The Great Yannathan Fires of 1898

I came across this obituary of Robert Gardiner, of Yannathan, who died on January 11, 1939 at the age of 83. It's an interesting obituary and I was taken by this  comment -  In the great Yannathan fires of 1897, which raged for months, he at first thought he was ruined, but wonderful grass grew in the denuded country that he was able to farm successfully. The report notes the fire were in 1897, but all the reports I could find were from  February 1898. Below are some reports of  1898 bushfires at Yannathan and from the broader Shire of Cranbourne. 

Obituary of Robert Gardiner

The Age, January 14, 1939 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205965071

There were also bad fires in other parts of Victoria during this time, caused by days of hot weather and a dry January. The Government Astronomer, Pietro Baracchi (1851-1926) was interviewed by The Argus on February 1, 1898  (see here) and he has this to say about the weather situation - "Hot and smoky weather is not unusual in February. An unbroken succession of so many hot days is unusual. Coming after such a fearfully hot and excessively dry January, it makes the conditions very much worse than they usually are. As showing what an exceptional month this January has been, it may be mentioned that only 30 points of rain fell in Melbourne, against an average of about 1½in. for all past years." An inch of rain is 100 points, thus the average rain for January is 150 points, and only 30 points had fallen.

The Gippsland Fires. Great damage around Cranbourne. A fire 20 miles long by 20 miles broad.

Cranbourne, Monday - On Friday, Saturday and Sunday a dreadful bush fire raged in this district, and did considerable damage to stock, grass, fencing, orchards and crops. The fire started this side of Somerville township, and, with a strong southerly wind, travelled into Cranbourne a distance of about 20 miles.  The blaze was also 12 miles in width. 

The following is a list, of the heaviest sufferers by this fire, which is the largest that has ever been heard of or seen here since Black Thursday:- Mr. Taylor, Sherwood Park - Loss: 15 miles of fencing, 2000 acres of grass and a large number of sheep.- Mr. Sam Staughton, M.L.A., Coolebah - Loss: - About 1400 acres of grass and a lot of fencing. Mr. J. Staughton - Loss: 1000 acres of grass, fencing and a large number of sheep. Mr. R. Ker - Loss: Grass, fencing and lot of 2 feet firewood. Several smaller farmers were also large losers in having all their fencing and grass totally burnt out, including Mr. David Craig, Mr. T. Meade, Mr. Waller, Mr. Barton, Mr. D. Robinson, Mr. Ted. Gray, Mr. Abrahams, Mr. J. G. Hudson, storekeeper, Cranbourne; Mr. P. Peterson, Mr. Thos. Peterson, Mrs. Poole, Mr. Perridge, Mr. Moscript, Mr. Ridley, manager of the English, Scottish and Australian Bank, North Melbourne; Mr. F. Hardy and others too numerous to mention.

The fire, after passing through the racecourse reserve, swept with lightning-like rapidity towards the township, crossing the Frankston-road, 2 chains wide, in a leap, and but for the timely assistance of Messrs. Duff, Downs, M'Leod, Meade, Rev. Colin Robertson, Constable Dwyer and a lot of other willing helpers, the residences of Messrs. Reid and Wilson would have been destroyed. The fire got into short grass here, and after about four hours' hard fighting was got under. The only sufferers in the township were:- Messrs. Thos. Downs - Loss: 2-roomed house full of hay. Mr. P. Peterson - Loss: A

slaughterhouse and fencing. Messrs. J. Taylor and Reid and Mrs. Tucker: Grass and fencing.

A watch was kept over the township all Saturday night, but nothing further happened. A lot of the farmers, thoroughly overcome by smoke und heat and over exertion, have had to take to their beds. Large fires are still burning round the township, and the damage done totals some thousands of pounds, Mr. Taylor, of Sherwood Park, being the largest sufferer. (The Age, Tuesday, February 1, 1898, see here)

Fires near Cranbourne.

Cranbourne, Tuesday - A large bush fire broke out on Saturday at Lang Lang East and did considerable damage, travelling for about 5 miles to Yannathan. Mr. Bell, of Lang Lang East, lost a lot of fencing and a large area of grass, so did Mr. John and Mr. James Smethurst, of Yannathan. After several hours fighting the fire was got under. On Sunday, at St. Germains Station, near Cranbourne, a large quantity of fencing and about 300 acres of grass were burnt. Mr. William Griffiths, manager for Mr. S. Staughton, M.L.A., of Coolbah Estate, has been a heavy loser by the fire here, having lost a flock of turkeys valued at £20. The birds were all roasted. Mr. Griffiths also had a very narrow escape of his life, being caught in the flames on horseback whilst trying to rescue some sheep, which he successfully accomplished. His horse was singed of all its hair and badly burnt. There is a water famine in Cranbourne. Nearly all the tanks are dry, and the residents are only depending on a few wells, the water of which is brackish. (The Age, Wednesday,  February 2, 1898, see here)

  

Church burnt at Heifer Creek. Damage at Lang Lang and Yannathan
Cranbourne, Wednesday - Amongst other parts of the district the township of Lang Lang was the scene of a conflagration which nearly destroyed the butter factory and stores there. The fire broke out in a heavy belt of timber and scrub just west of the factory, and the flames rose to a dreadful height, coming within a few feet of the building, which was only saved by the united efforts of the employes and townsfolk. Had the factory gone the entire township must have been consumed. The station master's residence narrowly escaped destruction, the fire running right up to it.

At Heath Hill on Tuesday night the farm of Mr. Patrick M'Grath was the scene of a dreadful fire, which destroyed his stack sheds, large quantities of grass and fencing. Flames are still to be seen in that direction. At Red Bluff, near Lang Lang, Mr. Le Rostu's [Le Roux] farm was attacked, and some grass and fencing were destroyed. Last night Mr. J. S. Stewart, of Woodleigh, lost everything. Mr. R. Scott, of Rockwah, saved his homestead, but lost its surroundings. Fires are still burning around Yannathan. The destruction there covers thousands of acres of grass and miles of fencing. It is
stated that all the country between Yannathan and Longwarry is ablaze. The church at Heifer Creek was destroyed by the fires. (The Age, Thursday, February 3, 1898, see here)

In the Cranbourne District. General Destruction. 

Cranbourne, Wednesday - Some large strips of country have been burnt out on the Yallambie Estate, north of the Great Southern line, and Mr W. T. Duff has sustained a big loss in having fencing and grass destroyed. All that portion between the Gippsland and Great Southern lines, known as South Pakenham and Cardinia, which is on the western fringe of the Koo-wee-rup Swamp, has been in imminent danger from the fires burning in the swamp, and the closely settled dairying district of Clyde, between the swamp and Cranbourne, would be swept right out, should the wind bring the fires on from the swamp, and already there have been a number of out-breaks, which fortunately have been promptly checked. The swamp scrub consists mostly of ti tree but beneath this is a layer of peat varying from 18in. to several feet deep, and once ignited it burns for weeks. From a burning mass of this terrible stifling smoke is now being emitted. The village settlers are having a most trying time. Both from the direction of Narre Warren and Berwick, Cranbourne is threatened with fires, and Mr Beaver Hall, of Glady's-park, has already lost a valuable extent of glass and fencing. 

The fires from Koo-wee-rup Drouin, and Longwarry have extended right on to the closely settled dairy farms of Yannathan and on Saturday and Sunday they raged furiously, destroying pastures and fencing on farm after farm. Mr Ritchie lost everything, except his home, and some valuable horses were most terribly burned, and had to be destroyed. At Mr. William Bell's, a magnificent farm of 640 acres has been completely burnt out, and every stick of fencing is gone. Councillor John Smethurst, president of the Cranbourne Shire, lost 400 acres of grass, and fencing. Mr. James Smethurst, his brother, likewise lost 400 acres, and fencing at Blackwood At his home there was the greatest possible difficulty in fighting off the fire, the pine trees and picket fence around the garden being consumed, and the house was only just saved. Mr Samuel Smethurst likewise had to fight to save his homestead, the fire burning right up to the doors. Messrs Joseph and William Burnside had 640 acres of grass and fencing burned, the last-named farmer being reduced to a very critical state from the exhaustion of two days' battling with the flames. A huge portion of Mr. James Greaves's farm was similarly burnt, also fencing. 

Mr. A. Woodman, whose property is situated on the Yallock Creek, between Koo-wee-rup and Yannathan, is also a heavy loser by the fire, and Mr. Carson, of Yannathan also experienced a big loss. At Heath Hill last night, a furious outbreak occurred, jeopardising the whole of the farms in that portion of the district. Prompt assistance alone saved the places, but Mr. P.W. McGrath lost his haystacks, outhouses, grass fencing, and stock-yards. Mr George Gray, in the same locality, suffered heavily, and Mr. A. E. Glover's house had to be watched all night to save it from the burning trees, which were falling in every direction, Protector's Plains were one big blaze, and the fires are still burning with fierceness in this locality. The loss all through Yannathan and Heath Hill must be very large. 

