French Island is not part of any Local Government area, nor is it part of the Koo Wee Rup Swamp, but you can see it from the Swamp, so that is reason enough to write about it. I have written a history of French Island, here.
This post looks at World War soldiers and a Nurse with connections to French Island. I have included their Service Number (SN) so you can look up their full service record at the National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au
Most of these people are listed on the French Island Honour Board, located at the French Island War Memorial Hall. There may be more who should be in this list, feel free to let me know. The main towns on French Island are Tankerton and Fairhaven.
Bayford, Hugh Staynes (SN 1878) Hugh was 25 years old when he enlisted on February 7 1916. His next of kin was his mother, Sarah Bayford, who lived in Moreland. According to the Electoral Rolls Hugh had been a farmer on French Island since 1909. Hugh was Wounded in Action on three occasions, including sustaining a gun shot wound to his right eye and Returned to Australia on November 8, 1918.
Bennetts, Albert Edward (SN 7029) Albert enlisted on January 25, 1916 at the age of 34. He was a farmer from Fairhaven, had been born in Aldinga in South Australia and his next of kin was his brother, Ernest, who also lived at Fairhaven. Albert Returned to Australia on June 2, 1919 and according to the Electoral Rolls returned to living on French Island.
Bond, Frederick William (SN 585) Frederick was a 28 year old miner when he enlisted on September 5, 1914 at Rosebery Park in New South Wales. His next of kin was his father, James Bond, of French Island and after he passed way his mother Emma of North Fitzroy became the next of kin. Corporal Bond was Killed in Action at Gallipoli on April 27, 1915. His Roll of Honour Circular at the Australian War Memorial says that Frederick attended Perseverance School No. 3261 on French Island. His will left everything to his sister, Kathleen Sisson, of Tankerton.
Chapman, Albert Claude (SN 2790) A.C Chapman is listed on the Honour Board and there is an Albert Claude Chapman on the Electoral Roll at Fairhaven in 1918, occupation farmer so I presume they are the same people, however I cannot actually link Albert to French Island through any information in his service record. Albert enlisted on November 30, 1916 aged 32, his occupation was warehouseman, his address on enlistment was Hawthorn. Albert was born in England and his next of kin was his father who lived in London. Albert Returned to Australia January 25, 1919.
Chilcott, Frank William Leslie (SN 5673) Frank enlisted on February 7, 1916 aged 24, he was a farmer. His next of kin was his mother, Margaret Chilcott, of French Island. Frank Returned to Australia on June 12, 1919.
Collinson, John Henry (SN Depot) J. Henry Collinson is listed on the Honour Board and the Electoral Roll lists a John Henry Collinson at Fairhaven from 1918 until 1927. I presume this is the same John Henry Collinson who enlisted on May 22 1915 at the age of 21. He was an electrician and his next of kin was his mother, Harriet, of Hull in Yorkshire. John was discharged as unfit for military service on July 5, 1915 due to overlapping toes, the first toe on both feet overlap the big toe was the note on his record.
Collinson, Wilfred (SN 2210) Wilfred was born in Hull, in Yorkshire in England, as was John, above, so I believe they were brothers. Wilfred enlisted at age of 19 on November 16, 1914. He was an Engineer and his father was his next of kin and he also lived in Hull. Wilfred Returned to Australia on April, 10 1919.There are two letters in Wilfred's file from Mrs Jean Harrop, Long View, Tankerton one dated May 26, 1919 and the other dated June 5 1919 (see below) asking for information about Wilfred. In one letter she writes I am intensely interested and would like correct information. The response was that they didn't have an official report on Collinson but if they did they would communicate with his next of kin, his father. I wonder who Mrs Harrop was? She was also connected to Alfred Pocock, below.
Cremin, J The Honour Roll lists a J. Cremin and according to the National Archives there were only two Cremins who enlisted - John Francis Cremin (SN 593) and a Samuel Cremin (SN 369). There was however, a James Stuart Cremen (SN 838) who also enlisted. So if we eliminate Samuel then we are left with John and James. I think we can eliminate James Stuart Cremen as he was born, worked (as a crockery packer) and enlisted in Sydney, the surname spelling is irrelevant as I have seen lots of incorrect surnames on Honour Boards. That leaves us with John Francis Cremin (SN 593) John was born in Scotland, his next of kin was his mother who lived in London. He enlisted on April 16, 1915 at Broadmeadows at the age of 21 and he was a Clerk. John married Ada May Lambourne in May 1917 when he was in England. John Returned to Australia on June 16, 1919 and the couple are listed in the Electoral Rolls in the 1920s as living in Prahran. Is John the J. Cremin listed on the Honour Roll? I can find nothing that connects him to French Island, but I feel that he's the most likely candidate, but happy to be proven wrong.
Cuttriss, John (SN 1135) John was a 27 year old motor boatman of Fairhaven when he enlisted at the age of 27 on March 6, 1916. His next of kin was his father, Alfred, of Inverloch. John Returned to Australia January 10, 1918 and was discharged on medical grounds in August 1918, due to a gun shot wound to the right elbow. John was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to farm website, here.
