Shire of Cranbourne Certificate presented to Edwin Spencer Johnson

This certificate is from the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society collection and was presented to Edwin Spencer Johnson by the Shire of Cranbourne, in appreciation of your voluntary enlistment for active service overseas. It is dated March 27, 1943 and was signed by Shire President, Cr Matthew Bennett, M.L.A; Cr Leslie James Cochrane, M.L.A and Shire Secretary Allan Frank Buchanan.

The certificate was presented at a function at the Koo Wee Rup Memorial Hall on Saturday, March 27, 1943 and it was reported on in the Koo Wee Rup Sun (see full report at the end of this post).  The dance and presentation night was held under the auspices of the Koo wee Rup Citizens' Send-off and Welcome Home Committee. 250 people were present to farewell the sixteen local boys who enlisted - only four of whom were present - Ken Child, Wallie Ellett, Gordon Hobson and Keith Barnes. Cr Cochrane said that the Committee had farewelled 93 servicemen and each man (or their family) were given £2 and the Cranbourne Shire Certificate shown here. The twelve men who could not be present were listed as J. O’Brien, H.Jacob (R.A.N.R.), Ted Johnson,  J. Davey (A.I.F.), K. McInnes (R.A.A.F.), C. Loveday and L. Colvin (A.I.F.),  L. Seddon, B.L. Broadbent, A. Burton, Colin Burton, and C. Cuff (A.I.F.)

Here's some information about Ted Johnson, the man whose certificate we have -

Johnson, Edwin Spencer (VX117828 Australian Army) Ted was born in Dandenong on August 29, 1914 and was living in Koo Wee Rup when he enlisted on November 17, 1942. He was discharged January 11, 1946. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

On July 15, 1944, Ted married Gladys Warren, the second daughter of Mr and Mrs F. Warren of Glenfyne, Upper Yannathan, at St Johns Church of England in Lang Lang. Gladys wore a graceful frock of white chantilly lace, with an ivory tuille veil. There is a lovely report of their wedding in the Dandenong Journal of August 2, 1944, which you can read here.  The report also tells us that Ted Johnson was the eldest son of Mr & Mrs W. Johnson of Charles Street in Koo Wee Rup. Ted and Gladys are listed in the 1954 Electoral Roll in Lang Lang, his occupation was a butcher. Ted died on August 23, 1990 and Gladys on July 28, 1997 and they are both buried at the Lang Lang Cemetery.

Here is some brief biographical information  of the other men who are listed in the Koo Wee Rup Sun article. The information is from the World War Two Nominal Rolls, here. I have also included the link to their full service record at the National Archives. If I could find a photograph, I have included it. 

Barnes, Keith Henry  (119759 Royal Australian Air Force). Born in Swan Hill on September 22, 1924 and was living in Koo Wee Rup on enlistment, which was on October 15, 1942.  Discharged March 18, 1946. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Keith was one of the four servicemen present at the send-off. 

Keith Henry Barnes

Image: National Archives of Australia 

Broadbent, Benjamin Lane (VX112302 Australian Army)  Born in Northcote on October 26, 1910; lived in Koo Wee Rup and enlisted on October 21, 1942.  Discharged May 10, 1946. Ben Broadbent was well known in Koo Wee Rup as the owner of Broadbent's Drapery store and he and his wife Bronwyn (nee Williams) were involved with many community organisations. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Burton, Allan Edward  (VX123516 Australian Army).   Born on January 28, 1913 in Koo Wee Rup; lived in Koo Wee Rup and enlisted February 18, 1943.  Discharged September 24, 1946. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Burton, Colin Stuart (VX113988 Australian Army) Born on May 16, 1916 in Koo Wee Rup; lived in Koo Wee Rup and enlisted November 1, 1942. Discharged December 15, 1943. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

Child, Kenneth Samuel (PM5468 Royal Australian Navy) Born on September 25, 1925 in Koo Wee Rup lived in Koo Wee Rup and enlisted on December 2, 1942.  Discharged April 12, 1946. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Ken was one of the four servicemen present at the send-off. 

Colvin, Leonard Michael (VX122263 Australian Army). Born on December 26, 1920 in Koo Wee Rup; lived in Koo Wee Rup and enlisted on December 22, 1942. Discharged December 19, 1945. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Cuff, Gordon George (VX110054 Australian Army). Born in Lismore in NSW on August 1, 1905; lived in Koo Wee Rup and enlisted on October 1, 1942. Discharged June 2, 1948. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Davey, John Arthur  (VX117309  Australian Army) Born in Dandenong on March 16, 1917; lived in Koo Wee Rup and enlisted on November 3, 1942.  Discharged June 7, 1946. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Ellett, Walter Lyell (PM5217 Royal Australian Navy) Born at Koo Wee Rup on March 10, 1925; lived in Koo Wee Rup and enlisted on October 21, 1942. Discharged February 14, 1946. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Walter was one of the four servicemen present at the send-off. 

