Showing posts with label Honor Boards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Honor Boards. Show all posts

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Unveiling of the Cora Lynn State School Honor Roll

On July 12, 1918 the Pakenham Gazette published the following report on the unveiling of an Honor Roll at the Cora Lynn State School. The article includes a great list of local children who participated in the sports programme. The big question remains - where is this Honor Board now?  I had never heard of it before I found this article.

There are six names listed in this article as being on the Honor Board - Emmite (actually Emmott), Jeffers, Johnson, Murdock (actually Murdoch), Scanlon and Smith. I have written about these men in my article about the War Memorial at Cora Lynn which was unveiled in February 1922; you can read it here.


Arbour Day, Cora Lynn, c. 1910

CORA LYNN. UNVEILING AN HONOR ROLL.
On Friday last Arbor Day was celebrated at the local school. There was a large attendance of parents and friends, who joined heartily in the picnic, races and games. 

The successful competitors in the races were: - Boys over 13: Roy Wilkinson 1, F. Cozens 2; girls over 13: L. Murdock 1, D. Gardner 2; boys between 11 and 13: S. Murdock 1, J. Quigley 2; girls between 11 and 13: W. Tierney 1, Z. Roberts 2; boys between 9 and 11: T. McGrath 1, J. Leslie 2; girls between 9 and 11: Doris Gardiner 1, B. Johnson 2; boys between 7 and 9: H. Leslie 1, John Quigley 2; girls between 7 and 9: M. Roberts 1, R. Rice 2; boys between 5 and 7: W. Adcock 1, W. Sommers 2; girl; between 5 and 7: Nellie Jeffers 1, M. Quigley and R. Scott 2; young men: D. Wakenshaw 1, H. Murdock 2, -. Lovell 3; young ladies: Miss E. Gardner 1, Miss M. Gardner 2, Miss M. Higgins 3; high jump (boys): A. Murdock 1, F. Cozens 2; high jump (young men) : D. Wakenshaw 1, H. Murdock 2.

During the afternoon the unveiling of the Roll of Honor took place. The head teacher (Mr G. B. Osborne) spoke of the pride we Australians have in the voluntary system under which these men enlisted to do their duty. Every school, he said, was proud, and justly so, of its old boys who had gone to fight for it. Two deeds on the battle field were then related, viz., "How an Australian sergeant captured twenty Germans by means of bluff and a bottle of iodine," and "How an Australian had carried despatches through a German barrage fire seven times. On the seventh trip, in spite of a severe wound, he carried the message to the Colonel, and dropped dead immediately the message was delivered." "Dozens of such deeds are heard of," said Mr Osborne, "but there are hundreds that never get beyond the persons concerned. Such deeds the men whose names are on the Roll of Honor have performed, and, with the exception of two who have paid the supreme sacrifice, are still performing."

Cr P. Walsh then performed the unveiling ceremony, and spoke feelingly of how these men used to be with us on previous Arbor Days, and how they nobly responded to the call for men. After the unveiling ceremony, every one joined whole-heartedly in singing "God bless our splendid men."

The following names appear on the Honor Roll:
R. Emmite (killed)
R. A. Jeffers
C. T. Johnson
A. C. Murdock
J. Scanlon
B. Smith (killed)

In the evening a dance, interspersed with a few items by the school children, was held in aid of the Patriotic Fund, for which £4 was raised. A waltzing competition was also held, the successful competitors being Mr P. Fitzgerald and Miss Guiney. Altogether both Arbor Day and Night were highly successful
. (Pakenham Gazette Friday July 12, 1918, see here)

Saturday, January 22, 2022

Unveiling of the Cardinia State School Honor Roll and Machine Gun

The Koo Wee Rup Sun of May 4 1922 had a report of the unveiling of the Honor Board and the Machine Gun War Trophy at the Cardinia State School which took place on Anzac Day in 1922. It is transcribed below.

The Honor Board has 30 names divided into Scholars and Residents - there are 16 scholars and 14 residents. The Scholars are - R. Bennett, R. Byrnes, L. Dow, A. Duff, T. Duff, G.W. Haw, M. Haw, A.S Henry, A. Hill, J.A. Lecky, M. Lecky, H. Lindsay, W. Murphy, A. Patterson, B. Smith and P.J Wenn. The Residents are S.G. Allars, W.S. Allars, C. Andrews, T.S. Bell, J.P. Conroy, R. Duggan,  G.  Hobart, A Moxon, G.Moxon, E.C. Osborne, A.N. Prior, W.R. Reeves, H. Smith, A. Wall.

On Arbor Day, July 6, 1917 trees were planted at the Cardinia State School, in honor of the boys of this district who have responded nobly to the country's call. There were trees planted for 25 soldiers that day. Counting the Memorial trees and the Honor Board 35 men with a connection to Cardinia were honoured, with 20 Soldiers being honoured twice - on the Board and with a tree. I have written about these 35 men, here. The Honor Board is still at the school, but I don't know what happened to the machine gun.



Cardinia State School Honor Board
Image courtesy of Casey Cardinia Remembers website  http://www.caseycardiniaremembers.org.au/


This is the transcription of the Koo Wee Rup Sun article from May 4, 1922, p. 2.

Cardinia - Unveiling of Honor Board and Machine Gun

The ceremony of unveiling the honor board and machine gun in the Cardinia State School took place on Anzac Day, in the presence of very large gathering. Mr W. Duff, J.P., presided.

The proceedings were opened by singing the hymn, “God of Ages” and by a prayer by the Rev. Matthews.

Captain Marriott, an Anzac, said that it was with mixed feelings he was there to say a few words in regard to the gallant First Division and to what took place seven years ago, just as the sun was rising over the Straits of the Dardenelles. After vividly illustrating the brave deeds done by the Australians and the severe task they had to undertake in landing on Gallipoli, he considered the people of Australia should indeed be proud of their men, and honor those who had made the supreme sacrifice. He hoped the people would not forget the “month of appeal” which was now being made by the Returned Soldiers’ League for funds to assist soldiers out of employment. The State branches of the league were endeavouring to put the men in permanent work, and were not out to help the wasters or the men who would not work. There was, however, a number of men who had never had a fair opportunity, and it is hoped by this appeal to obtain money to start works which will not only be of national benefit, but will afford such men regular employment.

The “Recessional” hymn was then sung.

The Rev. Uren said they had assembled to do honor to the memory of the fallen men who had participated in one of the most glorious feats of arms recorded in history. They learned of the splendid failure of the charge of the Light Brigade, and they were there that day to do honor to the memory of men who were as famous as the gallant horsemen of the Light Brigade and also to commemorate a failure as magnificent as that charge. In honouring the Australians they should not, however, forget their intrepid comrades in arms, and also honor the New Zealanders and other gallant troops who went to death and glory in Gallipoli. The word “Anzac” has been indelibly engraved in the heart and mind of the Australian nation. They reverenced these Anzacs, who fought for our sake, for duty’s sake and the Empire’s sake, and they honoured the men who had made the supreme sacrifice, and who thus wrote with their own hearts’ blood the first page of Australian history.

 The Hon. A Downward, M.L.A.,said the people would that day see on the honor roll the names of those who went from this district to take part in the world’s greatest war – a war that was full of menance to the British Empire. In 1916 it was almost despaired of to check the German Army, and while it is not claimed that Australia won the war, military experts say that the troops from the British dominons, numbering three-quarters of a million, turned the tide; and, in drawing attention to the Australians’ heroic deeds, he emphasised that the people could not do too much for the retured men, nor could they honor too much those who had fallen. Their hearts went out in deepest sympathy to the relatives of those who had made the supreme sacrifice, but it was some consolation to know that such sacrifices had not been made in vain, as these brave men suceeded in retaining for the people of Australia this great and splendid country. In regard to soldier settlers, he considered that it was impossible for many of them to pull through, as the price of the land to be paid was too high. This price would have to be written down, as was done some years ago in the irrigation districts, in order to give these settlers every opportunity to make good. Australia required settlement in the country, and it was recognised that the returned men had  a right to expect treatment which would enable them to have  a chance to succeed as settlers in the land which they had helped to save from the enemy. He was very pleased to unveil the honort roll and the machine gun.

Cr Croskell, in honoring the men who fought, said that the next war would be the “commercial war,” and that Australia’s only way to combat it was to educate and train the boys and girls to the responsibilities confronting them. Other countries were using every effort to turn out goods and put them on Australian markets, and unless Australia uses every endeavour to successfully compete, a serious state of affairs will arise. The boys and girls were not yet old enough to understand the causes of unemployment, but he asked them to do their best and not shirk their lessons, and so do their part and help to put Australia in line with other countries, and so be  a credit to the men who had died for them in the Great War.

