Cessna aeroplane crash-lands at Bunyip

On the afternoon of Monday, October  30, 1961 a Cessna aeroplane made an emergency landing on a farm between Garfield and Bunyip. The plane was owned by Mr Stewart of Portarlington, and he was also the pilot. He was accompanied by his wife Jean and children - Rhonda, aged 4; Neil aged 3 and 12-month old Julian. They all survived.

Report from The Age
The Age of  Tuesday, October 31, 1961 had a front page report -

The Age, Tuesday, October 31, 1961, p. 1 from newspapers.com

Five in Plane Saved by Ex-Navy Man’s ‘Batting’

An ex-Royal navy man’s knowledge of ‘’batting” an aircraft on to a carrier probably saved the lives of the five occupants of a light aircraft which crash landed near Bunyip yesterday afternoon.

The pilot of the aircraft was Mr. Max Stewart, an electrical contractor of Geelong Road, Portarlington. His passengers were his wife and three small children.

They all escaped with only a shaking, but the aircraft, owned by Mr. Stewart was badly damaged. Mr Stewart took off from Phillip Island about half an hour before the crash with the intention of flying to Moorabbin then on to Portarlington.

Mr David Ardis, 52, who manages a fat cattle farm at the 48 mile post on the Princes Highway said he heard the Cessna buzz his house at 4.50pm.

“It was flying much too low and was obviously in trouble,” he said. “I ran out to see the plane coming on low over some trees as if to land on my 30-acre paddock."

“It was making straight for an area trench. I flagged it away and waved it around to a clearer patch. This time it skimmed in low over a fence and then touched down in a perfect three-point landing."

Hit Pole
“But the grass was wet and the wheels skidded so much that I knew it would not stop by the end of the paddock so I waved it up again. Just as it left the ground the wing tip hit a telegraph pole which snapped it n half. The aircraft spun round twice, snapping off the nose wheel and coming to rest tail up."

“When I reached the wreck, Mrs. Stewart was stepping out with a baby in arms and leading two other children aged about three and four.”

Mr Ardis was an able seaman during the war. “I learnt to ‘bat’ an aircraft down during a short voyage on the aircraft carrier H.M.S Illustrious,” he said.

Those in the plane were Mr. Stewart, about 30, his wife Mrs. Jean Stewart, about 30, and their children Rhonda, four, Neil, three and Julian, 12 months. Mr. Stewart, a dairy refrigerator manufacturer, is an experienced pilot, who has been flying his own aircraft for about two years.

He visited Phillip Island early yesterday morning to see Mrs. Stewart’s parents.

Report from the Pakenham Gazette
The Pakenham Gazette of Friday, November 3, 1961 reported the incident on its front page. They did actually have the day of the crash incorrect - it was on Monday October 30, not the Tuesday.

 Pakenham Gazette, Friday, November 3, 1961, p.1

Lucky Escapes when Plane Crash lands at Bunyip

Pictured below is the Cessna aircraft which crash landed on a property on the Prince’s Highway last Tuesday afternoon.

The plane was piloted by Mr. Max Stewart, an electrical contractor, of Geelong road, Portarlington. His passengers were his wife and three small children. They all escaped with a shaking, but the plane was damaged.

Mr. David Ardis, who manages a fat cattle farm n the property the plane landed on, told our representative that the plane “buzzed” his house shortly before 5 p.m. He ran out to see it coming in low as if to land in one of his paddocks. However, there was a drain in that section of his property, and he identified this to the pilot and waved the plan around to a more suitable landing place.

Coming in again, the plane made a perfect landing, but he could see that on the wet grass it would not stop by the time the end of the paddock was reached. So he waved the plane up again.

Just as it left the ground, it struck a pole and snapped it off. The plane spun around twice, snapped off the nose wheel and came to a rest with the tail up.

When he reached the aircraft Mrs. Stewart was stepping out of it, with a baby in her arms and leading two other small children.

Mr. Ardis was an able seaman during the war, and learnt to “bat” an aircraft during a short voyage on the aircraft carrier, “Illustrious.”

The plane was taken away by road on Wednesday.

There were two other photographs (or Polaroid Photos as the Gazette called them) published in the report. 

