Royal Hotel Koo Wee Rup - the McNamara, the O'Brien and the Daniher families

The Royal Hotel in Koo Wee Rup was built by Denis McNamara, who had been issued a victualler’s licence at a hearing at the Wonthaggi Licensing Court  held on December 18, 1914. This gave him the right to build a hotel in the town (1). Tenders were invited for the construction of the hotel in February, 1915 and Mr A. Oliver, of Oakleigh, won the tender for the contract price of £3,305. The Hotel was officially opened on Thursday, September 9, 1915. (2). The Lang Lang Guardian reported on the hotel in glowing terms -

Mr D. McNamara's handsome ornate, and commodious new hotel on the main street, Kooweerup is now completed. It is a two storied brick building, and one of the finest edifices of the kind in Gippsland, being greatly admired by all visitors to the town. It is a monument to the enterprise of the proprietor. (3) It also reported that the hotel has been furnished throughout by Mr McKee, of Royal Arcade, Melbourne, the rooms are fitted up in the most up-to-date and luxurious manner. Visitors to the place state that they have seen no hotel outside Melbourne furnished and equipped in such a finished and elaborate style. (4).

Royal Hotel advertisement

Koo Wee Rup Sun, November 27, 1918

In November 1918, Denis McNamara sold the Hotel for £7,000 to John O’Brien of Trafalgar. (5). John O’Brien was an experienced hotel-keeper, but more importantly as the Koo Wee Rup Sun reported -
Mrs O'Brien is a smart and keen business woman, and this combined with a personality that has already won golden opinions, is sure to make a success of the Royal. (6). The smart Mrs O’Brien was born Julia Teresa Moloney and she married John in 1892.

Royal Hotel advertisement

Koo Wee Rup Sun, December 4, 1918

 After leaving Koo Wee Rup, Denis and his family moved to Hawksburn and he took up the license of the Bush Inn Hotel in Williams Road, Toorak. (7).  John O’Brien operated the Royal Hotel until April 1921 when the licence was transferred back to Denis McNamara, although Mr O’Brien retained ownership of the building. (8).

Denis died July 27, 1925, aged 60 years old. The Advocate of August 20, 1925, published this obituary of Denis McNamara (they have his birth date wrong, it was actually c. 1864)  -
Born in County Clare, Ireland in 1846 [sic], Mr. McNamara was a young man when he came to Victoria. He engaged in business in Melbourne before coming to Koo Wee Rup in 1891, where he opened a store. In 1901 he returned to Melbourne, and was in turn the licensee of the Carlton Club Hotel, the United States, the Albury hotels. In 1902 he married a Miss Mary Ann Manney, from his home country, and had as family May and Frank. He suffered an early bereavement in the loss of his young wife. Returning to Koo Wee Rup in 1904, he bought O'Riordan's store, which he successfully conducted. In 1908 he married Miss Alice Morris, his bereaved wife, and later took out the first licence in Koo Wee Rup, building the substantial Royal Hotel. He was esteemed by all who knew him. His kindly smile, his cheerful word, and his open-handed generosity were enjoyed by many. (9).

Denis’ first wife, Mary Ann, had died on October 15, 1905 aged 29. She left behind two little children - Mary Bridget, born 1902, also called May. Mary became a Nun, Sister Denise of Presentation College in Windsor and she died in 1989; Francis Michael, born 1904, also called Frank. Francis, married Elizabeth Reynolds in 1935 and died in March 1983. (10)

After the death of Mr McNamara, the Hotel continued to be operated by the McNamara family until 1927, with Alice McNamara (Denis’ widow) as the licensee and Frank McNamara (Denis’ son) as the manager. For some time, around 1930 - 1932,  after they left Koo Wee Rup, Alice was the licensee of the London Tavern, 58 Moray Street (corner Grant Street), South Melbourne. (11).

Royal Hotel advertisement

Koo Wee Rup Sun, January 6, 1927

Alice McNamara died on June 28, 1937, and as her obituary in the Koo Wee Rup Sun relates, her sister died the same day -

It is with the deepest regret that we record the death of an old and highly respected resident of Kooweerup, in the person of Mrs Alice McNamara, wife of the late Mr Denis McNamara, at the age of 57 years. When word reached Kooweerup on Monday morning of her sudden death in the city quite a gloom was cast over the township, for through her ever-ready aid in the past in all cases of distress she was honored throughout the whole district, and owing to her unbounded hospitality when with her late husband they were in charge of the Royal Hotel, Kooweerup, her generosity will long live among many throughout the whole State. She was a daughter of the late Mr and Mrs J. Morris, of Kilmore..... On Friday last the deceased received word of the illness of her sister and only relative, Mrs Jane Scott, wife of the late Mr G. Scott (late A.I.F.), of South Melbourne, and she hurried to the city to render what aid she could on her behalf. Leaving her son Frank's suburban residence for the railway station on Monday morning to visit the hospital where her sister was an inmate, the deceased suddenly collapsed in the railway yards and passed to the Great Beyond. Strange to relate, within three hours her sister had joined her in the Great Adventure. (12).

The McNamara Family, c. 1921. 

Standing at back - Alice and May

Seated - Denis with Colleen, Alice (nee Morris) John and Frank. Margaret is at the front.

Photographer:Yeoman & Co. Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society collection.

Alice had four children with Denis, whom she married on August 9, 1909 - Alice, born 1909, who married Daniel Parks in 1929, they had three children and she died in August 1951; John Patrick, born 1910. He was ordained as a Priest in 1935, was an RAAF Chaplain during the Second World War, and died in 1986. His obituary noted that the year of his birth and the year of his death coincided with the appearance of Halley’s Comet; Margaret Frances, born 1914, nicknamed ‘Blue’. Married Cecil Ernest Murray, in 1941, and died October 2004; Colleen Josephine, born 1917, did not marry, and died February 2004. Denis and Alice are buried at the Pakenham Cemetery. (13)

Royal Hotel advertisement

Koo Wee Rup Sun, September 8, 1927

It was in  August 1927, that John Patrick Daniher took over the licence from Alice McNamara (14).  He was the son-in-law of John O'Brien. However before we look at the Danihers, we will look further at the life and business interests of Mr O’Brien with this August 1925 article from the Korumburra newspaper the Great Southern Advocate –

Mr. J. O'Brien is now the proprietor of the Korumburra Hotel, which has been entirely renovated throughout. The much-needed painting of the outside has completely transformed the appearance of the hotel. Mr. O'Brien owns the freehold of the Royal Hotel at Kooweerup, where he spent many years. He was recognised as a good sport, and always worked hard to forward the interests of the district. He took a great interest in the Kooweerup football team, so much so that the members before his departure elected him a life member of their club. The team was premiers two years while Mr. O'Brien was there. He also gave valuable assistance in raising £1000 by a queen carnival and fete for the purpose of building a cottage hospital for the Bush Nursing Association, the Kooweerup branch of which he was vice-president. He was a good supporter of the band, race club or anything that tendered to advance the town and district. He is also the owner of the freehold of the Criterion Hotel, Trafalgar, of which his son-in-law (Mr. J. Daniher) is licensee. (15)

The wedding of Marie O'Brien to John Daniher. 