A terrible fire broke out in the ti tree and scrub adjacent to Lang Lang township, and for a few hours the inhabitants experienced a sultry and most uncomfortable time of it. Between Lang Lang, and all the way to Grantville, the country has been burnt for miles and miles. Councillor Le Roux, of the Cranbourne shire, lost a very large quantity of grass, and some miles of fencing. Mr R.C. Scott, of Woodleigh, a well-known grazier, is another of the burnt-out victims. (The Argus, Friday, February 4, 1898, see here)

Damage at Lang Lang and Yannathan.

Cranbourne, Wednesday - Amongst other parts of the district the township of Lang Lang was the scene of a conflagration which nearly destroyed the butter factory and stores there. The fire broke out in a heavy belt of timber and scrub just west of the factory, and the flames rose to a dreadful height, coming within a few feet of the building, which was only saved by the united efforts of the employes and townsfolk. Had the factory gone the entire township must have been consumed. The station master's residence narrowly escaped destruction, the fire running right up to it. (The Leader, Saturday, February 5, 1898, see here)

Yallock Village Settlement Burnt.

Cranbourne, Saturday - Further extensive damages from the fires have occurred at Lang Lang Messrs Addison, Foster, Ridgway, and many of the selectors in that locality have lost everything, saving their homes with the greatest difficult. Another fire broke out near the Lang Lang township, and the Church of England, Mechanics' Institute, market buildings &c., were all in danger of complete destruction. The townsfolk had a terrible fight for their property. Last night an outbreak occurred at the Yallock Village Settlement, and before any resistance could be offered the residences of Messrs Orford, Izard, Titherly, T. Pretty, and several others were completely destroyed, and the whole settlement swept clean of grass, fencing and gardens. The fire spread on to on Messrs. Glasscock Bros. Forest paddock, near Yannathan, and here the whole of the South Yannathan country was seriously menaced, and but for the united exertions of a large body of the local farmers, who turned out with water tanks and combated the flames, the homesteads of Messrs. Rinding, Cousen and Ridgway would have been swept clear. Mr John Smethurst, of Yannathan, who goes in extensively for bee farming lost a colony of bees and hives, valued at over £100, during the fires. At the Cranbourne Council to day, the engineer reported that a large number of culverts and bridges had been destroyed in the shire by the fires. It will entail a very large outlay to replace them. (The Argus, Monday February 7, 1898, see here)

Yallock Village Settlement Destroyed.
Cranbourne, Saturday - On Friday night another big fire was discovered raging at the Yallock village settlement, on the cast side of the Yallock Creek, near Monomeith. In an incredibly short space of time the whole place was one great blaze, and four houses and their contents were completely demolished, whilst the settlement was burnt out in the most disastrous manner. Fully 20 families have lost their fencing and improvements and their gardens. Extending from thence the fires crossed on to Mr. Glasscock's property, at Monomeith, where a very large acreage was destroyed before the fire was got under control. Had it not been for assistance from Yannathan this fire would have proved one of the most severe in the district, but the farmers now being better organised were able to offer a more capable resistance, and their united efforts undoubtedly saved many more Yannathan farms from being ravaged by the flumes. Fires still continue to do great damage around Lang Lang. 

At Cranbourne shire council meeting it was stated to-day that a large number of culverts and bridges were destroyed by fires at Langwarrin, Sherwood and various other portions of the Yallock riding, and these will entail considerable expense to repair. (The Age, Monday, February 7, 1898, see here)

How fires originate.

Cranbourne. Monday - At Cranbourne court to-day, John and Alexander Ritchie, two young farmers, of Yannathan, were charged with lighting fires which endangered adjoining property on the 15th January. Both pleaded guilty to having committal a technical offence, and explained in defence that they lighted the fires to protect their own property from a fire which was burning close at hand in the Kooweerup Swamp. They were each fined £3, with 15s. costs. George Ritchie their father, was then charged with igniting a fire on the. 29th ult. The evidence proved that Ritchie was seen lighting the scrub at the back of his house, and that this fire spread, burning out among others Messrs. Bell, John H. Smethurst and James Smethurst, and inflicting very considerable damage in the neighborhood. The defendant pleaded not guilty, but was fined £3, and 12s. costs. (The Age, Tuesday, February 22, 1898, see here)

Koalas at Yannathan and on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp

This post looks at references to koalas at Yannathan and more broadly on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp.   

In May 1891, Cyrus Mason wrote a letter to The Age newspaper, about a Surveying party who in the 1860s were forced to eat koalas to survive   - 

Surveyors are again at work where Mr. Surveyor W. S. Urquhart traversed 44 years since named the area south of his line "Koo-wee-rup " and wrote "deep water " upon his splendid plan (No. 2) of the traverse of the country between Melbourne and the Bunyip River. Some 30 years back Mr. (Sir Graham) Berry and others sent a surveyor and party to explore and report upon the Koo-wee-rup country with a view to their private use. They started from Lyall's, at Western Port, pushed their way on the south side, were reduced to starvation, only kept alive by eating native bears, until they reached the Bunyip River, when the strongest of the party managed to reach the hotel on the main road and obtained food, this investigation ending in some pencil markings upon the map in the Crown lands department.(1).

You can read more about Cyrus Mason, of  Woodyats, Tynong, here.

The South Bourke & Mornington Journal of June 8, 1887 published an article of a trip from Berwick to Yannathan. The route taken was the Berwick-Clyde Road, the South Gippsland Highway, through Cranbourne, then through Monomeith and to Yannathan. In the article, the unnamed writer said that Yannathan was 'swarming' with koalas or bears as they were called -

At Yannathan my business was completed and left me a day to look about the locality. The place swarms with "bears.'' In nearly every other tree they are to be seen. The name "bear" quite intimidates the "new chum," but no need of fear, for they are truly harmless beasts living on the gum leaves, and I am told are rapidly killing the gum trees as effectually as if they had been "rung" (2).

Six years later there was another account of koalas at Yannathan, this one painting a far bleaker picture of their numbers. This was a letter published in the Weekly Times on July 1, 1893, addressed to Uncle Ben the editor of the children's section.
A Bear. — Yannathan.
Dear Uncle Ben,
This is my first letter to you. I am going to tell you a story about a bear. One morning early about three o'clock when my sisters were in bed they heard something scratching. They thought at first that it was the rats, but soon they knew that it was too loud for them. They looked down towards the window where the noise came from. Seeing a shadow like a man's hand, they got out of bed, went to the window and looked out. Then they saw a bear which had climbed up the wall and was trying to hold onto the window, but could not. Mother, who was in another room, heard them laughing. She asked what was the matter, and they told her, so she got up and went outside, and took the bear off the window and put him on the ground. In the morning when we got up it was in a pear tree in the garden. The bears that are about here are quite harmless. They are very scarce, but when we first came into Yannathan there was a great number.
I remain, your affectionate niece, Sarah Aitken, aged eleven years and eight months (3).

The Koala or 'Australian Bear'

Australian Bear, c. 1880-1890. State Library of Victoria Image H29682/3

The cause of the decline in koala numbers in Yannathan can be attributed, mainly, to habitat loss due to the clearing of land for farming. Dr Niel Gunson in his book The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire writes that early settlement in the Yannathan district started on the western boundary in 1875 and by 1878 all the dense forest country had been selected (4). Clearing at Yannathan began as soon as the settlers could undertake the work, it has been said of this thick bush country (paperbark, tea tree, blackwood, silver wattle, musk tree and clematis) that 'when cleared it proved to be the best land in Gippsland' (5).

This interesting article about fauna on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp in 1894/1895 comes from a column in The Argus of September 12, 1934 called Nature Notes and Queries by Alec H. Chisholm. Mr Chisholm also notes land clearing as the reason koalas and lyre birds disappeared from the Koo Wee Rup Swamp.

Koalas at Koo-wee-rup

Stating that he has been very interested in the discussion on koalas' food trees, E.A.B. (St. Kilda) recalls that in the years 1894-95 he was camped at the Koo-wee-rup swamp and saw many koalas in swamp gums there. The trees were on a narrow ridge parallel with and about 20 chains east of the main drain, and the ridge was entirely surrounded by real swamp and tea-tree. A young koala taken to camp would climb tea-trees and black-woods, but would not feed there, although he throve on leaves from the swamp gums. That young bear was kept for about three months, and was never seen to drink. The writer wonders, therefore, if the moisture in leaves is sufficient for them. It is added that the swamp gum ridge was cleared for cultivation and the koalas disappeared. In the clearing of the eastern end of Koo-wee-rup many lyrebirds must have been destroyed. (6).

The koala was also killed for 'sport'. There was a report in March 1882 about a fishing and hunting trip to the Bass [River] district which mentioned the amount of sport they were going to have! Ducks, swan, hare, native bears, 'possoms and fish were to be got without the least exertion (7). Given that the koala was also called the 'Australian sloth' it is no wonder that they could be got without the least exertion.

