Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt visits Dandenong

On September 5, 1943, Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of the American President Franklin D. Roosevelt,  and her entourage, visited American troops who were convalescing at a make-shift hospital at the Armytage Scout Hall (1) in Dandenong. This was the 21st Australian Camp Hospital, based in the Scout Hall and John Hemmings Memorial Park (2) on the Princes Highway, opposite the High School. The Age reported that Mrs Roosevelt, on the way back to the city, called at the Armytage Hall in Dandenong-road, and patiently chatted to every man in the large ward of about 120 beds. With a smile and an exchange of information, Mrs. Roosevelt also obliged with many autographs, and congratulated the Australian M.O.'s and nursing sisters who staff the hospital (3). 

Mrs Roosevelt, photographed a few days after her visit to Dandenong, 

inspecting a guard of honour of W.R.A.N.s.

Photographer:  Leader Newspapers, September 8, 1943. State Library of Victoria Image H20103

The Dandenong Journal of September 8, 1943 also reported on this 'red-letter' day - 

America's charming “First Lady of the Land,” Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, paid a surprise visit to Dandenong last Sunday, and although her call was a closely guarded secret, news of her intention to call on some US. soldiers convalescing in this area leaked out at the last minute and the President’s wife was warmly greeted by a crowd of about 500 local residents who quickly gathered when they saw preparations being made to receive her.

Mrs Roosevelt arrived about 5.30 in the afternoon and was greeted by Major G. Boileau, who introduced her to Lieut. Smith (US.), and Major Tait (staff officer of Medical Services). With the official party, which included Major General Rupertus (USMC.), Lieut General Eichelberger (USA.), and Rear Admiral Kerry Jones (USA.), she quickly entered the wards, prettily decorated with spring blossoms for the occasion, and accompanied by Major Boileau and Sister Lorenz, and members of the staff, she made a round of the patients, chatting freely with them and giving each a hand-shake. With some she conversed for quite a while, staying here altogether for 45 minutes. The men were obviously delighted to see her and those who could, left their beds and crowded out to the front of the building to farewell her.

In a brief speech she told the men that the President sent them his greetings and had asked her to tell them all that he thought they had done, and were doing, the grandest job. Mrs Roosevelt had a gracious smile for members of the staff and the local VAD.’s who assist with the work, and as she left the building local residents gave her three cheers. Acknowledging the greeting with a warm smile she walked over to the crowd of women and children and exchanged a few words with them before getting into her car.

It was remarkable how the news of the visit spread. At the time it was originally believed that Mrs. Roosevelt would arrive there was only a handful of people present, but as soon as the police and provosts put in an appearance and mounted guard, the news that there was “something doing” spread like wild-fire and people began to appear from all directions. Cars returning from the bush and seaside even stopped to see what was “in the air,” and stayed to join in the welcome to one whom the whole world has taken to its heart. Mrs. Roosevelt wore the uniform of the American Red Cross and seemed full of life, and energy, despite her tiring itinerary. We can quite believe that the prayer of the reporters who have to cover her doings is “Please God, make Mrs. Roosevelt tired.” From the little Dandenong saw of her it was apparent that she is just as charming and natural as all reports have credited her with being. Sunday was indeed a “red-letter day” in Dandenong’s history (4). 

Mrs Roosevelt was in Australia as part of a five week tour of the South Pacific on behalf of the Red Cross. She also visited Bora Bora, Fiji, Samoa, New Caledonia, Christmas Island, Guadalcanal (one of the Solomon Islands) and New Zealand (5).  On the day she visited Dandenong, Mrs Roosevelt had visited the Children's Hospital at Frankston (6) where one of the patients, Brian Dean, played the Star-Spangled Banner on his mouth organ, for Mrs Roosevelt (7). 

Is this the only visit of the wife of a United States President to visit Dandenong?

Footnotes

(1) Armytage Scout Hall -  https://caseycardinialinkstoourpast.blogspot.com/2007/11/casey-cardinia-and-como-connection.html
(2) 21st Australian Camp Hospital - there appears to be very little information available on it https://www.ozatwar.com/ozatwar/militarycamps.htm

(3) The Age September 6, 1943, see here.
(4) Dandenong Journal, September 8, 1943, see here.
(5) Report on the visit - https://au.usembassy.gov/eleanor-roosevelts-ground-breaking-trip-to-australia-a-history/

(6) More correctly the Children’s Orthopaedic Hospital in Mt Eliza, which had opened in 1930 as part of the Children's Hospital, which was then based in Carlton. https://archives.rch.org.au/exhibitions/our-places-our-spaces-mt-eliza-1930-1971/
(7) The Age September 6, 1943, see here.

Letters to Iona

The Bunyip Free Press of July 22, 1915 (see here) published these two letters from local soldiers, Will Clarkin and James Gully.

William Clarkin (SN 1522) was born in 1894, enlisted at Tynong on December 7, 1914 at the age of 21. He died of wounds in France on August 26, 1916. William is listed on the Cora Lynn War Memorial, see here, and the Iona Honor Board, see here. 

James Gully (SN 1167, SN sometimes indexed as 1147).  James, born in 1882, enlisted on September 28, 1914 at the age of 32.  James Returned to Australia December 3, 1918, for 'Special Leave' and was discharged on medical grounds in March 1919 - having been wounded with a gun shot in the shoulder and later wounded in the left thigh. He died in July 1931 at the Repatriation Hospital in Caulfield. 

LETTERS FROM WILL CLARKIN

Mr. William Clarkin, who some time ago was wounded at the Dardanelles, has sent the following letters to his relatives at Iona : -

No. 17 General Hospital, Alexandria.

I suppose you are wondering why I have not written lately. Well, you you see, two days after I wrote my last letter we were ordered off to the Dardanelles. We had to land under fire, but we got there alright. I was about a fortnight in the trenches when I had the misfortune to get bowled over. I have been in the hospital for about three weeks, but I will soon be out again. We were ordered to take a good position that the Turks held, so about 1 o'clock in the morning our company, along with three more, were ordered out to do it. 

The night was fairly dark, so we could not see the enemy too well. Anyway, it settled into a hand-to-hand go. I don't know exactly what happened, but a Turk must have got home on me with the butt end of his rifle, for I don't remember any more until I was picked up about 5 o'clock in the morning. My head felt as if it had been drawn (dragged) through a six-inch pipe, but I am getting as right as rain again. What makes it worse is that I went as deaf as a post. One of the drums of my car is broken but I can hear alright out of the other one. 

I suppose you get all the news over there. The Turks are a  treacherous lot. They take no prisoners, nor do they respect the Red Cross. But never mind, the war will soon be over, for news has just come that Italy will soon be into it. We get treated like kings over here - chicken for dinner every day and plenty of cigarettes. When we are discharged from hospital we are sent to a rest camp, where we pick our selves together again.

Some of the accommodation at the 17th General Hospital, Alexandria - where

William Clarkin was treated.

Tented accommodation of 17th British General Hospital established for treatment of casualties with serious wounds.

Australian War Memorial Image H00871

'Luna Park Convalescent Home', Heliopolis, 30/5/15.

