On Arbor Day, July 6, 1917 twenty-five trees were planted at the Cardinia State School, in honor of the boys of this district who have responded nobly to the country's call. These weren't the only trees planted on this day in honor of local soldiers, a grove was also planted at Tynong State School, you can read about that, here. Cardinia State School, No. 3689, opened in Ballarto Road on November 3, 1911.
At the end of this post is some information about the Reverend Alexander Duff, the grandfather of four of the men listed here, and his extended family.
The Arbor Day event was reported in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal on July 19, 1917.
Allars, William Stanley (SN 817)
Sydney and William both enlisted on January 29, 1916. Sydney was 22 and William was 19. They were both farm labourers. Sydney Returned to Australia December 21, 1918 and William Died of Wounds received, whilst fighting in France, on May 2, 1917. The boys were the sons of Alfred Charles and Emily (nee Osment) Allars of Clyde. The brothers are on the Honor Board and have a Memorial tree.
Andrews, Cecil (SN 2123) Cecil was a 26 year old farmer when he enlisted on May 1, 1916. His address on the Embarkation Roll was Dalmore and his next of kin was his mother, Emily, of Mordialloc. Cecil was Killed in Action in France on October 16, 1917. I have written more about Cecil on my post on Dalmore soldiers, here. Cecil is on the Honor Board and has a Memorial tree.
Bell, Thomas Stanley (SN 3773) Thomas was a 23 year old labourer when he enlisted on August 12, 1915. His next of kin was his mother, Mary Ann Bell, whose address was St Germains, Clyde. A notation on his file said that his father was 'not recognized'. Thomas Returned to Australia October 18, 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds in January 1918 - Gun shot wound to the thorax. Thomas is on the Honor Board and has a Memorial tree. Thomas is also listed on the Cranbourne Presbyterian Honour Board, see here.
Bennett, Reuben James Godfrey (SN 6281). Reuben was born in Melbourne and enlisted at the age of 28 on October 24, 1916. His occupation was a wheeler (mines) and he lived in Wonthaggi, thus would have been employed at the State Coal Mine. His next of kin was his father, John Bennett of Neerim. Reuben died of disease, broncho-pneumonia on November 17, 1918. What was his connection to Cardinia? His Roll of Honour Circular says he attended school at 'Kardinia Creek South Pakenham'. Reuben is listed on the Honor Board.
Duff, Charles Alexander (SN 859 and 237) Charles enlisted on May 31, 1915 at the age of 19, then returned to Australia because of illness and the enlisted again May 16, 1916 when he was 20. Charles was Killed in Action in Belgium June 8, 1917.
Duff, William Vere Hobart (SN 860) William enlisted on January 6, 1916 aged 23. His next of kin was his wife, Brenda, of East Malvern. William Returned to Australia on January 10, 1918.
Charles and William were the sons of William Tucker Duff and Alice Laura Constance Beauchamp Hobart to give her her full name. Alice (born 1867) was the daughter of Charles and Rhoda (nee Withers) Hobart and thus the sister of Charles Hobart, listed below.
The boys were also the grandsons of the Reverend Alexander Duff and his wife, Annie Tucker. Another son of the Reverend Duff, Walter, married Eva Sharp, who I assume is connected to Henry Sharp, listed below, possibly his aunty. There is more on the Duff family at the bottom of this post.
Hardy, Horace Robert (SN 19995) Horace enlisted on June 20, 1917 at the age of 21. He was a farmer. Horace Returned to Australia July 13, 1919. Horace was honoured with a Memorial tree. Horace was the son of William John Hardy (1855 - 1940) and Sophia Wells Cadd (1856 - 1919) of Dalmore. His paternal grandparents, Emling and Emily (nee Gregory) Hardy took up land at Clyde North in 1856 - Hardy Road is named after the family. His maternal grandparents were Thomas and Sarah (nee Wells) Cadd who took up land at Clyde in 1862. Horace is also listed on the Tooradin State School Honour Board, see here.
