Avenue of Honour at Tooradin

The Tooradin Avenue of Honour, runs along the South Gippsland Highway. The original planting of 42 trees went from Evans Road to the bridge at Sawtell's Inlet. It was planted in 1919 and consists of Western Australian flowering gums. These trees were selected for the Memorial Committee by George Cooper (1), the curator of the Alexandra Gardens in Melbourne and purchased from Cheesman's Nursery (2) in Brighton. The Avenue was financed by donations from the community. The Avenue was later extended to Bayview Road. 

We can look at the early days of the Memorial through the reports in the 1919 Koo Wee Rup Sun, in the Tooradin Chatter column, provided by J.D.S. This was James Dudley Singleton, who was the licensee of the Tooradin Hotel from 1917 to 1920  and built the Stella Maris Guest House in 1925 (3)

 

April 1919

The first reference I could find was in April 30, 1919, where the Memorial Committee intended to plant 18 trees and that the Cranbourne Shire would fund the tree guards. 
Memorial Committee - During the week, under the chairmanship of Mr T.H. Fitzgerald, J.P. a tree-planting proposal, embracing also an honor board suggestion was successfully launched. About £8 was subscribed at the meeting. It is intended to plant 18 trees or so, protected by tree guards donated by the council, and to each guard will be affixed the name of a soldier. The proposed planting site will be the northern approach of the Tooradin bridge. This in a few years will greatly enhance the appearance of the township, serving at the same time to remind people of the heroic deeds and valor displayed by Australia’s sons abroad in the world’s greats war, out of which our Billjims emerged with imperishable glory. Subscriptions will be gladly received by the Secretary, Mr. D. Henderson, towards the movement, a list of which will be published later.  

(Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday  April 30, 1919 p.4)

(Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday  April 30, 1919 p.4)

Mr T.H. Fitzgerald, chairman of the Memorial Committee was Thomas Henry Fitzgerald, a grazier of Tooradin. The Secretary of the committee was David Metcalf Henderson; his parents had arrived in Tooradin in 1874 and David was practically on every committee that functioned in Tooradin for fifty years or more. (4)

June 1919

In June, as the idea of a Memorial Avenue gained momentum, the plan was to plant 30 trees and  J.D.S reported that as expected, the Cranbourne Shire refused to supply the tree guards -

Tree planting - The local committee met on Saturday evening to consider matters in connection with the proposed tree planting. About 30 trees will be planted, and an order for the necessary timbers has been given to build tree-guards, as the council withheld assistance, as expected, re supplying guards. Further funds are wanted to allow the work being organised properly, carried out in honor of our Aussie boys, and Mr Dave Henderson will be pleased to acknowledge any donations forthcoming. (Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday,  June 18, 1919 p.4)

Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday,  June 18, 1919 p.4

July 1919

In July 1919, the number of trees to be planted had increased to 38, and the Memorial Committee was again asking for donations.

Tree Planting - Messrs T.H. Fitzgerald, J.P., and Dave Henderson, chairman and secretary respectively, are pushing on with the tree planting proposals for Tooradin. In all about 38 trees will be planted, and several guards are already made up and in position on the north approach of the bridge. Sturdy W.A. flowering gums are the trees selected for the honor avenue. A good deal of expense will be entailed, and the committee would appreciate donations for the laudable work proposed from residents of the district who have not yet contributed. (Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday,  July 16, 1919 p.4)

Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday,  July 16, 1919 p.4

August 1919

By August 1919, the number of trees to be planted had increased to about 40 and nearly all the trees guards had been installed -

Honor Avenue - Practically all the tree guards are in position on the Melbourne approach to the Tooradin bridge. In all about 40 trees will be planted, forming a most sensible method to honor the lads who served abroad from this locality. With the flight of time the tender Western Australian flowering gums will each we hope develop into strong trees, and give to Tooradin an additional charm when their magnificent flowering period is reached. Preferably this is much better than solid granite monuments or obelisks some communities morbidly select to express their tribute of thanks and commemoration to the boys. A meeting of the committee in charge of arrangements have yet to select a date for the planting. However, we understand the ceremony will take place sometime early this month. (Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday, August 6, 1919 p.4)

Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday, August 6, 1919 p.4

August 1919
Later in August, J.D.S. called out all the laggards who had not yet donated to the Memorial Avenue. 
Soldiers’ Memorial - In all about 40 trees will be planted this week. Most of the tree guards are in position, undergoing preliminary dressing before being planted white. Mr Cooper, curator of the Alexandra Gardens, selected the Western Australian flowering gums for the committee from Cheeseman’s Nursery. Considerable expense has been incurred by the committee in their effort to achieve something worthy of the boys who left the district at the country’s call for their services, and it must be regretfully admitted contributions to the fund are not coming in as generously as expected. The list of contributors disclosed the names of many in the district who have given a deaf ear to the appeal to assistance. However, it is not yet too late for these laggards to come to light with their few shillings, and we hope this par will help them to come to an early decision to remit whatever amount they propose to give to either Mr T.H. Fitzgerald, J.P., chairman, or Mr Dave Henderson, the honorary secretary.

(Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday August 13, 1919 p.4)

Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday August 13, 1919 p.4

August 1919
On Thursday, August 14 1919 fifty residents planted the 40 flowering gums.
Tree Planting - Thursday last about 50 residents gathered to take part in the ceremony of planting 40 trees, constituting the W.A. flowering gum avenue at Tooradin in connection with the soldiers’ memorial. Cr M’Gregor, President Cranbourne Shire, was in attendance, and after all the trees were well and truly planted read an inspiring address suitable to the occasion. Other speakers were Cr. S. Hill, Mr T.H. Fitzgerald, J.P., and Mr G. Egerton, sen., and Mr D. Henderson, hon. secretary to the movement. Afternoon tea was served at the termination of the ceremony. (Koo Wee Rup Sun,  Wednesday August 20, 1919 p.4)

Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday August 20, 1919 p.4

August 1919

The trees had been planted but there was still another call for funds -
Special Appeal - A circular is in circulation at Tooradin appealing for financial help for the soldiers’ memorial feature in the W.A. flowering gum avenue at Tooradin. Many in the district have abstained from giving a red cent, whether through sheer cussedness or purely as absent-minded beggars we cannot say. At any rate, the object of the appeal is sufficiently noble and good, and symbolises the grateful gratitude of the people for our soldier boys, and expresses ever so humbly in memorial form our tribute which is their due. Anyone wishing to add their mite should send donations to Mr Fitzgerald or Mr D. Henderson, Tooradin. An additional sum of about £15 or more is urgently needed to meet liabilities incurred and contemplated. (Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday August 27, 1919 p.4)

Koo Wee Rup Sun,  Wednesday August 27, 1919 p.4

October 1919
Another appeal from J.D.S. for funds and he also notes that 42 trees had been planted -
Honor Avenue - It is a regrettable thing to admit that the honor avenue put in hand at Tooradin some months ago, by the planting of 42 W.A. flowering gums, still hangs in the balance for lack of funds, tree guards being unpainted and sign plates not ordered. The whole cost is less than £1 per guard, but where, oh, where are those charitable souls whose burning ardor and oratory lead the world and our committee to believe castles could be built with their generosity. There are plenty still deaf to appeals for assistance who should shell out, and we hope some sympathetic microbe will bite them hard and impregnate them with benevolent and charitable impulses. 

