Local Boer War soldiers

The Boer War was fought between British forces against the Boers, or Dutch-Afrikaner settlers in South Africa from 1899 until 1902. The War was also called the South African War and referred to as the Second Boer War. The First Boer War, fought between the Boers and the British, took place in 1880-1881, but no Australian troops were officially involved.

Australians who served  in the War were all volunteers. The Australian War Memorial website explains - Australians served in contingents raised by the six colonies or, from 1901, by the new Australian Commonwealth. For a variety of reasons many Australians also joined British or South African colonial units in South Africa: some were already in South Africa when the war broke out; others either made their own way or joined local units after their enlistment in an Australian contingent ended. Recruiting was also done in Australia for units which already existed in South Africa, such as the Scottish Horse. You can read more about Boer War on the Australian War Memorial website   https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/atwar/boer

This post looks at some of the local men who served in the Boer War. This is a work in progress, I am sure there are many others, so if I have missed any please let  me know. The South African War / Boer War Nominal Rolls can be found here, on the Australian War Memorial website. The Nominal Rolls contain very basic information - name, rank, service number and sometime there is a line about some aspect of their service. The Australians in the Boer War website is also a good source of information, see here.

Bain, Donald Stewart  Donald, born in 1880, was the eleventh and last child of Robert and Susan (nee Stewart) Bain of the Berwick Inn (Border Hotel), established by Robert in Berwick in 1857. He enlisted in either Robert's Light Horse or Kitchener's Fighting Scouts or the  Kaffarian Rifles according to various reports (1).   When Donald returned he became a Stock & Station Agent,  and then he enlisted in the A.I.F in August 1914. Donald was discharged in medical grounds - neurasthenia and shell shock - two years later. You can read his First World War  Personnel Dossier, here. Donald died in 1937, aged 56.

Donald Bain of Berwick, promoted to Lieutenant

South Bourke & Mornington Journal November 6, 1901 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70047917

Chambers, Michael James.  Enlisted in the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles. Michael had also enlisted in the First World War on  March 6 1918 at the age of 38. He lived in Modella and had a wife, Labela and three children. Their son, Ronald, was the Shire of Berwick Engineer from 1948 until 1973, and then the Shire of Pakenham Engineer until 1977. The family are the source of the name Chambers Road, Modella. The R.J. Chambers Reserve in Pakenham Upper is named for Ronald.  Michael died in 1961 aged 85. See his Boer War Nominal Roll, here and his First World War file, here.

Procession of the Victorian Contingent of armed forces to the South African  War, along Spring Street, Melbourne, 28 October 1899. Photographer: E.J. Frazer

State Library of Victoria Image  H36420/42

Davies, Arnold Mercer. Enlisted in the Victorian [Citizen] Bushmen, see his Nominal Roll entry, here. Arnold was the son of Sir Matthew Davies - the first Speaker of the Victorian Parliament, who was born in Australia. Arnold had a letter about his experience of fighting in South Africa, published in The Argus in September 1900. You can read the letter and find out more information about his family, here.  I am not actually sure how he is connected to this region, however Arnold and Alfred Robinson were welcomed home at a function at the Narre Warren North Mechanics' Institute on Friday, February 22, 1901. I presume he was farming in the area. There was a report of the welcome home in the local paper and it starts thus  - It is hardly possible that at any country town within the colony such a handsome welcome home was extended to our returned soldiers as that which took place at the Mechanics Institute, Narre Warren North, Friday night last.

The assemblage comprised visitors from Dandenong, Berwick and the surrounding district well as a strong force of the local residents and numbered about two hundred and fifty, possibly a record attendance at any similar gathering at Narre Warren. The idea of inviting ladies was a great success, nearly half the audience being composed of members of the fair sex. Arnold and Alfred were each   presented with a handsome gold medal, suitably inscribed to the effect that they were given by residents as a token of esteem.  You can read a full report of the event, here, in the South Bourke & Mornington Journal of  February 27, 1901.

After his return Arnold was farming for a time at Doodakine in Western Australia according to the 1909 Electoral Rolls (2).  Doodakine is 230 kms east of Perth. He returned to Victoria and enlisted in the A.I.F in November 1914 at the age  of 38. I can't tell you what he did during the War as he also enlisted in the Second World War and the personnel files have been combined and are not yet digitised. The WW2 Nominal Roll entry states he was born in 1887 - he was actually born 1876. It will be interesting to read the personnel file once it is digitised.

Elmes, John Turner. (Listed as Elms in the Nominal Roll).  John was the son of the late Dr Elmes of Berwick who had served the Berwick community from around 1870 until his death in 1893, at the age of 54. Early Days of  Berwick says that Dr Elmes also treated cases at Brandy Creek [Warragul]  thirty five miles away, being their nearest Doctor.  John served with the 1st Victorian Mounted Rifles, see his Nominal Roll entry, here. When John returned he managed various farms in the Western District, including Terang where he died in 1945, aged 69. John's brothers, Frederick and Herbert served in World War One;  Herbert was Killed in Action in France on November 5, 1916.

Welcome home for John Elms and Arthur Ogilvy.

The Age, January 1, 1901 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196064873?

Gamble, William. Served with the 1st Victorian Mounted Rifles. After the War, William became the Principal of the Dookie Agricultural College. He and his wife Barbara moved to Berwick in 1922 and farmed at Burnbank, in partnership with Edwin Flack, Australia's first Olympian. Barbara, was the first President of the Berwick Country Women's Association and died in 1944 at the age of 66 (3). William died in 1960 aged 91. They are both buried at Berwick Cemetery. See William's Nominal Roll entry, here.

Gardiner, John James. Served with the 2nd Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen and was Mentioned in Commander-in-Chief's Despatches on April 2, 1901. John also enlisted in the First World War, you can read about this service, here. John was a Civil Engineer and was employed as a Shire Engineer in councils in New South Wales and Queensland, before he retired in 1935 and returned to live in Berwick. He was also a councillor for the Shire of Berwick. See John's Nominal Roll entry, here.

The Herald 'World of Sport' column of July 20, 1900 published  a letter from Charles Searle (see below) about life in South Africa and he mentioned John Gardiner -
Though they have to take their share of shot and shell the boys in South Africa manage to find time for football. A Berwick boy with the Tasmanian contingent has sent an account of a match to Mr. Searle of Berwick, and Mr Searle has very kindly forwarded It to me. It is as follows:— "A most interesting and exciting combat took place to-day between the Tasmanian and South Australian Bushmen Contingents on the eve of the departure of the Tassies for Bulawayo, resulting in a win for the Tassies by 6 points, Stanworth (capt.) and Sergeant Gardner of Berwick, both Victorians, being conspicuous for Tasmania, and Wilson, Roberts and Kerr for South Australia."

Hillman, Alfred Ernest  From Pakenham. Enlisted in the 2nd Victorian Mounted Rifles. You can read about him, here.

Leggett, Sid  Sid joined Robert's Light Horse in South Africa with Donald Bain. The boys were both from Berwick, that is all I know about him.  A Miss Jean Leggett attended the Loyal Berwick Lodge Annual ball in August 1905 (4)  and she may be his sister, but I am unsure.