The best man, J.J. Daniher; the bridesmaid , Veronica (Fairy) O'Brien; the groom John Daniher and the bride, Marie (Doll) O'Brien.

Table Talk, September 16, 1920 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/146691528

John Patrick Daniher had married Marie O’Brien on August 25, 1920. Their wedding was written-up in Table Talk, a newspaper which covered many weddings, the Theatre, the races and other social activities –
The marriage of Miss Marie (Doll) O'Brien, second (twin) daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. O'Brien, of the Royal Hotel, Koo-wee-rup, to Mr. John Patrick Daniher, younger son of late Mr. J. Daniher, of Euroa, and Mrs. Daniher, of Wyalong, N.S.W., was celebrated on Wednesday, August 25, at St. Patrick's Cathedral, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Father Keenan (Koo-wee-rup), assisted by Rev. Father Kett. In the unavoidable absence of the bride's father, she was given away by her brother, Mr. James O'Brien, and looked charming in her bridal gown of ivory charmeuse, with over-dress of georgette, trimmed with beads and filet lace; veil of Limerick lace, sumounted by a wreath of orange blossom. A gold wristlet watch was the gift of the bridegroom, while her gift to him was a pair of silver military hair brushes. She was attended by her twin sister, Miss Veronica (Fairy) O'Brien, whose dainty frock of white taffeta was made with a three-tiered skirt and trimmed with filet lace, while her hat of black tulle was adorned with a posy of pink flowers and streamers of black ribbon.  The bridegroom's gift to her was a pearl brooch. Mr. J. J. Daniher supported his brother as best man. (16).

The Royal Hotel in the December 1934 flood

Image: Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society

The Danihers had purchased the freehold of the Royal Hotel in 1927, as well as holding the license. In September 1934, the licence was transferred to Edith Leahy. This turned out to be a short-term arrangement as in January 1935, the licence was transferred to Marie Daniher. The Danihers operated the Hotel until June 1939, when they left Koo Wee Rup; the licensees in the next three years were H.T. Baker and M.J.Haig. In June 1942, the Dandenong Journal would announce that the Danihers have returned after an absence of 3 years and have resumed control. (17).

The Daniher family owned the Royal Hotel building until the 1960s, maybe longer. Marie Daniher died July 27, 1989, aged 89 and John had died June 15, 1972, aged 80. John’s death notice list their children as Julie, Margaret, Pat, John and Lorraine. Marie and John are buried at the Cheltenham Memorial Park. Marie’s father, John O'Brien, died in 1946, aged 82 and her mother, Julia, died in 1959, aged 92. They are buried at Boroondara Cemetery. (18).

Trove List - I have created a list of articles relating to the McNamara, O'Brien and Daniher families at the Koo Wee Rup Hotel, access it here.

Footnotes

(1) https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-beginnings-of-royal-hotel-koo-wee.html

(2) South Bourke and Mornington Journal, March 11, 1915, see here.

(3) Lang Lang Guardian, September 8, 1915, see here.

(4) Lang Lang Guardian, September 15, 1915, see here.

(5) South Bourke and Mornington Journal, November 7, 1918, see here.

(6) Koo Wee Rup Sun, December 4, 1918, see here.

(7) The Argus, April 5, 1921, see here.

(8) Ibid

(9) The Advocate, August 20, 1925, see here.

(10) The Argus, October 17, 1905, see here; Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages.

(11) The Age, November 4, 1930, see here; The Age, January 21, 1932, see here. the London Tavern was demolished in 1980 for the Westgate Freeway - http://www.skhs.org.au/SKHShotels/

(12) Koo Wee Rup Sun, July 1, 1937.

(13) Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; family notices from the newspapers; Father McNamara's obituary The Advocate, May 22, 1986 (copy at the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society). I have written more about Alice McNamara (nee Morris) here - https://victoriaspast.blogspot.com/2024/09/alice-morris-1852-1912-and-sarah.html

(14) Koo Wee Rup Sun, August 11, 1927

(15) Great Southern Advocate, August 13, 1925, see here.

(16) Table Talk, September 16, 1920, see here.

(17) Koo Wee Rup Sun, August 11, 1927; various Licensing Court hearings in the newspapers, see my Trove list, here; Dandenong Journal, June 10, 1942, see here.

(18) Various family notices in the newspapers.

John Daniher's death notice 

The Age June 17, 1972, p. 104 newspapers.com

Pub crawl in 1918 leads to licensing prosecutions at the Bunyip Police Court

The Bunyip and Garfield Express of October 4, 1918 had this following interesting account of a pub crawl by four lads -  Frederick Sippo, Hugh Murdoch, Stephen  McMillan (spelt as M'Millan in the article) and George Schmutter which saw the licensees of three hotels end up in the Bunyip Police Court on licensing charges. 

Bunyip Police Court. Wednesday, Oct 2, 1918.

Before Messrs Tanner, P.M., and a’Beckett and Barker, J.’sP.

Licensing Prosecutions

Inspector M’Loughlin proceeded against Edward Augustus Dreier, licensee of the Iona Hotel, Garfield, for serving 3 persons, apparently under the age of 18 years, with liquour, on 3rd August last.
Mr Davine, for Mr Dunn who was ill and unable to be present, appeared for the defendant, who pleaded not guilty.
Permission was given to the inspector to amend the summons, as it was since found that one of the persons supplied was over 18 years.
Frederick Sippo, said on the day in question he went to the hotel at Garfield, where he had a few shandies; the drinks were supplied by Mrs Dreier, who never asked anything about his age; he was born on 10th Nov, 1901, and knew the difference between a soft drink and beer, as he had drank beer before.
In reply to Mr Davine witness said he told defendant prior to that date he was over 18.
Hugh Murdoch, aged 16, said a lady whom he did not know served them, and he had never previously told Drier he was over 18.
Stephen M’Millan, aged 18, also gave evidence as to being served, and that Dreier made a practice of keeping boys out of his hotel.
The defendant, who was away in the city on this day, said he always made it a practice of inquiring about young fellows ages, and had asked them to leave the billiard room if not 18. Mrs Dreier was in charge while he was away but he could not say if he asked their ages in the presence of his wife, but the three youths had previously told him they were over 18.
The Bench said the information would be dismissed, as defendant had evidently put his foot down on this matter by taking every precaution.