(Koo Wee Rup Sun,  October 15, 1919 p.4)

Koo Wee Rup Sun,  October 15, 1919 p.4

October 1919
Another appeal to those who have not yet contributed a red cent to get a riggle on -
Tree Plantation - Our reference lately to the indifference shown locally to the soldiers’ memorial in the W.A. flowering gums plantation hasn’t yielded any additional assistance. The committee in charge are anxiously appealing for less than a score of pounds to finish the job, and it is up to those who have not yet contributed a red cent to get a riggle on. A further meeting will be held to consider some means of organising further finance. (Koo Wee Rup Sun,  Wednesday October 22, 1919 p.4)

Koo Wee Rup Sun,  Wednesday October 22, 1919 p.4

The previous articles all confirm that the original planting was of 42 trees, and as these 1919 reports were written by James Singleton who was there on the spot and had trees planted outside his Hotel in Tooradin, I consider him to be a credible source. As we will see later, modern sources note incorrectly that there were only 18 trees planted originally and that this was in 1918.

1922

At the end of June 1922, the Koo Wee Rup Sun had this report on the arrival of some more trees for the Avenue - 

Another small batch of floral gums for the Soldiers' Avenue has arrived. Most of the plantation is looking well. In future years it will be proudly sending forth its wealth of glorious colour in its flowering season, adding further charm to our bayside retreat. 

(Koo Wee Rup Sun, Thursday, June 29, 1922, p.1)

Koo Wee Rup Sun, Thursday June 29, 1922, p.1

It is hard to know how many trees were in this small batch; I would surmise less than ten. This would bring now bring  the number of trees planted to around 45 to 50.  

Aerial of Tooradin, dated c.1925-1940. You can clearly see the white painted tree guards along the South Gippsland Highway, signifying the Avenue of Honour. The Avenue ends at  the bridge over Sawtell's Inlet. 

The road on the left is Tooradin Station Road and the intersection of this road and the Highway is now occupied by Gendore Farm Machinery. 

The building on the left is St Peter's Catholic Church, which was opened in 1922 and has now been removed to St Peter's College in Cranbourne. The building on right near the bridge is the now demolished Tooradin Hotel. 

Photographer: Airspy. State Library of Victoria image https://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/20189

After this 1922 reference,  I could only pick up scattered references to the Avenue over the next decades.

1931

Who owned the Avenue of Honor? As we have seen the Cranbourne Shire Council did not provide funds for its establishment; however at some the Council was responsible for  it as in June 1931, the Tooradin Progress Association wrote to the Council asking for control of the Avenue, which was granted. (5)

1940

In December 1940, the Avenue may have been back in control of the Council, however the Koo Wee Rup Returned Soldiers organization took  a keen interest in the Avenue, as it was reported that the  Koo Wee Rup R.S.S.A.I.L.A. (Returned Sailors', Soldiers' and Airmen's Imperial League of Australia, now the R.S.L.) asked that council put in order the neglected Soldiers’ Memorial Avenue along the Highway at Tooradin. Dead trees needed replacing and name-plates re-erecting. (6)

1941

The next  year in July 1941, on Arbor Day, the students at Tooradin State School added 8 more flowering gums to the Avenue at Tooradin. The head teacher, Mr Francis Grove asked council to assist by erecting tree-guards.  At the same Council meeting, Cr Les Cochrane, who was a World War One veteran, outlined steps which Kooweerup Returned Soldiers were taking to raise funds to restore the nameplates on the trees. (7)

Two months later in September 1941 the Dandenong Journal reported that - 

Diggers Raised £18 For Restoring Tooradin Honor Avenue.  A cheque for £17/18/3 was received from the Kooweerup R.S.S.I.L.A., the amount raised through the Tooradin members of the branch to restore the Honor Avenue at Tooradin. Cr Cochrane said that as it was stated that Tooradin Riding wasn’t financial enough to replace name-plates and generally restore the avenue, the branch had held a dance to secure the money. The cheque was the result. Crs Lamperd and Longmuir moved that a letter of thanks be sent to the branch and that the engineer be in structed to proceed with the work. (8)

1942

The Council advertised for tenders for this job and a tender was accepted in November 1941 (9) and in June 1942 the Kooweerup R.S.S.I.L.A. - Satisfaction was expressed at the excellent job that the shire engineer had made of the restoration of the Tooradin Honor Avenue. (10)

1943

A report in September 1943 in the Dandenong Journal presents a different picture i.e. there was less than satisfaction regarding the Avenue - 

Honor Avenue at Tooradin - Referring  to press reminders that council should replace dead trees in the Honor Avenue at Tooradin, Cr. R. Longmuir said that the avenue had been put there by the soldiers and the people and there had never at any time been any request to council to maintain or take it over. Mr. J. D. Singleton had approached him and had informed him that there were 14 dead trees in the avenue and some on the main road. He moved and Cr. Lloyd seconded, that Mr. Singleton be asked to send in a request for council to take over the avenue and maintain it. ‘We are willing to do it,” the mover said, “but if we did it without authority we would be over-riding somebody.” (11)

A month later, October, 1943, Mr. J. D. Singleton, J.P., advised that the Tooradin Foreshore Trust had no objection to the council taking over the control and maintenance of the Soldiers’ Memorial Avenue, and that consultation with Mr. C. S. McLeod, secretary of the Kooweerup RSL., revealed that he held the same view. (12)

1945
In August 1945, there were complaints that the Avenue was again being neglected -
Tooradin Soldiers' Welfare Committee drew attention to the neglected state of the Tooradin Honor Avenue, and also reminded council that a lot of local servicemen had not yet received certificates from the shire.- The engineer explained that the trees were planted by local residents. Some had died, and replacements had already been ordered.

In reply to Cr. Greaves it was stated that some trees had been planted in the avenue for soldiers of the present war. At the instance of Cr. Longmuir, a reply is to be sent that it is the usual practice for residents to supply the trees and guards, council then undertaking to maintain and look after them; also, pointing out that replacements have already been ordered. If a list of names is sent in, certificates for district servicemen will be supplied. (13)

1948
It appears nothing was done in 1945, as three years later in July 1948,  the Koo Wee Rup R.S.L. raised the issue with the Cranbourne Council again - 

Memorial Avenue at Tooradin - Koo Wee Rup R.S.L. requested council to re-plant misses and clean up Soldiers’ Av., at Tooradin.- Engineer to give necessary attention. (14)

1949

It appears nothing was done to improve the Avenue in 1948, as in February 1949 the Koo Wee Rup R.S.L. again wrote to the Council to drew  attention to the state of disrepair in which the Tooradin Honor Avenue had fallen and asked that it be given some attention. The Council advised that missing trees will be replaced at the proper time, and that in the meantime the engineer will put the other work in hand. (15)

Nothing had been done by the August so the R.S.L offered to supply the labour (16) and in the September it was reported that the Avenue has been cleared and it is expected that the trees will be available for re-planting. (17)