 Pakenham Gazette, Friday, November 3, 1961, p.1

Top caption: This photograph shows some of the damage which the nose of the machine sustained.

Bottom caption: This photograph indicates the extent of the damage to one of the wings of the aircraft.

All in all, a very lucky escape for the Stewart family of Portarlington, and an unexpected adventure for them and Mr Ardis. 

Pakenham South, Cardinia, Clyde, Tooradin and Warneet - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

Subscriber Trunk Dialling (S.T.D.) came to Koo Wee Rup on Sunday June 24, 1973, so you no longer had to ring an operator to have a call put through to another exchange or interstate. On the same day telephone subscribers from Bayles, Beaconsfield Upper, Lang Lang, Nar Nar Goon, Nar Nar Goon North, Officer, Pakenham, Pakenham South, Pakenham Upper, The Gurdies and Yannathan South could also access S.T.D. calls. People also received a new 6-digit telephone number (with an 059 area code) and thus the Koo Wee Rup Sun telephone number changed from Koo Wee Rup 16 to 971-416 and the Bayles Milk Factory changed from Bayles 201 to 977-201.

The PMG produced an Interim Telephone Directory in 1973 with all the new numbers and these are the entries for  Pakenham South, Cardinia and Clyde, Tooradin and Warneet.

See the entries from the 1973 Interim Telephone Directory for -

Koo Wee Rup, Bayles and Catani,  here.

Lang Lang, Yannathan Lower and Yannathan South, here.

Pakenham South - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

Pakenham South - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

Cardinia - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

Cardinia - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

Clyde - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

Tooradin - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

Warneet  - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

See the entries from the 1973 Interim Telephone Directory for -

Koo Wee Rup, Bayles and Catani,  here.

Lang Lang, Yannathan Lower and Yannathan South, here.

Lang Lang, Yannathan Lower and Yannathan South - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

 Subscriber Trunk Dialling (S.T.D.) came to Koo Wee Rup on Sunday June 24, 1973, so you no longer had to ring an operator to have a call put through to another exchange or interstate. On the same day telephone subscribers from Bayles, Beaconsfield Upper, Lang Lang, Nar Nar Goon, Nar Nar Goon North, Officer, Pakenham, Pakenham South, Pakenham Upper, The Gurdies and Yannathan South could also access S.T.D. calls. People also received a new 6-digit telephone number (with an 059 area code) and thus the Koo Wee Rup Sun telephone number changed from Koo Wee Rup 16 to 971-416 and the Bayles Milk Factory changed from Bayles 201 to 977-201.

The PMG produced an Interim Telephone Directory in 1973 with all the new numbers and these are the entries for Lang Lang, Yannathan Lower and Yannathan South.

See the entries from the 1973 Interim Telephone Directory for - 

Koo Wee Rup, Bayles and Catani, here.

Pakenham South, Cardinia, Clyde, Tooradin and Warneet, here.

Lang Lang - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

Lang Lang - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

Lang Lang - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

Yannathan Lower and Yannathan South - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

Yannathan South - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

See the entries from the 1973 Interim Telephone Directory for - 

Koo Wee Rup, Bayles and Catani, here.

Pakenham South, Cardinia, Clyde, Tooradin and Warneet, here.

The Telephone in Koo Wee Rup

The telephone was connected at the Post Office in Koo Wee Rup in 1916, as part of the line between Springvale and Korumburra.

The telephone is connected at the Koo Wee Rup Post Office.

The Argus, April 5, 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2097150

It appears that the uptake of the telephone by businesses in the town was fairly slow as in February 1920, the Koo Wee Rup Sun published this short article -

Koo Wee Rup Sun, February 19, 1920, p.4

'Phone Facilities

It is a surprising oversight on the part of some business people of Kooweerup and Cranbourne who still muddle on without installing a telephone, thus placing themselves and customers at great disadvantage and inconvenience. Whether they want an eye-wash or their brains swept, matters little - the isolation and handicap is no credit to their intelligence. When outside trade is sought, 'phone service is surely needful, and the writer wants several trading businessmen, in the centres referred to, to weigh the point we raise and install that belated telephone, and to keep abreast of the times and not live as in the days of ancient runners that the telephone service has pushed out of work.

(Koo Wee Rup Sun, February 19, 1920, p.4)

The first Koo Wee Rup business I could find which advertised with a telephone number was A.C. Colvin for his car hire business. 

