Bunyip Methodist Church Roll of Honor

The Bunyip Methodist Church Roll of Honor is in the Uniting Church at Bunyip. The Bunyip Methodist Church was in High Street, just up from the Post Office, and officially opened on October 8, 1899 and by 1902 the Church had been lined, a new porch added and,  later, a Vestry added. The Church closed in the 1970s and was later demolished.

Bunyip Methodist Church

 Image: Call of the Bunyip: a history of Bunyip, Iona and Tonimbuk, 1847 - 1990 by Denise Nest (Bunyip History Committee, 1990)

There are 25 names on the Honor Roll and I did naturally expect that they might all have been Methodists , however only 12 were. Five said they were Church of England, four were Presbyterian, one was Catholic and one was Baptist and two had no religion stated. So either the Bunyip Methodists were a very ecumenical lot or else there were some mistakes made at the time. Either way this is an interesting list and is an example of one of the thousands of Honour Boards established after the War by churches, schools and businesses.

Here is a list of the 25 servicemen and their Service Number (SN) so you can look up their full record on the National Archives of Australia website www.naa.gov.au  You can also read about other men from Bunyip who enlisted and who are on the Bunyip War Memorial. 

Some of this information comes from Call of the Bunyip: a history of Bunyip, Iona and Tonimbuk, 1847 - 1990 by Denise Nest (Bunyip History Committee, 1990)

Barnett, Charles Henry (SN 1673) Charles was born in 1896 in Bunyip. In June 1912 he signed up to Royal Australian Navy for seven years. He was on the Cerberus, the Protector and the Sydney. He was in Navy until 1921. Charles and Clifford, below, were the sons of William and Emma (nee Mills) They were at Bunyip from at least 1896 when Charles was born and were on the Electoral Roll at Bunyip to 1912, but not on the Roll in 1914.

Barnett, Clifford (SN 2257) Clifford was born in 1898 and he joined the Royal Australian Navy in October 1912, perhaps inspired by his brother, Charles, above. He was on the Tingira, the Australia, the Platypus and the Cerberus. Clifford was in the Navy until 1923.

Bastin,  John Alfred (SN 2339)  John was born in Bunyip and was a fisherman. He enlisted on January 7, 1916 and his next of kin was his father, Alfred Bastin. He Returned to Australia on March 14, 1919. His stated religion was Church of England.

Campigli, Donald Hugh (SN 7460)  Donald  enlisted on December 11, 1914 at the age of 19, and served in Gallipoli where he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, was later at Dardenelles, and was discharged February 1916 but then rejoined  on July 16, 1917 and Returned to Australia April 1920.   On his second enlistment he was  one of the 'Sportsmen's Thousand' a 1917 campaign to encourage sportsmen to join the AIF. His father, James, was the Station Master at Bunyip from February 1901 to May 1904 but the family had been in Bunyip earlier than that as Donald was born there in 1896. His stated religion was Presbyterian. Donald married Doris Isabella Taylor in 1921 and they had two sons Donald and Keith. Young Donald served in the RAAF in World War Two. Donald died December 21, 1952, aged 56.

Australian War Memorial collection ARTV00026

The Herald of November 23, 1916 (see here) published an article on Donald Campigli and his Distinguished Conduct Medal, which was presented to him on Wednesday, November 22 1916 by the Governor General, Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson. 

PRIVATE CAMPIGLI, D.C.M. HOW THE MEDAL WAS WON. WATER FOR THE WOUNDED.
Private Donald H. Campigli, D.C M, who Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson, the Governor-General, presented with his medal at South Melbourne yesterday, was one of those who with the 8th (Victorian) Battalion, took part in the famous landing in Gallipoli on April 25, 1915. He was a member of B Company and his story of how he won the medal is, briefly as follows:—
"We were occupying Shrapnel Gully and were getting into the Turks hot and strong. They we're doing the same to us. We were in a recently used trench, from which we had driven the Turks. Some of our killed and wounded were in front and we heard the men cry for water. I did not know at the time who they were. Some of the boys said they would go out but our commanding officer, Captain L. R. Hartland (afterwards killed in action) gave orders that no man should leave the trenches because it would mean further loss of life. I was not satisfied, and asked him if I could go. He said 'No.' "He turned away, and while he was doing something a few yards away, I jumped over the parapet, and went out I got hold of one of the men, who was not seriously wounded. I don't know who he was - he belonged to some other battalion. I brought him back into the trench where he was fixed up. Then I went out a second time, and a fellow asked me for a drink of water. I gave him my bottle. He was shot through the back and could not move. I got him on my back and brought him within five or six yards of the trench, where he was shot a second time. He was a man of 13st. or more, and I found him no light burden. I was taking him further to the rear when he was again shot and this time the wound was fatal."

Private Campigli afterwards took part in the gallant charge of the 2nd Brigade under Brigadier-General J. W. McCay, at Cape Helles and celebrated his 19th birthday while in the Gallipoli trenches. His brothers, George and Frank, are now on active service in Europe.

The father of the three soldiers is a relieving station master living at Williamstown. For some years he was resident of Scarsdale where Donald went to the school so lovingly honored by the Scarsdale Old Boys. His portrait, handsomely framed, looks down from the wall on the younger generation of scholars, an ever-present incentive to the faithful accomplishment of lessons nobly learned. It was given to the school by Mr W. H. Rogers, of Nar Nar Goon, an enthusiastic member of the Old Boys' Association.