1954
It was another five years  before I could find more articles on the Avenue of Honour

In January 1954 the Dandenong Journal reported that Tooradin Progress Association sought an extension of the Avenue -

The trees in Tooradin’s Avenue of Honor are often admired by visitors and passing motorists. The Association will ask Council to approach the proper authorities to have the avenue extended right through the town. Officials are quite sure residents will give them some assistance in planting the trees. (18)

In March the Shire Engineer at a Council meeting was reported as saying - 

The work  of tidying up and re-planting the Tooradin Honor Avenue and the plantation east of the inlet is not extensive, stated the engineer. “All the name plates of the Honor Avenue require re-painting or renewing, and this would be costly,” he added. “I do not know if this is the council’s responsibility. Many of the boards are unreadable and I have been unable to obtain a complete list of names." Council deferred a decision until Riding councillors discussed the matter with the Progress Association that evening. (19)

In May 1954, the Koo Wee Rup R.S.L notified the Council that -

Owing to the difficulty of tracing the names of the individual soldiers for the replacements of plaques on the Tooradin Honor Avenue, the Kooweerup R.S.L. suggested that a concrete pillar or post with suitable inscription be put up instead. (20)

The idea was that a plaque would be attached to a pillar but at  the June Council meeting Cr. Mills said he had spoken to one of the trustees and surprised at the estimated cost of a plaque, he had asked that the matter be held in abeyance while it was further considered. (21) In August - the R.S.L. submitted quotes for the plaques and advised it was prepared to sponsor an appeal for funds towards their cost. The Council was agreeable to this and were prepared to cooperate and assist. (22)

In November, the Council approved a  motion to  apply to the Country Roads Board for permission to have the plaques and their pillars erected. (23)

1955
At the February 1955 Council meeting a letter was tabled from the Country Roads Board, advising that the board offers no objections to the proposal to erect memorial plaques on highway at Tooradin. (24)

This news was reported on at the March meeting of the Koo Wee Rup R.S.L. -

The Shire of Cranbourne advised that the Country Roads Board had approved the erection of two plaques at the Memorial Avenue, Tooradin, and when the sub-branch is in a position to proceed with the erection of the plaques to contact the shire engineer. - President reported that the plaques would cost approximately £50 and it was decided to defer the matter until the May meeting. (25)

At the May R.S.L. meeting  Further arrangements were made in connection with the erection of a memorial plaque at the Avenue of Honor, Tooradin. (26)

The plaques may be been installed but I can find no report of this in the Koo Wee Rup Sun in 1955, and there is nothing on Trove in local papers after 1955; and the 1956 and 1957 issues of the Koo Wee Rup Sun are missing from the collection at the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society, so I cannot provide a definitive answer.

To summarise - by 1955, if all these reports were correct, there were 42 trees planted in 1919, a small batch in 1922 and then the eight others in 1941, which makes it around 55 to 60 trees.  There was also the proposal to extend the Avenue in 1954, and by then it was so difficult to trace the names of the men honoured by the 1919 trees the attempt was abandoned.

We now jump to 1972 for the next report I can find on the Tooradin Avenue.

1972
The Koo Wee Rup Sun published this article on July 26, 1972 - 

Help rallies to save this tree. 

Efforts are being made to save these majestic flowering gums in the Tooradin Township. Berwick Shire’s Cr Marshall  Baillieu wrote to this month’s Cranbourne Shire Council meeting asking council to consider rockeries or similar treatment adjacent to the flowering gum trees outside the Tooradin Hotel.

He felt that parking on the trees root system was helping to kill the trees. Council decided that an inspection of the trees would be made by Cr Ted. Callinan and the shire engineer prepare a report on the trees. 

This week, after an inspection, Cr Callinan said the trees appeared to be suffering from some kind of disease. While the dead trees will be replanted, the council has not been able to find out if the other trees can be saved. The trees are believed to be at least 20 years old and have become part of Tooradin. (27) 

The photo and original caption which accompanied the article - 

One of the dying flowering gum trees, with Cr Callinan outside the Tooradin Hotel.

Koo Wee Rup Sun, July 26, 1972, p.3

Did the Cranbourne Shire do anything? I cannot say, but based on their lack of action and support since  the trees were planted in 1919, unlikely. In fact, if the Koo Wee Rup R.S.L. had not taken an interest in the Avenue from the 1940s, it may not  have survived. About 20 years ago (around 2005), I remember the late Rosemary Mynard (1939-2021) local historian, Cranbourne Shire Historical Society  member and the curator of the Fishermans Cottage Museum at Tooradin complaining to the City of Casey about cars parking amongst the trees and thus causing damage to the roots, so it was still an issue 30 years after Marshall Baillieu raised the matter with the Cranbourne Council.

2001

In 2001, the City of  Casey published Our Living Memorials: Avenues of  Honour in the City of Casey. This is the Tooradin entry - 

Tooradin Avenue - 60 trees - With the original planting consisting of only 18 trees in the centre. From this planting, the Avenue has extended north and south with 42 young Red Flowering Gum trees. The plantings were most likely arranged by friends groups and Council over the years. The plantings continue into the Tooradin shopping precinct, however this is probably as part of the development of the area, not as a continuation of the Avenue. The trees are mostly in acceptable condition, needing minor tree surgery to remove dead wood and damaged limbs. (28)

I don't agree, as you know, that there were only 18 planted originally, however if there are sixty now, at some time up to five more trees were planted after the 1919, 1922 and  1941 plantings. The Avenue now commences at Bayview Road, thus the newer trees were actually planted north of the original plantings as it still finishes at the bridge over Sawtell's Inlet. The City of Casey's own signage is placed just north of the bridge and at Bayview Road; I feel this signage was installed around the time Our Living Memorials book was published. 

Photographer: Greg Gordon

2001
The book Tooradin: 125 years of Coastal History was also published in 2001. It has this to say about the Avenue.
In July 1918, residents agreed that Tooradin's memorial to her fallen and returned soldiers should take the form of an Avenue of Australian  Flowering Gums. These were planted along the main road from near the Church of England to the Bridge and on the east side to the "Stella Maris" guest house, and in Station Road to the School. Each tree had a wooden plate with a soldier's name. Mr W. Rooke did the work of setting up the first 18 trees.  More trees were planted in 1922......We say of our fallen that "Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn" but the years condemned the Avenue of Honour. Road widening removed many trees and wooden name-boards have long rotted away. (29)

Again, I dispute the 1918 date, the number in the original planting and the fact that the Avenue extended south of Sawtell's Inlet to Stella Maris. Mr Rooke is Charles William Rooke, listed, with his wife Rose, in the 1917 and 1918  Electoral Rolls as a farmer at Tooradin; previously to this he was a market gardener at Springvale.  He is also listed in the 1917/1918 Cranbourne Shire Rate books as owning 198 acres of land at Tooradin; this land was sold to Samuel Hill sometime in the 1918/1919 Rate book year. However, there is also an advertisement for a clearing sale for Mr Rooke for his 198 acre farm and choice dairy herd on the Main Road, Tooradin to take place on April 18, 1917; it is possible the farm did not sell at this time. From 1919 I cannot trace Charles, but his wife Rose is listed at Tooradin in the 1921 and 1924 Electoral Rolls. (30)

The Tooradin Avenue of Honour of flowering gums was predominantly planted in 1919, initially with 42 trees; a small number of trees were added in 1922 and eight more in 1941, plus others at at unknown date, but most likely the 1950s.  Flowering gums were an unusual choice at the time, but they are now a wonderful memorial to the men from Tooradin who served their country in World War One and Two. 