Koalas did however, sometimes fight back. This report is from May 1904 -

A boy, aged 10, named Stanley Anderson, living at Lang Lang, noticed a native bear in a tree, and climbing up to it attempted to catch it by the ears. The bear made an attack on young Anderson, tearing his left arm very badly, and also making its teeth meet in his thumb. (8) 

The koala was also a component of the fur trade, not, however, the high-end garment segment of the market. This is part of a report from 1880 - Another numerous marsupial is the native bear, or Australian sloth, possessing a short matted wool, and a thick pelt unamenable to softening influences. These inoffensive creatures are most tenacious of life, and when they are killed, sorely test the patience of the skinner. The best of the skins are made into carriage rugs, but the majority are only fit for mats (9).

The 'Australian Native Bear' was considered cute enough to feature in this postcard from c. 1908, even if some people still thought they were only fit to become a mat.

Australian Native Bear. Study by Muir. State Library of Victoria Image H42748/12

In Victoria, koalas gained some protection in December 1898, when they were deemed to be native game and thus protected (10). This gave them year round protection, though this was objected to by the Fur Buyers' Association who thought koalas should only have protection for part of the year. As a matter of interest in 1899 the Fur Buyers' Association spokesman, Mr Coles said that last year on the London market a total of 176,000 skins were offered. New South Wales sent 134,000 and Victoria and Queensland 51, 600. This showed that there was not such a slaughter going on here as there was in New South Wales (11). The Government did not alter the year round protection for koalas and in 1938 strengthened their protection by including injuring and molesting the animals as well as destroying them within the scope of the bill (12).

Of course protection from slaughter did not protect the koala from habitat loss, and one solution for this was to re-locate koalas from one area to another such as in the 1930s from French Island to Quail Island. You can read about this here. Quail Island is at the northern end of Western Port Bay. It also appears from the following two reports from the Dandenong Journal in the 1940s  that some koalas were moved to Tooradin 

Tooradin - The ever-popular teddy bears (koalas) are now on view about the foreshore and surrounding gums. Apparently they are enjoying a brief sojourn at “the Port” preliminary to their retirement for the tourist season and from the small boy menace which by regrettable past experience they have learnt to avoid. (13)

Native Bears in the Manna gums at Tooradin are a popular feature to tourist bus passengers making a stop over for teas. When fires and disease affected the feeding trees at Chinamen [sic] Island in Westernport, the Fisheries and Game Dept, released a fair number of bears on this locality, hence their numbers. (14)

To finish off - it appears that boys were often blamed for the decline in koala numbers. In a 1931 report about transferring koalas from Phillip Island and  French Island to Quail Island and Chinaman Island -

It was considered useless to attempt to form colonies on the mainland until boys with pea-rifles learned to leave the koalas alone and other persons learned not to take them as pets. (15).

Footnotes

(1) The Age, May 23 1891, see here.
(2) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, June 8, 1887, see here.
(3) Weekly Times July 1, 1893, see here.
(4) Gunson, Niel The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire (Cheshire, 1968), p. 112.
(5) Gunson, op. cit., p. 114
(6) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, March 15 1882, see here.

(7) The Argus, September 21, 1934, see here.

(8) Great Southern Advocate, May 12 1904, see here. 
(9) The Argus, December 9 1880, see here.
(10) Victoria Government Gazette, December 9, 1898, p. 4238, http://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1898/V/general/109.pdf
(11) The Herald, July 11 1899, see here. The Fur Buyers' Association was also referred to as the Furred Skin Buyers' Association (The Herald, July 3, 1899, see here) I am not sure which is correct, and it doesn't really matter now, 120 years later, however I do like to be historically accurate.
(12) The Argus, December 14, 1938, see here.

(13) Dandenong Journal, November 10, 1943, see here.

(14) Dandenong Journal, November 24, 1948, see here.

(15) The Argus, May 9, 1931, see here.

A version of this post, which I wrote and researched first appeared on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Links to our Past.

Royal Commission into Overseas Settlers from Britain (Migrant Land Settlement) 1931 and the Owen family

The Age newspaper, of January 24, 1931 reported on the Royal Commission on Migrant Land Settlement [read the full article here] -
The Royal Commission appointed some time, ago by the Federal and State Governments to inquire into certain allegations affecting the settlement on the land in Victoria of migrants from Great Britain will open the inquiry at 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday 4th February, at the Arbitration Court, Melbourne. The members of the commission are Chief Judge Dethridge, of the Arbitration Court (chairman), Mr. C. McPherson, and Mr. W. E. B. Macleod. The secretary of the commission is Mr. C. Nance, an officer of the Prime Minister's department.The State Government will be represented by Mr. C. F. Knight, assistant Crown Solicitor for Victoria, and a large percentage of the settlers will be represented by Mr. G.U. Nathan, of John W. McComas and Co.
The terms of reference to the commission briefly are as follow:—
1. Whether the complaints, or any of them, are justified, having regard to the facts of each particular case and to the provisions of certain agreements between the Commonwealth, Victorian and British Governments.
2. Whether the Victorian Government has failed to fulfil any, and if, so what, obligations arising out of or under the agreements, and by it agreed to be performed.
3. In what respects, if at all, has the Victorian Government failed to fulfil the said obligations.
4. Are there any, and if so what, circumstances directly or indirectly contributing to the subject matter of the complaints, or any of them, over which the Victorian Government has no control.

As a matter of interest and quite unrelated to this story, apart from a rural connection, Chief Judge George James Dethridge was the younger brother of  John Stewart Dethridge who worked for the Public Works Department and later the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission and was the inventor of the Dethridge Water-meter, used in flood irrigation (1).

This Royal Commission took evidence from some local farmers at Caldermeade and Yannathan as well as Narre Warren North and the Hallam Valley settlement at Narre Warren (the old Cheese Factory in Homestead Road in Berwick is in part of this same estate) and all throughout Victoria and some of this was reported in the papers. The settlers' evidence is typical of all the evidence presented - the land was too dear, unsuitable for the purpose, there was inadequate training and supervision etc. Some reports mention Elcho, which was the Government training farm for migrants near Geelong. 

Evidence from George Owen, Yannathan.
Before coming to Australia, I was a saddler and leather worker, earning £5/10/ a week. Early in 1925 I saw an advertisement of the Victorian Government offering land for farming. This attracted my attention I thought that it would be a good thing to come out to Australia on the terms shown for the sake of my children. At Australia House I was told that I could get a good mixed dairy farm at £10 an acre of a capital value of £1,500. Before I came to Australia I could plough and milk. I went to Elcho for a few weeks and then took up the block, at Yannathan. The area of the block was 66 acres and the price was £33 an acre, without improvements. I was told that I could make a living on the block. The land is unsuitable for cultivation because of the drainage. The debt should be wiped off and the valuation reduced. That is the only solution. I have, since going on to the block received an increased acreage of 27 acres at £27/10/an acre. That shows that the board has admitted that the land should be revalued. (The Argus, May 8, 1931, see here)

Evidence from Charles James Dixon, Caldermeade.
Before coming to Australia, I was employed in a steelworks, receiving £3/ 10/ a week. I saw various posters and advertisements, advertising Australia and I went to Australia House. I had a pension as an Imperial Soldier. At Wembley I heard a lecturer dealing with land settlement in Victoria. He touched on the patriotic side. He said - We helped you during the war. "Now you come and fill our empty spaces" (laughter) The second picture that was shown was of the glorious Sydney Harbour (laughter) I learned to milk at Elcho. My block has an area of 68 acres and the price was £42 an acre. I took possession on December 9, 1925. I had never touched a plough before I went on to the block. I have lost crops through bad drainage. My arrears to the board are about £2,000. I suggest that I should have more land and more stock and that the price of the land should be reduced. My father visited me in 1928. He intended going into partnership with me but when he saw the land he booked his passage back to England. (The Argus, May 8, 1931, see here)

Evidence from George Arthur Green, Caldermeade.
Before I came to Australia I was engaged in farming operations. I was earning £ 2/10/ a week had house rent free and commission on buying and selling cattle I questioned Mr Wyatt, who was migration officer at Australia House, and decided to come to Australia. My block is 40 acres in area and the price was £50 an acre. After I got on to the block I discovered that it had been abandoned by the previous occupier. I could see that the land had been ploughed and then left. My block has not been revalued. (The Argus, May 8, 1931, see here)