Hobson, Gordon James (VX67536 Australian Army) Born in Bunyip on December 7, 1920;  lived in Rythdale and enlisted on December 11, 1941.  Discharged January 8, 1944. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Gordon was one of the four servicemen present at the send-off. 

Jacob, Harold Allen (PM5297 Royal Australian Navy)  Born in Murrayville on May 12, 1925 and enlisted on December 16, 1942.  Harold was discharged June 3, 1946. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Loveday, Cuthbert Lyall  (VX112913 Australian Army)  Born in Melbourne on December 6, 1917; lived in Koo Wee Rup and enlisted on August 15, 1940.  Discharged  October 31, 1945.You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

McInnes, Keith Gordon  (120614  Royal Australian Air Force)  Born in Rushworth on February 11, 1916;  lived in Koo Wee Rup and enlisted on November 9, 1942. Discharged April 11, 1945. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

Keith Gordon McInnes

Image: National Archives of Australia 

O'Brien, J.  Not sure who this is. The Koo Wee Rup Sun article said that he joined the Royal Australian Navy, but I can't find a J. O'Brien with a Koo Wee Rup connection, who did that.  The only Koo Wee Rup O'Brien, I can find is Daniel Charles O'Brien (VX91602, Australian Army) who enlisted on March 3, 1943. He had been born at Koo wee Rup on December 22, 1905, lived in Koo Wee Rup and was discharged November 23, 1943. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Daniel Charles O'Brien

Image: National Archives of Australia 

Seddon, Charles Leonard  (VX106720 Australian Army)  Born in Stanley on June 22, 1909; lived in Koo Wee Rup and enlisted on September 18, 1942. Discharged January 14, 1946. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

The men who signed the certificate were -
Bennett, Matthew (1862 - 1951) Owned a dairy farm at Catani. He was a Cranbourne Shire Councillor from 1925 until 1951. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly for Gippsland West from 1929 until 1950 for the Country party and was succeeded by Leslie Cochrane. I have written about him here.

Cochrane, Leslie James (1894 - 1972) Cranbourne Shire Councillor from 1930 - 1964, Shire President 1935/1936, 1946, 1949/1950 and 1957/1958. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly for Gippsland West from 1950 to 1970. I have written about Cr Cochrane, here.

Buchanan, Allan Frank (1863-1965) Cranbourne Shire Secretary.  After spending 22 years as Shire Secretary at the Shire of Wycheproof, Mr Buchanan took up the same role at the Cranbourne Shire from February 1935.  In October 1950 he took leave of absence due to ill health and retired in April 1951. You can read about his retirement in the Dandenong Journal, here. He died in Torquay in July 1965, aged 72.

This is the transcription of the article about the send-off from the Koo Wee Rup Sun, of Thursday, April 1, 1943 

War Service Men Farewelled

On Saturday another dance and presentation night, under the auspices of the Kooweerup Citizens’ Send-off and Welcome Home committee, was tendered to local lads who\ have enlisted for active service overseas  in the Memorial Hall. About 250 persons were present and Rogers’ Orchestra supplied the dance music.  Unfortunately, only four of the 16 boys to be honored were able to be present, viz., Ken Child, Wallie Ellett (R.A.N.R.) Gordon Hobson (A.I.F.) and Keith Barnes  (R.A.A.F.).

Following supper, the president of the committee (Cr L. J. Cochrane) said they were present to do honor to another batch of local men who had voluntarily given their services to their country.

On behalf of the public of Kooweerup and district, Mr. E.R. Williams, J.P., said the armies of Australia to date comprise approximately 750,000 men, and of this number a little over half are in the volunteer army, which includes all in the R.A.A.F., Royal Australian Navy and Australian Imperial Force. The men who they were honoring that night, and those they had previously, belong to this glorious volunteer army of men – 400,000 Australians who do not recognise any line drawn on a map behind which to fight in defence of their country and the British Empire, but are willing to go anywhere their services are most needed. These men represent the true spirit of Australia; the spirit of the pioneers of this country, which has made it what it is to-day.

 Despite camouflage and propaganda, it cannot be denied that the Australian military war effort is still shackled  and bound by the narrow and tragic conception of  a divided army. However we can be thankful that we have 400,000 Australians loyal beyond party politics; who possess “the grander spirit and nobler vision,” and who have not forgotten pals in Singapore and Malaya. We also must make sacrifices, voluntary or by compulsion, to make sure that such men are properly equipped to do their part toward victory. This community is very proud of its fighting sons, and all wish them good health and an even brake, being quite confident that they will do the rest.

