The Iona Honor Board is at Columba Hall, at St Joseph's Catholic Church at Iona. It was originally at the Mechanics' Institute / Pioneers' Hall. The Hall which opened April 26, 1895, was demolished maybe in the 1940s, I believe. I have written about the Hall, here. The Honor Board was then re-located to the Iona State School. The School closed in December 1993 and the Honor Board eventually moved again, this time to the Columba Hall. I don't have a date for the unveiling of the Honor Board.
I have done some research into the forty five soldiers on the Iona Honor Board and found six more soldiers with an Iona connection and they are all listed here, along with same basic information and their Service Number (SN) so you can look up their full service record on the National Archives website (www.naa.gov.au).
I have used two books by Denise Nest in the preparation of this post - On the Edge of the Swamp: a history of the Iona Primary School, No. 3201, 1894 - 1994 (1) and Call of the Bunyip: a history of Bunyip, Iona and Tonimbuk, 1847 - 1990 (2).
Bailey, William Stephen (SN 3771) William enlisted on July 19, 1915. He was born in Kilmore and was a 30 year old farmer and his wife, Annie, was his next of kin and her address was North Melbourne. William was Killed in Action in France on May 3, 1917; he left behind three children Jean, John and Henry. It took me a while to work out who this W. Bailey was and then I read about the Baillee family in the Call of the Bunyip by Denise Nest. Mrs Nest writes - Thomas Baillee was born in County Cork, Ireland, and came to Australia aged seven years, with his parents Thomas and Hannah, brother Dan and sisters, Lucy and Helena....After a few years in Melbourne where a daughter, Kate was born, the family moved to Kilmore where three more children, Bill, Joe and Walter were born. Bill died in France in 1916. It was Thomas and his wife Rose and their family that moved to Iona in 1908, where he operated a blacksmiths shop.
Why did Bill spell his name as Bailey and not Baillee? I don't know. Did he ever live in Iona? I don't know. Am I sure that the Bill Baillee who died in France is the W. Bailey on the Iona Honour Roll? No, but I cannot find a better alternative.
Black, Charles Frederick (SN 10586) Charles' address on the Embarkation Rolls is Iona and he enlisted on July 17, 1915 at the age of 39, his occupation was Ship Steward. This is not a occupation that I would have thought could have been carried out in Iona. His next of kin was his father who lived in England. Charles was discharged October 18, 1915 for 'larceny of Government property' then rejoined two days later and was discharged August 25, 1919 whilst still in England. Charles is one of the six soldiers in this post who is not on the Honor Board.
Bolger, Arthur Ernest (1338) Arthur was a 21 year old labourer, working at Mr Schmutter's farm at Iona, when he enlisted on November 2, 1914. His next of kin was his foster mother, Charlotte Bolger, of the Ragged Boys Home at Frankston. Her occupation at the time according to the Electoral Roll was Matron and she later moved to Richmond. Arthur was Killed in Action at Gallipoli on April 27, 1915. Mrs Bolger wrote the Army a letter in 1920 saying that Arthur had been in my care from the age of 6 weeks and was adopted by me and I have not seen either his father or mother since that time and have no knowledge of them whatsoever and he has neither brothers or sisters. In an interesting twist, Private Bolger's war medals were found amongst the property of an 'old Age pensioner' John James Patterson when he died at the Corowa Hospital in 1935 and the Public Trustees were seeking to locate someone to give them to. Perhaps, Mr Patterson was a friend of Mrs Bolgers. I don't know. Arthur is one of the six soldiers in this post who is not on the Honor Board.
Bolger, William Joseph (SN 1784) William (listed as Joseph on the Embarkation Roll) was born in Footscray and his brother, Patrick, who was his next of kin, was also in Footscray. They were the sons of Michael Bolger and Mary Dowling. William enlisted on July 17, 1915 at the age of 26 and was Killed in Action in France on March 23, 1917. Was there any connection between Arthur and William? Once again, I don't know.
