Showing posts with label World War One. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World War One. Show all posts

Monday, February 21, 2022

Tooradin State School Honour Roll

The Tooradin State School Honor Board is displayed at the Fishermans Cottage Museum, on the foreshore at Tooradin. The Museum is operated by the Cranbourne Shire Historical Society. They also have the Cranbourne Presbyterian Church Honour Board, I have written about this here.  


Tooradin State School Honour Board.

The Tooradin State School, No. 1503, was opened in 1875. The Honor Board was unveiled on April 27, 1922 by Inspector Henderson of the Education Department.

Advert in the public notices of the The Age


Report of the unveiling of the Honor Board.
Koo Wee Rup Sun May 4, 1922

The Honor Board lists the names of men from Tooradin who served in the Great War who had an association with the Tooradin State School. Here are the soldiers, who are listed on the Board.  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  

I have used the book Tooradin: 125 years of coastal history - Blind Bight, Cannon's Creek, Sherwood, Tooradin North, Warneet 1875-2000 State school No. 1503 (1) which has  a list of students who attended the school, for some of the family information.

Alford, J   There was a  Joe Alford was at the Tooradin school around 1908 - 1910, so you would have to assume that this is J. Alford listed on the Honour Board. The 1908, 1909 Electoral Roll has a William Alford listed at Tooradin, so that fits in with Joe's commencement date at the School. There is a funeral notice in The Argus on March 23, 1909 for Annie Alford, 'late of Tooradin' this was most likely Ann Eliza Alford (nee Rogers) whose death was registered at Cranbourne - she was 72 years old. She was married to a William Alford, but at that age clearly was not the mother of a school age Joe, but possibly the grandmother. There are a number of Joseph Alfords who enlisted but none that I can find with a connection to Tooradin. Even allowing for the fact that the Joe Alford listed as a pupil in the book is a red herring, I still cannot find a J. Alford with a local connection.

Amos, Victor Anthony (SN 2868) Victor and his siblings, Cyril and Daisy enrolled at the school in 1893. Their brother, Eric,  started in 1900. Victor enlisted on June 13, 1916 at the age of 32. He was  a farmer and his next of kin was his wife, Margaret, and they were living at Leongatha. Victor Returned to Australia May 6, 1919. Victor was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file, here, on the Battle to farm website.

Cole, William Preston (SN 3629)   William, a clerk,  enlisted on July 19, 1915 at the age of 25. William Returned to Australia May 8, 1919. William was the son of William and Charlotte Catherine Cole. His father was a Police Constable. Constable Cole was stationed at Tooradin from 1890 until 1910, when he was transferred to the  newly established Police Station at Lang Lang (2).  William was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file, here, on the Battle to Farm website.


George Denham's Royal Navy enlistment paper
Australian War Memorial awm.gov.au/collection/R1427719

Denham, George Dunlop. George was a stoker in the Royal Navy, he enlisted on April 1, 1908 at the age of 20.
Denham, Robert Alexander (SN 392) Robert was born in Koo Wee Rup and was living in Carlton and he was a fireman when he enlisted at the age of 28 on February 17, 1915 (that's the date according to the Embarkation roll and July 17, 1915 is the date according to the Enlistment papers). His next of kin was his friend Annie Ritchie. Robert Returned to Australia July 10 1916 and was discharged on medical grounds due to a form of rheumatism.
George and Robert were the sons of John and Janet Denham. John Denham was the Cranbourne Shire Secretary from 1909 to 1911 and the Rate collector for nine years, he also had a store at Yallock and a dairy farm at Koo Wee Rup. Janet's father, Alexander Dunlop, had the Harewood Mains property at Tooradin and had a successful cheese making business (3).

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. Charles was the son of William Tucker Duff and the grandly named, Alice Laura Constance Beauchamp Hobart. He was also the grandson of the Reverend Alexander Duff. 
Duff, T - I can't find a T. Duff with a connection to Tooradin. Charles' brother, William Vere Hobart Duff (SN 860) 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.
Cardinia State School established a tree plantation in honour of local soldiers in July 1917 and both Charles and William were honoured with a tree, so he is a likely candidate to also be on the Tooradin Honor Roll. You can read about the Cardinia plantation and the Reverend Duff, here.

Evans, Matthew Lance (SN 7006) Matthew was 21 when he enlisted on October 27, 1916. He was a picture framer and his next of kin was his father, Lance, of South Melbourne. Matthew was Killed in Action in France on September 18, 1918. Matthew was the son of Lance and Mary (nee Petch) Evans and the grandson of Matthew Evans. Matthew Evans (1836-1909) was an early resident of Tooradin.  You can read more about Matthew Evans, here. 

Hardy,  Horace Robert (SN 19995)   Horace enlisted on June 20, 1917 at the age of 21. He was born at Clyde and was a farmer. He Returned to Australia July 13, 1919. Horace was the son of William John Hardy (c. 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 (4). Horace also has a tree planted in his honour in the Memorial Grove at Cardinia State School, see here.

Henderson, Leslie Rupert (SN 369) I presume that as this man is listed as R. L Henderson that he was known as Rupert, so I will call him that. Rupert enlisted on September 15, 1914. He was a 27 year old tram conductor. His was born in Tooradin and his next of kin was his mother, Mrs D.M Henderson (Mrs David Metcalf Henderson, nee Christina McKay) of Tooradin.  Rupert Returned to Australia November 15, 1918.   

Irvine, H.R You would think this would be easy to find but I cannot find  a H.R Irvine or H.R Irving who enlisted; there are no Irvines/Irvings listed in Tooradin: 125 years of Coastal History and I can't find an Irvine/Irving in the Electoral Rolls, so I am not sure who this is.

Lewitzka, Herbert John (SN  28415) Herbert was 18, a student,  when he enlisted on May 11, 1916. He was born in Beulah and his mother, Mary Schneider of Murrayville,  was his next of kin. Herbert Returned to Australia July 1, 1919. What was his connection to Tooradin? There are only two Lewitzkas who enlisted in the War, the other is his brother, Frederick James (SN 32297) who was a 24 year old farmer when he enlisted in September 1916. Mary Schneider was born Mary Jane Jeffrey and married Frederick Lewitzka in 1891, they were divorced in 1903 on the grounds of his 'habitual drunkedness' and she then married Johann August Schneider also in 1903.  Mary and Johann (or John as he was listed) are in the 1909 Electoral Roll at Tooradin, with his occupation as storekeeper (5).

McCulloch, David Stuart (SN 2107) David, who was born in Melbourne, was a 22 year old farmer from Parkes in New South Wales when he enlisted on June 26, 1917. His next of kin was his father, David, of Tralee, Parkes. David Returned to Australia May 11, 1919.  David McCulloch senior purchased the Tooradin Estate in 1880 and built the existing brick house, he was married to Janet Margaret McDonald Craik, the daughter of  Mr George Craik, owner of Kincraik in Beaconsfield Upper. Kincraik, opened in 1888, was a 32 room guest house, which had views to Western Port and the Morningon Peninsula.  The name was changed to Salisbury House in 1896 and after various changes of ownership it became a nursing home in 1989 (6). You can read an account of their wedding in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal of August 13, 1890, here

The obituary of David McCulloch senior, which lists his extensive land holdings including
Tooradin Estate and Tralee, Parkes.

Milburn, John (SN 966) John was born in Tooradin and his next of kin was his mother, Emily, whose address was State School, Tooradin.  John's father, William, was the Head Teacher at Tooradin from 1886 to 1917.  John enlisted on May 6, 1915. He was a 23 year old sleeper hewer. John suffered a severe bullet wound to the right arm in September 1918, recuperated in hospital in England and Returned to Australia March 31, 1919.

Moore, C Not sure who this is. There was a Cornelius and a Richard Moore at the school in 1893, but I cannot find a Cornelius who enlisted. There is a Thomas and Mary Moore listed in the Electoral Rolls at Sherwood (which is in the region of where the Tooradin-Baxter Road intersects with the South Gippsland Highway and along to Fisheries Road) in 1905 and 1906, so this person may be connected to them.

Mundy, William James  (SN 1637)  William was a 21 year old carpenter when he enlisted on May 8, 1916. His next of kin was his wife, Jessie, of Dandenong.  William was wounded in action - gun shot wound to the neck -  in September 1918 and after a period of time in hospital in England he Returned to Australia April 19, 1919. William was born in Hastings and he was the son of Henry and Amelia (nee Kernot) Mundy. Henry Mundy was a professional fisherman at Tooradin as were members of the Kernot family. You can read more about the Kernot family, here.

Porter, J.C.  Another mystery - I cannot find a J.C Porter who enlisted with any local connections, they are not in Tooradin: 125 years of Coastal History and no local Porters on the Electoral Roll.