Since I last wrote I have been shifted again, this time to a convalescent home about four miles out of Cairo. I don't know whether I will be sent to a rest camp or back to the front when I leave here; but I hope they will send me somewhere, for I am sick and tired of bed. Of course, I can walk about as good as ever, but you see, we are not allowed to leave the hospital. I suppose you hear all the war news. I wonder do they publish the casualty list; it must be a pretty big one. The Turks got home on our officers; there are only a few of them left.

The Convalescent Hospital in Heliopolis, where William Clarkin also received treatment.

It was called the 'Luna Park Convalescent Hospital' as it was located in the Palace Hotel at Heliopolis and an amusement park, called Luna Park, had been established in the grounds in 1911. 

Australian War Memorial P00229.007

Convalescent Camp, 4/6/15.

As we have not got to do anything here but keep our tents clean, I can write a bit more often; I was shifted out into the open-air tents to-day. It is far better in the tents. It is terribly hot in Egypt now; the hottest I have ever been in. It is no place to send wounded men. The wounds will not heal up, only on the inside; only a dry scab comes over the outside. An eye and ear specialist attends me; but I am afraid he can do nothing with my ear. My other one is about as right as can be. It affected my eyes, too, but they are as right as rain. The haze that rises from the sand in the hot weather affects everybody's eyes, and my eyes were a bit weak when I left for the Peninsula. 

The first batch of wounded men who were fixed up left for the front again last Wednesday week, I think we will be going back again on Wednesday. But don't worry about me; I will get through alright. You might not believe me, but there is a certain fascination about the firing line, although I am not too anxious to hear the shells all around a fellow, and he has got to sit as he can get. But, cheer up; I think next 'Xmas is going to be a real happy one.

* * *

PRIVATE JAMES GULLY

Mr. Gully, of Iona, received a short letter last Thursday from his son (Private James Gully), who was recently wounded at the Dardanelles.

Writing from the Base Hospital, Private Gully did not (or perhaps could not) state the extent of his injuries. He was eleven days in the firing line before he was wounded, and must have remained where he fell for some time, as afterwards he contracted pneumonia. Mr. Gully is anxiously awaiting another letter from Jim, whose younger brother has enlisted for active service, and is now in camp at Seymour.

William Watson - one of the last Australians at Gallipoli

The Lang Lang Guardian of May 24, 1916 (see here) published this interesting letter from Lance-Corporal William Watson, of Yannathan. William had the distinction of being one of the last group of Australian soldiers to be evacuated from Gallipoli. William Dunbar Watson, born in North Hazlewood, was the son of  Charles and Grace Watson (her maiden name was also Watson), of Yannathan.  William was a 27 year old blacksmith, when he enlisted on March 15, 1915. His Service Number was 730. He survived Gallipoli, but died of pleurisy in France on March 5, 1917. William is listed on the Yannathan Honour Board, see here. His brother, Robert Charles Watson (SN 2018)  also served. Robert enlisted on February 28, 1916 at the age of 21. He was a farmer. He was wounded in action - gunshot wounds to arm and jaw - and Returned to Australia November 5, 1917. Robert was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.

William's death was reported in the Morwell Advertiser

Morwell Advertiser, March 23, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65919663

A Soldier's Letter

The appended letter has been received by Mr. H. McCann*, of Berwick, from Lance-Corporal W. Watson, of Yannathan, who was a prominent member of the Berwick football club. -

“I received two letters from you some time ago and feel rather ashamed of myself for not answering them sooner. We are now back among the sand once again. You have read the account of the evacuation, of course. We got off very well, but it seemed hard to leave after all we lost, but I think it was the best thing to do, as I am sure we could never have done any good there, and we were losing men every day - mostly through sickness, and we would certainly have lost heavily if we had to stay on during the winter. 

We had some terrible weather in November, rain and snow a treat. I, with a good many more, was in the trenches for about a fortnight without a spell, and during that time we had no water, and could not take even our boots off. It seems strange to say we had no water when it rained so much, but it was so. When we got a bit of time we used to gather a dixie of snow and melt it, but that did not seem to quench our thirst, it only made it worse. I was never so thirsty in my life, and never want to be so again. I would have given all I possessed for a drink. I saw fellows drink what looked like pure mud, and indeed I did it myself, and then to top the lot they gave us a terrible bombardment on November 29. 

The snow was still on the ground, and had frozen hard, but all the same a goad many of their big shells failed to explode, and a good job too, as quite enough of them did explode with terrible results, A good many were killed by pieces of shell, but a great many more lost their lives by being buried. They tried to seek shelter by getting into dug outs and tunnels, and places that, during any ordinary bombardment, would have been quite safe, but they evidently got some big guns up to give us a proper doing, and they succeeded. They were using 11.2 shells -  a battery of them. I spent a good part of the day helping to dig some of the poor fellows out dead. 

Our officer and three N.C.O's. all got knocked. They were standing together, and a .75 (a high explosive shell) got the four of them - killed two, and badly wounded the others. The officer had to have his leg taken off, and it is still doubtful if he will recover. I sincerely hope he does, as he was a fine chap. I'll not forget the 29th of November as long as I live. I was very lucky during my four months over there. I did not get a scratch, and did not have a day's sickness, but was not very sorry to get away from it.

Now I'll tell you a little bit about the way we got off. To begin with, we went off in parties called A party, A1 party, B, B1, and B2 parties. C, C1, C2, and C3, each party leaving at different times. A and A1 left a day before us. They consisted of all the chaps who had been attending the doctor, and a good number there were too. Then the rest all moved off at their appointed times, until only C3 party was left. In the section that our company had been holding, only eight were left, and I had the honor of being one of them. I was with in the very last party to leave, and when the time came for us to move off, we wasted no time in getting to the beach (about two miles), where a barge was waiting for us.

During the day some of our blankets were torn up and laid in the trenches and saps, and we also had to wrap bits of blanket round our feet to deaden any sound, as the Turks were only a few yards away. We that were left had to try and carry on just the same as we would on an ordinary night ; no more sniping, and no less, and, when the time came, hop down off the parapets; and off as hard as we could go. If the Turks had attacked us we were gone, as eight of us could not have done much and we had orders that we had to stay there until our time came - 3.30 am., was the time. Anyway, we managed it alright. 

Then we went into a rest camp and put in three weeks there, where we spent Christmas, and had rather a good time. Next time I write I'll give you some of our experiences there. I must draw to a close now, with best wishes."

*  Mr H. McCann was, I believe, Harry McCann, who was Head Teacher at Berwick State School from 1911 until 1917.

Letters from the Front to Yallock School Children

The Lang Lang Guardian of April 30, 1916 (see here) printed these two letters sent to Yallock State  School children from local soldiers, Robert Henry and Will Finck. They are just delightful. War gave these young men some dreadful traumatic experiences, but also gave them an opportunity to travel overseas and see new countries and sights they would never have expected to see if they had stayed home in Yallock and it is these positive experiences they are writing to the school children about. 

At the Front

The following letters have been received by the Yallock school children, who write to each of the boys in turn who have enlisted from that district.