The article mentions the fact that his two brothers, George and Frank, were serving and a fourth brother, John, enlisted after this article was published. This is a brief summary of their war service, even though it is only Donald who is listed on the Honor Board.

Campigli, John Murray (SN 3930). John, known as Jack, was a 22 year old Clerk with the Railways when he enlisted on December 8, 1917. He Died of Disease - pneumonia and malaria - in Palestine on November 21, 1918. 

The Campigli family were living in Williamstown when Donald, Frank and George enlisted, so because they had that Williamstown connection Jack is listed on their Honour Board which hangs in the Williamstown Town Hall. The Honor Board commemorates the 256 men from Williamstown, Newport and Spotswood who did not return.

The Honour Board photos are reproduced on the Sons of Williamstown: a Labour of Love website.

Image: http://sonsofwilliamstown.com.au/portfolio/jm-campigli/

Campigli, Francis Louis (SN 3634) Frank was 21 years old and a Clerk, when he enlisted on July 13, 1915. He Returned to Australia October 6, 1919. Frank married Jessie May Adsett in 1922.  They lived in the Camberwell area after their marriage and had a daughter, Margaret. Frank died October 28, 1976, aged 82. He was cremated at Springvale Crematorium. Jessie moved to Sydney after Frank's death and passed away March 20, 1978.

Campigli, George Murray (SN 237). George enlisted on August 20, 1914 at the age of 24, He was a Clerk with the Victorian Railways. He was discharged from the A.I.F on July 11, 1916 and joined the Imperial Army or British Expeditionary Forces. George rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and received the Military Cross.  After the War he remained in Palestine to organise their railways on a commercial basis. He married Edna May Phillips, the daughter of William Henry Phillips, who also stayed in Palestine after the War and worked with the railways. The marriage took place at Port Said on December 20, 1922. Read a report in the Northam Advertiser, here. You can read the obituary of W.H. Phillips in the  Northam Advertiser  here. The article, below, tells us that George and Edna had five children. Their son, Bruce Campigli, was Killed in Action on July 11, 1944 at the age of 18. He was in the Royal Navy on the H.M.S. Pembroke. 

This article tells us about George's career after the War.

The Age, November 25, 1933 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11695470

There was an interesting interview with George Campigli published in the Perth Listening Post on February 24, 1933. He talked about his War experience and gave an overview of the  economy and infrastructure of Palestine. Read it here and here. George died in Camberwell on August 23, 1951, aged 61. He is buried at Burwood Cemetery with his wife, Edna.

As we mentioned before, James Campigli, the father of the four boys,  was the Station Master at Bunyip from February 1901 to May 1904 but the family had been in Bunyip for around five years before he received this appointment. As with many families where the father was employed by the Victorian Railways, they moved frequently. This is a quick look at the birth years and birth registration places of the children of James and Catherine (nee Murray) Campigli, who were married in 1887 - Marion Helena - 1888, Williamstown; Mary Ann - 1889 Frankston; George Murray - 1890 Inglewood; Louis - 1893 Cranbourne, died aged seven months; Francis Louis - 1894 Rocky Lead (now Rocklyn); Donald Hugh - 1896 Bunyip South; John Murray - 1898, Bunyip South; Christine Louise - 1900, Bunyip South; William Robert Gordon - 1903, Heywood; Sydney McIntosh - 1904, Port Albert.

Dale,  Charles Coning.  Lieutenant Dale enlisted on November 3, 1914. His next of Kin was his wife, Sibyl,  of Canning Street, North Carlton. Charles was a soldier and had already spent three years at the Royal Military College at Duntroon.   He was Killed in Action August 7, 1915 at Gallipoli. Charles was born in Longwarry in 1894 and his parents, James and Elizabeth,  are on the 1903 Electoral roll at Bunyip. His stated religion was Presbyterian. Charles left behind a widow who had the delightful name of Sybil Daffodill (nee Wootten) whom he married in 1914. They had  a little girl, Valda Rita, who was born in 1915. Did he ever get to see his daughter? I suspect not as he left Australia on February 25, 1915.

Forsyth,  Robert Bruce   (SN 203) Robert enlisted on August 18, 1914. He was the son of William Forsyth of Bunyip. According to Call of the Bunyip, William had worked on the drainage of the Koo-Wee-Rup Swamp and Robert was born near Five Mile (Koo-Wee-Rup North) William was allocated  a block on the Main Drain near the Juction bridge.  William was the Superintendent of the Methodist Sunday School as well as being a member of the Salvation Army. In spite of this, Robert said he was a Presbyterian when he enlisted.  Robert was twice mentioned in Dispatches and was awarded the Military Cross. Captain Forsyth Returned to Australia November 6, 1918.

