Showing posts with label Tree Plantation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tree Plantation. Show all posts

Sunday, December 19, 2021

Cardinia tree plantation and Honor Board for local Great War soldiers

On Arbor Day, July 6, 1917 twenty-five 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. These weren't the only trees planted on this day in honor of  local soldiers, a grove was also planted at Tynong State School, you can read about that, here. Cardinia State School, No. 3689, opened in Ballarto Road on November 3, 1911. 

At the end of this post is some information about the Reverend Alexander Duff, the grandfather of four of the men listed here, and his extended family.

The Arbor Day event was reported in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal on July 19, 1917.


Report of the planting of the trees
South Bourke and Mornington Journal July 19, 1917 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66192418

Here is the transcript of the article - At the invitation of the head teacher, Mr Sumpton, a most enthusiastic gathering of residents of Cardinia met at the school on Arbor Day, 6th July, for the purposes of planting trees in honor of the boys of this district who have responded nobly to the country's call. Before adjourning to the grounds, the visitors had the pleasure of listening to very interesting and instructive speeches  on the cultivation of trees by Mr Duff (Chairman),  Rev F. Betchers, Messrs Simpson Hill and Walter Moxon, also some fine essays from the school children, which indicated that have been educated in the national importance of trees. Anzac trees and shrubs were planted in honor of the following soldiers: W. S. Allars, S. G. Allars, C. Andrews, T. Bell, A. C. Duff, W. V. H. Duff, R. Duggan, H. R. Hardy, A. Henry, D. Hill, G. Hobart, J. A. Lecky, M. Lecky, W. Lee, A. Moxon, G. Moxon, E. C. Osborne, A. T. Patterson, R. Reeves, G. Sharp, B. Smith, H. Smith, A. Wall, P. Wenn, W. Wood. Sumptous refreshments were provided by the ladies and a very pleasant afternoon was brought to a close with the singing of the National Anthem.

I have recently come across an article in the Koo Wee Rup Sun of May 4, 1922 on the unveiling of the Honor Board at the Cardinia State school. This took place on Anzac Day in 1922, read about it here. 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. 

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.

What follows is the list of all  the Cardinia soldiers. I have listed their Service Numbers (SN) so you can look up their full record on the National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au  Some of these soldiers have  a Clyde address, as it does appear that, early on, Clyde and Cardinia were used interchangeably for the same area. 

Some of the information in this post comes from The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire by Niel Gunson  (Cheshire, 1969) and Look to the Rising sun: Back to Cardinia 1984 - a history of Cardinia and District, including Rythdale and Pakenham South, by  Eileen Williams and Jewell Beard. (Published by the Back to Cardinia Committee, 1984)

Allars, Sydney George (SN 816)
Allars, William Stanley (SN 817)
Sydney and William both enlisted on January 29, 1916. Sydney was 22 and William was 19. They were both farm labourers. Sydney Returned to Australia December 21, 1918 and William Died of Wounds received, whilst fighting in France, on May 2, 1917. The boys were the sons of Alfred Charles and Emily (nee Osment) Allars of Clyde. The brothers are on the Honor Board and have a Memorial tree.

Andrews, Cecil (SN 2123)  Cecil was a 26 year old farmer when he enlisted on May 1, 1916. His address on the Embarkation Roll was Dalmore and his next of kin was his mother, Emily, of Mordialloc. Cecil was Killed in Action in France on October 16, 1917.  I have written more about Cecil on my post on Dalmore soldiers, here. Cecil is on the Honor Board and has a Memorial tree.

Bell, Thomas Stanley (SN 3773) Thomas was a 23 year old labourer when he enlisted on August 12, 1915. His next of kin was his mother, Mary Ann Bell, whose address was St Germains, Clyde. A notation on his file said that his father was 'not recognized'. Thomas Returned to Australia October 18, 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds in January 1918 - Gun shot wound to the thorax.  Thomas is on the Honor Board and has a Memorial tree. Thomas is also listed on the Cranbourne Presbyterian Honour Board, see here.

Bennett, Reuben James Godfrey (SN 6281). Reuben was born in Melbourne and enlisted at the age of 28 on October 24, 1916. His occupation was a wheeler (mines) and he lived in Wonthaggi, thus would have been employed at the State Coal Mine. His next of kin was his father, John Bennett of Neerim. Reuben died of disease, broncho-pneumonia on November 17, 1918. What was his connection to Cardinia?  His Roll of Honour Circular says he attended school at  'Kardinia Creek South Pakenham'. Reuben is listed on the Honor Board.


Reuben Bennett's Roll of Honour Circular at the Australian War Memorial.

Byrnes, Roger. Roger is listed on the Cardinia Honor Board. I had some trouble finding this man. A Roger and Kate Byrnes were listed in the 1903 Electoral Roll at Cardinia Creek. I found out that a Roger Byrnes and a Catherine Flannagan were married in 1895 and they had a son Roger in 1896, so I was pretty sure he was our man; however there was no trace of them in the Electoral Roll after 1903. Further searching on Ancestry found them in New Zealand. Roger enlisted in the New Zealand Army at the age of 20 on January 11, 1916. He was a farmer and lived in Stratford, Taranaki. Sadly Roger died two months after enlistment of meningitis on March 29.