Dear Children—I got quite a surprise the other day to receive quite a host of letters written by many of you. I was very pleased to hear from you, and as I think the task too great to write to all of you. I will make the one letter do. I am sure you will not mind. It is just 9 months since we sailed from Melbourne, and I have had a good many experiences during that time, although I have not been in action yet. We have been in Egypt most of the time, doing the work that was expected of us, and often times it was very trying, because where we were there was nothing but sand as far as the eye could see, and we saw hardly a bit of green grass all the time. But I am in a different country now. We had a lovely trip across the Mediterranean, as the sea was always smooth. We had to wear life belts all day and have them handy at night in case of being torpedoed, but I am glad to say we never sighted 
any submarines.

 After we landed at Marseilles we had a three days' train journey, which we greatly enjoyed. We passed through some beautiful scenery, and many towns and rivers that I used to learn about when I went to school. The French people gave us a great welcome as the train went by, waving and cheering, and when the train stopped they would gather round and try to make us understand how pleased they were. When we arrived at our destination we were taken to what are called billets - old barns and any spare rooms that the people can spare for the accommodation of the soldiers. We can hear the big guns booming in the distance, as we are not far from the firing line. I expect to be up amongst them shortly. At night we can see the flashes from the guns, which looks just like lightning. In fact, the reflection just looks like a city in the distance. There are many other things that I would like to tell you about, but this letter has to be censored, I think that I will close now, hoping that this letter finds you all well, as it leaves Will Finck, Bob Harker, and myself. Best wishes to all. Your sincere friend - R Henry.

Robert Harker, mentioned in Robert Henry's letter above, 

photographed in 1915 at Broadmeadows

Photographer: Darge Photographic Company. Australian War Memorial Image DA10833  

To the Boys and Girls of Yallock State School,—I was very pleased to hear from several of you, and as it is too great an undertaking to write to each individually I decided to write a letter to you all. Well, the end of this month (May) will make it about six months of defence for us on the Canal, four months in the trenches. Mr Turk never shows himself much around our way, but a few miles further on he used to get very troublesome, but it takes the Australians to quieten him. Several times we were expecting to be attacked, but the luck never came our way, though we have had a fairly rough time at intervals; never slept with our boots off for at least a month at a time. We had a lot of patrolling and out-post duty to do, and every soldier will agree that that is about the worst work in war time. We had to go out and crawl about among the gullies and low hills about two miles from our front trenches. It put me in mind of trying to creep on rabbits. Anyhow, between the Turks looking for us, and us looking for them, we never saw much of one another. 

The weather here at times was very warm, up to 130 in the shade. We have been to many places in Egypt, some of historical note. Some of you want to know what sort of a place Cairo is. Well, it consists of a mixture. What's good you can call lovely, and what's bad is awful. Ishmaha, on the Suez Canal, is a very pretty place, with fine parks and gardens and beautiful buildings. The Canal is a marvellous structure, and a very nice place on a hot day. Many a swim we have had in it. I may not post this letter in this country, as we may shortly be going on another sea voyage. We Yallock boys have come in contact with each other pretty often. I think L. Coates and J. Casey are arguing the point with the Germans by this time. Harry Casey, Will Lineham, C. Ware. J. de Little and Bert Boxshall I see every night. Bob Henry, Bob Harker and myself are always together.
France, 4th July.
We have arrived here, and are billeted amongst the farmers, so you can guess we feel at home. Some kiddies are tormenting me, so you'll excuse scribble. Have been doing some haymaking and milking to-day, and am booked for killing a pig to-morrow. Things are much cheaper here than in Egypt, a place I never want to set eyes on again. I am sure the Australians will show their grit here, because it seems as if we are in Australia defending our own shores. We want a bit of revenge against the Germans for their brutality to the civilian population. I will close now, with love to all - Will Finck.

[Since the above letters were written, news has been received of the death of Private Harker, and Privates Henry and Finck are reported missing since 20th July].

John Alfred Casey, mentioned in Will Finck's letter, above,

photographed in 1915 at Broadmeadows.

Photographer: Darge Photographic Company. Australian War Memorial Image DA11799

The first letter was written by Robert Henry and he mentions Will Finck and Bob Harker. The second letter was written by Will Finck and he mentions  L. Coates, J. Casey, Harry Casey, Will Lineham, C. Ware, J. de Little, Bert Boxshall and the aforementioned Bob Henry and Bob Harker. 

These are the men referred to in the letters and their Service Numbers (SN). The men are listed on the Yallock Honour Boards, so you can read more about them, here.  Ten men are referred to and four were Killed in Action.

Henry, Robert (SN 344) - Robert was a Prisoner of War, but made it safely home.

Finck, Louis William (SN 399) - survived the War.

Harker, Robert (SN 345) - Killed in Action July 20, 1916.

Coates, Lawrence (SN 2623a) - Killed in Action August 18, 1916.

Casey, John Alfred (SN 2593) - Killed in Action - August 23, 1918.

Casey, George Henry 'Harry' (SN 2603) - survived the War.

Lineham, William James (SN 2711) - survived the War.

Ware, Charles William (SN 3585a) - survived the War.

de Little, John Cyril (SN 220) - Killed in Action October 10, 1916.

Boxshall, Albert Victor 'Bert' (SN 3481) - survived the War.

The Campigli Brothers

The Herald of November 23, 1916 (see here) published an article on Donald Campigli and his Distinguished Conduct Medal, which was presented to him on Wednesday, November 22 1916 by the Governor General, Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson. Donald has a local connection because he was born in 1896 whilst his father was stationed at the Bunyip Railway Station.

His father, James, was the Station Master at Bunyip from February 1901 to May 1904 but the family had been in Bunyip for around five years before he received this appointment.  As with many families where the father was employed by the Victorian Railways, they moved frequently.  This is a quick look at the birth years and birth registration places of the children of James and Catherine (nee Murray) Campigli, who were married in 1887  - Marion Helena - 1888, Williamstown; Mary Ann - 1889 Frankston; George Murray - 1890 Inglewood; Louis - 1893 Cranbourne, died aged seven months; Francis Louis - 1894 Rocky Lead (now Rocklyn); Donald Hugh - 1896 Bunyip South; John Murray - 1898,  Bunyip South; Christine Louise - 1900, Bunyip South; William Robert Gordon - 1903, Heywood; Sydney McIntosh - 1904, Port Albert. 

This is the report from The Herald - 

PRIVATE CAMPIGLI, D.C.M. HOW THE MEDAL WAS WON.

WATER FOR THE WOUNDED.