Cr Hill, in referring to the bravery of the Australians, said that Anzac Day was an epoch making day, as it marked the birth of the Australian nation, and was the event of events which subsequently transpired on Gallipoli. The men had behaved gloriously and stood up to the best traditions of the British race.One thing, however, he felt should be done by Australia in fulfillment of  a right to her honored dead – an unknown British warrior was buried in the Cenotaph in London – and he thought it only just that one of Australia’s warriors should be brought across the seas and buried in Australia. He also thought that Anzac Day should be observed religiously as a day of thanksgiving. In reference to the honor roll, the district had responded splendidly to the call, and that of the 30 who enlisted 11 had made the supreme sacrifice, and that in regard to the machine gun it was somewhat significant that it was captured at Villiers Brettoneaux on 25th April 1918, exactly four years ago. He asked the boys and girls when they looked on this emblem of destruction to treasure the names of those who fought and died for them, and to strive and pray that war should never again occur.

Cr Mills expressed pleasure at seeing the large number of people present to do honor to the Anzacs.The patriotism of the people in the Cardinia district was unsurpassed. The number who had enlisted in comparison with the population of the district was very high, whilst no effort was spared to raise funds to provide comforts to the soldiers. He paid a high tribute to the bravery of the Australians. When the first contigent left these shores in 1914 it occurred to him that the same fearless spirit of their forefathers, who must have had hearts of iron, in coming here to open up and make Australia what it is to-day, still lived in the younger generation.

Mr A.E. King then sounded The Last Post.

After refreshments were partaken of, the Union  Jack was saluted by the scholars and a vote of thanks, moved by Mr Lobb, seconded by Mr Conroy, to the speakers and all those who had assisted was unanimously carried. The proceedings were brought to a close by the singing of the National Anthem.

I have written about the men on the Honor Board, here.

Saturday, January 1, 2022

Nar Nar Goon and the Nar Nar Goon North State School Honour Boards

There are 51 soldiers listed on the Nar Nar Goon Honour Board and 15 soldiers listed on the Nar Nar Goon North State School Honour Board. Eleven men are on both the Honour Rolls, thus 55 different men are honoured by having their name on the Honour Rolls.  The Nar Nar Goon Honour Board is at the Nar Nar Goon Community Centre. It was originally unveiled on April 22, 1921 on the occasion of the opening of the Nar Nar Goon Soldiers' Memorial Hall. You can read about this, here. The Nar Nar Goon North State School Roll is at the Nar Nar Goon North Public Hall. The Nar Nar Goon North School, No, 2914, opened in April 1889 and closed on October 12, 1951 when it was amalgamated into the Pakenham Consolidated School (1).

According to Discovering ANZACs and the AIF Project websites  there were 50 men who were either born or enlisted in Nar Nar Goon. Of the 55 men on the Honour Rolls only 22 are amongst the 50 listed on these websites.  Once again, it would be interesting to know how the local community selected the men who would be honoured on the War Memorials as obviously some with a local connection were not chosen.


Nar Nar Goon North State School Honour Board
Photograph courtesy of the Casey Cardinia Remembers website




Nar Nar Goon Honour Roll
Photograph courtesy of the Casey Cardinia Remembers website  www.caseycardiniaremembers.org.au


Here is  a list of the soldiers with their Service Number (SN) so you can look up their full service record on the National Archives of Australia website, www.naa.gov.au

Aalto, Atolf Aleksanter (SN 3676)  Listed as Alto on the Honour Roll. Atolf was born in Nystad in Finland, he was a 21 year old miner, he was Naturalised on July 6, 1915  and he enlisted at Bendigo on July 29, 1915. His father, who lived in Finland, was his next of kin. Atolf  was awarded the Military Medal and he Returned to Australia May 4, 1919. What is his connection to Nar Nar Goon? He obviously spent some time there after his arrival in Australia  and before he enlisted at Bendigo. I can't find him in the Electoral Rolls after the War but there is a Adolf Aalto listed in the United States Federal Census, living in Michigan. He is the right age and arrived in the U.S in 1919. Is this the same man?

Blackwell, Gilbert Darlow (SN 4137) Gilbert enlisted July 12, 1915 at the age of 18. He was a farm labourer. Gilbert Returned to Australia on July 4, 1919.
Blackwell, Bernard Robert (SN 53566).  Bernard enlisted on October 2, 1916. He was 18 years old and  a farm hand.  He had 'Bronchial Asthma' and was considered unfit for Military Service and was discharged in March 1917. 
The boys, both born in England,  were the sons of William and Primrose Blackwell who are listed in the Electoral Rolls at Nar Nar Goon in 1914. William was a boot maker.

Cahir, Joseph Keith (SN 960) It seems that he was known as Keith by his family, so that's what we will call him - Keith enlisted on October 1, 1914. He was a 24 year old striker (a blacksmith's assistant) and his next of kin was listed as his sister, Stella Maris Cahir, of Mt Ararat house, Nar Nar Goon. Keith was reported missing in August 1915, held as a Prisoner of War in Turkey and not released until the end of the War in 1918. Keith had malaria in prison and then caught Spanish Influenza when he was released. He Returned to Australia on December 2, 1918. Keith is on both Honour Rolls. Keith was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.

Carter, George Henry (SN 2314)   I had no idea who this was and there were 32 G. Carters who had enlisted so I started going through their records to find a Nar Nar Goon connection and on the 20th one I found George! George enlisted on June 30, 1916. His occupation was a trapper, he was born in Yorkshire and his next of kin was his friend, Samuel Batten of Nar Nar Goon. He was Killed in Action, in France,  on April 5, 1918. However on the Honour Roll, George was not listed as dying in the War, so I am now unsure whether this is the correct G. Carter, but having gone though all the G. Carters I still have no-one else with any local connection, tenuous though this one is. As  a matter of interest, George was only 18 when he enlisted and he claimed both his parents were dead, however it turns out that his father lived in Oakland, California and he didn't find out that his son had enlisted or been killed until 1919.

Castle, Frederick William (SN 1213) Frederick enlisted on July 26, 1915 at the age of 22. His next of kin was his mother, Frances Castle, of Nar Nar Goon and he was a saw miller. He Returned to Australia May 29, 1919.

Chatfield, Frederick Norman (SN 62) Frederick enlisted on February 25, 1916, aged 21, and he was a 'chaff cutter feeder'. His next of kin was his mother, Mary Chatfield of Nar Nar Goon. He was discharged from the Army on April 19, 1920. Frederick was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.

Childs, Albert George (SN 2599) Listed as Child on the Honour Roll. Albert enlisted in Melbourne on July 9, 1915, his occupation was Dairyman. He was 29 years old, born in England, his address on the Nominal Roll is Primrose Park, Beaconsfield, however he is listed as living at Nar Nar Goon in the 1914 Electoral Roll. Albert Died of Wounds on August 5, 1917 in France.  Albert is also honoured on the Beaconsfield War Memorial.

Dore, David (SN 2637a) David was born at Nar Nar Goon and when he enlisted on July 20, 1915 his next of kin was his 'second eldest half-brother', Mr J. Dore of Nar Nar Goon. He was 18 years old, a farmer,  and was an orphan. He was Killed in Action in France on August 9, 1918. David is on both Honour Rolls.

Drummond, Walter Neil (SN 2571)  The only W.N Drummond I could locate was this Walter, he was a Blacksmith, 18 years old, was born in Eskdale and was from Officer, which is only two railway stops west of Nar Nar Goon, so this could well be our man. He was the son of  William and Margaret Drummond, of Pinehurst, Officer. Walter enlisted June 28, 1915. He Returned to Australia on April 13, 1919.

Edwards E.S -  I don't know who this is - The only E.S Edwards I can find is  Ernest Samuel Edwards (SN 1346) from Walhalla, he is a stoker and blacksmith.  There is an Ernest Edwards (SN 5327) who was a blacksmith from Longwarry (just four railway stops east of  Nar Nar Goon). There was a John Edwards who was the Station Master at Tynong from 1914 to 1917, so was E.S Edwards connected to him? There was also a Thomas Henry and Christine Edwards in the Electoral Roll at Nar Nar Goon in 1914 - was E.S Edwards connected to them?  Any help appreciated.

Ferguson, Alexander  (SN 798)  Alexander was 24 years old, and a farmer when he enlisted on June 27, 1917 and his next of kin was his wife, Nina Grace Ferguson of Prahran, however she is listed in the 1914 Electoral Roll at Nar Nar Goon.  Alexander Returned to Australia on April 27, 1919. 


Alex Ferguson leased out his farm before enlisting.
Pakenham Gazette May 25, 1917. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92153109


Gaskett, Albert James (SN 1481) Albert was 19 year old farmer, when he enlisted on November 9, 1915. He Returned to Australia on July 17, 1919. 
Gaskett, William John (SN 1830) William enlisted on February 28, 1916, when he was 21. He was also a farmer.  He Returned to Australia on July 21, 1917. He was discharged on medical grounds - Nephritis. 
William and George are brothers from Nar Nar Goon and were the sons of George and Levina (nee Collins) Gaskett. Levina died in 1914 at the age of 42. George is listed in the 1914 Electoral Roll as a saw miller. Albert and William are listed on both Honour Rolls.