Roger Byrnes entry in the Commonwealth War Graves, 1914-1921 and 1939-1947 database which is on Ancestry.

Conroy, John Patrick (SN 1123 and  2146)  John was a 32 year old Railway Repairer when he enlisted on September 28, 1914. His next of kin was his sister, Johanna Conroy, of Cranbourne. John was wounded at Gallipoli in April 1915 and was sent back to Australia, then re-enlisted and was sent back overseas and arrived in England in September 1916.  He was Killed in Action in France on September 26, 1917. John is on the Cardinia Honor Board. 


John Conroy wrote this letter to his sisters and it was published in the 
South Bourke and Mornington Journal, June 24 1915.

Dow, Lindsay William (SN 6612) Lindsay was a 19 year old farmer when he enlisted on July 11, 1916. His next of kin was his father, William, of Willaura. Lindsay Died of Wounds (gun shot wounds to chest and head) on August 9, 1918. Lindsay's parents, William and Florence Martha Dow, were listed in the 1909 Electoral Roll at Cardinia Creek; in 1912 they were listed at Willaura. Lindsay is on the Cardinia Honor Board.

Duff, Charles Alexander (SN 859 and 237) Charles enlisted on May 31, 1915 at the age of 19, then returned to Australia because of illness and the enlisted again May 16, 1916 when he was 20. Charles was Killed in Action in Belgium June 8, 1917.
Duff, William Vere Hobart (SN 860) William enlisted on January 6, 1916 aged 23. His next of kin was his wife, Brenda, of East Malvern. William Returned to Australia on January 10, 1918.
Charles and William were the sons of William Tucker Duff and Alice Laura Constance Beauchamp Hobart to give her her full name. Alice (born 1867) was the daughter of Charles and Rhoda (nee Withers) Hobart and thus the sister of Charles Hobart, listed below.
The brothers are on the Honour Board and have a Memorial tree. The brothers are also listed on the Tooradin State School Honour Board, see here.
The boys were also the grandsons of the Reverend Alexander Duff and his wife, Annie Tucker. Another son of the Reverend Duff, Walter, married Eva Sharp, who I assume is connected to Henry Sharp, listed below, possibly his aunty. There is more on the Duff family at the bottom of this post.

Duggan, Raymond Stacey (SN 409) Raymond enlisted on May 16, 1916, he was a 26 year old farmer and his address was Tooradin. Whist he was still overseas he married Violet Foster in England in September 1918. Raymond Returned to Australia August 8, 1919. Raymond is on the Honor Board and has a Memorial tree.

Hardy,  Horace Robert (SN 19995)   Horace enlisted on June 20, 1917 at the age of 21. He was a farmer. Horace Returned to Australia July 13, 1919. Horace was honoured with a Memorial tree. Horace was the son of William John Hardy (1855 - 1940) and  Sophia Wells Cadd (1856 - 1919) of Dalmore. His paternal grandparents, Emling and Emily (nee Gregory) Hardy took up land at Clyde North in 1856 - Hardy Road is named after the family. His maternal grandparents were Thomas and Sarah (nee Wells) Cadd who took up land at Clyde in 1862. Horace is also listed on the Tooradin State School Honour Board, see here.

Haw, George William (SN 1828) George was a 27 year old farmer when he enlisted on July 28, 1915. He was severely wounded -  gun shot wounds right shoulder, left hand, right thigh - and had his right arm amputated. He Returned to Australia March 23, 1919. I was hoping George had a happy life, after the horrors of the War. He died in August 1956 aged 67, the loved husband of Dollie, loved father of Mavis and Rodney and 'darling pa' of  David and Ann, so he was well-loved by his family and you can't ask for more than that in life. 
Haw, Matthew Barnes (SN 3119) Matthew enlisted on July 20, 1915 at the age of 21. He was also a farmer. Matthew died of wounds on November 23, 1916 (gun shot wound to the shoulder).
George and Matthew 's next of kin was their father, Henry Haw, of Wilby, near Tungamah. Their parents, Henry and Ellen (nee Barnes) Haw were listed in the Electoral Roll at Cranbourne in 1905. The brothers are on the Honor Board. 

Henry, Alexander St Leger  (SN 5574)  Alexander enlisted on August 31, 1915 at the age of 23. He was a grazier and his next of kin was his father, John, of Pakenham. Alexander Returned to Australia May 20 1919. Alexander was the son of John and Vinie (nee Forrest also called Levina and Lavinia) Henry.  They had the property, Doneraille, at Pakenham. You can read John's obituary which includes a bit of family history, here.  John Henry was the son of Robert Henry who had the Cardinia Creek No.1 run of 5,120 acres from October 1842 until May 1851. You can read about the family here in my post on Robert's sister, Martha King. Alexander is on the Honor Board and has a Memorial tree.