Mr W. Taylor, president of the local R.S.S.A.I.L.A, sub-branch, said on its behalf that the league stands for the soldiers of to-morrow, and he advised the guests on their return to throw in their lot with those who had already laid foundations in their interest. He was sure they would carry on the traditions of the old A.I.F.

In criticising the present Government  for turning down preference in employment to returned men, the speaker said that if men who fought for their country were not entitled to this preference he would like to know who is. He was sure the present servicemen would get a better spin on their return to civilian life than the old A.I.F. had received. He wished the guests God speed and a safe return.

Cr. Cochrane said the local committee had to date farewelled 93 servicemen. He congratulated the guests on the action they had taken and said he felt sure they would do their best wherever they went.

He then presented each guest with a money belt containing £2 in notes, also a Cranbourne Shire certificate. He said that owing to the inability to purchase wool without coupons the local R.S. Ladies’ Auxiliary was unable to make its usual presentation of comforts at such functions, but auxiliary members had asked him to convey to the guests their very best wishes.

Cr. Cochrane then made the same presentations to relatives of the following lads who were unable to be present:- J. O’Brien, H. Jacob (R.A.N.R.), Ted Johnson,  J. Davey (A.I.F.), K. McInnes (R.A.A.F.), C. Loveday and L. Colvin (A.I.F.)  [illegible] to make presentations to the following unrepresented boys at a later date: - L. Seddon, B.L. Broadbent, A. Burton, Colin Burton, and C. Cuff (A.I.F.)

The singing of “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows” was followed by three lusty cheers, and after short responses made by each guest the dancing programme was resumed.

Bayles honours Roland Boxshall and Donald McDonald

In September 1943 two men from the local area who joined the services were honored by Bayles residents at the monthly euchre and dance conducted by the Red Cross. The two men were Don McDonald who joined the  Air Force and Rowley Boxshall, who joined the Navy (1).

Presentation to Don and Rowley

Dandenong Journal, September 23, 1942 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article215710514

The Dandenong Journal reported on the event - Cr. L.J. Cochrane (2) on behalf  of residents, presented them with shaving outfits and Shire certificates (3). On behalf of Cora Lynn residents, Cr. D. Kinsella also presented Don McDonald with a fountain pen. Both lads responded and were given an ovation. Clark's Harmony orchestra supplied the dance music and the Bayles Red Cross ladies served a bountiful supper (4).

Establishment of the Bayles Red Cross

Koo Wee Rup Sun, June 27, 1940, p.4.

Before we look at the war service of the two men, we will have a look at the Bayles Red Cross group. The group was established on June 24,  1940 and the inaugural office bearers were President Mrs N. Maughan; vice presidents Mesdames E. Kane and L. Egan; secretary Mrs W. G. Taylor; treasurer Mrs K. Cole (5). These women are listed, as was usual in those day, under their husband's names but this is who they are (6) -

Mrs N. Maughan - Eleanor Eileen (nee Hogg) the wife of Norman Flett Maughan, listed in the 1942 Electoral Roll as a farmer from Bayles.

Mrs E. Kane - Holly (nee Harker), the wife of Edward Kane, labourer of Bayles.

Mrs L. Egan - Mary Adele (nee Maria Adela Du Frocq), the wife of Charlie Leslie Egan, labourer of Bayles.

Mrs W. G. Taylor - Eva Anne (nee Johnson), wife of William George Taylor, a baker, of Bayles.

Mrs K. Cole - Joyce Claudine (nee Hoath), wife of Keith Cole, a clerk, of Bayles.

It was a strong branch and in 1945 they had ninety members (7) which is amazing for a small town, I will write a history of the branch in the future.

Roland Arthur Boxshall (1920-1980)
Rowley Boxshall or Roland Arthur Boxshall to give him his full name was born on July 26, 1920, the son of Henry John and Violet (nee Izzard) Boxshall of Yallock. Henry was a local historian, you can read about him here.

Roland enlisted on June 3, 1941 in the Army (SN V190688);  his occupation was listed as a Casein maker, no doubt employed at the Bayles Milk factory. He was discharged from Army and joined the Navy as a stoker on September 7, 1942. (SN W2525). He was demobilised on March 28, 1946.  Roland married Pamela June Chapman in 1957, and they lived on Finck Road, in  Bayles (8). 

Roland becomes engaged to Pamela

Koo Wee Rup Sun, April 20, 1955, p. 4.