Clarkin, William (SN 1522). William was the fifth child of John and Elizabeth (nee Moore) Clarkin. They had eight children - John (1886), Mary (1887-1888), James (1889), Catherine (1891), William (1894), Margaret (1896), Mary (1899) and Ada (1902). John died in 1902, aged 55, leaving Mrs Clarkin with a young family to look after. William enlisted at Tynong on December 7, 1914 at the age of 21; his next of kin was his eldest brother, John Clarkin of Garfield. William fought at Gallipoli where he was shot in the chest and bayonetted in the leg. He recovered and was serving in France when he was officially reported as missing in August 1916 but had actually died of wounds as a Prisoner of War at Caudrey in Germany on August 26, 1916. William is also listed on the Bunyip War Memorial and on the Cora Lynn War Memorial, and I have more details about the family there.
Crudden, Thomas (SN 15) Thomas was born in Scotland and was 31 when he enlisted on October 7 1914. His next of kin was his mother, Mrs Crudden, of Iona. He Returned to Australia on December 23, 1918. Thomas was a Soldier Settler - you can read his full record here on the Public Records Office of Victoria website.
Curtain, William Patrick (SN 1701) William was 23, a farm labourer, and he enlisted on May 20 1915. His next of kin was his father, John, of Iona. He was awarded the Military Medal and Returned to Australia August 1, 1919.
Daw, Charles Henry (SN 4091) Charles was a 22 year old farmer when he enlisted on January 11, 1916. He Returned to Australia on May 15, 1919.Daw, Christopher (SN 1372) Christopher enlisted on August 2, 1915 at the age of 26. He was a Labourer. He Returned to Australia on July 5, 1919.
Charles and Christopher had their mother, Mrs Margaret Eaton, of Iona as their next of kin.
Dawes, Albert (SN 736) Albert was a 24 year old carpenter when he enlisted on October 20, 1914. His next of kin was listed as 'Father and Mother' Kirwan's Post Office, via Garfield and as 'Mr Dawes' on the Embarkation Roll. He sustained a bullet wound in the left wrist and Returned to Australia on February 9, 1916 for a medical discharge. Albert was a Soldier Settler - you can read his file on the Public Records Office of Victoria website here.
Dawes, Clifford Gordon (SN 5086) Clifford was an 18 year old farmer when he enlisted on January 26, 1916. His next of kin was his father, Alfred, of Iona. He Returned to Australia on July 21, 1917 for a medical discharge - 'Gun shot wounds multiple' was the reason.
Dawes, Gladstone (SN 4178) Gladstone enlisted on July 20 1915 aged 18. His next of kin was his mother, Mrs A. Dawes of Iona, and his father was listed as Alfred Dawes, Senior. Gladstone was Killed in Action in France on June 17, 1918. Gladstone is also listed on the Bunyip War Memorial.
Dawes, Victor (SN 3080) Victor enlisted on July 20, 1915 aged 21 and his next of kin was his mother, Mrs Elizabeth Dawes of Garfield. He Returned to Australia on July 3, 1919.
Dawes, Walter (SN 4093) Walter enlisted on January 10, 1916. He was a 22 year old carpenter and his next of kin was his father, Albert. Albert's address was Kirwan's Post Office, via Garfield. Walter Returned to Australia June 4, 1919.
Walter was born in Richmond in 1893 as Walter George Dawes Morgan to Louise Morgan, no father listed.
Victor was born in 1896 at Bunyip South (old name for Iona), with Dawes as the surname, to Alfred Dawes and Elizabeth Morgan.
Gladstone was born with Morgan as the surname in 1898 to Louise Morgan, father unknown. Clifford was also born in 1898 with Morgan as the surname to Frances Morgan and unknown father, however when he died in 1972 he was listed as a Dawes, father Alfred and mother Elizabeth Morgan.
So what does all this tell us? I believe they were raised as brothers. However, there are a few unanswered questions such as - was Elizabeth also known as Louise and/or Frances? Why was the third child registered as a Dawes but the two born in 1898 registered as Morgans - or were Louise and Frances Morgan relatives of Elizabeth and she took the three boys in and raised them with her only child Victor? I don't know.