Heatley, Edward (SN 6945a) Listed as Heatly on the Honour Roll. Edward enlisted on October 19, 1917. He was a farm labourer and his next of kin was his father, William, of Bunyip. His stated religion was Roman Catholic. He Returned to Australia on July 1, 1919.
Heatley, William Henry (SN 246 and 5603) Listed as H, Heatly on the Honour Roll, so we will call him Henry. Henry enlisted on December 24, 1914 was discharged on June 18, 1915 as he was medically unfit due to 'small multiple subcutaneaous tremors and variciceie'. He re-enlisted on February 8, 1916, served in France and then Returned to Australia on November 5, 1917. He was discharged from the AIF in August 1918 as he was medically unfit due to 'multiple lipomata and debility'. His father William Heatley of Bunyip was his next of kin, though this later changed to his wife Muriel. His stated religion was Church of England. In spite of the difference of religion I believe that Edward (above) and Henry were brothers - the sons of William and Margaret (nee Hannan).

Jenkin,  Samuel  (SN 6533)  Samuel and his wife Alexandrina lived in Bunyip and he enlisted on October 4, 1915.  He was a farmer. He Returned to Australia on May 4, 1919. His stated religion was Methodist.

Jewell,  John George (SN 55)   John enlisted on August 22, 1914. He Returned to Australia on January 23, 1918. John was born in Bunyip and his next of kin was his father, William, of Bunyip, although the 1914 Electoral Roll have William and his wife Elizabeth at Tonimbuk. Call of the Bunyip  says that the Jewells had fifty acres as part of the Tonimbuk Village Settlement Scheme and they arrived at Tonimbuk around 1892. John's stated religion was Church of England. John is also listed on the Tonimbuk Honor Board.

Masters,  Percy Thomas (SN 1777 or 1580) Percy enlisted on January 4, 1915. Percy was awarded the Military Medal. He Returned to Australia on March 9, 1919. He was the son of  William and Clara Masters of Bunyip. His stated religion was Methodist.

Miles, Eric Clive (SN 3733) Eric was born in Bunyip and he enlisted on December 15, 1917, when he was 18 years old. His next of kin was his father, Henry Miles of Bunyip. He Returned to Australia on July 1, 1919. His stated religion was Methodist.
Miles, Ronald Birkett (SN 2715) Ronald enlisted on August 2, 1915, when he was 20. His parents were William and Mary Miles of Bunyip. He Returned to Australia on December 21, 1918. His stated religion was Methodist.
Miles, William Joseph (SN 3388) William was 29 when he enlisted on November 4, 1916. He was a farmer from Bunyip and his wife Harriet was his next of kin. William was born at Mt Doran, as well Ronald, above, so I assume they were brothers. He Returned to Australia on July 13, 1919. His stated religion was Methodist.

Bunyip Methodist Church Honour Roll

Image: Heather Arnold

Morrison,  George Alfred   (SN 2135) George enlisted at Bunyip on July 27, 1915. His next of kin was his mother, Sarah Morrison of Bunyip. George was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. He Returned to Australia April 19, 1919. His stated religion was Methodist.

Mouser,  George   Lieutenant George Mouser  enlisted on May 1, 1916. He Returned to Australia on July 24, 1919. His next of kin was his father, John Mouser of Narre Warren. John was the Station Master at Narre Warren from July 1915 to August 1918 and had also been the Station Master at Beaconsfield from June 1912 to March 1914.  John is listed on the 1903 Electoral Roll at Bunyip, occupation Railway employee, so that's the Bunyip connection. George is also honoured on the Narre Warren War Memorial, see here. His stated religion was Methodist.

Pomeroy,  Alfred John (SN 2745)  Alfred was born at Beulah and he enlisted on March 21, 1916. His next of kin was his father Richard of Barrow Street in Brunswick. His stated religion was Methodist. He Returned to Australia on July 1, 1919. What is his Bunyip connection?  Richard and Sarah Pomeroy are listed in the 1903 and 1909 Electoral Rolls at Bunyip South (Iona); in the Victorian Births Index there is an Alfred John born in 1893 to a Richard and Sarah Pomeroy at Beulah, so I am convinced that Alfred is our man. It would seem that Richard and Sarah are some of the hundreds of families that moved to the Koo-Wee-Rup Swamp in the 1890s and early 1900s due to the availability of land.

Ransom, Harry (SN 6366) Harry was a 19 year old postal assistant when he enlisted on July 21, 1916. He Returned to Australia on December 11, 1918. His stated religion was Methodist. His next of kin was his father, Harry, who was then Station Master at Tallarook. Harry senior had been the Station Master at Bunyip from June 1908 to November 1910, so it is likely that Harry and his brother Herbert attended school at Bunyip.
Ransom, Herbert William (SN 128) Herbert enlisted on August 18, 1914. He was 19 and like his brother, Harry, he was also a postal employee. At the time he enlisted his father was at Maffra. His stated religion was Baptist. Herbert suffered a gun shot wound to the abdomen and the bullet was still in his body as an operation was not considered necessary. Harry was discharged from the AIF on medical grounds and Returned to Australia on October 8, 1915.

