Pakenham Upper gives more of her best to the A.I.F

Pakenham Gazette May 31, 1918

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92154616

Douglas Bruce Black (Service Number (SN) 64799) enlisted on June 28, 1918 at the age of 19 and was sent overseas and arrived in Egypt but sadly died of 'cerebro spinal fever' on December 12, 1918. Bruce was the son of Thomas Montgomery Black and Margaret Ellen Fergus, orchardists of Pakenham Upper. The article refers to his three brothers who were also fighting in France - two of the brothers  were Donald Caldwell Black (SN 7201) and Wallace Moncrief Black (SN 7451). They were both orchardists. Donald enlisted at the age of 24 on January 10, 1917. He Returned to Australia July 7, 1919. Wallace enlisted on July 10, 1917 aged 21 and Returned to Australia July 13, 1919. 

The other brother was Robert Livingstone Conning Black (SN 5985) a 22 year old Engineering student, who enlisted on February 2, 1916. Robert was Killed in Action in France on August 9, 1918. Whilst these brothers were fighting overseas the farm was being run by another brother Thomas Fergus Black. Thomas appeared before the Dandenong Exemption Court on October 17, 1916 for exemption to military service on the grounds that he had 22 young orchards of ten acres each to attend to amongst other work and also employed four men. The case was adjourned until November and as I can find no record of him serving I believe he must have been granted an exemption. 

The Holdensen boys were the sons of Peter Holdensen and Katrine Lindberg of Pakenham Upper although their address is sometimes referred to as Gembrook South. The family arrived from Denmark in January 1898.  Jens Peter Holdenson enlisted when he was 19 on August 6, 1915 and was discharged as medically unfit a month later on September 9 due to 'deformed insteps of feet'.  Paul Holdenson, officially called Povl Jorgen Holdensen, was also born in Denmark but was naturalised in August 1915. Paul enlisted on June 3, 1916 aged 23 and Returned to Australia on December 21, 1919. I can't find any record of Lin Holdensen's enlistment on either the National Archives of Australia or the Australian War Memorials - but I believe his full name was Iver Rasmus Lindberg Holdensen and he was naturalised in June 1918. 

Right sort of Colonist - Kenneth Fyffe

The Weekly Times published this article on August 4, 1917 and is interesting as it shows the connection at the time between  patriotism, colonialism and nationalism. Kenneth Thompson Grant Fyffe (Service Number 6798A) enlisted on September 3 1917, at the age of 21 and had been employed as a Farm Labourer at Bunyip. Kenneth was gassed while serving overseas in France. He Returned to Australia February 26 1920.

In the 1921 Electoral Roll Kenneth was living in North Fitzroy and had an occupation of 'Engine Cleaner' and three years later he was living at Brighton Avenue in Preston, with his wife Amelia, and he was a tram conductor. You can read more about Kenneth on the RSL Virtual War Memorial rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au or click here to go directly to his entry. Sadly, his life after the war was not all smooth sailing and he died in 1964 at the age of 68. I wonder of he ever returned to Bunyip?

Weekly Times August 4, 1917 

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page13611994

Pakenham War Memorial - the 'scene of beer parties'

I came across this article in the Dandenong Journal of May 21, 1941 about the neglected state of the Pakenham War Memorial. It's interesting that after the enthusiasm of having Memorials erected in the late 1910s and the 1920s that it didn't take all that long for the Memorials to be neglected. The Pakenham War Memorial was officially unveiled on January 15, 1921 by Brigadier General Brand. There is a report in Dandenong Journal of February 9, 1928, how the War Memorial is 'a disgrace' (you can read the article here http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article200675138) The reason would have been, as Cr Bourke said in 1941 that 'that the trouble was that nobody was responsible for the care of the memorial'

Dandenong Journal  May 21, 1941

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214603307

Here is the text from the article.

Pakenham War Memorial Neglected and Forgotten

"Scene Of Beer Parties", Declares Councillor

Talk of removal at later date

Asking that the position regarding the War Memorial at Pakenham be defined, the Pakenham R.S.S.I.L.A. said that at present it stands neglected and forgotten, and offers little encouragement for the young men of today to come forward and offer their services to their country. “We should remember the fallen always, and the memorial should be kept in a manner fitting to the dead,” the writer stated, in urging council to remove the memorial to a more fitting site. He paid tribute to Cr Bourke for his action in having the surroundings cleaned up at his own expense.

