What happened in Garfield in 1922

 This is a look back 100 years at what happened in Garfield and surrounds in 1922. 

The year started on a sad note with a report in February of a death -  Man’s lonely death - While looking for a cow at Garfield, Mr. R. James found the dead body of a man lying on an unused road near the 14-mile. The body was that of Mr. Patrick Hanna, who until recently had been employed by Mr. Stacey, of Bunyip. Hanna was more than 50 years old, and had been a resident of the district for many years. (The Argus February 20, 1922, see here)

There was news about the Garfield State School. In April it was reported that Miss Lindsay, who has been first assistant at the Garfield school for 4½ years, has retired. She was entertained at a social, and presented with a silver and oak tray from the scholars, and a silver biscuit trough from the parents. Her successor is Miss Honig.  Owing to the crowded state of the Garfield school, an agitation is on foot to obtain increased accommodation. The agitation paid off as, in November, the Public Works Department accepted the tender of Mr. J. Saville for additions to the school. The contract price was £540. In June it was reported that Miss D. Chappell has been appointed to the staff of Garfield school, to fill the vacancy caused by the transfer of Miss McKinnon to Yarragon. (The Age, April 25, 1922, see here; The Argus June 1, 1922, see here and The Argus, November 8, 1922, see here)

While we are on the subject of local schools The Argus reported in September that before her departure from Tynong Miss Giles, sewing mistress at the State school was presented with a gold wristlet watch by parents and residents, and with a leather suit-case by the pupils. Also in the September a concert was held at Garfield North, in aid of the piano fund of the School. (The Argus September 7, 1922, see here and The Argus, September 26, 1922, see here)

In May, a fancy dress ball was held in the Nar Nar Goon Memorial Hall by the Cora Lynn branch of the Returned Soldiers' league, The proceeds from the ball went towards the new library at Cora Lynn. The Library would have been in the Hall. (The Argus, May 2, 1922, see here)

In May there was also a report in The Age about criminal activity in the local area. These cases were heard at the Bunyip Court - For stealing a blanket from the clothes line at the Iona Hotel, Garfield, a young man named John Gilbert Drum was sentenced to ten days imprisonment. Arthur Wilson received fourteen days for stealing a hat and overcoat from a motor car at Cora Lynn on Easter Monday night. A young married man named Flynn was fined £20 for being in unlawful possession of a bag of sugar, alleged to have been stolen from the Tynong railway station. The accused denied the charge, and said the bag of sugar was given to him by the assistant at the station for some potatoes. S. Synot was fined £2 for allowing a cow to wander on to the railway at Tynong, and Jos. Hart £5 for using obscene language at Bunyip on 18th inst. (The Age, May 2, 1922, see here)

In November there was more criminal activity at Garfield when it was reported that - a large show window in the lockup shop of Mr J. W. Betts, bootmaker, was shattered on Wednesday night. A pair of men's boots is missing. The police are following a clue. (The Argus, November 11, 1922, see here)

The Pioneers' Hall at Iona (which was the public hall) opened in 1895 and was enlarged and renovated in 1922. In May, the Catholic newspaper, The Advocate,  reported - The Pioneers' Hall, which has been completely neglected for years past, has undergone a complete transformation and it is somewhat difficult now to identify the old building with the present imposing edifice. In the early days of the swamp the Government provided a very small piece of land for recreation purposes, and miserly assisted the pioneers in erecting some sort of a building for the purpose of holding meetings. The building until recently in evidence in one of the richest places in Victoria has sustained the storms for almost 30 years, and whilst other halls were erected in the adjacent townships, substantially assisted by Iona, their own hall was neglected. Some six months ago Mr.Peter Grummich, secretary of the Pioneers [Association], convened a public meeting,at which five new trustees were appointed who also are guarantors. They succeeded in obtaining £500 from the London Bank, Garfield, and immediately prepared plans, etc., for additions and renovations. Mr. J Grummich was the successful tenderer, and the committee are highly gratified at the splendid work performed by the contractor. A new light will be installed during the week, and the hall will be opened about 11th inst. All the money has been spent, apart from work computed at £100 done by the local residents.(The Advocate, May 4, 1922, see here).  

The Age of May 2, 1922  (see here) reported that the Hall opening took place on May 13 by Mr. F. Groves, M.L. A. It also said that the old hall was originally built by the settlers on the swamp. Messr J. Dowd and J. Curtain donated portions of their property to the committee for the extension.
The Hall was on the north side of the Main Drain, east of St Joseph's Catholic Church. I have written about the Hall, here.

The last day of June in 1922 was very cold and The Argus reported with unexpected snow falls throughout the State - Bitterly cold weather was again experienced throughout the State yesterday, and heavy falls of snow occurred at many places. The minimum temperature recorded at the Weather Bureau was 32.7 deg. early in the morning, and the maximum reading was 46.0 deg. at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon..... Snow fell at - Bunyip, Pakenham (only fall remembered by residents for 40 years), Mount Cannibal (near Garfield), Nar Nar Goon (first for 30 years), Tooradin, Koo-wee-rup (first time on record) (The Argus, July 1, 1922, see here).
32.7 degrees Fahrenheit is about 0 degrees Celsius and 46 degrees is about 8 degrees. 

The Advocate of October 5, 1922 (see here) had some interesting local news - Representatives from the parishes of Lang Lang, Kooweerup and Nar-Nar-Goon and Iona recently met and decided to purchase a four-cylinder Buick car for use of the priests and the Sisters. The necessity of the action has been apparent for some time, owing to the distance the priests have to travel. The sisters from Iona, who also teach at the convent school at Cora Lynn, invariably depend on the neighbours to take them to school, but the parish car will suffice for all purposes.

The Convent at Iona. I wonder if that is the new Buick car purchased for use of the Priest and the Sisters?

The Advocate November 16, 1922 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page20363246

The same paper also reported on the Garfield Recreation Reserve - The committee of the Garfield Recreation Reserve is to be congratulated for the improvements effected on the grounds. A few years ago it was completely neglected, but at a public meeting new trustees were appointed, who are responsible for collecting over £400 and spending same on improvements, with the result that two semi-final football matches have been played on the ground by visiting teams, with a possibility of a grand final. (The Advocate, October 5, 1922, see here)

Eggs were a staple diet in Hospitals in years past and they relied on the public to donate eggs. Local schools donated eggs to Hospitals and in October 1922 it was reported that Garfield State school had donated 300 eggs to the Warragul Hospital. The same report had a list of how many eggs had been donated in 1921 and Garfield State School had sent 720. Overall local schools had donated 18, 682 eggs in 1921. the eggs were preserved with Ovo, apparently a well known egg preservative. (West Gippsland Gazette, October 10, 1922, see here)

The Argus of November 11, 1922 (see here) had this news about the telephone exchange - Farmers on the Swamp are making arrangements for telephone connection with Garfield. The deputy postmaster-general is being petitioned to allow the telephone exchange to remain open to 8.pm. daily. There was also this weather and crop report in the same edition - During October nearly 4in. of rain fell, and the record for November is 206 points. Owing to floods farmers on the Six-Mile Drain have had to replant potato crops. - Cherry yields promise to be good. Loquats are a complete failure. Large consignments of asparagus are sent weekly from Garfield to a Melbourne jam company.
Four inches of rain is 100 mls. There are 100 points of rain to the inch.

World War One Soldiers with a connection to Garfield

This is a list of First World War Soldiers who have a connection to Garfield. The names come from various sources including the Garfield State School Honor Roll, the new Garfield Honor Roll which was unveiled in May 2014 (both of these Honor Boards are at the Community Centre) and a list of soldiers from Bill Parish’s notes that are held at the Berwick Pakenham Historical Society.  I am under the impression that Bill’s list is of the names on the original Honor Board that was destroyed when the Garfield Hall was burnt down in April 1937.  Either way there are 80 names listed below, so it shows that the Garfield community made a huge commitment and, at times, a huge sacrifice to support Australia’s war effort.

Since I first researched this post in 2015 I discovered an article about the unveiling of the original Garfield Honor Board at the Garfield Hall, which took place on November 26, 1919. It was unveiled by Mr Shreeve. The list of names confirms that Bill Parish's list was from the original Honor Board.

Bunyip & Garfield Express November 21, 1919

From the report of the unveiling of the Garfield Honor Board, names are transcribed below.

Bunyip & Garfield Express December 5, 1919.

The following names are inscribed on the board - Fallen in Gallipoli - P. Gunnelson, W. Leeson, C. Mynard, L. Plant.