Report of Don Bain and Sid Leggatt from South Africa

South Bourke and Mornington Journal July 18, 1900 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70046016

Morris, John Crisop.  Enlisted in the 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry (see Nominal Roll here) where he had the role of Bugler, and the 7th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse (see here). He reached the rank of Squadron Sergeant Major in the 7th Battalion. John Morris also enlisted in the First World War on September 24, 1914 at the age of 38. He had the unusual occupation of actor and he was born in Townsville, enlisted in Melbourne and his mother, who his next of kin, was also from Townsville. He Returned to Australia December 16, 1917 suffering from 'cardiac arythmia'. You can read his First World War  Personnel Dossier, here. Morris is listed in the Electoral Rolls at Pakenham Upper in 1919, his occupation is orchardist. In 1922 he was granted a Soldier Settlement farm at Yarram, read about this here, on the Battle to Farm website.

Victorian Mounted Rifles leaving for the Boer War. Photo taken in Market Street in Melbourne. 

Photographer: Lewis F. East. 

State Library of Victoria Image H28378

Ogilvy, Arthur James.  Served with the 2nd Victorian Mounted Rifles, and the 2nd Scottish Horse.  Arthur was the son of James W. Ogilvy, of Buchanan Road, in Berwick. Early Days of Berwick said that James was the son of one of Melbourne's earliest solicitors, was one of he first pupils at Scotch College and had witnessed the departure of the Burke & Wills Expedition in 1860. Interesting connections to Melbourne's early history. Arthur was 'welcomed home' with Jack Elms at the smoke night held at the Rechabite Hall in Berwick. He also served in the First World War in the 2nd Light Horse, where he hald the rank of Captain. Captain Ogilvy was Mentioned in Despatches, and Returned to Australia May 1919. You can read his Boer War Nominal Roll entry, here and his First World War Personnel Dossier, here.

Captain Ogilvy pays a visit to Berwick

South Bourke & Mornington Journal May 29, 1919. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66196124

Osborne, Henry Houston. Served with the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles and was a Lieutenant.  Henry is listed in the Electoral Roll at Clyde from 1912 to 1926. His occupation was farm manager. Henry died 1944 aged 84 and was the son of James and Esther (nee Houston) Osborne. Henry married Leila Caroline Kennedy in 1895 in a 'fashionable wedding' at All Saints Church in St Kilda in January 1895, you can read about it here. His Nominal Roll entry is here.

Pritchard, George. Served with the Victorian Imperial Bushmen. The notation in the Nominal Roll syas that Returned Victoria 5/1/01; reported fit; Returned to South Africa and rejoined 4/4/01. His Nominal roll entry is here. George also served in World War One, he was living in Yannathan when he enlisted and you can read his World War One Personnel Dossier, here.

Robinson, Alfred James.  Served with the 1st Victorian Mounted Infantry Company. Alfred, born 1877,  was the son of George Washington and Eliza Robinson  of Hillsley, Narre Warren North.  George was the Shire of Berwick Engineer and Shire Secretary for Ferntree Gully (5).  Alfred's mother, Eliza was the daughter of Thomas and Eliza Walton, of Holly Green, Narre Warren. This was the property acquired by Sidney Webb and is now the site of Fountain Gate Shopping Centre. Alfred married Jessie Lyon of Harkaway on February 22, 1910. Alfred's Nominal Roll entry is here.

Alfred Robinson, 'invalided home'

The Argus April 25, 1900  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9057466

Searle, Charles John. Served in the Victorian Imperial Bushmen. Charles was the son of  Henry Searle, of Berwick. Henry was a Blacksmith and operated from the corner of High Street and Wheeler Street from around 1860. Charles Searle had two of his letters from South Africa published in the South Bourke & Mornington Journal, I have reproduced them here. According to Early days of Berwick, Charles remained to reside in South Africa at the conclusion of hostilities. Read his Nominal Roll entry, here.

Shreeve, James William. Served in the 2nd Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse. James was a professional soldier and also served in the First World War. His parents were William and Emma (nee Daniels) Shreeve, of Mount Marshall, Garfield.  See his Boer War Nominal Roll entry, here and his World War One Personnel Dossier, here.


Trove list - I have created a list of articles on Trove  on the Boer War / South African War with a connection to the Casey Cardinia region or Dandenong, access it here.

Footnotes
(1) Donald Bain's Boer War service -  South Bourke and Mornington Journal July 18, 1900 says he enlisted in the Robert's Light Horse, see here; South Bourke & Mornington Journal November 6, 1901 says he joined Kitchener's Fighting Scouts, see here; his World War One Personnel Dossier says he also served in the Kaffarian Rifles, see here.
(2) The Electoral Rolls are available on Ancestry.
(3) This information is from Mrs Gamble's short obituary was in The Dandenong Journal, January 12, 1944, see here.
(4) South Bourke & Mornington Journal August 16, 1905, see here.
(5) Early Days of Berwick.

Arnold Mercer Davies' letter from South Africa

Arnold Mercer Davies, served in the Victorian [Citizen] Bushmen during the South African War. You can see his Nominal Roll entry, here.   I am not actually sure how he is connected to this region, however Arnold and Alfred Robinson were welcomed home at a function at the Narre Warren North Mechanics' Institute on Friday, February 22, 1901, so I presume he was farming in the area. There was a report of the welcome home in the local paper and it starts thus  - It is hardly possible that at any country town within the colony such a handsome welcome home was extended to our returned soldiers as that which took place at the Mechanics Institute, Narre Warren North, Friday night last.

The assemblage comprised visitors from Dandenong, Berwick and the surrounding district well as a strong force of the local residents and numbered about two hundred and fifty, possibly a record attendance at any similar gathering at Narre Warren. The idea of inviting ladies was a great success, nearly half the audience being composed of members of the fair sex. Arnold and Alfred were each   presented with a handsome gold medal, suitably inscribed to the effect that they were given by residents as a token of esteem.  You can read a full report of the event, here, in the South Bourke & Mornington Journal of  February 27, 1901. There is more information about his family below.

Arnold's letter was published in The Argus on September 14, 1900 (see here).

Private Arnold Davies, son of Sir Matthew Davies, of the 3rd Victorian or Bushmen's Contingent, gives the following account of the attempt made to reach Elands River at the end of July:—
"We are camped now—that is 20 of our division—on a large kopje, about a mile from our old camp, on the Water Hill Fort, and it looks as if we were going to have fairly easy times for a day or two, and I think we could all do with a rest. I suppose you have heard by now that we had a go with the Boers last Sunday, and I think even the most sanguinary amongst us had enough fighting then to do them for a day or two. The wonder is that any of us came through alive; as it is, there are four killed and 21 wounded and missing.

We left the Nek about 8 o'clock on Saturday night for Eland's River to bring in a large convoy. My horse went lame just before we started, and McCulloch lent me his second one. At about 12 that night the advance party came across a small party of Boers at the top of a ridge we had to cross. They fired a few shots, and cleared. We dismounted. I forgot to say there were about 300 of us—Victorians, West Australians, New South Wales, and Queenslanders—and Colonel Airey was in command. We dismounted, as I said, and had a walk round the country, but finding nothing came back and formed up in open order round the hill, waiting to be attacked.

"At daylight we all took another walk, but could see nothing of the enemy. We mounted again about 7, and started off. After going for about a mile and a half our right-flankers fired on the Boers, but they all got away. We rode on again, thinking of when we would get breakfast, when suddenly they opened fire on us from two hills on the left of the road. We dismounted and lay down, and the horses were taken away, and then the fun began. The place where the Victorians were was very like the centre of the two ends of a horseshoe, and about 500 yards away, and we had a cross-fire from each hill, and later on from behind as well. We had ridden fairly into a trap.