Robins, Arthur Welsley Underwood (SN 35 and 2271) Arthur was a 19 year old sawmiller when he enlisted on October 5, 1914. He fought at Gallipoli, was shot in the left arm and sent back to Australia and was discharged on medical grounds on April 28, 1916. Arthur then enlisted again on May 31, 1917, serving with the Flying Corps and Returned to Australia January 24, 1919.
Robins, Rufus Roy (SN 64558) Roy, is what he seems to have been known as, enlisted on June 25, 1918. He was 20 years old and an orchardist. He was sent overseas in September 1918 and Returned to Australia July 10, 1919.
Arthur and Roy were the sons of Edwin and Alice (nee Underwood) Robins. Edwin was the licensee of the Bridge Hotel at Tooradin from 1909 to 1917. When Roy enlisted in 1918 the family were living in Glen Waverley. The Robins' had another son who went to war, Henry Albert (SN 5185), he was 28, an engine driver, when he enlisted in January 1916, so too old to have attended the Tooradin State School in the time frame the family was there. Henry was wounded in action - gun shot wounds to left arm and left thigh and Returned to Australia August 1917 and was medically discharged. Bit of family history: Edwin and Alice had sixteen children between 1879 and 1905. Arthur and Roy were born in Barramunga, in the Otway Ranges, south of Forrest, and Henry was born in Sale, so the family shifted around a fair bit. Another son, Charles, married Molly Milburn in 1912, the sister of John Milburn, listed above (7).


Report on the Robins Brothers
Dandenong Advertiser June 13, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88816834


Stredwick, Ralph Edmund (SN 35910) Ralph was 22 when he enlisted on September 25, 1916. He was a labourer. Ralph Returned to Australia February 28, 1919. You can read a letter that Ralph sent back to his parents in 1918, published in the Benalla Independent on March 29, 1918, here.
Stredwick, Roger Charles (SN 218) Roger was a 21 year old dentist when he enlisted on August 19, 1914. Roger Returned to Australia July 7, 1916 and was discharged on medical grounds in February 1917 (Malaria). It appears that becoming a dentist at that time was done as an apprenticeship as Roger was listed as an apprentice to Dr Vandenberg of Benalla.
Roger and Ralph, both born at Beechworth, were the sons of William Stredwick and Ada Mary Walter, who operated the Tooradin Store from 1906 to 1909, but were living in Benalla when the boys enlisted. Roger was born in 1893 so was his stated age of 21 when he enlisted, however Ralph was born in 1898, so was actually only 18 when he enlisted, not 22 like he claimed. 

Strudwicke, George Poole (SN 7305) Surname is listed as Stredwick on the Honor Board. George was a 29 year old farmer when he enlisted on October 7, 1916. He was born in Tooradin and his next of kin was his mother, Catherine Strudwicke, of Lang Lang. George was wounded in action and had his left leg amputated and was in hospital in England for over a year before he Returned to Australia December 13, 1918. George was the son of Mary Catherine Strudwicke (nee George) and her 'partner' George Poole. George Poole was the licensee of the Sherwood Hotel, just north of Tooradin, until 1906. You can read more about the Pooles and the Sherwood Hotel, here.

Is there a connection between the Stredwick boys and George Strudwicke? They are both unusual surnames and perhaps one branch of the family changed the spelling. 

Warnes, William Edward (SN 505) William enlisted at the age of 24 on September 14, 1914. His next of kin was his mother, Elizabeth, of Cranbourne. William enrolled at Tooradin State School in 1900.  William Died of Wounds, whilst a Prisoner of War, on the Gallipoli Peninsula on August 8, 1915. 

Letter from William Warnes' kind mother, who adopted him
National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au   
First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920

William Warnes was the adopted son of Elizabeth Warnes. She wrote this letter to the Army in August 1920 and she said, in part,  the Neglected Childrens Department at Royal Park handed him to my care at the age of about sight months and when he was seven years old I adopted him and he lived me with me and my family until he enlisted and went to the War.


A touching letter written by William's friend James Pasmore to Mrs Warnes about William's death. James Pasmore (SN 486) enlisted on September 14, 1914 and Returned to Australia in February 1919.
National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au
First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920

Footnotes
(1) Tooradin: 125 years of coastal history - Blind Bight, Cannon's Creek, Sherwood, Tooradin North, Warneet 1875-2000 State school No. 1503 compiled by John Wells and the 'Tooradin Celebrates Together 125 Years of Education Committee', published by the Committee in 2001. The book has a list of students who attended Dalmore, Tooradin and Tooradin North State Schools.
(2) Tooradin: 125 years of coastal history, op. cit., says he was transferred in 1909, as the Tooradin Police Station was closed. Protector's Plains: history of Lang Lang Primary School No.2899, 1888-1988 and district compiled by Barbara Coghlan (C.B.C. Publishing, 1988) says the Lang Lang Police Station opened in 191o. It moved because Lang Lang was closer to the McLeod Prison Farm on French Island.
(3) Gunson, Niel The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire (Cheshire, 1968)
(4) Campbell John A Clyde History: Public Hall and Mechanics'   Institute Jubilee (Back to Clyde Committee, 1978)
(5) Report of Divorce hearing - The Herald, May 15 1903, see here
(7) Victorian Indexes to Births, Deaths and Marriages.

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

Monday, January 24, 2022

World War One Soldiers and a Nurse with connections to French Island

French Island is not part of any Local Government area, nor is it part of the Koo Wee Rup Swamp, but you can see it from the Swamp, so that is reason enough to write about it. I have written a history of French Island, here


French Island Honour Board, in the War Memorial Hall
Image: Heather Arnold

This post looks at World War soldiers and a Nurse with connections to French Island. I have included  their Service Number (SN) so you can look up their full service record at the National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au

Most of these  people are listed on the French Island Honour Board, located at the French Island War Memorial Hall. There may be more who should be in this list, feel free to let me know. The main towns on French Island are Tankerton and Fairhaven.


This article from the Powlett Express said that there were 19 men 
who had enlisted by 1916
Powlett Express February 25 1916   http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130662774


Bayford, Hugh Staynes (SN 1878) Hugh was 25 years old when he enlisted on February 7 1916. His next of kin was his mother, Sarah Bayford, who lived in Moreland. According to the Electoral Rolls Hugh had been  a farmer on French Island since 1909. Hugh was Wounded in Action on three occasions, including sustaining a gun shot wound to his right eye and Returned to Australia on November 8, 1918.

Bennetts, Albert Edward (SN 7029)  Albert enlisted on January 25, 1916 at the age of 34. He was a farmer from Fairhaven, had been born in Aldinga in South Australia and his next of kin was his brother, Ernest, who also lived at Fairhaven.  Albert Returned to Australia on June 2, 1919 and according to the Electoral Rolls returned to living on French Island.

Bond, Frederick William (SN 585)  Frederick was a 28 year old miner when he enlisted on September 5, 1914 at Rosebery Park in New South Wales. His next of kin was his father, James Bond, of French Island and after he passed way his mother Emma of North Fitzroy became the next of kin. Corporal Bond was Killed in Action at Gallipoli on April 27, 1915. His Roll of Honour Circular at the Australian War Memorial says that Frederick attended Perseverance School No. 3261 on French Island. His will left everything to his sister, Kathleen Sisson, of Tankerton. 


Report of the death of Corporal Bond

Chapman, Albert Claude (SN 2790) A.C Chapman is listed on the Honour Board and there is an Albert Claude Chapman on the Electoral Roll at Fairhaven in 1918, occupation farmer so I presume they are the same people, however I cannot actually link Albert to French Island through any information in his service record. Albert enlisted on November 30, 1916 aged 32, his occupation was warehouseman, his address on enlistment was Hawthorn. Albert was born in England and his next of kin was his father who lived in London. Albert Returned to Australia January 25, 1919.

Chilcott, Frank William Leslie  (SN 5673) Frank enlisted on February 7, 1916 aged 24, he was a farmer. His next of kin was his mother, Margaret Chilcott, of French Island. Frank Returned to Australia on June 12, 1919.

Collinson, John Henry (SN Depot)   J. Henry Collinson is listed on the Honour Board and  the Electoral Roll lists a John Henry Collinson at Fairhaven from 1918 until 1927. I presume this is the same John Henry Collinson who enlisted on May 22 1915 at the age of 21. He was an electrician and his next of kin was his mother, Harriet, of  Hull in Yorkshire. John was discharged as unfit for military service on July 5, 1915 due to overlapping toes, the first toe on both feet overlap the big toe was the note on his record.