Evidence from Henry James F. Jones, Koo Wee Rup (later at Fish Creek)
Henry James F. Jones, farmer, of Fish Creek, stated in 1913 he left England, where he was earning £5 12/6 as a painter. Mr Wyatt told him land suitable for dairying could be obtained at from £5 to £10 an acre. He and his wife had £850 between them upon landing in Australia. After being at Elcho farm he was shown land at Kooweerup valued at £1966, portion of which was swamp abandoned by a former settler. The board's solicitor stated the board admitted the land was unsuitable for settlement, and the whole question was a matter of compensation. Witness, continuing, said the block was completely saturated with water at one time. Officials of the board said improvements were futile on such land. Draining cost him £90. In 1927 his receipts from potatoes and dairying were £566. In 1928 and 1929 he received £929, and his expenses were £692. Owing to flooding of the land he gave up and went to Fish Creek. On 100 acres at £23 an acre he had 12 cows, from which he received £120 for the year. He grew potatoes and the highest price he received was £3 a ton. He had only £50, four cows, three horses and farm implements when he left Kooweerup. His interest and principal to the board was accumulating, as the area was not large enough to make a living. (The Age, May 20, 1931, see here)

Evidence from George Lewis Williams, district officer for the Water Commission of the Mornington Peninsula area.
As might be expected some of the officials who gave evidence had a different viewpoint. Mr Williams was quite blunt in his evidence."From time to time", continued Williams, "I engaged gardening experts to supervise and instruct the settlers, but these men gave up in disgust because they could not get the men on the blocks to take their advice. Many of them tried to cultivate an area that was too large. They were advised to concentrate on small areas, but would not follow that advice. They held Bolshevik meetings to ventilate their grievances. The Water Commission has supplied a motor-truck and employs two men to transport vegetables. The settlers even refused to cart the produce from their blocks to the packing shed for sale. There are too many misfits among the overseas settlers. They have been offered the use of scoops and other implements to do work on their blocks, but would not take advantage of the offer. They were too lazy. They also would not take advice on methods of cultivation and growing vegetables. They are the most contrary men I have ever met"  (The Argus, May 14, 1931, see here)

Findings of the Royal Commission
The findings of the Royal Commission can be accessed on the Victorian Parliament website, at https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1933No3.pdf   However, the Weekly Times had a comprehensive report of the findings of the Royal Commission on April 8, 1933
The Royal Commission in Migrant Land Settlement has found in its report to the Lieutenant-Governor (Sir William Irvine) that the settlers were justified in their complaints of misrepresentation by Commonwealth and State representatives in London........The Commission examined 504 witnesses at 146 public sittings. The inspection of holdings and the examination of witnesses in country centres necessitated the travelling of 10,000 miles.......In a summary of the conditions of 318 individual settlers, the commission finds that in practically every instance conditions were not such as to provide "a living and all commitments" and that in such cases the opportunity given to the settler of earning a living and ultimately acquiring his farm more or less fall short of the State's obligations to him. The Commissioners, however contended that they had no right to make any recommendation concerning the remedy or redress of any of the complaints (2).

The findings of the Royal Commission also have a summary of the evidence of 318 individuals - which gives a good indication of the areas covered by the Commission which include The Mallee, Murrabit, Maffra, Katandra, Stanhope, Alberton West, Shepparton, Leongatha, Tongala, Coleraine, Red Cliffs and this region. It is no wonder they travelled over 10,000 miles to inspect the properties. The evidence summary includes notes on training, block condition and whether it could provide the farmer with a living and the ability to fulfil commitments.

The farms were clearly thought to be small family farms, which rely on the labour of all family members. John Roy, farm supervisor, Water Commission, gave this evidence - Dairying was not necessary if a man was making a success of market gardening, but if a man had a growing family it was a good thing to have cows, pigs and poultry, and keep family occupied on the farm (3).

If a farmer did not have a wife, he was advised to get one - Charles Rowatt McTaggett, dairy farmer, Alberton West. He came to Victoria with £300 capital but was given no training. His present block which he took over from the board was of 48 acres and cost £2,253 with £600 for improvements, making the price £61 an acre. It would carry only 18 cows and was far too small to return a living. When he complained, Mr. Weir, who was in charge of the Closer Settlement scheme, advised him to get married, because he would then be able to milk 12 more cows. He did not follow that advice (4). 

The Owen family of 'Ivanhoe', Yannathan
One of the men who gave evidence to the Royal Commission was George Owen.  There are some photos on the Museums Victoria website of the Owen family of Ivanhoe, Yannathan, taken in  1925 and 1926.  These photos provide us with a lovely snapshot of the life of the family on their farm - from ploughing the paddocks, digging potatoes to the children at play and the family at their Sunday devotions. We are lucky to have access to these photos and they were contributed to the Museum's  Biggest Family Album project by Mrs Wynne Jennings (nee Owen). I have done some research to find out a bit more about the Owen family.

The Owen family home at Yannathan

Image: Museums Victoria https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/770082

George and Emma (nee Matthews) Owen moved to Yannathan in 1925.  George and Emma and their four children had migrated from England and, as we know, were induced to come to Australia under the Migrant  Land Settlement Scheme.  The children, who all feature in the photos, were William Henry (born 1914), Eileen Mary (born 1915), Winifred Emma (known as Wynne, born 1920) and Catherine Marjorie (known as Marjorie or Marj, born 1922). They moved to 454 Sydney Road, Brunswick around 1934/1935 (according to the Cranbourne Shire Rate books) and in the 1935 Electoral Roll George was listed as being employed as a 'Dairy Produce merchant'.   They later moved to 9 Pickford Street in Armadale (5). 

The Owen farm was located on Games Road. It was part of the Waori Park Closer Settlement Board subdivision. Waori Park and was established in 1919 and had been owned by Percy Charles 'Paddy' Einsiedel - there were two sections - Section A adjoined the Monomeith railway Station and section B, where the Owen family were, adjoined Yallock. The Owen property was Allotment 9 according to the Cranbourne Shire Rate Books and Allotment 8 according to the Yallock Parish Plan (see image immediately below) The original allocation was 66 acres and the family later on (1932/1933 according to the Rate books) took on another 27 acres (6).

From the Yallock Parish Plan - the Owen property went from Games Road to Forrest Road at Yannathan.

The Owen's had a dairy farm - we know this from a letter young William wrote to the Weekly Times of June 23, 1928. In the letter he says they cows, pigs and poultry and he has a dog, a  cat and a bantam rooster as pets.

William Owen's letter to the Weekly Times

Weekly Times June 23, 1928    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/224958241?

George and young Bill chopping wood

Museums Victoria https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/770087

What happened to the family after they left Yannathan? The four children all enlisted in the Australian Army in World War Two. The newspapers reported on Marjorie's wedding to William Edmund Hume-Spry in April 1950, where Wynne was bridesmaid,  and Wynne's marriage to John William Jennings in November 1950 - both girls were married at the  St Kilda  Methodist Church. Wynne carried a sprig of heather on her wedding day, which her sister Eileen had sent from Scotland. Wynne and John were married by his father, the Reverend W.E. Jennings. George Owen died on July 23, 1954 at the age of 68 and Emma died July 18, 1966 aged 80. When George died his address in the death notice was 87 Cranbourne Road, Frankston, however his funeral was held at the Methodist Church in St Kilda. When Emma died she was living at Inala Village, in Blackburn and her funeral was at the Mt Pleasant Methodist Church in Forest Hill (7).

Catherine Owen's wedding

The Argus, April 25, 1950 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/22824620

These are more photos of the Owen family from Museums Victoria.

Mrs Emma Owen and the children at Yannathan, feeding chickens.

https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/770076

Mr George Owen and the children and the dog at Yannathan, building a trough.

https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/770088

The Owen children collecting firewood

https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/770099

Wynne and Marjorie at the clothes line.

https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/770083

Eileen Owen

 https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/770084

Sunday devotions on the farm at Yannathan. This is  a beautiful photo. the caption on the Museums Victoria site says that Sunday school classes which were held every Sunday under a large gum tree.

https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/773305

Trove Lists

I have created  a list of newspapers articles on Trove relating to the Royal Commission, you can access the list here. I have also created a list of newspaper articles about the Owen family on Trove, click here to access the list. 

Footnotes
(1) John Stewart Dethridge (1865-1926) - read his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, here.
(2) Weekly Times, April 8 1933, see here.
(3) The Age, May 15, 1931, see here.
(4) The Argus, June 3, 1931, see here.
(5) Information from the Cranbourne Shire Rate Book and the Electoral Rolls. The dates of birth of the children come from World War Two Nominal Rolls, as they all served in the Army in the War.

(6) Information in this paragraph - Niel Gunson The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire (Cheshire 1968), p. 132; Yallock Parish Plan, 1931; Cranbourne Shire Rate Books.

(7) Information in this paragraph - World War Two Nominal Rolls,  newspaper articles, see my Trove list here The death and funeral notice for Mrs Owen was in The Age July 19, 1966 on newspapers.com

A version of this post, which I wrote and researched, has appeared on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Links to our Past, and the in the Koo Wee Rup Blackfish newsletter.

Yannathan World War One Honor Rolls

 There are two World War One Honor boards at the Yannathan Hall - one from the Yannathan State School, No. 2422 and the original board from the Hall. 