Trove list - I have created a list of articles on Trove, related to the Avenue of Honour at Tooradin, access it here. 

Footnotes

(1) George Cooper, his son, also called George was also the Curator of the Alexandra Gardens and worked with Carlo Catani - I have written about both George's here - https://carlocatani.blogspot.com/2019/03/gw-cooper-alexandra-gardens-curator-and.html

(2) Cheesman's Nursery - In 1880 Richard Cheeseman, a nurseryman, purchased two acres of land (0.85 hectares) at the corner of Mill Street (now Hawthorn Road) and Union Street in East Brighton.  He continued to buy and lease land around his original allotment; by 1916 he owned 14 acres (5.75 hectares).   Cheeseman, who arrived in Victoria in 1867 aged 12 was described as being ‘of strong and genial personality, always capable and modern.’  He was both a prominent local citizen and also very involved in the Victorian horticultural industry.  He worked in many nurseries and gardens including Government House, Toorak.  His nursery in East Brighton was one of five that dominated the industry in Victoria in the late 19th and early 20th century, and offered an extensive selection of plants including over 500 varieties of roses.   Cheeseman served as a juror at the International Exhibition 1880-81; was a pioneer member of the Nurserymen and Seedmen’s Association; Trustee and President of the Victorian Horticultural Improvement Society; President of the Brighton Horticultural Society; and President of the Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria.  Locally, he was a councillor and Mayor of Brighton; President of the Brighton Bowling Club; and an influential member of the Brighton Yacht Club and North Brighton Men’s Club.  Cheeseman died in 1916; his nursery was continued by his family until c.1980, when the remaining land was sold and is now occupied by units. Source - City of  Bayside Heritage Review (Revision 2) December 2006 Building Citations- https://www.bayside.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-09/City%20of%20Bayside%20Heritage%20Review%20%28Revision%202%29%2C%202006.pdf

(3) James Dudley Singleton, J.P.  - died September 16, 1951 at his home  in Tooradin, see death notice in The Herald, here; short biography also appears in Tooradin: 125 years of Coastal History (see citation footnote 29)

(4) David Henderson - information about him and his father and other family members in ooradin: 125 years of Coastal History (see citation footnote 29)

(5) Dandenong Journal, June 11, 1931, see here.

(6) Dandenong Journal, December 11, 1940, see here.

(7) Dandenong Journal, July 9, 1941, see here.

(8) Dandenong Journal, September 10, 1941, see here.

(9) Dandenong Journal, November 19, 1941, see here.

(10) Dandenong Journal, June 17, 1942, see here.

(11) Dandenong Journal, September 8, 1943, see here.

(12) Dandenong Journal, October 6, 1943, see here.

(13) Dandenong Journal, August 15, 1945, see here.

(14) Dandenong Journal, July 7, 1948, see here.

(15) Dandenong Journal, February 9, 1949, see here.

(16) Dandenong Journal, August 10, 1949, see here.

(17) Dandenong Journal, September 7, 1949, see here.

(18) Dandenong Journal, January 20, 1954, see here.

(19) Dandenong Journal, March 24, 1954, see here.

(20) Dandenong Journal, May 12, 1954, see here.

(21) Dandenong Journal, June 9, 1954, see here.

(22) Dandenong Journal, August 18, 1954, see here.

(23) Dandenong Journal, November 10, 1954, see here.

(24) Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday, February 9, 1955, p.1.

(25) Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday, March 16, 1955, p.2.

(26) Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday, May 11, 1955, p.2.

(27) Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday, July 26, 1972, p.3.

(28) Our Living Memorials: Avenues of  Honour in the City of Casey (City of Casey, 2001) - view and down-load a copy here (it's free)  https://www.casey.vic.gov.au/avenues-of-honour

(29)   Wells, John &‘Tooradin celebrate together’ committee Tooradin : 125 years of coastal history, Blind Bight, Cannon’s Creek, Sherwood, Tooradin North, Warneet : 1875-2000 State School No.1503 (‘Tooradin celebrates together 125 years of Education’ committee, 2000), p.45.

(30) Charles William Rooke - Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com; Shire of Cranbourne Rate Books; Clearing sale - Dandenong Advertiser - April 12, 1917, see here.

Letters from the Front to Yallock School Children

The Lang Lang Guardian of April 30, 1916 (see here) printed the following two letters sent to Yallock State  School children from local soldiers, Robert Henry (1896-1991) and Will (also called Bill)  Finck (1893-1967). They are just delightful. War gave these young men some dreadful traumatic experiences, but also gave them an opportunity to travel overseas and see new countries and sights they would never have expected to see if they had stayed home in Yallock and it is these positive experiences they are writing to the school children about. 

At the Front
The following letters have been received by the Yallock school children, who write to each of the boys in turn who have enlisted from that district.

From Robert Henry 
Dear Children—I got quite a surprise the other day to receive quite a host of letters written by many of you. I was very pleased to hear from you, and as I think the task too great to write to all of you. I will make the one letter do. I am sure you will not mind. It is just 9 months since we sailed from Melbourne, and I have had a good many experiences during that time, although I have not been in action yet. We have been in Egypt most of the time, doing the work that was expected of us, and often times it was very trying, because where we were there was nothing but sand as far as the eye could see, and we saw hardly a bit of green grass all the time. But I am in a different country now. We had a lovely trip across the Mediterranean, as the sea was always smooth. We had to wear life belts all day and have them handy at night in case of being torpedoed, but I am glad to say we never sighted any submarines.

After we landed at Marseilles we had a three days' train journey, which we greatly enjoyed. We passed through some beautiful scenery, and many towns and rivers that I used to learn about when I went to school. The French people gave us a great welcome as the train went by, waving and cheering, and when the train stopped they would gather round and try to make us understand how pleased they were. When we arrived at our destination we were taken to what are called billets - old barns and any spare rooms that the people can spare for the accommodation of the soldiers. We can hear the big guns booming in the distance, as we are not far from the firing line. I expect to be up amongst them shortly. At night we can see the flashes from the guns, which looks just like lightning. In fact, the reflection just looks like a city in the distance. There are many other things that I would like to tell you about, but this letter has to be censored, I think that I will close now, hoping that this letter finds you all well, as it leaves Will Finck, Bob Harker, and myself. Best wishes to all. Your sincere friend - R Henry.