Private Donald H. Campigli, D.C M, who Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson, the Governor-General, presented with his medal at South Melbourne yesterday, was one of those who with the 8th (Victorian) Battalion, took part in the famous landing in Gallipoli on April 25, 1915. He was a member of B Company and his story of how he won the medal is, briefly as follows:—

"We were occupying Shrapnel Gully and were getting into the Turks hot and strong. They we're doing the same to us. We were in a recently used trench, from which we had driven the Turks. Some of our killed and wounded were in front and we heard the men cry for water. I did not know at the time who they were. Some of the boys said they would go out but our commanding officer, Captain L. R. Hartland (afterwards killed in action) gave orders that no man should leave the trenches because it would mean further loss of life. I was not satisfied, and asked him if I could go. He said 'No.' "He turned away, and while he was doing something a few yards away, I jumped over the parapet, and went out I got hold of one of the men, who was not seriously wounded. I don't know who he was - he belonged to some other battalion. I brought him back into the trench where he was fixed up. Then I went out a second time, and a fellow asked me for a drink of water. I gave him my bottle. He was shot through the back and could not move. I got him on my back and brought him within five or six yards of the trench, where he was shot a second time. He was a man of 13st. or more, and I found him no light burden. I was taking him further to the rear when he was again shot and this time the wound was fatal."

Private Campigli afterwards took part in the gallant charge of the 2nd Brigade under Brigadier-General J. W. McCay, at Cape Helles and celebrated his 19th birthday while in the Gallipoli trenches. His brothers,  George and Frank, are now on active service in Europe.

The father of the three soldiers is a relieving station master living at Williamstown. For some years he was resident of Scarsdale where Donald went to the school so lovingly honored by the Scarsdale Old Boys. His portrait, handsomely framed, looks down from the wall on the younger generation of scholars, an ever-present incentive to the faithful accomplishment of lessons nobly learned. It was given to the school by Mr W. H. Rogers, of Nar Nar Goon, an enthusiastic member of the Old Boys' Association.

The article mentions the fact that his two brothers, George and Frank, were serving and a fourth brother, John, enlisted after this article was published. This is a brief summary of their war service. 

Campigli, Donald Hugh (SN 7460)  Donald  enlisted on December 11, 1914 at the age of 19, and served in Gallipoli where he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, was later at Dardenelles, and was discharged February 1916 but then rejoined  on July 16, 1917 and Returned to Australia April 1920.   On his second enlistment he was  one of the 'Sportsmen's Thousand' a 1917 campaign to encourage sportsmen to join the AIF. Donald is listed on the Bunyip Methodist Church Honour Board (see here).  Donald married Doris Isabella Taylor in 1921 and they had two sons Donald and Keith. Young Donald served in the RAAF in World War Two.  Donald died December 21, 1952, aged 56.

Death notice of Donald Campigni

The Argus December 22, 1952  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23198038

Campigli, John Murray (SN 3930). John, known as Jack, was a 22 year old Clerk with the Railways when he enlisted on December 8, 1917. He Died of Disease - pneumonia and malaria - in Palestine on November 21, 1918. 

The Campigli family were living in Williamstown when Donald, Frank and George enlisted, so because they had that Williamstown connection Jack is listed on their Honour Board which hangs in the Williamstown Town Hall. The Honor Board commemorates the 256 men from Williamstown, Newport and Spotswood who did not return. 

The Honour Board photos are reproduced on the 

Sons of Williamstown: a Labour of Love website. 

It is a beautiful  website

Image: http://sonsofwilliamstown.com.au/portfolio/jm-campigli/

Death notice of John Murray Campigli

The Herald, November 26, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article242672738

Campigli, Francis Louis (SN 3634) Frank was 21 years old and a Clerk, when he enlisted on July 13, 1915. He Returned to Australia October 6, 1919. Frank married Jessie May Adsett in 1922.  They lived in the Camberwell area after their marriage and had a daughter, Margaret. Frank died October 28, 1976, aged 82. He was cremated at Springvale Crematorium. Jessie moved to Sydney after Frank's death and passed away March 20, 1978,

Death notice of Frank's wife, Jessie May.

Sydney Morning Herald, March 22, 1978

Campigli, George Murray (SN 237). George enlisted on August 20, 1914 at the age of 24, He was a Clerk with the Victorian Railways. He was discharged from the A.I.F on July 11, 1916 and joined the Imperial Army or British Expeditionary Forces. George rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and received the Military Cross.  After the War he remained in Palestine to organise their railways on a commercial basis. He married Edna May Phillips, the daughter of William Henry Phillips, who also stayed in Palestine after the War and worked with the railways. The marriage took place at Port Said on December 20, 1922. Read a report in the Northam Advertiser, here. You can read the obituary of W.H. Phillips in the  Northam Advertiser  here. The article, below, tells us that George and Edna had five children. Their son, Bruce Campigli, was Killed in Action on July 11, 1944 at the age of 18. He was in the Royal Navy on the H.M.S. Pembroke. 

This article tells us about George's career after the War.

The Age, November 25, 1933 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11695470

There was an interesting interview with George Campigli published in the Perth Listening Post on February 24, 1933. He talked about his War experience and gave an overview of the  economy and infrastructure of Palestine. Read it here and here. George died in Camberwell on August 23, 1951, aged 61. He is buried at Burwood Cemetery with his wife, Edna.

Death notice of George Campigli.

The Age August 30, 1951 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205346696

Mrs Lineham receives a letter from her son

In February 1917, Mrs Lineham of  Yannathan received a letter from her son, William, who was serving overseas. William James Lineham was born in 1894 in Clyde to Benjamin and Eliza Maria Agnes (nee Knott) Lineham. They later moved to Yannathan. William (Service Number 2711) enlisted on July 19, 1915 at the age of 20 and he Returned to Australia April 13, 1919.  In  1927, William married Ellen May Gilchrist and the couple farmed at Yannathan. William had been granted a Soldier Settler farm, you can read his file, here, on the Battle to Farm website.  He died June 30, 1974, aged 79. William is listed on the Yannathan State School Honour Board, see here.

The letter to Mrs Lineham was published in the Lang Lang Guardian on February 28, 1917 (see here)

Letters From Our Boys

Mrs B. Lineham, of Yannathan, has received the following letter from her son, Driver W. J. Lineham, who has been ill for some time -

Dear Mother and Father,

Just a few  lines to let you know I am about well again. I had a touch of bronchitis, but it was not very severe, also a septic toe, but it is quite well again. I am in the British Red Cross Hospital at Netly [sic] near Southampton. I have been in four Hospitals, and have had no letters from you for over two months, so I expect the letters are still chasing me from one Hospital to another. I expect to be back in France by the time you receive this letter. I had a letter from father's cousin in England this morning, and was pleased to have one. We are very busy to-night decorating our ward and have nearly finished. I am very lucky, I think, to be in England for Christmas, and have had a real good time in every Hospital, being treated real well. 

Netley Hospital, where William was a patient for a time.

Image:  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35998766

There are only three Australians in the hut, and nearly every day someone comes in to see us. In the Hospital I was in at Rouen, France, there was one Australian nurse, and there are a few here. One came in to see us last night. On the way over from Le Havre to Southampton our boat ran into the mud twice, and the second time it took two days to pull us off. The boat had a hole knocked into front of her, but it could not have been very large as we got to port safely. It was very foggy, so I suppose that accounted for it.