While we were on our horses we could see Boers running over the hill, but as soon as we got on the ground we could not see a trace of them. We were lying nearly in the open. If a man made the slightest movement he brought down the whole of the fire on himself. We stayed there till about 1 o'clock, doing nothing, except now and then having a stray shot. The funny thing was that nearly all of us went to sleep. I know I slept for over two hours, and it was a long way the best way to pass the time. At about 1 o'clock we made a dash for a drain about 30 yards in front of us, and two of our men were killed while they were running. Once in the drain things were more comfortable, but we could see nothing to shoot at. I was lying on my back, when a bullet hit the ground at the back of my head, and threw the dirt over my face. That was the nearest shave I had.

"At about 2 o'clock the major called for 20 Victorians to help charge the hill, and I thought I had  done nothing all day, so I went, but somehow I did not like the idea of it till we got started. We fired a few volleys advancing, and then fixed bayonets and charged, but not a shot came after we began to rush, and when we got to the top not a Boer was to be seen. That was about all I saw of the fight. Nearly all our horses were killed, and the horse-holders had by far the worse time of it. What would have happened to us if relief had not come is hard to say. We would never have got out of the hole we were in by ourselves.

We heard yesterday from young Botha, who was wounded, that there were about 1,000 Boers, and they had us surrounded, only they did not know it, but thought by our keeping so still that we had a trap for them."

Family life
Arnold was the son of Sir Matthew Davies - the first Speaker of the Victorian Parliament, who was born in Australia. He was also a land speculator who was declared bankrupt in 1894, and a 'colourful character' that wonderful euphemism  we use to describe slighty dodgy characters. You can read his obituary here, in The Age of November 27, 1912 and his entry on the Victorian Parliament website, here.

Matthew Henry Davies married Elizabeth Locke Mercer in 1875. She was the daughter of Peter and Marion (nee McMillan) Mercer. She died in October 1922.  Matthew and Elizabeth had seven children, the first six born in various suburbs of Melbourne -

• Arnold Mercer, born 1876. He served, as we know, in South Africa. On February 16, 1907 he married Miss Millicent Beatrice Hay Yuille of Heathcote. The wedding was written up in Punch on February 21, 1907, you can read about it, here.  In the 1909 Electoral Rolls, the couple are listed at Doodakine in Western Australia.  Doodakine is 230 kms east of Perth. He was still in Western Australia in 1912 along with his brother Henry, according to Sir Matthew's obituary. He returned to Victoria and was living in Oakleigh, when he enlisted in the A.I.F in November 1914 at the age  of 38. I can't tell you what he did during the War as he also enlisted in the Second World War and the personnel files have been combined and are not yet digitised. The WW2 Nominal Roll entry states he was born in 1887 - he was actually born 1876. It will be interesting to read the personnel file once it is digitised. Millicent died in Prahran in 1975, aged 90. A family tree on Ancestry suggests that Arnold may have died  in 1975 in New Guinea.
• Marion Agnes, born 1877, married David Inman Tod in 1898. The wedding was the subject of an extensive report in Table Talk, read it here. Marion died in England in June 1914.
• Henry Gascoigne, born 1879. Henry was Killed in Action in France on July 19, 1916. You can read his Personnel Dossier here.
• Beatrice Elizabeth, born 1880. Died in Medindie, South Australia in 1964.
• Muriel Kate, born 1882. Muriel was  a doctor, graduating from Melbourne University in 1907.  Muriel married Dr Konrad Hiller in November 1912, two weeks before her father died. Muriel died in 1963, aged 82.

Muriel's final results

The Age, April 5, 1907  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196149805

Dr Muriel Davies, accepts a position in Perth

Bendigo Independent, March 11, 1910  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article227606859

• Olive Blanche, born 1884. Olive married Arthur Lyle Rossiter in 1916. She died in Adelaide in 1976.
• Cecil Harwood Locke, born 1886 in London and married Claire Vernon in 1915. Cecil, who was a Barrister and a Solicitor, also served in the First World War, see his file here. He died in December 1954.

Charles Searle's letters from South Africa

Charles John Searle served in the South African War, also called the Boer War with the Victorian Imperial Bushmen. Charles, born in 1878 in Berwick, was the youngest child of  Henry and Jane (nee Coad) Searle, of Berwick. I have more family information at the end of this post. Henry was a Blacksmith and operated from the corner of High Street and Wheeler Street from around 1860. Charles Searle had two of his letters, both addressed to his parents, that he had sent from South Africa published in the South Bourke & Mornington Journal. I have reproduced them here. According to Early days of Berwick, Charles remained to reside in South Africa at the conclusion of hostilities. See his entry in the Boer War Nominal Rolls, here.

His observations are interesting and he has some local references. He also mentions a Nell - this may be his girlfriend or possibly his sister Ellen.

Umtali, 27/6 /1900
It is a longtime since I last wrote, but you will understand that it is a bit hard to get a letter written out here. We got into harbor at Beira on the 23rd of May, but we were not allowed to land until the 2nd of June. We saw a great number of flying fish the day before we got in, and it was a pretty sight. We were met out side by the man-of-war "Partridge," and conducted into the bay in great style. The water is very shallow and dirty; and everything is very dear at Beira, cocoa nuts 9d, bananas 1s, jam 1/6 half-lb. tin, bread 6d small loaf. A number of the men got fever and dysentry whilst there, but none of the cases were very severe, and all recovered in a few days. I have kept in grand health throughout, and not at all afraid of catching fever as I am not fat. When we landed we camped about a mile from the town, and were placed in charge of about 500 Mexican ponies.

We took our own horses out for exercise every day on the veldt, which was very pleasant, and we got to see a lot of the country in this way. To wards the last we were drilled on the veldt, which was not nearly so pleasant. We ran down several deer, which proved splendid eating. The country around Biera is very flat, with plenty of grass and water. In fact, the grass in most places is six or seven feet high, and in places beautifully green, cattle doing very well on it. The forest here is very thick, and the color of the leaves of the trees from green to blood red. Palms abound, and the ground is spangled with red and white phlox, which created a nice effect. The water here is not of the best quality, and has to boiled before using.

Beira is a fairly large town, built right on the sea, the houses being all red roofed. It has a railways workshop, in which is a grand lot of machinery. The railroad is only 2ft. 6in. wide, and looks very strange after our broad gauge. We left Beira on the 16th, and went up to a place called Bamboo Creek, which is well named, as the bamboos grow eighty and ninety feet high, and very thick. It is a dirty and unhealthy place, and we were glad when we left it on the 18th. I suffered severely there with dysentry, and only got rid of it three days ago, and still feel very weak.

Yesterday we took the horses out to graze, and came in at two instead of four o'clock. Then we went out for drill, and had to march up hills like Wilson's, and go at the double, and as the grass is over one's head, and the ground covered with large stones, it was very hard work, tea time being hailed with joy. For tea we had tinned meat and oatmeal biscuits, and also another kind of oily biscuit which none of us ate as it is horrible. Usually we get rice twice a day, also curry and soup, so you see I am getting broken in to eat anything. We also get porridge every morning, and between twelve there in a half-pound tin of jam divided, and, although we growl like fury, we are not so badly treated. A cup of coffee is given us every morning at six o'clock.

After we left Bamboo Creek we went a trip of 222 miles, up to a place called Umtali. It is a broader gauge (3ft. 6in.) after you leave Bamboo Creek, and we travelled a little faster, but you can imagine what the pace was like when we left at four o'clock on the 16th, and did not arrive at our journey's end until three o'clock on the 18th, and, as there were 85 of us packed in one truck, you can conclude that we were not too comfortable. We passed through some beautiful country, quite as hilly as Gembrook. It was a mass of palms, asparagus fern, phlox, clematis, and that pink creeper that we have growing on the end of the verandah at home, and those snowballs that James Taylor grows ; all the waterholes and small pools were covered with blue and white water lillie, like those at Horsham.