Robert Henry

Image: Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C999480

From Will Finck
To the Boys and Girls of Yallock State School,—I was very pleased to hear from several of you, and as it is too great an undertaking to write to each individually I decided to write a letter to you all. Well, the end of this month (May) will make it about six months of defence for us on the Canal, four months in the trenches. Mr Turk never shows himself much around our way, but a few miles further on he used to get very troublesome, but it takes the Australians to quieten him. Several times we were expecting to be attacked, but the luck never came our way, though we have had a fairly rough time at intervals; never slept with our boots off for at least a month at a time. We had a lot of patrolling and out-post duty to do, and every soldier will agree that that is about the worst work in war time. We had to go out and crawl about among the gullies and low hills about two miles from our front trenches. It put me in mind of trying to creep on rabbits. Anyhow, between the Turks looking for us, and us looking for them, we never saw much of one another.

The weather here at times was very warm, up to 130 in the shade. We have been to many places in Egypt, some of historical note. Some of you want to know what sort of a place Cairo is. Well, it consists of a mixture. What's good you can call lovely, and what's bad is awful. Ishmaha, on the Suez Canal, is a very pretty place, with fine parks and gardens and beautiful buildings. The Canal is a marvellous structure, and a very nice place on a hot day. Many a swim we have had in it. I may not post this letter in this country, as we may shortly be going on another sea voyage. We Yallock boys have come in contact with each other pretty often. I think L. Coates and J. Casey are arguing the point with the Germans by this time. Harry Casey, Will Lineham, C. Ware. J. de Little and Bert Boxshall I see every night. Bob Henry, Bob Harker and myself are always together.

France, 4th July.
We have arrived here, and are billeted amongst the farmers, so you can guess we feel at home. Some kiddies are tormenting me, so you'll excuse scribble. Have been doing some haymaking and milking to-day, and am booked for killing a pig to-morrow. Things are much cheaper here than in Egypt, a place I never want to set eyes on again. I am sure the Australians will show their grit here, because it seems as if we are in Australia defending our own shores. We want a bit of revenge against the Germans for their brutality to the civilian population. I will close now, with love to all - Will Finck.

[Since the above letters were written, news has been received of the death of Private Harker, and Privates Henry and Finck are reported missing since 20th July].

Bill Finck.

Image: Courtesy of Valerie Slade, his daughter.

Biographical details of the writers and the men mentioned in the letters

The first letter was written by Robert Henry and he mentions Will Finck and Bob Harker. The second letter was written by Will Finck and he mentions L. Coates, J. Casey, Harry Casey, Will Lineham, C. Ware, J. de Little, Bert Boxshall and the aforementioned Bob Henry and Bob Harker.

These are the men referred to in the letters and their Service Numbers (SN). The men are listed on the Yallock Honour Boards, so you can read more about them, here.  Ten men are referred to and four were Killed in Action.

Henry, Robert (1896-1991) (SN 344) Robert enlisted on July 8, 1915 at the age of  19. His next of kin was his father, William Henry of  Grassmere, Yallock. Robert was reported missing in July 1916 and had been captured by the Germans. He was released when the War ended, repatriated to England and Returned to Australia on March 2, 1919. He married Emily Ruby Savage in 1921 and they had five children. 

Finck, Lewis William (1893-1967, Louis Wilhelm, known as Bill)  (SN 339) Bill enlisted on July 10, 1915 aged 22. He Returned to Australia on April 13, 1919. Bill was the son of Louis Wilhelm and Elizabeth Mary (nee Killeen) Finck of Yallock.  Finck's Road is named after the family.  He married Gwendoline Harriet Stronach on March 8, 1927 at the Oakleigh Church of England and they had nine children.

Harker, Robert (SN 345) - Killed in Action July 20, 1916.
Coates, Lawrence (SN 2623a) - Killed in Action August 18, 1916.
Casey, John Alfred (SN 2593) - Killed in Action - August 23, 1918.
Casey, George Henry 'Harry' (SN 2603) - survived the War.
Lineham, William James (SN 2711) - survived the War.
Ware, Charles William (SN 3585a) - survived the War.
de Little, John Cyril (SN 220) - Killed in Action October 10, 1916.
Boxshall, Albert Victor 'Bert' (SN 3481) - survived the War.

Sources

Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920 at the National Archives of Australia; Personal notices in the newspapers on Trove; Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com. 

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

Letters to Yannathan from World War One soldiers

This post looks at letters sent to people  in Yannathan (or by those with a Yannathan connection) from three Great War soldiers - William Dunbar Watson (1888-1917), an un-named soldier and William James Lineham (1894-1974)

William Dunbar Watson (1888-1917)

The Lang Lang Guardian of May 24, 1916 (see here) published this interesting letter from Lance-Corporal William Watson, of Yannathan. William had the distinction of being one of the last group of Australian soldiers to be evacuated from Gallipoli. William Dunbar Watson, born in 1888 in North Hazlewood, was the son of Charles and Grace Watson (her maiden name was also Watson), of Yannathan. William (SN 730) was a 27 year old blacksmith, when he enlisted on March 15, 1915. He survived Gallipoli, but died of pleurisy in France on March 5, 1917. William is listed on the Yannathan Honour Board, see here, as his brother, Robert Charles Watson (SN 2018) who also served. Robert enlisted on February 28, 1916 at the age of 21. He was a farmer. He was wounded in action - gunshot wounds to arm and jaw - and Returned to Australia November 5, 1917, and took up a Soldier Settlement farm.

 

William's obituary 

Morwell Advertiser, March 23, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65919663

A Soldier's Letter. The appended letter has been received by Mr. H. McCann*, of Berwick, from Lance-Corporal W. Watson, of Yannathan, who was a prominent member of the Berwick football club. -

“I received two letters from you some time ago and feel rather ashamed of myself for not answering them sooner. We are now back among the sand once again. You have read the account of the evacuation, of course. We got off very well, but it seemed hard to leave after all we lost, but I think it was the best thing to do, as I am sure we could never have done any good there, and we were losing men every day - mostly through sickness, and we would certainly have lost heavily if we had to stay on during the winter. 

We had some terrible weather in November, rain and snow a treat. I, with a good many more, was in the trenches for about a fortnight without a spell, and during that time we had no water, and could not take even our boots off. It seems strange to say we had no water when it rained so much, but it was so. When we got a bit of time we used to gather a dixie of snow and melt it, but that did not seem to quench our thirst, it only made it worse. I was never so thirsty in my life, and never want to be so again. I would have given all I possessed for a drink. I saw fellows drink what looked like pure mud, and indeed I did it myself, and then to top the lot they gave us a terrible bombardment on November 29. 

The snow was still on the ground, and had frozen hard, but all the same a goad many of their big shells failed to explode, and a good job too, as quite enough of them did explode with terrible results, A good many were killed by pieces of shell, but a great many more lost their lives by being buried. They tried to seek shelter by getting into dug outs and tunnels, and places that, during any ordinary bombardment, would have been quite safe, but they evidently got some big guns up to give us a proper doing, and they succeeded. They were using 11.2 shells -  a battery of them. I spent a good part of the day helping to dig some of the poor fellows out dead. 

Our officer and three N.C.O's. all got knocked. They were standing together, and a .75 (a high explosive shell) got the four of them - killed two, and badly wounded the others. The officer had to have his leg taken off, and it is still doubtful if he will recover. I sincerely hope he does, as he was a fine chap. I'll not forget the 29th of November as long as I live. I was very lucky during my four months over there. I did not get a scratch, and did not have a day's sickness, but was not very sorry to get away from it.