Hill, Graham John Dudley Bowman (SN 1574) Looking at the article below, it appears that this man was known as Dudley, so that's what we will call him. Dudley enlisted on September 6, 1915. He was a 22 year old farmer and he Returned to Australia March 9, 1919. Dudley was granted a Soldier Settlement farm after the War, you can read his file here
Hill, Arthur George Leonard Curnow (SN 61869) . Arthur aged 18, enlisted on June 11, 1918. Arthur's full name Arthur George Leonard Curnow Hill (SN 61869). He was sent overseas to England, but was not involved in any fighting and Returned to Australia September 22, 1919. 
Dudley and Arthur were the sons of Cr Edward Simpson Hill, mentioned in the article at the start of this post;  and both had their address as Dalmore. 
As a matter of interest, Cr Edward Simpson Hill had also enlisted. His Service Number was V21471 and he enlisted on February 16, 1916. His next of kin was naturally his wife, Charlotte. His occupation was Engine driver/Engineer. He was discharged on June 22, 1916 as he was unfit for service. He stated his age on enlistment as 44, but a notation on the file says 'is obviously very much over age' and lists his age as 56!
Dudley Hill has a Memorial tree and Arthur Hill is listed on the Honor Board.

This article from August 1, 1918 reports on the very large gathering at Cardinia on Thursday, July 18, the occasion being a welcome home and presentation of inscribed gold medals, gift of the residents of Cardinia, to three returned soldiers, who had enlisted from this district, and illuminated certificates presented by the Cranbourne shire, to these and relatives of those who are still on active service.
South Bourke and Mornington Journal August 1, 1918

Hobart, Charles Guy (SN 2424) Charles was 35 when he enlisted on June 5, 1916. His occupation was farmer but his address was East Malvern and his wife, Ann, who was his next of kin lived at Northcote. Charles is listed in the Electoral Roll at Clyde in 1909. Charles (born 1881) was the son of  Charles and Rhoda (nee Withers) Hobart and he is the uncle of Charles and William Duff, listed above.  Returned to Australia February 19, 1919. Charles is on the Honor Board and has a Memorial tree.

Lecky, James Alexander (SN 19922) James enlisted on February 25, 1916 at the age of 25. He died of 'wounds received in action' in France on November 14, 1918. The wound was a gun shot wound to the chest, which he sustained on October 25 1918.
Lecky, William Mervyn (SN 6612) William enlisted on June 15, 1915 aged 20. He was killed in Action in France on September 1, 1918.
The brothers are on the Honor Board and have a Memorial tree. The brothers are also listed on the Cranbourne Presbyterian Honour Board, see here.
James and William were the sons of James and Margaret (nee Duff) Lecky of Cardinia Park in Officer. James (1841-1939) was a Cranbourne Shire Councillor from 1876 until 1905. Their grandfather, also James (1802-1884) had taken up the Gin Gin Bean Run (later named Cardinia Park) at Officer in 1846 and he was a member of the Cranbourne Road Board and the Cranbourne Shire from 1860 until 1881. Lecky Road in Officer/Pakenham is named for the family. James and William are also listed on the Cranbourne Presbyterian Church Honor Board. The boys were also the grandsons of the Reverend Alexander Duff and his wife, Annie Tucker, I have written about them below.

Lee, W  Not sure who this is. W. Lee is listed in the article as having a Memorial tree. The book Look to the Rising Sun:  a history of Cardinia and District  lists a Bill Lee, who had  a sheep property and was known as Cocky Lee. The booklet 'A Clyde History' by John Campbell lists a  Lee as owning land in Muddy Gates Lanes. Then the Electoral Roll for 1914 has Harry and Gertrude May Lees at Clyde. So is W. Lee the William Lee known as Cocky Lee? Or Cocky Lee's son? Is William Lee the same Lee as the land owner from Muddy Gates Lane? Is William Lee connected to Harry Lees and the paper made a mistake with the spelling of the surname?  Many questions, but I have no answers.

Lindsay, Harold McLean (SN 39664) Harold was born in Malvern and enlisted at the age of 18 on December 5, 1917. Even though his parents gave him permission to enlist they did not give him permission to embark until he turned 19 on May 30, 1918. They did, however, relent, and he embarked at the end of April. Harold Returned to Australia August 23, 1919. Harold was the son of Robert and Marilda Lindsay of Seskinore, Malvern Road, East Malvern. His connection to Cardinia is explained in this article, below - at one time they lived at Cardinia Creek. Harold is listed as a past scholar on the Cardinia Honor Board, so I presume that his brothers - David, Albert and Frank - did not attend school locally, as they are not listed.


The Lindsay 'Fighting Family'
South Bourke & Mornington Journal, December 9 1915 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66188978


Moxon, Albert (SN 3342) Albert was 23 when he enlisted in July 7, 1915. Albert Returned to Australia September 27, 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds in the December due to a fractured left ankle. 
Moxon, George William (SN 2726) George enlisted on September 1, 1916 at the age of 22. George Returned to Australia July 24, 1919.
The brothers are on the Honor Board and have a Memorial tree.
Albert and George were both farmers and had been born in Warrnambool. Their next of kin was their father, George, who in 1915, when Albert enlisted, had his address as Clyde. In 1916 when George enlisted the father's address was Chelsea.

Murphy, William Clifton (SN 1648) William enlisted on October 27, 1914 at the age of 20. He was a clerk. William was Killed in Action at Gallipoli on May 8, 1915. William was the son of the Reverend George Brushe and Penelope Murphy. George was the Minister at the Presbyterian Church at Cranbourne. When William enlisted his father, who was his next of kin, was living at Colac, and his address later changed to Mornington Junction (an early name for Baxter). William is listed on the Cardinia Honor Board, as a past Scholar.