Spence, James Sinclair (SN 10339) James was 30 when he enlisted on August 2, 1915. He was an Inspector at the Melbourne & Metropolitan Board of Works. His next of was his wife Jessie. He Returned to Australia on May 11, 1918. His stated religion was Methodist.
Spence, Malcolm (SN 4614) Malcolm enlisted on August 31, 1915, his next of kin was his sister, Harriet Walker of Bunyip. He was 22 years of age and was a postal employee. He was Killed in Action, in France, on July, 20, 1916.  Malcolm is also listed on the Bunyip War Memorial.
Spence, Russell Ayres (SN 3555) Was enlisted when he was 19, on July 8, 1915. He was a taxi driver and his cousin was his next of kin. He suffered from various wounds and diseases and was still in hospital in England in 1919. He is listed in the 1924 Electoral roll at Footscray, so obviously came back to Australia. He later had a farm in Bunyip and he was the Superintendent of the Methodist Sunday School. 

James, Malcolm and Russell  were brothers. They were the sons of James and Zillah (nee Ward) Spence, who came to Bunyip in 1892. Both James and Zillah had died by the time their sons enlisted. The three boys all stated that they were Methodists on their enlistment papers.

Wheeler,  Ernest James (SN 22329)  Ernest enlisted  on January 10, 1916 His next of kin was his mother, Henrietta Wheeler of Bunyip. Ernest was a tile maker from Mitchum and he Returned to Australia May 29, 1919.  His stated religion was Church of England.

Withington,  Robert Charles     Major Withington was a Medical Practitioner who enlisted on December 2, 1915 at the age of 41.   He Returned to Australia March 16, 1919.   According to Call of the Bunyip, Dr Withington was Bunyip's first resident doctor. Robert, his wife Eleanor and daughter, Rewa, and had arrived there in 1904 from Fiji where he had been a Missionary Doctor. They had two other daughters, Irene and Elizabeth, born when they were at Bunyip.  Call of the Bunyip also says that Dr Withington held the distinction of being the first person in the Bunyip district to suffer in a motor accident when his car was hit by a passenger train. His stated religion on his enlistment paper was Presbyterian, however Call of the Bunyip says that the family was Methodist. After the family lived at St Georges Road in Elsternwick.

Williams,  Thomas Trevor (SN 7575)  Thomas was born in Bunyip and enlisted on July 18, 1917. His next of was his father, Benjamin, who lived in Elsternwick. He was 18 years and 2 months old at the time of his enlistment. He Returned to Australia on March 21, 1919. His stated religion was Church of England.

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

Iona World War One Honor Board

The Iona Honor Board is at Columba Hall, at St Joseph's Catholic Church at Iona. It was originally at the Mechanics' Institute / Pioneers' Hall. The Hall which opened April 26, 1895,  was demolished maybe in the 1940s, I believe. I have written about the Hall, here. The Honor Board was then re-located to the Iona State School. The School closed in December 1993 and the Honor Board eventually moved again, this time to the Columba Hall. I don't have a date for the unveiling of the Honor Board.

Pioneers' Hall, Iona. 

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

The very elegant Iona Honor Board

Image: Heather Arnold

I have done some research into the forty five soldiers on the Iona Honor Board and found six more soldiers with an Iona connection and they are all listed here, along with same basic information and their Service Number (SN) so you can look up their full service record on the National Archives website (www.naa.gov.au).

I have used two books by Denise Nest in the preparation of this post - On the Edge of the Swamp: a history of the Iona Primary School, No. 3201, 1894 - 1994 (1) and Call of the Bunyip: a history of Bunyip, Iona and Tonimbuk, 1847 - 1990 (2).

Bailey, William Stephen (SN 3771) William enlisted on July 19, 1915. He was born in Kilmore and was a 30 year old farmer and his wife, Annie, was his next of kin and her address was North Melbourne. William was Killed in Action in France on May 3, 1917; he left behind three children Jean, John and Henry. It took me a while to work out who this W. Bailey was and then I read about the Baillee family in the Call of the Bunyip by Denise Nest. Mrs Nest writes - Thomas Baillee was born in County Cork, Ireland, and came to Australia aged seven years, with his parents Thomas and Hannah, brother Dan and sisters, Lucy and Helena....After a few years in Melbourne where a daughter, Kate was born, the family moved to Kilmore where three more children, Bill, Joe and Walter were born. Bill died in France in 1916.  It was Thomas and his wife Rose and their family that moved to Iona in 1908, where he operated a blacksmiths shop.
Why did Bill spell his name as Bailey and not Baillee? I don't know. Did he ever live in Iona? I don't know. Am I sure that the Bill Baillee who died in France is the W. Bailey on the Iona Honour Roll? No, but I cannot find a better alternative.

Black, Charles Frederick (SN 10586) Charles' address on the Embarkation Rolls is Iona and he enlisted on July 17, 1915 at the age of 39, his occupation was Ship Steward. This is not a occupation that I would have thought could have been carried out in Iona. His next of kin was his father who lived in England. Charles was discharged October 18, 1915 for 'larceny of Government property' then rejoined two days later and was discharged August 25, 1919 whilst still in England. Charles is one of the six soldiers in this post who is not on the Honor Board.