Now I'll tell you a little bit about the way we got off. To begin with, we went off in parties called A party, A1 party, B, B1, and B2 parties. C, C1, C2, and C3, each party leaving at different times. A and A1 left a day before us. They consisted of all the chaps who had been attending the doctor, and a good number there were too. Then the rest all moved off at their appointed times, until only C3 party was left. In the section that our company had been holding, only eight were left, and I had the honor of being one of them. I was with in the very last party to leave, and when the time came for us to move off, we wasted no time in getting to the beach (about two miles), where a barge was waiting for us.

During the day some of our blankets were torn up and laid in the trenches and saps, and we also had to wrap bits of blanket round our feet to deaden any sound, as the Turks were only a few yards away. We that were left had to try and carry on just the same as we would on an ordinary night ; no more sniping, and no less, and, when the time came, hop down off the parapets; and off as hard as we could go. If the Turks had attacked us we were gone, as eight of us could not have done much and we had orders that we had to stay there until our time came - 3.30 am., was the time. Anyway, we managed it alright. 

Then we went into a rest camp and put in three weeks there, where we spent Christmas, and had rather a good time. Next time I write I'll give you some of our experiences there. I must draw to a close now, with best wishes."

*  Mr H. McCann was, I believe, Harry McCann, who was Head Teacher at Berwick State School from 1911 until 1917.

Letter to Mr Smethurst from an un-named soldier
The Lang Lang Guardian published this letter in their April 4, 1917 issue (see here). It was written to J. Smethurst of Yannathan. The Electoral Roll lists a James Thomas Smethurst, a John Samuel Smethurst and a Joseph Richard Smethurst all living at Yannthan in 1917, so one of these men was the recipient of this letter. The paper actually fails to tell us who sent the letter, but in spite of the fact we don't know the author, it is an interesting letter about life on the Front, how Christmas was celebrated and also mentions a few other local lads, so it is well worth publishing here.

Soldier's Letter. The following extracts are taken from a letter written to J. Smethurst, Yannathan.
France,
Jan. 1, 1917.

Just a few lines in answer to your ever welcome and interesting letters which I received a few weeks ago dated 30th October and 18th November, and also to thank you for the parcel of sox and cigarettes I received last night. The sox are very acceptable as we are continually in the mud and slush. I suppose you have heard that report of me being wounded was only a slight wound in the hand hardly worth reporting, they told me at the hospital it would not be sent in so I did not bother. I sent the cable after I came back from the hospital, I only had ten days spell with it, and have had nothing worse since than a cold, but am quite alright now and going strong. We were in the trenches when I got your letters, so have not had a chance to write before, but you will see I have started early in the new year. 

Xmas is over once more, this is my second away, I hope, to be back in Australia for the next. We had a nice quiet time for Xmas we were lucky enough to be reserve Division and well out of the firing line, just within hearing of the guns to remind us there is a war on. Xmas morning we had a Church Parade, but it was a beastly cold windy day quite unsuitable for an open air service. The chaplain was very disappointed as it was the first parade, he had for some time. He is a fine man. We had nineteen days in the trenches last time, and had very bad weather, it was either blowing, snowing, raining or frosty.

We worked in relays, some of us in the front line, and some in supports (about 700 yards behind the front line) we changed over every four days, as one could not stand more in the front line exposed to the cold and wet, and not able to have anything hot: back in supports we were lucky enough to find some German dugouts about thirty feet under ground, needless to say we occupied them and were fairly comfortable, we were able to light a fire and have a hot meal, and go to sleep and feel safe from the shells. Fritz made himself very comfortable with his dugouts, some of them are sixty feet deep, floored and lined, bunks rigged up in them and even pictures on the walls. It must have been a sore point for them to have to leave in a hurry and know that we are now occupying their dugouts.

I witnessed several aeroplane duels, in fact every clear day they are at it. It is a great sight to see as many as sixty planes all up at once, but rather horrible to see them brought down, sometimes in flames and other times I have seen observer fall out of his machine while hundreds of feet in the air.

I suppose you heard that Mat Doran was killed in action about the end of October. I'm not sure of the date as I did not hear till some time after. I went to see Gordon Burton after we came out of action, but he had gone away sick, I haven't heard anything of him since. I just heard yesterday that Chris Keighery and Alan Whelan are about here somewhere.

The author of the letter mentions four other men -
Doran, Matthew John (SN 1376) Matthew, a labourer, enlisted on August 3, 1915 at the age of 22. He was born in 1892 in Trentham to Denis Doran and Mary Cranny. Mary was subsequently widowed and married John Scanlon in 1902. His address on the Embarkation Roll is Heathcote, the same as his mother's address. He did, however, undertake his medical examination in Warragul and has a connection to Modella, see here. Matthew was Killed in Action in France on October 23, 1916.

Burton, Gordon Frederick (SN 184) Gordon was born in Yannathan, enlisted on July 5 1915 at the age of 23. He was grocer and his next of kin were his parents, Frederick and Elizabeth (nee Smith) Burton, of Wonthaggi. Gordon Returned to Australia April 13, 1919. Gordon came back to Yannathan after the War and was listed in the Electoral Rolls as a driver. In the 1936 Roll his occupation had changed to grocer and the next year he had moved to Northcote, where he was also in the Grocery trade. Gordon married Rita Priestley in 1943 and he died on September 18, 1946 at the age of 51. Gordon is listed on the Yannathan Honor Board, see here.

Keighery, Christopher (SN 340) Christopher was born in Dandenong and enlisted on May 13, 1916, Chris was 26 years old and a saddler and his next of kin was his father, Edward, of Lang Lang. He Returned to Australia July 5, 1919. I came across this interesting article (below) about Chris and Frank Keighery. Frank (SN 445) was Killed in Action at Gallipoli, but before the War contributed Nature Notes to The Argus, under the pen name Heron and was the first man to volunteer from Lang Lang. Chris and Frank were the sons of Edward and Annie (nee Elliott) Keighery. Edward and Annie moved to Lang Lang in 1903 where Edward had a Bootmakers shop. In 1920, Chris married Eva Emily Misson and they lived in Koo Wee Rup where he operated a saddlers and bicycle shop.  (Source: Protector's Plains: history of Lang Lang Primary School No.2899, 1888-1988 and district compiled by Barbara Coghlan in 1988.)

A report about Chris and Frank Keighery

Lang Lang Guardian, May 11, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119515432

Whelan, Herbert Allan (SN 341) Allan (as he was known) enlisted on May 18, 1916. He was 23 years old, born in Lang Lang and his next of kin was his father, Thomas, of Rutherglen. His mother, Sarah (nee Pell) had died in 1906. Allan's occupation on his Enlistment papers was a Hairdresser, although he was listed in the Electoral Rolls at Lang Lang at this time as a Teamster. Allan was taken Prisoner of War on April 15, 1917 and repatriated back to England on Christmas Day, 1918. He Returned to Australia February 7, 1919. After the War, Allan moved to Maryborough, and his occupation was a Motor Proprietor. He married Margaret Elizabeth Nicholls in 1927, who sadly died September 7, 1928. In 1930 he married Helena Sarah Neyland. Allan and Helena lived in Carisbrook, where he was a Motor Mechanic. Allan died in 1965, aged 72.