The Reverend Murphy at the Cranbourne Presbyterian Church
South Bourke & Mornington Journal April 20, 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66189715

Osborne, E.O.   E.O. Osborne is listed in the Memorial tree article and E.C. Osborne is on the Honor Board. I am not sure who this is.  I can't find an E.O. Osborne/Osborn or an E. C. Osborne/Osborn or even an E.U. Osborne/Osborn who enlisted. There is a Henry Houston Osborne listed in the Electoral Roll at Clyde from 1912 to 1926. His occupation was farm manager. There was a James Osborne - farmer, also listed at Clyde from 1912 to 1918. They were brothers - James died 1918 aged 59 and Henry died 1944 aged 84 - the sons of James and Esther (nee Houston) Osborne. According to James' death notice he wasn't married and had no children.  Henry married Leila Caroline Kennedy in 1895 - but can't find any record that they had children - and she was 35 when they married - so I don't believe that E.O Osborne is their child. As a matter of interest Henry served in the Boer War in the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles, he was a Lieutenant.  I feel that E.O. Osborne is somehow connected to Henry or James but I don't know how - maybe a nephew.

Patterson, Alexander Twigg.  Captain Alexander Patterson enlisted on March 27, 1916. His next of kin was his mother, Elizabeth, of Mary Street in Hawthorn. He was nearly 27 years old and was already a member of the Military Forces of the Commonwealth, having joined in August 1910. He Returned to Australia July 26, 1919. Alexander is on the Honor Board and has a Memorial tree. After the War he  lived at Bondoola, near Yeppoon and Rockhampton in Queensland.  Alexander Twigg Patterson was the son of Alexander David Patterson and his wife, Elizabeth Harvey Twigg, who were married in April 1886. Alexander David Patterson (1858 - 1920)  was the son of Alexander Patterson (1813 - 1896) and Marion McMurtrie (1816 - 1889). This Alexander Patterson is considered to be the 'father of modern Cranbourne'  and took up the St Germains Estate in 1850.


Presentation to Alf Prior
Read the full report in the Koo Wee Rup Sun of December 18, 1918, here.

Prior, Alfred Nelson (SN 80247). Alfred enlisted September 18, 1918. He was born in London, was a farm labourer and his address on enlistment was c/o Mr John Cornish, Cardinia via Clyde. He did not serve overseas as he was still in training when the Armistice was signed. Alfred also enlisted in World War Two on July 16, 1941. His address then was c/o Mr Camp, Henry Street, Pakenham East. Alf was taken Prisoner of War and died of disease (dysentery) whilst POW interned Thai camp on July 1, 1943. His will left everything to his mother, Ada Prior, of 71 Festing Road, Putney London. When Alfred enlisted in the 1st AIF he said he was born February 3, 1896 and he was 22 years old. When he enlisted in the 2nd AIF he said he was born February 3, 1902 and he was 39.  However, his entry in the Commonwealth War Graves book says he was 47 when he died, which makes the 1896 birth date correct. Alf is listed on the Cardinia Honor Board.


Alf Prior's entry in the Commonwealth War Graves, 1914-1921 and 1939-1947 database 
which is on Ancestry.

Reeves, Albert Reginald (SN 629) I believe that this is Albert Reginald Reeves as he is the only A.R Reeves I can find who enlisted. Albert was farm labourer, so could have worked on a local farm, but I can't find  a specific local connection.  He enlisted on July 20, 1915 at the age of one month off 23 years of age. He was born in Essex in England and his next of kin was his father, who also lived in Essex. Albert Returned to Australia on April 19, 1919. Albert, or perhaps more correctly, A.R. Reeves, has a Memorial tree and is also listed on the Cranbourne Presbyterian Church Honor Board, see here. W.R. Reeves is on the Cardinia Honor Board and if  it is not Albert, then I am unsure who it is.

Sharp, Henry James Duff (SN 5629) Although listed as G. Sharp in the newspaper article I believe Henry is the correct person. Henry was born at Clyde, attended Clyde North State School and was  the son of Henry Clark Sharp, who was a Cranbourne Shire Councillor from 1898 to 1903. Henry Senior and Junior were both living in New South Wales when Henry Junior enlisted on January 16, 1916 at  the age of 25. He was an Accountant. Henry was Killed in Action in France on February 28, 1917. Henry has a Memorial tree. Henry's mother was Emily Eva Duff (1859 - 1938) she was the daughter of  Robert and Margaret Duff. There is more on the Duff family at the bottom of this post.

Smith, Bruce (SN 408)
Smith, Hugh Carruthers (SN 405) Bruce and Hugh both enlisted on enlisted on March 6, 1916, Bruce was 27 and Hugh was 28. Bruce was a Dairy Produce Merchant and Hugh was a farmer. Bruce Returned to Australia July 27 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds suffering from chronic pleurisy. Hugh Returned to Australia June 12, 1919. The boys were born at Devenish to Frank Smith and Mary Doolan, their father had died at the time of their enlistment, so their mother, Mary, was their next of kin and her address was Clyde. The brothers are on the Honor Board and have a Memorial tree.