Haw, George William (SN 1828) George was a 27 year old farmer when he enlisted on July 28, 1915. He was severely wounded - gun shot wounds right shoulder, left hand, right thigh - and had his right arm amputated. He Returned to Australia March 23, 1919. I was hoping George had a happy life, after the horrors of the War. He died in August 1956 aged 67, the loved husband of Dollie, loved father of Mavis and Rodney and 'darling pa' of David and Ann, so he was well-loved by his family and you can't ask for more than that in life.Haw, Matthew Barnes (SN 3119) Matthew enlisted on July 20, 1915 at the age of 21. He was also a farmer. Matthew died of wounds on November 23, 1916 (gun shot wound to the shoulder).
Henry, Alexander St Leger (SN 5574) Alexander enlisted on August 31, 1915 at the age of 23. He was a grazier and his next of kin was his father, John, of Pakenham. Alexander Returned to Australia May 20 1919. Alexander was the son of John and Vinie (nee Forrest also called Levina and Lavinia) Henry. They had the property, Doneraille, at Pakenham. You can read John's obituary which includes a bit of family history, here. John Henry was the son of Robert Henry who had the Cardinia Creek No.1 run of 5,120 acres from October 1842 until May 1851. You can read about the family here in my post on Robert's sister, Martha King. Alexander is on the Honor Board and has a Memorial tree.
Hill, Graham John Dudley Bowman (SN 1574) Looking at the article below, it appears that this man was known as Dudley, so that's what we will call him. Dudley enlisted on September 6, 1915. He was a 22 year old farmer and he Returned to Australia March 9, 1919. Dudley was granted a Soldier Settlement farm after the War, you can read his file here.
Hobart, Charles Guy (SN 2424) Charles was 35 when he enlisted on June 5, 1916. His occupation was farmer but his address was East Malvern and his wife, Ann, who was his next of kin lived at Northcote. Charles is listed in the Electoral Roll at Clyde in 1909. Charles (born 1881) was the son of Charles and Rhoda (nee Withers) Hobart and he is the uncle of Charles and William Duff, listed above. Returned to Australia February 19, 1919. Charles is on the Honor Board and has a Memorial tree.
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 and Margaret (nee Duff) Lecky of Cardinia Park in Officer. James (1841-1939) was a Cranbourne Shire Councillor from 1876 until 1905. Their grandfather, also James (1802-1884) 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. James and William are also listed on the Cranbourne Presbyterian Church Honor Board. The boys were also the grandsons of the Reverend Alexander Duff and his wife, Annie Tucker, I have written about them below.
Lee, W Not sure who this is. W. Lee is listed in the article as having a Memorial tree. The book Look to the Rising Sun: a history of Cardinia and District lists a Bill Lee, who had a sheep property and was known as Cocky Lee. The booklet 'A Clyde History' by John Campbell lists a Lee as owning land in Muddy Gates Lanes. Then the Electoral Roll for 1914 has Harry and Gertrude May Lees at Clyde. So is W. Lee the William Lee known as Cocky Lee? Or Cocky Lee's son? Is William Lee the same Lee as the land owner from Muddy Gates Lane? Is William Lee connected to Harry Lees and the paper made a mistake with the spelling of the surname? Many questions, but I have no answers.
Lindsay, Harold McLean (SN 39664) Harold was born in Malvern and enlisted at the age of 18 on December 5, 1917. Even though his parents gave him permission to enlist they did not give him permission to embark until he turned 19 on May 30, 1918. They did, however, relent, and he embarked at the end of April. Harold Returned to Australia August 23, 1919. Harold was the son of Robert and Marilda Lindsay of Seskinore, Malvern Road, East Malvern. His connection to Cardinia is explained in this article, below - at one time they lived at Cardinia Creek. Harold is listed as a past scholar on the Cardinia Honor Board, so I presume that his brothers - David, Albert and Frank - did not attend school locally, as they are not listed.
Moxon, Albert (SN 3342) Albert was 23 when he enlisted in July 7, 1915. Albert Returned to Australia September 27, 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds in the December due to a fractured left ankle.
The brothers are on the Honor Board and have a Memorial tree.
Albert and George were both farmers and had been born in Warrnambool. Their next of kin was their father, George, who in 1915, when Albert enlisted, had his address as Clyde. In 1916 when George enlisted the father's address was Chelsea.