The Yannathan Roll was made by Mr H. Rawlings of Dandenong and unveiled at the Yannathan Hall, on March 28, 1919 (1). There is a Herbert Rawlings, of Melbourne Road, Dandenong listed in the Electoral Rolls at this time, so I presume he is the man who made the board. Herbert's occupation is a bricklayer, but he obviously had other skills as well. Mr Rawlings also made the Heath Hill State School Honor Board (see here) which is also now at the Yannathan Hall. 

The Yannathan Honor Board made by Mr Rawlings

South Bourke & Mornington Journal March 13, 1919 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66195719#

Yannathan Honor Board, unveiled March 28, 1919.

Image courtesy of the Narre Warren & District Family History Group's website, 

Casey Cardinia Remembers http://www.caseycardiniaremembers.org.au/

The Yannathan State School No. 2422, Honor Board, now housed at the Yannathan Hall.

Image courtesy of the Narre Warren & District Family History Group's website, Casey Cardinia Remembers http://www.caseycardiniaremembers.org.au/

The Yannathan State School, No, 2422, opened in 1882. I believe it closed in the 1980s.  I currently have no information about when their Honor Board was unveiled or who made it. 

As a matter of interest there have been three other  schools called Yannathan (2) - 

Yannathan Upper, No.2492, began its life as Lang Lang North in 1883, changed its name to Yannathan Upper in 1906 and closed in 1912. 

Yannathan South, No.2510, operated between 1882 and 1890. 

In 1895 Protector’s Flat School, No.3225, opened at Lang Lang East, it was relocated in 1914 to a more central site, and became known as Heath Hill and then changed its name again in 1951 and became Yannathan South. I believe this school also closed in the 1980s. I have written about the Honor Board from this school, called the Heath Hill State School Honor Roll, here,

What follows is information on the soldiers on the two Yannathan Honor Rolls. I have included their Service Number (SN) so you can look up their full record on the National Archives of Australia, www.naa.gov.au

Addison, William Dailey (SN 806) William was born in Lang Lang and was 26 years old when he enlisted on February 23, 1916. He was a motor mechanic and his next to kin was his mother, Mrs Kenwright, of Prahran. In July 1917 he was declared unfit for military service and discharged to take up employment as a Munitions Worker. In 1937 he sent a statuary declaration to Army Base Records to say that his real name was Oswald Mann Addison. This is a bit odd as his birth was registered at Cranbourne in 1889 as William Dailey Addison to James Dailey Addison and Mary Jane Henderson. William was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file, here, on the Battle to Farm website. 

Bateson, Archibald Clarence (SN 4735) Archibald was born in Yallock and he joined the Navy on April 23, 1915 when he was 16.  He remained in the Navy until April 1924. 
Bateson, George (SN 1307) George was born in New Zealand and he enlisted on November 10, 1914 at the age of 21. He was a labourer. George Returned to Australia on December 30, 1918.

The boys were the sons of Elias and Mary (nee Rideout) Bateson, of Yannathan. The Bateson brothers are also listed on the Yallock Honor Board.

Binding, Albert Dorman (SN 4134) Albert was born in Yannathan and enlisted at the age of 26 on August 13, 1915. He was a farmer, his next of kin was his father, James, of Toora. Albert Returned to Australia June 23, 1919 and was later living at Jandowae in Queensland (Jandowae is east of Chinchilla and north of Dalby)

Boxshall, Albert Victor (SN 3481)  Bert enlisted on July 7, 1915 at the age of 29. He was a  Tram Conductor. He Returned to Australia on May 8, 1919.  Bert was the son of Thomas  and Elizabeth (nee Mills) Boxshall, who moved to Yallock in 1895. You can read about the family, here. Bert is also listed on the Yallock Honor Board.

Brodie, Frederick Arthur (SN 94) Frederick  was born in Clyde and was a 27 year old motor mechanic when he enlisted on January 4, 1918. His next of kin was his mother, Jane, of Cranbourne and his address was Yannathan. Frederick embarked on January 16, 1918 and Returned to Australia May 15, 1918. Before his enlistment, Frederick had been attached to the Remount Unit, A.A.S.C., Maribyrnong for three years. The Remount Unit trained and cared for the horses before they were shipped overseas for military use.

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, of Wonthaggi.  Gordon Returned to Australia  April 13, 1919.

Cadd, Percy John (SN 3365) Percy enlisted on April 4, 1917. He was a 19 year old farmhand, from Yannathan, and his next of kin, his father William, was also at Yannathan. Percy Returned to Australia December 9, 1918. Percy also served in the Second World War, enlisting at the age of 41 in January 1941 and serving until June 1943.

Presentation to Percy Cadd

Lang Lang Guardian May 2, 1917 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/119514358#

Carson, Louis William (SN 2559) Louis was born in Yannathan and he enlisted at the age of 21 on April 12, 1916. His occupation was listed as scholar. Louis Returned to Australia in August 1918 and was discharged on medical grounds (neurasthenia).  Louis was the son of James and Elizabeth (nee Smethurst) of Myrtlewood, Yannathan. The family came to Yannathan in 1878, you can read about the farm, here.

John Casey

Australian War Memorial  Photograph DA11799

Casey, Arthur William. Arthur enlisted on August 12, 1916. He was a 26 year old farmer. He was discharged ten days later on August 21 on medical grounds.

Casey, George Henry 'Harry' (SN 2603) Harry was a 28 year old teamster when he enlisted on July 16, 1915. He Returned to Australia April 13, 1919.
Casey, John Alfred 'Jack' (SN 2593) Jack enlisted on July 13, 1915. He was a 29 year old farmer. John was Killed in Action in France on August 2nd or 3rd, 1918.
Casey, Victor (SN 57423) Victor was only 18 when he enlisted on January 5, 1918. He was also a farmer and he Returned to Australia January 17, 1919.
The boys were the sons of George and Lydia (nee Gardner) Casey of Yannathan. George, John and Victor are also listed on the Yallock Honor Board.

Jack Casey's death notice

The Argus, September 4, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1435192

Coates, Benjamin Wilson (SN Depot) Benjamin enlisted on October 5, 1918. He was a 21 year old farmer. He was discharged due to the War ending.
Coates, Lawrence (SN 2623) Lawrence was a 21 year old farm labourer when he enlisted on July 19, 1915. He was Killed in Action in France, August 18, 1916.
The boys, both born in Koo Wee Rup, were the sons of Lawrence and Mary Jane (nee Wilson) Coates of Koo Wee Rup. The Coates brothers are also listed on the Yallock Honor Board.

 

Lawrence Coates, with an unidentified woman.

Australian War Memorial. Photograph DASEY2403

In memoriam notice for Lawrence Coates

The Argus August 18, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1643758

Cozens, James (SN 1085) James enlisted on June 26, 1917 at the age of 30. He was born at Yannathan and was a farmer.  In May 1919 James was granted leave to study 'Agriculture and Hog raising' in the United States. He returned to Australia July 17, 1920. His next of kin was his father, Henry Edwards Cozens, of Pine Grove Yannathan. His mother Jane, who died in 1891, was the sister of Joseph Carson of Myrtlewood, Yannathan  and  thus James was the first cousin of Louis Carson (see above). James was also the step-brother of James Payne, listed below. 

Denney, Powley (SN 2273)  Powley enlisted on December 27, 1915. He was a 22 year old farmer and his next of kin was his father, David Edward Denney, of Yannathan. Powley Returned to Australia January 19, 1919.

Donaldson, Norman Stanley (SN 84) There is only one N.S. Donaldson in the Nominal Rolls. Norman enlisted in the AIF on August 18, 1914 at the age of 22, and later transferred to the Australian Flying Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant. Norman was a motor driver and his next of kin was his father, John Walter Donaldson, of Elsternwick. Norman Returned to Australia July 12, 1919. What is his connection to Yannathan? Norman is also on the Yallock Honor Roll and I have an explanation of his local connection there. 

Dunn, E.A  This man is listed on the Yannathan State School roll - it could be Alfred Egbert Dunn (SN 3271); Arthur Ernest (SN 1165); Cyril Edmund Andrew Dunn (SN 3058); Edmund Anderson Dunn (SN 1938); Ernest Albert (SN 2599) or 2nd Lieutenant Eustance Andrew Dunn. The closest man geographically to Yannathan is Alfred Egbert Dunn, whose address was Dandenong and his occupation was a farm hand.

Esler, Gordon (SN 534) Gordon enlisted on July 8, 1915. He was a 30 year old farmer, from Modella. His next of kin was his mother, Mrs Helen Smethurst, of Avondale, Yannathan. Gordon Returned to Australia April 13, 1919. Gordon was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file, here, on the Battle to Farm website. Gordon is also listed on the Modella Honor Board.

Gardiner, Balfour (SN 4232) Balfour was an 18 year old student when he enlisted on December 7, 1915. He Returned to Australia August 13, 1919.
Gardiner, Harold Edward (SN 870) Harold enlisted at the age of 23 on October 3, 1914. His occupation was carpenter. He Returned to Australia April 29, 1919.
Harold and Balfour were the sons of William Herbert and Maria Louisa (nee Wells) Gardiner of Yannathan.