William James Lineham (1894-1974)
In February 1917, Mrs Lineham of Yannathan received a letter from her son, William, who was serving overseas. William James Lineham was born in 1894 in Clyde to Benjamin and Eliza Maria Agnes (nee Knott) Lineham. They later moved to Yannathan. William (SN 2711) enlisted on July 19, 1915 at the age of 20 and he Returned to Australia April 13, 1919. In 1927, William married Ellen May Gilchrist and the couple farmed at Yannathan on a Soldier Settlement farm. He died on June 30, 1974, aged 79. William is listed on the Yannathan State School Honour Board, see here and the Yallock Honor Board, see here. 

The letter to Mrs Lineham was published in the Lang Lang Guardian on February 28, 1917 (see here)

Mrs B. Lineham, of Yannathan, has received the following letter from her son, Driver W. J. Lineham, who has been ill for some time -
Dear Mother and Father,
Just a few lines to let you know I am about well again. I had a touch of bronchitis, but it was not very severe, also a septic toe, but it is quite well again. I am in the British Red Cross Hospital at Netly [sic] near Southampton. I have been in four Hospitals, and have had no letters from you for over two months, so I expect the letters are still chasing me from one Hospital to another. I expect to be back in France by the time you receive this letter. I had a letter from father's cousin in England this morning, and was pleased to have one. We are very busy to-night decorating our ward and have nearly finished. I am very lucky, I think, to be in England for Christmas, and have had a real good time in every Hospital, being treated real well.

There are only three Australians in the hut, and nearly every day someone comes in to see us. In the Hospital I was in at Rouen, France, there was one Australian nurse, and there are a few here. One came in to see us last night. On the way over from Le Havre to Southampton our boat ran into the mud twice, and the second time it took two days to pull us off. The boat had a hole knocked into front of her, but it could not have been very large as we got to port safely. It was very foggy, so I suppose that accounted for it.

William Lineham's letter

 Lang Lang Guardian, February 28, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119514251

Sources used in this post not already specified -
Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920 at the National Archives of Australia; Personal notices in the newspapers on Trove; Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com; Soldier Settlement files at the Public Records Office of Victoria - VPRS 5714.

A version of this post first appeared on my work blog -  Casey Cardinia Commemorates: Our War Years https://caseycardinia1914-1918.blogspot.com/

Letters to Iona from World War One soldiers

This post looks at letters sent to people in Iona from three Great War soldiers - Robert Bruce Forsyth (1892-1980), William Clarkin (1894-1916) and James Gully (1882-1931)

Robert Bruce Forsyth (1892-1980)
On April 15, 1915 Bruce Forsyth, of Iona, wrote a letter from Cairo to his parents. Robert Bruce Forsyth was born in Bunyip in 1892 to William and Naomi (nee Bull) Forsyth. Bruce (SN 203) was a 23 year farmer when he enlisted on August 18, 1914. Captain Forsyth was twice Mentioned in Despatches and was also awarded the Military Cross. He Returned to Australia November 6, 1918 and took up a Soldier Settlement farm near Alexandra. He married Amy Williams in 1920 and died in 1980, aged 88.

The Bunyip Free Press of May 27 1915, (see here) published Bruce's letter.

The following letter has just been received by Mr. and Mrs. W. Forsyth, of Iona, from their son Bruce, who is in Egypt with the First Expeditionary Force: -
Mena Camp, Cairo,
15th April, 1915.

Dear Mother and Father
I received your over-welcome letters yesterday, dated 16th March, and was glad to hear you were all well. You said you heard the first contingent had left Egypt. Well, the infantry and one squad of light horse have gone but we don't know where to. There are only A and B squadrons of the light horse left here now. We are, unluckily, the last ones to shift.

Last Tuesday my mate and I took a trip to the Citadel and also went all through the Mosques, they are marvellous places. We had a guide to show us through them. There are several Mosques around the Citadel all fixed up inside as places of worship. The brother, sister and parents of the present Sultan, also the man who built the Mosque, are buried in them, and they have lovely tombs. We had to put on a pair of slippers they gave us before we were allowed to enter, as they say it is holy ground.

There were natives kneeling around every where, rubbing their noses on the ground; and going through all kinds of forms. There are large fountains inside where the people have to wash three times before they pray. It was here Napoleon fired on those mosques from the citadel, and there are great lumps of masonry knocked out of the walls, and also one big cannon ball still wedged in the wall where it struck. There are also holes in the door going up to the citadel. One door in one of these places cost half a million pounds, and is made of gold and silver.

The Citadel is full of wounded Indian soldiers from the front. We went in and saw them. Now that the others are gone we get a very easy time of it, mostly just exercising our horses, and we are getting quite lazy. 

All the chaplains have gone with the infantry, so our Colonel holds the service on Sunday mornings. He is a good speaker and is well liked. Well, I think I've told you all the news for this time. Remember me to all my friends. I was very sorry to hear of "Bill " Sullivan's death."

Your ever affectionate son,
R. B. FORSYTH.
(The letter is edited, you can read the original, here.)

The Citadel in Cairo, as Bruce would have seen it.

Image dated c. 1914-1918. State Library of Victoria Image H99.166/305

William Clarkin (1894-1916)
The Bunyip Free Press of July 22, 1915 (see here) published these letters from local soldiers, Will Clarkin and James Gully.

William Clarkin (SN 1522) was born in 1894, enlisted at Tynong on December 7, 1914 at the age of 21. He died of wounds in France on August 26, 1916. William is listed on the Cora Lynn War Memorial, see here, (where I have more information about the Clarkin family);  the Iona Honor Board, see here, and the Bunyip War Memorial, see here. 

Letters from Will Clarkin

Mr. William Clarkin, who some time ago was wounded at the Dardanelles, has sent the following letters to his relatives at Iona : -

No. 17 General Hospital, Alexandria.
I suppose you are wondering why I have not written lately. Well, you you see, two days after I wrote my last letter we were ordered off to the Dardanelles. We had to land under fire, but we got there alright. I was about a fortnight in the trenches when I had the misfortune to get bowled over. I have been in the hospital for about three weeks, but I will soon be out again. We were ordered to take a good position that the Turks held, so about 1 o'clock in the morning our company, along with three more, were ordered out to do it.

The night was fairly dark, so we could not see the enemy too well. Anyway, it settled into a hand-to-hand go. I don't know exactly what happened, but a Turk must have got home on me with the butt end of his rifle, for I don't remember any more until I was picked up about 5 o'clock in the morning. My head felt as if it had been drawn (dragged) through a six-inch pipe, but I am getting as right as rain again. What makes it worse is that I went as deaf as a post. One of the drums of my car is broken but I can hear alright out of the other one.