Cr Bourke said that the trouble was that nobody was responsible for the care of the memorial. He understood that the trustees were all dead. Cr C. Greaves said that the soldiers themselves couldn’t do much. If council thought it better to remove the memorial to another site where it could receive attention more easily,then they would fall in with that plan.

Mr Ahern; The site is leased from the railways. The memorial should never have been put there. Most people realised that at the time but the soldiers themselves wanted it there.

Cr Bourke: There’s generally 8 or 9 dozen beer bottles strewn round it. 

The Secretary: That’s what it’s used for - for drinking parties. Couples returning from dances .also use it as a parking place.

Cr Greaves: The memorial can never be satisfactory in a place like it is.

When other councillors suggested removing the memorial, Cr Kinsella pointed out that it would be hard to get a suitable site in the town. He suggested that the proposed removal be deferred until the, present war is over.

Cr Greaves: We’ll have to move it. Maintaining it as just a sort of beer garden is not much good.

He moved, and Cr Wadsley seconded, that the memorial be shifted to a more suitable site when one was found and that in the meantime council look after it.

Later, this resolution was withdrawn when it was pointed out that council could hardly act in the matter without giving the public a say.

After a motion had been carried that council maintain the memorial at half cost to Pakenham and half to lona ridings, Crs Greaves and Wadsley moved that a public meeting be convened by the shire president to consider the position regarding the site.

Where was the Memorial Park?  According to the Back to Pakenham: Souvenir Booklet of March 1951 the community first asked the Railway Department 'for the block of land to the Station Entrance' This was refused on the grounds that it might be needed for railway purposes, but the Department allowed a  portion about one chain wide, running from Station Street to Station Road. The stone was erected and the community raised money for a fence, a hedge and gates, garden seats and a machine gun enclosed in brickwork with a glass front. The booklet goes onto say that for  a number of years it was well cared for, but as time went on it was allowed to get into a state of untidiness - everybody's business being nobody's business.

The War Memorial is now outside the Hall and Library Complex in John Street.

Cranbourne Presbyterian Church Honour Roll

The Cranbourne Presbyterian Church Honour Roll is housed at the Fishermans Cottage Museum at Tooradin. The Museum is operated by the Cranbourne Shire Historical Society. It's a beautiful board, in a Gothic ecclesiastical style.  What follows is a list of soldiers on the Honour Board,  their fate (i.e. when they Returned to Australia after active service or when they were Killed in Action) and their Service Number (SN) so you can look up their full service record on the National Archives website (www.naa.gov.au)

Baker, Alexander George  (SN 1782) Alexander enlisted on June 11, 1915 at the age of 22. He was a farmer and his next of kin was his father, Mr J. W Baker of Lyndhurst. Alexander was awarded the Military Medal in 1917. He Returned to Australia April 8,  1919

The T. Bell listed on the Honour Roll is either Thomas Bell (SN 340) or Thomas Bell (SN 3773) They are both Presbyterian.

Bell, Thomas  (SN 340)  Thomas was one month off 25 years of age when he enlisted on January 18, 1915. His next of kin was his father, J. Bell of Cranbourne and his occupation was farm labourer. Thomas Returned to Australia January 2, 1919.

Bell, Thomas Stanley (SN 3773)  Thomas enlisted on August 12, 1915 aged 23. His next of kin was his mother, Mary Ann Bell of St Germains, Clyde. Thomas Returned to Australia October 18, 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds on January 21, 1918. In June 1917 he had been wounded - 'Gun shot wound chest penetrating' was the description of the wound.

Bethune, Rupert Charles (SN 3672) Rupert enlisted at the age of 26 on July 24, 1915. His next of kin was his mother, Mrs Annie Meade of Cranbourne.  Rupert was Killed in Action in France on July 19, 1916.

Bethune, William Charles (SN 3262) William was a 20 year old grocer when he enlisted on June 30, 1917, his next of kin was his mother, Mrs Susie Bethune, of Cranbourne. William Returned to Australia on July 23, 1919.

Brunt, Robert Harold  (SN 26769) Robert is the son of  William Brunt and  Mary Jane (nee Espie), who lived at Spring Villa, where the Settlement Hotel is now located. William was a Cranbourne Shire Councillor from 1904 to 1923. Robert enlisted on February 26, 1916 aged 27 and Returned to Australia on May 31, 1919. Brunt Street in Cranbourne is named for the family.