Fallen in France - E. Beswick, E. Bullock, E. Gunnelson, J. Gaghin. A. M'Donald. F. Toner, A Watson, J. Whiston, F. Whiston.

Returned - A. Boase, W. Body, W. Burnett, J Burrows, A. Barker, F. Bullock, G. Dunne, E. Edis, R. Gunnelson, G. Gillespie, E. Hobson, G. Hobson, R. James, S. King, R. Leeson, T. Lambden, R. Morgan, T. Mynard, J Mynard, F. Mynard, W. Ottoway, K. Olsson, H. Roberts,  F. Shreeve, H. Trasler, D. Tynan and T. Vaughan.

What follows is a list of soldiers, their connection to Garfield , their fate (i.e. when they Returned to Australia after active service or when they were Killed in Action) and their Service Number (SN) so you can look up their full service record on the National Archives website (www.naa.gov.au)

If the soldiers are on the Garfield State School Honour Roll they have GSSHR after their name; if the are on the Garfield Honour Roll at the Community Centre they have GHR after their name and if they are on Bill Parish’s Garfield Honour Roll list/original Garfield Honor Board they have BPGHR after their name.

Baker, George (SN 16373) George enlisted on October 13, 1916, aged 22. He was a telephone mechanic and his next of kin was his father, David Baker, of Garfield. He Returned to Australia July 7, 1919.

Barker, Albert Stirling (SN 1212)   Albert was a 27 year old farmer from Garfield when he enlisted on July 17, 1915. His next of kin was his father, James, of Newmarket. He Returned to Australia on January 18, 1919. GSSHR, BPGHR.

Beswick, Edwin Ezard  (SN 6725) Edwin enlisted on September 16, 1916. He was 18 years old, was born in England and his next of kin was his father, John, of Garfield.  He made a will on July 26, 1917 and left everything to his mother, Mary Elizabeth Beswick. Edwin died in France of wounds and gas poisoning on October 9, 1917. Edwin is listed on the Bunyip War Memorial as well as the GHR and BPGHR.

Boase, Arthur Leslie (SN 7213) Arthur enlisted on August 2, 1915 at the age of 26 and his next of kin was his mother, Mrs H. Jolly of Garfield.  He was discharged due to suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis on September 16, 1915. He re-enlisted in July 1916 for ‘home’ not active service, but was discharged again on November 7, 1916. Obviously he was very persistent as he enlisted for the third time on November 10, 1916. He was sent to England but Returned to Australia on September 27, 1917 and was discharged as medically unfit on February 1, 1918 as he suffered from bronchitis.  At the time of the second enlistment he was living in Officer and by the time of the third enlistment he was married to Linda and still living in Officer. Arthur is listed on the Honour Board at the Officer Public Hall, see here.   GSSHR, BPGHR.

Body, William (SN 36896)  William was born in Garfield and was 20, a farmer,  when he enlisted on February 28, 1917. His next of kin was his father, John, of Garfield.   He Returned to Australia on July 13, 1919.  William is the brother of Daisy Body, the first teacher at Garfield North State School when it opened in 1914. BPGHR.

Memorial card for Ernest Bullock

Australian War Memorial Photograph P06855.002

Bullock, Ernest (SN 6291) Ernest was nearly 21 and a farmer when he enlisted on July 7, 1916. He was born in Murrumbeena and his next of kin was his mother, Mrs Mary Bullock, of Oakleigh. I assume that Ernest was living with his brother Thomas (see below) when he enlisted and that’s his Garfield connection. Ernest was Killed in Action in France on October 4, 1918. Ernest and Thomas are listed on the Garfield Honour Roll as well as the Clyde North State School Roll, where they attended school. Ernest also had a tree in the Tynong Memorial Grove, which was planted in July 1917. GHR, BPGHR
Bullock, Thomas (SN 6292) Thomas was nearly 26, a labourer from Garfield and enlisted on July 7, 1916 the same day as his brother, Ernest, above. His next of kin was his wife, Rose. Thomas Returned to Australia on July 22, 1919. BPGHR.

Burnett, William Wernham Thomas  (SN 3019) William was born in Longwarry and was 18 years old when enlisted on July 22, 1915. His next of kin was his mother, Lilly Finnie of Garfield.  He Returned to Australia on April 27, 1919. GSSHR, BPGHR.

Burrows, John James (SN 3259)  John was born in Garfield and enlisted on August 2, 1915 when he was 19. He was  a Butcher and his next of kin was his father of Mitchell Street, Brunswick. John Returned to Australia on April 12, 1919.  GSSHR, BPGHR.

Cantini, R   This man is listed on the Garfield State School Honour Roll. I believe the surname should be Cantieni. I can’t find the family on the Electoral Roll in the area, but I found some references to the family on Trove - in 1900 there is a letter to the editor from a Peter Cantieni of Garfield; in 1906 there is an advertisement from an A.A Cantieni of Garfield inviting tenders to plough 30 acres of new land; and in February 1907 there was a report that Mrs Cantieni’s newly built residence  burnt down. This man may be Richard Cantieni (SN 5310) who enlisted on March 18, 1916 aged 22 and Died of Wounds on February 27, 1917, and whose next of kin was his father, Peter.  However the Honour Roll does not list him as having  died, so I am not sure.

Cock, John Alfred (SN 414C) John enlisted on August 17, 1916 aged 19. He was a Farmer. His address was the New Bunyip Hotel, Bunyip  (the hotel that was where the Princes Highway crossed the Bunyip River)  which was owned by his parents and his father, Frederick, was listed as his next of kin. John Returned to Australia on March 28, 1919. GSSHR.

Dawes, Albert (SN 736) Albert was a 24 year old carpenter when he enlisted on October 20, 1914. His next of kin was listed as 'Father and Mother' Kirwan's Post Office, via Garfield and as 'Mr Dawes' on the Embarkation Roll. He sustained a bullet wound in the left wrist and Returned to Australia on February 9, 1916 for a medical discharge. Albert was a Soldier Settler - you can read his file at the Public Records Office of Victoria, here.

Dawes, Clifford Gordon (SN 5086) Clifford was an 18 year old farmer when he enlisted on January 26, 1916. His next of kin was his father, Alfred, of Iona. He Returned to Australia on July 21, 1917 for a medical discharge - 'Gun shot wounds multiple' was the reason. Clifford is listed on the Bunyip War Memorial.
Dawes, Gladstone (SN 4178) Gladstone enlisted on July 20 1915 aged 18. His next of kin was his mother, Mrs A. Dawes of Iona, and his father was listed as Alfred Dawes, Senior. Gladstone was Killed in Action in France on June 17, 1918.
Dawes, Victor (SN 3080) Victor enlisted on July 20, 1915 aged 21 and his next of kin was his mother, Mrs Elizabeth Dawes of Garfield. He Returned to Australia on July 3, 1919.
Dawes, Walter (SN 4093) Walter enlisted on January 10, 1916. He was a 22 year old carpenter and his next of kin was his father, Albert. Albert's address was Kirwan's Post Office, via Garfield. Walter Returned to Australia June 4, 1919.
I believe these boys were brothers, and they are all listed on the Iona Honour Board There is also more information about the family in that post.

Devaney, A   This man is listed on the Garfield State School Honour Roll. He is possibly connected to David and Eleanor Devaney who had the New Bunyip Hotel on the Gippsland Road. They both died in  1909 - Eleanor (nee Fitzpatrick), aged 59,  was tragically burnt to death when her dress caught fire and she passed away two days later on November 22. David, her invalid husband, aged 80, died of shock as  a result on November 24 (1).  They had at least five children - Margaret (born 1880); Ann (1883); Neil (1885); Arthur Charles (1890) and George Alfred (1892). I believe that A. Devaney is either Arthur or George, who may have been known by his middle name. I just can't find any trace of either enlisting.

Donald, Arnold James (SN 6000a) Donald, a Farm Manager, enlisted at 27 years of age on March 3, 1916. His next of kin was his mother, Mrs Elizabeth Donald of Garfield. He was wounded in France and Returned to Australia on April 5, 1918.
Donald, Henry Gordon (SN 6001a) Henry enlisted the same day as his brother, Arnold (above) He was 21, born in Iona, was a farmer and his next of kin was also his mother, Elizabeth. He was Killed in Action in Belgium, sometime between June 7 and June 9, 1917. The brothers are listed on the Iona Honor Board.