They were keen members of the Warragul & District Kennel & Obedience Club and as noted in their newsletter, their Roly Boxshall Memorial Owner Bred & Handled Sweepstakes is held in memory of Roly, who was our Club’s President from 1971 until his passing in 1980. Roly and his wife Pam were conformation judges, wonderful people, and always willing to help the Club. (9)

Roland died in Koo Wee Rup on August 9, 1980, at the age of 60.  His ashes are interred at the Springvale Botanical Cemetery.(10) 

Donald Alexander McDonald (1920

Donald McDonald

National Archives of Australia RAAF Officers Personnel files, 1921-1948

Donald Alexander McDonald (Service Number 410364) was born on October 7, 1920. Don, who was a telephonist with the P.M.G., enlisted in the Air Force on December 6, 1941. (11)  He was the the son of John James and Mabel (nee Wilkinson) McDonald of Scanlons Drain Road in Cora Lynn (right next door to Bayles). (12)

Don was a pilot and his service file tells us about his flight experience. Don had 415 hours of training in various aircraft in both Australia and overseas including an Oxford, Whitley V, and Halifax II and V. After his training he did 27 hours of 'Non-operational flying i.e Instructional.' (13)

Now we come to his Operational Flying details - his first tour commenced January 28, 1944 and ended August 30, 1944. He was located at the RAF base at Burn, in Yorkshire and undertook 40 sorties and 180 hours of flying, nearly all as 1st pilot. His second tour, in April/May 1945 based at the RAF base at Driffield in Yorkshire, involved one sortie and four hours of flying. All the Operational flying was in Halifax Bombers. (14) 

Don was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on November 17, 1944 - his citation read - Pilot Officer McDonald has completed numerous operations against the enemy, in the course of which he has invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty. (15)

The article about Don McDonald being awarded the D.F.C. Alister Nicholson, whom Don caught up with in London was serving with the Canadian Air Force (16).

Dandenong Journal, November 29, 1944 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214168113

Don was discharged from the Air Force on December 6, 1945. He married Flora May Barr, of Bayles on October 26, 1946. As noted in the Electoral rolls, Donald continued for a time in his career with the P. M.G., as in 1949 he was the Postmaster at Fawkner; but by 1954 Don was a grocer at Hampton and in 1968 a greengrocer in the  Moorabbin area. (17)

Donald marries Flora Barr

Koo Wee Rup Sun, November 20, 1946, p. 1

In 2015, Don along with four other Australians was awarded the Legion of Honour. This following account is from the (now defunct) website Bleu, Blanc, Rouge - 
Wednesday, the 25th of February, four Australians veterans of the Second World War became Knight of the Legion of Honor, at the French Honorary Consulate of Melbourne. His Excellency Mr. Christophe Lecourtier, Ambassador of France, thanked the courage and the sense of sacrifice of Ronald Cleaver, James Coulter, Dennis Kelly, Donald McDonald, with a special thought for Keith Stevens who unfortunately couldn’t be there due to illness, in a heart-felt and moving speech, expressing the gratitude of the French Republic for these war times heroes. Then, the ambassador and French Air Chief Marshal Denis Mercier, bestowed the Legion of Honor medal upon the lapels of the Veterans, in presence of their family and friends. The media was also present in force, showing the importance that the Australian community attaches to their history. (18)

Donald died on October 17, 2021 at the age of 101 years. (19)

Footnotes:
(1) Dandenong Journal, September 23, 1942, see here
(2) Cr Les Cochrane, M.L.A., read about him here.
(3) Shire Certificates, read about them here.
(4) Dandenong Journal, September 23, 1942, see here.
(5) Koo Wee Rup Sun, June 27, 1940, p.4; and another report here - The Argus, June 26, 1940, see here.
(6) Family information about the Red Cross women comes from the Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com; the Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages.
(7) Dandenong Journal, July 18, 1945, see here.
(8) Rowley's Citizen Military Forces Personnel Dossiers, 1939-1947 (Army file) at the National Archives of Australia, see here; Service Cards for Petty Officers and Men, 1911-1970 (Navy file) at the National Archives of Australia, see here; Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages;  Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com

(9) Warragul & District Kennel & Obedience Club, March 2026 newsletter, see here.

(10) Death Certificate; Springvale Cemetery records, see here;

(11) National Archives of Australia RAAF Officers Personnel files, 1921-1948, see here.

(12) Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages;  Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com

(13) National Archives of Australia RAAF Officers Personnel files, 1921-1948, see here.

(14) National Archives of Australia RAAF Officers Personnel files, 1921-1948, see here.

(15) National Archives of Australia RAAF Officers Personnel files, 1921-1948, see here.

(16) Dandenong Journal, April 21, 1943, see here. 