Harris, Leo  (SN 3132)  Leo enlisted on July 20, 1915. He was a 20 year old farm labourer, born at Kyneton. His next of kin was his mother, Josephine Harris, of Nar Nar Goon, however, his father W. Harris, also signed the letter agreeing  to Leo enlisting, as he was under 21. Leo was Killed in Action, in France, on August 9, 1916. There is some interesting correspondence in Leo's Attestation file regarding his grave. Parents of soldiers who were killed or died on service could have an 'emblem of faith' inscribed on the grave - a Cross or Star of David, depending on whether they were Christian or Jewish. Mrs Harris had asked for a Star of David, and when Base Records queried that because Leo's stated religion was Presbyterian, Mrs Harris wrote back saying I was under the impression that the Cross was Roman Catholic and Star of David protestant faith, so I will not have either emblem inscribed. That letter was dated September 2, 1920, but she wrote again on October 11, 1920 asking for the Cross to be inscribed. 


Correspondence from Mrs Harris regarding the 'emblem of faith' to be inscribed on her son's grave.
National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au
First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920

Heffernan, William  There are nine W. Heffernans who enlisted, all called William, so we can be pretty sure his name is William - but I cannot find a W. Heffernan with a local connection. William is on  the Nar Nar Goon North State School Honour Board , so I presume he went to school there - no William Heffernans are teachers, so he didn't teach there. Any help appreciated.

Holcombe, Archibald Jones (SN 68586)  Born in Wales and he was the son of Francis Holcombe of Nar Nar Goon. He enlisted on July 1, 1918 when he was 19 and embarked on October 22, however the troop ship was recalled to Australia due to the end of the War, so Archie did not see any active service, not through the want of trying it seems. There is a Statutory Declaration signed by Archie on July 1, 1918 stating that his mother and father refused to sign the verification paper, stating that he could go if he wished, but that they would sign nothing!


Archie Holcombe's Stat Dec saying his parents refused to sign his papers.
National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au
First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920

Huby,  Walter Percy Clarence  (SN 11351) He seems to have been known as Clarence, so that's what we will call him. Clarence enlisted on June 6, 1915 and he Returned to Australia on November 7, 1919. Clarence was born in York, England and his next of kin when he enlisted at the age of 22, was his mother also from York. He married Ada Hollick, in England on October 16, 1919. Clarence's occupation was sawyer on his Enlistment papers and 'mill labourer' in the 1914 Electoral Roll when he was living at Nar Nar Goon. In the 1924 Electoral Rolls he and Ada are living at Gembrook, where he is commemorated in the Avenue of Honour. Clarence also enlisted for service in World War Two.

Jones,  Arthur Alfred Charles   (SN 5117) Arthur enlisted on January 4, 1916. He was 21 and a baker.  He was living with his aunt in Northcote at the time, but his next of kin was his father, Robert Jones on Nar Nar Goon. He Returned to Australia on September 6, 1919.


Arthur Jones
Northcote Leader October 26, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126179668


Keddie, Bert John (SN 4833) Bert was a School Teacher, born in Stratford and his father who was his next of kin lived at Murrumbeena. When he enlisted on January 1, 1916, he was 20 and was teaching at Ouyen State School and had received leave from the Education Department to enlist. He Returned to Australia on September 25, 1919, but before he returned had married Jean Hamilton on April 16, 1919 in Scotland. Bert and his brother Thomas, below, are on the Nar Nar Goon North State School Honour Board.
Keddie, Thomas Lee Heard (SN 856) Thomas, like his brother Bert, above, was born in Stratford and was also a School Teacher. He was at Byaduk State School (south of Hamilton) when he enlisted, at age 24, on August 18, 1914. He was discharged on December 12, 1915 as he was medically unfit after suffering a gun shot wound on April 25, 1915. He then re-enlisted on June 19, 1916 and was discharged on medical grounds on August 1, 1916. So what was the connection of the Keddie boys to Nar Nar Goon? Their brother, Richard James Keddie, was a teacher at Nar Nar Goon in in 1909-1910 - is he the connection? The boy's parents are James and Jane - James is listed in the Electoral Roll as being a Railway employee - did he work at Nar Nar Goon and the boys went to school there? 


Thomas Keddie

Kidd,  James Edward  (SN 64477) James enlisted on May 21, 1918. He was a 20 year old coach trimmer. He was the son of James and Margaret (nee Keane) Kidd of Nar Nar Goon. His father, James, was a blacksmith. James Returned to Australia on July 3, 1919.

Lamb, Charles Hargrave (SN 3092)  Charles was the son Joseph and Annie Lamb. Joseph Lamb was listed in the 1909 and 1914 Electoral Rolls at Nar Nar Goon, his occupation was a boot maker. Charles,  a blacksmith, was 18 when he enlisted on December 4, 1914. He Returned to Australia in March 1916 to recover from a gun shot wound to the neck. He re-enlisted on  February 2, 1917 and was Killed in Action, in Belgium, on October 4, 1917. When he enlisted in 1917, his father was deceased and his mother, Annie, lived in East Brunswick. Charles was honored with a tree in the Memorial Grove at the Tynong State School which was planted in 1917. Read about this here.


Charles Lamb's return home due to being wounded
Dandenong Advertiser May 4, 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88658511

Ledger,  John  (SN 4666) John enlisted on September 9, 1916 as Francis George Moore. He said he was 19 years and three months old, was a farm labourer, was born in Nar Nar Goon, he said he was an orphan and his next of kin was his Guardian, Mrs R.E. Smith of Nar Nar Goon. He Returned to Australia on July 7, 1919. There is a statutory declaration in his file, signed September 23, 1919 which says that he enlisted under the assumed name of Francis George Moore as at the time he was under eighteen years of age. He requested that all the records be amended so that his correct name was listed. Was he really an orphan? There is a Rosalie Emma Smith listed in the Electoral Roll at Nar Nar Goon in 1914, so she existed, and he obviously had some contact with Nar Nar Goon as he was recognised on the Honour Roll.  Ironically, when he returned from active service, lets say he was 17 when he joined up, he would only have been 20 when he returned, still not old enough to enrol to vote! You certainly have to admire his spirit.

Lia,  Matthew (SN 471) Matthew enlisted in Lithgow, N.S.W, on January 2, 1916. His next of kin was his father, Joseph Lia, of Nar Nar Goon.  Matthew was awarded the Military Medal. After the War he was granted leave for 'non military employment' at A.C Carson Artificial Flower Manufacturing Company  and was discharged on June 7, 1920.

Liston,  Thomas   (SN 1514)  The Honour Board has a C. Liston  listed, but the only Liston  I could find with a Nar Nar Goon connection was Thomas. Thomas was 29 when he enlisted on November 10, 1914. He was a farm labourer and his next of kin were his parents who lived in Brunswick. Thomas enlisted at Tynong, the Attesting Officer was William Carney, Shire of Berwick President and his medical examination was held in Nar Nar Goon. He Returned to Australia on June 23, 1919. Thomas was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.

Madden, Frank (SN 1798) Frank enlisted on January 13, 1915 at the age of 19. Frank was awarded the Military Medal and he Returned to Australia on April 8, 1919. 
Madden, Thomas William (SN 2232) Thomas' address on the Embarkation Roll is Nar Nar Goon and he was 25 years old when he enlisted on April 1, 1916. Thomas Died of Wounds on October 18, 1917 in Belgium. 
Frank and Thomas are brothers and they were both wool sorters by occupation. When Frank enlisted in January 1915 his next of kin, his mother, Grace Madden, was listed at Nar Nar Goon; when Thomas enlisted a year later, his next of kin, his father Thomas was listed at 9 Caroline Street, Clifton Hill. In 1917 a Memorial Grove was planted at the Tynong State School and Trooper Madden was reported as being honoured with  a tree, who I believe it is either Frank or Thomas. You can read about it, here.


Death notice for Thomas Madden.

Matthews, Frederick George Gladstone  (SN 2272)  George, was a 22 year farmer and he enlisted on July 24, 1915. He was the son of William Thornburn and Mary Jane (nee Phillips) Matthews of Nar Nar Goon.  Frederick Returned to Australia on July 22, 1917 and was discharged from the Army on medical grounds due to a gun shot wound to the left knee.

McCarthy, Daniel Patrick  (SN 10447) Daniel enlisted on August 10, 1915. He was 23 years old, a farmer and an orphan and his next of kin was his brother, Edward, of Nar Nar Goon. He Returned to Australia on May 20, 1919.