Drake, James Patrick (SN 13281)  James was born in Garfield and enlisted on July 13, 1915. He was 20 years old and a Clerk. James Returned to Australia on May 5, 1919. James’ parents, James and Elizabeth, had arrived in Garfield around 1888 and later moved to Bunyip - James’ brother Tom was T.D Drake Real Estate and Auctioneers.    GSSHR

Dunne, George Michael  (SN 3379) George enlisted on March 14, 1917 at the age of 33. He was a Labourer.  His next of kin was his wife, Laura, and they lived in Garfield North.  George Returned to Australia on March 17, 1919. BPGHR.

Edis, Eric Henile (SN 3509)  Eric was born in Garfield and his next of kin listed when he enlisted on August 2, 1915 was his father Frederick. Eric Returned to Australia on December 22, 1918, he then worked as a farrier and wheelwright in Garfield.  GSSHR, BPGHR.

Gaghin,  John (SN 2528) - his last name is listed as Gachin (his name is spelt this way on the Bunyip War Memorial) and Gaghain on other sources, but looking at his signature on his enlistment paper, Gaghin is the correct spelling. John is the son of Michael Gaghin of Garfield and enlisted on June 6, 1916.   He was Killed in Action in France on April 11, 1917. GHR, BPGHR

Gillespie, John Gordon  (SN 17902)  John was born in Garfield and enlisted on  January 28, 1916. He was a 25 year old Carpenter. His next of kin was his father, Andrew, of Garfield. John Returned to Australia on January 18, 1919. GSSHR, BPGHR.

Green, Thomas Cole (SN 2421)  Thomas was from Garfield and his next of kin was his mother, Catherine, and he enlisted on April 11, 1916. He was 28 years old and a Commission Agent.  Thomas Returned to Australia on May 6, 1919. Thomas also enlisted to serve in World War Two in 1941 when he was 53 years old.

Gunnelson, Ingebert Thomas (SN 3160)
Gunnelson, Percy Oscar (SN 893) Ingebert enlisted on September 2, 1916, aged 23 and Percy enlisted August 24, 1914 aged 20. Inglebert and Percy were the sons of James and Mary (nee Duff) Gunnelson of Garfield. James (sometimes called Ingebert) was born in Norway and was a builder. Sadly they were both Killed in Action, Percy on May 8, 1915 at Gallipoli and Ingebert on October 4, 1917 in France. Inglebert and Percy are listed on the Bunyip War Memorial as well as the GSSHR, GHR, BPGHR
Gunnelson, R There is an R. Gunnelson listed on Bill Parish’s list and on the Garfield State School Honour Roll. I believe this is Robert Herman Gunnelson, brother to Ingebert and Percy, who was born in 1900, however I can’t find any listing of him on the records at the National Archives of Australia or the Australian War Memorial, so maybe he enlisted just before the War ended.

Hobson, Edwin Ernest (SN 3506) Edwin enlisted on August 23, 1915 when he was 24, a Labourer, and his next of kin was his wife, Emily, of Garfield. Edwin Returned to Australia on February 9, 1919. He was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file at the Public Records Office of Victoria, here. BPGHR
Hobson, George (SN 1164) George enlisted on July 28, 1915 at the age of 19, was a farmer and his next of kin was his brother, William, of Garfield. On April 25, 1918, George married May Malpas in London, and his marriage certificate in his file listed his father as Edward Ernest Hobson, deceased. He Returned to Australia on January 4, 1919. BPGHR
I believe the boys are brothers, the sons of Edwin and Esther (nee Holt) Hobson and that the father was incorrectly listed as Edward in George's marriage certificate. Edwin Hobson Snr died in an accident in October 1904, when his horse bolted. You can read a report, here.

James, Reginald Alfred John  (SN 3806) James enlisted on March 1, 1916 at the age of 22, he was a farmer and his next of kin was his father, Alfred, of Garfield. He Returned to Australia on January 10, 1918. BPGHR

Jewell  The Garfield State School Honour Roll has a Jewell listed with no initial. This could possibly be Frederick William Jewell, born 1888  (SN 57) or William James Peter Jewell, born 1893 (SN 6136) or John George Jewell, born 1894 (SN 55). They are the sons of William and Elizabeth (nee Leask). In the book Call of the Bunyip (2) it says that the Jewells had fifty acres as part of the Tonimbuk Village Settlement Scheme and they arrived at Tonimbuk around 1892. John is listed on the Bunyip Methodist Church Honor Board and Frederick and John are also on the Honor Roll at the Tonimbuk Hall, see here.

Kimberley, John Robert (SN 857)  John enlisted on September 18, 1914. He was 25 years old and a Farrier.  He was born in Garfield, but was living in Sebastapol, near Ballarart, when he enlisted. His mother, Christina Kimberley, was listed as his next of kin.  John Returned to Australia on October 4, 1918.

King, S  This man is on Bill Parish’s list and the original Garfield Honor Board, but I can’t work out who he is. There was an Ernest King listed in the 1912 Electoral Roll at Iona and there was a  William and Lily King listed in the 1914 Electoral Rolls and throughout the War years at Garfield, so it is possible S. King is connected to these people. Another option is Sydney Arthur King, a farmer, listed in the 1919 Electoral Roll at Garfield. There was a Sydney Arthur King (SN 613) who enlisted but he was a painter from Richmond. Don't know.

Lambden, Thomas William (SN 6050)  Thomas enlisted on March 3, 1916 at the age of 30, he was a Farmer and his next of kin was his wife, Emma, of Garfield.  Thomas Returned to Australia on December 24, 1918. BPGHR

Leeson, Robert Victor (SN 2589) Robert enlisted, at 20 years of age, on June 30, 1916. His next of kin was his father, Phillip Leeson of Garfield and he was the brother of William (below). Robert and William’s grandmother, Kathleen Leeson, was the licensee of the Pig & Whistle Hotel on Cannibal Creek (read more here.) Robert Returned to Australia on December 18, 1918. GSSHR, BPGHR

Leeson, William Herbert Charles (SN 1178) William, the brother of Robert, above, enlisted on September 26, 1914, aged 24. William was Killed in Action on May 2, 1915 at Gallipoli. William is listed on the Bunyip War Memorial as well as GSSHR, GHR, BPGHR

Obituary of William Leeson (note: his date of death was actually May 2, 1915)

Bunyip Free Press, June 3, 1915 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129631431

Leithhead,  David (SN  V80710) David was born in Garfield in 1900 and was the son of George and Alice Leithhead of Vervale. David enlisted on September 28, 1918. The war ended before David saw any active service, but in 1941 in the Second World War, he enlisted in the Air Force.

McDonald, Allan Walter (SN 2474) Allan enlisted on March 3, 1916 and his next of kin was his wife, Jessie, of Garfield. He was 40 years old and a farmer. Allan Died of Wounds received whist fighting in France, on March 28, 1917.  Allan is listed on the Bunyip War Memorial where I have written more about him, as well as GHR, BPGHR

McGrath, Patrick (SN 51412)  Patrick enlisted on September 14, 1917 aged 28. His next of kin was his father, Michael, of Garfield.  He went overseas and in November 1918 was charged with unlawfully entering property and he was court martialled and sentenced to two years jail. He was released from prison in June 1919 and Returned to Australia July 8, 1919.

McParland, Maurice Matthew (SN 420) Maurice was 18 when he enlisted on October 4, 1916.
McParland, Patrick (SN 868) Patrick was 22 when he enlisted on March 17, 1915. They were both born in Bunyip and had been at school at Garfield as they are listed on the Garfield State School Honour Roll. Their mother, Catherine, who was their next of kin was living in Springvale when they enlisted. Maurice Returned to Australia on March 3, 1919. Sadly, Patrick died September 15, 1915 of disease and was buried in Egypt. GSSHR.

They were the sons of John and Christine (nee Hoyne) McParland.

McLean, Norman Angus (SN 39206)  Norman enlisted on April 4, 1917 aged 21. His next of kin is his father, Roderick, who was the Station Master at Garfield from 1907 until 1911 when he was transferred to Tynong.  In August 1918, Norman was gassed whilst serving in France, transferred to a hospital in England and was discharged from the Army as medically unfit in March 1919 after he had arrived back in Melbourne.  GSSHR.

Mannix,  William (SN 81948) William was born at Garfield and enlisted at the age of 18 on October 26, 1918. His next of kin was his father, Patrick, a farmer of Garfield. Due to the fact the War ended he was discharged in December 1918.

Mather, James Alexander (SN 85662)  James was born in Garfield and enlisted after the War finished on January 6, 1919. He left Australia on January 25 and returned after a short stint overseas in June 1919.