(17) Koo Wee Rup Sun, November 20, 1946, p. 1; Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com

(18) The website Bleu, Blanc, Rouge was operative in 2021 when I accessed this information. This was the URL  https://www.bbrvic.com/en/diplomatic-news/a-moving-ceremony-of-the-award-of-the-legion-of-honour/

(19) https://www.mytributes.com.au/notice/death-notices/mcdonald-donald-alexander/5800697/

This is an updated version of a posy which I originally wrote for my work blog - Casey Cardinia Remembers: Our War Years.

The Frawley Brothers pay the Supreme Sacrifice

There are two Frawleys listed on the World War Two section of the Bunyip War Memorial - J.W. Frawley and K.D. Frawley. They are John William Frawley and his brother Kevin Dennis Frawley. They were the sons of James Patrick and Margaret (nee Bannan) Frawley of the Iona Hotel, Garfield.

The Frawley commemorated on the Bunyip War Memorial.

Photograph courtesy of the Casey Cardinia Remembers website

www.caseycardiniaremembers.org.au

John and Kevin had five other siblings - Ada Mary, Kathleen Bridget 'Keenie', Francis James, James Patrick and William. See footnote (1) for more family information. According to the Electoral Rolls the family were living at Leigh Creek during the time most of the children were born, but around 1920 they moved to North Melbourne, where Kevin the youngest child was born. On May 7, 1928 James Frawley applied for the licence of the Floodgate Hotel in Port Melbourne (2). The Frawleys were at the Floodgate Hotel until March 1940 and a year later in June 1941, they took over the license of the Iona Hotel in Garfield from Ellen O'Donohue, although the building remained in the ownership of Eileen and Teresa O'Sullivan. This time it was Margaret Frawley who held the licence (3).

The Floodgate Hotel, corner Ingles and Crockford Streets, Port Melbourne.

James and Margaret Frawley held the licence from 1928 until 1940.

Photographer: John T. Collins, taken February 15, 1969.

State Library of Victoria Image H98.250/2179

The Frawleys soon became involved in the community life of Garfield and in September 1941 a football match was organised to raise money for the Prisoners of War fund. This match was clearly organised by the Frawleys. This is from the report in the Emerald Hill Record - in ideal weather last Sunday, a large number of members of the Floodgate Social Party, Port Melbourne, and their friends visited Garfield, where a football match was arranged between a team representing the Social Party and the Garfield club. Two chars-a-banc conveyed over 70 players and friends, and as many travelled by train. The match ended in a draw, £20 was raised for the Prisoner of War fund and at the conclusion of the match teams and supporters adjourned to the Iona Hotel for dinner, after which presentations were made (4).

The Iona Hotel at Garfield. c. 1915, operated by Margaret and James Frawley in the 1940s.

Image: Berwick Pakenham Historical Society

Sadly, the Frawley boys did not have much opportunity to enjoy life in Garfield as they soon enlisted. Here are the details of their life and service (5).

John William Frawley (VX90347), born October 1, 1917 at Leigh Creek. He enlisted in the Army on September 24, 1942 and was Killed in Action in Papua on January 18, 1943. John's obituary in the Emerald Hill Record said that Pte. Frawley was a former pupil of the Christian Brothers' School, South Melbourne, and left a protected industry to join the A.I.F. (6). He had worked at General Motors-Holden. A Mass was offered for the repose of his soul at SS. Peter and Paul's Church, South Melbourne on Sunday, February 7, 1943 (7).

Kevin Dennis Frawley (VX67337), born May 12, 1920 at North Melbourne. Kevin enlisted on December 10, 1941 in the Army and was Killed in Action in New Guinea on September 4, 1943. His obituary in the Emerald Hill Record said that Kevin was educated at SS. Peter and Paul's School, South Melbourne, and later at St. Patrick's College, Ballarat. It was in February of this year that he returned from the Middle East after serving with the 9th Division, and left later for the battle station in the north where he met his untimely death (8). On October 3, 1943 a Mass was also offered for the repose of his soul at SS. Peter and Paul's Church, South Melbourne (9).

Another son of James and Margaret also enlisted - James Patrick Frawley (V71945), born September 23, 1919 at Leigh Creek, enlisted on January 21, 1941 and was discharged September 1, 1944.

The Emerald Hill Record wrote that Widespread sympathy has been extended to members of the Frawley family since the news was received that Private Kevin Dennis Frawley had been killed in action in New Guinea on September 4. Private Frawley was the second member of his family to make the supreme sacrifice, his eldest brother, Jack, having lost his life in New Guinea in January of this year (10). It must have been in the back of Mr and Mrs Frawley's mind that having lost two sons, they may well have lost a third and this fear was very real for Margaret Frawley as three of her brothers had died while serving in World War One. You could hardly blame her for perhaps thinking that her family had sacrificed enough for Australia's War effort.