Moore,  Walter Frederick (SN 79636) Walter enlisted on September 18, 1918. He was a 21 year old farmer.  Walter did not get to serve overseas as the War ended. Walter is on both Honour Rolls. Walter, born in Vermont, was the son of Arthur Charles and Alice Louise (nee Plumridge) Moore of Nar Nar Goon.


Walter Moore and Henry Richardson enlist.
Pakenham Gazette September 20, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92152230

Mortimer, Thomas Ernest Gregory (SN 6900)  Thomas enlisted on August 17, 1917. He was born in Longwarry,  He was 21 years old and a school teacher. Thomas was the son of George and Sophia Georgina (nee Snell) Mortimer, of Nar Nar Goon. He Returned to Australia on July 23, 1919. In the 1922 Electoral Roll Thomas is listed as a teacher at Nambrok and the 1924 Rolls at Patho, near Echuca.

Nash, Walter Horace (SN 250)  Listed as H. Nash on the Honour Board, so I presume he was known as Horace, so that's what we will call him. Horace was 33 years old and a Labourer when he enlisted on January 14, 1915.  His next of kin was his father, Walter Thomas Nash of Box Hill, later Brighton. Horace was Killed in Action at Pozieres on July 31, 1916. I had a lot of trouble identifying this man, then I saw a W.H. Nash in a Casualty list, so investigated further in the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial, decided our man was most likely Horace, but it was only confirmed by the on-line Melbourne Grammar War Service Records, here. His entry mentions that - he was farming at Wandong for a while, but moved to Nar Nar Goon before he enlisted in January 1915. 

O'Brien,  James Arthur (SN 2737) James was born in Nar Nar Goon and enlisted on May 3, 1916 at the age of 23. He was a hardware assistant and his next of kin was his father, Daniel O'Brien of  Yarroweyah (between Strathmerton and Cobram), however James was listed in the 1915  Electoral Roll at 36 Airlie Street, South Yarra, with his sisters Helen Mary and Emily Kate. Their mother, Mary Jane O'Brien (nee Eves) was also at the address.  James Returned to Australia on October 20, 1918, having suffered a serious gun shot wound to the head.  James is listed  on the Nar Nar Goon North State School Honour Board.   


Report of James Arthur O'Brien being wounded

O’Brien, James Joseph   (SN 1876) James was born in Nar Nar Goon and was 18 when he enlisted on July 20, 1915. He was a farm labourer. His next of kin was his mother, Elizabeth Mary (nee Whelan) O'Brien of Seven Hills, Nar Nar Goon. James Returned to Australia November 25, 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds, as he had a gun shot wound to the left leg 'involving the joint.'  James is on both Honour Rolls. James' father was Patrick O'Brien who died in December 1912.

O’Brien, Daniel Francis (SN 2379)  This man is in the notice, below, as having gone into Camp and he is listed as F. O'Brien, so I feel he may have been known as Francis, so that's what we will call him.  Francis was 24 years old, a grazier and born in Nar Nar Goon. He enlisted on August 16, 1916. His next of kin was his sister, Katherine O'Brien, of Nar Nar Goon. Francis Returned to Australia on  February 15, 1918 and was discharged on medical grounds, due to a gun shot wound to the left leg. I believe that Francis was the son of Michael and Johanna (nee Mulcahy) O'Brien. They were both deceased, Michael having died November 1915 and Johanna in March 1914.


Fred Chatfield, William Gaskett, James Smith and Francis O'Brien go into camp.
Dandenong Advertiser May 4, 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88658511

Patrick O'Brien, Daniel O'Brien and Michael O'Brien were brothers, the sons Nar Nar Goon pioneers, Daniel and Bridget (nee Walsh) O'Brien.  This means that James Arthur O'Brien, James Joseph O'Brien and Daniel Francis O''Brien  were first cousins. There is more information  about the family in footnote 2. 

Charles Olsen
Australian War Memorial Photograph DA13462

Olsen, Charles Christian (SN 3898) Charles was a 20 year old sawmill worker when he enlisted on July 14, 1915. He had been born in Nar Nar Goon and lived in Nar Nar Goon. Charles was Killed in Action on June 12, 1917.
Olsen, Richard Henry (SN 3026) Richard was born in Williamstown, and was 24 years old when he enlisted in South Australia, on June 8, 1915. He was a Labourer. Richard Returned to Australia on March 23, 1919.
Charles and Richard are sons of Andrew and Martha (nee Warren) Olsen. The boys are on both Honour Rolls. 

Ord, Albert Leslie (SN 3889) Albert enlisted on August 7, 1915. He was 22 years old and  a labourer.  He was the son of Frederick Thomas and Margaret (nee Leishman or Leichman) Ord. Their address on Albert's Attestation papers was Nar Nar Goon, however they were at Tynong in the 1914 Electoral Rolls. Albert Died of Wounds in France on September 25, 1916 - he was accidentally shot in the hip by another soldier who was cleaning his gun. Albert's Roll of Honour Circular at the Australian War Memorial said that he attended Tynong State School.  Albert was honored with a tree in the Memorial Grove at the school which was planted in 1917. Read about this here.


Harry Pepper
Australian War Memorial  Photograph H06683

Pepper, Harry Higham (SN 2744) Harry enlisted on August 2, 1915, at the age of 22. He was a farmer. His next of kin was his mother, Mary Ann (nee Banks) Pepper of Nar Nar Goon. Harry was Mentioned in Despatches and was Killed in Action in France on August 9, 1918. It appears that Mary Ann had separated from her husband, Henry, as a letter in Harry's Attestation file said Henry was living in Molong in NSW.

Perry, Silas Cole  (SN 1337)  Silas was born at Nhill, He enlisted on November 2, 1914 when he was 26 and his occupation was a farmer. His next of kin was his father, James Perry, of Nar Nar Goon.  Silas Returned to Australia on February 2, 1919. Silas was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.

Pettman, Isac William (SN 2419) Isac (unusually spelt with only one a) enlisted at Tynong,  on May 31, 1915. His next of kin were his parents, Isaac and Ellen, who were from Bunyip; he was labourer and 19 years old. He Returned to Australia on July 1, 1919. In 1919, Isac married Doris Augusta Blackwell, the sister of Gilbert and Bernard, listed above. Isac's brother George also enlisted. George (SN 3908)  was born at Garfield and enlisted at the age of 18 on August 7, 1915. He  Returned to Australia February 9, 1919

Prior, James Stanley Glenth (SN 31721) Mr Prior enlisted using only his middle name Stanley.   He was a Compositor, born in South Melbourne and enlisted in Claremont, Tasmania on October 16, 1916 at the age of 25.  His next of kin was his father, James, of Braeburn, Nar Nar Goon. Stanely Returned to Australia July 1, 1919

Reid, Kenneth Sutherland  (SN 14065) Kenneth was 18 when he enlisted on March 17, 1916. He was the son of  William Alexander and Sarah (nee Maxwell) Reid of Nar Nar Goon and was a Medical Student at the time and had already spent a year with the Melbourne University Rifles. He Returned to Australia on February 28, 1919. According to the Electoral Roll he later became a research chemist.

Richardson, Henry Christopher (SN Depot) Henry enlisted on September 16, 1918. He was a 20 year old labourer. He passed the Light Horse riding test, but did not get to serve overseas as the War finished.
Richardson, Walter Sidney (SN 3227) Walter enlisted on July 14, 1915. He was 19 years old and a driver.  Walter Returned to Australia on August 8, 1919.
The brothers were the sons of Christopher and Jessie (nee Beaton) Richardson of Nar Nar Goon. 

Rogers, Vaughan Arthur  (SN 1275)  The  Honour Roll has a T.A Rogers listed, but I am pretty sure that it should be V.A Rogers and I cannot find any T. Rogers with a  Nar Nar Goon connection. Vaughan enlisted on July 20, 1915. He was 19 years old and a driver. Vaughan was the son of William Henry and Alice (nee Cahill) Rogers of Nar Nar Goon. He caught Rheumatic Fever and was sent home to Australia from England in October 1916 and discharged from the Army on February 16, 1917. Vaughan is on both Honour Rolls. As a matter of interest Vaughan's birthplace in his Attestation file is Nar Nar Goon, but on the indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and marriages it is Numurkah. 

Rowe, W.   A Private W. Rowe is also listed in the newspaper report as having been honoured with  a tree in the Tynong Memorial Grove, see here, but I have not discovered who this is. There are number of W. Rowes with a Gippsland connection but no-one with a specific Tynong or Nar Nar Goon connection. There is a William Rowe in the Shire of Berwick Rate Books listed at Tynong, occupation farmer, around 1914;  a F.H. Rowe of Tynong  wrote  a letter to the Berwick Shire in September 1916 complaining about drainage - so Private Rowe may well be connected to either of these men. 