Sumpton, Henry (SN 1827) Mr Sumpton, the Head Teacher at Cardinia State School who organised the planting of the trees, had also served in the War, although he is not listed on the Honor Board and was too modest to have a tree planted for himself.  He was 21 when he enlisted on December 22, 1914. His next of kin was his mother who lived in Moreland. Henry was at Gallipoli and he caught Typhoid, also called Enteric fever. He Returned to Australia January 3 1916 and was discharged on medical grounds in May 1916. He then took up his appointment at the Cardinia School, however died tragically in a house fire on September 9, 1917 at the age of 23. Henry boarded with Mrs Caroline Jackson of Cardinia and the Inquest found that a kerosene lamp was 'upset', this caused the lamp to explode and the room (lined with hessian and paper) caught fire and spread to the entire house which was destroyed. It was found that Henry died of suffocation and burns received in the fire. A report in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal of September 20, 1917 (see here) had this to say about Henry -  He was highly respected by parents and scholars, and the children loved him. His amiable and generous disposition was appreciated by all with whom he came in contact and his many friends mourn their loss. 

Wall, Arthur Herbert (SN - nil) Arthur enlisted on June 3, 1916 at the age of 23 and he died of meningitis on July 14, 1916 whilst still in training camp. Arthur was born in Wunghnu near Shepparton, his next of kin was his father, Charles and his address was 'Royston', Clyde. Arthur is on the Honor Board and has a Memorial tree.

Report of the death of Arthur Wall
South Bourke and Mornington Journal July 20, 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66190248

Wenn, Percival James  (SN 340)  Percy enlisted on April 28, 1916 at the age of 25. He was born in Cardinia, lived in Cardinia, where he was a farmer,  and his next of kin was his father, John, also of Cardinia. Percy Returned to Australia April 1, 1919 and was discharged on medical grounds in June 1919 - he had suffered  a gun shot wound to the right eye. Percy is on the Honor Board and has a Memorial tree. Percy's father, John, had arrived in the district in the 1860s and is the source of the name, Wenn Road. You can read his father's obituary from the South Bourke and Mornington Journal here. Percy's mother, Jane, also came from an old local family. Jane was the daughter of Anthony and Sophia (nee Cadd) Ridgway, who arrived in Cardinia in the early 1850s. 

Woods, William (SN 2728) William was 21 and  a farm labourer, when he enlisted on May 9, 1916. His address was care of William Hardy of Dalmore. His next of kin was his grandmother, Mary Woods, of Maribyrnong. He Returned to Australia January 25, 1919.  William also served in the Second World War, he enlisted at the age of  45 in January 1941 and was discharged in March 1944. William was granted a Soldier Settlement farm at Werrimull, south of Mildura, after the Great War and was living in Mildura when he enlisted in 1941. You can read his Soldier Settler file, here. William has a Memorial tree.


The Reverend Alexander Duff (1824-1890) and the Duff family


Reverend Alexander Duff
Image: The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire by Niel Gunson  (Cheshire, 1969) 

Sources The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire by Niel Gunson  (Cheshire, 1969) and Early Settlers of the Casey Cardinia District researched and published by the Narre Warren & District Family History Group in 2009.

The Reverend Alexander Duff played a large role in the early development of the Cranbourne area. He was born in Coagh in Northern Ireland in 1824 and obtained a Master of Arts from the University of Glasgow. He married Annie Tucker in Belfast when he was 29, around 1853, and they came to Australia soon after. Their eight children were all born in Victoria.

The Reverend Alexander Duff was appointed by the Presbyterian Church to Dandenong on June 26, 1855 and on September 20 he was ordained. He was born in Coagh in Northern Ireland in 1824 and obtained a Master of Arts from the University of Glasgow. He married Annie Tucker in Belfast when he was 29, around 1853, and they came to Australia soon after. Their eight children were all born in Victoria. The Duffs initially lived with Alexander Cameron, of Mayfield, Cranbourne and conducted services in his house until Scots Presbyterian Church was opened on May 27 1860. A manse was also built at the same time. Duff also preached at Berwick in the early days and as far south as the Bass River area. He visited parishioners on his horse, Dobbin.

A Presbyterian School opened in Cranbourne on June 1, 1856. This school was located on the site where the Presbyterian Church stands,  the first teacher being James Henry, the next teacher was Archibald Thomson. In 1862, the Commons School Act was passed and the School became Cranbourne Common School, No. 144. The School was closed in 1878 and the students moved to a new School on the South Gippsland Highway (where the Elderly Citizens are now located). In 1969, the Cranbourne State School, No. 2068, moved to Russell Street location.

In October 1855 Alexander was appointed the Registrar of Births and Deaths for Cranbourne and Dandenong. The Reverend Duff also held evening classes for young men and women on 'arithmetic, physics, mathematics, English, Latin, Greek, French and German. He was obviously interested in intellectual pursuits but he also valued physical activity - Niel Gunson wrote that he tried his hand at black smith work and that he experimented with ways to improve cheese making. He ploughed his own paddocks and, in 1858, the Mornington Farmers Society held their ploughing competitions on his farm.

Reverend Duff retired to his farm at Cardinia in 1888 and he died on December 22 1890 aged 65. He left his entire estate to 'my dear wife, Annie Duff'. The value of his Estate was personal property of £1312 and real estate valued at £1574.

