Thursday, November 5, 2026

World War Two Soldiers and Nurses with a connection to Cora Lynn

This is a list of World War Two service men and two  Army nurses, who have a connection to Cora Lynn. On Armistice Day in 2004, two new memorials were unveiled at Cora Lynn next to the existing World War One Memorial (see here) - a World War Two memorial with fourteen names and a Vietnam War Memorial.


The  World War One Cora Lynn War Memorial, 
with the World War Two memorial on the left.
Photographer: Heather Arnold, 2014.

Following are the names, service numbers, date of birth and next of kin of men and women who served in World War Two with a Cora Lynn connection.  You can read their full service record at the National Archives of Australia, www.naa.gov.au  I have included a photograph, if they have one at the National Archives.

Bjurstrom, Gustaf Charles. Army V9457. Gustaf was born on February 26, 1898 in Sydney; however when he enlisted in the First AIF in August 1914, he said he was 19 years old which puts his birth year as 1894 or 1895. Gustaf was living at Cora Lynn when he enlisted the second time in November 1940, and his next of kin was his wife, Alice.  See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.  Gustaf is listed on the Memorial at Cora Lynn. 


Gustaf Bjurstrom

Carter, Edward. Edward is listed on the Memorial at Cora Lynn, however, I cannot positively identify him. 

Close, Vincent Thomas. Army X19914. Vincent was born on January 1, 1918 in Cora Lynn.  When he enlisted he was a rope worker, living in Yarraville and his next of kin was his father, Frank, of Kyneton. Vincent died of illness whilst a Prisoner of War in Thailand, on July 30, 1943.  See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 


Vincent Close

Colliver, Alfred George. Army VX130135. Alfred was born on May 16, 1918 in Melbourne. He was a  farmer and his next of kin was his father, Rupert Vale Colliver, of Cora Lynn. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia here. Alfred does not have a photograph in his service file.

Colliver, Cyril Raymond. Army V129082. Cyril, a chaff cutter, was born on May 9, 1912 in Koo Wee Rup. His next of kin was his father, Rupert Vale Colliver, of Cora Lynn. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.  Cyril does not have a photograph in his service file.

Colliver, Leonard James. Army V74006.   Leonard was born in Melbourne on  July 9,  1915. He was a farm hand and, like his brothers, his next of kin was his father, Rupert Vale Colliver, of Cora Lynn.  See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.  Cyril does not have a photograph in his service file.
The Collivers were the sons of Rupert and Catherine (nee Taverner) Colliver, and had a farm on the Eleven-Mile Road at Cora Lynn.

Dillon, Edwin John. Army V129140. Edwin was born in Buninyong on September 9, 1920. Edwin's parents Edwin Ernest and Sophia (nee McMahon) Dillon took over the general store at Cora Lynn in 1927, where Edwin was working when he enlisted. I have written about the Cora Lynn store, here. See Edwin's Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.  Edwin does not have a photograph in his service file.

Frawley, James Patrick.   Army V71945. James was born on September 23, 1919. James' parents, John and Margaret Frawley, 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. See James' Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. James does not have a photograph in his service file. James is listed on the Memorial at Cora Lynn (well, a James Frawley is listed, but it may be the James Frawley below)

There is another James Frawley with a local connection as well - 
 Frawley, James Clarence. Army VX17558. James was born in Lyndhurst on April 29, 1913. He was a cheese maker, lived at Bayles and his next of kin was his father, James Joseph Frawley, of Lang Lang.  See James' Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. James is listed on the Memorial at Cora Lynn (well, a James Frawley is listed, but it may be the James Frawley above)


James Clarence Frawley

Frawley, Thomas Ignatius.  Army VX17556. Thomas, the younger brother of James, above, was born on October 22, 1917 in Lyndhurst. He was also a cheese maker, lived in Bayles and his father was his next of kin -  his name was listed as James John Frawley, and his address was Bayles. See Thomas' Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Thomas is listed on the Memorial at Cora Lynn. 