A similar charge was preferred against Henry Wilson, licensee of the Gippsland Hotel, Bunyip, for serving a person under 18 years of age on the same date.
The youth Sippo said he went into the hotel in company with G. Schmutter, who called for two drinks; he had a shandy, but had never had drink there before.
To Mr Davine (for Mr Dunn) – he was standing near the window in the bar parlor, so that the licensee did not have a full view of him; he knew now that Mr Wilson would not supply anyone under 18, and heard him refuse to serve Murdoch and M’Millan.
George Schmutter said he called for 2 drinks and Sippo had a shandy; Sippo would not be visible to the licensee when he served the drinks.
Without calling any evidence for the defense, the case was dismissed.

Inspector M’Loughlin v Thos. Stacey a similar charge to the previous one.
Mr Backhouse for the defendant.
Sippo again said he went into the bar with Schmutter and had a shandy, but he wouldn’t contradict Tom Stacy if he swore he refused to serve them.
G. Schmutter said he did not suppose Tom knew who he was getting the drinks for as there were several about; he remembered going to the side window for a bottle of wine.
Mr Backhouse said the licensee, who had never had a charge brought against him for over 20 years, had no knowledge that the lad Sippo had been served with liquour.
Thos Stacey, jun. said he refused drinks to a crowd and never at any time did he serve Sippo with drink; he only supplied Schmutter with a bottle of wine.
The licensee and R. M’Namara gave evidence that they were playing cards in the room behind the bar, and heard the previous witness refuse to serve them.
The Bench said they were satisfied that the youth had not been served, and dismissed the information.

In a Koo Wee Rup Sun article of this case it concluded with a pun. They reported that as Frederick Sippo was involved in all cases he was the youth who should not be allowed to sip drinks in a hotel (1).

I have written about the Iona Hotel at Garfield here and the Gippsland and Railway Hotels at Bunyip, here. 

.................................................................................

Who were these boys?

Frederick Sippo. Frederick, born November 10, 1901 at Bunyip South, as Iona was then called, and was the son of Simon and Olive (nee Warren) Sippo. Listed in the Electoral roll at Iona, Simon was a contractor and bridge builder. 

Simon Sippo bridge building in a flood

The Age June 21, 1911, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196202311

Olive died April 11,  1929, at the age of 65,  and her death notice lists their children as Winifred, John (Jack), Ollie, Annie, Leslie, Charlie, Joe, Fred, Alfred and Ernie. The family were then living in Seddon, and she is buried at the Footscray Cemetery along with Simon, who died a few weeks later at the age of 68. Also in the grave is Frederick, who died at the Melbourne Hospital at only 32 years of age on September 3, 1934. (2).

Death notice of Frederick Sippo

The Age September 4, 1934 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205889071

Hugh Murdoch. Hugh James Murdoch was born in 1902 in Balranald, NSW to George Petrie Murdoch and Emma Rose Parker, who had married in Balranald in 1897. Hugh was the brother to Arthur, Mary, Allan, Lily, Stanley, Archibald and Alice.  George opened the Cora Lynn General Store in 1907 and operated it until 1922, and had also opened the Bayles General Store in 1921. You can read about the Cora Lynn store, here and the Bayles store, here.  Hugh followed in the family trade as he is listed in the Electoral rolls as a shop assistant at Narre Warren, and later as a farmer, also at Narre Warren.  Hugh married Elizabeth McMillan in 1924 and died August 16, 1994, aged 92. Elizabeth died in 1985 aged 82 and they are buried at the Bunyip Cemetery. (3)

The death notice of Hugh's wife, Elizabeth.

The Age June 19, 1985, p. 31 newspapers.com

Stephen McMillan. Stephen was the brother of Elizabeth, Hugh Murdoch's wife. They were the children of Robert James and Bridget (nee Guthrie) McMillan. The births of Stephen and Elizabeth were registered in Dean in 1900 and 1903 and the Electoral rolls list them at Bullarook, near Ballarat. They later moved to a farm at Garfield. Bridget died in 1935 aged 70 and Robert in 1932, aged 68 and they are buried at the Bunyip Cemetery. Stephen married Sophia Joyce Baxter in 1922 and are listed in the Electoral Roll on farms at Cora Lynn and then Koo Wee Rup Road, Pakenham.

On June 4, 1941 Stephen enlisted in the Australian Army (SN VX57181). He said his birthday was December 26, 1902, so it seems he took three years off his age, and given that most men who lied about their age kept the actual day and month, he was most likely born December 26, 1899.  He served in the Middle East, but was discharged January 4, 1943 on medical grounds. Stephen died in Frankston in 1960, aged 60 and he is buried at Frankston Cemetery. Sophia died in 1987 in Mount Martha aged 87. (4)

Death notice of Stephen McMillan

The Age, July 26, 1960, p 16. newspapers.com

George Schmutter. George was born at Bunyip South (Iona) in 1895, the son of William and Mary Ann (nee Hannington) Schmutter. This makes him about 23 when the pub crawl took place. However,  the 1919 death notice of Mary Ann and the 1932 death notice of William both list their children as Henry, William, Agnes, Florence and Jack, with no mention of  a George. There is  a George Schmutter listed in the Electoral Rolls from 1916, the year George would have turned 21, with the occupation of labourer and address Iona, so that is likely to be him. George Schmutter married Ella May Chadwick in 1925 and they are in the Electoral Roll at Iona or Vervale up to at least 1949 and from the 1954 Roll they are living in Parramatta in New South Wales, where his occupation is a gardener. George died in South Melbourne in 1963, aged 68, and Ella died in Parramatta in 1977. I was unsure whether this fitted together, then I found Ella's death notice in the Sydney Morning Herald and George is called Jack, so that pulls all the pieces together, and confirms that George is the Jack listed in his parent's death notices. Then as double confirmation, Find a Grave has a photo of their memorials at the Rookwood General Cemetery in Sydney, and they have his name listed as George John Schmutter, hence the diminutive, Jack. (5).

Death notice of Ella Schmutter

Sydney Morning Herald, September 30, 1977 p.19. newspapers.com

George and Ella Schmutter's memorials at Rookwood Cemetery in Sydney

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/189592770/ella-may-schmutter

There is one remaining mystery with George/Jack. As you can see from his father's death notice, below, it states that he (Jack) was late A.I.F - a  returned soldier. However, I cannot find any reference to him enlisting. To add to this mystery, the Iona Honour Board, lists a W. Schmutter, who I can't firmly identify, but I have written about this  here.

William Schmutter's death notice 

The Age, March 24, 1932, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/205096553

Footnotes

(1) The Koo Wee Rup Sun, October 9, 1918, see here.