These are the details of the service (11) of Margaret's brothers -
Francis Thomas Bannan (SN 1878), enlisted at the age of 20 on June 16, 1915. He was a draper. Francis was Killed in Action in France on July 28, 1916.
William James Bannan (SN 1783), enlisted on June 7, 1915 at the age of 18. He was a bootmaker. William was Killed in Action in France on August 24, 1916.
Francis and William were from Kerang.
John Joseph Bannan (SN 1126) John was 24 when he enlisted on June 14, 1915 and his wife, Mary Ann, whose address was Berwick, was his next of kin. His occupation was Quarryman, so it is more than possible that he worked at Wilson's Quarry in Berwick. John died of Malaria at the English Hospital in Damascus on October 16, 1918. John is listed on the Berwick War Memorial in High Street.

John Bannan's obituary in The Advocate of November 23, 1918.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article152180895

As a matter of interest another of Margaret's brothers enlisted in the Army in World War Two. He was Vincent James Bannan (VX92045) who served from April 1943 until February 1946.

Kathleen 'Keenie' Frawley is pictured on the right, with other members of the 

Garfield Red Cross in 1945

Weekly Times, August 22, 1945 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226563046

James Frawley died September 7, 1947 at the Iona Hotel at Garfield. He was 63 years old. The 1948/1949 Shire of Berwick Rate Books list the new licensee as John Joseph Smith and in 1949 Margaret and her son James were listed in the Electoral Rolls at 237 Blyth Street, Brunswick East. James' occupation was a barman. Margaret Frawley died on July 4, 1973 at the age of 80. She is buried with her husband at the Melbourne General Cemetery (12).

As an aside, the Frawley family were well entrenched in the Hotel industry - this is from James' obituary in 1947 - Well-known hotel keeping families at South Melbourne and Port Melbourne have been bereaved by the death of Mr. James Patrick Frawley, of the Iona Hotel, Garfield, which occurred suddenly at his home on Sunday night. He commenced his trade career at the Floodgate Hotel, Port Melbourne. Surviving sisters are Mrs. W. Bell (Freer's Hotel, South Melbourne), and Miss Agnes Frawley and Miss Millie Frawley (Railway Club Hotel, Port Melbourne). The late Mrs. J. Fisher (Town Hall Hotel, South Melbourne) was a sister, and the late Mr. R. S. Frawley (Station Hotel, Port Melbourne) was a brother (13).

Bell's Hotel, also known as Freer's Hotel (14) corner Moray Street and Coventry Streets,

South Melbourne, c. 1970-1974, operated at one time by Annie Bell (nee Frawley),

an aunty of John and Kevin.

Photographer: Committee for Urban Action, Melbourne

State Library of Victoria Image CUASM264/2-3 Image 7

Town Hall Hotel, Bank Street, South Melbourne, c. 1970-1974, operated at one time by

another aunty of John and Kevin, Margaret Fisher (nee Frawley).

Photographer: Committee for Urban Action, Melbourne

State Library of Victoria Image CUASM179/5 Image 2

Trove list
I have created a Trove list of various articles connected to the Frawley family, access it here.