The train when rounding some of the curves is shaped like the letter U, and they are very sharp. The Yeomanry Camp is only about a mile from here, and we are often allowed to visit them. Poor fellows, they are dying like sheep from fever and dysentry, about eighteen deaths occurring last week. They are nice gentlemanly fellows, and I feel very sorry for them. They cannot ride, and are homesick, and are evidently unaccustomed to hard work.

Tomorrow we are to start on a march of 120 miles through the mountains to a place called Marandellis, where all the troops are to be inspected by Lord Carrington, and then sent to the front. We have not been paid yet, and goodness knows when we will be. Report says that Cecil Rhodes is going to give a £5 note to every man in the A.I.R, and I hope it will prove true; also, that we are to get £13 good conduct money at the end of twelve months.

Umtali is a beautiful place, right in amongst the mountains, and is very healthy, but things are very dear-sugar 7d to 10d lb., meat 2s 6d lb., cabbages 2s 6d each, potatoes 10d lb, jam 1s 3d and 1s 6d ½-lb tin, strawberries £1 1s per lb, and so on right through. The birds here are of very gay plumage, but are not nice whistlers, and not nearly in such variety as in Victoria. There are hundreds of vultures, repulsive-looking birds, also crows, which are black with a white band under the throat and look rather pretty.

Although there are so many sorts of flowers here, the ferns do not nearly come up to those of Victoria, with the exception of the asparagus variety which is very plentiful and, as you know, beautiful. Flowers are just now in abundance and of every colour imaginable, and I would like Nell to see them as she would go into raptures.

Umtali is in Rhodesia, and is the first British town we have been in yet. It is pretty dusty, but we do not stick at trifles in this part of the world, and we prefer to deal with English rather than with Portugese. Cecil Rhodes is to visit our camp to-day, which is considered an honor, as he is a person of consequence and just about owns all the land out here. The railway is also his, as are also all the principal buildings. The natives have some very nice vegetable gardens around here and have just the hut they live in.

We will be sorry to leave Umtali, as all are in grand health again and the work is not too hard. We take our horses out to graze every morning at ten o'clock, and come in at four in the afternoon, and as we have our lunch with us, we make camp in at pleasant shady gully, and really enjoy the pleasures of picnicing. Our horses are in very bad condition, and twelve of them had to be shot the other day, and I wished that mine had been amongst them as she was horribly thin and weak, with legs swollen so that she looked more like a draught than a hack; but she is now on the mend, and when once she gets right she will be better than ever.

Yesterday we camped on a slope where a battle was fought six years ago with the Matabele, and the mounds were plainly visible under which repose the dead. Two or three spear heads were also found. We had a slight inconvenience here. All the tents became mixed, and our tent was transposed, and I have got into the worst one of the lot, but still there is a nice young chap from Monbulk in it, named Healey, and he and I are mates. We often have talks together about Berwick, Gembrook, and Narre Warren, &c., and the time passes pleasantly.

The weather here is pretty cold in the mornings, but is just perfect during the remainder of the day, and the sunsets are prettier than I can describe, the shadows and colors on the mountains are so beautiful and varied. Wages are good, drapers getting from £10 to £25 per month, blacksmiths £28, surveyors £40, and the pay of engine drivers and railway guards are also good; but it must be remembered that living costs £8 per month.

A young chap named Fry, from Horsham, is very bad, and we think that he will have to be invalided home, he never having got over being vaccinated on board ship. It seems a great pity, as he is a fine man, 6ft. 1in, in height, and was one of the strongest men in the contingent, and withall a nine chap and a good shot. He is up at the Hospital now, and is still in bed with fever, and I am afraid it will go pretty hard with him. All the other Horsham lads are in good fettle, both as regards health and spirits.

The writer winds up with enquiries after the health and welfare of his numerous friends and acquaintances at Berwick, Horsham, and Carlton, and especially mention Don. Bain and Syd. Leggatt.

This is from the South Bourke & Mornington Journal - it was published over two weeks on August 22 1900 (see here) and August 29, 1900 (see here) and I have edited it.

Buffles' Hock 28/10/1900
(After writing of a private character, he says)—You would not know me now as I am so fat, and I feel just grand. We have had a pretty hard time of it since Friday last, as we have been fighting almost continuously, and I have just got orders to have the captain's things ready as we may move out again at a moment's notice. Last Friday week we left Ottoshoop at 2.30 a.m., and just after daylight we were attacked by the Boers out on the Zeerust road, but after about four hours' fighting we drove them back, and I think they lost a good many men.

After a spell of a couple of hours our (B) squadron was taken about 2½ miles out to the south-east, and then the fun started. We could see two large kopjes about 1½ miles away, which we were told we were to take, which delighted us. Our Captain gave us the order to move forward at a walk, and after proceeding a few hundred yards we were put into open order and commanded to trot. In this manner we got a little further, when the bullets began to sing amongst us. Then we got the order to gallop, and we went up at a splendid pace. It is remarkable how fearless one gets. For the last five hundred yards there was not a bit of cover (we did not want it), and the bullets began to tell. Two horses went down, but their riders got them going again, and with a cheer we got to the foot of the kopje, whilst from the other side the Boers were clearing out as fast as they could.

We mounted the kopje and got our rifles to work, but could not do much damage as the enemy had reached another kopje a thousand yards away. We held the position under heavy rifle fire and bullets fell thick, but no one was hit, and at last some of the Tommies came and we left them as garrison. Our Captain was complimented on the way we did the job and was delighted.

Next day we had to escort a convoy out to Botha's farm, and as he had some nice maidenhair fern I took some and enclose it in this letter for Nell. This is the man you read so much about, and we only took his place a little before I write this. We returned next day, and both ways we had plenty of fighting. Next day we had to go out again, and this time it was to Zeerust, 18 miles, and a great place for Boers, but we were disappointed as we did not see any, but to make up for this failure we brought home a pig, a lot of green peas, and five chickens, and as there are only six in our mess we did very well.

Next day we had a spell, and then we were off again. We left camp at half-past two or three o'clock in the morning, and had travelled for two and a half hours before the first shot was fired, and from then till 12.30 p.m. it was one continuous fight. We went into the row as Lord Erroll's advance guard, but he was too slow, and we got up to a kopje just as Lord Methuen, had shelled it and the Boers were making off. We got after them as fast as our horses could go, and I was second up to their rear rank, and, one man disappearing I was on his pony in two acts, as it was fresher than mine, and after them again. We chased them 14 miles, and our horses were pretty well done when we got up to their convoy of seventeen waggons which we captured with 23 prisoners, and I can tell you there were a few on our back track that will never fire again. We had by this time got far ahead of Lord Methuen, and were in with Lord Douglas, who had come to cut them off. So you see B squad is not too slow when it gets going.

We went into camp about half-past one and had an afternoon's rest and did our cooking, and as Henry Field, Rafferty, and myself had between us ten fowls, four ducks, a goose, a pig, fourteen dozen oranges and any quantity of limes, we had a fair time. Next day we passed on to Kaffir Krail, and had two days' spell, and there we also had a feast of liver, heart and kidneys which we obtained from some sheep on the way. Next day we moved back to this camp, and are liable to be moved at any hour.