Report of Artur Bolger's death

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

Bolger, Arthur Ernest  (1338)  Arthur was a 21 year old labourer, working at Mr Schmutter's farm at Iona,  when he enlisted on November 2, 1914. His next of kin was his foster mother, Charlotte Bolger, of the Ragged Boys Home at Frankston. Her occupation at the time according to the Electoral Roll was Matron and she later moved to Richmond. Arthur was Killed in Action at Gallipoli on April 27, 1915. Mrs Bolger wrote the Army a letter in 1920 saying that Arthur had been in my care from the age of 6 weeks and was adopted by me and I have not seen either his father or mother since that time and have no knowledge of them whatsoever and he has neither brothers or sisters. In an interesting twist, Private Bolger's war medals were found amongst the property of  an 'old Age pensioner' John James Patterson when he died at the Corowa Hospital in 1935 and the Public Trustees were seeking to locate someone to give them to. Perhaps, Mr Patterson was a friend of Mrs Bolgers. I don't know. Arthur is one of the six soldiers in this post who is not on the Honor Board.

Letter written by Charlotte Bolger about her son, Arthur.

National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au

First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920

Bolger, William Joseph  (SN 1784) William (listed as Joseph on the Embarkation Roll) was born in Footscray and his brother, Patrick, who was his next of kin, was also in Footscray. They were the sons of Michael Bolger and Mary Dowling. William enlisted on July 17, 1915 at the age of 26  and was Killed in Action in France on March 23, 1917. Was there any connection between Arthur and William? Once again, I don't know.

Clarkin, William (SN 1522). William was the fifth child of John and Elizabeth (nee Moore) Clarkin. They had eight children - John (1886), Mary (1887-1888), James (1889), Catherine (1891), William (1894), Margaret (1896), Mary (1899) and Ada (1902). John died in 1902, aged 55, leaving Mrs Clarkin with a young family to look after. William enlisted at Tynong on December 7, 1914 at the age of 21; his next of kin was his eldest brother, John Clarkin of Garfield. William fought at Gallipoli where he was shot in the chest and bayonetted in the leg. He recovered and was serving in France when he was officially  reported as missing in August 1916 but had actually died of wounds as a Prisoner of War at Caudrey in Germany on August 26, 1916.  William is also listed on the Bunyip War Memorial and on the Cora Lynn War Memorial, and I have more details about the family there. 

Crudden, Thomas  (SN 15)  Thomas was born in Scotland and was 31 when he enlisted on October 7 1914. His next of kin was his mother, Mrs Crudden, of Iona. He Returned to Australia on December 23, 1918. Thomas was a Soldier Settler - you can read his full record here on the Public Records Office of Victoria website. 

Curtain, William Patrick (SN 1701) William was 23, a farm labourer, and he enlisted on May 20 1915. His next of kin was his father, John, of Iona.  He was awarded the Military Medal and Returned to Australia August 1, 1919.

Daw, Charles Henry (SN 4091) Charles was a 22 year old farmer when he enlisted on January 11, 1916. He Returned to Australia on May 15, 1919.
Daw, Christopher (SN 1372) Christopher enlisted on August 2, 1915 at the age of 26. He was a Labourer. He Returned to Australia on July 5, 1919.
Charles and Christopher had their mother, Mrs Margaret Eaton, of Iona as their next of kin.

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 on the Public Records Office of Victoria website 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.
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. Gladstone is also listed on the Bunyip War Memorial.
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.

Gladstone Morgan Dawes, standing.  

Photo possibly taken in Egypt. The  two seated soldiers are said to be Gladstone's cousins perhaps  Raymond Oswald Dawes (SN 430) and Edmond Withers Dawes (SN 2368)

https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au

Alfred and Elizabeth (nee Morgan) Dawes are listed in the Electoral Roll in 1914 at Iona. Were these boys brothers? According to the Indexes to the Victoria Births, Deaths and Marriages - Albert was born with the surname Morgan in 1890 to Louise Morgan, unknown father, but the middle name was Dawes, so that's a clue. When he died in 1962 he had Dawes as a surname, Alfred Henry as the father and Louise Morgan as his mother.
Walter was born in Richmond in 1893 as Walter George Dawes Morgan to Louise Morgan, no father listed.
Victor was born in 1896 at Bunyip South (old name for Iona), with Dawes as the surname, to Alfred Dawes and Elizabeth Morgan.
Gladstone was born with Morgan as the surname in 1898 to Louise Morgan, father unknown. Clifford was also born in 1898 with Morgan as the surname to Frances Morgan and unknown father, however when he died in 1972 he was listed as a Dawes, father Alfred and mother Elizabeth Morgan.
So what does all this tell us? I believe they were raised as brothers. However, there are a few unanswered questions such as - was Elizabeth also known as Louise and/or Frances? Why was the third child registered as a Dawes but the two born in 1898 registered as Morgans - or were Louise and Frances Morgan relatives of Elizabeth and she took the three boys in and raised them with her only child Victor? I don't know.

Donald, Arnold James (SN 6000A) Arnold was 27 when he enlisted on March 30 1916. He served in France where he was Wounded in Action in May 1917. Arnold Returned to Australia on April 5, 1918 and was medically discharged in the July.
Donald, Henry Gordon (SN 6001A) Henry enlisted on the same day as his brother, Arnold, above. He was a 21 year old farmer. Henry was Killed in Action in Belgium sometime between June 7 and June 9, 1917.
Arnold and Henry were the sons of Charles and Elizabeth (nee Nairn) Donald of Garfield.