Footnotes
(1) Family information
This information is from the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages, the Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com, family notices in the newspapers (see my Trove list, here) and Victoria, Australia, Cemetery Records and Headstone Transcriptions, 1844-1997, also on Ancestry.com
James Patrick Frawley was born c. 1884, in Bungaree, to Patrick and Bridget (nee McDermott) Frawley. I can't actually find a record of his birth in the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages Index. Margaret Ellen Bannan was born in 1893, in Kerang to Dennis and Mary (nee Maher) Bannan. James and Margaret married in 1913.  They had the following children.
Ada Mary - born in 1913 and birth registered at Port Melbourne. Ada married Stewart Plumridge in 1936 and had two boys, Frank and John, perhaps named for Ada's uncles who died in the First World War.
Kathleen Bridget 'Keenie' - born in 1914 and birth registered Bungaree 1914. She married Stephen James Holland in 1946. They were living in Garfield until at least 1954, but I have no other information.
Francis James - born in 1916 and birth registered at Bungaree 1916. He died at Warrenheip at the age of 11 months in 1917. I suspect that Kathleen and Francis were actually born at Leigh Creek, like the next two boys were.
John William - born October 1, 1917 at Leigh Creek. Killed in Action on January 18, 1943. See above.
James Patrick - born September 23, 1919, at Leigh Creek. Served in the 2nd A.I.F. In the 1954 Electoral Roll James was still living with his mother at 237 Blyth Street, where they moved to from Garfield in 1949. In the 1963 Electoral Roll, an Ursula May Frawley is also living with them, so I presume James got married, between 1954 and 1963. I have no other information about him.
William - William is listed in his father's death notice as being deceased, but I can find neither a birth or death record for him.
Kevin - born May 12, 1920 at North Melbourne. Killed in Action on September 4, 1943 See above.
(2) Notification for application of licence transfer was in The Herald, April 27, 1928, see here. The address of the Hotel was listed at Raglan Street in the transfer notice, however it is on the corner of Ingles Street and Crockford Street, Port Melbourne.
(3) Licence transfer of the Floodgate Hotel in The Argus, March 19, 1940, see here. Licence transfer for the Iona Hotel was in The Age, June 10, 1941, see here. Ownership - Shire of Berwick Rate Books.
(4) Emerald Hill Record, September 27, 1941, see here.
(5) Details of life and service come from obituaries in the Emerald Hill Record, death notices inserted by family and friends - see my Trove list, here, for these. Also the WW2 Nominal Rolls https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/home
(6) Emerald Hill Record, February 6, 1943, see here.
(7) Emerald Hill Record, February 6, 1943, see here.
(8) Emerald Hill Record, October 2, 1943, see here.
(9) Emerald Hill Record, October 2, 1943, see here.
(10) Emerald Hill Record, October 2, 1943, see here.
(11) World War One service details from the National Archives of Australia, www.naa.gov.au
(12) This information is from the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages, the Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com, family notices in the newspapers and Victoria, Australia, Cemetery Records and Headstone Transcriptions, 1844-1997, also on Ancestry.com
(13) Emerald Hill Record, September 13, 1947, see here.
(14) I came across this photo and was fairly sure that it was Freer's Hotel, but it was confirmed by this article, which also includes an 1880's photo of the building https://melbournewalks.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/SOUTH-MELBOURNE-HOTELS.pdf

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

World War Two soldiers with a connection to Vervale

This post looks at the men who served in the Second World War (WW2) who have  a connection to Vervale. Vervale is a small town on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp between Cora Lynn and Iona. I grew up there on a potato farm, but even I will admit that calling Vervale a small town makes it sound so much grander than what it really is, which is a collection of paddocks. 

The World War Two Nominal Roll, see here, list fourteen men who have  a connection to Vervale, either through place of birth or residence on enlistment. Some of the World War Two records have been digitised by the National Archives of Australia, www.naa.gov.au

Burnett, John Thomas  (VX44163).  John enlisted in the Army in July 1940 and was discharged in October 1945. He was born in Garfield on December 28, 1916 and was the son of Thomas and Laura (nee Wheildon) Burnett. They are listed in the 1942 Electoral Roll, along with his brother Edgar, at Catani Road, Vervale. Catani Road is Pitt Road, the continuation of 13 Mile Road. The two boys are listed as labourers and Thomas as a Dairyman.  

John Thomas Burnett

National Archives of Australia

Second Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1939-1947

Costain, Colin Ramsey (V367934). Colin was born at Inverleigh on January 18, 1890. He enlisted in the Army in March 1942 and was discharged September 1945. His next of kin was his wife Edith (nee Jenkins). Colin was a farmer and they lived at Vervale. Colin's first wife Jessie, the mother of his two sons Ian and Ewen, died in December 1929.  His WW2 record has not been digitised, so we don't have his photograph. Colin had also served in the First World War (SN 12267), having enlisted in July 1915. He Returned to Australia April 5, 1919.

Damon, John William Frederick (VX1471, V367967). John was born June 21, 1917  in Glen Iris to Henry and Mary (nee Bath) Damon. He enlisted twice in the Army and served from November 1939 to March 1940, then March 1942 to November 1943. His next of kin was his father, Henry, of Walker's Road, Vervale. John's WW2 record has not yet been digitised. In 1946, Mr Damon wrote a letter to the Shire of Berwick complaining about the state of Walker's Road, which had not had any maintenance since 1930, well before the War.

Mr Damon's letter to the Shire of Berwick complaining about his road.

Dandenong Journal, October 23, 1946 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214796083

Davies, Albert Maldon (V506952, VX148225). Albert was born on February 12, 1916. The Nominal Roll says he was born in Vervale and enlisted in February 1944. His service record says he enlisted in March 1942 and he was born in Vervale and on other pages his place of birth is listed as Nagambie. He was discharged in May 1945. His next of kin was his mother Evelyn and she lived at Vervale. Albert's occupation was listed as 'building's labourer.'