Donald, Arnold James (SN 6000A) Arnold was 27 when he enlisted on March 30 1916. He served in France where he was Wounded in Action in May 1917. Arnold Returned to Australia on April 5, 1918 and was medically discharged in the July.
Donald, Henry Gordon (SN 6001A) Henry enlisted on the same day as his brother, Arnold, above. He was a 21 year old farmer. Henry was Killed in Action in Belgium sometime between June 7 and June 9, 1917.
Arnold and Henry were the sons of Charles and Elizabeth (nee Nairn) Donald of Garfield.
Doran, F Mr Doran did not survive the War so I would have thought it would not be difficult to work out who this is, but I cannot. I have found a number of connections between Dorans and Iona - according to the book On the Edge of the Swamp: a history of the Iona Primary School - May, Elizabeth, Fred, Henry, James, Patrick and Violet Doran attended the school in the 1890s/1900s, so I presume that Fred is our man. There is a Michael Doran, farmer, at Bunyip South / Iona in the Electoral Rolls from 1909 to 1913 and in 1914 there is a Frederick Joseph Doran, labourer, at Iona. There are no Dorans listed in the 1916 Electoral Roll. I cannot find a Doran in the Roll of Honour that had a connection to the local area, so another mystery.
Duckett, James Percy (SN 2164) James enlisted on February 3 1916, he was a 25 year old farmer and his next of kin was his brother who lived in England. James served overseas but Returned to Australia on December 21, 1917 and medically discharged in March 1918. He suffered from a number of conditions including 'infection and strain' and 'mitral systelic murmer' and 'dyspnoea on exertion' John Percy Duckett is listed in the 1917 Electoral Roll at Iona, his occupation was labourer. He had previously lived in Gormadale and attended a 'welcome home' there in September 1918.
Fitzgerald, Daniel (SN 3312)
Fitzgerald, Maurice (SN 6488)
John was 24 when he enlisted on July 15, 1915 and Daniel was 21 when he enlisted on October 5, 1914. John was Killed in Action on July 19, 1916 and Daniel Died of Wounds exactly three years after he enlisted on October 5, 1917. David enlisted on February 24, 1917 at the age of 21. He Returned to Australia April 10, 1919. Maurice served in the Navy, signing up on April 3, 1918 at the age of 18. These boys are the sons of David and Margaret Fitzgerald of Iona. The family arrived in the area in 1893. The Call of the Bunyip book says that both John and Dan were involved in cycling and Maurice took up the sport with gusto after the War, he used the name Jack, in honour of his brother. There is a a great article in the Sporting Globe of May 1, 1929 about Maurice's career, read it here. Daniel and John are also listed on the Bunyip War Memorial.
Fraser, Donald John,(SN 5074) Donald was born in Morwell and was 22 when he enlisted on October 15, 1914. His next of kin was his father, John Fraser, of Bunyip. Donald Returned to Australia December 14, 1918.
Green, Francis Regis (SN 6013) Francis enlisted on April 17, 1916 at the age of 20, his occupation was a farmer. Francis was Killed in Action in France on May 12, 1917.Francis is also listed on the Bunyip War Memorial.Green, Thomas Cole (SN 2421) Thomas was a 28 year old Commission Agent who enlisted on April 11, 1916. Thomas Returned to Australia May 6, 1919. Francis and Thomas were brothers, their next of kin was their mother, Catherine, of Iona. Her address was later changed to Kirwan's Post Office, Garfield, this was later changed to Vervale (same place, different name).
Gully, James (SN 1167 SN sometimes indexed as 1147) James enlisted on September 28, 1914 at the age of 32. He was a miner. His next of kin was his father, Harry, of Bunyip. James Returned to Australia December 3, 1918, for 'Special Leave' and was discharged on medical grounds in March 1919 - having been wounded with gun shot in the shoulder and later wounded in the left thigh. What was his connection to Iona? Even though his father's address was Bunyip on the enlistment paper, in the 1914 Electoral Roll his address is Iona. Plus the Bunyip Free Press of June 10, 1915 associated him with Iona, so that's good enough for us. James is one of the six soldiers in this post who is not on the Honor Board.