Collinson, Wilfred (SN 2210)  Wilfred was born in Hull, in Yorkshire in England, as was John, above, so I believe they were brothers. Wilfred enlisted at age of 19 on November 16, 1914. He was an Engineer and his father was his next of kin and he also lived in Hull. Wilfred Returned to Australia on April, 10 1919.There are two letters in Wilfred's file from Mrs Jean Harrop, Long View,  Tankerton  one dated May 26, 1919 and the other dated June 5 1919 (see below) asking for information about Wilfred. In one letter she writes I am intensely interested and would like correct information. The response was that they didn't have an official report on Collinson but if they did they would communicate with his next of kin, his father. I wonder who Mrs Harrop was? She was also connected to Alfred Pocock, below.

Letter from Mrs Jean Harrop enquiring about the well being of Wilfred Collinson.
National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au
First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920

Cremin, J  The Honour Roll lists a J. Cremin and according to the National Archives there were only two Cremins who enlisted - John Francis Cremin (SN 593) and a Samuel Cremin (SN 369). There was however, a James Stuart Cremen (SN 838) who also enlisted. So if we eliminate Samuel then we are left with John and James. I think we can eliminate James Stuart Cremen as he was born, worked (as a crockery packer) and enlisted in Sydney, the surname spelling is irrelevant as I have seen lots of incorrect surnames on Honour Boards. That leaves us with John Francis Cremin (SN 593) John  was born in Scotland, his next of kin was his mother who lived in London. He enlisted on April 16, 1915 at Broadmeadows at the age of 21 and he was a Clerk. John married Ada May Lambourne in May 1917 when he was in England. John Returned to Australia on June 16, 1919 and the couple are listed in the Electoral Rolls in the 1920s as living in Prahran. Is John the J. Cremin listed on the Honour Roll? I can find nothing that connects him to French Island, but I feel that he's the most likely candidate,  but happy to be proven wrong.

Cuttriss, John  (SN 1135)  John was a 27 year old motor boatman of Fairhaven when he enlisted at the age of 27 on March 6, 1916. His next of kin was his father, Alfred, of Inverloch.  John Returned to Australia January 10, 1918 and was discharged on medical  grounds in August 1918, due to a gun shot wound to the right elbow. John was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to farm website, here.

Edhouse, Charles Edward (SN 333a)  Charles was a 21 year old farm hand when he enlisted on April 24, 1916. His next of kin was his mother, who lived in England.  His address on the Embarkation Roll was care of R. De La Haye, Fairhaven, French Island. Charles Returned to Australia July 9, 1919.

Gillings, Robert (SN 19847)  Robert was a 22 year old labourer, from French Island,  and he enlisted on November 23, 1915. Robert's next of kin was his father who lived in England. Robert married 19 year old Clare Maude Baxter in England on April 29, 1917. He Returned to Australia on February 19, 1919.

Griffiths, Ivor (SN 5377) Ivor was born in Wales and he enlisted on January 15, 1916 aged 24. He was a farmer from Tankerton and his next of kin was his sister, who lived in Cardiff. Ivor Returned to Australia December 12, 1918.

Haward, Martin Francis (SN 17859) Martin  enlisted on April 3, 1917, he was a 24 year old telephone mechanic. His next of kin was his father, Herbert Robertson Haward, of Tankerton. Martin Returned to Australia June 16, 1919. Martin had some connection to Footscray as he is listed in the Footscray Independent in the list of local recruits. Martin was born in Collingwood, his parents Herbert and Annie are in the Electoral Roll at French Island from 1909 and he gave his address as Tankerton on enlistment, but he did enlist in Footscray, so I presume he was working and living in the area, which would make sense as he was telephone mechanic and there was probably not much call for that on French Island. His next of kin later changed to his wife, Helena, and she lived in Paisley Street in Footscray. They married in 1917, obviously after his enlistment.


Martin listed as a local recruit in Footscray
Footscray Independent February 10, 1917 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/74256014

Hill, James (SN 2782) - see below under Charles Williams.

Iliff, George Robert (SN 1734) George enlisted on May 20, 1915, he was a 22 year old labourer. He served overseas but suffered a number of bouts of disease and Returned to Australia on October 17, 1916 and was medically discharged in April 1917.
Iliff, Joseph Ludwig (SN 6334) Joseph was a 29 year old farm labourer when he enlisted on October 25, 1916. He Returned to Australia August 8, 1919.
Iliff, William Charles (SN 1137) William enlisted at the age of 24 on July 28 1915. He Returned to Australia April 8, 1919. William was granted a Soldier Settlement farm after his return on Eight Mile Road at Nar Nar Goon - you can read about this on the Battle to Farm website here.
George, Joseph and William were brothers and their next of kin was their mother, Bertha, of Tankerton. Their father, Joseph, had died in 1905.

Leppke, William. William Leppke is listed on Discovering Anzacs website as having enlisted in 1915 when he was living on French Island. His official record has not been digitised and is part of the National Archives Series 'Applications to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force' which covers 'records for those individuals who applied to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force, and were either rejected, discharged while still in training, or went on to serve within Australia only [usually as depot troops or camp guards]. The most common reason for rejection is on medical grounds'. So apart from the fact that he was 28 years old and born in East Prussia, that's all I know about him. 

Lovie, William Wallace (SN 14077) William enlisted on February 1, 1916 at the age of 21. He was from Fairhaven, a farmer,  and his next of kin was his father John Francis Taylor Lovie, also of Fairhaven. He Returned to Australia on June 2, 1919.


William returned to French Island after the War, he wrote this letter from his property Bonnie Doon, in 1923.
National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au
First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920


Maddaford, Alfred (SN 2035) Alfred enlisted on July 28, 1915 at the age of 26, he was a farmer. He was discharged on medical grounds in June 1916 as he had 'chronic epilepsy'
Maddaford, Richard James (SN 2949) Richard enlisted at the age of 28 on February 18, 1916 and his occupation was farm labourer. He was Killed in Action in France on April 24 1918. There was an article about his death in the Powlett Express, see below.
Richard and Alfred both had their sister Lily (sometimes spelt Lillie) as their next of kin. When Alfred enlisted her address was Ballarat (where they were born) but when Richard enlisted her address was Tankerton. However according to the Electoral Roll, in 1909 Richard and Lily were both on French Island and in 1912 Richard and Alfred were both living on French Island and Lily had moved back to Ballarat, but was obviously back on the Island by 1916.


Report on the death of Private Richard Maddaford
Powlett Express June 7 1918    http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130665657

Meade, Frederick John (SN 4730) Frederick was born in Cranbourne and was a 36 year old labourer and a widower and he enlisted on February 23, 1916. His address on the Embarkation roll is French Island and his next of kin was a friend, Miss Maggie D'Arth of Stony Point.  He was discharged on medical grounds in May 1916 due to multiple fistulas which caused an abscess. Frederick married Maggie and they had three children, Charles, Frederick and Vera and are listed on the Electoral Rolls at French Island, until at least 1936.

Nicholls, Richard Wilfred (SN 4154) Richard was only 18 when he enlisted on October 26, 1915. He was a farm labourer and had been born in Swansea in England.  His next of kin was his father, who lived in England and his address was c/o his friend, Miss Nellie Bond, of  Sproxton, Tankerton. Nellie was the sister of Frederick Bond, listed above, who was killed at Gallipoli and the sister-in-law to Ernest Sisson (see below). Richard was awarded the Military Medal and Returned to Australia on January 18, 1919. Richard married Violet Laura Cooper on July 10, 1917 when he was in England. 

Pocock, Alfred James William (SN 6883)  Alfred  enlisted at the age of  18 on February 12, 1917. He was born in England, occupation was farming labourer and his next of kin was his father of The Grange in Dandenong (although his Embarkation record says his father lived in View Street, Mont Albert) Alfred went overseas and was wounded in action in May 1918 (gun shot wound arm and left thigh) and he Returned to Australia on January 22, 1920. We can connect Albert to French Island as his enlistment paper  has his address as c/o Mrs Harrop, Tankerton, French Island, the  same Mrs Harrop who wrote two letters enquiring after the well being of Wilfred Collinson (see above) - in fact it's the same writing so she must have filled out Alfred's application form.

From Alfred Pocock's enlistment papers
National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au   
First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920


Ratford, John (SN 2982) John enlisted on February 5, 1916. He was a 22 year old labourer. John Returned to Australia on March 5, 1919. John was granted as Soldier Settlement on French Island, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.
Ratford, William John (SN 1493) William enlisted on August 24, 1914 at the age of 23. He was a farmer. On August 2, 1915 William received a gun shot wound to his femur and he Returned to Australia on December 4, 1915 and was medically discharged on April 11, 1916. William was also granted a Soldier Settlement farm, read his file here.
John and William are the sons of John and Mary Eliza (nee Roberts) Ratford of Tankerton.