Smith, James Francis  (SN 2563) James was born and lived at Nar Nar Goon, he was the son Marmaduke and Kate (nee Mulcare) Smith. He enlisted on April 19, 1916. He was 23 years old and  a farmer. James was Killed in Action in France on February 14, 1917. James is on both Honour Rolls.


Death notice of James Smith

Startup, Rupert Walter. Rupert was a bit of  a mystery as there were no  Startups who enlisted in the First World War according to the records at the War Memorial and the National Archives. However, via Ancestry, I found his name listed at the National Archives in England in the 'Registry of Shipping and Seamen: Index of First World War Mercantile Marine Medals and the British War Medal' so he was in the Merchant Navy during the War. Rupert, born in 1896, served in World War Two. He was in the Army from December 1940 until January 1942; then the Air Force from September 1943 until October 1945. Startup is a very well known Nar Nar Goon name - John Startup and Edwin George Kettle took up the Mt Ararat run in 1854. It was 17,000 acres in size and was said to extend from Pakenham to Drouin. Rupert is the grandson of John Startup (3). 

Taylor,  William David (SN 4530) William enlisted January 31, 1916, he was 30 years old,  a labourer  and living with his wife, Cecelia, in Nar Nar Goon. He had been born in Perth.  William was Killed in Action in France on March 27, 1917.

Wade, A   I don't know who this. There is an Arthur Wade on the 1914 Electoral Roll at Nar Nar Goon - his occupation is a groom. but if he did enlist I cannot work out  which of six Arthur Wades he might be (if any) as none have a Nar Nar Goon connection. I have checked the fourteen A.Wades who enlisted and once again none have an obvious Nar Nar Goon connection and neither do the other 128 Wades.

Warren, Robert James (SN 5099) Robert was 18 and an orchardist when he enlisted on February 2, 1916. His next of kin was his mother, Catherine Warren, of Nar Nar Goon. He Returned to Australia on April 1, 1919. Robert is on both Honour Rolls.

White, Sydney Pleno (SN 3638)  Sydney enlisted on July 12, 1915 at the age of 31.  He was born in England and his next of kin was his father in England and he was a coachsmith. His address on his Embarkation papers was Toorak however there is a Sydney Pleno White on the 1914 Electoral Roll at Nar Nar Goon (occupation farmer) so I presume, with that unusual middle name, that they are the same person. Sydney Returned to Australia on July 4, 1919. He was in Pakenham in the 1924 Roll, occupation orchardist and in Berwick in the 1931 Roll, occupation Dairy farmer. He died in Berwick in 1954. Sydney has three Soldier Settlement land files on the Battle to Farm website, you can read them here, here and here.

Wilson, Robert Charles Percy (SN 685) Robert enlisted in January 3, 1917 at the age of 26.  He and his wife, Rachel, lived in Nar Nar Goon where Robert was the Station Master. He was part of the 1st Australian Light Railway Operating Company and was  awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.  Robert Returned to Australia on May 11, 1919


Footnotes

(1) Vision and Realisation: a centenary history of State Education in Victoria, edited by L.J. Blake. Published by the Education Department of Victoria, 1973.

(2) O'Brien Family, Nar Nar Goon.
Information is from
Early Settlers of the Casey Cardinia District by the Narre Warren & District Family History Group, published 2010
From Bullock Tracks to Bitumen: a brief history of the Shire of Berwick (Historical Society of the Berwick Shire, 1962)
Solid Bluestone Foundations and other memories of a Melbourne girlhood, 1908-1928 by Kathleen Fitzpatrick (Penguin 1986). Kathleen Fitzpatrick was the great grand-daughter of Daniel and Brigid O'Brien

In the 1860s, Daniel and Brigid (nee Walsh) O’Brien built the Limerick Arms Hotel on the corner of Wilson Road and the Gippsland Road (now called the Princes Highway) at Nar Nar Goon. Daniel, Brigid and their one year old daughter, Ellen, had arrived in Melbourne in September  1841 on the Forth. Also on the same ship were the Dore family  - John (c. 1808 - 1895) his wife Betty (nee Elizabeth O'Connor, c. 1808 - 1876) and their children Edward, Thomas, Patrick and Ellen, six more children were born in Victoria.  In 1844, John Dore and Michael Hennessey took up the Mount Ararat Run at Nar Nar Goon of 1,900 acres. The partnership existed until 1855. Hennessey then moved to Dandenong and built the Bridge Hotel and later took over the Eumemmerring Hotel. In the 1860s, Dore purchased the 640 acre Mt Ararat pre-emptive right. He later purchased another 387 acres and his son Thomas 300 acres so they held a total of 1,300 acres. The property was later bisected by the railway line when it was built in 1877.

Back to the O'Briens  - Daniel was a builder and the plan was to work in Victoria for four years save enough money and then return home, as it was they never did return to Ireland. The family first went to Waurn Ponds near Geelong where Daniel worked as a builder. They then  decided to buy some land  - Waurn Ponds being too dry looking they decided to buy in Gippsland and brought a farm called The Swamp at Mt Ararat or Nar Nar Goon, perhaps they were influenced in this decision by the Dores.

The O'Brien's  had more eight children - Michael James born 1843 at Saltwater; Patrick Francis 1845, Jeremiah Gerald 1846,  Johanna Mary 1848, Catherine, 1853 - these last four were born when they were at Nar Nar Goon. Bidelia Amelia 1853, Mary Ann 1856 and Daniel 1859 were born in North Melbourne.

Because the children needed an education the O'Briens moved back to town and built a house in North Melbourne so the children could go to school.  Daniel was again working as a builder but  his business partner stole the proceeds of the business and this forced the family to move back to Nar Nar Goon where they opened the Limerick Arms. This was  a success  as the Gippsland Road went as far as Sale and there was lots of traffic; it was also a Cobb and Co Coach stop.   The hotel also had  a reputation for being spotlessly clean and offering good meals. Every six months  a Priest would visit, and conduct a mass and also baptise any babies that needed  that sacrament.  The services were either held at the Limerick Arms or the Dore's House. 

A succession of tutors were employed by the O'Briens until they settled on Daniel Ahern. The O'Briens and the Dores also built a school on Mt Ararat Creek for their own children and the the neighbouring children and Daniel Ahern was the teacher. Mr Ahern later taught at Eumemmerring State School, later called Hallam State School from 1870 to 1890. Daniel was the father of James Joseph Ahern, Shire of Berwick Secretary from 1906 until 1948.

Daniel died in 1886 at the age of 82 and Brigid in 1888 at the age of  77. The Limerick Arms was delicensed in 1908 and the building has been demolished. The son of Daniel and Brigid, Michael and his wife Johanna (nee Mulcahy) opened the Nar Nar Goon Hotel in 1883.

The O'Brien family also inserted a number of informative death notices into the newspapers, which helped me sort out who was who.

Death notice of Patrick Francis O'Brien from 1912

The Argus December 9, 1912 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10522112

Death notice of Michael O'Brien from 1915

The Argus, November 8, 1915  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1577894

Death notice of Daniel O'Brien from 1921


(3) Startup family - John Startup (c. 1822-1905). He married Emily Tolhurst in 1852 and they had the following children - John (born 1854), Susannah (1856),  Fanny (1857),  William (1860),  Rosetta (1863),  Herbert Walter (1865),  Leila (1866). You can read John Startup's obituary in the South Bourke & Mornington Journal of July 12, 1905, here.  Herbert married Catherine Damyon in 1895 and they were the parents of Rupert Startup, listed on the Honor Board. 

I found this notice of the dissolution of the partnership between John Startup and Edwin Kettle, it is the first time I have seen Mr Kettle's given names, all other sources I have seen  just refer to him as Kettle. 

The Argus March 27, 1856  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4834077


A version of this story, which I wrote and researched, appears on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Commemorates: Our War Years

Monday, December 27, 2021

Yallock World War One Honor Boards

There are two Yallock Honour Rolls. One is at the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society. It has 29 names on it. The other one, with 52 names and photographs is at the Lang Lang R.S.L.  I do not know why there are two Boards - perhaps one was in the Hall and the other in the School or maybe one went missing and new one was made and then the original  was re-discovered later?


Yallock Honor Board, unveiled July 24, 1918, now at the Lang Lang R.S.L.
Image courtesy of the Narre Warren & District Family History Group's website,

There is an article in the Koo Wee Rup Sun of July 31, 1918 about the unveiling of the Honour Roll on Wednesday, July 24 1918 by the Hon A. Downward, M.L.A. The Board is described as this specimen is a particularly fine one and contains the honored names and photographs of 57 local boys. The date of enlistment is also given. The Board is of Australian blackwood and is the work of Mr. W.J Tiller of Little Collins Street, Melbourne.  This is presumably the Board now held at Lang Lang, although it has 52 names and not the 57 mentioned in the article (and surely there weren't three Yallock Honour Boards!) You can access the article about the Honour Board unveiling here


The Yallock Honor Board, which is now at the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society
Image: Heather Arnold

What follows is a list of the soldiers taken from the Honour Board at the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society and the Koo Wee Rup Sun article - I have only seen a photo of the Lang Lang Board, so I assume that all the names on the Board are listed in the article. The information below also contains the Soldier's  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).  