Thomas Frawley

Goddard, Annie Urquhart, also known as Nancy. Army VF346971. Annie was born on July 30, 1916, which makes her the twin of James, below. Her next of kin was her father, James, of Cora Lynn.  See her Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Annie is listed on the Catani World War Two Honour Board, see here.


Annie Goddard

Goddard, Bruce. VX140059. Bruce was born on October 15, 1917 in Maffra. His next of kin was his father, James Henry Goddard, of Cora Lynn. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Bruce is listed on the Catani World War Two Honour Board, see here. Bruce does not have a photograph in his service file.

Goddard, Donald Urquhart. Army V380010. Donald was a dairy farmer of Cora Lynn and he was born on April 12, 1913. His next of kin was his wife, Elizabeth. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Donald does not have a photograph in his service file.

Goddard, Ian. Army V379924.  Ian was born on October 15, 1917, which makes him a twin of Bruce. He was a dairy farm hand and his next of kin was his father, James Henry Goddard, of Cora Lynn.  See Ian's Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Ian does not have a photograph in his service file.

Goddard, James Thomson. Army VX26064. James was born on July 30, 1916, he is the twin of Annie (above).  His father, James, of Cora Lynn,  was also his next of kin. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. James is listed on the Memorial at Cora Lynn and also the Catani World War Two Honour Board, see here.  

The Goddard's were the children of John Henry Goddard and Bella Ann (nee Donald) Goddard of Cora Lynn. Mrs Goddard must have been exhausted giving birth to two sets of twins in fifteen months, she deserves a medal; she lived until she was 83. 


Harker, David Carrington. Army V367939. David was born in Yallock on March 6, 1893. He was a farmer and his next of kin was his wife, Fidila Maud Harker, of Cora Lynn.  See David's Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.  David does not have a photograph in his service file.

Heffernan, John Thomas. Army V100335. John was born in Koo Wee Rup on October 3, 1912. He was a farmer from Cora Lynn and his next of kin was his father of the same name, John Thomas Heffernan, also of Cora Lynn. See John's Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.  He does not have a photograph in his service file. 

Howes, Andrew. Army V380056. Andrew was born on September 21, 1909 in Richmond. He was as school teacher and his next of kin was his wife, Mary Frances Howe, of Cora Lynn.  See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.  Andrew does not have a photograph in his service file. 

Huntingford, Andrew Leslie. Army V190522. Andrew was born in Leongatha on August 4, 1921. He was a cheese maker and his next of kin was his mother, Emily Huntingford, of Cora Lynn. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.


Andrew Huntingford

Jeffers, Richard Ernest. Army V372388. Richard was born at Cora Lynn on June 18, 1905. His next of kin was his wife, Eliza Mildred Jeffers, of Benalla, where they operated a dairy farm. However in the 1930s he was listed in the Electoral rolls at Murray Road, Cora Lynn.  See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.  Richard does not have a photograph in his service file. 

Kappler, John Alfred.  Army VX44146. John was born in South Australia on September 14, 1913. He was a farmer and his next of kin was his mother, Miriam Kappler of Cora Lynn. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 


John Kappler

Kinsella, Kathleen. Army Nurse. VFX61126. Went down with the Vyner Brook in the Banka Strait in February 1942. See her service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Kathleen is listed on the Memorial at Cora Lynn. 
Kinsella, Nancie. Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service. 
Kathleen and Nancie are the daughters of  Michael and Susan (nee Lockens) Kinsella of Cora Lynn. I have written about them here. 


Kathleen Kinsella
Australian War Memorial collection P02783.024

Lane,  Michael Stanislaus. Army VX56477. Michael was born in Warrnambool on  December 26, 1908. He was a truck driver and his next of kin was his wife, Elizabeth Jane Lane, of Bayles. See Michael's Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.  Michael is listed on the Memorial at Cora Lynn. 


Michael Lane

Lewis, Douglas Martin. Army VX37118. Douglas was born in Richmond on May 21, 1919. He was a truck driver and his next of kin was his mother, Queenie Lewis, of Cora Lynn. Douglas was missing in Rabaul and was presumed dead, the date of death being March 8, 1942. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Douglas is listed on the Memorial at Cora Lynn.