There is an interesting account of  a cricket match between French Island and Tooradin in the Mornington Standard of May 17, 1919, which mentions the return of John Ratford to the team after an absence of three years at a more strenuous game. You can read the full article here.



Report on John Ratford's return to the French Island Cricket team
Mornington Standard May 17, 1919    http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65852539

Ross, Clara Louisa.  Matron Ross was born on French Island and she enlisted in the Australian Army Nursing Service on November 4, 1914. She was 40 years old and had over 21 years of nursing experience. She had trained at the Melbourne Hospital and had also worked at the Women's and Infectious Diseases Hospitals, as well as being the Matron at the Ararat Hospital.  Matron Ross served in Egypt and France and was awarded the Order of the British Empire medal (O.B.E) on June 3, 1919 in recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with the War. Clara also received the Royal Red Cross Decoration, 1st Class 'in recognition of her valuable services in connection with the War' on June 21, 1918. Clara Returned to Australia on August 22, 1919. Clara was the daughter of Alexander and Margaret (nee Ashenden) Ross and she died in Melbourne in 1953, aged 78.


Report on Matron Ross' award
The Sydney Sun September 15, 1918  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article221419852

Sisson, Ernest William  (SN 6641) Ernest enlisted on February 17, 1916 at the age of 31. He was a farmer and a widower. Ernest had married Kathleen Bond in 1914 and she passed away in  April 1915 at the age of 26. Kathleen was the daughter of James and Emma (nee Witts) Bond and the sister of Frederick Bond, listed above. Ernest remarried when he was in England to Evaline Gillins and he Returned to Australia on May 12, 1918. Ernest was Medically Discharged on August 14, 1918, suffering from 'Myelogenenus Leukaemia.'  Ernest and Evaline are listed in the Electoral Rolls at Tankerton until at least 1954.

Thompson, William (SN 61937) William was 23 when he enlisted on December 17, 1917. He was a 23 year old farmer and his next of kin was his father, Joseph, of Tankerton. He embarked from Melbourne on October 5, 1918, arrived at Cape Town in South Africa in early November, where he was in hospital with the measles and then Returned to Australia on December 4, 1918.

Toebelmann, Arnold (SN 613) Arnold was born on French Island and he enlisted on March 25, 1916 at the age of 19. He was a nursery hand. He was the son of  Johann and Amelia Toebelmann of Moorooduc. Because Arnold's father was born in Germany,  but was naturalised, it appears he had to get a reference from the local Council, to prove he was a fit and loyal subject. Arnold was Killed in Action in Belgium on October 4, 1917


Arnold's reference from the Shire of Frankston and Hastings.
National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au
First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920


Walden, Charles William (SN 20362) Charles was a 23 years farm labourer when he enlisted on September 1, 1915. Charles got married when he was overseas in April 1919 and Returned to Australia on July 23, 1919. His wife's name was listed as Minnie Maria Walden, so did he marry a cousin or was it just a coincidence that they had the same surname?
Walden, Henry (SN 6137) Henry enlisted on March 8, 1916 at the age of 21, he was also a farm labourer. He served overseas and sustained a gun shot wound to his right thigh on August 23, 1918 and Returned to Australia December 12, 1918.
Charles was born in Cheshire in England and Henry in Barry Island in Wales and they were the sons of Charles William and Caroline Florence Walden of Tankerton. 

Williams, Charles (SN 5782) Charles enlisted on February 17, 1916, he was a 24 year old farmhand from Tankerton. He was born in London and his next of kin was his mother, Mary, who lived in London. Charles was Wounded in Action (gun shot wound, right thigh) on December 22, 1916, which required his leg to amputated and he passed away on January 12, 1917. There is a Statuary Declaration in his military file signed on September 11, 1916, where Charles states that his real name is James Hill, not Charles Williams. His Roll of Honour Circular at the Australian War Memorial, completed by his mother,  is under his real name and it says he came to Australia when he was 21 years old and that he was 28 when he died, which doesn't tally with his age on enlistment. It would be interesting to know why he enlisted under  a false name.

Yeomans, J The French Island Honour Board lists a J. Yeomans, not sure who this is. Possibilities are - 
Joseph Yeomans (SN 332)
John William Yeomans (SN Depot)
Lieutenant Julian Clyde Yeoman
James Yeoman (SN Depot)
James Yeoman (SN 1696) 
Captain John Stanhope Yeoman. 
I cannot connect any of them to French Island.


This memorial is outside the War Memorial Hall at Tankerton. It lists the Great War Soldiers on the left and the World War Two soldiers and one Boer War soldier, J. Christopherson, on the right. 
Image: Heather Arnold

The Boer War soldier - J. Christopherson is John Arnold Christopherson ( 1835-1927). He was a French Island resident - from, I believe around 1893, and had previously been a school teacher in Collingwood and Richmond. John was an officer in the Victorian Volunteer Force and the Second Battalion of Militia Rifles and retired from his commission (he attained the rank of Major) in December 1888. He was also in the Victorian Rifle Association, involved with the School Cadet Force, but he never served in the Boer War in South Africa. He was always referred to as Major Christopherson, so perhaps that's why it was assumed he served there. I will write about him one day, in the meanwhile, I have created  a short list of articles on him on Trove, here



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

Saturday, January 22, 2022

Unveiling of the Cardinia State School Honor Roll and Machine Gun

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

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

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



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


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

Cardinia - Unveiling of Honor Board and Machine Gun

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

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

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

The “Recessional” hymn was then sung.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Saturday, January 1, 2022

Nar Nar Goon and the Nar Nar Goon North State School Honour Boards and other Nar Nar Goon Great War soldiers

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

There are 55 different men listed on these two rolls, and there are another fourteen men (2) with a Nar Nar Goon connection that are written about here, although they are not on these Boards. 


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




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


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

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

Blackwell, Gilbert Darlow (SN 4137) Gilbert enlisted July 12, 1915 at the age of 18. He was a farm labourer. Gilbert Returned to Australia on July 4, 1919. He died in 1973, aged 77. 
Blackwell, Bernard Robert (SN 53566).  Bernard enlisted on October 2, 1916. He was 18 years old and  a farm hand.  He had 'Bronchial Asthma' and was considered unfit for Military Service and was discharged in March 1917.  Bernard died in 1989 in Queensland. 
The boys, both born in England, were the sons of William and Primrose (nee Darlow) Blackwell who are listed in the Electoral Rolls at Nar Nar Goon in 1914. William was a boot maker.

Brent, Frank Thomas (SN 168) Frank enlisted on  August 20, 1914, he was 25 years 11 months old and a clerk; his address on the Embarkation roll was Nar Nar Goon.  He had been born in England and his next of kin was his mother, Margaret, who lived in England. Frank reached the rank of Company Sergeant-Major and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. On October 4, 1917 he married Agnes Lucy Nellie Etherington in Beckenham, Kent. he Returned to Australia May 10, 1919. After his return they lived in Springvale, then Northcote and they returned to England in the 1920s. Frank is not listed on either Honour Board.

Brown, Arthur Ernest (SN 2115 and 21239)  Arthur, a motor mechanic, enlisted as a 19 year old on July 13, 1915. He Returned to Australia December 4, 1915 and was discharged on medical grounds in May 1916, with an enlarged thyroid. Arthur enlisted again, when he was 22 on September 5, 1918 and joined the Sea Transport section and embarked on the No. 2 Hospital ship, Kanowna on September 17 and has no return date listed and I can find no other information about his life after the War.  
Brown, Thomas James (SN 3765)  Thomas was a 25 year old clerk and he enlisted on April 18, 1916. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant in May 1918, but was injured - gun shot wound knee - and Returned to Australia December 18, 1918. Again, I can find no other information about his life after the War. 
The boys were the sons of  William and Mary Ann (nee Branson) Brown. They had seven children, the last three of which were born in Nar Nar Goon - Thomas in 1890, May in 1893 and Arthur in 1896. On enlistment both boys had their address as  Arcadia, 6 Droop Street, Footscray, the same as their father who was their next of kin. Arthur and Thomas are not listed on either Honour Board.