Albert Maldon Davies

National Archives of Australia

Second Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1939-1947

Evans, Rupert Buller  (VX23604, VX58804). Rupert was born December 26, 1901 at Whittlesea. He enlisted twice from June 1940 to March 1941, then from July 1941. Rupert was a Prisoner of War and died from illness on March 14, 1945 in Borneo. Rupert and his wife Pearl and family lived at Vervale.

Rupert Evan's death notice

The Argus November 10, 1945 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/12152318/632637

Rupert Buller Evans

Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1709438

Folks, Eric Baden (VX 58158, V7362)  Eric was born in Boonie Doon. He enlisted in July 1940 and was discharged July 1941 and then enlisted again June 1941 and was discharged January 1943. I don't understand why he enlisted twice or why there is a discrepancy with the dates, however in July 1940 he put his birth date as May 25, 1900 and he said he was 40 and in June 1941 his date of birth was May 25, 1902 and he said he was 39 and a half. Eric was a farmer from Vervale and his next of kin was his wife, Eveline.

Eric Baden Folks

National Archives of Australia

Second Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1939-1947

Green, William Alexis (VX104338, V42090).  William was born on June 26, 1897 at St James, and was a farmer at Vervale when he enlisted in July 1942. He was discharged in June 1943. He had also joined the Australian Military Force in 1921 and served for a number of years. His next of kin was his wife,  Margaret. 'Billy' Green was a handy footballer as well as being inventive, as this article, below, attests. William's WW2 record has not been digitised, so we don't have his photograph.

William Green's invention

Weekly Times, October 17, 1931 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/225741909

Land, Arthur Frederick Charles (VX25317). Arthur was born on October 29, 1905 in England. He enlisted June 1940. Arthur died in Ambon, Dutch East Indies of  illness on March 15, 1945. What was his connection to Vervale? The Nominal Roll has his locality on enlistment as Vervale. Arthur's WW2 record has not been digitsied, so we don't have his photograph and nor do we know his occupation at the time. Arthur's latest entry in the Electoral Roll was 1937 when he and his wife Kathleen were living in Cobden Street, Kew and his occupation was an agent, which seems an unlikely occupation for a chap who lived in rural Vervale. Kathleen is listed in the 1943 Electoral Roll at 12 Gordon Avenue, Kew, so I am wondering if the Vervale location in the Nominal Rolls is a mistake. We will find out when his record has been digitised.

Lennox, Keith (VX9720) Keith was born in Vervale on May 3, 1915. He enlisted in December 1939 and was discharged in August 1945. The Electoral Roll list his address as Cottonwood, Catani and his occupation as labourer.  Catani is just south of Vervale. Keith was the son of Robert and Eleanor (nee Forsyth) Lennox. His next of kin was his wife, Joyce, whom he married in 1942. Keith's WW2 record has not been digitised, so we don't have his photograph.

Keith Lennox's send-off.

Dandenong Journal, February 7, 1940 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/216059623

Miller, Lindsay Francis (V285310). Lindsay was born in Yarram on June 20, 1922. He enlisted in Garfield in October 1941 and was discharged July 1944.
Miller, Stanley (VX41895). Stanley was born on March 20, 1911 also in Yarram. Stanley served from June 1940 until May 1943.
The boys were the sons of James Alfred Miller and his wife Maria May Wilson. In the 1949 Electoral Roll Lindsay and Stanley were both listed as farmers from Vervale; their parents address is 'Little Yannathan Drain, Iona'. Neither of the Miller brother's WW2 records have been digitised.

Sherwell, Benjamin Alex (V285314).  Benjamin was born at Tempy on April 11, 1922.  He was living at Vervale when he enlisted in October 1941 at Garfield and was discharged in November 1945. His next of kin was Robert Sherwell. In the 1937 and 1942 Electoral Rolls Robert George Sherwell has his address listed as 'off 13 Mile Road', Garfield.  Benjamin's WW2 record is another one that has not yet been digitised.

Stewart, James Gilbert (V42247). James was born in Vervale on October 17, 1918 and enlisted at Garfield in August 1940.
Stewart, John (V100332). John was also born in Vervale on June 3, 1915 and enlisted in Leongatha in May 1941.
For some reason the Nominal Roll does not list either of the brother's discharge dates and their WW2 records have not been digitised. The 1942 Electoral Roll lists John at Catani Road, Vervale and James at Vervale. They are both farmers. Their next of kin when they enlisted was their father, Laurance Mouat Stewart. His address in the 1942 Electoral Roll was 13 Mile Road, Vervale, which as we know is also known as Catani Road and Pitt Road.

Mr Laurance Stewart's death notice, listing his family of five girls and five boys. His funeral was held at the Presbyterian Church at Iona.

The Argus October 16, 1956 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article84391851

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