In April 1918, Koo Wee Rup boys, Les Cochrane, Bill Gilchrist and Billy McGree arrived home after fighting in France. They were welcomed home by their friends at the Railway Station.
The boys were welcomed at the Railway Station
Lang Lang Guardian, April 20, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119515345
On Friday, April 26 1918 a Welcome Home was held for the trio at the Koo Wee Rup Hall. We are fortunate to have this photograph of the occasion.
Welcome home to Les, Bill and Billy.
Image: Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society
KOO-WEE-RUP WELCOMES SOLDIERS.
About the biggest and best function of its kind ever held at Koo wee-rup took place on Friday night last, when the local hall was crammed, jammed and packed to its utmost capacity, over 300 being present. Koo-wee-rup was honoring its returning heroes, Corporal Gilchrist, Privates Cochrane and M'Gree. On arrival the schoolchildren formed a guard of honor, and Mr W. Eason welcomed the soldiers on behalf of the committee. At the local hall, which was most tastefully decorated by the ladies, Councillor O'Brien presented each man with a ring, bearing the colors of their respective battalions. They were enthusiastically received, and made suitable responses. The returned men all fought in France. Corporal Gilchrist was injured in the body with shrapnel, a piece still lying close to his heart. Private Cochrane was wounded in the hand and elbow, and Private M'Gree's leg was injured. The latter was on board the Ballarat when that troopship was torpedoed in the Channel.
Dancing, interspersed with songs, was carried on to a late hour. A splendid supper was also provided by the ladies, whose efforts would be hard to beat. The returned warriors were present at the local school on Anzac Day, when they were given a stirring reception by the scholars.
Here is a short biography of each of the three men.
Leslie James Cochrane (1894-1972)
Les (Service Number 2162) was born in Bentleigh in 1894 to David and Lucy (nee Burgess) Cochrane. The family moved to Caldermeade when he was eight. Les, a farmer, enlisted on May 2, 1916 at the age of 21 and his next of kin was his father. He served in France and was twice wounded in action. Les Returned to Australia February 15, 1918 and in the December of the same year he married Ivy, the daughter of Harry and Sarah Wildes of Yannathan. Mr Cochrane later became a Cranbourne Shire Councillor and a Member of the Legislative Assembly - you can read more about him here. You can view his Army service record, held at the National Archives of Australia, here.
William John Gilchrist
Bill (Service Number 1648) was born in Collingwood in 1889 to Robert and Florence (nee Hiam) Gilchrist. He was 26 year old farmer when he enlisted on January 13, 1916. His brother, Albert, of Koo Wee Rup was listed as his next of kin, as his parents were deceased. After serving overseas, Corporal Gilchrist Returned to Australia January 31, 1918. He was discharged on medical grounds on May 25, 1918 - his disability was listed as Myocarditis. Bill applied for a Soldier Settler block and was granted 40 acres (Allotments 106 and 119, Section 0, Parish of Koo Wee Rup East, off Little Road in Iona) in May 1921 but had to give up the land due to his on-going ill health two years later. His application form said that he was receiving a pension of 14 shillings per week due to shell shock.
Bill married Minnie Mary Ellen Forsyth in 1920. Bill lived to the age of 86 and died on June 23, 1975; Minnie died at the age of 81 on August 9, 1983. You can read his Soldier Settler file at the Public Records Office of Victoria, here and his Army service record, held at the National Archives of Australia, here.
William Francis McGree
Billy (Service Number 3110) was born in Launceston, in December 1893 to Michael and Mary (nee Walsh) McGree. He was a 23 year old farm labourer, when he enlisted at Dandenong on February 2, 1917 and his next of kin listed was his father, who lived at Karoola in Tasmania. Billy served overseas and was wounded in action (gun shot wound to left leg) in France. He Returned to Australia February 15, 1918. Billy was given a Soldier Settlement Farm in 1918 and like William Gilchrist, had to give up his land in July 1921 due to ill health. His land was of 84 acres, Allotment 23a, Section J, Parish of Koo Wee Rup - off the Pakenham-Koo Wee Rup Road.
Billy married Elizabeth Margaret (Maggie) Neal in 1919. Billy died in Ararat in 1957 aged 63. I can't find any reference to the death of Maggie. You can read his Soldier Settler file at the Public Records Office of Victoria, here and his Army service record, held at the National Archives of Australia, here
Bill married Minnie Mary Ellen Forsyth in 1920. Bill lived to the age of 86 and died on June 23, 1975; Minnie died at the age of 81 on August 9, 1983. You can read his Soldier Settler file at the Public Records Office of Victoria, here and his Army service record, held at the National Archives of Australia, here.
William Francis McGree
Billy (Service Number 3110) was born in Launceston, in December 1893 to Michael and Mary (nee Walsh) McGree. He was a 23 year old farm labourer, when he enlisted at Dandenong on February 2, 1917 and his next of kin listed was his father, who lived at Karoola in Tasmania. Billy served overseas and was wounded in action (gun shot wound to left leg) in France. He Returned to Australia February 15, 1918. Billy was given a Soldier Settlement Farm in 1918 and like William Gilchrist, had to give up his land in July 1921 due to ill health. His land was of 84 acres, Allotment 23a, Section J, Parish of Koo Wee Rup - off the Pakenham-Koo Wee Rup Road.
Billy married Elizabeth Margaret (Maggie) Neal in 1919. Billy died in Ararat in 1957 aged 63. I can't find any reference to the death of Maggie. You can read his Soldier Settler file at the Public Records Office of Victoria, here and his Army service record, held at the National Archives of Australia, here
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