Cameron, Alexander Gordon (SN 1688) Alexander enlisted on June 28, 1915 at the age of 23. His next of kin was his mother, Mary Ann Cameron of Heatherleigh in Cranbourne. Alexander Returned to Australia May 15, 1919. Alexander's father was Ewen (1860 to 1903) and his mother Mary Ann (1859 to 1947)  was also a Cameron and she was the daughter of early Cranbourne pioneer, Alexander Cameron ( 1814 to 1881) who took up the Mayune run in 1851 and purchased the pre-emptive right of the property which he re-named Mayfield; he was also a member of the Cranbourne Road Board from 1863 until 1867. Cameron Street in Cranbourne is named for the family.

Daws, James  (SN 3809)  James was 18 years old when he enlisted on July 16, 1915. He was an engine driver and his next of kin was his father, Abraham Daws, of Codringtton Street, Cranbourne. James was Killed in Action in France on May 3, 1917.

Greaves, Charles Forrester (SN 13156) Charles enlisted on July 10, 1915 aged 24.  Charles Returned to Australia  May 6, 1919.

Greaves, Sydney Alexander (SN 6523) Lieutenant Greaves enlisted at the age of 23 on July 16, 1915. He Returned to Australia  May 29, 1919. 

Charles and Sydney were the sons of of Edwin and Margaret (nee Forrester) Greaves of The Springs, Berwick. Edwin's brother, William, owned Picnic Park at Lyndhurst.

Hallyburton, Adam Benjamin  (SN 391) Adam enlisted at the age of 21 on February 3, 1915. He was Killed in Action in France on July 27, 1918. His next of kin was his father, W.B Hallyburton of Cranbourne. 

Hill, Leslie Victor (SN 64207) Leslie first enlisted on November 27, 1917 - claimed he  was 18 and his next of kin was his father, Leslie of Nilma, this was,of course, all lies. His father sent  a stern letter asking how it is that the military authorities have taken him in as he was not only underage but didn't have his parent's permission. He was discharged on March 14, 1918 because  he was underage, but then he re-enlisted less than two moths later, on May 1.  This time he truthfully said that his father was Samuel Hill of Tooradin Park in Tooradin. He was sent overseas to Egypt, where he arrived in October 1918 and he Returned to Australia on July 3, 1919.

Innes, Peter  (SN 1757)  Listed as Innis on the Honour Board. Peter was 33 when he enlisted on January 5, 1915. He was killed at Gallipoli four months later on August 6, 1915. His next of kin was his brother, William, of Hicksborough. Peter was a resident of Cranbourne when he enlisted and his death was reported in the 'Patriotic News' section of the South Bourke and Mornington Journal

Report on the death of Peter Innes.

South Bourke and Mornington Journal September 23, 1915

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66188498

Kennedy, Alexander Stewart  (SN 2131) Alexander enlisted at the age of 31 on March 2, 1916. His occupations were listed as 'farmer and general smith'. His next of kin was his wife, Helen Quinn Kennedy. His enlistment papers say that he had spent 5 years with the Tooradin Rifle Club. Alexander Returned to Australia January 24, 1919.

Kirkham, Malcolm (SN 913)  Malcolm was 29, and a farmer from Lyndhurst, when he enlisted on June 8, 1915. His next of kin was his mother, Margaret. Lieutenant Kirkham was Killed in Action in France on September 2, 1918.

This is an article about the deaths of Malcolm Kirkham and William Lecky. 

This is the link to the original article on Trove, which may be easier to read http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66194848

South Bourke and Mornington Journal  October 10, 1918.

Laidlaw, Rodney Goulburn (SN 2037) Rodney was a black smith and enlisted  on April 18, 1917 at the age of 28. His next of kin was his father, Robert, of Cranbourne,  He Returned to Australia on May 6, 1919. Interestingly, Rodney was born in Tatura which is in the Goulburn Valley and also part  of the old Shire of Rodney, which presumably influenced his parents when they were naming him.

Lecky, James Alexander (SN 19922)  James enlisted on February 25, 1916 at the age of 25. He died of 'wounds  received in action' in France on November 14, 1918. The wound was a gun shot wound to the chest, which he sustained on October 25 1918.  