(2) Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com; Olive Sippo's death notice The Age, April 13, 1929, see here;

Footscray Cemetery records   https://www.gmct.com.au/our-locations/footscray-cemetery

(3) Indexes to the Victorian and the New South Wales Births, Deaths and Marriages, Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com; 

Bunyip Cemetery records   http://www.ozgenonline.com/~kayemac/bunyip.htm

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

Bunyip Cemetery records   http://www.ozgenonline.com/~kayemac/bunyip.htm; 

National Archives of Australia Second Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1939-1947 - read Stephen's file here   https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=6123791; funeral notice The Age, July 26, 1960, p 16. newspapers.com

(5) Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages;  Mary Schmutter's death notice The Age March 15, 1919, see here;  William Schmutter's death notice The Age, March 24, 1932, see here; Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com

Annie the Circus Elephant who died at Koo Wee Rup

Goldwyn Brothers' Circus came to Koo Wee Rup on Wednesday, October 27, 1948; they were scheduled to perform that night, but were prevented by heavy rains and the show took place the next night. 

Advertisement for Goldwyn Brothers' Circus in Koo Wee Rup

Koo Wee Rup Sun, October 20, 1948, p. 1

However, one of their performing elephants died at Koo Wee Rup on Friday, October 29 and the Koo Wee Rup Sun  reported on this sad event - 

Death of the elephant.

Koo Wee Rup Sun November 3, 1948, p. 1

Valuable Elephant Alleged to be Killed by Noxious Weeds

While visiting Kooweerup last week Goldwyn Bros' circus had the misfortune to lose one of their two performing elephants, valued at £1000, alleged to be due to eating a noxious weed, viz., carrot fern, on a vacant allotment in the township fronting St John's Parish Hall. Billed to appear on Wednesday night, the show was postponed till the following evening owing to heavy rains. After helping to load equipment on Friday morning, the elephants were released and wandered on to the vacant allotment and were seen to be grazing most heartily on a prolific crop of the noxious weed. They, however, were soon stricken down and were in a serious condition. Drenches were immediately given, but in the afternoon one of the animals died and it was not until Saturday morning that the other elephant was able to regain its feet, when it quickly recovered. Although the circus had to forgo showing at Hastings on Friday night, the management was able to fulfil its engagement at Frankston on Monday.

What happened to the Elephant? I have been told by some locals that the elephant was buried at Koo Wee Rup, however the Dandenong Journal reported that -
Problem of Disposal of Dead Elephant
[Cranbourne Shire Health] Inspector J. Robertson  reported that while at Kooweerup Goldwyn Bros. Circus had the misfortune to lose one of two elephants, both of which were affected by fodder poisoning. Considerable delay was caused before the circus moved on, and arrangements had to be made to remove the carcase to a metropolitan boiling down works.

Disposal of the dead elephant

Dandenong Journal November 10 1948 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214584143

I must admit that when I heard an elephant had died and was buried at Koo Wee Rup, I was very sceptical; so I was happy and surprised to read a reference to the elephant in Gavan Donoghue's book The Stratford Elephant Mystery & more!  Gavan's book looks at the story of a circus elephant which was said to have been killed when it struck its head on the railway bridge on the Princes Highway at Stratford, in Gippsland. To track down which elephant this may have been, he made a list of all the circus elephants (and their fate) in Australia from post 1945. One of  the elephants was Annie, who belonged to the Goldwyn Brothers' Circus. Gavan notes that Dick Bills, a former lion-tamer and Goldwyns' Circus owner, suggests Annie died from eating poison weeds at Koo Wee Rup in the 1940s. 

Armed with this information, I found the Dandenong Journal entry, which gave me a date, and then I could go to the Koo Wee Rup Sun and I found the advertisement and the short article about the elephant.

Gavan also supplied the following information about Annie - she was an Asian elephant and she was a war refugee. Annie was evacuated from England because zoos etc were being bombed and she travelled all the way to Australia. She initially belonged to Soles' Circus until she was sold to Goldwyn Brothers' Circus and then sadly met her death in Koo Wee Rup having eaten carrot fern, another name for hemlock. 

Since I wrote this post, on June 14 2023 I received this message from Gavan - I rang Dick Bills today. He was briefly the owner of Goldwyns and also a  ‘Lion Tamer’.... He said he turns 101 this year. He is an amazing old guy. Still really sharp. I told him about the documentary find by you which confirms his recall. He said Annie was a lovely natured little elephant.

The Stratford Elephant Mystery & more!  by Gavan Donoghue (published by the author in 2019, and now in its 3rd edition) Follow Gavan on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/stratfordelephantmystery 

Short history of the Hospitals in Koo Wee Rup

The Koo Wee Rup Regional Health Service celebrated it centenary on May 23, 2023 and even though we have looked at some aspects of the history of the Hospitals in Koo Wee Rup and the people involved in various other posts, this post includes other aspects of this history. It is not  a comprehensive history. 

The Bush Nursing Centre opened in July 1918 and a nurses' cottage was built in 1921 (1) and it was on May 23,1923 that the Bush Nursing Hospital, named the Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, officially opened in Station Street. You can read the Koo Wee Rup Sun report of the opening, here. 

The Koo Wee Rup Sun report of the opening noted that much of the credit for the Hospital goes to the long serving Secretary, George Burhop, who joined the committee in 1918. As they reported - 

Now that the hospital is an accomplished fact, we cannot conclude without saying that one outstanding personality in bringing the scheme to a successful consummation has been the untiring zeal and devotion of Mr G.R. Burhop. He has been absolutely absorbed in the work. The most difficult task did not daunt him, and he has given time, money and labor and he must feel highly elated that the object for which he has been striving is now a practical reality. He has worked in a splendid spirit and has been suffused with “the white heat of a passionate enthusiasm” for the centre. (2)

Advertisement for the opening of the Hospital 

Koo Wee Rup Sun May 10, 1923, p.1 

George Randall Burhop was born in England in 1873 and died in Brisbane on May 30, 1949; he married Dorothea Pausacker in 1898 (she died 1962, aged 87) and they had four children - Dora, Amey, George and Thomas. George was a Cranbourne Shire Councillor 1921-1941 and Shire President 1927-1928.(3). 

