Garfield's Big Night. Welcome Home To the Boys.
It was a great night in Garfield on Friday, December 7, when an official welcome home was extended to discharged members of the services. The hall was crowded and the decorations of flags and bunting added to the gaiety of the scene. Cr. T. C. Whiteside, president of the Shire, was in the chair, and Cr. J. Fallon, who introduced the lads, and Cr. J. C. Anderson, were also present. An old Digger of the last war, Cr Whiteside paid a simple but sincere tribute to the courage and loyalty of the district men in the country's hour of danger. They were delighted to have them home again and proud of their achievements, he said. He hoped they would live long to enjoy the peace and prosperity so bravely won.
In memory of those who would never return, one minute's silence was
solemnly observed.
Gladstone bags, initialled, were presented to the following, as well as certificates from the Shire of Berwick : W. Attrill, J. Field, L. Field, R. Gross, T. Giblin, A. Jennings, F. Kennedy, G. Pumphrey, I. Pumphrey, A. Starke, J. Sutton, S. Sutton, C. Terrill, F. Cox, E. Judd, E. E. Judd, H. Juers, J. Miller, J. Frawley, W. Green, H. Hampton, W. McKillop, E. Cotter, P. Holland and L. Holland.
Mrs R. Gross (A.W.A.S.) was presented with a case of silver teaspoons.
The boys got a great reception as they came forward, and the warmth of the welcome left no doubt of the sincerity of the sentiments voiced by the various speakers, on behalf of district residents.
Dancing was thoroughly enjoyed, and songs well sung by Miss Stewart, Mr Tom Baillie and Mr W. Toy were greatly appreciated and warmly applauded. The set supper was freely acknowledged to be the best ever served in Garfield hall, and that is saying something. Decorations were appropriate too, red, white and blue flowers being used with artistic effect. There were many willing helpers, all anxious to play a part in making the night a memorable one for the boys and their kith and ken. Arrangements for the
function were admirably carried out, reflecting great credit on the organisers.
(Bunyip and Garfield Express, December 14, 1945, see here)
Following are the names and service numbers of the men and one woman who were welcomed home. There were of course, many more men and women with a Garfield connection who enlisted. The Department of Veteran Affairs World War Two Nominal roll https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/ww2 lists 212 people who served who were either born in Garfield, lived at Garfield or enlisted at Garfield (plus many others associated with Iona, Vervale, Cora Lynn and Bunyip)
Attrill, William James Chaston. RAAF 56916. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.
Cotter, Edward Jervis. Army NX69412. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.
Cox, Frederick Charles. RAAF 56625. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.
Frederick Cox
National Archives of Australia
Feild, John. Army V42196. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.
Feild, Thomas. Army V129139. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.
Frawley, James Patrick Army V71945. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. James' parents owned the Iona Hotel in Garfield, and his two brothers, John and Kevin, were both Killed in Action during the War; you can read about the family here.
Giblin, Thomas John. Army VX139427. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.
Green, William Alexis. Army VX104338. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.
Gross, Robert Joseph. Army VX28046. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.
Robert Gross
National Archives of Australia
Gross, Mrs R. Mrs Gross served in the Australian Women's Army Service. Robert Gross (above ) married Annie Schonewille in 1943, so I presume Annie is the woman presented with the case of silver teaspoons, but I cannot find her service record.
Hampton, Robert Henry. Army VX3940. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.
Holland, Leo. Army VX23490. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.
Holland, Patrick. Army VX23494. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.
Patrick Holland
National Archives of Australia
Jennings, Allan Stanley. Army VX82390. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.
Judd, Edward Charles. Army VX35619. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.
Judd, Edward Ernest. Army V8017. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.
Juers, Hugo Martin. Army VX23073. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.
Kennedy, Francis Michael. Army VX137119. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.
McKillop, William John. Army VX32810. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.
William McKillop
National Archives of Australia
https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=6225513
https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=6225513
Miller, J - possibly Lindsay Francis Miller. Army V285310. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.
Pumphrey, George Alan. Army VX80036. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.
Pumphrey, Ivan Robert. Army VX41899. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Ivan is listed on the Catani World War Two Honour Board, see here.
Stark, Arthur. Army VX26111. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.
Terrill, Clifford Leslie. Army VX135600. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.
Tutton, John Lang. Army V285782 (listed as Sutton in the article). See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.
Tutton, Leonard Stewart. Army VX141585 (listed as Sutton in the article). See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.