Cahir, Joseph Keith (SN 960) It seems that he was known as Keith by his family, so that's what we will call him - Keith enlisted on October 1, 1914. He was a 24 year old striker (a blacksmith's assistant) and his next of kin was listed as his sister, Stella Maris Cahir, of Mt Ararat house, Nar Nar Goon. Keith was reported missing in August 1915, held as a Prisoner of War in Turkey and not released until the end of the War in 1918. Keith had malaria in prison and then caught Spanish Influenza when he was released. He Returned to Australia on December 2, 1918. He died in 1960, aged 69. Keith is on both Honour Rolls. Keith was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file from the Public Records Office of Victoria here

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

Castle, Frederick William (SN 1213) Frederick enlisted on July 26, 1915 at the age of 22, he was a saw miller and his address was Nar Nar Goon.  His next of kin was his mother, Frances Castle (nee Woodburn), also of Nar Nar Goon. His father Frederick had already died.  He Returned to Australia May 29, 1919. After the War, Frederick became a policeman and was stationed at Orbost when he died September 25, 1945, aged 52. 

Chatfield, Frederick Norman (SN 62) Frederick enlisted on February 25, 1916, aged 21, and he was a 'chaff cutter feeder'. His next of kin was his mother, Mary Chatfield of Nar Nar Goon. He was discharged from the Army on April 19, 1920.  Frederick was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file from the Public Records Office of Victoria, here. Fred married Dorothy Mabel Stubington in 1929 and they raised their family on the farm on Convent School Road. He died in 1972, aged 77.

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

Collett, Ebenezer Wesley (SN 4998) Ebenezer enlisted in Brisbane on December 6, 1915. He was a 23 year old labourer. He was born in Tyabb in 1892 to Henry and Annie (nee Thomson) Collett. Annie and Henry, a farmer, are listed in the Electoral Rolls at Nar Nar Goon from 1913 until 1918. Ebenezer, who attained the rank of Sergeant, Returned to Australia January 14, 1919.  He moved to Queensland, where he married Grace Brown in 1920 and where he died in 1968. Ebenezer is not listed on either Honour Board. 

Davis, Oscar Harry (SN 4099)  Oscar was 36 when he enlisted on October 12, 1915. His occupation was a mechanic and his next of kin was his mother, Blanche Davis, of Wilsons Road, Nar Nar Goon, the same address as Harry. Oscar Returned to Australia June 4, 1919. Blanche and Harry appeared to move frequently - Oscar was listed in the Electoral Roll at Nar Nar Goon in 1916, occupation Agent. In 1913 Harry and Blanche were at Diamond Creek and his occupation was an orchardist. In 1914 they were living in Railway Crescent in Elsternwick and his occupation was Insurance Agent. In 1922 they were in Malvern and his occupation was a Mechanic. Oscar (born 1878) was the youngest of the three boys of  Alfred Edward Davis and Blanche (nee Binge). Alfred was a dentist who died in November 1898. Harry married Edith Edna Gillott in 1924, and she died in January 1933 aged only 40,  in the family home at Stanley Parade, Caulfield. She left behind three little children - Meryl, Valerie and Travers. Harry lived to the good age of 96 and died in 1974. An interesting fact about Harry is that he listed his religion as Hebrew i.e. Jewish; a rare religion in Nar Nar Goon at the time. Oscar is not listed on either Honour Board, not surprising given his fleeting connection to Nar Nar Goon. 

Dore, David (SN 2637a) David was born at Nar Nar Goon and when he enlisted on July 20, 1915 his next of kin was his 'second eldest half-brother', Mr J. Dore of Nar Nar Goon. He was 18 years old, and a farmer, and was an orphan. He was Killed in Action in France on August 9, 1918. David was the last child of John Bernard Dore (1850-1905) and his second wife Mary Foster. John's parents, John and Elizabeth (nee O'Connor) Dore had arrived in Melbourne in September 1841 with four children and another six were born in Victoria. In 1844, John Dore and Michael Hennessey took up the Mount Ararat Run at Nar Nar Goon of 1,900 acres. The partnership existed until 1855. Hennessey then moved to Dandenong and built the Bridge Hotel and later took over the Eumemmerring Hotel. In the 1860s, Dore purchased the 640 acre Mt Ararat pre-emptive right. He later purchased another 387 acres and his son Thomas 300 acres so they held a total of 1,300 acres. The property was later bisected by the railway line when it was built in 1877.  David is on both Honour Rolls. 


Death notice of David Dore


Doyle, Frank Bertram (SN 4165) Frank enlisted in July 22, 1915. He was a 19 year old packer and his address was Gardenvale.  He Died of Wounds in France on December 16, 1916.
Doyle, John William (SN 1910) John was 32 and a labourer, living at Pakenham Upper,  and enlisted on March 28, 1916. Whilst he was in England he married Edith Minnie Wood on May 12, 1919 and Returned to Australia July 26, 1919. John and Minnie lived at Pakenham Upper. John died in 1954, aged 70.
The boys were the sons of John and Georgina (nee Kirk) Egan, whose children were born in the Ballarat region. They were separated and when Frank enlisted Georgina was living at Hill View, Pakenham Upper and later at Gardenvale. John, a railway employee, was living at Nar Nar Goon and was listed as the next of kin of both the boys. It appears that the only connection to Nar Nar Goon the boys had was that their father lived in the town for a time and they are not listed on either Honour Board.


Private Frank Doyle
Dandenong Advertiser, January 11 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88661106

Drummond, Walter Neil (SN 2571)  The only W.N Drummond I could locate was this Walter, he was a Blacksmith, 18 years old, was born in Eskdale and was from Officer, which is only two railway stops west of Nar Nar Goon, so this could well be our man. He was the son of  William and Margaret Drummond, of Pinehurst, Officer. Walter enlisted June 28, 1915. He Returned to Australia on April 13, 1919. Walter died in 1962, aged 65. There is a W. Drummond listed on the Officer Honour Board, which may be Walter or his brother William, see here

Edwards E.S -  I cannot confirm who this is. The only E.S Edwards I can find is  Ernest Samuel Edwards (SN 1465 /1346) born  in Walhalla, lived in Walhalla and enlisted in Walhalla and his next of kin was his mother, Mrs Fanny Edwards, of Walhalla. Ernest enlisted on October 13, 1914 at the age of 19 and he was a  stoker and blacksmith.  Ernest Returned to Australia February 22, 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds due to  a gun shot wound right knee joint. He died in 1964, aged 68.  I believe this is the man on the Honour Board, I just can't find his specific connection to Nar Nar Goon.  There is also an Ernest Edwards (SN 5327) who was a blacksmith from Longwarry (just four railway stops east of  Nar Nar Goon). There was a John Edwards who was the Station Master at Tynong from 1914 to 1917, so was E.S Edwards connected to him? There was also a Thomas Henry and Christian Edwards in the Electoral Roll at Nar Nar Goon from 1912 - was E.S Edwards connected to them?  Christian Edwards was the sister of John King Lawson, see below.  

Egan, Daniel Francis (SN 3017) Daniel was born in Nar Nar Goon in 1886 to James and Ellen (nee Garvin) Egan.  he lived at Nar Nar Goon, until around 1912, when he moved to Woodleigh Vale (near Loch), which is here he was living when he enlisted on July 26, 1915. He was 29 years old, a road contractor and his next of kin was his brother,  Francis, of Nar Nar Goon. Daniel attained the rank of Sergeant and was awarded the  Distinguished Conduct  Medal.  He Returned to Australia January 25, 1919 and married Margaret Ethel Murnane in 1921 and they lived at Woodleigh Vale. Daniel died December 13, 1956, aged 70. It is surprising that given the Egan family connection to Nar Nar Goon from the mid-1880s, that Daniel is not listed on the Honour Board; and not for the first time it makes me wonder how the names were selected for these community memorials. 


Daniel Egan's death notice
The Argus, December 14, 1956 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71771303 

Ferguson, Alexander  (SN 798)  Alexander was 24 years old, and a farmer when he enlisted on June 27, 1917 and his next of kin was his wife, Nina Grace Lambert Ferguson (nee Heeps)  of 456 High Street, Prahran, however she is listed in the 1914 and 1917 Electoral Rolls at Nar Nar Goon.  Alexander Returned to Australia on April 27, 1919. The marriage did not survive and in 1929 Nina, who was a piano teacher,  filed for divorce on the grounds that Alex had deserted her.


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


Alex Ferguson's divorce
The Argus, November 12, 1929 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4049611


Gaskett, Albert James (SN 1481) Albert was 19 year old farmer, when he enlisted on November 9, 1915. He Returned to Australia on July 17, 1919. Albert died in 1973 in Queensland. 
Gaskett, William John (SN 1830) William enlisted on February 28, 1916, when he was 21. He was also a farmer.  He Returned to Australia on July 21, 1917. He was discharged on medical grounds - Nephritis. William died in 1963, aged 68.
William and George are brothers from Nar Nar Goon and were the sons of George and Levina (nee Collins) Gaskett. Levina died in 1914 at the age of 42. George is listed in the 1914 Electoral Roll as a saw miller. Albert and William are listed on both Honour Rolls.