For the last five nights it has been very wet, and I am afraid it is going to be the same again to-night, and yet the days are very fine. The letter closes with a wish that the writer's friends may spend a merry Xmas and a happy New Year.

This is from the South Bourke & Mornington Journal of December 19, 1900, see here.

Searle family
Henry Searle married Jane Barrett Coad in 1865. Henry, the son of Henry Searle and Sarah Whitford, died in Berwick in 1909, aged 76. Jane died in 1905, aged 72, also in Berwick.

They had the following children -

• Maria Jane, born 1866 in Berwick, married Edward Arthur Fawkes in 1897; died in Camberwell in 1945.
• Henry Whitford, born 1867 in Berwick, married Jane Elizabeth McCann in 1898, died in Surrey Hills in 1935.
• Joseph Thomas, born 1870 in Berwick and died 1893 also in Berwick.
• Sarah Henrietta, born 1871 in Berwick, married John Warne in 1901, died in Ivanhoe in 1955.
• Ellen Catherine, born 1874 in Berwick. Also called Helen. Died 1950 in Dandenong. 
• Charles John born 1878 in Berwick. As you can see from his sister's death notice, below, he was still alive in 1950. I believe he died in 1953 in Cape Town according to a record on Ancestry from their Cape Province, South Africa, Estates Death Notice Index, 1834-1956 collection.

Ellen Searle's death notice from The Argus October 24, 1950

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23017016

Bayles honours Roland Boxshall and Donald McDonald

In September  1943 two men from the local area who joined the services were honored by Bayles’ residents at the monthly euchre and dance conducted by the Red Cross. The two men were Don McDonald who joined the  Air Force and Rowley Boxshall, who joined the Navy (1).

Cr. L.J. Cochrane (2) on behalf  of residents, presented them with shaving outfits and shire certificates (3).  On behalf of Cora Lynn residents, Cr. D. Kinsella also presented Don McDonald with a fountain pen. Both lads responded and were given an ovation. Clark's Harmony orchestra supplied the dance music and the Bayles Red Cross ladies served a bountiful supper (4).

Before we look at the war service of  the two men, we will have a look at the Bayles Red Cross group. The group was established around June 1940 and the inaugural office bearers were President Mrs N. Maughan; vice presidents Mesdames E. Kane and L. Egan; secretary Mrs W. Taylor; treasurer Mrs K. Cole (5). These women are listed, as was usual in those day, under their husband's names but this is who they are (6) -
Mrs N. Maughan - Eleanor Eileen (nee Hogg) the wife of Norman Flett Maughan, listed in the 1942 Electoral Roll as a farmer from Bayles.
Mrs E. Kane - Holly (nee Harker), the wife of Edward Kane, labourer of Bayles.
Mrs L. Egan -  Mary Adele (nee Maria Adela Du Frocq), the wife of Charlie Leslie Egan, labourer of Bayles.
Mrs W. Taylor - either Mildred Annie (nee Cavanagh) the wife of Walter Henry Taylor, labourer of Bayles or Eva Anne (nee Johnson), wife of William George Taylor, a baker, of Bayles.
Mrs K. Cole - Joyce Claudine (nee Hoath), wife of Keith Cole, a clerk, of Bayles.
It was a strong branch and in 1945 they had ninety members, which is amazing for a small town, I will write a history of the branch in the future.

Back to Don and Rowley  - Rowley Boxshall or Roland Arthur Boxshall to give him his full name was born on July 26, 1920, the son of Henry John and Violet (nee Izzard) Boxshall of Yallock. Henry was a local historian,  you can read about him here. Roland enlisted in the Navy as a stoker on September 7, 1942. He was demobilised on March 28, 1946. Roland died in Koo Wee Rup in 1980, at the age of 60. You can read his service record (7) on the National Archives of Australia website, here. The service records for the Navy are just two pages long and do not include a photograph,

Donald Alexander McDonald

National Archives of Australia - Second Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1939-1947.

Donald Alexander McDonald (Service Number 410364) was born on October 7, 1920. Don, who was a telephonist with the P.M.G., enlisted in the Air Force on December 6, 1941.  He was the the son of John James and Mabel (nee Wilkinson) McDonald of Scanlons Drain Road in Cora Lynn (right next door to Bayles).  Don was a pilot and his service file tells us about his flight experience. Don had 415 hours of training in various aircraft in both Australia and overseas including an Oxford, Whitley V, and  Halifax II and V. After his training he did 27 hours of  'Non-operational flying i.e Instructional.'

Now we come to his Operational Flying details - his first tour commenced January 28, 1944 and ended August 30, 1944. He was located at the RAF base at Burn, in Yorkshire and undertook 40 sorties and 180 hours of flying, nearly all as 1st pilot. His second tour, in April/May 1945 based at the RAF base at Driffield in Yorkshire, involved one sortie and four hours of flying. All the Operational flying was in Halifax Bombers. I think this is an amazing career for  a boy who grew up on a farm and went to a small school at Cora Lynn (8). I am not dismissing or trivializing the tragic death toll and consequences of the War, but it also presented enormous opportunities for average men and women, like Don, to show what they could do, what inner strength and qualities they had, or to use Tom Wolfe's term - to show they had the 'Right Stuff' (9).

Don obviously did have the 'right stuff' as he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on November 17, 1944 - his citation read - Pilot Officer McDonald has completed numerous operations against the enemy, in the course of which he has invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty. Don was discharged from the Air Force on December 6, 1945.  You can read his service record, here. He married Flora May Barr, of Bayles in 1946. According to the Electoral rolls, Donald continued for  a time in his career with the P. M.G., as in 1949 he was the Postmaster at Fawkner; but by 1954 Don was a grocer at Hampton and in 1968 a greengrocer in the  Moorabbin area. I don't have any other details of Donald after this date. If you have any information about him, I would love to hear about it.

The article about Don McDonald being awarded the D.F.C. Alister Nicholson, whom Don caught up with in London was serving with the Canadian Air Force (10). 

The Dandenong Journal, November 29, 1944 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214168113

Sources:
(1)  Dandenong Journal, September 23, 1942, see here
(2) Cr Les Cochrane, M.L.A., read about him here.
(3) Shire Certificates, read about them here.
(4) Dandenong Journal, September 23, 1942, see here
(5) The Argus June 26, 1940, see here.
(6) Family information about the Red Cross women and Roland and Donald comes from the Electoral Rolls, available on Ancestry;  Trove, and the Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages,   https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/
(7) I call it a service record, the official name is - Second Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1939-1947.
(8) Dandenong Journal, November 24, 1944, see here.
(9) Tom Wolfe, the author of the book The Right Stuff - his book about the United States manned space programme and the qualities the men, who were fighter pilots, needed to be selected to the astronaut pool - what they needed was the 'right stuff'. It was first published in 1979.
(10) Dandenong Journal, April 21, 1943, see here.

Campbell Cameron and John Miles - enlisted together

Dandenong Journal June 11, 1941

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214603651

I found this article about Sergeant Campbell Cameron of Clyde North and it also mentions his friend, Sergeant Johnny Miles of Hampton Park, so I thought we will have  a look at these two men.

Sergeant Campbell Cameron

National Archives of Australia

Second Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1939-1947

Campbell Cameron (VX 5850)  enlisted on October 28 1939. He was born on  September 30, 1915 and when he enlisted he was 24 years old and a farmer. His next of kin was his mother, Winifred Cameron, of 31 Valentine Grove, Malvern. According to his AIF personnel dossier available at the National Archives of Australia, www.naa.gov.au,  Campbell was wounded in the withdrawal from Serbia Pass on April 18, 1941, evacuated a few miles south and has not been heard of to date.  A further notation said it has now been reported that he Died of Wounds April 28, 1941. He is buried in the Phaleron War Cemetery, Athens, Greece.