I suppose you get all the news over there. The Turks are a treacherous lot. They take no prisoners, nor do they respect the Red Cross. But never mind, the war will soon be over, for news has just come that Italy will soon be into it. We get treated like kings over here - chicken for dinner every day and plenty of cigarettes. When we are discharged from hospital we are sent to a rest camp, where we pick our selves together again.

Part of the 17th General Hospital, Alexandria - where William Clarkin was treated.

Tented accommodation of 17th British General Hospital established for treatment of casualties with serious wounds.

Australian War Memorial Image H00871

Luna Park Convalescent Home, Heliopolis, 30/5/15.

Since I last wrote I have been shifted again, this time to a convalescent home about four miles out of Cairo. I don't know whether I will be sent to a rest camp or back to the front when I leave here; but I hope they will send me somewhere, for I am sick and tired of bed. Of course, I can walk about as good as ever, but you see, we are not allowed to leave the hospital. I suppose you hear all the war news. I wonder do they publish the casualty list; it must be a pretty big one. The Turks got home on our officers; there are only a few of them left.

The Convalescent Hospital in Heliopolis, where William Clarkin also received treatment.

It was called the 'Luna Park Convalescent Hospital' as it was located in the Palace Hotel at Heliopolis and an amusement park, called Luna Park, had been established in the grounds in 1911.

Australian War Memorial P00229.007

Convalescent Camp, 4/6/15.
As we have not got to do anything here but keep our tents clean, I can write a bit more often; I was shifted out into the open-air tents to-day. It is far better in the tents. It is terribly hot in Egypt now; the hottest I have ever been in. It is no place to send wounded men. The wounds will not heal up, only on the inside; only a dry scab comes over the outside. An eye and ear specialist attends me; but I am afraid he can do nothing with my ear. My other one is about as right as can be. It affected my eyes, too, but they are as right as rain. The haze that rises from the sand in the hot weather affects everybody's eyes, and my eyes were a bit weak when I left for the Peninsula. The first batch of wounded men who were fixed up left for the front again last Wednesday week, I think we will be going back again on Wednesday. But don't worry about me; I will get through alright. You might not believe me, but there is a certain fascination about the firing line, although I am not too anxious to hear the shells all around a fellow, and he has got to sit as he can get. But, cheer up; I think next 'Xmas is going to be a real happy one.

James Gully (1882-1931)
James, born in 1882, to Harry and Henrietta (nee Robinson) Gully enlisted on September 28, 1914 at the age of 32 (SN 1167). James Returned to Australia December 3, 1918, for 'Special Leave' and was discharged on medical grounds in March 1919 - having been wounded with a gun shot in the shoulder and later wounded in the left thigh. He died in July 1931 at the Repatriation Hospital in Caulfield, and is buried at the Fawkner Cemetery.

James' death notice

The Age, July 2, 1931 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article203033276

The Bunyip Free Press of July 22, 1915 (see here) published this report of the letter.
Mr. Gully, of Iona, received a short letter last Thursday from his son (Private James Gully), who was recently wounded at the Dardanelles. Writing from the Base Hospital, Private Gully did not (or perhaps could not) state the extent of his injuries. He was eleven days in the firing line before he was wounded, and must have remained where he fell for some time, as afterwards he contracted pneumonia. Mr. Gully is anxiously awaiting another letter from Jim, whose younger brother has enlisted for active service, and is now in camp at Seymour.

James' younger brother was John Harry Gully (SN 607) who enlisted in June 1915 and Returned to Australia May 1919.

Sources used in this post - 

Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920 at the National Archives of Australia; Personal notices in the newspapers on Trove; Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com; Soldier Settlement files at the Public Records Office of Victoria - VPRS 5714.

A version of this post first appeared on my work blog -  Casey Cardinia Commemorates: Our War Years https://caseycardinia1914-1918.blogspot.com/

Ernest Oldham - the first man to enlist from Koo Wee Rup - or was he?

In May 1915, The Age reported on the fact that Private E. Oldham had been wounded.
Private E. Oldham (wounded), is the youngest son of the late John S. Oldham, of Williamstown. He served his apprenticeship as engineer at  Mephan Ferguson's, Footscray, and worked at the railway rolling stock works and signal shops, Newport. He had only recently returned from a twelve months'  trip to England and Scotland when the war commenced. He was a cricketer, and played with the Williamstown club. Private Oldham was the first to enlist from the Kooweerup district. (1)

Private Oldham, wounded

The Age, May 28, 1915 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154944775

It is the last line of the report which is of interest to us -  Private Oldham was the first to enlist from the Kooweerup district. I can find no connection between Ernest and Koo Wee Rup  and I believe this is a mistake on the part of The Age. He is not mentioned as enlisting in the Lang Lang Guardian, the local newspaper at the time; nor does the paper carry the report of his injury or his death. He is also not listed at Koo Wee Rup or surrounds in the Electoral Rolls.  However, I may be wrong and I hope by writing this post that someone may provide the link to Koo Wee Rup. 

Ernest Oldham

Sons of Williamstown: the Great War 1914-1919 Honour Board  

https://sonsofwilliamstown.com.au/portfolio/e-oldham/

Private Oldham was Ernest Oldham, born in Williamstown in 1888 to  John Spencer Oldham and his wife Harriett (nee Hodge). He had eight older siblings  - William Robert (1867 - 1880);  James Alfred (1869 - 1915);  Isabella Jane (1871 - 1877); John Henry (1874 - 1923); Selina Harriet (1877 - 1929, married name Hawdon); Albert (1879, died aged 4 months in 1879); Arthur (1880 - 1931) and Marmaduke Luke (1883 - 1948). (2) John Spencer Oldham died in November 1912 at the age of 74  and his obituary noted that he was a boiler maker and had worked at the Newport  Railway Workshops and was a life member and past president of the Williamstown Mechanics' Institute; and a member of the Loyal Williamstown Manchester Unity Lodge. Harriet had died in November 1909 aged 65. (3)

Ernest attended Williamstown Central State School and Footscray Technical School and became a Fitter and Turner. (4)

Ernest (service number 1162) enlisted on September 18, 1914 in the 7th Battalion, at the age of 26. His next of kin was his brother James, of 109 Hanmer Street, Williamstown.  He embarked on the Themistocles on December 24, 1914, and later arrived at Alexandria on April 5, 1915.  Twenty days later, on what was to become Anzac Day,  Ernest was wounded at Gallipoli, shrapnel wound to his left leg.  This was the incident which was the subject of the report in The Age. Ernest was promoted to Corporal in June 1917 and was Killed in Action in France on June 27, 1918 after 3 years and 9 months of active service. He is buried at the Borre British Cemetery in France. (5)

Death notice  for Ernest

The Argus, July 13, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1401576

With all this information - the fact that he worked at the Railway Workshops at Newport and had just returned after a year in England and Scotland before he enlisted  - it seems unlikely that he could have spent any length of  time in Koo Wee Rup. Let me know in the comments if you have any information about his connection to the Koo Wee Rup area.

Footnotes
(1) The Age, May 28, 1915, see here. 
(2) Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages
(3) Williamstown Chronicle, November 9, 1912, see here;  The Australasian, November 13, 1909, see here.
(4) Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial   https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1658302
(5) First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920, National Archives of Australia https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=7993871