Douglas Lewis

McDonald, Donald Alexander. RAAF 410364. Donald was born on October 7, 1920. He was a telephonist and his next of kin was his father, John James McDonald, of Bayles. Donald was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.  Donald is listed on the memorial at Cora Lynn. I have written about him, here. 


Donald McDonald

Malcolm, Roy. Army V129138. Roy was born in Cora Lynn on May 23, 1907. He was a cheese makers assistant and lived at Cora Lynn; his next of kin was his father, John Malcolm, of Cora Lynn. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Roy does not have a photograph in his service file.

Matthews, Cyril James. VX116815. Cyril was born on May 21, 1919; his next of kin was his father, William Matthews, of Cora Lynn. Cyril is listed on the Catani World War Two Honour Board, see here. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Cyril does not have a photograph in his service file.

Matthews, Lawrie William. VX140045. Lawrie, the younger brother of Cyril,  was born on March 13, 1921. His next of kin was also his father, William, of Cora Lynn.  See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Lawrie is listed on the Catani World War Two Honour Board, see here. 



McMillan, Stephen. Army VX57181. Stephen was born in Bungaree on December 26, 1902. He was a truck driver and his next of kin was his wife, Sophia McMillan, of Cora Lynn. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Stephen  is listed on the Memorial at Cora Lynn. Stephen's son, Terrence, also enlisted, see below.


Stephen McMillan

McMillan, Terrence James. Army VX91621. Terrence was born on January 16, 1924 in Bunyip. He was a labourer and his next of kin was listed as both his father, Stephen McMillan (see above) and his mother, Sophia McMillan, of Cora Lynn. See Terrence's Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.


Terrence McMillan

McMillan, Thomas Daniel. Army V110298. Thomas was born in Garfield on February 24, 1918. He was a farmer and his next of kin was his father, Thomas McMillan, of Cora Lynn. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Thomas does not have a photograph in his service file.

Powell, Ronald Thomas. RAN 25646. Ronald was born September 27, 1922; his next of kin was his father, John Edward Powell, of Cora Lynn. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Ronald is listed on the Memorial at Cora Lynn. He does not have a photograph in his service file. 

Pumphrey, Andrew Baird. VX69284. Andrew was born on March 8, 1919; his next of kin was his father, Joseph Pumphrey, of Cora Lynn. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Andrew is listed on the Catani World War Two Honour Board, see here.


Andrew Pumphrey

Pumphrey, George Alan. Army VX80036. George, a brother of Andrew and Ivan, was born on August 4, 1914 in Ripplebrook. His next of kin was his wife, Edith Pumphrey of Garfield. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Pumphrey, Ivan Robert. Army VX41899. Ivan, a brother of  George and Andrew, was born August 7, 1916 in Longwarry South. He was a farmer and his next of kin was his father, Joseph Allan Pumphrey, of Cora Lynn. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Ivan is listed on the Catani World War Two Honour Board, see here.


Quigley, Patrick James. Army VX29709. Patrick was born on December 2, 1916 in Tynong. He was a storeman and his next of kin was his father, also called Patrick James Quigley, of Cora Lynn.  See Patrick's Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Patrick is listed on the Memorial at Cora Lynn. 


Patrick Quigley

Ridgeon, Bertie.  Army V42051. Bertie was born in England on April 5, 1896. He was a farmer, lived at Cora Lynn and his next of kin was his wife, Hilda Margaret Ridgeon, of Cora Lynn. See Bertie's Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.


Bertie Ridgeon

Whiston, Thomas Frederick. Royal Australian Navy 20819. Thomas was born June 13, 1918; the son of of Joseph Henty and Vera Iris Whiston of Cora Lynn.  His next of kin on enlistment was his wife Ruby. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Thomas is listed on the Memorial at Cora Lynn, but he does not have a photograph in his service file. 

Sources
National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au
World War Two Nominal roll https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/ww2
Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com

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