Doran, F  Mr Doran did not survive the War so I would have thought it would not be difficult to work out who this is, but I cannot. I have found a number of connections between Dorans and Iona - according to the book On the Edge of the Swamp: a history of the Iona Primary School - May, Elizabeth, Fred, Henry, James, Patrick and Violet Doran attended the school in the 1890s/1900s, so I presume that Fred is our man. There is a Michael Doran, farmer, at Bunyip South / Iona in the Electoral Rolls from 1909 to 1913 and in 1914 there is a Frederick Joseph Doran, labourer, at Iona. There are no Dorans listed in the 1916 Electoral Roll. I cannot find a Doran in the Roll of Honour that had a connection to the local area, so another mystery.

Duckett, James Percy  (SN 2164)  James enlisted on February 3 1916, he was a 25 year old farmer and his next of kin was his brother who lived in England. James served overseas but Returned to Australia on December 21, 1917 and medically discharged in March 1918. He suffered from a number of conditions including 'infection and strain' and 'mitral systelic murmer' and 'dyspnoea on exertion'  John Percy Duckett is listed in the 1917 Electoral Roll at Iona,  his occupation was labourer. He had previously lived in Gormadale and attended a 'welcome home' there in September 1918.

Private Duckett attended a welcome home in his old town of Gormandale.

Traralgon Record September 6, 1918. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/67484065#

Fitzgerald, Daniel (SN 3312)

Fitzgerald, David William (SN 37563)

Fitzgerald, John Lawrence (SN 2474)
Fitzgerald, Maurice (SN 6488)
John was 24 when he enlisted on July 15, 1915 and Daniel was 21 when he enlisted on October 5, 1914. John was Killed in Action on July 19, 1916 and Daniel Died of Wounds exactly three years after he enlisted on October 5, 1917. David enlisted on February 24, 1917 at the age of 21. He Returned to Australia April 10, 1919. Maurice served in the Navy, signing up on April 3, 1918 at the age of 18. These boys are the sons of David and Margaret Fitzgerald of Iona. The family arrived in the area in 1893. The Call of the Bunyip book says that both John and Dan were involved in cycling and Maurice took up the sport with gusto after the War, he used the name Jack, in honour of his brother. There is a a great article in the Sporting Globe of May 1, 1929 about Maurice's career, read it here. Daniel and John are also listed on the Bunyip War Memorial.

Fraser, Donald John,(SN 5074) Donald was born in Morwell and was 22 when he enlisted on October 15, 1914. His next of kin was his father, John Fraser, of Bunyip. Donald Returned to Australia December 14, 1918.

Green, Francis Regis (SN 6013) Francis enlisted on April 17, 1916 at the age of 20, his occupation was a farmer. Francis was Killed in Action in France on May 12, 1917.Francis is also listed on the Bunyip War Memorial.
Green, Thomas Cole (SN 2421) Thomas was a 28 year old Commission Agent who enlisted on April 11, 1916. Thomas Returned to Australia May 6, 1919. Francis and Thomas were brothers, their next of kin was their mother, Catherine, of Iona. Her address was later changed to Kirwan's Post Office, Garfield, this was later changed to Vervale (same place, different name).

Gully, James (SN 1167 SN sometimes indexed as 1147) James enlisted on September 28, 1914 at the age of 32. He was a miner. His next of kin was his father, Harry, of Bunyip. James Returned to Australia December 3, 1918, for 'Special Leave' and was discharged on medical grounds in March 1919 - having been wounded with gun shot in the shoulder and later wounded in the left thigh. What was his connection to Iona?  Even though his father's address was Bunyip on the enlistment paper, in the 1914 Electoral Roll his address is Iona. Plus the Bunyip Free Press of June 10, 1915 associated him with Iona, so that's good enough for us. James is one of the six soldiers in this post who is not on the Honor Board.

Notice that Privates Clarkin and Gully of Iona have been wounded.

Bunyip Free Press June 10, 1915 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129630559

Gunn, Archibald (SN 265) Archibald enlisted on August 19, 1914, he was a 23 year old farmer and his next of kin was his father, Daniel, of Iona. In July 1918 he suffered a severe gun shot wound to the left thigh and Returned to Australia November 20, 1918.  Archibald is one of the six soldiers in this post who is not on the Honor Board.

Hardy, W  I cannot find a Hardy who enlisted with a connection to the local area - or any Hardy family with a connection to Iona - so Mr Hardy is a mystery.

Harrold, Reginald Clarke (SN 26) Reginald was a 36 year old farmer from Iona when he enlisted on August 22, 1914. His next of kin was his wife, Mary, whose address was Somerset in England. Reginald Returned to Australia October 8, 1919. Reginald is one of the six soldiers in this post who is not on the Honor Board.

Hopgood, Arthur Norman (SN 208)  Arthur was a 20 year old brass finisher when he enlisted on August 17, 1914. His next of kin was G. Hopgood of Lygon Street in Carlton. Arthur Returned to Australia on October 23, 1918. What was his connection to Iona?  On March 14, 1919 he changed his address to Iona and he is listed in the 1919 Electoral Roll at Iona, his occupation is a farmer. Arthur was granted  a Soldier Settlement farm at Bunyip, you can read his file, here, on the Public Records Office of Victoria website.