Miller, Ivan Valentine (SN 3163)  Ivan enlisted on December 3, 1917 aged 20. He was an ‘Assistant Dispenser’ in a pharmacy.  He Returned to Australia on December 24, 1918. Ivan attended the Garfield State School in the 1910s and he his memories of the school are published in the book Cannibal Creek to Garfield: the history of Garfield Primary School (3).   GSSHR 

Morgan, Robert Glyn  (SN 68844) Robert enlisted on August 27, 1918 at the age of 21. His occupation was listed as Bank Teller, London Bank, Garfield (read about the Bank, here). His next of kin was his father, Thomas Morgan, of Scott Parade, Ballarat East. He embarked on October 22, 1918, but the troopship was recalled, due to the War ending. Robert was also listed in the 1917 Electoral Roll at Garfield, occupation Bank Teller. BPGHR.

Mynard, Charles (SN 459) Twenty one year old Charles enlisted on August 17, 1914 and his next of kin was his father, T.C Mynard of Garfield. Charles was Killed in Action at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915. Charles is listed on the Bunyip War Memorial and GHR, BPGHR 

Mynard, John (SN 2867) John was 18 when he enlisted on June 25, 1915. He Returned to Australia March 21, 1919. BPGHR
Mynard, Thomas (SN 17653) Thomas was a 42 year old farmer from Garfield when he enlisted on July 7, 1915. His next of kin was his wife, Elizabeth Ann Mynard and they had four children. Thomas and Elizabeth are the parents of Charles, John and Walter. He Returned to Australia on March 14, 1919. BPGHR
Mynard, Walter Frank (SN 36909) Walter enlisted in February 27, 1917 when he was 19. He Returned to Australia on September 6, 1919. BPGHR

Olsson, Alexander Emil (Lieutenant) Alexander was a 25 year old police constable when he enlisted on August 28, 1915. His next of kin was his mother, Antonetta, of Garfield. Alexander was born in Tynong. Alexander was the brother of Karl, below. He Returned to Australia June 2, 1919. GSSHR

Olsson, Karl Napier (SN 3769) Karl enlisted February 27, 1917 aged 29. He was a carpenter and his next of kin at time of enlistment was his father Mr John Olsson of Garfield and later his wife Alice May Olsson of Vervale. Karl Returned to Australia on July 20, 1919. GSSHR, BPGHR

Orrock, Percy Newton (SN 3580) Percy enlisted on July 16 1915 and he was a 28 year old grocer. His next of kin was his father, David, of Tynong.  Percy was Killed in Action in France on February 8, 1917. Percy and his brother, Harold, both had trees in  the Tynong Memorial Grove, which was planted in July 1917. GHR  

Ottaway, William Arthur  (SN 540)  William was born in New Zealand and his next of kin was his mother who lived in Scotland. He was living at Garfield when he enlisted at the age of 30 on September 21, 1914. He was a labourer. William suffered a number of wounds and Returned to Australia on October 8, 1918. BPGHR

Pettman, George Edward  (SN 3908) George was born at Garfield and enlisted at the age of 18 on August 7, 1915. He was the son of Isaac and Ellen Pettman, who were from Bunyip.  George Returned to Australia on February 9, 1919. His brother, Isac, is listed on the Nar Nar Goon Honour Roll, see here.

Pittman, R
Pittman, W These two are listed on the Garfield State School Honour Roll. I can’t work out who they are. According to articles in newspapers (4), there was a W. Pittman who, in 1905, had his house in Garfield destroyed by a bush fire and later on in 1907 was awarded the ‘contract for sanitary services at Bunyip at 4d per pan, weekly service’ so I presume that they are connected to him.

Plant,  Lawrence (SN 1804)  Lawrence was born in Garfield and enlisted at Tynong on  December 30, 1914 at the age of 19. His next of kin was his father, John.  Lawrence was Killed in Action in France on May 12, 1917. Lawrence is listed on the Bunyip War Memorial as well as the GSSHR, GHR, BPGHR

Pomeroy , Alfred John  (SN 2745) There is an A. Pomeroy listed on the Garfield School Roll and I believe it is Alfred. He was 23 when he enlisted on March 21, 1916. His occupation was farmer and his next of kin was his father Richard of Brunswick.   There was a Richard and Sarah Pomeroy listed in the Electoral Rolls at Bunyip South (Iona) from around 1905 to 1909 who I am assuming were his parents. Alfred Returned to Australia on July 1, 1919. He is also listed on the Bunyip Methodist Honor Board and I have more information about him in that post. GSSHR  

Pratt, Percy (SN 12369/7894) Percy was born in England and was living at Garfield when he enlisted on April 15, 1915 at the age of 26. He appears to have two enlistment records and one of them has his address as C/O Miss De Lacy Evans of  Vervale, via Garfield. His occupation was ‘sheep station hand’.  Lance Corporal Pratt received the Military Medal in July 1917 and the Bar in February 1918. He Returned to Australia on April 5, 1919. Percy is also listed on the Iona Honor Board and I have more information about him on that post.

Ritchie, Sydney Richard (SN 6854)  Sydney was born in Garfield and enlisted on July 14, 1915. He was 36 and a blacksmith and living in Thomastown. His next of kin was his father, W. Ritchie, of Sunbury. Sergeant Ritchie Returned to Australia on March 9, 1919.

Roberts, Herman (SN 1276) Herman was born in Paynesville and enlisted on February 1, 1916, aged 33.  Herman Returned to Australia on June 16, 1919. He was a builder and is listed on the 1919 Electoral Roll at Garfield. BPGHR.

Robertson, John (SN 4576)  John enlisted on October 13, 1915, aged 22.  John’s enlistment papers say he was born in Garfield and his next of kin was his mother, Myrtle, who lived in Port Kembla. In reality, his name was Thomas Robinson, he was born in Drouin in 1893 and was the son of George and Rachel (nee Clark) Robinson. Rachel lived in Wollongong during the War and she was a widow. It would be interesting to find out his true story.  As John Robertson he was Mentioned in Despatches. He was Killed in Action, in France, on October 15, 1917. 

Robinson,  Alexander Patrick (SN 3216)  Alexander enlisted on November 1, 1916 aged 22.  He was a farmer from Garfield.  Alexander Died of Gas Poisoning in France on October 16, 1917. Alexander had also enlisted under another name, his real surname was Robas.  Correspondence in his file at the National Archives, says that his parents were divorced and the location of his father was unknown and his mother, Lotttie Robas, was in Rhodesia and she didn’t find out about her son’s death until 1923.

Shreeve, Charles Frederick (SN 338) Charles was a farmer from Mount Marshall, Garfield and he enlisted on May 4, 1916 aged 30. His next of kin was his father, William, of the same address. He Returned to Australia on April 19, 1919. BPGHR
Shreeve, James William. Captain Shreeve enlisted on February 23, 1916. James is the brother of Charles, above, and they are the sons of William and Emma (nee Daniels) Shreeve.  James was professional soldier, had served in the Boer War and was living in New South Wales when he enlisted. He Returned to Australia on January 5, 1919. GSSHR

Sims, Herbert Victor (SN 1999) Herbert enlisted at Bunyip on March 3, 1916, when he was 20. One source has his next of kin listed as Mrs G. Bird of Garfield. I believe this is Mrs George Bird, the wife of the baker.   Herbert stayed overseas for a time working for the Australian Graves Registration Detachment.

Steele, John Alan Patterson (SN 2391) John was born in Garfield and enlisted  on  September 7, 1916. He was 20 year old. John was Wounded in Action on June 7, 1917 – gun shot wound left leg – and he was sent back to Australia on October 31, 1917 and was discharged as medically unit in February 1918. John was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Public Records Office of Victoria website, here.

Thomson, J. and Thomson, K.  These two are listed on the Garfield State School Honour Roll. I couldn't work out who they were until I found that a Robert Keith Thomson was granted a Soldier Settlement farm and he listed, amongst his experience, farming at Garfield. Then it all fell into place.

Thomson, John (SN 1765) John enlisted on July 26, 1915. He was 21 years old, a Labourer and his next of kin was his mother, Ada Thomson, of Evelyn. John was wounded - gun shot wound right knee. He Returned to Australia September 10, 1917 and discharged on medical grounds in the December. 

Thomson, Robert Keith (SN 51477). Robert enlisted at the age of 20 on March 27, 1918. He was an Orchardist and his address and that of his father, John, who was his next of kin was Evelyn. John Returned to Australia June 3, 1919.You can read his file on the Public Records Office of Victoria website, here.