The Koo Wee Rup Sun of June 1, 1949 had the following obituary - 

We regret to report the sudden death of Mr George Randall Burhop, J.P., of Lea road, Kooweerup, which occurred in Brisbane on Monday. Accompanied by his daughter, Amey, he left by 'plane for Brisbane last Saturday morning with the intention of spending the winter months in a warmer climate. Although not in the best of health, the news of his death came as a great shock to his family and many friends. We learn that on entering a cafe for refreshments on Monday afternoon he suddenly collapsed and immediately passed away. Following an inquiry into the cause of his death on Tuesday, Miss Burhop returned home by 'plane last night. We understand the body is to be cremated and the ashes sent to Kooweerup for private burial in an adjacent cemetery. The deceased was born in Bromley, Popular Middlesex, England on October 16, 1873, and he came to Australia with his parents, the late Mr Henry John and Mrs Amy Hannah Burhop, when 13 years of age. Living some years in Queensland and New South Wales, he came to Victoria, and in 1914 took over his father's farm on McDonald's Drain road and later purchased a much larger allotment on Lea road. He was mainly responsible for dividing the old Yallock Riding into the Lang Lang and Kooweerup Ridings, and for 17 years had most ably represented the latter riding of the Cranbourne Shire Council. He was the founder of the Kooweerup Memorial Hospital, and on December 19, 1947, was tendered a dinner and presentation by many Kooweerup and district residents in appreciation of his 28 years' services as honorary secretary of that institution. Mr McVilly, Chief Inspector of Charities, on that occasion had the honor of making the presentation of a valuable gold watch to the deceased in appreciation of his services at the hospital and 33 years' public service. Deceased was the husband of Mrs Dorothea Burhop, and father of two daughters (Dora and Amey) and two sons (George and Thomas), and to them we join with their many friends in extending our deepest sympathy in their sad bereavement.

The Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital was opened by Cr E. Sinclair Hill, who also unveiled a tablet in memory of the local fallen soldiers - Jacob Bambury (listed as Banbury on the plaque), David Bethune, Sydney Blake, John Bryan, Thomas Bryan (both listed as Bryant on the plaque), Michael Callanan, Lawrence Coates, Percy Davis, John Davy, George Garbellini, Henry Hamilton, John Hannaker, Richard Martin, George Osborne, John O’Shea, James Randle, Bernard Slocombe, Arthur Williams and Charles Woods. I have written about these men, here. 

Dr Lyell Andrews commences practice at Koo Wee Rup

Koo Wee Rup Sun May 10, 1923, p.1 

One of the results of the Hospital opening was that in May 1923, the first Resident Doctor, Dr Lyell Andrews, arrived in the town. In February 1925, Dr Alan Hewitt and his wife, Vera, who was a trained nurse, took over Dr Andrew's practice. Dr Alan retired from practice in 1963; his son Dr John worked in Koo Wee Rup from 1951 until 1955 and another son, Dr Ian, commenced practice in the town in 1955 and retired in 1995, ending 70 years of service from the Hewitt family to the town. (4).  I wonder how many babies they delivered in that time? 

The Argus reported that on October 26, 1929, the hospital accommodation was increased by the addition of an enclosed verandah of the type common to the majority of bush nursing hospitals in Victoria....This verandah was opened on Saturday by Lady Barrett, in the presence of a large gathering of residents of Koo-wee-rup and surrounding districts. Of liberal dimensions the verandah has ample room for 10 bed, which means the accommodation of the hospital has been doubled. Lady Barrett was accompanied to Koo-wee-rup by the honorary secretary of the central council of the Bush Nursing Association (Sir James Barrett) and the assistant secretary (Dr Edith Barrett) The visitors were received by a guard of honour formed by Boy Scouts, and a welcome was signalled to them in semaphore. A bazaar was held to defray part of the cost of the verandah.

Dr Edith Barrett congratulated the committee on its enterprise in extending the hospital and paid tribute to the nursing staff, of which, she said, Koo-wee-rup had every reason to be proud. (Applause). To the zeal and resource of the bush nurses practically the whole of the success of the movement was due. Nowhere in the Commonwealth were nurses so well trained as those who entered the Bush Nursing Association. Sir James Barrett recalled the beginning of the Bush Nursing Association. To Koo-wee-rup he said, belonged the distinction of having the first hospital founded by the central council. Eight years ago the Koo-wee-rup hospital was the only institution of its kind in Victoria. To-day there were 17 bush nursing hospitals; three more were to be opened shortly, and four were in course of construction.

The report continued .....Lady Barrett then declared the verandah open, cutting a ribbon across the door. Councillor Burhop, in thanking Lady Barrett, said that he was supported by an able and energetic committee, and he felt that the management of the hospital was in very good hands. (Applause). Much of the success of the hospital was also due to the untiring work of the nursing staff, especially Sister Tuffin. The verandah had been constituted at a cost of £180. Of that amount £150 had been subscribed, and he hoped that the remainder of the debt would soon be liquidated (Applause).......Councillor Burhop announced that Sir James Barrett had informed him that the central council would meet one-third of the outstanding debt. The announcement was received with applause. (5). 

Drama struck the hospital in December 1934 when the patients had to be evacuated through the roof as the Hospital was flooded to a depth of 7ft within a few minutes. I have written about this drama, here. 

Advertisement for the Hospital

Koo Wee Rup Sun, September 2 1937, p.3

In October 1935, a new operating theatre was opened.  The Age reported - 

Before a large crowd at the Koo-wee-rup Memorial Hospital yesterday, the president of the Victorian Bush Nursing Association (Lady Mitchell) officially opened the new operating theatre at the hospital. Lady Mitchell was accompanied by the honorary secretary of the central council of the Victorian Bush Nursing Association (Sir James Barrett) and Lady Barrett and the visitors were welcomed by the president of the hospital (Mr L. J. O'Riordan) (6). 

The Hospital relied on subscriptions and local donations but the Pakenham Racing Club was also a major donor and every year, in the 1930s to the 1950s, held a Hospital Race Meeting to raise funds for both the Koo Wee Rup and the Pakenham Bush Nursing Hospitals. (7).

The Pakenham Racing Club's Hospital meeting

The Argus, April 29, 1946 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/22251935

In January 1946 (or possibly late 1945), the Westernport Memorial Hospital Provisional Committee was formed for the purpose of establishing a modern public hospital in the Koo Wee Rup locality and it appeals for the support and loyal co-operation of every person residing in the area. The immediate objective was to raise £5000. (8).

The formation of the Westernport Memorial Hospital Provisional Committee 

Koo Wee Rup Sun, January 30, 1946, p. 4.

A major problem facing Hospitals after the War in the late 1940s and early 1950s was a shortage of nurses; in fact it was so dire that it was reported that some hospitals, including Koo Wee Rup, would have to close. One innovative solution to the nursing shortage was this, as The Herald reported - Staff shortages in Victorian hospitals could be eased if male nurses were accepted generally, several trained male nurses had come from England recently and there had been several Australian ex-servicemen with provisional registrations, but, with the exception of one training school, metropolitan and country hospitals did not appear to be interested in employing them…..There were between 30 and 40 trained male nurses in England willing to migrate. Some were highly qualified. One had a special certificate as a male tutor, and would give the opportunity to establish male nurse training in Victoria. (9). 

The Westernport Memorial Hospital Committee continued their fundraising and in 1953 Bates, Smart and McCutcheon were appointed as architects and the Trusteel Corporation was the successful tenderer for the new hospital, in Rossiter Road. The local community had raised £20,000 towards the cost of the building the hospital and the nurses’ home, which cost £200,500 and was constructed in seven months (10). 