The names on the Yallock Honor Board which was unveiled July 24, 1918.

When I talk about the Honour Board, I am referring to the one held at the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society; when I talk about the Koo Wee Rup Sun article I am referring to the one published July 31, 1918 (the names are above, see full article here).  I have also used an article called Families at Yallock written by H.J. Boxshall, which was published in the book The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire by Niel Gunson (Cheshire, 1968). It is transcribed, here.



William Angus
Australian War Memorial. Photograph DA10801

Angus, William (SN 2101)   William Angus enlisted on July 22, 1915, at the age of 26. He was a labourer. William was Killed in Action in France on August 26, 1916.  His next of kin was listed as his aunt, Mrs A. Yeaman of Wonthaggi. Annie Yeaman is in the Electoral Roll at Yallock in  1903 and Mr Boxshall says that a J.Yeaman, who was an Engine Driver, lived on Fincks Road, so I believe that this William's Yallock connection.


This is Ann Yeaman's notice of Probate for William's will. 
Powlett Express April 27, 1917. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page14974879


Bateson, Archibald Clarence (SN 4735) Arch was born in Yallock and he joined the Navy on April 23, 1915 when he was 16. He remained in the Navy until April 1924. Arch is the brother of George, below.
Bateson, George (SN 1307) George was born in New Zealand and he enlisted on November 10, 1914 at the age of 21. He was a labourer. George Returned to Australia on December 30, 1918.
The boys were the sons of Elias and Mary (nee Rideout) Bateson, of Yannathan. Mr Boxshall writes that Mr Elias Bateson was a member of the first School Committee and donated land for the Methodist Church. The Bateson brothers are also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board.

Boxshall, Albert Victor (SN 3481)  Bert enlisted on July 7, 1915 at the age of 29. He was a  Tram Conductor. He Returned to Australia on May 8, 1919.   Bert was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (nee Mills) Boxshall, who moved to Yallock in 1895.Thomas' obituary from the Lang Lang Guardian appears below. Bert is also the brother of Henry John Boxshall who wrote the Families at Yallock paper. Bert is also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board.

Thomas Boxshall's obituary 
Lang Lang Guardian October 17, 1917. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page13334125




John Casey
Australian War Memorial  Photograph DA11799

Casey, George Henry (SN 2603) Known as Harry, he enlisted on July 16, 1915 aged 28. He was born in Drouin and was a teamster. Harry Returned to Australia on April 13, 1919.
Casey, John Alfred (SN 2593) John enlisted on July 13, 1915, three days before his brother George. He was a 20 year old farmer, born in Lang Lang. John was Killed in Action in France on August 23, 1918.
Casey, Victor (SN 57423) Victor was born in Lang Lang and was 18 years old and a farmer when he enlisted on January 5, 1918. Victor Returned to Australia on July 17, 1919. 
George, John and Victor were the sons of George and Lydia (nee Gardner) Casey of Yannathan. The Casey brothers are also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board.

Coates, Benjamin Wilson (SN Depot) Benjamin enlisted on October 5, 1918 and was discharged on Christmas Eve 1918 as the war had ended. He was a 21 year farmer from Yallock.
Coates, Lawrence (SN 2623a) Lawrence enlisted on July 19, 1915. He was a 21 year old farm labourer. Lawrence was Killed in Action in France on August 18, 1916.
Benjamin and Lawrence were the sons of Lawrence and Mary Jane (nee Wilson) Coates of Yallock. The Coates brothers are also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board.


Death notice of Lawrence Coates.
The Argus September 23, 1916  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1614050


Collyer, John Clements Leslie (SN 1018) Known as Les, he enlisted September 15, 1914 at the age of 19. He suffered a number of wounds including a bullet wound to the left hip and he Returned to Australia on March 11, 1916 and was discharged on medical grounds.
Collyer, Russell Stanley. Russell was born July 3, 1899 and joined the Royal Australian Navy on  February 23, 1915.  He was discharged on November 7, 1925.
Les and Russell were the sons of  Eli and Francis (nee Potter) Collyer of Yallock.


Russell wrote a letter to his parents about travelling from Melbourne to London 
and it was published in the Lang Lang Guardian on June 21, 1916.


Crespin, Frederick Legassick (SN 26791) Fred was 42 and a widower with four children when he enlisted on March 18, 1916. According to Mr Boxshall, Fred was a share farmer at Quamby for  a few years prior to 1914...he was an accomplished organist and piano player....and a good cricketer and captained the local Eleven during his stay at Yallock....on his return from the War he was unable to take up farming again owing to failing health and was given employment in the Land's Office in Melbourne. Fred Returned to Australia on August 24, 1918.

Davies, D  The Honor Roll lists a D. Davies and the Koo Wee Rup Sun article lists a D. Davis. This is possibly Douglas James Davies (SN  1524) who enlisted on March 21, 1916 aged 20. He was  a Farmer.  He was living in Rossiter Road in Koo Wee Rup at the time, with his mother, Ellen, who was his next of kin. Douglas Returned to Australia on June 12, 1919.

De Forest, Gilbert (51347) Gilbert was a 32 year old farmer from Monomeith when he enlisted on December 27, 1917. His next of kin was his wife, Margaret.  He Returned to Australia on June 19, 1919.   Gilbert is incorrectly listed in the Koo Wee Rup Sun list as G.D. Forrest. 


John De Little.
Australian War Memorial  Photograph P07179.001

De Little, John Cyril (SN 220) John enlisted on July 17, 1915 aged 23. He was  a farmer and his next of kin was his father Edward Vernon de Little of Koo Wee Rup. John was Killed in Action in France on October 10, 1916 , a day after being shot by a sniper.  John is incorrectly listed in the Koo Wee Rup Sun article as J.D. Little. 


Report of John De Little's death
Lang Lang Guardian December 13, 1916  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119514147

 

Donaldson, Norman Stanley ( SN 84)  Norman enlisted on August 18, 1914 aged 22.  He was living in Elsternwick and his father, John Walter Donaldson, was his next of kin. Norman Returned to Australia on July 12, 1919. What was his Yallock connection? He was the son of John Walter and Mary Jane (nee Waring) Donaldson and a Mary J. Donaldson owned land at Yallock according to the Cranbourne Shire Rate Books in the early 1910s. There is a report in the Lang Lang Guardian of June 24, 1914 about Mrs Donaldson selling her Finck's Road property (see here). Norman is also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board.

Cranbourne Shire Rate Books, 1912.
The Rate Books also show a Walter R Donaldson owning land at Yallock. Mr Boxshall refers to a W. Donaldson, a brick layer in his article.  This is, I believe, Walter Rehm Donaldson who is in the Electoral Roll at Koo Wee Rup in 1914. His wife, Leah Agnes (nee Robinson) is listed at Yallock. Not sure how or if these families are connected.


Bill Finck.
Image: Courtesy of Valerie Slade, his daughter.

Finck, Lewis William (Louis Wilhelm, known as Bill)  (SN 339)  Listed as W. Finck on the Honour Roll. Bill enlisted on July 10, 1915 aged 22. He Returned to Australia on April 13, 1919. Bill was the son of Louis Wilhelm and Elizabeth Mary (nee Killeen) Finck of Yallock.  Finck's Road is named after the family. Bill was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here. He married Gwendoline Harriet Stronach on March 8, 1927 at the Oakleigh Church of England and they had nine children.

Franklin,  Leslie (SN 878)  I am not one hundred per cent sure who this is - there were five  Leslie Franklins who enlisted, three are from New South Wales; the other Victorian one was Killed in Action and we know that 'our' Les survived the War, so by eliminating those four, it just leaves this Leslie - but I have not as yet found a connection to the area. He possibly worked locally or had lived there with his parents when they were alive as his next of kin was listed as his grandfather, John Franklin of Yea.  Les enlisted on March 24, 1915 aged 19. He was born in Yea, he was a labourer. Whilst he was overseas he married Margaret McKay in Scotland on May 24, 1919. He Returned to Australia on November 7, 1919. 



Robert Harker
Australian War Memorial. Photograph DA10833

Harker, George Ernest (SN 3840) George enlisted on December 6, 1915 aged 21. George was awarded the Military Medal and he Returned to Australia on April 13, 1919. George was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.
Harker, Robert Herd (SN 345) Robert enlisted on July 19, 1915 at the age of 28 and was Killed in Action in France, one year later, on July 20 1916.
Harker, William Thomas (SN 16235) William enlisted at the age of 34 in January 1916 and was discharged as medically unfit in February 1917, he then enlisted again on July 2, 1917, served overseas and Returned to Australia on May 6, 1919.
The boys are the sons of Thomas and Catherine (nee Griffiths) Harker of Yallock. William had been born in Quorn in South Australia, his brothers were born in Dandenong. George and Robert are also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board.