Gardiner, Robert Edward (SN 6815a) Robert enlisted on July 25, 1917 at the age of 22. He was  a farmer. He eventually Returned to Australia March 12, 1920. He had been scheduled for return on four other occasions and did not embark and was subsequently declared an 'illegal absentee'. Robert was the son of Robert George and Annie (nee Head) Gardiner of Yannathan. Robert senior and William, the father of Harold and Balfour, were brothers. 

Glover, Robert Leslie (SN 1118) Robert was born at Yannathan, was 22 years old and a farmer when he enlisted on February 14, 1916.  His next of kin was his father, James Glover, of Tatura. His mother was Henrietta Harvey.  He Returned to Australia July 1, 1919. Robert was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here. James Glover was the brother of Abraham Patullo's mother, Sarah Glover. I have written about Abraham, below. This Abraham and Robert were first cousins and their other cousins, Robert and George Glover are listed on the Heath Hill State School Honour Roll. 

Greaves, Gordon Henry (SN 3128) Gordon was a 26 year old Stock Agent, from Lang Lang, when he enlisted on August 6, 1918. His next of kin was his wife, Mona, of Albert Park. He served in the Australian Remount Unit in the Middle East until August 1919. Gordon also served in the Army during World War Two from June 1940 until May 1947, he was a Lieutenant.
Greaves, Richard Leonard (SN 5799) Richard enlisted on August 2, 1916. He was a 21 year old farmer. Richard Returned to Australia on January 11, 1918 and was discharged on medical grounds (Facial paralysis). His next of kin when he enlisted was his father, of Yannathan. Richard was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here. Gordon and Richard are the sons of Henry and Annie (nee Nuttall) Greaves.

Robert Harker

Australian War Memorial. Photograph DA10833

Harker, George Ernest (SN 3840) George enlisted on December 6, 1915 aged 21. George was awarded the Military Medal and he Returned to Australia on April 13, 1919. George was also granted a Soldier Settlement farm, read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.

Harker, Robert Herd (SN 345) Robert enlisted on July 19, 1915 at the age of 28 and was Killed in Action in France, one year later, on July 20 1916.
The boys are the sons of Thomas and Catherine (nee Griffiths) Harker of Yallock. George, Robert and their brother, William, are also listed on the Yallock Honor Board.

Hatty, David Samuel (SN 279) Known as Sam, enlisted at the age of 22 on August 25, 1914. He served overseas and Returned to Australia on March 8, 1917 and was medically discharged as he suffered from chronic rheumatism.
Hatty, Thomas Alfred ( SN 5607) Thomas enlisted on November 25, 1914 when he was 24. He Returned to Australia on February 19, 1919. Thomas was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.

Another brother George (SN 66) also enlisted, on March 27, 1916 at the age of 21. He was a Labourer. George was Killed in Action in Belgium on October 12, 1917. George is listed on the Heath Hill State School Honor Board.
The Hatty boys were the sons of William and Jessie Augusta (nee Brown) Hatty and the family were living in Timboon when they enlisted. According to the Electoral Rolls they had previously lived in Yallock for a number of years. The Hatty brothers are also listed on the Yallock Honor Board.

Head, Alfred John (SN 316) Alfred enlisted on July 19, 1916 at the age of 19. He was a farmer. Alfred Returned to Australia on April 8, 1919. After the War, Alf was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.
Head, Charles enlisted on May 31, 1918 at the age of 29. He was a wheelwright. He did not serve overseas and was discharged due to the War ending. The boys are also listed on the Heath Hill State School Honor Board. The boys were the sons of John and Margaret (nee Forster) Head of Lang Lang.

Henderson, S.   S. Henderson is on the Yannathan State School Roll, with the notation that he was wounded. I cannot identify who this is.

Hockley, George (SN 5577).  George was born in England and his father, Arthur who lived in England was listed as his next of kin. He enlisted on October 26, 1914. He was a 22 year old labourer. George Returned to Australia April 19, 1919. The Embarkation roll lists George's address as c/o Mr J. Leamon, Yannathan. This was Joseph Leamon, listed in the Electoral Rolls as a farmer. 

Hodgson, Joseph (SN 5390)  Joseph enlisted on March 9, 1916. He was a 23 year old farm labourer whose address on the Embarkation Roll was c/o J. T. Parker, Yannathan. Joseph was born in England and his next of kin was his father, who lived in England. Joseph Returned to Australia June 12, 1919. Joseph was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file, here on the Battle to Farm website.

Complimentary social at the Yannathan Hall for some men who had enlisted.

Lang Lang Guardian, March 22, 1916 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/119513475

Holcombe, A   A. Holcombe who is mentioned in the advertisement above is not on either Honor Board.  I believe this man is either Allan Holcombe, who had a business in Caldermeade (see below) or connected to him, but I can't actually identify him, unless of course he was just invited to the social function, not because he enlisted, but because he was leaving the district.  In 1915 Holcombe and Monaghan also sold their property and choice dairy herd at Kernot, see advertisement in the Powlett Express, here.

Dissolution of partnership between Monghan and Holcombe.

Lang Lang Guardian June 14, 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119513697

Izzard, Horace Valentine (SN 373) Horace enlisted on February 22, 1915, aged one month off 28 years of age. He was a farm labourer. He Returned to Australia on March 9, 1919.
Izzard, Ralph Charles (SN 2636) Ralph, a labourer, enlisted on June 9, 1915 aged 22. He served overseas and Returned to Australia on November 12, 1916 and was discharged in February 1917 as medically unfit, it mentioned in his record that he suffered from rheumatism. Horace and Ralph were the sons of Charles and Mary (nee Cant) Izzard of Yallock. The Izzard brothers are also listed on the Yallock Honor Board.

Jones, J.  J. Jones is also listed on the Yallock Honor Board and I believe that it is
Jones, John Owen (SN 2674) John enlisted on August 2, 1915 at the age of 26, he was a miner and his next of kin was his mother, Marian, of Campbell Street in Wonthaggi. He suffered a severe gun shot wound to the right thigh in France on April 24, 1918 and Returned to Australia on December 24, 1918 and was medically discharged in June 1919. The 1909 Electoral Rolls show a John William Jones, Marian Jones and Maud Jones at Yallock.

Josephs, J This man is listed on the Yannathan State School Honor Board and the Yallock Honour Board (under J. Joseph). There is a Joseph Josephs on the Electoral Roll at Yannathan in 1909, his occupation is a labourer. This is possibly the man on the Honor Boards or some connection. There are two J. Josephs that I can find who enlisted who are from Victoria.
Josephs, James Rolfe (Lieutenant). James enlisted on May 24, 1915. He was a clerk, 24 years old and his next of kin was his father, James, who lived in Prahran. James Returned to Australia May 10, 1918 and was discharged on medical grounds (otitis media).
Josephs, Joseph Isaac (SN 3824) Joseph was 27 when he enlisted on July 13, 1915, so would have been around 21 in 1909 and thus old enough to be on the Electoral Roll. His parents were dead and his next of kin was Clara Letitia Cutts of Ringwood. Joseph was discharged on medical grounds, due to rheumatism on December 3, 1917 having Returned to Australia on August 25 of the same year. I believe the man on the Yannathan and Yallock Honor Boards is this Joseph Isaac Josephs. As a matter of interest, Clara was a school teacher and in 1918 she married Joseph Isaac Josephs. I was hoping they had a long and happy marriage together, however she died in 1918, so that's very sad.

Kelly, Thomas (SN 16078) Thomas was 21 when he enlisted on December 10, 1915, He was wounded in action and Died of Wound September 27, 1917.
Kelly, William (SN 16077) Nineteen year old William enlisted the same day as his brother. He Returned to Australia September 23, 1919.
Thomas and William, both born in Yannathan, were both labourers and were the sons of William and Sarah Ann (nee Stephens) Kelly. The Kelly brothers are also listed on the Heath Hill State School Honor Board.

Report of the death of Tom Kelly

Lang Lang Guardian October 31, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119514817

Leeson, Alfred Ernest (SN 485) Alfred was 22 when he enlisted on November 1, 1915. He Returned to Australia on March 16, 1919.
Leeson, Arthur Leslie (SN 4797) Arthur enlisted on July 13, 1915 at the age of 28. He Returned to Australia on May 29, 1919.
Leeson, Claude Albert (SN 3103) Claude enlisted on October 5, 1916 aged 18 years old. He Died of Wounds (a gun shot wound to the skull) in Belgium on October 18, 1917.
The Leeson boys were the sons of Arthur and Mary (nee Kalmbach) Leeson of Yannathan; Arthur had already died at the time of their enlistment. Both Alfred and Arthur were granted Soldier Settlement farms, you can read Alf's file here and Arthur's file, here. They were all born locally - Alf in Clyde, Claude in Caldermeade and Arthur's birth place is listed as Monham Heath, but I believe this is actually Monomeith. The Leeson brothers are also listed on the Yallock Honor Board.

