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.
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)
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.
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.
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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.
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)
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.
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.
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)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.
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.
Weatherhead, Alfred (SN 1005)
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).
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.
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.