Gunn, Archibald (SN 265) Archibald enlisted on August 19, 1914, he was a 23 year old farmer and his next of kin was his father, Daniel, of Iona. In July 1918 he suffered a severe gun shot wound to the left thigh and Returned to Australia November 20, 1918. Archibald is one of the six soldiers in this post who is not on the Honor Board.
Hardy, W I cannot find a Hardy who enlisted with a connection to the local area - or any Hardy family with a connection to Iona - so Mr Hardy is a mystery.
Harrold, Reginald Clarke (SN 26) Reginald was a 36 year old farmer from Iona when he enlisted on August 22, 1914. His next of kin was his wife, Mary, whose address was Somerset in England. Reginald Returned to Australia October 8, 1919. Reginald is one of the six soldiers in this post who is not on the Honor Board.
Hopgood, Arthur Norman (SN 208) Arthur was a 20 year old brass finisher when he enlisted on August 17, 1914. His next of kin was G. Hopgood of Lygon Street in Carlton. Arthur Returned to Australia on October 23, 1918. What was his connection to Iona? On March 14, 1919 he changed his address to Iona and he is listed in the 1919 Electoral Roll at Iona, his occupation is a farmer. Arthur was granted a Soldier Settlement farm at Bunyip, you can read his file, here, on the Public Records Office of Victoria website.
Kelly, William Vincent (SN 3832) William enlisted on August 20, 1917. He was a 21 year old labourer and his father, William, of Iona was his next of kin. William Returned to Australia November 15, 1918. William was granted a Soldier Settlement farm at Iona. You can read his file, here, on the Public Records Office of Victoria website.
Knight, Harold Thomas (SN 26780) Harold, was born in England, and enlisted on February 1, 1916, he was a 25 year old painter and his next of kin was his wife, Florence, of Iona. Harold Returned to Australia August 22, 1919.
Larsen, Olaf (SN 2404) Olaf was born in Bunyip and was a 21 year old sawmill hand when he enlisted on April 28, 1915. His next of kin was an aunt who lived in Port Melbourne. He suffered a severe gun shot wound to the face in November 1917 and Returned to Australia March 16, 1918.
Llewellyn, Charles Jatho (SN 2197) Charles enlisted on November 21, 1916 at the age of 24. He was a farm labourer from Bunyip. Charles married Rosa Youdell in England on June 25, 1918 and the couple, along with their two children, Returned to Australia December 22, 1919 and arrived in Melbourne on February 5, 1920. Charles was granted a Soldier Settlement Farm, at Vervale, you can read his file, here on the Public Records Office of Victoria website.
Mannix, Patrick (SN 4754) Patrick was 32 and a Repairer on the railways, when he enlisted on February 17, 1916. His next of kin was his wife, Daisy, of Garfield. Patrick Returned to Australia May 4, 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds - Fibrosis Lungs.
Maybury, Albert Walter (SN 3075) Albert enlisted on July 12, 1915. His next of kin was his father W.M Maybury, of Iona. Albert Returned to Australia on August 24, 1918 and was medically discharged in the November. He had a severe gun shot wound to the left shoulder, which required amputation of the arm.
McAllister, Andrew James (SN 2702) Andrew was a 35 farmer when he enlisted on August 4, 1916. His address was Iona and his next of kin was his sister, Minnie Sinclair, also of Iona. He Returned to Australia July 16, 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds 'mitral incompetency' in October 1917.
McDonald, William Michael (SN 3192) William enlisted on July 16, 1915 at the age of 21. His next of kin was his mother of Preston. William Died of Wounds on May 8, 1917 - he had a gun shot wound right knee and haemorrhage and sepsis. What is William's connection to Iona? I don't know, I don't even know if I have the correct W.M. McDonald. He was, however, a cheese maker by occupation and thus could have been working in a local cheese factory, such as the one at Cora Lynn. There was a Allan Walter McDonald (he was a farmer) and Jessie McDonald in the Electoral Roll at Garfield in 1914, and Allan (SN 2474) enlisted on March 3, 1916, when he was 40 years old. Allan Died of Wounds received whist fighting in France, on March 28, 1917. Allan is listed on the Bunyip War Memorial as well, but would A.W. McDonald be mistaken for W.M McDonald?