Koo Wee Rup Sun, November  25, 1920,  p 3

The Koo Wee Rup Sun had a ‘telephone directory’ published in its November 10, 1921 with sixteen subscribers.

Koo Wee Rup Sun, November 10, 1921, p.2

Who were these sixteen subscribers?  (1)

Amalgamated Wireless Company, had established their Receiving Station here at Koo Wee Rup and in December 1921, the Station received the first direct radio message from Wales to Australia. 

Biggar, J is James Biggar, who owned land at Monomeith. Mr Biggar had purchased part of George Glassock’s Estate after Glasscock died in 1891. Glasscock’s land was originally part of the Monomeith Estate owned by John Mickle (1814-1885).  I presume as he is IJ and W.C Greaves is IM that this was a party line.

Bourke Brothers also owned part of the Monomeith Estate.

Colvin A.C.  Andrew Colvin opened a cycle shop in 1911 in Koo Wee Rup, and later became an Agent for Ford cars. 

Cougle, E. Ernest Cougle owned a General Store in Station Street.

Ellis, F.F.  Fred Ellis was the Draper. His shop was where Broadbent’s was located in Rossiter Road.

E.S. & A. Bank. The English, Scottish & Australian Bank merged with the ANZ in 1970. The London Bank (later the E.S. & A. Bank) acquired the site of the old ANZ Bank in Station Street (which is now a Chemist) in 1912 and the existing building was erected in 1919. 

Greaves, W.C. William Clement Greaves (1866-1936) owned Warook and various other properties. He was a Committee member of the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) and a Cranbourne Shire Councillor from 1898 to 1920. His son of the same name was also a Committee member of the RAS and a Councillor from 1924 to 1959. 

Gippsland & Northern Co-Operative Co. Ltd -  the Stock & Station Agents. 

Johnson, E.  This is Eliza Johnson -  a Baker and Pastrycook, located in Station Street.

Morrison, J. Joe Morrison, the blacksmith and wheelwright, was located where the Cellarbrations store is now in Station Street. 

M'Namara, D. Denis McNamara owned the Royal Hotel. 

O'Riordan, J.L.  John Leslie O’Riordan and his wife Margaret (the sister of A.C Colvin) lived at Mallow, which is now the home of the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society. They operated a general store in Station Street. 

"SUN" Office. The Sun newspaper had started as the Cranbourne Shire Record in 1894, moved to Lang Lang and became the Guardian in 1902 and moved to Koo Wee Rup in 1918. It ceased publication in 1980s.

State Rivers & Water Supply Commission is now the Rural Water Commission. 

Woodman, A.  I presume this is either Alfred or Albert Woodman. Their parents were George and Ann Woodman, who took up land at Yallock in the 1870s. Other siblings included Charles, Henry, Emily, Helen and Florence (Mrs Norman Bethune) 

In June 1923 it was announced that a trunk line between Koo Wee Rup and Bayles was established, and in March 1927 a  new telephone line between Koo wee rup, Dalmore, via Mancks [sic] road, has been completed. A new line is contemplated between Koo-wee-rup and McGregor's Estate.  Then in December 1927 a report noted that telephone facilities have been extended to Rythdale and to Lisbaun. (2)  Lisbaun State School, No.4196, operated from 1924 until 1937 was located in McCormack’s Road in Clyde North.(3)

In November 1927 a new switchboard was installed at the Koo Wee Rup Post Office capable of connecting 150 subscribers. Then in December 1927 there were two announcements  - A telephone box has been placed under the verandah of the Kooweerup Post-office, and non-subscribers will be able to use same at any time. And from  December 8 -  It is gratifying to announce that from to-day a continuous telephone service will operate in Kooweerup. (4)

Subscriber Trunk Dialling (S.T.D.) came to Koo Wee Rup on Sunday June 24, 1973, so you no longer had to ring an operator to have  a call put through to another exchange or interstate. On the same day  telephone subscribers from Bayles, Beaconsfield Upper, Lang Lang, Nar Nar Goon, Nar Nar Goon North, Officer, Pakenham, Pakenham South, Pakenham Upper, The Gurdies and Yannathan South could also access S.T.D. calls.  People also received a new 6-digit telephone number (with an 059 area code) and thus the Koo Wee Rup Sun telephone number changed from Koo Wee Rup 16 to 971-416 and the Bayles Milk Factory changed from Bayles 201 to 977-201 (5)

The PMG produced an Interim Telephone Directory in 1973 with all the new numbers, you can see the entries for -

Koo Wee Rup, Bayles and Catani  here.