As we mentioned before, Alexander married Annie Tucker in Belfast around 1853. He was the son of Thomas Duff and Ann McMorran. They had eight children - Walter (1855 - 1925, married Eva Sharp); Annie Elizabeth (1857 - 1934, married John Gason); William Tucker (1859 - 1935, married Alice Hobart); Dora Robina (1861 - 1939, married Robert Gibb); Maggie (1864 - 1938, married James Lecky); Mary Clarissa (known as Minnie, 1865 - 1924, married Ingebert Gunnelson); Alexander (1869 - 1941, married Mary Irwin) and lastly Edward John Tucker, born and died 1877. Annie died November 24, 1905 aged 74. The three surviving sons farmed in the Cardinia area. Walter Duff, James Lecky and Robert Gibb were all Cranbourne Shire Councillors. Mary and Ingebert Gunnelson lived in Garfield and two of their sons, Ingebert and Percy, were killed in the First World War.

Alexander's brother, Robert (1827 - 1861) was also in Australia. He and his wife Margaret (c.1832 - 1902) established the Cranbourne Hotel, around 1860. It was in High Street, where Greg Clydesdale Square is now and was demolished around the 1970s. Margaret was also a Duff, perhaps a cousin, and her father operated an Inn in Coagh, County Tyrone, the birthplace of Alexander and Robert. After Robert died, Margaret married Edward Tucker (c. 1836 - 1872), who was born in America and operated a store in Cranbourne. Edward's brother William (born in Belfast) was also in the area. What connection were they to Annie Tucker, the wife of the Reverend Duff? Some sources say that she was the sister of Edward and William Tucker, however in the Early Settlers of the Casey Cardinia District their parents are listed as Edward Tucker and Elizabeth Moore and Annie's death certificate has her mother's maiden name as Phillips, so I am not sure.

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

Friday, December 17, 2021

Tynong Grove planted in honour of local Great War soldiers

A grove  'to honour the men who had gone from the district to the Great War' was planted at the Tynong State School to celebrate Arbor Day on July 6, 1917.  There was a report on this event in the Dandenong Advertiser of July 12, 1917.   You can read the full report here and it is transcribed  below.  The same day this grove was planted, trees were also planted at the Cardinia State School in honour of local soldiers, you can read about this here.


Part of the article, transcribed below, about the planting of the Tynong Grove
Dandenong Advertiser of July 12, 1917. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/88658717

 The Arbor Day proceedings at the school were marked by the planting of a grove in honor of the men who have gone from the district to the Great War. Mr. W. S. Keast, M.L.A. attended, and was welcomed on behalf of the residents by Mr T. W. Cunningham, chairman of the School Committee and President of the Progress Association. Mr Keast, in the course of his remarks, said that he was pleased and proud to be present on the occasion. Nothing was too good for the men who had gone to fight the Empire's battles, and it would be the duty of the Federal and State Government to do the best possible for them. He had been pleased to learn how well the pupils of the school had been working for the War Relief Funds, and to show his appreciation of their efforts he would be pleased to forward a cheque for a pound, and another for a similar amount when the school fund reached 100 pounds.  He recognised also the splendid work being done by the ladies of the Red Cross Societies. It was the first time he had been present on an occasion such as this, and he was pleased to pronounce the first acre of the grove well and truly planted. 

Mr T. Gleeson, in proposing a vote, of thanks to Mr Keast, mentioned his ever willingness to assist in all matters for the welfare of the district, and the appreciation of those present for his assistance on that day. Subsequently trees were planted to: Pte. E. Bullock, Pte. R. Brown, Pte. Bourke, Trooper Coombs, Pte. L. Doherty, Pte. F. Doherty, Corporal L. Gordon, Gunner Harris (killed in action), Pte. J. Hargraves, Pte. V. Jones, Pte. C. Lamb, Pte. Leeson, Trooper Madden, Ptes. P. and L. Orrocks (killed in action), Pte. L. Orde, Pte.W. Rowe, Pte. J. McQualter, Pte G. Rowley, Pte. J. Robinson, Pte. F. Snow, Corporal R. Thompson, Ptes. F. and A. Weatherhead, Pte. H. Wright, Pte. T. White, and Pte. T. Whiston. The fencing of the grove was nearly completed, whilst the School Committee and helpers also further improved the school ground by planting many trees and shrubs around its border, by fencing a portion for the children's ponies and a start was made at the pipe draining of the ground. During the day's program, a talk on local timbers was given by Mr H. Weatherhead, and Mr J.H. Lord of Bunyip gave a demonstration on tree-planting. After afternoon tea, which had thoughtfully been provided by the ladies, had been served, Mr D. Danson expressed the thanks of the committee to those who had attended and made the day's proceedings such a success.

Here is a first hand account of the planting out of the Memorial Grove, through the eyes of a seven year old -
Dave Danson, living at Tynong, writes:—
On Arbor Day, in the morning, we sang songs and the teacher told us about trees. Then the ladies came and gave us a jolly good spread. In the afternoon we planted a grove of trees for the soldiers who have gone from Tynong. Then we had our photos taken and had our tea. The men made a paddock for our horses. I am seven years of age, and in the third grade at school. We get "The Weekly Times" every week. 
(Weekly Times, October 6, 1917, see here)

The Tynong State School, No. 2854, opened May 1, 1905 in the Tynong Hall. It moved to the new site in Tynong Road in 1908, to a building which had been shifted from Cardinia. In April 1915, a new school building was opened. The School closed on April 14, 1951 as it became part of Pakenham Consolidated School. St Thomas Aquinas School now occupies the site of the Tynong State School. There was a previous school in Tynong, which operated part-time with Garfield, from August 1887 until 1892 and it was in the Mechanics' Institute.* I have written a short history of Tynong, here.