McGrath, Patrick (SN 51412) Patrick enlisted on September 14, 1917 aged 28. His next of kin was his father, Michael, of Garfield. He went overseas and in November 1918 was charged with unlawfully entering property and he was court martialled and sentenced to two years jail. He was released from prison in June 1919 and Returned to Australia July 8, 1919.
McRae, Eric Douglas (SN 3872a) Eric was a 23 year old cheese factory manager at Iona when he enlisted on July 7, 1915. His next of kin was his father, Christopher McRae of Bacchus Marsh. He was Killed in Action in Belgium on October 4, 1917.
McTighe, Thomas Francis (SN 9346) Thomas was a 'motor bus driver mechanic' an unusual occupation for the time and he was 28 when he enlisted on July 7, 1915. His next of kin was his mother, Sarah, of Iona. Thomas Returned to Australia June 4, 1919. Thomas is one of the six soldiers in this post who is not on the Honor Board.
Milligan, Joseph Lewellen (SN 5376) Joseph was born in 1897 in Bunyip South (now called Iona) to James and Catherine (nee Hopkins) Milligan. He was the last of their ten children and the only one born locally - the others were - James (1875), Charles (1877), William (1880), Francis (1881), John (1883), Frederick (1885), Susan (1887), Catherine (1888), Thomas (1891) and then Joseph. He enlisted at the age of 21 on March 8, 1916, his occupation was a farm hand, and his address was Cora Lynn. Joseph was Killed in Action on February 23, 1917. Joseph is also on the Bunyip War Memorial and the Cora Lynn War Memorial and I have more details about the family there.
Murdoch, Arthur Charles (SN 2634). Arthur was born at Iona but was living in Brighton at the time of his enlistment on October 29, 1917. He was 19 years old and a motor driver. Arthur Returned to Australia August 22, 1919. Arthur was the oldest of the nine children of George Petrie Murdoch and his wife Emma Parker and he died in 1984, aged 85. George established the Cora Lynn store in 1907 and owned it until 1922; you can read about this and the Murdoch family here. Arthur is also on the Cora Lynn War Memorial.
O'Neill, E According to the book On the Edge of the Swamp: a history of the Iona Primary School, there was an Edward, Daniel and Joseph O'Neil at the Iona State School in the 1890s. In 1908, a Michael O'Neil is on the Electoral Roll at Iona, he is a farmer. I believe that Edward who was at the State School is the man on the Honour Board, but I cannot find an O'Neil, O'Neill or an O'Neal who enlisted with a local connection.
Paul, Thomas (SN 2878) Thomas Paul is listed in the 1914 at Iona, occupation is labourer. There are four men named Thomas Paul who enlisted but I believe our man is Thomas who was a 28 year old farmer when he enlisted on July 21, 1915. Thomas was born in England and his next of kin was his mother, who lived in Liverpool in England. Thomas Returned to Australia in September 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds - gunshot wound left arm.
Pratt, Percy (SN 12369/7894) Percy was born in England and was living at Garfield, according to the Embarkation rolls, when he enlisted on April 15, 1915 at the age of 26. He appears to have two enlistment records and one of them has his address as C/O Miss De Lacy Evans (3) of Vervale, via Garfield. His occupation was ‘sheep station hand’. Lance Corporal Pratt received the Military Medal in July 1917 and the Bar in February 1918. He Returned to Australia on April 5, 1919. Percy was granted a Soldier Settlement at at Garfield, you can read his file, here, on the Public Records Office of Victoria website.
Rogers, Llewellyn Edward (SN 2537) Llewellyn enlisted on June 6, 1916. He was a 38 year old farmer and his next of kin was his mother, Elizabeth, of Iona. Llewellyn Returned to Australia August 1, 1919.
Schmutter, William (SN 21937) The Honor board entry is listed as Schmutter and there are only two Schmutters who enlisted, both from Sydney. There is however, a William Smutter who enlisted at the age of 44 (hence born c. 1872) on January 27, 1916. He was a bricklayer and his next of kin was his wife, Mary, of Malvern. William Returned to Australia January 1918 and was discharged on medical grounds on April 8, 1918 - 'casualty senility.'