Prior, Alfred Nelson (SN 80247). Alfred enlisted September 18, 1918. He was born in London, was a farm labourer and his address on enlistment was c/o Mr John Cornish, Cardinia via Clyde. He did not serve overseas as he was still in training when the Armistice was signed. Alfred also enlisted in World War Two on July 16, 1941. His address then was c/o Mr Camp, Henry Street, Pakenham East. Alf was taken Prisoner of War and died of disease (dysentery) whilst POW interned Thai camp on July 1, 1943. His will left everything to his mother, Ada Prior, of 71 Festing Road, Putney London. When Alfred enlisted in the 1st AIF he said he was born February 3, 1896 and he was 22 years old. When he enlisted in the 2nd AIF he said he was born February 3, 1902 and he was 39. However, his entry in the Commonwealth War Graves book says he was 47 when he died, which makes the 1896 birth date correct. Alf is listed on the Cardinia Honor Board.
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. Albert, or perhaps more correctly, A.R. Reeves, has a Memorial tree and is also listed on the Cranbourne Presbyterian Church Honor Board, see here. W.R. Reeves is on the Cardinia Honor Board and if it is not Albert, then I am unsure who it is.
Sharp, Henry James Duff (SN 5629) Although listed as G. Sharp in the newspaper article I believe Henry is the correct person. Henry was born at Clyde, attended Clyde North State School and was the son of Henry Clark Sharp, who was a Cranbourne Shire Councillor from 1898 to 1903. Henry Senior and Junior were both living in New South Wales when Henry Junior enlisted on January 16, 1916 at the age of 25. He was an Accountant. Henry was Killed in Action in France on February 28, 1917. Henry has a Memorial tree. Henry's mother was Emily Eva Duff (1859 - 1938) she was the daughter of Robert and Margaret Duff. There is more on the Duff family at the bottom of this post.
Smith, Bruce (SN 408)Smith, Hugh Carruthers (SN 405) Bruce and Hugh both enlisted on enlisted on March 6, 1916, Bruce was 27 and Hugh was 28. Bruce was a Dairy Produce Merchant and Hugh was a farmer. Bruce Returned to Australia July 27 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds suffering from chronic pleurisy. Hugh Returned to Australia June 12, 1919. The boys were born at Devenish to Frank Smith and Mary Doolan, their father had died at the time of their enlistment, so their mother, Mary, was their next of kin and her address was Clyde. The brothers are on the Honor Board and have a Memorial tree.
Sumpton, Henry (SN 1827) Mr Sumpton, the Head Teacher at Cardinia State School who organised the planting of the trees, had also served in the War, although he is not listed on the Honor Board and was too modest to have a tree planted for himself. He was 21 when he enlisted on December 22, 1914. His next of kin was his mother who lived in Moreland. Henry was at Gallipoli and he caught Typhoid, also called Enteric fever. He Returned to Australia January 3 1916 and was discharged on medical grounds in May 1916. He then took up his appointment at the Cardinia School, however died tragically in a house fire on September 9, 1917 at the age of 23. Henry boarded with Mrs Caroline Jackson of Cardinia and the Inquest found that a kerosene lamp was 'upset', this caused the lamp to explode and the room (lined with hessian and paper) caught fire and spread to the entire house which was destroyed. It was found that Henry died of suffocation and burns received in the fire. A report in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal of September 20, 1917 (see here) had this to say about Henry - He was highly respected by parents and scholars, and the children loved him. His amiable and generous disposition was appreciated by all with whom he came in contact and his many friends mourn their loss.
Wall, Arthur Herbert (SN - nil) Arthur enlisted on June 3, 1916 at the age of 23 and he died of meningitis on July 14, 1916 whilst still in training camp. Arthur was born in Wunghnu near Shepparton, his next of kin was his father, Charles and his address was 'Royston', Clyde. Arthur is on the Honor Board and has a Memorial tree.
Wenn, Percival James (SN 340) Percy enlisted on April 28, 1916 at the age of 25. He was born in Cardinia, lived in Cardinia, where he was a farmer, and his next of kin was his father, John, also of Cardinia. Percy Returned to Australia April 1, 1919 and was discharged on medical grounds in June 1919 - he had suffered a gun shot wound to the right eye. Percy is on the Honor Board and has a Memorial tree. Percy's father, John, had arrived in the district in the 1860s and is the source of the name, Wenn Road. You can read his father's obituary from the South Bourke and Mornington Journal here. Percy's mother, Jane, also came from an old local family. Jane was the daughter of Anthony and Sophia (nee Cadd) Ridgway, who arrived in Cardinia in the early 1850s.