John and Ada Thomson were listed in the 1903 Electoral Roll at Tynong -  he was a railway employee and she was the postmistress at Tynong. 

Toner, Francis John (SN 5092)   Francis enlisted, at Bunyip, on March 3, 1916 at the age of 33. His next of kin was his mother, Catherine Toner, of Garfield.  Francis was Killed in Action in France on March 20, 1917. Francis is listed on the Bunyip War Memorial.  BPGHR.

Trasler, Harold  (SN 36918) Harold enlisted on February 28, 1917. He was born in England and was a 19 year farm hand, living at Garfield when he enlisted. As he was under 21 when he enlisted permission was given by his guardians, Thomas and Elizabeth Mynard.  Harold Returned to Australia on September 22, 1919. BPGHR.

Tynan, Daniel John  (SN 2171)  Daniel enlisted on March 3, 1916. He was a railway track repairer, 44 years old and his next of kin was his wife Emma and they lived in Garfield.  Daniel  Returned to Australia on March 25, 1919. BPGHR

Vaughan, Thomas  (SN 243) Thomas enlisted on February 5, 1916. He was 20 years old, a Labourer  and his next of kin was his mother, Caroline Vaughan, of Garfield.  Thomas Returned to Australia on January 18, 1919. He was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Public Records Office of Victoria here.   GSSHR, BPGHR

Wallace, E   This man is listed on the Garfield State School Honour Roll. It is possibly Thomas Wallace - also listed as A. Thomas Wallace in one newspaper report (5).I can't find any record for him, or for that matter any of the other men listed in this report, below. I presume the War ended before they went into Camp. I could not find an E. Wallace who enlisted with any local connection, so this is the best I can do.

Report saying that Thomas Wallace of Garfield has passed his medical.

Koo Wee Rup Sun, September 25, 1918 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/127198322

Watson, Albert (SN 3664) Albert was a 'Manager, General Store' when he enlisted at the age of 22 on August 25, 1915. He Died of Wounds March 9, 1918. Albert was the son of Jessie Adamson of Garfield. His Will stated that he would leave his estate to his mother or is she predeceased him, his sister Mrs F. Gross of Garfield. He also left 50 pounds to his niece, Agnes Ritchie. Mrs F. Gross was Elsie May Watson who married Gottfried Gross in 1905. Albert's mother Jessie was born Jessie Ritchie. Albert is listed on the Bunyip War Memorial, the Iona Honor Board and GSSHR, GHR, BPGHR

Webb, Elmglade (SN 26645)  Elmglade was born in Garfield and was 19 years old and a Clerk when he  enlisted on  March 15, 1916. He was the son of James Arthur and Margaret Ann Webb, of Ormond Street, Kensington. He had attended Port Melbourne State School according to his Roll of Honor Circular at the Australian War Memorial. Elmglade was Killed in Action in Belgium on September 30, 1917.

Short obituary of Elm Webb

Essendon Gazette November 8 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74604238

Whiston, Frederick (SN 3524) Fred enlisted on August 2, 1915 aged 23. Fred Died of Wounds received in action in France July 21, 1916. GHR, BPGHR
Whiston, John Ernest (SN 3252) John enlisted on August 7, 1915 aged 26. He Returned to Australia June 21, 1916 and was discharged as he was suffering from Otitis Media and he became deaf.
Whiston, Julian Thomas (SN 3526) Julian enlisted on August 7, 1915 aged 18. He Died of Wounds received in action in France on March 21, 1918. GHR, BPGHR.
John, Fred and Julian are the sons of Frederick and Elizabeth (nee Oxenham) whose address was listed as both Garfield and Cora Lynn. John was born in Port Adelaide, Fred in Garfield and Julian was listed as being born at ‘Bunyip Swamp’ on his enlistment paper but he was actually born at Bunyip South or Iona. Fred and Julian are also listed on the Bunyip War Memorial. There is a J. Whiston on the Iona Honor Board and a T. Whiston was listed in the article as having been honoured with a tree in  the Tynong Memorial Grove.

Wilson, Clifford Scott (SN 1016) Clifford was born at ‘Iona Station’ Garfield and was 19 when he enlisted on January 7, 1915. He was living on Queensland when he enlisted and his occupation was listed as scrub felling. His next of kin was his mother, Mrs A. Lawson, of Undulla Creek, Tara in Queensland.   He Returned to Australia April 8, 1919.

Footnotes

(1) The Age, November 23, 1909, see here; The Age, November 26, 1909, see here.
(2) Call of the Bunyip: a history of Bunyip, Iona and Tonimbuk, 1847 - 1990 by Denise Nest (Bunyip History Committee, 1990)
(3) Cannibal Creek to Garfield: the history of Garfield Primary School, No. 2724, 1886-1986 (Centenary Committee, 1986)

(4) Pittman - House destroyed by fire - South Bourke & Mornington Journal, January 18, 1905, see here. Contract for sanitary service - South Bourke & Mornington Journal, February 6, 1907, see here.  

(5) The other report where he is called A. Thomas Wallace is from the South Bourke & Mornington Journal. September 19, 1918, see here.

The Frawley Brothers pay the Supreme Sacrifice

There are two Frawleys listed on the World War Two section of the Bunyip War Memorial - J.W. Frawley and K.D. Frawley. They are John William Frawley and his brother Kevin Dennis Frawley. They were the sons of James Patrick and Margaret (nee Bannan) Frawley of the Iona Hotel, Garfield.

The Frawley commemorated on the Bunyip War Memorial.

Photograph courtesy of the Casey Cardinia Remembers website

www.caseycardiniaremembers.org.au

John and Kevin had five other siblings - Ada Mary, Kathleen Bridget 'Keenie', Francis James, James Patrick and William. See footnote (1) for more family information. According to the Electoral Rolls the family were living at Leigh Creek during the time most of the children were born, but around 1920 they moved to North Melbourne, where Kevin the youngest child was born. On May 7, 1928 James Frawley applied for the licence of the Floodgate Hotel in Port Melbourne (2). The Frawleys were at the Floodgate Hotel until March 1940 and a year later in June 1941, they took over the license of the Iona Hotel in Garfield from Ellen O'Donohue. This time it was Margaret Frawley who held the licence (3).

The Floodgate Hotel, corner Ingles and Crockford Streets, Port Melbourne.

James and Margaret Frawley held the licence from 1928 until 1940.

Photographer: John T. Collins, taken February 15, 1969.

State Library of Victoria Image H98.250/2179

The Frawleys soon became involved in the community life of Garfield and in September 1941 a football match was organised to raise money for the Prisoners of War fund. This match was clearly organised by the Frawleys. This is from the report in the Emerald Hill Record - in ideal weather last Sunday, a large number of members of the Floodgate Social Party, Port Melbourne, and their friends visited Garfield, where a football match was arranged between a team representing the Social Party and the Garfield club. Two chars-a-banc conveyed over 70 players and friends, and as many travelled by train. The match ended in a draw, £20 was raised for the Prisoner of War fund and at the conclusion of the match teams and supporters adjourned to the Iona Hotel for dinner, after which presentations were made (4).

The Iona Hotel at Garfield. c. 1915, operated by Margaret and James Frawley in the 1940s.

Image: Berwick Pakenham Historical Society

Sadly, the Frawley boys did not have much opportunity to enjoy life in Garfield as they soon enlisted. Here are the details of their life and service (5).

John William Frawley (VX90347), born October 1, 1917 at Leigh Creek. He enlisted in the Army on September 24, 1942 and was Killed in Action in Papua on January 18, 1943. John's obituary in the Emerald Hill Record said that Pte. Frawley was a former pupil of the Christian Brothers' School, South Melbourne, and left a protected industry to join the A.I.F. (6). He had worked at General Motors-Holden. A Mass was offered for the repose of his soul at SS. Peter and Paul's Church, South Melbourne on Sunday, February 7, 1943 (7).

Kevin Dennis Frawley (VX67337), born May 12, 1920 at North Melbourne. Kevin enlisted on December 10, 1941 in the Army and was Killed in Action in New Guinea on September 4, 1943. His obituary in the Emerald Hill Record said that Kevin was educated at SS. Peter and Paul's School, South Melbourne, and later at St. Patrick's College, Ballarat. It was in February of this year that he returned from the Middle East after serving with the 9th Division, and left later for the battle station in the north where he met his untimely death (8). On October 3, 1943 a Mass was also offered for the repose of his soul at SS. Peter and Paul's Church, South Melbourne (9).