Kelly, William Vincent (SN 3832) William enlisted on August 20, 1917. He was a 21 year old labourer and his father, William, of Iona was his next of kin. William Returned to Australia November 15, 1918. William was granted  a Soldier Settlement farm at Iona. You can read his file, here, on the Public Records Office of Victoria  website.

Knight, Harold Thomas  (SN 26780) Harold, was born in England, and enlisted on February 1, 1916, he was a 25 year old painter and his next of kin was his wife, Florence, of Iona. Harold Returned to Australia August 22, 1919.

Larsen, Olaf (SN 2404) Olaf was born in Bunyip and was a 21 year old sawmill hand when he enlisted on April 28, 1915. His next of kin was an aunt who lived in Port Melbourne. He suffered a severe gun shot wound to the face in November 1917 and Returned to Australia March 16, 1918.

Llewellyn, Charles Jatho  (SN 2197) Charles enlisted on November 21, 1916 at the age of 24. He was a farm labourer from Bunyip. Charles married Rosa Youdell in England on June 25, 1918 and the couple, along with their two children, Returned to Australia December 22, 1919 and arrived in Melbourne on February 5, 1920. Charles was granted a Soldier Settlement Farm, at Vervale, you can read his file, here on the Public Records Office of Victoria website.

Mannix, Patrick  (SN 4754) Patrick was 32 and a Repairer on the railways, when he enlisted on February 17, 1916. His next of kin was his wife, Daisy, of Garfield. Patrick Returned to Australia May 4, 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds - Fibrosis Lungs.

Maybury, Albert Walter (SN 3075)  Albert enlisted on July 12, 1915. His next of kin was his father W.M Maybury, of Iona. Albert Returned to Australia on August 24, 1918 and was medically discharged in the November. He had a severe gun shot wound to the left shoulder,  which required amputation of the arm.

Albert Maybury died from a fall when he was 50, he had been working as a liftman. It was a sad end and I hope he had some happiness in his life.

The Herald April 29, 1940.  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article245081644

McAllister, Andrew James (SN 2702) Andrew was a 35 farmer when he enlisted on August 4, 1916. His address was Iona and his next of kin was his sister, Minnie Sinclair, also of Iona. He Returned to Australia July 16, 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds 'mitral incompetency' in October 1917.

McDonald, William Michael (SN 3192) William enlisted on July 16, 1915 at the age of 21.  His next of kin was his mother of Preston. William Died of Wounds on May 8, 1917 - he had a gun shot wound right knee and haemorrhage and sepsis. What is William's connection to Iona? I don't know, I don't even know if I have the correct W.M. McDonald. He was, however, a cheese maker by occupation and thus could have been working in a local cheese factory, such as the one at Cora Lynn.  There was a Allan Walter McDonald (he was a farmer) and Jessie McDonald in the Electoral Roll at Garfield in 1914, and Allan (SN 2474) enlisted on March 3, 1916, when he was 40 years old. Allan Died of Wounds received whist fighting in France, on March 28, 1917.  Allan is listed on the Bunyip War Memorial as well, but would A.W. McDonald be mistaken for W.M McDonald?

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.

McRae, Eric Douglas (SN 3872a)  Eric was a 23 year old cheese factory manager  at Iona when he enlisted on  July 7, 1915.  His next of kin was his father, Christopher McRae of Bacchus Marsh. He was Killed in Action in Belgium on October 4, 1917.

McTighe, Thomas Francis  (SN 9346) Thomas was a 'motor bus driver mechanic' an unusual occupation for the time and he was 28 when he enlisted on July 7, 1915. His next of kin was his mother, Sarah, of Iona. Thomas Returned to Australia June 4, 1919.  Thomas is one of the six soldiers in this post who is not on the Honor Board.

Milligan, Joseph Lewellen (SN 5376)  Joseph was born in 1897 in Bunyip South (now called Iona) to James and Catherine (nee Hopkins) Milligan. He was the last of their ten children and the only one born locally - the others were - James (1875), Charles (1877), William (1880), Francis (1881), John (1883), Frederick (1885), Susan (1887), Catherine (1888), Thomas (1891) and then Joseph.  He enlisted at the age of 21 on March 8, 1916, his occupation was a farm hand, and his address was Cora Lynn. Joseph was Killed in Action on February 23, 1917. Joseph is also on the Bunyip War Memorial and the  Cora Lynn War Memorial and I have more details about the family there. 

Murdoch, Arthur Charles (SN 2634).  Arthur was born at Iona but was living in Brighton at the time of his enlistment on October 29, 1917. He was 19 years old and a motor driver. Arthur Returned to Australia August 22, 1919. Arthur was the oldest of the nine children of George Petrie Murdoch and his wife Emma Parker and he died in 1984, aged 85.  George established the Cora Lynn store in 1907 and owned it until 1922; you can read about this and the Murdoch family here.  Arthur is also on the Cora Lynn War Memorial.

O'Neill, E  According to the book On the Edge of the Swamp: a history of the Iona Primary School, there was an Edward, Daniel and Joseph O'Neil at the Iona State School in the 1890s. In 1908,  a Michael O'Neil is on the Electoral Roll at Iona, he is a farmer. I believe that Edward who was at the State School is the man on the Honour Board, but I cannot find an O'Neil, O'Neill or an O'Neal who enlisted with  a local connection.