Hatty, David Samuel (SN 279) Known as Sam, enlisted at the age of 22 on August 25, 1914. He served overseas and Returned to Australia on March 8, 1917 and was medically discharged as he suffered from chronic rheumatism.
Hatty, George Frederick (SN 66) George enlisted March 27, 1916 at the age of 21. George was Killed in Action in Belgium on October 12, 1917.
Hatty, Thomas Alfred ( SN 5607) Thomas enlisted on November 25, 1914 when he was 24. He Returned to Australia on February 19, 1919. Thomas was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.
The Hatty boys were the sons of William and Jessie Augusta (nee Brown) Hatty and the family was living in Timboon when they enlisted. According to the Electoral Rolls they had previously lived in Yallock for a number of years. Thomas and David are also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board and George is also listed on the Heath Hill State School Honor Board.

Henry, Robert (SN 344) Robert enlisted on July 8, 1915 at the age of  19. His next of kin was his father, William Henry of  Grassmere, Yallock. Robert was reported missing in July 1916 and had been captured by the Germans. He was released when the War ended, repatriated to England and Returned to Australia on March 2, 1919. Robert was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.

Izzard, Horace Valentine (SN 373) Horace enlisted on February 22, 1915, aged one month off 28 years of age. He was a farm labourer. He Returned to Australia on March 9, 1919.
Izzard, Ralph Charles (SN 2636) Ralph, a labourer, enlisted on June 9, 1915 aged 22. He served overseas and Returned to Australia on November 12, 1916 and was discharged in February 1917 as medically unfit, it mentioned in his record that he suffered from rheumatism. 
Horace and Ralph were the sons of Charles and Mary (nee Cant) Izzard of Yallock. Mr Boxshall writes that Charles was a saddler and the Secretary of the first Yallock Progress Association. The Izzard brothers are also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board.

Jones, John Owen (SN 2674) John enlisted on August 2, 1915 at the age of  26, he was a miner and his next of kin was his mother, Marian, of Campbell Street in Wonthaggi. He suffered a severe gun shot wound to the right thigh in  France on April 24, 1918 and Returned to Australia on December 24, 1918 and was medically discharged in June 1919. I believe that this is the correct record even though John's record does not directly link him to Yallock. There is a J. Jones listed in the Koo Wee Rup Sun article and Mr Boxshall writes that Mr J. Jones was a saddler by trade and had land in Hall Road. The 1909 Electoral Rolls show a John William Jones, Marian Jones and Maud Jones at Yallock and an article in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal of August 24, 1911 (see here) says that Mr W. Jones has sold his farm at Yallock and intends settling in Wonthaggi. Based on all that I believe that we have the correct J. Jones.  J. Jones is also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board

Joseph, J This man is listed on the Yallock Honour Board and on the Yannathan Honor Board as J. Josephs. The only J. Joseph listed is from New South Wales. There is a Joseph Josephs on the Electoral Roll at Yannathan in 1909, his occupation is a labourer. This is possibly the man on the Honor Boards or some connection. There are two J. Josephs that I can find enlisted who are from Victoria.
Josephs, James Rolfe (Lieutenant). James enlisted on May 24, 1915. He was a clerk, 24 years old and his next of kin was his father, James, who lived in Prahran. James Returned to Australia May 10, 1918 and was discharged on medical grounds (otitis media).
Josephs, Joseph Isaac (SN 3824) Joseph was 27 when he enlisted on July 13, 1915, so would have been around 21 in 1909 and thus old enough to be on the Electoral Roll. His parents were dead and his next of kin Clara Letitia Cutts of Ringwood. Joseph was discharged on medical grounds, due to rhuematism on December 3, 1917 having Returned to Australia on August 25 of the same year. I believe the man on the Yannathan and Yallock Honor Boards is this Joseph Isaac Josephs. As a matter of interest, Clara was a school teacher and in 1918 she married Joseph Isaac Josephs. I was hoping they had a long and happy marriage together, however she died in 1918, that's very sad.

Kenny, Harry Phillip (SN Depot)  Harry enlisted on June 29, 1915 aged 29. He was born in Yallock and his next of kin was his father, Harry Kenny, of Nar Nar Goon. Harry was discharged on October 9, 1915 as medically unfit due to the loss of the index finger on the right hand. A report in his record said the finger  accident happened around October 1914 in Poowong when it was cut off by an axe. Harry was recommended for Home Services. 

Leeson, Alfred Ernest (SN 485) Alfred was 22 when he enlisted on November 1, 1915. He Returned to Australia on March 16, 1919.
Leeson, Arthur Leslie (SN 4797) Arthur enlisted on July 13, 1915 at the age of 28. He Returned to Australia on May 29, 1919.
Leeson, Claude Albert (SN 3103) Claude enlisted on October 5, 1916 aged 18 years old. He Died of Wounds (a gun shot wound to the skull) in Belgium on October 18, 1917.
The Leeson boys were the sons of Arthur and Mary (nee Kalmbach) Leeson of Yannathan; Arthur had already died at the time of their enlistment. Both Alfred and Arthur were granted Soldier Settlement farms, you can read Alf's file here and Arthur's file, here. They were all born locally - Alf in Clyde, Claude in Caldermeade and Arthur's birth place is listed as Monham Heath, but I believe this is actually Monomeith. The Koo Wee Rup Sun list has an R. Leeson - this is possibly a mistake, as they don't list Arthur. The Leeson brothers are also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board.

Light, Alfred Percy (SN 5042) Alf was a 29 year old butter maker when he enlisted on January 27, 1916. He Returned to Australia on December 4, 1918.
Light, Norman Edward  (SN 1958) Norman was 26 when he enlisted on March 15, 1916.He was a farmer. He suffered a gun shot wound to his right leg, whilst fighting in France, and it fractured his tibia. He Returned to Australia on March 16, 1918 and was medically discharged in the November. Norman was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.
Light, Thomas Reuben (SN 1959) Thomas enlisted the same day as his brother, Norman. He was 27 and eleven months old, a farmer, and was discharged as being medically unfit on July 3, 1916.
Alf, Norman, and Thomas were the sons of Thomas and Maria (nee Ingram) Light. When Alf enlisted in January 1916 the family address was Tarwin Lower; when Norman and Thomas enlisted 2 months later the family had shifted to Yallock. 

Lineham, William James (SN 2711)  William enlisted on July 19 1915 aged 20.  His next of kin were his parents, Benjamin and Eliza (nee Knott) Lineham of Yannathan. He was born in Clyde.  William Returned to Australia on April 13, 1919. William was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file, here, on the Battle to Farm website. William is also listed on on the Yannathan Honor Board and I have more information about him on that post.

McGhee, Gordon General (SN 22949) Gordon enlisted on October 27, 1915, he was a 23 year old labourer. Gordon Returned to Australia May 12, 1919. He was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here. Gordon is listed in the Koo Wee Rup Sun article as Rawdon M'Gee - not sure where the Rawdon name came from, but he on the Honour Board as G. McGhee.
McGhee, Donald Malachi (SN 3416) enlisted, on June 24, 1915. He was a 19 year old railway porter and he was Killed in Action in France on July 19, 1916. Donald is listed in the Koo Wee Rup Sun article as Malachi M'Gee. 
The boys were the sons of John and Margaret (nee Johnston) McGhee; they were living at 61 Bridge Street, Northcote when their sons enlisted. Donald was born in Heath Hill. Gordon was born in Lang Lang, according to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages Index or Warragul according to his enlistment papers. Their brother, David Johnston McGhee, was living at Yallock in 1914 according to the Electoral Rolls. The brothers are also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board and Gordon is also listed on the Heath Hill State School Honor Board.  

McPhee, Charles Carey (SN 422) Charles was a Methodist Home Missionary and he enlisted at the age of 29 on May 10, 1916. He was reported missing in France in April 1918 and became a 'Prisoner of War in German hands'. He was released after the War and Returned to Australia on February 10, 1919. Charles has been stationed at the Methodist Mission at Yallock before his appointment.