Edhouse, Charles Edward (SN 333a) Charles was a 21 year old farm hand when he enlisted on April 24, 1916. His next of kin was his mother, who lived in England. His address on the Embarkation Roll was care of R. De La Haye, Fairhaven, French Island. Charles Returned to Australia July 9, 1919.
Gillings, Robert (SN 19847) Robert was a 22 year old labourer, from French Island, and he enlisted on November 23, 1915. Robert's next of kin was his father who lived in England. Robert married 19 year old Clare Maude Baxter in England on April 29, 1917. He Returned to Australia on February 19, 1919.
Griffiths, Ivor (SN 5377) Ivor was born in Wales and he enlisted on January 15, 1916 aged 24. He was a farmer from Tankerton and his next of kin was his sister, who lived in Cardiff. Ivor Returned to Australia December 12, 1918.
Haward, Martin Francis (SN 17859) Martin enlisted on April 3, 1917, he was a 24 year old telephone mechanic. His next of kin was his father, Herbert Robertson Haward, of Tankerton. Martin Returned to Australia June 16, 1919. Martin had some connection to Footscray as he is listed in the Footscray Independent in the list of local recruits. Martin was born in Collingwood, his parents Herbert and Annie are in the Electoral Roll at French Island from 1909 and he gave his address as Tankerton on enlistment, but he did enlist in Footscray, so I presume he was working and living in the area, which would make sense as he was telephone mechanic and there was probably not much call for that on French Island. His next of kin later changed to his wife, Helena, and she lived in Paisley Street in Footscray. They married in 1917, obviously after his enlistment.
Hill, James (SN 2782) - see below under Charles Williams.
Iliff, George Robert (SN 1734) George enlisted on May 20, 1915, he was a 22 year old labourer. He served overseas but suffered a number of bouts of disease and Returned to Australia on October 17, 1916 and was medically discharged in April 1917.Iliff, Joseph Ludwig (SN 6334) Joseph was a 29 year old farm labourer when he enlisted on October 25, 1916. He Returned to Australia August 8, 1919.
Iliff, William Charles (SN 1137) William enlisted at the age of 24 on July 28 1915. He Returned to Australia April 8, 1919. William was granted a Soldier Settlement farm after his return on Eight Mile Road at Nar Nar Goon - you can read about this on the Battle to Farm website here.
George, Joseph and William were brothers and their next of kin was their mother, Bertha, of Tankerton. Their father, Joseph, had died in 1905.
Leppke, William. William Leppke is listed on Discovering Anzacs website as having enlisted in 1915 when he was living on French Island. His official record has not been digitised and is part of the National Archives Series 'Applications to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force' which covers 'records for those individuals who applied to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force, and were either rejected, discharged while still in training, or went on to serve within Australia only [usually as depot troops or camp guards]. The most common reason for rejection is on medical grounds'. So apart from the fact that he was 28 years old and born in East Prussia, that's all I know about him.
Lovie, William Wallace (SN 14077) William enlisted on February 1, 1916 at the age of 21. He was from Fairhaven, a farmer, and his next of kin was his father John Francis Taylor Lovie, also of Fairhaven. He Returned to Australia on June 2, 1919.
Maddaford, Alfred (SN 2035) Alfred enlisted on July 28, 1915 at the age of 26, he was a farmer. He was discharged on medical grounds in June 1916 as he had 'chronic epilepsy'
Maddaford, Richard James (SN 2949) Richard enlisted at the age of 28 on February 18, 1916 and his occupation was farm labourer. He was Killed in Action in France on April 24 1918. There was an article about his death in the Powlett Express, see below.
Richard and Alfred both had their sister Lily (sometimes spelt Lillie) as their next of kin. When Alfred enlisted her address was Ballarat (where they were born) but when Richard enlisted her address was Tankerton. However according to the Electoral Roll, in 1909 Richard and Lily were both on French Island and in 1912 Richard and Alfred were both living on French Island and Lily had moved back to Ballarat, but was obviously back on the Island by 1916.
Meade, Frederick John (SN 4730) Frederick was born in Cranbourne and was a 36 year old labourer and a widower and he enlisted on February 23, 1916. His address on the Embarkation roll is French Island and his next of kin was a friend, Miss Maggie D'Arth of Stony Point. He was discharged on medical grounds in May 1916 due to multiple fistulas which caused an abscess. Frederick married Maggie and they had three children, Charles, Frederick and Vera and are listed on the Electoral Rolls at French Island, until at least 1936.
Nicholls, Richard Wilfred (SN 4154) Richard was only 18 when he enlisted on October 26, 1915. He was a farm labourer and had been born in Swansea in England. His next of kin was his father, who lived in England and his address was c/o his friend, Miss Nellie Bond, of Sproxton, Tankerton. Nellie was the sister of Frederick Bond, listed above, who was killed at Gallipoli and the sister-in-law to Ernest Sisson (see below). Richard was awarded the Military Medal and Returned to Australia on January 18, 1919. Richard married Violet Laura Cooper on July 10, 1917 when he was in England.