Another son of James and Margaret also enlisted - James Patrick Frawley (V71945), born September 23, 1919 at Leigh Creek, enlisted on January 21, 1941 and was discharged September 1, 1944.

The Emerald Hill Record wrote that Widespread sympathy has been extended to members of the Frawley family since the news was received that Private Kevin Dennis Frawley had been killed in action in New Guinea on September 4. Private Frawley was the second member of his family to make the supreme sacrifice, his eldest brother, Jack, having lost his life in New Guinea in January of this year (10). It must have been in the back of Mr and Mrs Frawley's mind that having lost two sons, they may well have lost a third and this fear was very real for Margaret Frawley as three of her brothers had died while serving in World War One. You could hardly blame her for perhaps thinking that her family had sacrificed enough for Australia's War effort.

These are the details of the service (11) of Margaret's brothers -
Francis Thomas Bannan (SN 1878), enlisted at the age of 20 on June 16, 1915. He was a draper. Francis was Killed in Action in France on July 28, 1916.
William James Bannan (SN 1783), enlisted on June 7, 1915 at the age of 18. He was a bootmaker. William was Killed in Action in France on August 24, 1916.
Francis and William were from Kerang.
John Joseph Bannan (SN 1126) John was 24 when he enlisted on June 14, 1915 and his wife, Mary Ann, whose address was Berwick, was his next of kin. His occupation was Quarryman, so it is more than possible that he worked at Wilson's Quarry in Berwick. John died of Malaria at the English Hospital in Damascus on October 16, 1918. John is listed on the Berwick War Memorial in High Street.

John Bannan's obituary in The Advocate of November 23, 1918.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article152180895

As a matter of interest another of Margaret's brothers enlisted in the Army in World War Two. He was Vincent James Bannan (VX92045) who served from April 1943 until February 1946.

Kathleen 'Keenie' Frawley is pictured on the right, with other members of the 

Garfield Red Cross in 1945

Weekly Times, August 22, 1945 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226563046

James Frawley died September 7, 1947 at the Iona Hotel at Garfield. He was 63 years old. I don't have a date for when the Frawley's left the Hotel but in 1949 Margaret and her son James were listed in the Electoral Rolls at 237 Blyth Street, Brunswick East. James' occupation was a barman. Margaret Frawley died on July 4, 1973 at the age of 80. She is buried with her husband at the Melbourne General Cemetery (12).

As an aside, the Frawley family were well entrenched in the Hotel industry - this is from James' obituary in 1947 - Well-known hotel keeping families at South Melbourne and Port Melbourne have been bereaved by the death of Mr. James Patrick Frawley, of the Iona Hotel, Garfield, which occurred suddenly at his home on Sunday night. He commenced his trade career at the Floodgate Hotel, Port Melbourne. Surviving sisters are Mrs. W. Bell (Freer's Hotel, South Melbourne), and Miss Agnes Frawley and Miss Millie Frawley (Railway Club Hotel, Port Melbourne). The late Mrs. J. Fisher (Town Hall Hotel, South Melbourne) was a sister, and the late Mr. R. S. Frawley (Station Hotel, Port Melbourne) was a brother (13).

Bell's Hotel, also known as Freer's Hotel (14) corner Moray Street and Coventry Streets,

South Melbourne, c. 1970-1974, operated at one time by Annie Bell (nee Frawley),

an aunty of John and Kevin.

Photographer: Committee for Urban Action, Melbourne

State Library of Victoria Image CUASM264/2-3 Image 7

Town Hall Hotel, Bank Street, South Melbourne, c. 1970-1974, operated at one time by

another aunty of John and Kevin, Margaret Fisher (nee Frawley).

Photographer: Committee for Urban Action, Melbourne

State Library of Victoria Image CUASM179/5 Image 2

Trove list
I have created a Trove list of various articles connected to the Frawley family, access it here.

Footnotes
(1) Family information
This information is from the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages, the Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com, family notices in the newspapers (see my Trove list, here) and Victoria, Australia, Cemetery Records and Headstone Transcriptions, 1844-1997, also on Ancestry.com
James Patrick Frawley was born c. 1884, in Bungaree, to Patrick and Bridget (nee McDermott) Frawley. I can't actually find a record of his birth in the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages Index. Margaret Ellen Bannan was born in 1893, in Kerang to Dennis and Mary (nee Maher) Bannan. James and Margaret married in 1913.  They had the following children.
Ada Mary - born in 1913 and birth registered at Port Melbourne. Ada married Stewart Plumridge in 1936 and had two boys, Frank and John, perhaps named for Ada's uncles who died in the First World War.
Kathleen Bridget 'Keenie' - born in 1914 and birth registered Bungaree 1914. She married Stephen James Holland in 1946. They were living in Garfield until at least 1954, but I have no other information.
Francis James - born in 1916 and birth registered at Bungaree 1916. He died at Warrenheip at the age of 11 months in 1917. I suspect that Kathleen and Francis were actually born at Leigh Creek, like the next two boys were.
John William - born October 1, 1917 at Leigh Creek. Killed in Action on January 18, 1943. See above.
James Patrick - born September 23, 1919, at Leigh Creek. Served in the 2nd A.I.F. In the 1954 Electoral Roll James was still living with his mother at 237 Blyth Street, where they moved to from Garfield in 1949. In the 1963 Electoral Roll, an Ursula May Frawley is also living with them, so I presume James got married, between 1954 and 1963. I have no other information about him.
William - William is listed in his father's death notice as being deceased, but I can find neither a birth or death record for him.
Kevin - born May 12, 1920 at North Melbourne. Killed in Action on September 4, 1943 See above.
(2) Notification for application of licence transfer was in The Herald, April 27, 1928, see here. The address of the Hotel was listed at Raglan Street in the transfer notice, however it is on the corner of Ingles Street and Crockford Street, Port Melbourne.
(3) Licence transfer of the Floodgate Hotel in The Argus, March 19, 1940, see here. Licence transfer for the Iona Hotel was in The Age, June 10, 1941, see here.
(4) Emerald Hill Record, September 27, 1941, see here.
(5) Details of life and service come from obituaries in the Emerald Hill Record, death notices inserted by family and friends - see my Trove list, here, for these. Also the WW2 Nominal Rolls https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/home
(6) Emerald Hill Record, February 6, 1943, see here.
(7) Emerald Hill Record, February 6, 1943, see here.
(8) Emerald Hill Record, October 2, 1943, see here.
(9) Emerald Hill Record, October 2, 1943, see here.
(10) Emerald Hill Record, October 2, 1943, see here.
(11) World War One service details from the National Archives of Australia, www.naa.gov.au
(12) This information is from the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages, the Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com, family notices in the newspapers and Victoria, Australia, Cemetery Records and Headstone Transcriptions, 1844-1997, also on Ancestry.com
(13) Emerald Hill Record, September 13, 1947, see here.
(14) I came across this photo and was fairly sure that it was Freer's Hotel, but it was confirmed by this article, which also includes an 1880's photo of the building https://melbournewalks.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/SOUTH-MELBOURNE-HOTELS.pdf

Another version of this post, which I wrote and researched, has appeared on my work blog Casey Cardinia Commemorates: Our War Years. 

Bill Parish's History of Garfield 1951 - 1960

The Souvenir booklet for the Back to Garfield celebrations held in June 1962 included a history of Garfield for each decade, written by Bill Parish (1915-1994). This is the chapter from 1941 - 1950.
I have added the footnotes. Heather Arnold

Garfield 1951-1960 by Bill Parish

This period was marked by a wave of prosperity which followed immediately after the effects of war had been obliterated.

Many old properties were cleared and made into farms, particularly in the Garfield North-Tonimbuk area. Many new homes were erected in Garfield at the east and west ends of the main street, and also on the hill in Archer Road and Campbell Street. Television also made its appearance, with the result the picture theatre closed down (1).

Sporting facilities were greatly increased, with new tennis courts, a bowling green and a T.Q. Midget Car race track (2). There were now two cricket clubs, three tennis teams, and three football teams.

Garfield Main Street, 1952

Weekly Times June 18, 1952 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224019418

The Cannibal Creek Reserve was developed by a committee of Management with Mr F.C. Cox as president, Mr C. W. Parish as secretary, and Mr G. Fry as Resident Warden. A committee was also formed in Garfield to build a swimming pool (3),  with Mr C.G. Simcocks as its President.