Paul, Thomas (SN 2878)  Thomas Paul is listed in the 1914 at Iona, occupation is labourer. There are four men named Thomas Paul who enlisted but I believe our man is Thomas who was a 28 year old farmer when he enlisted on July 21, 1915. Thomas was born in England and his next of kin was his mother, who lived in Liverpool in England. Thomas Returned to Australia in September 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds - gunshot wound left arm.

Pratt, Percy (SN 12369/7894) Percy was born in England and was living at Garfield, according to the Embarkation rolls,  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 (3) 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 was granted a Soldier Settlement at at Garfield, you can read his file, here, on the Public Records Office of Victoria website.

Letter showing Percy Pratt's address as C/O Miss D. Lacy-Evans, 'Vervalac', Vervale, Via Garfield.

National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au

First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920

Percy Pratt and Miss Grace De Lacy Evans married on June 24, 1919 at 'Vervalac'

The Age July 12, 1919.  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article202441556

Rogers, Llewellyn Edward (SN 2537) Llewellyn enlisted on June 6, 1916. He was a 38 year old farmer and his next of kin was his mother, Elizabeth, of Iona. Llewellyn Returned to Australia August 1, 1919.

Schmutter, William (SN 21937) The Honor board entry is listed as Schmutter and there are only two Schmutters who enlisted, both from Sydney. There is however, a William Smutter who enlisted at the age of 44 (hence born c. 1872) on January 27, 1916. He was a bricklayer and his next of kin was his wife, Mary, of Malvern.  William Returned to Australia January 1918 and was discharged on medical grounds on April 8, 1918 - 'casualty senility.' 

The 1914 Electoral Roll has a William Schmutter, farmer, and a Mary Ann Schmutter of Iona listed. This William died in 1932, aged 74, thus born c. 1858. Would he have enlisted at the age of 58? I have come across other chaps who were in their 50s when they enlisted, so more than  possible and 44 was the upper age limit, that's why they said they were that age.  There is also  a William Schmutter, Junior, farmer and a Mary Ann Schmutter, of Bunyip South listed. William the younger was born in 1882, and there would be no reason for him to add ten years to his age to enlist. So, in spite of the different spelling, the incorrect ages and occupation, I believe our William Smutter is one of the William Schmutters in the Electoral Roll - Senior or Junior - I cannot say. 

To add to the confusion, in the death notice of William the elder, his son Jack is listed as 'late A.I.F.' This is George John 'Jack' Schmutter, but I cannot find any enlistment papers for him, and why isn't he on the Honour Board, as he lived in the area until around 1950. I have written about George /Jack here. Or does the phrase 'late A.I.F.' actually apply to William himself and he did actually enlist at 58 years of age? 

William Schmutter's death notice 

The Age, March 24, 1932, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/205096553

Sheahan, T   There is a Timothy and  Mary Ann Sheahan in the 1909 Electoral Roll at Bunyip - he is a farmer; in the same roll there is also a Daniel Sheahan, Hotel Manager at Garfield. In 1912 and 1914 Mary Ann, Timothy Michael and Michael Patrick are in the Electoral Roll at Iona - the men are listed as farmers. In 1918 we have Mary Ann, Daniel, Michael Patrick and Timothy Michael at Iona and Thomas John Sheahan at Bunyip. In spite of all these leads I cannot find a Sheahan or a Sheehan who served with a local connection.

Slattery, Gerald Malyon   (SN 272) Gerald was born in Castlemaine and was 26 years old when he enlisted on March 15, 1915. His occupation on his enlistment papers was butter maker and the 1914 Electoral Rolls show he was living at Iona and his occupation was Creamery Manager. Gerald was Killed in Action in France on July 19, 1916. Gerald is also on the Bunyip War Memorial.

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.

Whiston, J  This is either Julian Thomas (SN 3526)  or John Ernest (SN 3525)  They were the sons of Fred Whiston of Cora Lynn. Julian's place of birth was listed as  'Bunyip Swamp' and he was 18 when he enlisted on August 7, 1915. John was born in Port Adelaide in South Australia and was 26 when he enlisted. on the same day as his brother.  Julian Died of Wounds received on March 21, 1918. John Returned to Australia on May 21, 1916 and was discharged on medical grounds in the August  suffering from 'Otitis Media mild' or deafness. Julian and his brother, Frederick, are on the Bunyip War Memorial, see the entry here. There is also a T. Whiston listed in a newspaper article about a Memorial  Grove  being planted at Tynong, see here. I can only assume that Julian may have been know by his middle name, Thomas, and the entry refers to him.

Footnotes
(1) On the edge of the swamp: a history of the Iona Primary School No. 3201 1894-1994 by Denise M. Nest ( Iona Primary School Back-To-Committee, 1994)
(2) Call of the Bunyip: a history of Bunyip, Iona and Tonimbuk, 1847 - 1990 by Denise Nest (Bunyip History Committee, 1990)
(3) My family has an interesting connection to Miss Grace De Lacy Evans, as my grandparents named their dog, Delacy, after her. They thought it was a nice name and it was meant as a compliment. You can see a photo Delacy, here.

A version of this story, which I wrote and researched,  appears on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Commemorates: Our War Years and it has also been published in the Koo Wee Rup Blackfish and Garfield Spectator.