Lecky, William Mervyn  (SN 6612) William enlisted on June 15, 1915 aged 20. He was killed in Action in France on September 1, 1918.

James and William were the sons of James Lecky of Cardinia Park in Officer. James (1841 to 1939) was a Cranbourne Shire Councillor from 1876 until 1905.  Their grandfather, also James (1802 to 1884) had taken up the Gin Gin Bean Run (later named Cardinia Park) at Officer in 1846 and he was a member of the Cranbourne Road Board and the Cranbourne Shire from 1860 until 1881.  Lecky Road in Officer/Pakenham  is named for the family.

McLellan, Donald (SN 2207) Donald was 19 when he enlisted on February 28, 1916. He was born at Lyndhurst and his next of kin was his father, Alexander of Ferndale, Cranbourne. Alexander Returned to Australia on June 10, 1919.

Morris, Philip Samuel (SN 1509) Philip enlisted at the age of 34 on September 6, 1918. He served in Rabaul in New Guinea and then was seconded to the Department of Agriculture over there and Returned to Australia on January 28 1920 and was discharged on medical grounds (post-malarial debility) on March 7, 1920.  His next of kin on enlistment was his wife, Minnie, and his address was Ellamatta, Cranbourne and his occupation was orchardist. 

Pitcher, Claude  William Leonard (SN 2552)  Claude enlisted on February 26, 1916, aged 21. He was a farmer and his next of kin was his father, John, of Cranbourne,  He Returned to Australia July 31, 1918 after being wounded including sustaining a gun shot wound to his right shoulder, and discharged on October 14, 1918.

Read, George Alfred  (SN 1636) George enlisted at the age of 21 on November 10, 1916. His next of kin at the time was his father, William, of Myrtle Cottage, Cranbourne.  He Returned to Australia on December 21, 1919.

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

Ryland, Arthur Anderson (SN 2553) Arthur enlisted at the age of 21 on March 23, 1916. His next of kin was his mother, Amelia Ryland of Clyde; his father Alfred having already died.  He stayed in France after the War ended and was attached to the Australian Base Depot and on September 29, 1919 he married Marie Jeanne Hureaux at the Town Hall in Argenteuil, in France.   He Returned to Australia on February 2, 1920. What happened to Marie? Did she come to Australia? In the 1925 Electoral Roll Arthur is listed at Duff Street Cranbourne with the interesting occupation, Picture Showman. Also at the address is his mother, Amelia, and  Hilda Alice Ryland, his sister, who was a dressmaker. In the 1930s Arthur was President of the Cranbourne Football Club, on the Recreation Reserve Committee and President of the Cranbourne Band Committee and gave his sister Ruth 'away' at her marriage to Thomas Facey, amongst other things. So we know all this, but I can't tell you what happened to Marie.

This is the original Cranbourne Presbyterian Church, built in 1860 and served the Cranbourne Community until the exisiting Church was built in 1953.

Stark, John (SN 4311) John enlisted on July 20, 1915 at the age of 20, he was a Railway employee. His next of kin was his father, William, of Cranbourne, even though in  a letter William wrote in August 1917, he has his address listed as Devon Meadows, Cranbourne.  John was Killed in Action in France on August 18, 1916.

Strong, Frederick William (SN 29790) Frederick enlisted on March 23, 1916. He was 27 and  a farmer. Frederick Returned to Australia  May 31, 1919.

Strong, Albert Victor  (SN 29789) Albert was 24 when he enlisted on the same day as his brother, Frederick. He Returned to Australia on February 7, 1919. 

Frederick and Albert were both born in Portarlington and were the sons  of William Strong of Ercildoune, Cranbourne.

Taylor, William George (SN 1740) He is listed as G. Taylor on the Honour Board.  William was 24, had been born in Lyndhurst and  enlisted on February 17, 1916. He was the son of Richard Thomas Taylor whose address was Post Office Lyndhurst   William Returned to Australia January 8, 1919.   

Thomas, Hedley Howard (SN 4611) Hedley enlisted on September 3, 1915. He was Killed in Action in France, on July 10, 1918. He was the son of George Thomas of Clyde. His enlistment papers said that he was Methodist, but this may have been a mistake, or he may have just been very ecumenical.

