Koo Wee Rup to Strzelecki Railway line

The railway line which used to run from Koo Wee Rup to Strzelecki opened officially on June 29, 1922. At the time it was known as the Koo Wee Rup to McDonald’s Track Railway. McDonald’s Track had been surveyed between 1860 and 1862 by George McDonald. It ran between what is now called Lang Lang to Poowong, over Mt Worth to Morwell, with the aim of providing a stock route through to Sale. The Gippsland Railway line through to Sale was completed in 1879 and early McDonald’s Track settlers, especially those around Poowong, soon began to agitate for a railway line to help ease their transport problems through the densely forested, damp hills as the 32 kilometres (20 miles) of track between Poowong and Drouin took over a days travel and all goods and produce were carted on pack horses or drays (1).

Various routes for a railway line were suggested including one from Drouin to Welshpool via McDonalds Track (2) or Drouin to Poowong (3) or Monomeith to Warragul (4). The Great Southern Railway line to Port Albert via Koo Wee Rup, Leongatha and Foster was opened in 1892, by-passing Poowong. The opening of this line coupled with the draining of the Koo Wee Rup Swamp saw fresh demands from the McDonald Track settlers and the Swamp settlers for a new line. The Swamp was a large producer of dairy products and vegetables and there was also a growing sand mining industry. In 1912 a new Railway line was proposed from Koo Wee Rup to McDonalds Track via areas of the Koo Wee Rup Swamp.

Much of the following information comes from Steam to Strzelecki : the Koo-Wee-Rup to McDonald’s Track Railway by Merilyn Ramsay. Published by the Australian Railway Historical Society in 1991. It is out of print, but well worth tracking down if you are interested in Railway history or Gippsland history.

The Koo Wee Rup to McDonald's Track Railway Construction Bill 

receives assent from the Governor.

The Herald October 12, 1914 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article242295595

The Koo Wee Rup to McDonalds Track Railway Construction Act was proclaimed on October 12, 1914 (5)  and construction began on August 4, 1915 (6).

A description of the route of the railway line

Weekly Times, October 17 1914 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article121115533

Construction of the line was slowed by the re-allocation of resources during the First World War and didn’t resume with any pace until 1919. Construction was carried out in three stages. The Swamp area from Koo Wee Rup to Heath Hill, the foothills area of Heath Hill to Triholm and the mountain area from Triholm to Strzelecki. The finished line was 30¾ miles in length, as the article above, tells us.  Unfortunately for the people of Poowong they were bypassed once again.

Timetable July 1922

Koo Wee Rup Sun, July 20, 1922.

The first timetable had three trains per week carrying both passengers and goods, Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, see timetable, above.  The official opening of the line was as we said June 29, 1922 but the line was in use earlier. The Bayles Station commenced limited operation over a year earlier on February 10, 1921 and Catani had opened for limited operations from May 1921 (7).  The opening of the Bayles Railway Station was the catalyst for the opening of a General Store in the town, which was opened by George Murdoch in January 1921. George also owned the Cora Lynn Store and he initially employed Thomas Keys as his manager at Bayles (8). The Argus of March 9, 1922 also reported that the construction of the Koo-wee-rup to McDonald Track line is sufficiently advanced to enable the railway construction branch to haul goods in truckloads (minimum weight three tons) to or from the following stations:  Bayles, Catani, Yannathan, Heath Hill, Athlone, Warneet, and Topiram. Goods will be earned at owner's risk, and as construction work permits (9).  Merilyn Ramsay writes that Topiram was known as Warneet during construction, but named Topiram when opened for traffic.  Triholm was known as Topiram during construction, but changed to Triholm when the line opened for traffic (10).

Limited operations commenced on the line before the official opening.

The Argus, March 9, 1922 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4689414

The Koo Wee Rup Sun of April 20, 1922 reported on the revenue already gathered from the soon to be officially opened railway line - Interesting figures. The revenue derived from the M'Donald Track to Kooweerup railway line, which is not yet completed, amounted to £844 last month. The inward and outward tonnage reached 1615 tons. At the Kooweerup station the revenue for the month of March last year totalled £1261, but for the corresponding month this year it almost doubled the figures, being £2400. Goods amounted to £954, passengers £277, parcels £125 and live stock £44. Although the department reaps such a revenue, the present station is totally unsuitable for the conducting of business and an eyesore to the township, and it is about time the commissioners gave practical consideration to the erecting of a new building.

Revenue from the railway line, before it was officially opened.

Koo Wee Rup Sun April 20, 1922 p.4

This brings us to the names selected for the Stations. The Age reported on the origins of the names. Bayles was names after Frederick Bayles, I have written about him here; Catani was named for Carlo Catani, Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department.  I have an entire blog devoted to Carlo, here. 