The 1937 Electoral rolls have Campbell listed at Thompson's Road, Clyde North, so I presume that was the location of Earlston Park. Campbell was the son of Campbell and Winifred (nee McFadzean) Cameron. Campbell senior who died in 1933, aged 56 was the son of John Wardrop and Celia (nee Callanan) Cameron. His sister, Celia, had married Captain William John Lakeland, M.B.E., in 1922. William Lakeland was the owner of Earlston Park.

Lieutenant John Miles

National Archives of Australia

Second Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1939-1947

John Miles (VX 5849) was born in Wonthaggi on December 7, 1918. He enlisted, as the article said, the same day as Campbell on October 28, 1939 when he was 20 years old. His next of kin was his father, Arthur Miles, of Hampton Park and his occupation was labourer. During his time serving overseas he was promoted to Lieutenant. In 1944 he married Lauriene Thornton and they had a baby daughter, who was born March 18, 1945 according to his personnel dossier. John was discharged on October 3, 1945. After the war, John and Lauriene settled on a farm at Boorcan, which is between Camperdown and Terang. The Electoral Rolls tell us that from at least 1972 the couple were living in Queensland at Annerley and later in Sprenger Street, Fig Tree Pocket in Queensland. The quaintly named Fig Tree Pocket is just out of Brisbane. John died June 30, 1996 (source Ryerson Index)

Lang Lang and District War Memorial Unveiled

Souvenir badge to commemorate the unveiling of the Lang Lang and District War Memorial on August 15, 1949.

(Private collection)

On August 15, 1949 the Lang Lang and District War Memorial was unveiled. It commemorates the men from the area who gave their lives whilst fighting for Australia. The occasion was reported on in the Koo Wee Rup Sun of August 17, 1949. I have transcribed the article and a slightly edited version is reproduced below. I have also researched the soldiers whose names appear on the monument.

Lang Lang and District War Memorial Unveiled

600 Residents Attend

A dull day with sombre clouds overhead and a pale sun gleaming through fitfully did not prevent a large gathering of citizens from the Lang Lang Riding attending the unveiling of  the War Memorial to the memory of those men who paid the supreme sacrifice in the Second World War at Lang Lang on Monday. The ceremony commenced with  a march down the main Street, headed by the Victorian Police Band, under the direction of their band master, Mr Thomas B. Davidson. Former members of the  1st and 2nd A.I.F., nearly 100 strong, led by Messrs W. Coleman (1st A.I.F. ) and H. Robotham (2nd A.I.F.)marched with military precision, and they were followed by the Lang Lang Boy Scouts Troup, and children of the Lang Lang, Caldermeade, Heath Hill, Langview and Yannathan schools. The march concluded at the site of the memorial, where all took up their position. A dais was erected for the speakers and an amplifying system so that all could  hear the addresses. Special seating accommodation was provided  for the next of kin of the fallen men, also seats provided for elderly people. After the souvenir programmes had been distributed to all present and the Boy Scouts had mounted a guard of honor at the site of the Monument the proceedings began.

The chairman of the War Memorial Committee, Mr F.M. Dale, said "As president of the committee and chairman of to-days proceedings I appreciate your presence here, so that all can join in this service of commemoration of the local serviceman who gave their lives for their country in the Second World War. At the same time we should remember the men who likewise served and died in the First World war and whose names are recorded on a panel on the front of our Memorial Hall.  As a committee representing the whole of the Lang Lang riding we met your wishes by undertaking the erection  of a Soldiers' Club Room and a Monumental Memorial.  The Monument is now erected and the Club Rooms  will be eretced when the  monies have been raised and the building position becomes easier. I feel that the dual nature of the Memorial will meet the wishes of the whole community. The nature of the memorial  always leads to differences of opinion, but I am sure all agree that the noble sacrifice of our men demands that we set aside a few feet of the country for which they died as a memorial, also that their service and sacrifice will not be forgotten by present or future generations and that it may serve as  a local Shrine of Remembrance. We chose the day as it was the 4th anniversary of V.P. day when the war ended with the unconditional surrender of Japan. On that day we did not know the full extent  of our local losses. To the next of kin we say that we understand your feelings, admire your courage and trust that God will sustain and comfort you.

Mr Dale went on to thank the Parliamentary and Civic representatives and then finished with Finally, I desire to thank the Shire Council for giving us the land on which to erect the Memorial, and especially the engineer (Mr Cockcroft) for his help in the erection.

A number of hymns were sang and Mr Dale introduced the guest speaker, Mr Wiltshire. Mr Dale said that he had the pleasure of fighting by his side in the First World War. He displayed great gallantry and leadership. He was one of the first men to enlist and was awarded the M.C. for bravery and  a few weeks later was awarded the same again. He was severely wounded, and the result had left him incapacitated. He was the district's most gallant soldier, and they should feel proud of him as a man, a soldier and resident and good neighbour  for 30 years.

Mr Wiltshire, who was warmly applauded, said "I am sure that the committee must be proud that their efforts for the day have been rewarded by the great assembly of residents and district soldiers present, and to you, Capt. Dale, I thank you for your kind remarks, for you knew that during my service it took all my efforts to prove my rights to stand shoulder to shoulder  with yourself and our gallant comrades. These young soldiers whom we remember and their comrades fought with considerable distinction in every theatre of war in the last great conflict. Today, we are gathered to witness the unveiling of a monument which has been erected here in memory of the gallant men who fought and made the great sacrifice. I think it is best that we should let our minds travel over the years prior to and since the last war. After our great victories in 1914-1918 it was soon evident that unworthy elements in this county and the Empire were seeking cheap notoriety and throwing away everything gained by the hard won glory of our gallant men. Preaching their slimy doctrines and using the names of our gallant dead as a smoke screen, they hid the truth, so it was little wonder that in our hours of greatest peril the Empire found itself once more bare-headed in the face of our enemies who armed to the teeth, overwhelmed resistance by brave people everywhere, and flushed with victory were poised to attack and destroy the very heart of our Empire.......You and I were determined to defend our shores to the last man, the last woman and the last shilling, but since the conclusion of the war the great forces of evil on our midst, following the same pattern which has been successful in other small brave countries now vanished behind the Iron Curtain,  have nearly brought chaos and ruin to our country, which should  be enjoying  peace and prosperity - the things our gallant dead fought for and died for. In the midst of all this chaos these days there stands as a great light, as a great beacon and guiding star, the deeds of our gallant men and women, their suffering and sacrifice. They fought for every law of civilization based on the essential principals of Chrsitianity. They fought to preserve our birthrights, our heritage, our freedom........In Africa, Europe, Asia and the Islands, on the land, at sea, in the air and under the sea they fought the great fight; in Egypt, Syria, Tobruk, Benghazi, Abyssinia, Greece, Crete, Malaya, New Britain, Borneo, Labuan, Finschhafen, Tarakan, Timor and New Guinea. They fought with the skill characteristic of the Australian way of life, proving ours was indeed a great name; a name to live up to, not to live on; each and everyone determined to succeed or perish in the attempt. We are gathered not to glory in their deeds, but to remember the price they paid, our nearest, our dearest and our best.