The new Hospital

Koo Wee Rup Sun July 27, 1955, p. 1

December 4, 1954  - Hospital under construction.

Photographer: Margaret Robinson

November 27, 1954 - Construction of Hospital and two-storey Nurses' Home. 

Photographer: Margaret Robinson

The Koo Wee Rup Sun reported on July 20, 1955 that Matron Laird had been appointed and that the Hospital would be ready for occupation the next month, and would be officially opened on August 22. A Meeting to form a Ladies Auxiliary was held on July 28. The visiting hours for the hospital were set at 10.30am - 11am, 2.30pm - 3.30pm and 7.15pm - 8.15pm and no children under 14, except babes in arms, would be admitted as visitors. August 22 came and went and there was no official opening, however on August 24, 1955 the hospital was opened for business with the patients in the old building transferred by ambulance to the new building. The Hospital Secretary, Mr Pollock, could advertise that the hospital was open to receive patients for all kinds of nursing. (11). 

The new Hospital is open for business

Koo Wee Rup Sun August 24, 1955, p. 4

It wasn’t until December 4, 1955 that the official opening of the Hospital and Nurses’ Home took place. The Koo Wee Rup Sun would report that despite inclement weather conditions there was a large attendance on Sunday afternoon to witness the official opening of the new 23-bed Westernport Memorial Hospital, costing £200,000, excluding furnishings. The ceremony was performed by Dr. H. J. Lindell, chairman of the Hospitals and Charities Commission. (12).  You can read the full report of the opening of the Westernport Memorial Hospital, here. 

December 4, 1955 - Opening Ceremony Westernport Memorial Hospital

Photographer: Margaret Robinson

December 4, 1955 - Opening Ceremony Westernport Memorial Hospital. 

The Fallen Soldier's plaque was installed in this wall. 

Photographer: Margaret Robinson

The focus of the Hospital changed from the 1990s - the Killara Hostel opened in 1997, the operating theatre closed in 2004. However what didn’t change was the need to raise funds and Hospital Balls were a regular feature and a major fundraiser was the Koo Wee Rup Potato Festival held from 1973 until 2000 (read about the Potato Festival, here).  However, the jewel of the Crown is the Ladies Auxiliary, formed in July 1955 and still going strong and still raising money for the Health Service. Coming up for their 70th anniversary, a Platinum Jubilee, in two years time it is an anniversary well worth celebrating for their consistent dedication to their cause and to the town of Koo Wee Rup and surrounds. The Ladies are truly worth their weight in platinum, gold and diamonds.

The start of the Ladies' Auxiliary

Koo Wee Rup Sun, August 3, 1955, p. 4

Footnotes

(1) Read about the Bush Nursing Centre and the Nurses' Cottage here   https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2014/08/medical-matters-at-koo-wee-rup.html

(2) Koo Wee Rup Sun, May 24, 1923, p 4. 

(3) The details of his Council service is from The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire by Niel Gunson (Shire of Cranbourne, 1968)

(4) Mickle, David J. Mickle Memories of Koo Wee Rup (The Author, 1983) and More Mickle Memories of Koo Wee Rup (The Author, 1987); notes compiled by Jack Mills at the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society

(5) The Argus, October 28, 1929, see here. Dr Edith Barrett, was the sister of Sir James Barrett - read her Australian Dictionary of Biography entry here and Sir James' here.

(6) The Argus, October 28, 1935, see here. Lady Mitchell - read her Australian Dictionary of Biography entry here. President of the Hospital was Mr L. J. O'Riordan - Les O'Riordan - read about him here and here - Les is the sister of Margaret Hamilton.

(7) Various articles in the newspapers.

(8) Koo Wee Rup Sun, January 30, 1946, p. 4.

(9) The Herald, January 15, 1948, see here; The Argus, May 15, 1948, see here; 

(10) Koo Wee Rup Sun July 27, 1955, p. 1

(11) Koo Wee Rup Sun, July 20, 1955, p. 1;  Koo Wee Rup Sun, August 24, 1955, p. 1

(12) Koo Wee Rup Sun, December 7, 1955, p. 1.

RAAF plane crash at Garfield, January 17 1958

This report of the crash of an RAAF aeroplane at Garfield  is from the The Age, Saturday January 18, 1958 p. 3.  

Air Cadets unhurt in R.A.A.F. Crash

Schoolboys were on First Flight.

Twenty-five schoolboy members of the Air Training Corp escaped unhurt when an R.A.A.F. Dakota – taking them on their first air force flight – crashed in a paddock near Garfield, in West Gippsland, yesterday. Five members of the crew also escaped injury as the plane careered along the ground on its belly.

The aircraft was on a routine flight from Laverton to Sale where it was taking an Air Force scientist, Mr W. Rice, of Altona. The cadets who had been on a two-week camp at Laverton, were taken along for the ride to gain experience.

Wing-Commander G.H.N. Shiells, commanding officer of Aircraft Research and Development Unit at Laverton, who authorised the flight, said that if the plane had come down anywhere else but on a flat paddock everyone on board could have been killed.

The pilot, Flight-Lieut. L.A. Evans, of Laverton, did a magnificent job in missing power lines as the plane first crashed through a boundary fence and then bounced and jolted its way more than 500 yards across the rough paddock.

The plane blazed a shallow furrow in the hard ground before it finally came to rest in a great cloud of dust only 80 feet from a road which had high tension power lines along its edge.

 

The plane after the crash

 The Age, Saturday January 18, 1958 p. 3.  

No panic
Flight-Lieut. Evans said that they were half way to Sale when the port motor cut out. He decided to try to return to Laverton, but five minutes later the starboard motor also cut out.

“I didn’t have much time to think as the aircraft plunged down. I sighted a fairly large paddock and decided to try a ‘belly’ landing,” he said. “This is the second time I have made a wheels-up landing. The first was during the war when the under carriage of a Lincoln bomber failed and I made a forced landing at Townsville, in Queensland.”

One of the cadets on board, 14 year-old M. Latham, of Frankston, was sitting by a window near the port engine. He said his only thought as they were approaching for the crash landing was…”What happened if it explodes?”

“The first I knew of the crash-landing was when I saw shattered fence posts flying past my window,” he said. “None of the boys showed any signs of panic as we hit the ground and I only felt a series of severe bumps and jolts before the aircraft finally stopped.

“As soon as we stopped moving we all started talking and shouting, but we were told to leave the plane as quickly as possible.”

The cadets line up with the damaged aircraft in the background.

 The Age, Saturday January 18, 1958 p. 3.  

 
Girl Watched
Patricia Terrill, 16, who lives just opposite the paddock in which the plane landed, was watching it when the engines failed. “I watched the plane coming down towards the paddock and then I raced into the house as it came full-pelt towards me,” she added. An R.A.A.F. official said last night that a full investigation would be held into the cause of the accident. He said the aircraft would be dismantled and conveyed to Laverton in pieces to be examined by experts.