Lemming, Frederick Thomas (SN 1953)  Frederick was born England and his next of kin, who was his father, also lived in England. When he enlisted on April 1, 1916 his occupation was a farm labourer and his address was Yannathan. Frederick Returned to Australia July 1, 1919 and he was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file, here, on the Battle to Farm website.

Lineham, William James (SN 2711) William, born in Clyde, enlisted on July 19, 1915 aged 20. His next of kin were his parents, Benjamin and Eliza Maria Agnes (nee Knott) Lineham of Yannathan. William Returned to Australia on April 13, 1919. William was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file, here, on the Battle to Farm website. William is also listed on the Yallock Honor Board.
A  letter William wrote to his parents 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.

Mann, John. John is listed on the Yannathan Board, however, I cannot find a John Mann with a local connection.

McCraw,  Herbert William (Depot 81956).  Herbert enlisted on November 2, 1918 and was discharged in December due to the War ending. Herbert was born at Yannathan and was 20 years old on enlistment. His occupation was Agent. He was the son of Francis William  and Mary Lee (nee Charman) McCraw of East Malvern. 

McDonald, Hector Rodney (SN 3425) Hector was 25 and a farmer when he enlisted on January 1, 1917. He Returned to Australia July 24, 1919.
McDonald, Lachlan John. Lachlan was born in 1881 and served in the Royal Flying Corps and was accidently killed.
McDonald, Neil Lamont (SN 2060) Neil enlisted on February 8, 1916. He was 29 years old and a labourer. He Died of Wounds on May 14, 1917
McDonald, Norman Victor (SN 934) Norman was 31, and a labourer, when he enlisted on February 8, 1916, the same day as Neil. He Returned to Australia July 4, 1919.
The boys were born in Ardmona and were the sons of Charles Stewart and Margaret (nee Matheson) McDonald of Yannathan.

This is from Neil's Roll of Honor Circular on the Australian War Memorial website, which mentions the death of his brother, Lachlan.

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1650209

McGhee, Gordon General (SN 22949) Gordon enlisted on October 27, 1915, he was a 23 year old labourer. Gordon Returned to Australia May 12, 1919. He was granted a Soldier Settllement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here. Gordon is also listed on the Heath Hill State School Honor Board.
McGhee, Donald Malachi (SN 3416) enlisted, on June 24, 1915. He was a 19 year old railway porter and he was Killed in Action in France on July 19, 1916.
The boys were the sons of John and Margaret (nee Johnston) McGhee; they were living at 61 Bridge Street, Northcote when their sons enlisted. Donald was born in Heath Hill. Gordon was born in Lang Lang, according to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages Index or Warragul according to his enlistment papers. The brothers are also listed on the Yallock Honor Board.

McMillan, Alexander Walton (Lieutenant) Alexander was 20 years old and a salesman when he enlisted on February 15, 1916. His address was Oak Street, Hawthorn. His next of kin was his father, also called Alexander McMillan of Caldermeade Estate, Caldermeade. His mother was Jessie Walton. He returned to Australia April 1, 1919.

McNalty, Ed -  Ed is listed on the Yannathan Board, but I cannot work out who he is. I have looked for M(a)cNalty, M(a)cNolty, M(a)cNaulty and M(a)cNally and cannot find a man with a connection to Yannathan.

Mitchell, Frederick Ernest (SN 716). Frederick was 19 years old when he enlisted on September 1, 1914. He was born in Yannathan, was a labourer and his next of kin was his aunt, Mrs Mary Ann Bissett of South Melbourne.  He was wounded at Gallipoli, severe gunshot wound to the arm, and discharged in England on his request, on medical grounds in May 1916. His reasons given for his discharge in England were that he had no family, parents or dependents in Australia and that he had been promised a billet driving  a motor car. He returned to Australia eventually as his address in the 1920s was Northcote, in Melbourne.

Monoghan, James. The only James Monoghan (SN Depot) who enlisted  was 36 years old and a clerk, who was born in South Melbourne. His wife, whose address was Latrobe Street, Melbourne was his next of kin. James enlisted on June 8, 1915 and was discharged in the September on medical grounds.  There was a John Arthur Monaghan listed in the 1916 Electoral Roll at Koo Wee Rup and a Martin Henry Monoghan listed in the 1917 Electoral rolls at Caldermeade (see above under Holcombe).  James may be connected to either of those men. Another possibility is Michael Monaghan (SN 430), name spelt lightly different, who was born in Drouin and enlisted on February 2, 1915. He was a 21 year old labourer. His next of kin was his father, James, of Drouin and later of Lang Lang. He Returned to Australia January 30, 1920.  I have checked for the surnames Monohan, Monahan and Monaghan and can't find a soldier with a Yannathan connection.

Nelson, William Holroyd (SN 22961)  William was born in Yannathan and he was a 20 year old medical student when he enlisted on June 16, 1915. His next of kin was his father, William Nelson, of Elsternwick. William was wounded on two occasions - gunshot wound right eye and gassed. He was also awarded the Miltary Medal. He was discharged in England as he found employment with the Civil Service - in his application for discharge he wrote that it is generally admitted that it is a sound policy of a %age of Colonials to be in the English Civil Service. He had another reason to stay in England and that was because he was married there on October 1, 1919. His bride was Freida Helen Havelock (nee Bower), a 29 year old widow. Sadly, the marriage did not last. In 1920, William was appointed to the Colonial Office in Uganda, and Helen (as she was known) began an affair with another man and in 1928 William returned to Victoria and instituted divorce proceedings. The divorce was granted, their daughter, Joy, born 1921, remained in Nairobi in Kenya, with her mother. You can read a report of the divorce proceedings in The Argus, here. He had a varied life and ended up as the Director of the Melbourne Zoo.

Obituary of William Holroyd Nelson, born in Yannathan.

The Age May 27, 1947 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article206024932

O'Donnell, Joseph Daniel (SN 3602) Joseph enlisted on September 17, 1915 aged 25. He was a labourer. His next of kin was his father, M. O'Donnell of Koo Wee Rup and he was also born in Koo Wee Rup. He Returned to Australia on September 26, 1917 and had 'severe corns on the sole of the left foot'. Joseph was listed as Michael's next of kin, after he returned home because their father 'could not be traced'. Joseph was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.
O'Donnell, Michael Alexander (SN 730) Michael enlisted at the age of 25 on November 27, 1914. He was born in Ballarat and he was a driver.  He had a colourful military history with a range of disciplinary issues. He received a gun shot wound to his shoulder, suffered a fractured skull and Died of Wounds on July 17 1918. Michael was living in Sydney when he enlisted but his next of kin was his father, Michael James O'Donnell of Yannathan. Michael's will, in his file at the National Archives has the family's address as Yallock. The O'Donnell brothers are also listed on the Yallock Honor Board.

O'Rourke, Alexander Dennis 'Alick' (SN4877) Alick enlisted on September 29, 1915. He was a 33 year old farmer and his next of kin was his brother, Frederick, of Loch. Alick Returned to Australia May 8, 1919. Alick and Fred are listed in the 1914 Electoral Roll at Heath Hill. 

Presentation to Alick O'Rourke at the Yanathan Hall, November 1915.

Lang Lang Guardian December 1, 1915 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/119513174

Parker, William Alexander (SN 6562) William was 21 years old when he enlisted on May 22, 1916. He was a driver and his next of kin was his father, John Thomas Parker, of Yannathan. William Returned to Australia June 12, 1919. William was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file here on the Battle to Farm website.

Patullo, Abraham Albert (SN 31500) Abraham enlisted on October 2, 1916, at the age of 25. He was a farmer and his next of kin was his father, Thomas, of Lang Lang, which is also where Abraham was born. His mother was Elizabeth Glover and he was the first cousin of  Robert Glover, listed above.  Abraham Returned to Australia July 13, 1919. Abraham is also listed on the Heath Hill State School Honor Board.

Payne, James (SN 1561) James was born in Lyndhurst and was 28 when he enlisted on October 6, 1916. His next of kin was his mother, Mrs Christina Cozens, of Yannathan, which is where he was also living at the time of his enlistment. He suffered a number of gun shot wounds and  Returned to Australia on February 15, 1918. When he applied for his medals in April 1918 he was living in Five Mile (Koo Wee Rup North). Christina was the second wife of Henry Edwards Cozens and thus the step-mother of James Cozens, listed above.  James was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file here on the Battle to Farm website.

Welcome home to Jim Payne (sadly his surname is spelt incorrectly here)

Dandenong Advertiser, May 2, 1918 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/88818199#

Pritchard, George (SN 433)  George enlisted on September 11, 1915. His next of kin was his wife Janet, of Yannathan. He returned to Australia on October 18, 1916 and was discharged on medical grounds. George was 47 years old when he enlisted and had also been in the Boer War - the 4th Contingent Imperial Bushmen where he served for 1 year and 123 days. George was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.