You have entrusted to my care the unveiling of the monument, which I now unveil; a simple yet beautiful stone which has been erected to the glory of God in memory of your fallen and dead comrades. I feel in your hearts and mine there is a wish that they should be with us at this solemn moment and read in our hearts  that great determination to preserve for ever the things  for which they fought and fell, to treasure and safeguard them; that they could see here a shrine before which we may pause and remember. Let us, like future generations assemble here on solemn occasions; perform our duty to our fallen, and accept now and always our great responsibilities for these our gallant dead that we may always walk with clear hearts and clear minds and say truly 'They rest in peace'. Engraved upon the monument are the words, 'Lest We Forget.' If we do forget, if future generations do forget, then we as a nation must perish. May if please Almighty God that such should never be, and that the sacrifices of these, your dead, our comrades, shall not have been in vain. Their task is done, ours has only just began."

Mr Wiltshire's speech was followed by The Last Post, a reading of the  Anzac Requiem by Mr. F. Alloway and then Reveille. Wreaths were then laid by the the next of kin and community organizations. The Anzac Commemoration Hymn was sung. Mr Dale  read a number of acknowledgments and the service was completed.  The newspaper  declared the day an outstanding success.

The Lang Lang and District War Memorial.

Image courtesy of the Narre Warren & District Family History Group -

 Casey Cardinia Remembers http://www.caseycardiniaremembers.org.au/ 

Here are the men listed on the War Memorial. Some of the the records have been digitsed on the National archives of Australia website www.naa.gov.au - all World War Two records are in the process of being digitised. The other sources of information were the nominal rolls https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/ww2 and the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial. Sometimes the nominal rolls and the enlistment papers at the National Archives differ as to date of enlistment, I don't know why.

Barry, Sidney Roy.   Sidney was born in Manchester, England on October 28, 1900 and he enlisted on May 29, 1940, in the Army. Sidney's address in the Electoral Rolls was c/o G. Bleasby, Yannathan and his occupation was farm labourer.  Sidney's date of death is listed as September 9, 1943 in Burma, the cause of death was murder.

Cameron, Ian Donald.   Ian was  born July 27, 1899 in Poowong and he  enlisted June 6, 1940, in the Army. He was a dairy farmer of Yannathan. Ian was reported as Missing in Action  and died  of illness on  May 9 1943, when he was a Prisoner of War on the Burma Railway.

Chase, William McLaurin.   William was born October 27, 1922 in Yannathan and he enlisted November 7, 1941 in the Royal Australian Air Force.  William died on  May 9, 1944, in air operations over Belgium.

The report of death on active service of  Flight Lieutenant William Chase.

The Argus November 19, 1944  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11370891

Coleman,  George James.   George was born December 3, 1911 at Preston. George was a labourer, living in Lang Lang and enlisted July 19, 1940 in the Army. His date of death is January 23, 1942 at Rabaul, New Britain, New Guinea, this is the presumed date as he was Missing at the time of his death.

Dubberke, Harry Walter.   Harry was born in Dandenong, August 14 1919. He enlisted in the Army  on March 15, 1940.  Harry was Killed in Action in Greece on April 19, 1941 according to the Roll of Honor, although the report in the Dandenong Journal (below) says it was in Libya. Harry's grandfather August Martin Dubberke (1843-1926) and his grandmother, Augusta Wanke (c.1845-1913) who were both born in Prussia farmed at Harkaway. Read more about the German Lutheran community at Harkaway, here.

Report of the death of Harry Dubberke

Dandenong Journal May 21, 1941  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214603394

Eden, Allan Robert.   Allan was born July 1, 1919 and enlisted on May 19, 1941. He was from Caldermeade and his occupation was 'tent hand.'  He was missing in Malaya when he died and his presumed death date is February 11, 1942.

Jackson, Douglas Kenyon.    Douglas was born October 9, 1918 in Korumburra. His occupation was motor driver and he lived in  Lang Lang when he enlisted on August 9, 1940.
Jackson, Stanley Arthur.    Douglas' brother Stanley enlisted on October 26, 1940. He was born at Korumburra on June 7, 1919. Both the boys are presumed to have died on February 20, 1942 - in Ambon, Dutch East Indies.

The sad news confirming the deaths of Douglas and Stanley Jackson, three years after the event.

The Dandenong Journal December 12, 1945 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214334149

Keating, Robert James.  Robert was born January 2, 1921 in Sydney. On his enlistment in the Army on June 28, 1940 he was living in Shepparton, but on his enlistment paper his address was c/o W. L. Lawrence of Caldermeade. Robert was also, like the Jackson boys,  presumed to have died February 20, 1942 in Ambon, Dutch East Indies.

Nicholls,  A.G.   There are no A. G. Nicholls/Nichols/Nicolls or Nicols on the Roll of Honor, so Mr Nicholls is a mystery at the moment.

Power, C. J.   There is a Chester James Power, the only C. J. Power on the Roll of Honor, and he was Killed in Action in Egypt on July 22, 1942, but I cannot find any connection between him and the local area. He was born in St Kilda October 29, 1921 and he was living in North Melbourne when he enlisted.on May 12, 1941.

Richards, Jack Reid.   Jack was born in Scotland on January 6, 1910. He enlisted on July 8, 1940. Jack was a farmer at Lang Lang when he enlisted in the Army. Lieutenant Richards died in Malaya and his presumed date of death was February 11, 1942. Jack's file at the National Archives has not yet been digitised, but from the sad short report in the Dandenong Journal (see below) he was reported missing and became a Prisoner of War.

Lieutenant Richard's fate

Dandenong Journal  October 18, 1944   http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214167536 

Rowe, Norman Andrew.   Norman was born in Richmond on October 7, 1907 and was living at Monomeith when he enlisted in the Army at Koo Wee Rup on June 3, 1941. Norman was Killed in Action in Papua on December 8, 1942. 

Report of the death of Norman Rowe

Dandenong Journal February 10, 1943 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214307175

Samuel,  Builth Hamilton.    Builth was born in Lang Lang January 6, 1917. He enlisted in the Army on August 14, 1940 and was like the Jackson boys and Robert Keating, is presumed to have died February 20, 1942 in Ambon, Dutch East Indies. The book Protector's Plains* says that the Samuel family came to Lang Lang in 1907 and that they had originally came from Builth Wells in Wales, hence the unusual first name. They also list the family as Samuels, not Samuel,

Smith,  W.J.   There are six W.J. Smiths on the Roll of Honor - William James, William Joseph and William Joseph Willard - all from New South Wales. Then there is a William John Sterling with connections to Dimboola amd Heywood; William James born in Bendigo, living in East Brunswick on enlistment and another William James, born in Kalgoorlie and connected to Whittlesea. None of the six have an obvious connection to the area, so W.J. Smith remains unidentified currently.

Stephenson, William John.   William was born in Bunyip on March 2, 1919. He enlisted on March 19, 1941. William died of wounds on September 16, 1943,  received while fighting in New Guinea.

Report of the death of William Stephenson.

Dandenong Journal September 29, 1943  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214309886

Stewart,  Alec James.   Alec was born August 18, 1918 in Dandenong. He enlisted in the Army on July 8, 1940 and he was living in Yannathan. His fate sadly was that of Douglas and Stanley Jackson, Robert Keating and Builth Samuel - presumed to have died February 20, 1942 in Ambon, Dutch East Indies.