Charles McPhee enlists
Lang Lang Guardian February 23, 1916  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page13333765


O'Donnell, D According to the list in the Koo Wee Rup Sun there was a D. O'Donnell who served in the War. This was likely to be a brother of Joseph and Michael (see below) as there is correspondence from Joseph, dated March 1918, in Michael's file asking about the whereabouts of Michael as they had lost touch as 'we had parted for about five years' and it also mentions 'my youngest brother' who was serving in France. I haven't worked out who he is.
O'Donnell, Joseph Daniel (SN 3602) Joseph enlisted on September 17, 1915 aged 25. His next of kin was his father, M. O'Donnell of Koo Wee Rup and he was also born in Koo-Wee-Rup. He Returned to Australia on September 26, 1917 and had 'severe corns on the sole of the left foot'. Joseph was listed as Michael's next of kin, after he returned home because their father 'could not be traced'. Joseph was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.
O'Donnell, Michael Alexander (SN 730) Michael enlisted at the age of 25 on November 27, 1914.He was born in Ballarat. He had a colourful military history with a range of disciplinary issues. He received a gun shot wound to his shoulder, suffered a fractured skull and Died of Wounds on July 17 1918. Michael was living in Sydney when he enlisted but his next of kin was his father, Michael James O'Donnell of Yannathan. Michael's will, in his Attestation file at the National Archives has the family's address as Yallock.
The O'Donnell brothers are also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board.



Michael O'Donnell's Will
National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au
First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920

Pretty, Albert George (SN 6944)  Albert enlisted on March 9, 1917 at the age of 23. His next of kin was his father, Frederick Matthew Pretty of Yallock. He was promoted to a Lieutenant. Albert was a Military Clerk who served in England and France. When you read all the military records you realise what a massive administrative task it must have been to keep all the records up to date. Albert Returned to Australia on October 30, 1919. There is a W. Pretty listed on the Honour Roll, but I believe this is a mistake as I can't find any other Prettys with a local connection apart from Albert.

Rietschel, Arthur William John
Rietschel, Percy George Oscar
Mr Boxshall has O.W Reitchel living at Fincks Road - he was a bricklayer; the Honour Roll has A. Reitschel and P. Reitschel and the 1914 Electoral Roll has Arthur and Percy Rietschel listed at Wonthaggi, so that's three different spellings on the surname. Arthur (b. 1888) and Percy (b. 1889) are the sons of Otto William and Helen (nee O'Neil) Rietschel, I think that's the correct spelling. Helen is in the Electoral Roll at Yallock in 1905 and 1906 and then I can't find her and I believe Otto died in 1901. This is what I had found out about Arthur and Percy, but I couldn't find any trace of their enlistment until once again, Lynne Bradley from the Narre Warren & District Family History Group discovered the answer. It turns out that Helen (also known as Ellen) remarried in 1903 to William James Jones and the boys enlisted as Arthur Jones and Percy Jones. Perhaps it was because there was so much anti-German feeling at the time, they wanted to hide a German sounding name. 
Arthur (SN 2673) enlisted on July 28, 1915 aged 27, occupation wheeler, next of kin was his mother Ellen Jones of Hicksborough, Wonthaggi. Arthur Returned to Australia on January 8, 1919. 
Percy (SN 1403) enlisted a day later than his brother, on July 29. He was 26 years old and also a wheeler, Ellen was also his next of kin. Percy served overseas and then Returned to Australia on January 31, 1918 and was discharged on medical grounds on May 28, 1918 suffering from 'myalgia and muscular atrophy'
The Rietschel brothers are  also listed on the Yannthan Honor Board.

Ridgway, Mark (SN 449) Mark was born in Lang Lang and he was a 23 year old Butter maker when he enlisted on February 11, 1915. His next of kin was his father, William Ridgway of Hazeldean, Lang Lang. In the 1914 Electoral Roll, he was living in Yannathan. Mark received  a gun shot wound to his knee and his tibia and fibula were fractured. He Returned to Australia on September 9, 1916 and was medically discharged on March 30, 1917. Mark is also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board.

Sanders, Robert Oliver  (SN 13170)  Robert enlisted on August 7, 1916 at the age of 23 years, 11 months. His occupation was chauffeur, and as might be expected, he joined the Auxiliary Mechanical Transport Company. His address at enlistment was Monomeith and he was born in London and his next of kin was his father, who lived in England.  Robert was demobilized in England on October 31, 1919. There is an R. Saunders listed in the Koo Wee Rup Sun article, but I can't locate anyone of that name with a local connection, so I believe it should have been R. Sanders. 

Savage, Leslie Hardwick (SN 50459)  Leslie was 24 when he enlisted on December 14, 1917.He Returned to Australia on January 19, 1919.  He was born at Poowong and his next of kin was his father, Francis Savage of Yallock.  


A report from the Lang Lang Guardian of March 23, 1918 about the farewell give to Les Savage and Victor Casey at the Yallock Hall. It was actually Victor Casey (SN 57423) not G. Casey who enlisted at this time.


Scharf, Alfred (SN 962) Alfred was a 26 year old carpenter when he enlisted on January 18, 1915. Alfred was Killed in Action in France on August 24, 1916.
Scharf, Richard Albert (SN 7961) Richard was 19, a shop fitter and he enlisted on July 13, 1915. He Died of Wounds received whilst fighting in France on May 1, 1917.
Alfred and Richard were the sons of Henry and Liselle (nee Fritz) Scharf.  Mr Boxshall writes that Henry Scharf was a carpenter and had left Germany to escape militarism. The family had lived on Finck's Road at Yallock, although they were in St Kilda Road, Elsternwick when the boys enlisted. The Scharf brothers are also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board.

Scott, Bert
Scott, Ray 
Bert and Ray, who both died in the War, are listed on the Honour Roll and in the Koo Wee Rup Sun article. I just can't find them on any list. I assume they are brothers - I have an Albert Scott (SN 3257) and a Herbert Scott (7561) both with a connection to Ensay and the sons of William and Kathleen (nee Leonard) Scott, but their next of kin was their sister, Mrs Ruby Murrell of Ensay, it may be them, but I can find no connection to the Yallock area. They were both Killed in Action in France, Albert on July 29, 1916 and Herbert on June 8, 1918.There are four soldiers with the surname Scott who have Raymond as a first or middle name and there are 98 soldiers with a surname of Scott who have Albert, Bert, Herbert or Robert as a first or middle name but none have any obvious connection to Yallock. Any help appreciated.

Sherriff, Alfred (SN 2994) Alf enlisted on May 23, 1916 at the age of 36. He was a farmer from Lang Lang, born in Berwick,  and his next of kin was his wife, Sarah Janet Sherriff (nee Richardson)  He Returned to Australia on January 2, 1919 and was discharged from the Army as medically unfit in March 1919 due to Rheumatism and Functional Dyspepsia. The 1917 Electoral Roll lists Alf and Sarah at Yannathan, so I presume that was the Yallock connection.

Smith, Bert.   Bert is listed on the Honour Roll as having died in the War. There are about 90 Albert, Bert, Herbert and Robert Smiths who died during the War and I can't find any obvious connection to the area. There is also a B. Smith on the Cora Lynn War Memorial and I believe it may be the same person - Smith, Berth.  (SN 1436)  His first name was also listed as Bert, Bertie and Beith in some documents but I believe that Berth is correct. He was Killed in Action May 9 or May 10 in 1915 at Gallipoli.  Berth enlisted at Tynong on September 21, 1914. at the age of 19.  The Attesting Officer was William Carney, Shire of Berwick President, so that proves he was in the local area, so he may have worked at Yallock as well. His occupation was listed as a labourer. He was born at Rochford, near Kyneton and that is where his father lived. Any ideas as to who this is, I would love to hear from you.

Stephens, James Bennett (SN 2367)  James enlisted at the age of 21 on August 7, 1916. His occupation was Drover. His next of kin was his father, Francis Stephens of Yallock. James was Killed in Action in Belgium on October 4, 1917. James is also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board.

Ware, Charles William Francis (SN 3285a) Charles enlisted at the age of 23 on July 27, 1915. He was employed on the Railways and had been born at Nyora. He suffered a severe gun shot wound to his right buttock and Returned to Australia on March 17, 1917 and was discharged for medical reasons on July 9, 1917. His next of kin was his mother Mrs Christina Wilson Ware who lived at Kongwak.   His father was Charles Joseph Ware. Charles is also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board.


Charles was welcomed home at a function in Yallock held on July 12 1917 at the Public Hall and he sent the letter above to the Lang Lang Guardian thanking the residents for the home coming. 
Lang Lang Guardian July 25, 1917  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119514561


Wright, John William (SN 646) John enlisted on September 24, 1914 aged 21. He was a farmer and born in Yannathan.  John Returned to Australia on October 26, 1918.
Wright, Marmaduke George 'Duke' (SN 703) Duke was born in Koo Wee Rup and he enlisted on February 23, 1916 aged 20, he was also a farmer. Duke Returned to Australia on January 25, 1919. he was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.
The brothers were the sons of  George and Isabella Wright, who lived in Hall Road, Yallock, although the 1909 Electoral Roll has their address as Yannathan. When the boys enlisted they put their mother as their next of kin and her address was Shepparton East.   John and Duke are also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board.


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