Welcome home for Tom Williams of Cranbourne

I  received an email from Marilyn Williams who has kindly provided these photographs of the welcome home  for Tom Williams. Tom was born in 1897 and registered with the surname Bregazzi. His uncle,Tom Bregazzi, had  a farm in Cranbourne. The  photographs were taken in Duff Street Cranbourne, possibly at the farm.  There is a Bregazzi Reserve situated on the area where the farm was once located. It was divided into an estate in  late 1970s, after Tom Bregazzi died, aged  97.

Tom, whose Service Number was 657, enlisted on August 12 1915 at the age of 18. He was three years into an apprenticeship as a wood worker (cabinet maker). His next of kin was his mother, Mrs Madeline Deer, whose address was Cranbourne Post Office. His mother and step father, Henry Deer, signed the consent form. His employer, Mr Griffiths, also signed a form releasing Tom from his employ so he could serve in the 'Imperial Force'. Tom Returned to Australia July 22, 1919.

 

Tom Williams is standing to the right of the photograph

Some of the young ones standing are Tom & Florence Bregazzi's children :-Tom, Glad, Win, Ron...Keith and Chas yet to be born. 

Tom is seated in the car, just above the lady sitting on the running board of the car.

Marilyn also tells us that  after the War, Tom Williams emigrated to New Zealand, and was the father of Yvette Williams who was the first Olympic Gold Medalist for New Zealand in 1952, when she won the long jump at the Helsinki Games. Yvette had won the gold medal in the same event at the 1950 Empire Games, held in Auckland.  She was named Otago's Sportswoman of the Century in 2000. 

In addition, Tom Williams' son (and therefore Yvette's brother) Roy competed in many sports in New Zealand  and was a Commonwealth decathlon champion. In 2014 Roy wrote a book titled Sports Crazy, describing his career in Sport and later as a Sports Journalist. Included in the book, is a photo of Madeline Bregazzi, the mother of Tom Williams (therefore grandmother of Yvette & Roy) and sister to Tom Bregazzi. 

A message from the Sea

I came across this article in the Lang Lang Guardian of April 19 1916 about the chance discovery of a bottle containing a note, which was tossed overboard by  a couple of soldiers. It has a local connection, in that the bottle was discovered by  Mr Ward of Koo-Wee- Rup but it doesn't concern a local soldier. It does, however,  make you wonder whether any of our local  boys tossed a bottle overboard when they were leaving Melbourne to fight overseas and if so, whether anyone found it.

One of the writers was John Walter Feehan (Service Number 1592) who enlisted in July 28 1915 at the age of 18.  His occupation was Station Manager.  He was part of the Australian Army Service Corps Mechanical Transport and Returned to Australia on August 8 1918. I don't know  who his friend, J M'Pherson was, even having done  a search on the 15th Battalion, 1st to 23rd  reinforcements - there are seven McPhersons, none of whom have a first name beginning with J. The other mystery is, who is Mrs Brown of 170 Albert Street, Newton Sydney?

Beaconsfield Avenue of Honour: Servicemen remembered

The Beaconsfield Progress Association have published a book, Beaconsfield Avenue of Honour: Servicemen remembered commemorating the 65 men who were honoured with trees in the Beaconsfield/Berwick Avenue of Honour which runs along High Street/Princes Highway, from the top of the hill down to the Cardinia Creek. 

Funds for the Avenue were donated by Miss Ada Armytage of Holm Park in Beaconsfield. Ada was one of the Armytage family who owned Como House. You can read about Miss Armytage here The trees were planted in 1929 and there were also metal plaques that were made at the time, but never displayed. They went missing for a while and they were located by the late Tony Rushton at the  City of Casey depot, which is where the Avenue is, however Beaconsfield, where most of the soldiers came from is part of the Cardinia Shire. New plaques listing the soldiers names were made and installed in Beaconsfield Park March 13, 2015 - there are three plaques listing the 65 names. How proud Tony Rushton would have been to see this finished project as he did a lot of work on researching and commemorating the Beaconsfield soldiers and was responsible for initiating this project, but he was sadly killed in a car accident at Easter time in 2007.

One of the new plaques installed in Beaconsfield Park in 2015

Photograph courtesy of  Casey Cardinia Remembers website.

The book lists the names, service number and a short biography of each soldier. The research on the soldiers was undertaken by Penny Harris Jennings. It's a a great publication honouring the men who served in the Great War from the Beaconsfield area. Click here to access Library copies of the book.

These are some of the original plaques, taken by Tony Rushton at the City of Casey Depot.