There were many changes amongst the businessmen of the town, and some of these were: Cation & Warren, P.T. Wharington, J. Dunkley, J. Greening, J. Laurie and B.C. Robert (storekeepers); A. Rose, Little, V. Quinton and J. Dunkley (café proprietors); W. Gilmore (hairdresser); L. Marsh and J. Fawkner (butchers); Maud, Umlauft and Badstone (bakers).

Garfield Post Office Staff - Mr & Mrs A.F. Tanner, Miss K. Kitchen and Miss I. Marshall.

Weekly Times June 18, 1952 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224019417

Doctors were Dr Martin, Dr Laidlaw and Dr Gild (4). Chemists: Messrs Sarah and Taylor. Post Masters: Tanner, Coleman and Jarvis; Bank Managers: Macrae, Marshall and Wallace; Police: Pringle and Smith; Publicans: Smith, Fuller, Bevan and Hurley.

By the end of the decade, inflation had become a problem, but a slight “squeeze” organised by the government had only slight effect on this area.

The Boy Scouts made great progress, with the 1st Garfield Troop reaching the highest possible standard in camping proficiency in Victoria under the leadership of SM F. Cox and ASM J. Marsh. By the end of this period Scout groups were established in all local centres.

Garfield Scout Group

Weekly Times June 18, 1952 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224019417

The electrification and duplication of the Gippsland railway line (5) gave Garfield a rail service comparable with suburban areas, and electricity was now being supplied to almost every house in the district. 

Roads were improved, and a long term sealing programme was made by the Shire to cope with the ever-increasing road traffic.

So, after 120 years, the district has reached a very high standard of progress and achievement which, let us not forget, has been laid on the cornerstone of foresight provided by our early pioneers.

Footnotes

(1) The Garfield Theatre re-opened at weekends from 1970 to 1971. I have written about the Picture Theatre here https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2014/03/garfield-picture-theatre.html

(2) T.Q. Midget Car Track - see page 15 of the April 2020 Spectator http://www.garfieldspectator.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Garfield-Spectator-April-2020-website-.pdf 

There are also four videos of Midget Car Racing at Garfield on You Tube filmed c. 1959/1960 by Geoff Blackwell and posted by Cee Jones  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHlhxodT484  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20m0NyX98Rs

and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhoxVi4vc5k

and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lJuhErCcp8

and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhqL_mgJfGA

(3) The Swimming Pool was officially opened by the Governor, Sir Rohan Delacombe, on Saturday February 11, 1967.

From the Vice Regal Column - notice of the Pool's opening.

The Age, Monday February 13, 1967 from Newspapers.com

(4) More information http://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/08/the-doctors-house-1-main-street-garfield.html

(5) Electrification of Railway line - July 21, 1954. Duplication of line between Tynong and Bunyip - August 19, 1956. Source:  https://vicsig.net/infrastructure/location/Garfield  More on the Garfield Railway Station here  http://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2014/05/garfield-railway-station.html

Other posts of Bill Parish's History of Garfield - 

1901-1910 https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/09/bill-parishs-history-of-garfield-1901.html

1911-1920 https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/09/bill-parishs-history-of-garfield-1911.html

1921-1930 https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/09/bill-parishs-history-of-garfield-1921.html
1931-1940 https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/09/bill-parishs-history-of-garfield-1931.html
1941-1950 https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/09/bill-parishs-history-of-garfield-1941.html

Bill Parish's History of Garfield 1941 - 1950

The Souvenir booklet for the Back to Garfield celebrations held in June 1962 included a history of Garfield for each decade, written by Bill Parish (1915-1994). This is the chapter from 1941 - 1950.

I have added the notes about Garfield’s World War Two service people.  Heather Arnold.

Garfield 1941-1950 by Bill Parish

The World War took many young men from the district in this period, and rationing was introduced for most commodities. The fruit industry was controlled by a Board, which gave growers approximately double the pre-war price.   

The Red Cross and Comforts Fund did much valuable work under the presidency of Mr. J Kierce.  

Some Garfield Red Cross Members, 1945

Weekly Times August 22, 1945 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page24110267

After the War, business began to improve, and by the end of the decade, prosperity had put all people firmly on their feet. Many new residents and businessmen came to the district, and the old properties, selected 70 years previously, were developed further. In fact, so much land was cleared that it affected the physical geography of the locality to such a degree that many streams became non-perennial and water catchment and conservation was affected.

Garfield Country Women's Association, 1945  -  Miss A. Doherty, Mesdames L. Chappell,

 F. Rigg, L. Haigh, N. Sturzaker,  C. Simcocks.

Weekly Times August 22, 1945 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page24110267

Townspeople at this stage: A. Mauger, B. Robert, J. Scott, and Cation and Warren (storekeepers); V. Maud (baker); R. Petty, W. Walker, G. Minton, C. Breman, J. Jessop and J. Fawkner (butchers); K. Sarah (chemist); N. O’Halloran and C. Pringle (police); C. Jackson, G. Hosking, W. Johnson and C. Webber (bank managers); C. Chapple and G. Fischer (school teachers); N. Graham (Station master); Doctor Martin; G. Hamm, F. Dean and J. Brenchley (garage proprietors).

The Boy Scout Troop was reformed under the leadership of C. W. Parish, F. C. Cox and F. R. Rigg.

Garfield Progress Association, 1945 - Messrs C.A. Chappell, F.A. Rigg, First Constable N.A. O'Halloran, Messrs H.A. Hourigan, D. Simcocks, C.G. Simcocks, T.K. Sarah.

Weekly Times August 22, 1945 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page24110267

Garfield’s World War Two Service people

The World War Two Nominal Rolls https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/ are divided into three lists - people who were born in a locality; people who lived in a locality at the time of their enlistment and people who enlisted in a locality. The figures for Garfield are - 86 people who were born in Garfield enlisted; 86 people lived in Garfield at the time of their enlistment and 77 people enlisted in Garfield. Of course, some people are in more than one of these categories, but overall, 205 different people who enlisted had a connection to Garfield. 

We won’t look at all these people, but we will look at the nine women who served who had a connection to Garfield. The National Archives of Australia are in the process of digitising all WW2 Service Records. Of the women listed here, only the records of Florence and Bertha Green are digitised and they are both only two pages, so I have limited information about everyone’s service.

Crouch, Doreen Mina (SN 96389). Doreen was born in Garfield on June 6, 1924. She was living in Glenhuntly when she enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in August 1942 and was discharged in April 1946. Doreen is the daughter of William and Marjory Crouch, they are listed in the Electoral Rolls of 1925 through to 1936 at Garfield, and his occupation was a storekeeper. Doreen married William Henry Walker in 1947. He was a teacher and they lived in the Geelong area. 

Dawes, Dulcie May (SN 174202). Dulcie was born in Garfield on April 11, 1926, the daughter of Alfred and Gertrude (nee North) Dawes. She was living in Springvale when she enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in May 1944 and was discharged in February 1946. Dulcie married Ernest James McNab in 1946, and sadly was only 47 when she died in 1973. 

Dore, Eileen Greta (SN VF396618). Eileen was born in Garfield on January 6, 1924. She was also living in Garfield when she enlisted in the Army in December 1942 and she was discharged in April 1944. Eileen was the daughter of Patrick and Greta (nee Monaghan) Fawkner; he was the butcher in Garfield. Eileen married Robert James Dore in 1944. I presume she left the Army to get married, so I was surprised that her records are under her married name, not Fawkner, which would have been her name on enlistment.

 

Green, Bertha Alice Amy (SN WR3051) Bertha, born on August 15,1925, enlisted in the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service in June 1945, and served until July 1946.

Green, Florence May (SN WR/1995) Florence was born on May 6,1920 and enlisted in the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service in March 1944. She was discharged in June 1946.

Florence and Bertha were both born in Garfield to Daniel and Eliza (nee James) Green. They are listed in the Electoral Rolls of 1912 through to 1931 at Garfield. Daniel’s occupation was a farmer. I have no other information about the two sisters.

Griffin, Elsie Blanche (SN VF346647) Elsie was born in Garfield on April 30, 1921. She enlisted in the Army in February 1942 and was discharged in October 1943. Elsie married Maxwell Henry Griffin in 1943. Elsie is the daughter of William Herbert and Blanche Harriet (nee Moore) Shreeve. They lived on the Eleven Mile Road, at Tynong. As with Eileen Dore, Elsie’s official records are listed under her married name, not Shreeve, the name she would have enlisted under.

Jack, Elizabeth (SN 90028) Born in Garfield on October 28, 1921, Elizabeth enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in April 1941 and was discharged only a month later in the May. Perhaps she was medically unfit. Her parents, Richard and Ruby Jack are listed in the Electoral Rolls at Garfield from 1921 to 1926; he was a Baker.