A Soldier's letter

The Lang Lang Guardian published this letter in their April 4, 1917 issue (see here).  It was written to J. Smethurst of Yannathan.  The Electoral Roll lists a James Thomas Smethurst,  a John Samuel Smethurst and a Joseph Richard Smethurst all living at  Yannthan in 1917, so one of these men was the recipient of this letter. The paper actually fails to tell us who sent the letter. In spite of the fact we don't know the author, it is an interesting letter about life on the Front, how Christmas was celebrated and also mentions a few other local lads, so it is well worth publishing here.

Soldier's Letter

The following extracts are taken from a letter written to J. Smethurst, Yannathan.

France,
Jan. 1, 1917.

Just a few lines in answer to your ever welcome and interesting letters which I received a few weeks ago dated 30th October and 18th November, and also to thank you for the parcel of sox and cigarettes I received last night. The sox are very acceptable as we are continually in the mud and slush. I suppose you have heard that report of me being wounded was only a slight wound in the hand hardly worth reporting, they told me at the hospital it would not be sent in so I did not bother. I sent the cable after I came back from the hospital, I only had ten days spell with it, and have had nothing worse since than a cold, but am quite alright now and going strong. We were in the trenches when I got your letters, so have not had a chance to write before, but you will see I have started early in the new year. 

Xmas is over once more, this is my second away, I hope, to be back in Australia for the next. We had a nice quiet time for Xmas we were lucky enough to be reserve Division and well out of the firing line, just within hearing of the guns to remind us there is a war on. Xmas morning we had a Church Parade, but it was a beastly cold windy day quite unsuitable for an open air service. The chaplain was very disappointed as it was the first parade, he had for some time. He is a fine man. We had nineteen days in the trenches last time, and had very bad weather, it was either blowing, snowing, raining or frosty.

We worked in relays, some of us in the front line, and some in supports (about 700 yards behind the front line) we changed over every four days, as one could not stand more in the front line exposed to the cold and wet, and not able to have anything hot: back in supports we were lucky enough to find some German dugouts about thirty feet under ground, needless to say we occupied them and were fairly comfortable, we were able to light a fire and have a hot meal, and go to sleep and feel safe from the shells. Fritz made himself very comfortable with his dugouts, some of them are sixty feet deep, floored and lined, bunks rigged up in them and even pictures on the walls. It must have been a sore point for them to have to leave in a hurry and know that we are now occupying their dugouts.

I witnessed several aeroplane duels, in fact every clear day they are at it. It is a great sight to see as many as sixty planes all up at once, but rather horrible to see them brought down, sometimes in flames and other times I have seen observer fall out of his machine while hundreds of feet in the air.

I suppose you heard that Mat Doran was killed in action about the end of October. I'm not sure of the date as I did not hear till some time after. I went to see Gordon Burton after we came out of action, but he had gone away sick, I haven't heard anything of him since. I just heard yesterday that Chris Keighery and Alan Whelan are about here somewhere.

The author of the letter mentions four other men - 

Doran, Matthew John (Service Number 1376) Matthew, a labourer, enlisted on August 3, 1915 at the age of 22.  He was born in 1892 in Trentham to Denis Doran and Mary Cranny. Mary was subsequently widowed and married John Scanlon in 1902. His address on the Embarkation Roll is Heathcote, the same as his mother's address. He did, however, undertake his medical examination in Warragul and has a connection to Modella, see here. Matthew was Killed in Action in France on October 23, 1916.

Burton, Gordon Frederick (SN 184) Gordon was born in Yannathan, enlisted on July 5 1915 at the age of 23. He was grocer and his next of kin were his parents, Frederick and  Elizabeth (nee Smith) Burton, of Wonthaggi.  Gordon Returned to Australia  April 13, 1919. 

Gordon came back to Yannathan after the War and was listed in the Electoral Rolls as a driver. In the 1936 Roll his occupation had changed to grocer and the next year he had moved to Northcote, where he was also in the Grocery trade. Gordon married Rita Priestley in 1943 and he died on September 18, 1946 at the age of 51. Gordon is listed on the Yannathan Honor Board, here.

Keighery, Christopher (SN 340)  Christopher was born in Dandenong and enlisted on May 13, 1916, Chris was 26 years old and a saddler and his next of kin was his father, Edward, of Lang Lang.  He Returned to Australia July 5, 1919. 

Whelan, Herbert Allan (SN 341)  Allan (as he was known) enlisted on May 18, 1916. He was 23 years old, born in Lang Lang and his next of kin was his father, Thomas, of Rutherglen. His mother, Sarah (nee Pell) had died in 1906.  Allan's occupation on his Enlistment papers was a Hairdresser, although he was listed in the Electoral Rolls at Lang Lang at this time as a Teamster. Allan was taken Prisoner of War on April 15, 1917 and repatriated back to England on Christmas Day, 1918. He Returned to Australia February 7, 1919.  After the War, Allan moved to Maryborough, and his occupation was a Motor Proprietor.  He married Margaret Elizabeth Nicholls in 1927, who sadly died September 7, 1928. In 1930 he married Helena Sarah Neyland. Allan and Helena lived in Carisbrook, where he was a Motor Mechanic. Allan died in 1965, aged 72. 

A report about Chris and Frank Keighery

Lang Lang Guardian, May 11, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119515432

I came across this interesting article about Chris and Frank Keighery. Frank (SN 445) was Killed in Action at Gallipoli, but before the War contributed Nature Notes to The Argus, under the pen name Heron and was the first man to volunteer from Lang Lang.

Chris and Frank were the sons of Edward and Annie (nee Elliott) Keighery. Edward and Annie moved to Lang Lang in 1903 where Edward had a Bootmakers shop. In 1920, Chris married Eva Emily Misson and they lived in Koo Wee Rup where he operated a saddlers and bicycle shop.  (Source: Protector's Plains: history of Lang Lang Primary School No.2899, 1888-1988 and district compiled by Barbara Coghlan in 1988.

Air Raid Precautions in the local area

After War was declared on September 3, 1939 Councils began to look at what Air Raid Precautions (A. R.P.) they could take in their own area. The Dandenong Journal could report on September 6 that the Dandenong Shire Council was amongst the earliest councils to nominate a district warden, in the person of Cr C. E. Isaac (1), and as First Aid Area Commandant, Dr. G. Boileau (2). Preliminary steps have been taken by the district warden in dividing the closely settled portion of the shire into sections, appointing a warden for each section and arranging for the training of these wardens in air raid precautions (3).  

They held  A. R. P and First Aid training courses throughout the Shire and established First Aid Posts As Dr Boileau explained, these First Aid Posts were the key point in the successful evacuation of any injured, he said. The effectiveness of A.R.P. depended on three things - the collection, the classification and the evacuation of the injured. They had to realise that Dandenong was no longer an open town and consequently might be more vulnerable to attack. An enemy’s most important objective was to create panic. A.R.P.’s aim was to prevent it, and that was why they wanted the most efficient organisation possible (4). 

Training was also provided in another area Rescue, Demolition and Decontamination services are also putting in a lot of hard training and covering much ground. They have had lectures on repairs to water services, gas and electrical supplies, explosives, repair and use of rope pulleys, etc (5).  