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


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

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

Holcombe, Archibald Jones (SN 68586)  Born in Wales and he was the son of Francis Holcombe of Nar Nar Goon. He enlisted on July 1, 1918 when he was 19 and embarked on October 22, however the troop ship was recalled to Australia due to the end of the War, so Archie did not see any active service, not through the want of trying it seems. There is a Statutory Declaration signed by Archie on July 1, 1918 stating that his mother and father refused to sign the verification paper, stating that he could go if he wished, but that they would sign nothing! Archibald also enlisted in World War Two, serving in the Australian Army from November 1941 to April 1944. Archie died in 1973, aged 74.


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

Huby,  Walter Percy Clarence  (SN 11351) He seems to have been known as Clarence, so that's what we will call him. Clarence enlisted on June 6, 1915 and he Returned to Australia on November 7, 1919. Clarence was born in York, England and his next of kin when he enlisted at the age of 22, was his mother also from York. He married Ada Hollick, in England on October 16, 1919. Clarence's occupation was sawyer on his Enlistment papers and 'mill labourer' in the 1914 Electoral Roll when he was living at Nar Nar Goon. In the 1924 Electoral Rolls he and Ada are living at Gembrook, where he is commemorated in the Avenue of Honour. Clarence enlisted for service in World War Two in January 1940 and was discharged in March 1948. He died in 1954, aged 61. 


Clarence Huby's death notice

Jefferies, Ernest John (SN 7019) Ernest was born in Bristol in England and was living in Nar Nar Goon when he enlisted on October 19, 1916. He was 22 years old, a labourer and his next of kin was his father, also of Bristol. Ernest was discharged from the AIF in London on September 5, 1919.  Ernest is not listed on either Honour Board.

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


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


Keddie, Bert John (SN 4833) Bert was a School Teacher, born in Stratford and his father who was his next of kin lived at Murrumbeena. When he enlisted on January 1, 1916, he was 20 and was teaching at Ouyen State School and had received leave from the Education Department to enlist. He Returned to Australia on September 25, 1919, but before he returned had married Jean Hamilton on April 16, 1919 in Scotland. Bert died in 1968, aged 73
Keddie, Thomas Lee Heard (SN 856) Thomas, like his brother Bert, above, was born in Stratford and was also a School Teacher. He was at Byaduk State School (south of Hamilton) when he enlisted, at age 24, on August 18, 1914. He was discharged on December 12, 1915 as he was medically unfit after suffering a gun shot wound on April 25, 1915. He then re-enlisted on June 19, 1916 and was discharged on medical grounds on August 1, 1916. Thomas died in 1954, aged 64.   
Bert and Thomas are on the Nar Nar Goon North State School Honour Board. So what was the connection of the Keddie boys to Nar Nar Goon? Their brother, Richard James Keddie, was a teacher at Nar Nar Goon in in 1909-1910 - is he the connection? The boy's parents are James and Jane - James is listed in the Electoral Roll as being a Railway employee - did he work at Nar Nar Goon and the boys went to school there? 


Thomas Keddie


Kelly, John  Patrick (SN 5388)  John was born at Nar Nar Goon and enlisted on March 10,  1916 at the age of 36. His next of kin was his wife, Mary Kelly, of 71 Keppel Street, Carlton and he was a  rubber worker. He died of disease in England on October 26, 1918, just eight days after his father, James Egan Kelly,  who died October 18, 1918.  John is listed on the St Patrick's Catholic School Honor Roll (see here), but is not listed on either Nar Nar Goon Board.  John's parents, James and Ellen (nee O'Brien) Kelly had a property, Garryowen at Nar Nar Goon.


Bereavement notice for John Kelly's mother.
The Advocate, July 25, 1908, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169898503

Kidd,  James Edward  (SN 64477) James enlisted on May 21, 1918. He was a 20 year old coach trimmer. He was the son of James and Margaret (nee Keane) Kidd of Nar Nar Goon. His father, James, was a blacksmith. James Returned to Australia on July 3, 1919 and he died in Mount Gambier in December 1953. 


Margaret Kidd's obituary
Dandenong Journal September  18, 1946 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214795605

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


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

Lawson,  John King (SN 729) John enlisted on July 6, 1915, he was 22 years old and his had the twin occupations of a machinist and a musician. John Returned to Australia June 10, 1916 and was discharged on medical grounds in the November due to Epilepsy.  His connection to Nar Nar Goon was that his next of kin was his sister, Mrs T.H. Edwards, who lived there. This was Christian, the wife of Thomas Henry Edwards, a farmer, and they are listed at Nar Nar Goon in the Electoral rolls from 1912 until at least 1954. John is not listed on either Honour Board. John died tragically at Macknade (near Ingham) in  Queensland on February 25, 1925. He and a companion, William Harris,  were stabbed to death by an acquaintance, you can read about it here. The killer was found to be insane. 


John King's In Memoriam notice

Ledger, John  (SN 4666) John enlisted on September 9, 1916 as Francis George Moore. He said he was 19 years and three months old, was a farm labourer, was born in Nar Nar Goon, he said he was an orphan and his next of kin was his Guardian, Mrs R.E. Smith of Nar Nar Goon. He Returned to Australia on July 7, 1919. There is a statutory declaration in his file, signed September 23, 1919 which says that he enlisted under the assumed name of Francis George Moore as at the time he was under eighteen years of age. He requested that all the records be amended so that his correct name was listed. Another statuary declaration in his file, dated April 1, 1944  notes that he was born in Nar Nar Goon on November 1, 1900 and that Mrs R.E. Smith was his foster mother.  There is a Rosalie Emma Smith listed in the Electoral Roll at Nar Nar Goon in 1914, so she existed, and he obviously had some contact with Nar Nar Goon as he was recognised on the Honour Roll.  If the birthdate of November 1900 is correct then he was still only 15 when he enlisted;  ironically, when he returned from active service, he was still only 18 years old, not even old enough to enrol to vote!  John married Florence May Stevens in 1926 . They were living at 29 Camden Street, Balaclava when John died in October 1949.

Lia,  Matthew (SN 471) Matthew enlisted in Lithgow, N.S.W, on January 2, 1916 at the age of 25. He had been born at Bolwarrah in 1890 to Joseph and Christina (nee Crombie) Lia. Eight of their nine children were born in that town from 1885 to 1900 and their last child was born in Nar Nar Goon in 1908. His next of kin was his father, Joseph, of Nar Nar Goon.  Matthew was awarded the Military Medal. After the War he was granted leave for 'non military employment' at A.C Carson Artificial Flower Manufacturing Company  and was discharged on June 7, 1920. Matthew died in July 1958, aged 66.

Liston, Thomas (SN 1514)  The Honour Board has a C. Liston  listed, but the only Liston  I could find with a Nar Nar Goon connection was Thomas. Thomas was 29 (thus born c. 1885) when he enlisted on November 10, 1914. He was a farm labourer and his next of kin were his parents of 'Kutmundrah' Street, Brunswick. The Embarkation Roll lists the address as 'Kutmundrah' Street,  Footscray. There is no street by that name in Brunswick and Footscray in a 1912 or 1916 street directory; but there is a David and Emma Liston in the Electoral rolls at this time at Cooraminta Street, Brunswick. I am not convinced that his Attestation paper contains the full story (truth) about his parents, perhaps he just didn't have  a good relationship with them or perhaps he was a bad speller.  However his next of kin was later changed to his wife Sarah, of Duncans Road, Werribee, whom he married in 1918. Thomas enlisted at Tynong, the Attesting Officer was William Carney, Shire of Berwick President and his medical examination was held in Nar Nar Goon. He Returned to Australia on June 23, 1919. Thomas was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file from the Public Records Office of Victoria, here. His application dated August 23, 1919, states that he has two children from a former marriage who are 11 and 13 years old; he later had a son, Robert David, with Sarah, born in 1920. In November 1922 his Soldier Settlement lease was cancelled due to non compliance. There are various letters and statutory declarations  in his service records which date his locations after the War - 1932 Charlton; 1939 Albury; 1953 Albury and 1961 Ardlethan in NSW. The 1953 Statuary declarations lists his birth date as November 11, 1890, five years younger than his enlistment papers; this may be correct however as his  children were born around 1906 and 1908, that makes him a very young father, just another inconsistency or maybe he was just bad with dates. There is the death of Thomas Liston in the District of Young in 1968, I believe this is our Thomas.

