happy expressions of approval given sound to by the juveniles and seconded by their seniors. A souvenir handkerchief was presented to every child marching, which they will no doubt treasure in remembrance and honor of the brave souls who so gallantly defended Mafeking. A matter spoken of during the proceedings was the formation of a local band, and, as there is plenty of material here, the matter is well worthy of the residents' consideration, and it is hoped someone will take this matter, up at once.
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Trove List - I have created a list of articles on Trove about any local connections to the Boer War and any articles on the Relief of Mafeking Celebrations, access it here.

Footnotes
(1) President Kruger -  Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger (1925 - 1904). He was president of the Transvaal, or South African Republic, from 1883 until his flight to Europe in 1900, after the outbreak of the South African (Boer) War. Source: Encyclopedia Britannica, see here.
(2) Eloff -  Sarel Eloff, described as a 'dashing young officer', grandson of President Kruger. You can see a photograph of him, here. He was taken Prisoner of War at Mafeking and sent to St Helena along with Piet Cronje and others.
(3) Piet Cronje - Pieter Arnoldus Cronjé (1836 - 1911), was a Boer General. Source: Encyclopedia Britannica, see here.
(4) Robert Baden-Powell - Robert Baden-Powell (1857-1941) 1st Baron Baden-Powell of Gilwell, established the Boy Scout movement in 1908. Source: Encyclopedia Britannica see here.
(5) Colonel Mahon - General Sir Bryan Mahon (1862-1930), British General and later an Irish Senator. See his obituary here.
(6) Lord Roberts - Lord Roberts (1832 - 1914) was Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, a British Field Marshal. Source: Encyclopedia Britannica  see here.
(7) Mr Downward, M.L.A - Alfred Downward (1847 - 1930). Member for the Legislative Assembly seat of Mornington from 1894 until 1929. Source: Parliament of Victoria website, see here.
(8) President Le Roux - Prosper Henry Victor Le Roux, Cranbourne Shire Councillor 1896 until 1905. Shire President 1899-1900. Source: The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire.
(9) Mr. J. W. C. McLellan -  John William Charles McLellan -  Cranbourne land owner and Councilor 1903 - 1905.  Source: The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire.
(10) Reverend A.A. Wiltshire and Mrs Wiltshire - Albert Arthur Wiltshire. The Reverend Wiltshire was the Anglican Minister, President of the Cranbourne Brass Band established in May 1899, and a member of the Cranbourne Rifle Club formed in March 1900. He died in an accident in 1908 at the age of 42, you can read his obituary here.The other information comes from The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire. Mrs Wiltshire was born Sara Hodgson and they married in 1890.
(11) General White -  Field Marshal Sir George Stuart White (1835 - 1912). Awarded the Victoria Cross in the Afghan War in 1879. Source: the British Empire website, see here.
(12) Sandersons - was a brand of Scotch Whiskey.
(13) Host Hogan of the Gembrook Hotel - Charles F. Hogan was the licensee of the Hotel from at least 1894. The Gembrook Hotel is the hotel in Main Street in Pakenham near the Railway Station.