About six hours after the crash an R.A.A.F. bus arrived from Melbourne and the cadets were taken back to camp.

......................................................................................  

Note: Article has been re-paragraphed. The Age article is from newspapers.com, and original is below.

 The Age, Saturday January 18, 1958 p. 3.

......................................................................................................................................

Bunyip News article

The December 2022 issue of the Bunyip News had an interview with, and photos of, Ken Sumsion, who was one of the cadets on board the RAAF plane when it crash landed at Garfield. He was 15 years old at the time. The article was written by Roman Kulkewycz and you can access it here  https://bunyipnews.org.au/#editions

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ADF-SERIALS: Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History website

This website - ADF-SERIALS: Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History - RAAF A65 Douglas C-47, C-49, C-50 and C-53 http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/2a65.htm has the following information about the ill-fated RAAF plane which crashed at Garfield. It says the plane took off from Moorabbin; The Age article says Laverton, which is where the Air Force base is located. 

RAAF Serial - A65-99 

Radio call-sign - VHRFP 

Model/Type C-47B-30-DK 

C/N - 33103 

USAAF Serial - 44-76771 

C-47B-30-DK constructed under USAAF Contract AC535-AC-40652- #2032. Ex 44-76771 ordered under Indent 2415 (6th of 10 C-47B Aircraft Batch, delivery from USA to Australia May 45). Rec 3AD ex USA 11/05/45. Renumbered and given DAT Rego VHRFP. Rec 13ARD ex 3AD 17/05/45. Rec 35 Sqn RAAF ex 13ARD 23/05/45. Coded BK-O. Rec 2ADex 35 Sqn RAAF 11/12/45. Issued 35 Sqn RAAF ex 2AD 21/12/45. Rec 36 Sqn RAAF ex 35 Sqn RAAF 12/04/46. Cat B Storage ex Schofields UE 20/05/48. Issued 86 Wing Det Garbutt Townsville 20/05/48.Rec 86 Wing ex Garbutt 20/06/49. Rec 3AD ex 86 Wing 12/08/49. Rec 86 Wing ex 3AD 10/11/49. Rec 86 Wing Det Darwin ex 86 Wing 19/05/50. Rec 86 Wing ex 86 Wing Darwin Det 20/07/50. Rec DAP ex 86 Wing 22/08/50. Rec 1AD ex DAP Parafield 25/08/51. Rec R/S East Sale ex 1AD 08/06/51. Rec 86 Wing ex R/S East Sale 17/08/51. Damaged from storm 10/11/52. Rec DAP ex 86 Wing 16/11/53. Rec 86 Wing ex DAP 10/05/54. Rec DAP ex 86 Wing 26/01/56. Rec ARDU ex DAP 02/08/56. Rec DAP ex ARDU for SARAH Modification 02/01/57.Rec ARDU ex DAP 19/02/57. Accident 1000hrs 17/01/58 after taking off on a ILS Check flight to East Sale from Moorabin Vic, when in flight, port engine failed, followed soon by the starboard engine, near Warragul Vic, forcing pilot to make an emergency forced landing in a paddock( owned then by Mr Edward Walters) damaging some 25 yards of fencing, one mile southeast of Garfield, Gippsland Vic. Crew; F/Lt L A Evans Serv#022135, W/o F Russell Serv#A31517, Sgt W R Ross Serv#A33211, A/c G F Green Serv#A218463, Mr Rice Scientific Officer ARDU(Civilian) and twenty Melbourne ATC members were not injured. Aircraft retrieved by 1AD, deemed unrepairable by unit and listed for disposal 06/01/59.TTHrs 4886.35. Rebuilt by Bristols 1960. VH-PNA Papuan Air Transport 'Mount Victoria' Registered 23/08/61. Ansett Airlines of PNG Registered 01/07/72. Withdrawn 30/10/72 Madang. Used for fire practice 11/72. Scrapped . Pics held of aircraft post forced landing.

Doctor and Mrs Appleford, M.M. arrive in Lang Lang

Lang Lang had good news in September 1919 as Dr Appleford and his wife, Nurse Alice Ross-King decided to settle into the town -

Lang Lang is about to have a longfelt want filled, namely a resident doctor, Dr Appleford, a returned soldier, having decided to take up his abode at Lang Lang. The doctor is at present on his honeymoon in the Lakes district. His wife (nee Miss King Ross) is also a returned "soldier"- and holds the M.M. for bravery under fire - the Huns having shelled the hospital in France in which she was working. The doctor and his wife will be a great acquisition to the district, and we wish them the best of good luck. (1).

Dr Appleford comes to Lang Lang

South Bourke and Mornington Journal September 11, 1919

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66196736

Dr Appleford also consulted at Koo Wee Rup, at Mr T. Burhop's  and Grantville on 'sale days'.

Where to consult with Dr Appleford

Koo Wee Rup Sun Nov 12 1919, p. 1

The Applefords lived in a house beside the Butter Factory in Station Street (2) and started operating a private hospital. Dr Appleford treated the usual range of ailments and incidents common in a country town, including treating the 54 people injured in the Christmas Eve train accident of 1928, when a passenger train hit a stationary goods train at Koo Wee Rup (3).  Here are some other reports of his medical cases, including happy births and sad deaths.

Birth of Jean Chisholm at Dr Appleford's Hospital

The Argus, January 15, 1921 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1732810

Birth of baby Goudie at Dr Appleford's Hospital

The Argus,  January 26, 1924 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1914771

Death of young William McCord at Dr Appleford's Hospital

The Argus, May 3 1920 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1697513 

Other reports of Dr Appleford's cases -

Bee Attack - Unbeknown to his mother, Colin Leeson, the 14 months’ old child of Mr. and Mrs. A. Leeson, of Caldermeade, followed his mother to the garden and sat down in front of a bee-hive, and as a result the bees attacked him and stung him severely round the head. The child’s screams attracted his mother’s attention, and she was severely stung in rescuing him. He was hurried to the surgery of Dr. Appleford, of Lang Lang, who ordered his removal to a private hospital for observation, in case poisoning and shock should supervene. The child has since returned home apparently none the worse for his adventure (4). 

Snake bite - A resident of French Island was attacked and bitten by a tiger snake during the week-end. He was brought into Lang Lang, where he was given treatment by Dr. S. T. Appleford, who ordered his removal to a public hospital (5).