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. Frank died in 1969, aged 73. 
Madden, Thomas William (SN 2232) Thomas' address on the Embarkation Roll is Nar Nar Goon and he was 25 years old when he enlisted on April 1, 1916. Thomas Died of Wounds on October 18, 1917 in Belgium. 
Frank and Thomas are brothers and they were both wool sorters by occupation. When Frank enlisted in January 1915 his next of kin, his mother, Grace Madden, was listed at Nar Nar Goon; when Thomas enlisted a year later, his next of kin, his father Thomas was listed at 9 Caroline Street, Clifton Hill. In 1917 a Memorial Grove was planted at the Tynong State School and Trooper Madden was reported as being honoured with  a tree, who I believe it is either Frank or Thomas. You can read about it, here.


Death notice for Thomas Madden.

Matthews, Frederick George Gladstone  (SN 2272)  George, was a 22 year farmer and he enlisted on July 24, 1915. He was the son of William Thornburn and Mary Jane (nee Phillips) Matthews of Nar Nar Goon.  Frederick Returned to Australia on July 22, 1917 and was discharged from the Army on medical grounds due to a gun shot wound to the left knee. Frederick died in 1973, aged 82. 


Frederick Matthew's death notice
The Age, August 27, 1973, p. 18 newspapers.com

McCarthy, Daniel Patrick  (SN 10447) Daniel enlisted on August 10, 1915. He was 23 years old farmer from Nar Nar Goon. His next of kin was his brother, Edwin (incorrectly listed as Edward), of Koo Wee Rup, later of Nar Nar Goon. Daniel was the son of Edwin and Catherine (nee McCarthy) Sterry; his brother William Edwin was born in 1899 and was registered with the surname McCarthy. Catherine sadly died in childbirth, presumably Edwin was no longer around and Catherine's family raised the boys and Daniel adopted the McCarthy surname. (3)  He Returned to Australia on May 20, 1919. After the War, Daniel continued farming at Nar Nar Goon, until the 1940s when he is listed in the Electoral rolls at Pakenham South. He died in 1959, aged 68.

Menzies, John McDermott Loxton (SN 31613) John was a 26 year old farmer of Nar Nar Goon, when he enlisted on February 28, 1916. His next of kin was his father, John, of 94 Queen Street, Melbourne. John Returned to Australia August 19, 1919.  He later lived in Goulburn in New South Wales and died in 1972.

Moore, Francis George (SN 4666) See John Ledger.

Moore,  Walter Frederick (SN 79636) Walter enlisted on September 18, 1918. He was a 21 year old farmer.  Walter did not get to serve overseas as the War ended. Walter is on both Honour Rolls. Walter, born in Vermont, was the son of Arthur Charles and Alice Louise (nee Plumridge) Moore of Nar Nar Goon. Walter died in 1977, aged 80.


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

Mortimer, Thomas Ernest Gregory (SN 6900)  Thomas enlisted on August 17, 1917. He was born in Longwarry and he was a 21 years old school teacher. Thomas was the son of George and Sophia Georgina (nee Snell) Mortimer, of Nar Nar Goon. He Returned to Australia on July 23, 1919. In the 1922 Electoral Roll Thomas is listed as a teacher at Nambrok and the 1924 Rolls at Patho, near Echuca. He died in 1980, aged 84. 

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

Noel, Herbert William Baptist  (SN 1782) Herbert enlisted on May 10, 1916; he was a 36 year old orchardist from Nar Nar Goon. His wife, Elizabeth (nee Davis, formerly Lawrence), was his next of kin and her address was initially Nar Nar Goon, but she later moved to Elsternwick. Herbert Returned to Australia October 19, 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds in January 1918. They did not return to Nar Nar Goon and are listed in the Electoral rolls in the Malvern area and his occupation was Inspector (I am not sure what he was an Inspector of.) Herbert died February 16, 1960, aged 78. Herbert is not listed on either Honour Board. 

O'Brien,  James Arthur (SN 2737) James was born in Nar Nar Goon and enlisted on May 3, 1916 at the age of 23. He was a hardware assistant and his next of kin was his father, Daniel O'Brien of  Yarroweyah (between Strathmerton and Cobram), however James was listed in the 1915  Electoral Roll at 36 Airlie Street, South Yarra, with his sisters Helen Mary and Emily Kate. Their mother, Mary Jane O'Brien (nee Eves) was also at the address.  James Returned to Australia on October 20, 1918, having suffered a serious gun shot wound to the head.  James died in 1980, aged 87.  James is listed  on the Nar Nar Goon North State School Honour Board.   


Report of James Arthur O'Brien being wounded

O’Brien, James Joseph   (SN 1876) James was born in Nar Nar Goon and was 18 when he enlisted on July 20, 1915. He was a farm labourer. His next of kin was his mother, Elizabeth Mary (nee Whelan) O'Brien of Seven Hills, Nar Nar Goon. James Returned to Australia November 25, 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds, as he had a gun shot wound to the left leg 'involving the joint.'  James is on both Honour Rolls. James' father was Patrick O'Brien who died in December 1912. James died in 1982, aged 85. 

O’Brien, Daniel Francis (SN 2379)  This man is in the notice, below, as having gone into Camp and he is listed as F. O'Brien, so I feel he may have been known as Francis, so that's what we will call him.  Francis was 24 years old, a grazier and born in Nar Nar Goon. He enlisted on August 16, 1916. His next of kin was his sister, Katherine O'Brien, of Nar Nar Goon. Francis Returned to Australia on  February 15, 1918 and was discharged on medical grounds, due to a gun shot wound to the left leg. I believe that Francis was the son of Michael and Johanna (nee Mulcahy) O'Brien. They were both deceased, Michael having died November 1915 and Johanna in March 1914. Daniel died in 1947, aged 56. 


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

Patrick O'Brien, Daniel O'Brien and Michael O'Brien were brothers, the sons Nar Nar Goon pioneers, Daniel and Bridget (nee Walsh) O'Brien.  This means that James Arthur O'Brien, James Joseph O'Brien and Daniel Francis O''Brien  were first cousins. There is more information  about the family in footnote 4. 

Charles Olsen
Australian War Memorial Photograph DA13462

Olsen, Charles Christian (SN 3898) Charles was a 20 year old sawmill worker when he enlisted on July 14, 1915. He had been born in Nar Nar Goon and lived in Nar Nar Goon. Charles was Killed in Action on June 12, 1917.
Olsen, Richard Henry (SN 3026) Richard was born in Williamstown, and was 24 years old when he enlisted in South Australia, on June 8, 1915. He was a Labourer. Richard Returned to Australia on March 23, 1919. After the War, Richard returned to South Australia; he married Gladys Sharrad in 1922 and died there in November 1984, aged 83. 
Charles and Richard are sons of Andrew and Martha (nee Warren) Olsen, of Nar Nar Goon.  The boys are on both Honour Rolls. 

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


Harry Pepper
Australian War Memorial  Photograph H06683

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

Perry, Silas Cole  (SN 1337)  Silas was born at Nhill in 1890 to James and Emily (nee Cole) Perry.  In 1913, Silas was listed in the Electoral rolls as a contractor of Nar Nar Goon.  He enlisted on November 2, 1914 when he was 26 and his occupation was a farmer.  His next of kin on his enlistment paper was his father, James whose address was Nar Nar Goon.  Silas Returned to Australia on February 2, 1919 and after the War he farmed at Berriwillock. He died in 1980, aged 89.

Pettman, Isac William (SN 2419) Isac (unusually spelt with only one a, but that is how he signed his name) enlisted at Tynong, on May 31, 1915. His next of kin were his parents, Isaac and Ellen (nee Sneddon), who were from Bunyip; he was labourer and 19 years old. He Returned to Australia on July 1, 1919. In 1919, Isac married Doris Augusta Blackwell, the sister of Gilbert and Bernard, listed above. He died in 1953, aged 57.  Isac's brother George Edward Pettman also enlisted. George (SN 3908)  was born at Garfield and enlisted at the age of 18 on August 7, 1915. He  Returned to Australia February 9, 1919. Sadly he was only 29 when he died in 1928. He left a wife, Lily, and four little children - Edith, Willie, Betty and Jack.

Prior, James Stanley Glenth (SN 31721) Mr Prior enlisted using only his middle name Stanley.   He was a Compositor, born in South Melbourne to James John and Agnes (nee Neven) Prior and enlisted in Claremont, Tasmania on October 16, 1916 at the age of 25.  His next of kin was his father of Braeburn, Nar Nar Goon. Stanley Returned to Australia July 1, 1919, he married Mavis Hurlestone Cadle in 1933. Mavis was a talented musician - she successfully undertook Trinity College of Music, London examinations and Conservatorium of Music examinations. Mavis' mother Jane Cadle (nee Ruddock) was heavily involved with the Methodist Church in Dandenong as well as the Women's Christian Temperance Union; she was a Probation Officer and a Justice of the Peace and sat on the Dandenong Magistrate's Court Bench. You can read Mrs Cadle's obituary in the Dandenong Journal of October 11, 1944, here.  Back to Stanley - he lived to the ripe old age of 102, passing away in 1992. 