Lang Lang, Yannathan Lower and Yannathan South, here.

Pakenham South, Cardinia, Clyde, Tooradin and Warneet, here.

The Directory also had this  helpful advice on how to make a telephone call -

How to make a telephone call

Pakenham Area Interim Telephone Directory, 1973

Footnotes

(1) This information comes from the Indexes to the Victorian Births, Death and Marriages, the Electoral Roll on Ancestry.com; The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire by Niel Gunson (F.W. Cheshire, 1968);  Mickle Memories of Koo Wee Rup - for young and old by Dave Mickle  (The Author, 1983) and my own research as presented in this blog.

(2)  Bayles connection - The Argus, June 12, 1923, see here. Dalmore connection - The Argus, November 5, 1927, see here and also reported in the Koo Wee Rup Sun on March 31, 1927. p.4. Rythdale connection - The Argus, December 21, 1927, see here.

(3)  Williams, Eileen & Beard, Jewel Look to the rising sun: a history of Cardinia and District including Rythdale and Pakenham South (Back to Cardinia Committee, 1984), p. 63.

(4) Koo Wee Rup Sun, December 1, 1927, p.2;  Koo Wee Rup Sun, December 8, 1927, p.4

(5) Koo Wee Rup Sun, June 20, 1973, pp 10-11.

Koo Wee Rup, Bayles and Catani - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

Subscriber Trunk Dialling (S.T.D.) came to Koo Wee Rup on Sunday June 24, 1973, so you no longer had to ring an operator to have  a call put through to another exchange or interstate. On the same day  telephone subscribers from Bayles, Beaconsfield Upper, Lang Lang, Nar Nar Goon, Nar Nar Goon North, Officer, Pakenham, Pakenham South, Pakenham Upper, The Gurdies and Yannathan South could also access S.T.D. calls.  People also received a new 6-digit telephone number (with an 059 area code) and thus the Koo Wee Rup Sun telephone number changed from Koo Wee Rup 16 to 971-416 and the Bayles Milk Factory changed from Bayles 201 to 977-201 (5)

The PMG produced an Interim Telephone Directory in 1973 with all the new numbers and these are the entries for Koo Wee Rup and Bayles. 

See the entries from the 1973 Interim Telephone Directory for -

Lang Lang, Yannathan Lower and Yannathan South, here.

Pakenham South, Cardinia, Clyde, Tooradin and Warneet, here.

I have written about the history of the telephone service in Koo Wee Rup, here.

Koo Wee Rup - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

Koo Wee Rup - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

Koo Wee Rup - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

Bayles - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

Bayles - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

Catani - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

Catani - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

See the entries from the 1973 Interim Telephone Directory for -

Lang Lang, Yannathan Lower and Yannathan South, here.

Pakenham South, Cardinia, Clyde, Tooradin and Warneet, here.

The Fisher family of Bunyip - eight sons and a grandson fight for Australia

 I came across this article in The Herald from May 1916, with the headline - Footscray Family Produces Nine Men for Ranks. 

The Herald, May 27, 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article242326933

As it turns out four of the sons were born in Bunyip and some of the children also went to school in Bunyip. These men were the family of John and Annie (nee Whelan) Fisher. John and Annie married in 1876 and they had either fourteen children or fifteen children. (1) The death notice for John who died on August 27, 1913 says fourteen children; however the death notice for Ann, who died February 10, 1928 has a list of fifteen children 

The Age, August 29, 1913 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197489052

The Age, February 11, 1928 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204172824

The article notes that the family lived in Bunyip, the Berwick Shire Rate books lists a John Fisher from 1884 until 1897, he was a farmer and owned 62 acres being Lot 78, Parish of Bunyip. (2) I presume they they moved to Melbourne, but I can not with any certainty tell you where they were living until 1913 when John dies when they were in Warwick Sunshine, in 1916 the article has their address as 2 Newell Street, Footscray and when Annie died she was living at 34 Errol Street in Footscray.