Vinnell, Arthur Raymond. Arthur was born in Castlemaine on May 30, 1920. He enlisted July 20, 1940. Arthur was on the Montevideo Maru when it was torpedoed on July 1, 1942. He was officially declared dead on September 26, 1945.   Read about the Montevideo Maru, here, on the Australian War Memorial website.
Vinnell, Albert Charles. Albert was born October 19, 1911 at Loch and enlisted on July 20, 1940.  Albert died of illness (malaria) at sea en route to Port Moresby April 6, 1942

The Vinnell brothers enlist

Dandenong Journal June 19, 1940  http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/216061736

The newspaper article, above, talks about the enlistment of Bert (Albert) and Alan. Alan was born March 2, 1917 at Swan Hill and also enlisted July 20, 1940. He was discharged on February 6, 1946. Alan was a motor driver at the Lang Lang butter factory, according to the Electoral roll. Two other brothers also enlisted. Stanley was born in Loch on May 20, 1910. He enlisted March 15, 1942 and was discharged June 14, 1943. Lindsay, born June 23, 1913 at Leongatha;  enlisted June 5, 1942 in the Air Force and was discharged August 1, 1943. 

The Vinnell family death notice for Albert.

The Argus April 23, 1942  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8243274

The Vinnell family moved around Victoria - the parents  Albert Thomas and Ada Rose (nee Wood) were living in Macarthur when the boys enlisted. Alan and Arthur are listed as enrolling at Lang Lang State School in 1928/1929, according to Protector's Plains, so the family was in Lang Lang then.

Wise, John Leo   John enlisted in the Army on November 4, 1942. He had been born at Geelong December 29, 1921 and was living at Caldermeade when he enlisted. John died of illness in New Guinea on January 13, 1943.

Report of the death of John Wise of Caldermeade.

Dandenong Journal January 20, 1943.  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214306907

Wise, Trevor Watson. Trevor, born May 11, 1918 in Geelong, enlisted firstly in the Army on March 28, 1941 and then in the Royal Australian Air Force on April 24, 1942. Trevor was presumed to have been killed in action, whilst fighting in New Guinea on August 15, 1943. Sadly for the family, the death was not confirmed until 1946, see article below.

Report of the death of Trevor Wise.

Dandenong Journal, November 27 1946.  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214796653

John and Trevor were the sons of Leopold Frederick and Eva Violet (nee Watson) Wise. Leopold and Eva were living in Geelong when the boys were born and in the 1931 Electoral Roll they were at Hall Road in Carrum Downs. Leopold died in 1933, Eva is then listed at Dumbalk, and later in 1942 she is listed as a housekeeper and c/o Mrs T. Amos of Caldermeade.

...................................................................................................................................................

*Protector’s Plains: history of the Lang Lang Primary school No.2899, 1888-1988 and district by Barbara Coghlan (CBC Publishing, 1988)

Breaking the news of War Fatalities

The Dandenong Journal of July 9, 1941 had the following interesting article about one of  the most tragic impacts of War - the death of a soldier and having to break the news to their family. Instead of family receiving the news by telegram it was proposed by the Federal Government that it be delivered in person and a local Minister of Religion was one of the preferred people to deliver the sad news. However in country areas  this could be  a trip of many miles and with petrol rationing it may restrict the ability of the Clergy to deliver the news. The matter came up at a Shire of Cranbourne Council meeting in July 1941. Read it on Trove, here, and it is transcribed below.

Breaking News Of War Fatalities

To Next-of-kin

Cranbourne Council Forms Local Committees

Petrol Rationing an Obstacle

So crippling has petrol rationing become in the country that several Cranbourne councillors expressed the opinion at last Friday's meeting, that lack of ration tickets would prevent local committees from conveying news of a soldier’s death to his next-of-kin, as desired by the Premier. In a circular, the Premier's Dept, sought council’s co-operation in trying to soften the blow for bereaved parents and next-of-kin, by arranging for the personal delivery of such tidings in each district. Ministers of religion were prepared to co-operate, it was stated. Cr Thwaites said that the matter was one of considerable importance.

CRIPPLING PETROL RESTRICTIONS
Cr G. Burhop agreed, but said that he failed to see how it could be carried out unless extra petrol was made available. In his area the ration had been restricted to such an extent that the A.R.P. work was rendered valueless. If a motorist put in a claim, mentioning that he was performing such social services, he still got no more petrol. While they were trying to organise for an emergency the Fuel Board was cutting the ground from under their feet.

‘'Can’t tickets be obtained from police stations in case of emergency?” queried Cr Kirkham.

Crs Lamperd and Burhop moved that the Premier’s Dept, be advised that council would co-operate if it would make the necessary ration tickets available. Cr M. Bennett, M.L.A., opposed this motion as “too mercenary.” Cr Thwaites thought the local committees should arrange with the ministers of religion to break the news of a soldier’s death, but agreed that it was hardly fair to ask them to provide the petrol.

Mr Bennett, M.L.A., too, thought that the ministers were the right people for the job. The local committees could contact the right ones in each case. He felt sure that if the Fuel Board was approached it would be sympathetic and grant them the necessary ration tickets.

"It's all very nice to say that the Fuel Board will be very sympathetic,” retorted Cr Lamperd, “but while it can find petrol for a lot of non-essential services, it doesn’t make it available for these essential tasks. We should approach it on the matter.”

Cr F. M. Dale thought it would be hard to beat the present method of notification through the post office. Probably if ministers were asked to break the news, local welfare committees would help out with the cost of petrol.

"DO IT EVEN IF WE HAVE TO WALK"
Cr Cochrane said that he couldn’t see that there were any insuperable difficulties in the way. “Even if we had to walk 10 miles to do the job it wouldn't hurt us,” he declared. “This is a public responsibility and we should give our co-operation.” Cr Lamperd: It is a Government responsibility and they’re trying to put it on to us.

Cr Greaves pointed out that the saving of petrol was not the Government’s main concern in this case. It was out to break down the rather stark official telegram. “Even if we have to ride out on a horse or a bike we should agree to do this,” he added. Cr Cochrane deprecated the fact that apparently the petrol outlook was taking precedence over the real object of the request.

Cr Bennett saw difficulties in the way of the successful functioning of local committees, and declared that the best way to convey the news would be through the respective ministers. He believed the Fuel Board would make ration tickets available to them. Local committees would bear the cost.

Cr Lamperd: Motorists will only be getting a quarter of their present ration next month. Down in a scattered district like Pearcedale it might take 4 gallons to get a message out. We only get 7 gallons a month. I say the old method, which was so successful in the last war - getting the clergy to do it - is the best solution.

As the discussion dragged on for forty minutes, Cr Burhop pointed out that it was not for council to discuss the best means of breaking the news. The Federal Authorities had outlined a certain procedure, and council was not called upon to alter that. “We’re willing to co-operate with them as suggested,” he said. “We’re willing to do all they want us to do - but let them give us the means to do it.”

Cr Bennett: But the Federal Government is not always in touch with the right method. Cr Burhop: The Cranbourne Council can’t control the Federal Government!

After hearing the letter re-read, Cr Dale agreed that council was only asked to co-operate in a scheme that was already in existence. He suggested the appointment of a committee of riding councillors in each riding, giving them power to co-opt the services of any other citizens they thought fit to help them in the task. Finally, Crs Lamperd and Burhop withdrew their motion, and the following resolutions, sponsored by Crs Bennett and Dale, were carried:
“That the Premier be advised that this council will be pleased to co-operate with him regarding the breaking the news of fatal casualties to next-of-kin;
“That the riding councillors in the respective ridings be appointed a committee to carry out the wishes of the Government as expressed in the letter;
“That application be made to the Liquid Fuel Board to make available the ration tickets necessary to carry out this very necessary duty.”