Reid, Kenneth Sutherland  (SN 14065) Kenneth was 18 when he enlisted on March 17, 1916. He was the son of  William Alexander and Sarah (nee Gordon) Reid of Nar Nar Goon and was a Medical Student at the time and had already spent a year with the Melbourne University Rifles. He Returned to Australia on February 28, 1919. According to the Electoral Roll he later became a research chemist; he married Agnes Beatrice Strahan in December 1926, but sadly the marriage did not last and in April
1936, he was granted a divorce on the grounds of her desertion. He died in 1984, aged 88. 


Kenneth's death notice. 
The Age September 20, 1984, p. 24 newspapers.com


Richardson, Henry Christopher (SN Depot) Henry enlisted on September 16, 1918. He was a 20 year old labourer. He passed the Light Horse riding test, but did not get to serve overseas as the War finished. Henry married Alice Veronica Hirst in 1928 and died in 1940, aged 42. 
Richardson, Walter Sidney (SN 3227) Walter enlisted on July 14, 1915. He was 19 years old and a driver. Walter Returned to Australia on August 8, 1919, but when still in England he married Ida Mary Sanders Noyce on May 31, 1919.  The couple  lived in Dandenong and Malvern, and he was a brick layer. Walter died in 1975 aged 79. 
The brothers were the sons of Christopher and Jessie (nee Beaton) Richardson of Nar Nar Goon.


Henry Richardson's death notices
The Sun News-Pictorial September 16, 1940 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article278181633

Rogers, Vaughan Arthur  (SN 1275)  The  Honour Roll has a T.A Rogers listed, but I am pretty sure that it should be V.A Rogers and I cannot find any T. Rogers with a  Nar Nar Goon connection. Vaughan enlisted on July 20, 1915. He was 19 years old and a driver. Vaughan was the son of William Henry and Alice (nee Cahill) Rogers of Nar Nar Goon. He caught Rheumatic Fever and was sent home to Australia from England in October 1916 and discharged from the Army on February 16, 1917. Vaughan is on both Honour Rolls. As a matter of interest Vaughan's birthplace in his Attestation file is Nar Nar Goon, but on the indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and marriages it is Numurkah. Vaughan married Florence Amy Purss in 1960 and he died five years later on December 27, 1964 aged 69. 


Death notice of Vaugh Rogers
The Age, December 28, 1964, p. 9 Ancestry.com

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

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


Death notice of James Smith

Spencer, John Henry (No SN) John was born on September 2, 1900 to John Robinson Spencer and his wife May Charlotte Ann (nee Oram).  He was 18 when he enlisted on November 4, 1918, but did not serve due to the end of the War. At the time of his enlistment he was a store-keeper assistant at Nar Nar Goon, in the store owned by his father, John, and his uncle Ernest Oram (who later operated the Tynong store). John married Annetta Georgina Mortimer in 1924 and they continued at the store in Nar Nar Goon until the 1930s when they moved to Koo Wee Rup to operate a store.  He died in Koo Wee Rup in 1959, aged 58. Annetta was the first cousin of Thomas Mortimer, listed above, in fact a double first cousin as two Mortimer boys had married two Snell girls -  her father John was married to Kate Snell. John is not listed on either Honour Board.


Obituary of John Spencer
Koo Wee Rup Sun, March 11, 1959 p.1

Startup, Rupert Walter. Rupert was a bit of  a mystery as there were no  Startups who enlisted in the First World War according to the records at the War Memorial and the National Archives. However, via Ancestry, I found his name listed at the National Archives in England in the 'Registry of Shipping and Seamen: Index of First World War Mercantile Marine Medals and the British War Medal' so he was in the Merchant Navy during the War. Rupert, born in 1896, served in World War Two. He was in the Army from December 1940 until January 1942; then the Air Force from September 1943 until October 1945. Startup is a very well known Nar Nar Goon name - John Startup and Edwin George Kettle took up the Mt Ararat run in 1854. It was 17,000 acres in size and was said to extend from Pakenham to Drouin. Rupert is the grandson of John Startup (5). 

Taylor,  William David (SN 4530) William, born in Perth, enlisted January 31, 1916, he was 30 years old,  a labourer  and living with his wife, Celia in Nar Nar Goon. William had married Celia  May Jones in 1911 and they had four little boys - William Arthur (born 1911), David Charles (1912), Clarence Roy (1913) and Lawson Robert (1915). William was Killed in Action in France on March 27, 1917. As you might expect it was a hard life for  a widow with four children and in June 1919 Celia married Jorgen Ingwald Jorgensen, who was a butcher at Nar Nar Goon.  They had a little girl, Astrid, in 1919.  Celia wrote a letter in February 1923 notifying Base Records that she had received the Victory Medal and asked  Have they not found my Husband's grave. I sent a verse a couple of years ago now  to be  put on the Head Stone and was to get  a photo of it. I have heard nothing so far but will have to live in hope.  The marriage to Jorgen was not a  happy one, they were divorced in 1934 and they both claimed the other had deserted the marriage. Celia died in 1984, aged 91.


Celia Taylor Jorgensen's letter
National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au
First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920

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

Warren, Robert James (SN 5099) Robert was 18 and an orchardist when he enlisted on February 2, 1916. He was born in 1897 to Robert  Charles and Catherine 'Kate' nee Quinn Warren and they farmed at Nar Nar Goon North.  He Returned to Australia on April 1, 1919 and returned to the farm. He married Margaret Madden in 1925 and died on July 14, 1966, aged 69. Robert is on both Honour Rolls.


Death notice of Robert Warren
The Age July 15, 1966, p. 18 newspapers.com

White, Sydney Pleno (SN 3638)  Sydney enlisted on July 12, 1915 at the age of 31.  He was born in England and his next of kin was his father in England and he was a coachsmith. His address on his Embarkation papers was Toorak however there is a Sydney Pleno White on the 1914 Electoral Roll at Nar Nar Goon (occupation farmer) so I presume, with that unusual middle name, that they are the same person. Sydney Returned to Australia on July 4, 1919. He was in Pakenham in the 1924 Roll, occupation orchardist and in Berwick in the 1931 Roll, occupation Dairy farmer. He died in Berwick on July 3, 1954 aged 70. Sydney has three Soldier Settlement land files at the Public Records Office of Victoria, you can read the, here, here and here.


Sydney White's death notice

Whyte, Aubrey Arnold Albert  (No SN) Aubrey was born in Nar Nar Goon in March 1890 to Henry and Rosina (nee Callanan) Whyte and was 28 when he enlisted on May 15, 1918. He was living in Daylesford and his next of kin was his wife, Elizabeth, of Duke Street, Daylesford. Aubrey was discharged in the June as unfit, due to rheumatism. He died in 1952, aged 63. Aubrey is not listed on either Honour Board.

Wilson, Robert Charles Percy (SN 685) Robert enlisted in January 3, 1917 at the age of 26.  He and his wife, Rachel, lived in Nar Nar Goon where Robert was the Station Master. He was part of the 1st Australian Light Railway Operating Company and was  awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.  Robert Returned to Australia on May 11, 1919. After Nar Nar Goon, Robert was the Station Master at Mont Albert, Canterbury and Bendigo. (6).  Robert had married Rachel Ann Thomas in 1914 and he died in September 1970, aged 80. 


Robert Wilson's death notice
The Age September 26, 1970, p. 50 newspapers.com


Sources - Embarkation and Nominal Rolls at the Australian War Memorial www.awm.gov.au; Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Electoral Rolls on Ancestry; Family Trees on Ancestry.com;  Family notices in the newspapers;  Genealogy SA https://www.genealogysa.org.au/; Ryerson Index https://ryersonindex.org/Sacrifice and Patriotism: a World War One walk in Pakenham Cemetery (Narre Warren and District Family History Group, 2016); Early Settlers of the Casey-Cardinia District ( Narre Warren and District Family History Group, 2010).

Footnotes

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

(2) Thank you to Glen Turnbull for providing the names and information on some of these fourteen soldiers. 

(3) The Sterry/McCarthy family information comes from Sacrifice and Patriotism: a World War One walk in Pakenham Cemetery (Narre Warren and District Family History Group, 2016) 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Death notice of Patrick Francis O'Brien from 1912

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

Death notice of Michael O'Brien from 1915

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

Death notice of Daniel O'Brien from 1921


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

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

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


(6) Rigg of the Railways: Station Masters of the Victorian Railways by Tom Rigg (published by the author in 2001)


A version of this story, which I first wrote and researched in 2015, appears on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Commemorates: Our War Years