The dire headline in the Dandenong Journal of February 25, 1942.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/215707646

By January 1942, the Dandenong Shire was also digging trenches - At a conference convened by the Premier last week, the Dandenong Municipality agreed to co-operate with the Commonwealth and provide slit-trench protection for approximately 1,000 people in the most populous portions of the shire - Dandenong, Spring Vale and Noble Park. Most of these trenches will be in the vicinity of shopping centres - in the streets and on vacant allotments - and will provide a refuge for citizens who might be caught away from their own homes (6).  

The trenches, which cost £750, were partially subsidised by the Public Works Department and they were located in Dandenong on vacant land known as Rodd’s paddock at the corner of McCrae and Walker Sts.; on the old market site (100 people); along the highway (to serve the market); up the back of Thomas St., between Clow and Scott Streets (100 people); Thomas St., between Scott and Walker Sts. (150 people) ; and at the bottom end of Thomas St., near Godfrey’s (100 people). At Spring Vale trenches will be be created near the school ground and on vacant land north of the railway line (7). The trenches were shored up with wood, but were uncovered.  There was no provision for trenches at Noble Park as it was open country with no congested areas (8).

Dandenong also implemented another protection - an air raid siren which was tested in August 1942  and it was a very successful exercise - All knew the large number of people congregated in the market of a Tuesday afternoon, yet in 10 minutes there was not one person standing in the market or its vicinity. The people had given the most wonderful co-operation. Lonsdale street, too, had been cleared of people in 4 minutes (9).   

Dandenong, like all of Victoria was fortunate that they did not have to face an air raid unlike Northern Australia and by October 1944 the air raid trenches were no longer deemed to be necessary, and were considered unsightly and the Council was given permission to fill them in (10). The job was put out to tender and there was quite a bit of competition for the material in the Dandenong Air Raid shelters and council on Monday accepted Mr. T. P. Carroll's offer of £45 for the lot. Councillors were pleasantly surprised at the financial outcome. Mr. Whitehead’s offer of £30 to fill in the trenches was also accepted (11).

I don't have  a photo of slit-trenches in the local area, this is the trench being dug behind 

the Essendon Town Hall, opposite Queen's Park, c. 1942.

State Library of Victoria Image H99.201/3988

Dandenong was relatively urbanised at the time of the Second World War, but what of the neighbouring Shires of Berwick and Cranbourne? The Chief Warden for the Berwick Shire was Cr A.G. Robinson (12). It wasn't until September 1941 that an A.R.P. class was formed in the town of Berwick (13) however first aid classes had been held in Pakenham since the start of the War (14). First aid posts were established in other towns and the location and the Commandant was published in the Dandenong Journal in March 1942. Berwick: Soldiers’ Hall, Commandant, Mrs. S. A. Greaves, ’phone Berwick 44; Pakenham, Mechanics’ Institute, Mrs. W. G. Farrell, Pak East 6; Garfield, Public Hall, Mrs. Patterson, Garfield 39; Bunyip, St. Thomas’ Hall, Mrs. Phillip, Bunyip 52; Upper Beaconsfield, Assembly Hall, Mr. R. Barnes, Upper Beaconsfield 35 (15).

Some towns developed their own War action group - Pakenham had the Pakenham Citizens' Defence Committee who in February 1942, requested that the council: (1) arrange to deposit heaps of sand at points in the town area to enable householders to secure supplies for A.R.P. purposes; (2) erect a shelter in the town area for demonstration purposes - suggested site opposite John street; (3) do all in its power by using its influence with the relevant bodies, to have effect given to the principle of organising the people of this locality into a Home Defence Army, acting under the leadership of the Voluntary Defence Corps; (4) arrange for cartage of supplies of stripped stringy bark for use as a base for roofing in aid-raid shelters; (5) save all used paper cement bags and make them available to householders for filling with sand for use in countering incendiary bombs (16). The Council's response was that they would provide material up to the value of £5, although Shire Engineer, Henry Keys, reported that the committee had already done a lot of work in providing slit trenches and that the council had already provided heaps of sand at various points in the town (17).

In the Cranbourne Shire at a meeting in January 1942, Cr Greaves (18) complained about the lack of A.R.P information.  The meeting was primarily to consider evacuation plans but Cr Greaves said there are other matters to be considered besides evacuation plans, such as civilian air raid protection and preparations to extinguish fires likely to be caused by bombing raids,” he stated. “Citizens are anxious to know what to do. Is there any need to suggest that trenches be dug? (19). Fires caused  from bombs was an important issue for the rural shire, where, as Cr Greaves pointed out in  5 minutes a thousand fires could occur and it would be impossible for anybody to cope with them all (20).  Another point raised by Cr Greaves was that in the case of a complete evacuation what action was likely to be taken in regard to stock. In his district alone there were enough cattle to supply an army for a month (21).

Most of his issues, apart form the cattle question, were addressed at meeting the next month, reported on at length in the Dandenong Journal -
Mr C. E. Isaac, M.L.C., Deputy District Warden at Dandenong, attended last Friday’s meeting of the Council and with the aid of Cr R. Campbell (District Warden) (22) and Dr. A. B. Hewitt (23) drew up a plan of action for the shire. This was unanimously adopted, and is to be carried into effect straight away. In an address to councillors, Mr Isaac said that the plan submitted for organising and training A.R.P. services must needs be adapted to country conditions. In their shire, fire prevention and protection during the summer months would form a very large part of the organisation. The individual responsibility of citizens had to be brought home to them, as it was only the A.R.P. responsibility to do for the citizens what they could not do for themselves. The plan, prepared by Mr Isaac, Cr Campbell and Dr. Hewitt, and adopted in its entirety is: ORGANISING: Each riding to be divided into three parts, forming 12 areas in all, each under the control of an area warden. Enrolment forms to be distributed by area wardens for volunteers. Each area to be divided into sections and a sector warden appointed for each. First Aid units of from 10 to 20 persons to be established at Cranbourne, Pearcedale, Tooradin, Kooweerup, Bayles, Catani or Yannathan, and Lang Lang; two Mobile First Aid posts also to be arranged for. A.R.P. Control Centre to be established in the Cranbourne Shire hall. TRAINING: A.R.P. training classes to be held at Cranbourne, Kooweerup and Lang Lang. Special instructions in methods of dealing with incendiary bombs and fire-fighting to be given to wardens and citizens. Instruction in First Aid to be continued and posts staffed as trained personnel becomes available (24).

By March 1942, 100 people were attending First Aid Classes at Koo Wee Rup and 180 people had attended an A.R.P. meet at Lang Lang (25).  The Dandenong Journal also reported on an interesting side effect of the War - Advice from the State Electricity Commission revealed that “brown-out” restrictions have reduced the shire’s annual street lighting-bill as follows: - Cranbourne, from £71/5/ to £60/6/; Kooweerup, Lang Lang, Tooradin, Bayles, Catani, and Dalmore, from £213/15/ to £l03/37/ (26). 

It was fortunate that the local area did not suffer from Air Raids, but they did all they could to be ready. Almost a million Australians served in World War Two; 30,000 were Prisoners of War and over 39,000 died whilst serving (27).  I don't know how many locals enlisted or did not return but many families suffered a loss and thus our area did not come out completely unscathed.