The 1914 Electoral Roll has a William Schmutter, farmer, and a Mary Ann Schmutter of Iona listed. This William died in 1932, aged 74, thus born c. 1858. Would he have enlisted at the age of 58? I have come across other chaps who were in their 50s when they enlisted, so more than possible and 44 was the upper age limit, that's why they said they were that age. There is also a William Schmutter, Junior, farmer and a Mary Ann Schmutter, of Bunyip South listed. William the younger was born in 1882, and there would be no reason for him to add ten years to his age to enlist. So, in spite of the different spelling, the incorrect ages and occupation, I believe our William Smutter is one of the William Schmutters in the Electoral Roll - Senior or Junior - I cannot say.
To add to the confusion, in the death notice of William the elder, his son Jack is listed as 'late A.I.F.' This is George John 'Jack' Schmutter, but I cannot find any enlistment papers for him, and why isn't he on the Honour Board, as he lived in the area until around 1950. I have written about George /Jack here. Or does the phrase 'late A.I.F.' actually apply to William himself and he did actually enlist at 58 years of age?
Sheahan, T There is a Timothy and Mary Ann Sheahan in the 1909 Electoral Roll at Bunyip - he is a farmer; in the same roll there is also a Daniel Sheahan, Hotel Manager at Garfield. In 1912 and 1914 Mary Ann, Timothy Michael and Michael Patrick are in the Electoral Roll at Iona - the men are listed as farmers. In 1918 we have Mary Ann, Daniel, Michael Patrick and Timothy Michael at Iona and Thomas John Sheahan at Bunyip. In spite of all these leads I cannot find a Sheahan or a Sheehan who served with a local connection.
Slattery, Gerald Malyon (SN 272) Gerald was born in Castlemaine and was 26 years old when he enlisted on March 15, 1915. His occupation on his enlistment papers was butter maker and the 1914 Electoral Rolls show he was living at Iona and his occupation was Creamery Manager. Gerald was Killed in Action in France on July 19, 1916. Gerald is also on the Bunyip War Memorial.
Watson, Albert (SN 3664) Albert was a 'Manager, General Store' when he enlisted at the age of 22 on August 25, 1915. He Died of Wounds March 9, 1918. Albert was the son of Jessie Adamson of Garfield. His Will stated that he would leave his estate to his mother or is she predeceased him, his sister Mrs F. Gross of Garfield. He also left 50 pounds to his niece, Agnes Ritchie. Mrs F. Gross was Elsie May Watson who married Gottfried Gross in 1905. Albert's mother Jessie was born Jessie Ritchie.
Whiston, J This is either Julian Thomas (SN 3526) or John Ernest (SN 3525) They were the sons of Fred Whiston of Cora Lynn. Julian's place of birth was listed as 'Bunyip Swamp' and he was 18 when he enlisted on August 7, 1915. John was born in Port Adelaide in South Australia and was 26 when he enlisted. on the same day as his brother. Julian Died of Wounds received on March 21, 1918. John Returned to Australia on May 21, 1916 and was discharged on medical grounds in the August suffering from 'Otitis Media mild' or deafness. Julian and his brother, Frederick, are on the Bunyip War Memorial, see the entry here. There is also a T. Whiston listed in a newspaper article about a Memorial Grove being planted at Tynong, see here. I can only assume that Julian may have been know by his middle name, Thomas, and the entry refers to him.
(1) On the edge of the swamp: a history of the Iona Primary School No. 3201 1894-1994 by Denise M. Nest ( Iona Primary School Back-To-Committee, 1994)
(2) Call of the Bunyip: a history of Bunyip, Iona and Tonimbuk, 1847 - 1990 by Denise Nest (Bunyip History Committee, 1990)
(3) My family has an interesting connection to Miss Grace De Lacy Evans, as my grandparents named their dog, Delacy, after her. They thought it was a nice name and it was meant as a compliment. You can see a photo Delacy, here.
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