Some years ago a new memorial was erected in Tynong in memory of all the men and women from the Tynong area who served in the Boer War, the two World Wars and the Korean and Vietnam War.


Tynong War Memorial in honour of all conflicts.
Image: Heather Arnold, 2023

What follows is a list of the 27 men honoured with a tree, I have had mixed success in identifying them, so if you can help I would appreciate it. Of the 27, eleven were Killed in Action or Died of Wounds.  I have listed their Service Numbers (SN) so you can look up their full record on the National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au

Bourke  Listed as Private Bourke, I don't know who this is, but it is possible that he was connected to the Pakenham Bourkes -  Michael and Kitty Bourke who took up the 12,800 acre Mintons Run property in 1843 and in 1849 built the La Trobe Inn (also known as Bourke's Hotel for obvious reasons) on Toomuc Creek.

Brown, R.  I am not sure who this is, I cannot find a R. Brown with  a local connection.  There is a Richard Vincent Brown listed in the Electoral Roll at Tynong from 1916 to 1919 - his occupation is pensioner, so our soldier may be connected to him. 


Memorial card for Ernest Bullock

Bullock, Ernest (SN 6291) Ernest was nearly 21 and a farmer when he enlisted on July 7, 1916.  He was born in Murrumbeena and his next of kin was his mother, Mrs Mary Bullock, of Oakleigh. I assume that Ernest was living with his brother Thomas, who was a labourer from Garfield, who enlisted on the same day as Ernest.  Ernest was Killed in Action in France on October 4, 1918. Ernest and Thomas are also listed on the Garfield Honour Roll as well as the Clyde North State School Roll, where they attended school.  

Coombs, Henry Ernest (SN 4080) Henry enlisted on August 9, 1915 aged 18. His next of kin was his father, also called Henry, of Tynong and his mother was Inez (nee Ffrost). Henry Returned to Australian March 4, 1919.

Doherty, Edward Francis (SN 1218) Listed as F. Doherty on the memorial and known as Frank. Frank enlisted on March 9, 1915 at the age of 26. Frank was Killed in Action on August 4, 1916.
Doherty, Louis Michael (SN 12392). Louis enlisted at the age of 21 on July 17, 1915. Louis Returned to Australia in May 30, 1919. 
Frank and Louis were the sons of John and Bridget (nee Smith). John Doherty was a Veterinary Surgeon and they lived on Nine Mile Road, Tynong. Both of the men also had their occupation listed as farmer. The brothers are also listed on the Cora Lynn War Memorial.

Gordon, L Corporal   You would think Corporal L. Gordon would be easy to identify, but I  can't.  I have checked every Corporal Gordon in the Nominal Rolls and none have an obvious local connection. The only Gordon I could find in the area in the Electoral Rolls was a Duncan Gordon of Bunyip in the 1909 roll. 

Hargraves, J  Private Hargraves is another mystery. I cannot find a Hargraves with a local connection. There was a Edward and Mary Hargrave at Bunyip from 1903 to 1909 in the Electoral Rolls, but that's the closest Hargraves I could find to Tynong. 

Harris, Leo  (SN 3132)  Leo enlisted on July 20, 1915 at the age of 20 and he was a farm labourer. His next of kin was his mother,  Josephine Harris of Nar Nar Goon. Leo was Killed in Action, in France, on August 9, 1916 and his name also appears on the Nar Nar Goon Honor Roll (see here)

Gertie Brent's In Memoriam notice from The Age September 25, 1918
in honour of her fiance, Victor Jones.

Jones, Victor Herbert (SN 3150)  Victor was 27 when he enlisted on July 26, 1915. His occupation was 'engine cleaning', a Railway's job. His father and next of kin was William Jones of Moe who was a railway ganger, so working for the  Victorian Railways was  a family affair. As you can see from the article below, he was positioned at Tynong for some years. Victor was Killed in Action in Belgium on September 25, 1917. His will left his estate to his father and to his fiancee, Miss Gertie Brent of Tynong.   


Notice of the death of Victor Jones
Narracan Shire Advocate November 17, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129625905

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 is also listed on the Nar Nar Goon Honour Board (see here)

Leeson Private Leeson could be either Robert Leeson or William Leeson, the sons of Phillip and Amelia (nee Ransom) Leeson of Garfield. Robert and William’s grandmother, Kathleen Leeson, was the licensee of the Pig & Whistle Hotel on Cannibal Creek.
Leeson, Robert Victor (SN 2589) Robert enlisted in Melbourne, at 20 years of age, on June 30, 1916. Robert Returned to Australia on December 18, 1918.
Leeson, William Herbert Charles (SN 1178) William enlisted at Tynong on September 26, 1914, aged 24. William was Killed in Action on  May 2, 1915 at Gallipoli.
William is listed on the Bunyip War Memorial and he and Robert are on the Garfield State School Honour Roll.