The article on the family was published in The Herald of May 27, 1916 (see it here) It is transcribed below in italics and I have added their Service Number (SN) so you can look up their full record on the National Archives, www.naa.gov.au.  

Eight of their sons enlisted in the A.I.F, one son had poor eye sight so was not accepted. Their eldest son John who had died in an accident in 1911, his son John also enlisted to fight alongside his eight uncles. The article has a photos of all the Fisher boys, and this photo of their mother, Annie, who deserves a medal for giving birth to so many patriotic children and suffering the heartbreak of the death of three of her sons and of her husband between 1911 and 1919.

Mrs Annie Fisher

A remarkable record of enlistments is claimed by the family of the late Mr. John Fisher, formerly of Bunyip, Gippsland, and Mrs. Fisher, of 2 Newell street, Footscray. Eight of their sons enlisted and a ninth has been rejected.

The eldest son, John, was a lieutenant in the Scottish Regiment, but was killed many years ago, leaving a son, who is now at the front.

John died in a motor car accident on July 28, 1911. He was married to Frances and they had nine children, including a little baby only two weeks old. You can read a report about his accident and military funeral in the Coburg Leader of August 4, 1911, here.

Edward Fisher

Staff sergeant - major, Edward Fisher, the eldest son, is now in the Broadmeadows camp. He was born Kangaroo Flat, Bendigo, and later attended school at Bunyip, Gippsland. He was a member of the Fourth Contingent in the South African War, under Colonel Kelly, and gained a Distinguished Conduct Medal. His wife and children live at Essendon. 

Edward (SN 6765) Returned to Australia July 24, 1919.

Walter Fisher

Lieutenant Walter Fisher was the next son, and he is now at Broadmeadows camp. He was formerly a color-sergeant in the 5th Australian Infantry Regiment, and won the battalion badge for shooting and the company's badge five yearn in succession. His is the only name on the merit-hoard of the company. He enlisted as a private on September 24, 1914, in the 7th Battalion, and was promoted lieutenant at Gallipoli. He commanded the battalion in the battle of Lone Pine. In the first landing he was wounded in the arm, leg and side, but returned to the firing line after four weeks' absence. At Lone Pine he was again wounded in the right arm, the bone being partly shattered. He was buried at Steel's Post, Gallipoli, in July, 1915 through the bursting of a high explosive shell, and it took 20 minutes to dig him out. In the following week he had a similar experience. He was invalided home on August 20, being discharged as unfit, for further, service. His wife and five children live at Frankston. 

Walter was born at Kangaroo Flat, he Returned to Australia March 20, 1916.

James Fisher

Sgt James Joseph Fisher is now in Wandsworth Hospital, London, having been wounded in Gallipoli in the Lone Pine attack. He is married, 30 years of age, and his wife and five children live at Sunshine. James (SN 1621) was born in South Melbourne and Returned to Australia in August 1916 and discharged on medical grounds in March 1917 and died June 29, 1919 of influenza.

Death notice of James Fisher, who was a father of six when he died. 

The Age, June 30, 1919 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155212734

Terence Fisher

Sgt.-Major Terence Rufus Fisher, 38, is married, and has a wife and four children. He is an engineer, and lived in Milton street, West Melbourne. He is in camp, being a member of the Pioneer Battalion. Terence (SN 1502) was born in Bunyip. He Returned to Australia June 12, 1919.

Mr Robert Fisher, 36, married, of Footscray, has made five efforts to enlist, but has failed to pass the sight test. He is the only living boy in the family that has not enlisted.

Robert was born in Bunyip.
 

Martin Fisher - Died of Wounds received while fighting at Lone Pine

Cpl. Martin J. Fisher, 24, single, was killed at Lone Pine. He was shot through the thigh on the day of the landing, and returned to the firing line five weeks later. He was a first-class shot and was selected as one of five battalion snipers. He was a member of the Coburg Harriers, and lived at Sunshine where he worked as a carpenter. 

 Martin (SN 439) was born in Bunyip; he Died of Wounds on August 9, 1915.

Martin's death notice

The Age, September 11, 1915 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154987819

George Fisher

Armourer-Stg George Fisher, 22, of Sunshine, has a wife and two children. 