Pocock, Alfred James William (SN 6883) Alfred enlisted at the age of 18 on February 12, 1917. He was born in England, occupation was farming labourer and his next of kin was his father of The Grange in Dandenong (although his Embarkation record says his father lived in View Street, Mont Albert) Alfred went overseas and was wounded in action in May 1918 (gun shot wound arm and left thigh) and he Returned to Australia on January 22, 1920. We can connect Albert to French Island as his enlistment paper has his address as c/o Mrs Harrop, Tankerton, French Island, the same Mrs Harrop who wrote two letters enquiring after the well being of Wilfred Collinson (see above) - in fact it's the same writing so she must have filled out Alfred's application form.
Ratford, John (SN 2982) John enlisted on February 5, 1916. He was a 22 year old labourer. John Returned to Australia on March 5, 1919. John was granted as Soldier Settlement on French Island, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.
Ratford, William John (SN 1493) William enlisted on August 24, 1914 at the age of 23. He was a farmer. On August 2, 1915 William received a gun shot wound to his femur and he Returned to Australia on December 4, 1915 and was medically discharged on April 11, 1916. William was also granted a Soldier Settlement farm, read his file here.
John and William are the sons of John and Mary Eliza (nee Roberts) Ratford of Tankerton.
There is an interesting account of a cricket match between French Island and Tooradin in the Mornington Standard of May 17, 1919, which mentions the return of John Ratford to the team after an absence of three years at a more strenuous game. You can read the full article here.
Ross, Clara Louisa. Matron Ross was born on French Island and she enlisted in the Australian Army Nursing Service on November 4, 1914. She was 40 years old and had over 21 years of nursing experience. She had trained at the Melbourne Hospital and had also worked at the Women's and Infectious Diseases Hospitals, as well as being the Matron at the Ararat Hospital. Matron Ross served in Egypt and France and was awarded the Order of the British Empire medal (O.B.E) on June 3, 1919 in recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with the War. Clara also received the Royal Red Cross Decoration, 1st Class 'in recognition of her valuable services in connection with the War' on June 21, 1918. Clara Returned to Australia on August 22, 1919. Clara was the daughter of Alexander and Margaret (nee Ashenden) Ross and she died in Melbourne in 1953, aged 78.
Sisson, Ernest William (SN 6641) Ernest enlisted on February 17, 1916 at the age of 31. He was a farmer and a widower. Ernest had married Kathleen Bond in 1914 and she passed away in April 1915 at the age of 26. Kathleen was the daughter of James and Emma (nee Witts) Bond and the sister of Frederick Bond, listed above. Ernest remarried when he was in England to Evaline Gillins and he Returned to Australia on May 12, 1918. Ernest was Medically Discharged on August 14, 1918, suffering from 'Myelogenenus Leukaemia.' Ernest and Evaline are listed in the Electoral Rolls at Tankerton until at least 1954.
Thompson, William (SN 61937) William was 23 when he enlisted on December 17, 1917. He was a 23 year old farmer and his next of kin was his father, Joseph, of Tankerton. He embarked from Melbourne on October 5, 1918, arrived at Cape Town in South Africa in early November, where he was in hospital with the measles and then Returned to Australia on December 4, 1918.
Toebelmann, Arnold (SN 613) Arnold was born on French Island and he enlisted on March 25, 1916 at the age of 19. He was a nursery hand. He was the son of Johann and Amelia Toebelmann of Moorooduc. Because Arnold's father was born in Germany, but was naturalised, it appears he had to get a reference from the local Council, to prove he was a fit and loyal subject. Arnold was Killed in Action in Belgium on October 4, 1917
Walden, Charles William (SN 20362) Charles was a 23 years farm labourer when he enlisted on September 1, 1915. Charles got married when he was overseas in April 1919 and Returned to Australia on July 23, 1919. His wife's name was listed as Minnie Maria Walden, so did he marry a cousin or was it just a coincidence that they had the same surname?
Walden, Henry (SN 6137) Henry enlisted on March 8, 1916 at the age of 21, he was also a farm labourer. He served overseas and sustained a gun shot wound to his right thigh on August 23, 1918 and Returned to Australia December 12, 1918.
Charles was born in Cheshire in England and Henry in Barry Island in Wales and they were the sons of Charles William and Caroline Florence Walden of Tankerton.
Williams, Charles (SN 5782) Charles enlisted on February 17, 1916, he was a 24 year old farmhand from Tankerton. He was born in London and his next of kin was his mother, Mary, who lived in London. Charles was Wounded in Action (gun shot wound, right thigh) on December 22, 1916, which required his leg to amputated and he passed away on January 12, 1917. There is a Statuary Declaration in his military file signed on September 11, 1916, where Charles states that his real name is James Hill, not Charles Williams. His Roll of Honour Circular at the Australian War Memorial, completed by his mother, is under his real name and it says he came to Australia when he was 21 years old and that he was 28 when he died, which doesn't tally with his age on enlistment. It would be interesting to know why he enlisted under a false name.
Yeomans, J The French Island Honour Board lists a J. Yeomans, not sure who this is. Possibilities are -
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