Priestley, Alfred (SN 6877) Alfred enlisted on July 11, 1917, one month short of his 21st birthday. He was a farmer. He Returned to Australia December 20, 1918 and was discharged on medical grounds - gunshot wound, right shoulder.
Priestley, Arthur (SN 2200) Arthur enlisted at the age of 21 on June 20, 1916. He was a farmer. He was wounded in action and died on January 6, 1918.
The boys were born in Lang Lang to Alfred Turner and Fanny (nee Gray) Priestley. Their father was listed as their next of kin, and at the time his address was Nullawil, which is north of Wycheproof, although they were later living in St Kilda. An A. Priestley is listed on the Heath Hill State School Honor Board, I am not sure if it is Alfred or Arthur.

Obituary of Arthur Priestley

Lang Lang Guardian January 26, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119515081

Rietschel, Arthur William John
Rietschel, Percy George Oscar
Arthur (b. 1888) and Percy (b. 1889) are the sons of Otto William and Helen (nee O'Neil) Rietschel. Helen is in the Electoral Roll at Yallock in 1905 and 1906 and then I can't find her and I believe Otto died in 1901. This is what I had found out about Arthur and Percy, but I couldn't find any trace of their enlistment until Lynne Bradley from the Narre Warren & District Family History Group discovered the answer. It turns out that Helen (also known as Ellen) remarried in 1903 to William James Jones and the boys enlisted as Arthur Jones and Percy Jones. Perhaps it was because there was so much anti-German feeling at the time, they wanted to hide a German sounding name. Arthur (SN 2673) enlisted on July 28, 1915 aged 27, occupation wheeler, next of kin was his mother Ellen Jones of Hicksborough, Wonthaggi. Arthur Returned to Australia on January 8, 1919. Percy (SN 1403) enlisted a day later than his brother, on July 29. He was 26 years old and also a wheeler, Ellen was also his next of kin. Percy served overseas and then Returned to Australia on January 31, 1918 and was discharged on medical grounds on May 28, 1918 suffering from 'myalgia and muscular atrophy.' The Rietschel brothers are  also listed on the Yallock Honor Board.

Ridgway, Mark (SN 449) Mark was born in Lang Lang and he was a 23 year old Buttermaker when he enlisted on February 11, 1915. His next of kin was his father, William Ridgway of Hazeldean, Lang Lang. In the 1914 Electoral Roll, he was living in Yannathan. Mark received  a gun shot wound to his knee and his tibia and fibula were fractured. He Returned to Australia on September 9, 1916 and was medically discharged on March 30, 1917. Mark is also listed on the Yallock Honor Board.

Ridgway, Norman Frederick (Lieutenant) Norman was born in Yannathan and enlisted on August 18, 1914. He was a 27 year old driver and his next of kin was his father, John, of Kilcunda. Norman Returned to Australia September 14, 1918, suffering from Neurasthenia and Debility. 

Robertson, George.  There is a George Daniel Robertson (SN 33273) born at Tooradin who enlisted on October 10, 1916. He was 25 years old and a Soldier. His next of kin was his father, Robert, of Tooradin. George Returned to Australia June 16, 1919. This man is the closest I can find, geographically. The 1918 Electoral Roll has a George David Robertson, farmer, of Yannathan listed. He may have been the man who enlisted, even though I can't find a matching record or he may be related to the George on the Honor Roll.

Rogers, Eric Cyril Patullo (SN V81381) Son of Henry and Margaret (nee Patullo) Rogers of Yannathan. Eric was two months off 21 years of age when he enlisted on October 21, 1918. His occupation was a mechanic. He did not serve overseas due to the War ending. 

Richard Scharf

Australian War Memorial. Photograph DA08326

Scharf, Alfred (SN 962) Alfred was a 26 year old carpenter when he enlisted on January 18, 1915. Alfred was Killed in Action in France on August 24, 1916.

Scharf, Richard Albert (SN 7961) Richard was 19, a shop fitter and he enlisted on July 13, 1915. He Died of Wounds received whilst fighting in France on May 1, 1917.
Alfred and Richard were the sons of Henry and Liselle (nee Fritz) Scharf. The family had lived on Finck's Road at Yallock, although they were in St Kilda Road, Elsternwick when the boys enlisted. The Scharf brothers are also listed on the Yallock Honor Board.

Sly, Cecil (SN 574) Cecil was born in England and his next of kin was his father, William, who lived in England. Cecil was 19 when he enlisted on October 26, 1914 and he was a butcher. He Returned to Australia July 12, 1919. What was his connection to Yannathan? I assume he must have worked in the area before enlistment. 

Smethurst, Herbert Claude (SN 441) Herbert enlisted at the age of 23 on September 18, 1914; he was a chaffeur. He married Lillian Dorothy Sanders in England on November 2, 1916. Herbert Returned to Australia July 26, 1919. His next of kin on enlistment was his mother, Annie (nee Redfern), of Coburg. His father, John Henry Smethurst had died in 1898.
Smethurst, S.J. The State School Roll has this person listed. We believe it is Samuel James Smethurst, born in 1888 and a brother of Herbert. He served in the Indian Army - he was a second Lieutenant in the Infantry branch, appointed February 1, 1917. You can see his appointment in the London Gazette, here. Thank you to Lynne Bradley of the Narre Warren & District Family History Group for supplying this information on Samuel.

Smethurst, John Samuel (SN V77589)  John was a 39 year old farmer, who was born in Yannathan and lived in Yannathan, when he enlisted June 6, 1918. His next of kin was his wife, Mable. John did not serve overseas and was discharged due to the War ending.

Steen, Arthur Walter (SN 1964) Arthur was a 19 year old labourer when he enlisted on February 16, 1916. His next of kin was his father, James, of Yannathan.  Arthur Returned to Australia May 3, 1919.

Stephens, James Bennett (SN 2367)  James enlisted at the age of 21 on August 7, 1916. His occupation was Drover. His next of kin was his father, Francis Stephens of Yallock. James was Killed in Action in Belgium on October 4, 1917. James is also listed on the Yallock Honor Board.

Thompson, James Henry 'Harry' (SN 4953) Harry was the son of Thomas and Catherine Thompson of Yannathan. He enlisted at the age of 22 on October 11, 1915.  Harry Returned to Australia May 15, 1919. 

Farewell to Harry Thompson and the Kelly Brothers.

Lang Lang Guardian January 19, 1916. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119513272

Ware, Charles William Francis (SN 3285a) Charles enlisted at the age of 23 on July 27, 1915. He was employed on the Railways and had been born at Nyora. He suffered a severe gun shot wound to his right buttock and Returned to Australia on March 17, 1917 and was discharged for medical reasons on July 9, 1917. His next of kin was his mother Mrs Christina Wilson Ware who lived at Kongwak.   His father was Charles Joseph Ware. Charles is also listed on the Yallock Honor Board.

Watson, Robert Charles (SN 2018) Robert enlisted on February 28, 1916.He was a 21 year old farmer. He was wounded in action - gunshot wounds to arm and jaw - and Returned to Australia November 5, 1917. Robert was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.
Watson, William Dunbar (SN 730) William was a 27 year old blacksmith when he enlisted on March 15, 1915. He died of pleurisy in France on March 5, 1917.
The boys were the sons of Charles and Grace Watson (her maiden name was also Watson), of Yannathan.

Report of the death of Corporal William Watson, born at Hazlewood whose parents lived at Yannathan.

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

Whitehead, Clarence Cecil (SN 26755) Clarence was a farmer at Yannathan when he enlisted on March 4, 1916. His next of kin was his mother, Margaret, of Cora Lynn.  He was Killed in Action in France on October 30, 1917.

This poignant In memoriam notice was placed by the Bethune family for their son David and his loving chums including Clarence Whitehead.

The Argus August 23, 1919 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4701994

Wright, Frederick Charles (SN 271A) Frederick was a 19 years old farmer from Yannathan, when he enlisted on January 27, 1916. He had been born in England and his next of kin was his father, Charles, of England. Frederick Returned to Australia September 22, 1919.

Wright, John William (SN 646) John enlisted on September 24, 1914 aged 21. He was a farmer and born in Yannathan.   John Returned to Australia on October 26, 1918.
Wright, Marmaduke George 'Duke' (SN 703) Duke was born in Koo Wee Rup and he enlisted on February 23, 1916 aged 20, he was also a farmer. Duke Returned to Australia on January 25, 1919. he was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.
The brothers listed their mother, Isabella Wright, of Shepparton East as their next of kin. Isabella and George Wright were in the 1909 Electoral Roll at Yannathan. John and Duke are also listed on the Yallock Honor Board.

Footnotes
(1) Koo Wee Rup Sun, April 2 1919.
(2) All the school dates come from Vision and Realisation : a centenary history of State Education in Victoria, edited by L.J. Blake. Published by the Education Department of Victoria, 1973. The 1980s closing dates come from the fact that I found this advertisement, below,  about the sale of the school properties 

The Age October 18 1986

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