Trove list: I have created a list of articles on Trove, connected to Air Raid Precautions in the Shires of Dandenong, Cranbourne and Berwick, access it here.

Footnotes
(1) Cyril Everett Isaac (1884 -1965) established his firm, C. E. Isaac and Sons of Noble Park,  in 1922 and by the 1930s had the largest seedling trade in Victoria.  Cyril trained as a School Teacher and in February 1911 was appointed the inaugural Secretary of the newly established Victoria State Schools' Horticultural Society; one of its aims was to promote amongst teachers and pupils a genuine love of gardening and flowers.  He was a Shire of Dandenong Councillor from 1922 until 1931, then 1937 until 1941 and a member of the Legislative Council from 1940 until 1952. I have written more about him here https://victoriaspast.blogspot.com/2021/08/telling-time-with-flowers-floral-clocks.html
(2) Gilbert George Boileau, was the Dandenong Shire's Health Officer. In February 1945, on the death of his father, he succeeded to the family Baronetcy, created in 1838, and became Sir Gilbert Boileau. You can read about his forebears in the Dandenong Journal of February 28, 1945, here. Gilbert died in 1978, aged 80.
(3) Dandenong Journal, September 6, 1939, see here.

(4) Dandenong Journal, July 17, 1940, see here.
(5) Dandenong Journal, July 16, 1941, see here.
(6) Dandenong Journal, January 7, 1942, see here.

(7) Dandenong Journal, January 14, 1942, see here.
(8) Dandenong Journal, January 14, 1942, see here.
(9) Dandenong Journal, April 8, 1942, see here.

(10) Dandenong Journal, October 18, 1944, see here.
(11) Dandenong Journal, November 1, 1944, see here.
(12) Arthur George Robinson.  Son of George Washington Robinson, Shire of Berwick Engineer, 1876-1890, 1894- 1904. Arthur was a long term Shire of Berwick Councillor and Shire President 1939/1940, 1951/1952 and 1963/1964. He died in 1982, aged 97. (Source: In the Wake of the Pack Tracks)

(13) Dandenong Journal, October 1, 1941, see here.
(14) Dandenong Journal, January 28, 1942, see here.
(15) Dandenong Journal, March 25, 1942, see here. Mrs Greaves was Anne Greaves the wife of Sydney Greaves, a grazier of Berwick; Mrs W. G. Farrell, was Alice Farrell, wife of the local doctor William Farrell in Pakenham; Mrs Patterson was Enid Patterson, the wife of the local Garfield doctor, James Patterson; I have no information on Mrs Phillip and Reginald Barnes was of Alston, Upper Beaconsfield.

(16) Dandenong Journal, February 25, 1942, see here.
(17) Dandenong Journal, February 25, 1942, see here.

(18) William Clement Greaves of Caldermeade, He was a councillor from 1924 until 1959 and Shire President on four occasions. He died in 1973, aged 75. (Source: The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire by Niel Gunson)
(19) Dandenong Journal, January 14, 1942, see here.

(20) Dandenong Journal, January 14, 1942, see here.
(21)  Dandenong Journal, January 14, 1942, see here.
(22) Robert Campbell, of Clyde North. Councillor from 1931 until his death in September 1953, at the age of 71; Shire President 1937 to 1940. (Source: The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire by Niel Gunson)

(23) Dr Alan  Boswell Hewitt, Medical Officer, Shire of Cranbourne. His practice was at Koo Wee Rup (and 'fun fact' - he was the doctor who delivered me at the Westernport Memorial Hospital in 1959). Dr  Hewitt in 1967, aged 68. 
(24) Dandenong Journal, February 11, 1942, see here.
(25) Dandenong Journal, March 11, 1942, see here.

(26) Dandenong Journal, March 11, 1942, see here.

(27) https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/second-world-war

The Frawley Brothers pay the Supreme Sacrifice

There are two Frawley's listed in the World War Two section of the Bunyip War Memorial - J.W. Frawley and K.D. Frawley. They are John William Frawley and his brother Kevin Dennis Frawley. They were the sons of James Patrick and Margaret (nee Bannan) Frawley of the Iona Hotel, Garfield.

The Frawley commemorated on the Bunyip War Memorial.

Photograph courtesy of the  Casey Cardinia Remembers website

www.caseycardiniaremembers.org.au

John and Kevin had five other siblings - Ada Mary, Kathleen Bridget 'Keenie', Francis James, James Patrick and William. See footnote (1) for more family information. According to the Electoral Rolls the family were living at Leigh Creek during the time most of the children were born, but around 1920 they moved to North Melbourne, where Kevin the youngest child was born. On May 7, 1928 James Frawley applied for the licence of the Floodgate Hotel in Port Melbourne (2). The Frawleys were at the Floodgate Hotel until March 1940 and a year later in June 1941, they took over the license of of the Iona Hotel in Garfield from Ellen O'Donohue. This time it was Margaret Frawley who held the licence (3).

The Floodgate Hotel, corner Ingles and Crockford Streets, Port Melbourne.

James and Margaret Frawley held the licence from 1928 until 1940.

Photographer: John T. Collins, taken February 15, 1969.

State Library of Victoria Image H98.250/2179

The Frawleys soon became involved in the community life at Garfield and in September 1941 a football match was organised to raise money for the Prisoners of War fund. This match was clearly organised by the Frawleys. This is from the report in the Emerald Hill Record - in ideal weather last Sunday, a large number of members of the Floodgate Social Party, Port Melbourne, and their friends visited Garfield, where a football match was arranged between a team representing the Social Party and the Garfield club. Two chars-a-banc conveyed over 70 players and friends, and as many travelled by train. The match ended in a draw, £20 was raised for the Prisoner of War fund and at the conclusion of the match teams and supporters adjourned to the Iona Hotel for dinner, after which presentations were made (4).

The Iona Hotel at Garfield. c. 1915, operated by Margaret and James Frawley in the 1940s.

Image: Berwick Pakenham Historical Society

Sadly, the Frawley boys did not have much opportunity to enjoy life in Garfield as they soon enlisted. Here are the details of their life and service (5).

John William Frawley (VX90347), born October 1, 1917 at Leigh Creek. He enlisted in the Army on September 24, 1942 and was Killed in Action in Papua on January 18, 1943. John's obituary in the Emerald Hill Record said that Pte. Frawley was a former pupil of the Christian Brothers' School, South Melbourne, and left a protected industry to join the A.I.F. (6). He had worked at General Motors-Holden. A Mass was offered for the repose of his soul at SS. Peter and Paul's Church, South Melbourne on Sunday, February 7, 1943 (7).

Kevin Dennis Frawley (VX67337), born May 12, 1920 at North Melbourne. Kevin enlisted on December 10, 1941 in the Army and was Killed in Action in New Guinea on September 4, 1943. His obituary in the Emerald Hill Record said that Kevin was educated at SS. Peter and Paul's School, South Melbourne, and later at St. Patrick's College, Ballarat. It was in February of this year that he returned from the Middle East after serving with the 9th Division, and left later for the battle station in the north where he met his untimely death (8). On October 3, 1943 a Mass was also offered for the repose of his soul at SS. Peter and Paul's Church, South Melbourne (9).