Woods, William (SN 2728) William was 21 and a farm labourer, when he enlisted on May 9, 1916. His address was care of William Hardy of Dalmore. His next of kin was his grandmother, Mary Woods, of Maribyrnong. He Returned to Australia January 25, 1919. William also served in the Second World War, he enlisted at the age of 45 in January 1941 and was discharged in March 1944. William was granted a Soldier Settlement farm at Werrimull, south of Mildura, after the Great War and was living in Mildura when he enlisted in 1941. You can read his Soldier Settler file, here. William has a Memorial tree.
The Reverend Alexander Duff played a large role in the early development of the Cranbourne area. He was born in Coagh in Northern Ireland in 1824 and obtained a Master of Arts from the University of Glasgow. He married Annie Tucker in Belfast when he was 29, around 1853, and they came to Australia soon after. Their eight children were all born in Victoria.
The Reverend Alexander Duff was appointed by the Presbyterian Church to Dandenong on June 26, 1855 and on September 20 he was ordained. He was born in Coagh in Northern Ireland in 1824 and obtained a Master of Arts from the University of Glasgow. He married Annie Tucker in Belfast when he was 29, around 1853, and they came to Australia soon after. Their eight children were all born in Victoria. The Duffs initially lived with Alexander Cameron, of Mayfield, Cranbourne and conducted services in his house until Scots Presbyterian Church was opened on May 27 1860. A manse was also built at the same time. Duff also preached at Berwick in the early days and as far south as the Bass River area. He visited parishioners on his horse, Dobbin.
In October 1855 Alexander was appointed the Registrar of Births and Deaths for Cranbourne and Dandenong. The Reverend Duff also held evening classes for young men and women on 'arithmetic, physics, mathematics, English, Latin, Greek, French and German. He was obviously interested in intellectual pursuits but he also valued physical activity - Niel Gunson wrote that he tried his hand at black smith work and that he experimented with ways to improve cheese making. He ploughed his own paddocks and, in 1858, the Mornington Farmers Society held their ploughing competitions on his farm.
Reverend Duff retired to his farm at Cardinia in 1888 and he died on December 22 1890 aged 65. He left his entire estate to 'my dear wife, Annie Duff'. The value of his Estate was personal property of £1312 and real estate valued at £1574.
As we mentioned before, Alexander married Annie Tucker in Belfast around 1853. He was the son of Thomas Duff and Ann McMorran. They had eight children - Walter (1855 - 1925, married Eva Sharp); Annie Elizabeth (1857 - 1934, married John Gason); William Tucker (1859 - 1935, married Alice Hobart); Dora Robina (1861 - 1939, married Robert Gibb); Maggie (1864 - 1938, married James Lecky); Mary Clarissa (known as Minnie, 1865 - 1924, married Ingebert Gunnelson); Alexander (1869 - 1941, married Mary Irwin) and lastly Edward John Tucker, born and died 1877. Annie died November 24, 1905 aged 74. The three surviving sons farmed in the Cardinia area. Walter Duff, James Lecky and Robert Gibb were all Cranbourne Shire Councillors. Mary and Ingebert Gunnelson lived in Garfield and two of their sons, Ingebert and Percy, were killed in the First World War.
Alexander's brother, Robert (1827 - 1861) was also in Australia. He and his wife Margaret (c.1832 - 1902) established the Cranbourne Hotel, around 1860. It was in High Street, where Greg Clydesdale Square is now and was demolished around the 1970s. Margaret was also a Duff, perhaps a cousin, and her father operated an Inn in Coagh, County Tyrone, the birthplace of Alexander and Robert. After Robert died, Margaret married Edward Tucker (c. 1836 - 1872), who was born in America and operated a store in Cranbourne. Edward's brother William (born in Belfast) was also in the area. What connection were they to Annie Tucker, the wife of the Reverend Duff? Some sources say that she was the sister of Edward and William Tucker, however in the Early Settlers of the Casey Cardinia District their parents are listed as Edward Tucker and Elizabeth Moore and Annie's death certificate has her mother's maiden name as Phillips, so I am not sure.