George (SN 63) was born in Bunyip. He Returned to Australia June 12, 1919.

Eli Fisher

Driver Eli Fisher, 20, single, is now at Broadmeadows, in the Pioneer Battalion. 

Eli (SN 12) was born in Melbourne. He Returned to Australia June 12, 1919.

Cecil Fisher

Private Cecil Fisher, 18, is in camp at Broadmeadows
Cecil (SN 2742A) was born in North Melbourne. He was awarded the Military Medal and Returned to Australia December 18, 1918.

John Fisher

Pte. John Fisher, 18, of the 8th Battalion, is the son of Lieutenant John Fisher. 

John (SN 3754) was born in Brunswick, and he Returned to Australia April 12, 1919.

Footnotes

(1) Index to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages. The only registrations I can find of the children are - Walter (1877), Edward (1879), Theresa (1881),  James Joseph  (1883), Terence (1885), Robert (1887), Catherine Ellen (1889), John Martin (1891), Eli (1896). I can't find a registration for John, Alfred, Annie, Lucy, Cecil and George - who are listed in Mrs Fisher's death notice. 

(2) Shire of Berwick Rate books.

This is an expanded version of a post, which I wrote and researched, which appeared on my work blog Casey Cardinia Commemorates: Our War Years.

A letter from Egypt from Charles Ware of Yallock

The Lang Lang Guardian of March 15, 1916 published the following letter from Charles Ware of Yallock.

Soldier's Letter

The following are interesting extracts from letters received by his people from Pte. Chas. Ware, late of Yallock, dated from Egypt, Jan 24:

Do not worry about me, as I will be all right. I've got my chance to take like the rest, but I hope to get home again safe. I don't think any one could die for a better cause, and l'm willing to do my little bit as soon as they want me. I hear the boys in Australia are enlisting well. There are a lot of new lots coming forward. We are here just six weeks tomorrow, so we are used to the place now. The sand is crook, though, for drill, I have not done any drill now for a month, as I've been on light duties owing to having my stay in the hospital.

I've written nearly fifty letters since I've been here, so I am expecting a big mail. I was as pleased as if I were home when I got your letter last night, but I hope this time next year to be back again with you all. If you have any papers send them along, as we never get anything here to write about. I went in to Heliopolis on Saturday night and had my photo taken in a group. I had three of my old mates with me. I sent you five of my p.c. in my last letter. You can see I'm not looking to bad on it. I think I put in most of my time writing letters.

I am sick of Cairo. I don't go out much of week nights. I hope we get a shift before long, as this is very little good here as far as the safety of the soldier is concerned, as Cairo is the worst place on earth. I had a walk about yesterday, and went over to see the Virgin Tree and the Holy Well. It was lovely to see. First of all I went to the R.C. Church, which is supposed to be the first Church the Virgin Mary went into, after leaving Jerusalem, I am also sending you the piece of wood I cut off the tree.

I saw young Bob Gray from Lang Lang. He is camped in with Frank McGrath. He's a big fellow, too. I've met dozens of the boys here. They do a lot of heavy drill now, with full packs up and our rifle too. It weighs about 60lbs, and it's pretty crook carrying it all day.
(Lang Lang Guardian, March 15, 1916 see here)

Heliopolis, where Charles had his photo taken in January 1915.

Heliopolis - Avenue des Pyramides, c. 1915. State Library of Victoria Image H99.166/308

Charles William Francis Ware was born in 1892 at Nyora to Charles Joseph Ware and his wife Christine Wilson (nee Carlton); he was the second of their five children. (1)  Charles  (SN 3285a) enlisted at the age of 23 on July 27, 1915; his next of kin was his mother, Christina, of Kongwak and his occupation was a railways employee. Charles suffered a severe gun shot wound to his right buttock and Returned to Australia on March 17, 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds on July 9, 1917.  (2)  Charles was welcomed home at a function held at Yallock after his discharge and this is his thank you letter published in the Lang Lang Guardian - 

Thanks To the Recruiting Committee of Yallock.
Gentlemen,
I beg sincerely to thank you and all the kind residents of Yallock for the kindness shown to me in giving me such a warm welcome home on Thursday, July 12. I regretted very much at the time being unable to return thanks, owing to the fact that I was overcome by the very feeling remarks made by your President. I feel all the more grateful, seeing that I had left the district for some time, for your kind presentation, for which I thank you sincerely, and it will help me to keep in remembrance all my many kind friends for years to come.
C. Ware jnr.
Reservoir Park, Kongwak.