Another son of James and Margaret also enlisted - James Patrick Frawley (V71945), born September 23, 1919 at Leigh Creek, enlisted on January 21, 1941 and was discharged September 1, 1944.

 
The Emerald Hill Record wrote that Widespread sympathy has been extended to members of the Frawley family since the news was received that Private Kevin Dennis Frawley had been killed in action in New Guinea on September 4. Private Frawley was the second member of his family to make the supreme sacrifice, his eldest brother, Jack, having lost his life in New Guinea in January of this year (10). It must have been in the back of Mr and Mrs Frawley's mind that having lost two sons, they may well have lost a third and this fear was very real for Margaret Frawley as three of her brothers had died while serving in World War One. You could hardly blame her for perhaps thinking that her family had sacrificed enough for Australia's War effort.

These are the details of the service details (11) of Margaret's brothers -
Francis Thomas Bannan (SN 1878), enlisted at the age of 20 on June 16, 1915. He was a draper. Francis was Killed in Action in France on July 28, 1916.
William James Bannan (SN 1783), enlisted on June 7, 1915 at the age of 18. He was a bootmaker. William was Killed in Action in France on August 24, 1916.
Francis and William were from Kerang.
John Joseph Bannan (SN 1126) John was 24 when he enlisted on June 14, 1915 and his wife, Mary Ann, whose address was Berwick, was his next of kin. His occupation was Quarryman, so it is more than possible that he worked at Wilson's Quarry in Berwick. John died of Malaria at the English Hospital in Damascus on October 16, 1918. John is listed on the Berwick War Memorial in High Street.

John Bannan's obituary in The Advocate of November 23, 1918.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article152180895

As a matter of interest another of Margaret's brothers enlisted in the Army in World War Two. He was Vincent James Bannan (VX92045) who served from April 1943 until February 1946.

James Frawley died September 7, 1947 at the Iona Hotel at Garfield. He was 63 years old. I don't have a date for when the Frawley's left the Hotel but in 1949 Margaret and her son James were listed in the Electoral Rolls at 237 Blyth Street, Brunswick East. James' occupation was a barman. Margaret Frawley died on July 4, 1973 at the age of 80. She is buried with her husband at the Melbourne General Cemetery (12).

As an aside the Frawley family were well entrenched in the Hotel industry - this is from James' obituary in 1947 - Well-known hotel keeping families at South Melbourne and Port Melbourne have been bereaved by the death of Mr. James Patrick Frawley, of the Iona Hotel, Garfield, which occurred suddenly at his home on Sunday night. He commenced his trade career at the Floodgate Hotel, Port Melbourne. Surviving sisters are Mrs. W. Bell (Freer's Hotel, South Melbourne), and Miss Agnes Frawley and Miss Millie Frawley (Railway Club Hotel, Port Melbourne). The late Mrs. J. Fisher (Town Hall Hotel, South Melbourne) was a sister, and the late Mr. R. S. Frawley (Station Hotel, Port Melbourne) was a brother (13).

Bell's Hotel, also known as Freer's Hotel (14) corner Moray Street and Coventry Streets, 

South Melbourne, c. 1970-1974, operated at one time by Annie Bell (nee Frawley), 

an aunty of John and Kevin.

Photographer: Committee for Urban Action, Melbourne

State Library of Victoria Image CUASM264/2-3 Image 7

Town Hall Hotel, Bank Street, South Melbourne, c. 1970-1974, operated at one time by

 another aunty of John and Kevin, Margaret Fisher (nee Frawley).

Photographer: Committee for Urban Action, Melbourne

State Library of Victoria Image CUASM179/5 Image 2

Trove list 

I have created a Trove list of various articles connected to the Frawley family, access it here.

Footnotes
(1) Family information

This information is from the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages, the Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com, family notices in the newspapers (see my Trove list, here) and Victoria, Australia, Cemetery Records and Headstone Transcriptions, 1844-1997, also  on Ancestry.com
James Patrick Frawley was born c. 1884, in Bungaree, to Patrick and Bridget (nee McDermott) Frawley. I can't actually find a record of his birth in the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages Index. Margaret Ellen Bannan was born in 1893, in Kerang to Dennis and Mary (nee Maher) Bannan. James and Margaret married in 1913, I believe. They had the following children. 

Ada Mary - born in 1913 and birth registered at  Port Melbourne. Ada married Stewart Plumridge in 1936 and had two boys, Frank and John, perhaps named for Ada's uncles who died in the First World War.

Kathleen Bridget 'Keenie' - born in 1914 and birth registered Bungaree 1914.  She married Stephen James Holland in 1946. They were living in Garfield until at least 1954, but I have no other information.

Francis James - born in 1916 and birth registered at Bungaree 1916. He died at Warrenheip at the age of 11 months in 1917. I suspect that Kathleen and Francis were actually born at Leigh Creek, like the next two boys were. 

John William - born October 1, 1917 at Leigh Creek. Killed in Action on January 18, 1943. See above.

James Patrick - born September 23, 1919, at Leigh Creek. Served in the 2nd A.I.F. In the 1954 Electoral Roll James was still living with his mother at 237 Blyth Street, where they moved to from Garfield in 1949. In the 1963 Electoral Roll, a Ursula May Frawley is also living with them, so I presume James got married, between 1954 and 1963. I have no other information about him.

William - William is listed in his father's death notice ad being deceased, but I can find neither a birth or death record for him. 

Kevin - born may 12, 1920 at North Melbourne. Killed in Action on September 4, 1943 See above.
(2) Notification for application of licence transfer was in The Herald, April 27, 1928, see here. The address of the Hotel was listed at Raglan Street in the transfer notice, however it is on the corner of Ingles Street and Crockford Street, Port Melbourne.
(3) Licence transfer of the Floodgate Hotel in The Argus, March 19, 1940, see here. Licence transfer for the Iona Hotel was in The Age, June 10, 1941, see here.

(4) Emerald Hill Record, September 27, 1941, see here.

(5) Details of life and service come from obituaries in the Emerald Hill Record, death notices inserted by family and friends - see my Trove list, here, for these. Also the WW2 Nominal Rolls   https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/home

(6) Emerald Hill Record, February 6, 1943, see here.

(7) Emerald Hill Record, February 6, 1943, see here.

(8) Emerald Hill Record, October 2, 1943, see here.

(9) Emerald Hill Record, October 2, 1943, see here.

(10) Emerald Hill Record, October 2, 1943, see here.

(11) World War One service details from the National Archives of Australia, www.naa.gov.au

(12) This information is from the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages, the Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com, family notices in the newspapers and Victoria, Australia, Cemetery Records and Headstone Transcriptions, 1844-1997, also  on Ancestry.com

(13) Emerald Hill Record, September 13, 1947, see here.

(14) I came across this photo and was fairly sure that it was Freer's Hotel, but it was confirmed by this article, which also includes an 1880's photo of the building  https://melbournewalks.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/SOUTH-MELBOURNE-HOTELS.pdf