Jolley, Ida Lillian (SN VF516239) Ida was born in Garfield on December 5,1924 and she was living in Garfield when she enlisted in the Army in August 1944.  Ruby was discharged in May 1946 and married Geoffrey Charles Gribble in 1948. Ida is the daughter of Alexander and Ruby (nee Johnson) Jolley. 

Lewis, Muriel Anna (SN VFX114955 / V145392) Muriel was born in Korumburra on February 24,1919 to James and Elsie May (nee Cox) Attrill. She was living at Garfield when she enlisted in the Army in November 1942 at Bonegilla. Muriel was discharged in December 1943, and she married Stephen Leslie Lewis the same year. Stephen was also in the Army; he was from New South Wales and they lived there after the War. Muriel is another woman who enlisted under her maiden name, but all her records are in her married name. James and Elsie Atrill had moved to Garfield from Korumburra sometime after 1924. Sadly, their fifth child died at Bunyip in 1929 at only one day old, and then on April 18,1930 James also died. He was 35 years old. Elsie remarried in 1935 to Ernest John Watts and continued to live in Garfield.

Other posts of Bill Parish's History of Garfield - 

1901-1910 https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/09/bill-parishs-history-of-garfield-1901.html

1911-1920 https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/09/bill-parishs-history-of-garfield-1911.html

1921-1930 https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/09/bill-parishs-history-of-garfield-1921.html
1931-1940 https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/09/bill-parishs-history-of-garfield-1931.html
1951-1960 https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/09/bill-parishs-history-of-garfield-1951.html

Bill Parish's History of Garfield 1931 - 1940

The Souvenir booklet for the Back to Garfield celebrations held in June 1962 included a history of Garfield for each decade, written by Bill Parish (1915-1994). This is the chapter from 1931-1940.
I have added the footnotes. Heather Arnold.

Garfield 1931-1940 by Bill Parish

This period commenced with the Depression which affected all sections of the community, businesses becoming insolvent and many primary producers losing all their assets and, in some cases, having to take advantage of the Debt Adjustment Scheme. Public works were done for Sustenance or ‘Susso’ as it was then called. This included a number of surveyed but unmade roads. 

There were a great many fires during this period and many shops and public buildings were burned (1). This resulted in new shops, a new football pavilion and new public hall. The 1939 bush fires reached North Garfield, with Messrs Towt Bros being badly burned in Break Neck Gully. A fire patrol, under Lieutenant G.H Limmer had a narrow escape.

The Garfield Public Hall burnt down and was rebuilt in 1937. 

This new hall, pictured, burnt down in 1984.

Image: Berwick Pakenham Historical Society.

Primary producers were barely scraping out an existence. Orchardists, for example, received only 1/6d clear for export apples and before resorting to sales to agents many received debit notes instead of cheques for overseas consignments.

At the end of this decade came World War Two. Many young men volunteered as previous; some paying the supreme penalty. These included I. Leask (2), F. Watts (3), J. Frawley, K. Frawley (4), K. Kileen (5), Poorock (6) and T. Fitzgerald (7). 

The businessmen of this period were: A.C Nutting (8), Pease & Co, E. Cotter and W. Edney (storekeepers); C. Simcocks (newsagent); A. Casey (Iona Hotel); R. Wall and J. Jennings (bakers); Haig & Little, Holloway, Edwards (butchers); Simcocks, Barnes, Harris, Pascoe, Schmutter (cafes etc); Edis (blacksmith); E.C Cox, R. James (builders); S. Howell, A. Wilson (bank managers); O’Brien, E. Cahill, W. Lawson (police); W Waugh and N. Barrett (school teachers)

Largely through the efforts of Mr C. Webber, the Garfield Church of England (9) was built from money raised in the Twenties by Mrs Beswick. Another new building to be erected was the E.S & A Bank in Main Street (10).

Footnotes

(1) Fires – various reports in the newspapers about fires – February 1930:  Mr Pitches’ 2-storey brick shop used as a general store was destroyed by fire; August 1933: Mrs Wild’s four room house burnt; September 1933:  the unoccupied Police Station partially destroyed by fire; October 1933:  Mr M. Kennedy’s 6 room weatherboard house burnt; April 15,1937:  Garfield Hall burnt (it was rebuilt the same year and burnt down again in 1984); January 1939:  James McGrath’s large weatherboard house burnt. I cannot find any information on the Football pavilion.

(2) Leask, Ivan George. Born in Bunyip on September 9, 1919, or so he said. Ivan was actually born in 1921. He enlisted in the Army in June 1940 and was Killed in Action in Papua on August 30,1942 at the age of only 19. He was the son of George and Jessie Leask. His father, George, had served in World War One.

(3) Watts, Francis Thomas. Francis was born October 16,1909 and enlisted in the Army July 1940. He died of illness in Burma on September 26, 1943. Francis was the son of Ernest John and Rose Matilda Watts who lived on Walker’s Road, Garfield. 

(4) Frawley, John William. Born October 1,1917 and enlisted in the Army September 1942. Killed in Action in Papua on January 18, 1943.

Frawley, Kevin Dennis. Born May 12,1920 and enlisted in the Army December 1941. Killed in Action in New Guinea on September 4, 1943.

John and Kevin were the sons of James Patrick and Margaret (nee Bannan) Frawley of the Iona Hotel, Garfield. The Frawley’s had previously been at the Floodgate Hotel in Raglan Street, Port Melbourne. The license of the Floodgate Hotel was transferred in March 1940, so I assume they arrived at the Iona Hotel, around this time. Their other son, James Patrick Frawley, also enlisted. He was born September 23, 1919, enlisted January 1941 and was discharged September 1944.

I have written more about the Frawleys here

https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-frawley-brothers-pay-supreme.html

(5) Killeen, Kenneth Francis. Kenneth was born October 4,1921 and enlisted in the Navy November 1941. He was Killed in Action on June 1,1942 on Sydney Harbour. Ken served on the H.M.A.S. Kuttabul and was killed when three Japanese midget submarines attacked in Sydney Harbour. Ken was the son of Francis Patrick and Veronica ‘Vera’ Hazel Killeen. They were listed in the Electoral Roll at Bayles in 1931 and at 14 Mile Road, Garfield from around 1935. 

(6) Poorock – Cannot work out who this is. Tried various spellings, different phonetic spellings, looked at the Electoral Rolls but no similar names listed.

(7) Fitzgerald, T. I cannot find a T. Fitzgerald with a local connection or one who is on the Roll of Honour. The Bunyip War Memorial lists a T.R. Fitzpatrick, this may be who Mr Parish is referring to. This was Thomas Ray Fitzpatrick, born March 31,1900 in Morwell. He was living in Clifton Hill when he enlisted in the Army in June 1940, but his next of kin was his brother, James, of Tynong. Thomas died of illness in Thailand on December 25, 1943.

(8) Arthur Charles Nutting - I have written about him here

https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/10/mr-nutting-invents-new-type-of-ute.html

(9) The Anglican Church, St Mary’s, was opened on March 28,1935 by Archdeacon Weir of Sale. It was demolished in 2010.

(10) The A.N.Z Bank (now Miss Franky’s) opened as an E.S. & A. Bank around 1931. I have written about the Bank, here

https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-es-anz-bank-at-garfield.html

Garfield Baby Health Centre

The Garfield and the Bunyip Baby Health Centres opened in 1935 or 1936. They are first listed in the Victorian Baby Health Centres Association Annual Report of 1935/36 Annual report. Garfield was open Fridays 10.30am to 12 noon and 12.30pm to 1.30pm; Bunyip was open Fridays 2.00pm to 4.30pm. In the 1936/37 report the President of the Garfield Centre was Enid Patterson, the wife of the Dr John Patterson and the Secretary was Connie Nutting, whose husband Arthur, owned a store (read more about the Nutting Family, here). You can access the Victorian Baby Health Centres Association Annual Reports here - http://www.qec.org.au/professionals/corporate-documents

Other posts of Bill Parish's History of Garfield - 

1901-1910 https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/09/bill-parishs-history-of-garfield-1901.html

1911-1920 https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/09/bill-parishs-history-of-garfield-1911.html
1921-1930 https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/09/bill-parishs-history-of-garfield-1921.html
1941-1950 https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/09/bill-parishs-history-of-garfield-1941.html
1951-1960 https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/09/bill-parishs-history-of-garfield-1951.html