(Lang Lang Guardian, July 25, 1917, see here)

Charles married Elsie Priest in at St Mary's Catholic Church at Ararat in March 1919. The Advocate had this report - 

A pretty wedding was celebrated on March 4th at St. Mary's Church, Ararat, when Miss Elsie Priest, second eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs, J. Priest, of Grano-street, was married to Mr. Charles William Francis Ware, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Ware, of Kernot, Gippsland. The ceremony was conducted by the Very Rev. P. O'Hare, P.P. The bride, who was given away by her father, was tastefully attired in ivory silk, trimmed with silk lace, with wreath and veil. The bridesmaid wore embroidered voile, relieved with pink, with pink hat to match. The bridegroom's present to the bride was a massive gold bangle; that of the bride to the bridegroom, gold sleeve links and shaving outfit; bridegroom to bridesmaid, handsome spray brooch. Mr. M'Grath (cousin) acted as best man.

After the ceremony, the happy couple motored to the residence of the bride's parents, Grano-street, where some 70 guests enjoyed the wedding breakfast. The Rev. M. Conlon, who presided, proposed the toast of "The Bride and Bridegroom." He had known the bride from childhood. She took great interest in Church matters, including the choir, and he regretted her departure from Ararat. He wished Mr. and Mrs. Ware every happiness and prosperity. The bridegroom suitably responded. Mr. Quiney proposed the toast of "The Best Man" (Mr. E. M'Grath), who suitably responded. Mr. Gardner proposed the toast of "Mr. J. Priest," who replied in a few appropriate words. Mr. Carroll proposed the toast of "Father of Bridegroom" (Mr. C. Ware), who made a happy little speech in reply. The health of the chairman was honoured, and the happy gathering then separated. Mr. and Mrs. Ware, who received many presents, left for Lakes Entrance, where they spent the honeymoon. Their future home will be Kernot, Gippsland. The bride's travelling dress was fawn velvet, with hat to match.
(The Advocate, March 15, 1919, see here)

As noted in the wedding report, Charles and Elsie lived at Kernot, where Charles had been granted a Soldier Settlement farm (3).  Charles is listed on both the Yannathan and the  Yallock Honor Boards, see here and here. 

Charles and Elsie had six children - Charles, Vera, Joan, Elsie, Patricia and Brien. Charles died on May 27, 1944, aged only 52 years of age; and Elsie died on April 16, 1991, aged 92. They are buried at the Grantville Cemetery. (4)

Charles' death notice

The Age, May 31, 1944 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article206776750

In his letter, Charles mentions 'Bob Gray from Lang Lang' - this is Robert John Gray (SN 1478). Robert enlisted at the age of 18 on August 14, 1915. He survived the War and Returned to Australia June 15, 1919. The Frank McGrath mentioned is possibly Francis Edmund McGrath (SN 1178), born in Poowong and who lived at Woodleigh.  Frank enlisted at the age of 20 on June 8, 1915. He died of wounds at Beersheba on October 30, 1917, a long way from Gippsland. (5)

Footnotes

(1) Children as listed in parent's death notices - Christina  died April 3, 1937 -  death notice below; Charles died seven month later on November 23, 1937, death notice also below. They are buried at the Coburg Cemetery.

The Age, April 5, 1937 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205618697

The Age, November 24, 1937 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205552539

(2) Service record at the National Archives of Australia   https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8347508
(3) Soldier Settlement Farm - see file at the Public Records Office of Victoria   https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/8FE663DB-F8CF-11E9-AE98-190BE0175593?image=1

(4) Death notice, The Age, April 5, 1937, see here; Find a Grave  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/206390610/charles-william_francis-ware

(5) Service record at the National Archives of Australia 

Robert John Gray (SN 1478)

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=4671857

Francis Edmund McGrath (SN 1178)

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1944743

This is a revised and expanded version of a post, which I wrote and researched, that appears on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Commemorates: Our War Years.