Shooting accident - Stanley Jackson, aged 16 years, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Jackson, of Lang Lang, nearly lost his left hand as the result of an accident while he and three friends were out shooting. The gun exploded while he was trying to fix the safety catch. One of his companions stripped his shirt and bound the arm. After supporting Jackson in turn as they made their way back to the vehicle, they brought him into Lang Lang, where has was treated by Dr. S.T. Appleford, who ordered his removal to Melbourne. An operation was immediately performed, and it is believed that the youth's hand will be saved. (6)

The Applefords also joined in with the community life of Lang Lang - Alice Appleford was a member of the Lang Lang State School Mother's Club and President in 1934 and 1935. The couple's four children - Isobel, Marion, John and Richard -  all attended Lang Lang State School. She was also a member of the Lang Lang R.S.L. Women's Auxiliary.  Sydney Appleford was a founding member of the Lang Lang Tennis Club and President for the first fifteen years; a member of the Lang Lang Golf Club Committee (7).

The Appleford's farewell function

Dandenong Journal March 6, 1940 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article216060046

In 1940, Dr Appleford sold his practice to Dr Alan Hewitt of Koo Wee Rup, as he had enlisted in the Australian Medical Corps. The family left Lang Lang at this time and moved to 255 Buckley Street, Essendon. 

Dr Sydney Appleford

Image: Geelong College

https://gnet.tgc.vic.edu.au/wiki/Print.aspx?Page=APPLEFORD-Sydney-Theodore-1891-1959

Sydney Theodore Appleford was born on August 29, 1891 in Geelong to John and Mary (nee Knight) Appleford; he attended Geelong College and then studied Medicine at Melbourne University. Sydney applied for a Commission in the Australian Army Medical Corps on August 24, 1915 when he was 23 years, 11 months old. He left for service overseas in the October and then returned to Australia in September 1916 on medical grounds (gastritis). He recovered and was sent back overseas in February 1917. In July 1918,  he was promoted from Captain to Major. Dr Appleford Returned to Australia January 14, 1919. It was during the voyage home that Sydney Appleford met his future wife, Sister Alice Ross-King, and they married in Melbourne on August 20, 1919.  Dr Appleford re-enlisted in the Army in the Second World War on April 12, 1940 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and was discharged in January 1949. (8). He died on September 20, 1959 and is buried at Fawkner Cemetery. (9).

There  is a short and interesting biography of Dr Appleford on the Geelong College website, here. 

Sister Alice Ross King

Weekly Times October 6, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132695390

Dr Appleford's wife, Alice, had also served in the First World War, and as we saw in the article at the top of the post, she holds the M.M. for bravery under fire - the Huns having shelled the hospital in France in which she was working. Alice Ross-King was born on August 5, 1887, in Ballarat, the daughter of Archibald and Henrietta (nee Ward) Ross King. She was actually christened Alys, but generally used Alice. She trained as a nurse at the Alfred Hospital and also worked at the Austin, Mildura and Wentworth Hospitals. Alice enrolled in the Australian Army Nursing Service on November 5, 1914.When she arrived in Egypt she was assigned to a Clearing Hospital for Gallipoli casualties. In April 1916, the Australian General Hospital, to which she was attached, was transferred to France. On July 22, 1917 the hospital was bombed and for her bravery, Sister Ross-King was awarded the Military Medal, one of only seven Australian Nurses who received this award during World War One. The award was gazetted in the London Gazette of September 25, 1917 and appeared in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on January 24, 1918 (10). 

Sister Ross-King awarded the Military Medal

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. January 24, 1918, p. 83. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article232463297

In November 1918, Sister Ross King was awarded the Royal Red Cross decoration in recognition of her valuable service with the Army in France and Flanders. The Royal Red Cross decoration was the initiative of Queen Victoria to reward women who showed exceptional service and dedication in nursing sick and wounded servicemen, whether at home or abroad. (11).  Sister Ross-King's diary, 1915 - 1919, has been transcribed and can be read on the Australian War Memorial website, here.

Sister Alice Ross-King awarded the Royal Red Cross decoration

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. November 7,  1918, p. 2111. 

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article232462776

Lorna Finnie, the author of Sister Ross-King's Australian Dictionary of Biography entry describes her service in World War two - She enlisted for full-time duty with the V.A.D.s and her husband was commissioned as a medical officer in the army. By 1942 the V.A.D.s had developed into the Australian Army Women's Medical Services and Alice Appleford was commissioned as a major and appointed senior assistant controller for Victoria. Untiring in her devotion to duty and hard work, with responsibility for some 2000 servicewomen, her organizing skills had great impact on fund-raising activities during World War II. She was fully committed in assisting Red Cross and Service charities, supporting war widows and children and demonstrating concern for the well-being of members of the A.A.W.M.S. (12). 

Major Alice Ross-King

Australian War Memorial Image 080772 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P11013368

Alice Appleford died August 16, 1968 in Sydney and she is buried with her husband at Fawkner Cemetery. (13)

Footnotes
(1) South Bourke and Mornington Journal, September 11, 1919, see here.

(2) Coghlan, Barbara Protector’s Plains: history of the Lang Lang Primary school No.2899, 1888-1988 and district (CBC Publishing, 1988), p. 22.

(3) Photographs here - https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2020/02/railway-accident-at-koo-wee-rup.html ; Accounts of the accident -  The Argus, December 26, 1928, here; Weekly Times,  December 28, 1928, here; The Australasian, December 29, 1928, see here. There are varying reports of the number of people injured - The Argus says it was 54 passengers; The Weekly Times 48 passengers and the Koo Wee Rup Sun of January 2, 1928 says it was 52 passengers. 

(4) Dandenong Journal, January 25, 1934, see here.
(5) Dandenong Journal, April 11, 1935, see here.

(6) The Age, July 9, 1935, see here.

(7) Dandenong Journal, May 11, 1933, see here and Coghlan, op. cit; The Age, July 16, 1937, see here; Great Southern Advocate, September 24, 1936, see here; Great Southern Advocate, April 23, 1936, see here.

(8) Military Service - WW1 Attestation file at  the National Archives of Australia, see here; WW2 Attestation file at the National Archives of Australia, see here.

(9) Death notice, The Age September 22, 1959, p. 15.

The Age September 22, 1959, p. 15. newspapers.com

Isobel Appleford married Arthur Roy Mansfield Watson in 1941;  Marion Appleford married Lieutenant Geoffrey Howard Sanders, RAN, on July 19, 1948, see a report of the wedding in The Argus June 21, 1948 here;

(10) Finnie, Lorna M  Alice Ross-King (1887 -1968), Australian Dictionary of Biography (ADB) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/rossking-alice-8276. Military Service - WW1 Attestation file at  the National Archives of Australia, see here.

(11) Royal Red Cross https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/building/cultural-collections/medals/collection/royal-red-cross/history/

(12) Finnie, op. cit.

(13) The ADB entry has her death date as August 17 1968,  but the death notice from her son, John has the date as August 16.

The Age, August 19, 1968, p.14. newspapers.com

The Age, August 20, 1968, p. 21, newspapers.com

This is an updated and expanded version a story, which I wrote and researched, which appears on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Commemorates: Our War Years