Madden, Trooper Trooper Madden could be either Frank or Thomas Madden. They are the sons of Thomas and Grace (nee Cook) Madden of Nar Nar Goon, although they are later listed at 9 Caroline Street, Clifton Hill. There is also a Thomas Madden in the 1914 Electoral Roll listed at Tynong on 1914 so clearly they lived somewhere between the two towns. Frank and Thomas were both wool sorters by occupation.
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. He Died of Wounds on October 17, 1917 in Belgium.
The brothers are also listed on the Nar Nar Goon Honor Board (see here).

McQualter, John Hughes (SN 3199) John enlisted on December 18, 1916 aged 23. His wife, Ellen (nee Watt) was listed as his next of kin. They lived at Tynong.  John Returned to Australia on July 8, 1919. John  was granted a Soldier Settlement farm after the war, you can read his file here

Ord, Albert Leslie (SN 3889) Listed as L.Orde in the newspaper report. 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 is also listed on the Nar Nar Goon Honor Board (see here).

Orrock, Harold Augustus Alexander (Alex) (SN 552)
Orrock, Percy Newton (SN 3580)
Percy and Alex were the sons of David and Emma Orrock of Tynong and were sadly killed within three months of each other. Alex was 20 when he enlisted on March 3, 1916, he was a farm labourer and was Killed in Action on April 22, 1917. Percy was a 28 year old Grocers Assistant when he enlisted on July 16, 1915. Corporal Orrock was Killed in Action on February 8, 1917.


Notice of the deaths of Harold and Percy Orrock
Mount Wycheproof Ensign and East Wimmera Advocate May 18, 1917 

Robinson, John Richard (SN 2304)  John enlisted at the age of 22 on July 7, 1915. His occupation was listed as an 'Agent'.  His next of kin was his guardian, Mrs Hollingsworth of Tynong. John married Elizabeth Maskell on November 29, 1918 when he was in England and the Returned to Australia April 27, 1919.  Mrs Hollingsworth was, I believe, Julia Hollingsworth, listed in the Electoral Rolls as a storekeeper.

Rowe, W.  Private W. Rowe is on the list but I can't work out who he is - there are number of W. Rowes with a Gippsland connection but no-one with a specific Tynong 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. W. Rowe is also listed on the Nar Nar Goon Honour Board (see here).

Rowley, George Albert  (SN 1989)  George was a 23 year old labourer and he enlisted on March 11, 1916. His next of kin was his father,  Joseph, of Tynong.  George Returned to Australia April 19, 1919 and was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file, here.

Snow, F.  I can't find a Snow with a local connection. 

Thompson, Robert Henry (SN 664)  Robert enlisted on December 16, 1916 at the age of 27, he was a fireman with the Victorian Railways. His next of kin was his father, Samuel, of Tynong.  Corporal Thompson Returned to Australia January 30 1918 and was discharged on medical grounds (rheumatism) in May 1918. 


Alf Weatherhead, taken in 1915
Image: Rouse family collection

Weatherhead, Alfred (SN 1005)
Weatherhead, Frank (SN 6960)
Alf and Frank were the sons of Horatio and Eleanor (nee Hunt) Weatherhead. In 1908, Horatio took up the lease, for saw milling purposes, of 2,000 acres at Tynong North and in December 1909 he built a mill at Wild Dog Creek, the east branch of Cannibal Creek. The family had previously lived in Lyonville. Frank enlisted on July 8 1915 at the age of 22 and Returned to Australia on January 14, 1919. Alf enlisted at the age of 19 on February 13, 1915 and Returned to Australia March 17, 1919. Frank and Alf are my great uncles, brothers of my Grandma, Eva Rouse (nee Weatherhead).


Frank Weatherhead, in Edinburgh, 1917
Image: Rouse family collection

Whiston, Julian Thomas (SN 3526) I assume that T. Whiston is Julian Thomas Whiston, presumably called Thomas, so that's what we will call him. Thomas, a farmer,  enlisted on August 7 1915 aged 18. Thomas Died of Wounds on March 21, 1918. Thomas had two brothers who also enlisted Frederick (SN 3524) and John (SN 3525) - they were  the sons of Fred Whiston of Cora Lynn. Thomas and Fred are also listed on the Bunyip War Memorial.


Julian Thomas Whiston


White, T  I am unsure who this is. There was a Robert Anthony White listed in the Electoral Roll at Tynong in 1914 so this man may possibly have  a connection to  Private White, but I don't know. 

Wright, H  This is possibly Harold Sidney Wright (SN 6407) I say this because he enlisted at Warragul on October 24, 1916 as a 22 year old and his occupation was an orchardist - and there were orchards close by at Garfield, however his address was listed as Mooroolbark on his enlistment papers. His next of kin was his father who lived in England. Harold Returned to Australia June 4, 1919. If it isn't Harold, then H. Wright may have some connection to William Wright, Railway Employee, who was listed in the 1915 Electoral Roll as living at Bunyip; an Elizabeth Wright was also listed. 

* School information from Vision and Realisation : a centenary history of State Education in Victoria, edited by L.J. Blake. Published by the Education Department of Victoria, 1973.

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