The origin of the names of the Stations

The Age June 30, 1922 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/205046493

The use of the name Catani, was suggested by the Koo Wee Rup Pioneers' Association and George Clowser, of the Public Works Department, as the article below, attests. I have written about George Clowser, here.

 The suggestion that a railway station be named after Carlo Catani.

Weekly Times, March 6, 1920 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222562046

The opening ceremony took place  on June 29, 1922, at Strzelecki. The official opening was performed by the Minister for Railways, Samuel Barnes. Lady Mackey, the wife of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Sir John Mackey, cut the ribbon. The first train to leave Koo Wee Rup for the ceremony carried over 300 passengers from stations along the line (11).

Some of the crowd at the opening ceremony.

Weekly Times July 8, 1922 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222803430 

Lady Mackey cuts the ribbon at the opening ceremony.

Weekly Times July 8, 1922 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222803430 

Samuel Barnes, Minister for Railways at the opening ceremony.

Weekly Times July 8, 1922 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222803430 

The steam engine on the turntable at Strzelecki on opening day, June 29, 1922.

Image: Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society courtesy Mary Holmes.

These are the stations and sidings on the line, starting from Koo Wee Rup, with the dates of official operation from Steam to Strzelecki (12) -
Plowrights Siding - June 1, 1926 to May 12, 1931 (I have written about and have photographs of the Plowright Brother's sand mine operation, here)
Water Washed Sand Siding - March 9, 1926 to May 5,1931
Bayles Station - June 29, 1922 to February 4, 1959
Catani Station - June 29, 1922 to April 25, 1950
Yannathan Station - June 29, 1922 to April 25, 1950
Heath Hill Station - June 29, 1922 to August 7, 1941.
Athlone Quarry Siding - October 1922 to 1925
Athlone Station - June 29, 1922 to August 7, 1941.
Topiram Station - June 29, 1922 to August 7, 1941.
Triholm Station - June 29, 1922 to August 7, 1941.
Strzelecki Station - June 29, 1922 to November 24, 1930.

A short report of Plowright Brothers' sand washing operation, which was serviced 

by a  siding which opened June 1, 1926. Mr Clapp referred to in the report was Harold Clapp (1875-1952) Chairman of the Victorian Railways.

Koo Wee Rup Sun, April 12 1926

The train at Bayles.

Image: Bayles Fauna Park Collection.

Almost as soon as the line opened there were complaints about the lack of services on the line. In August 1923 it was reported that at the meeting of Yannathan branch V.F.U., -

a report was received from Mr. Barnes, Minister for Railways, re deputation's request for a daily service to be run from Strezlecki to Koo-wee-rup. — Request refused on advice of Railways Commissioners. This report led to a long discussion regarding the unsatisfactory way the present service met the requirements of the district. Mr. Warren considered the present service did not suit more than 10 per cent, of the population along the line. To help dairymen to get their milk to town it was absolutely useless. Mr. Wildes considered that the requirements of the district would be met if a daily motor rail service was run from Koo-wee-rup as far as Yannathan.

Mr. Bennett said he thought they should go further than just taking steps to get their milk daily to town. Statistics had been gathered quite recently showing there were about 2000 dairy cows between Bayles station and Yannathan station, which proved conclusively that this small area was a compact block lending itself admirably to the dairying industry (13).

As you can see from the dates of operation, above, the service to Strzelecki lasted less than 8 years; and to Athlone, Topiram, Triholm and Heath Hill less than 20 years. The line between Triholm and Yannathan was dismantled in 1942 (14)

Dismantling of part of the  railway line

Koo Wee Rup Sun September 3, 1942

The passenger service closed in August 1941 (15), but the line continued to carry goods such as livestock and milk, until it was closed completely in 1959. It was a short-lived railway line.  You can still see some remnants of the line. Steam to Strzelecki describes what was still visible in 1991 when the book was published. The Bayles Fauna Reserve  has a small Museum with some photos of the line, including the one above and the first two, below.

Bayles Railway Station, taken 6/10/1956 on an  

81 RM (280 HP rail motor) on Australian Railway Historical Society tour

Image: Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society, courtesy of A.R.H.S Archives. 

The train leaving Yannathan Station, Easter 1940, on the way to Bayles.

Image: Bayles Fauna Park Collection.

Catani Railway Station

Image: Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society

Topiram Platform viewed from North Side. Photographer: Weston Langford

Image 114891 taken January 17, 1984  https://www.westonlangford.com/

Triholm Looking towards Koo Wee Rup. Photographer: Weston Langford

Image 114890 taken January 17, 1984  https://www.westonlangford.com/

A view of station ground at Strzelecki, 1920s. Photographer: Ted Staff.

Annotations on verso identifying sites: No. 1 Station Yard -- 2. Office -- 3. Daws (?) Portable -- 4. Scales Portable - 5. You can just see a little of my camp -- 6. Macf's Place near Store. Dotted line is the railway line.

State Library of Victoria Image  H2017.79/141 http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/4157908

Footnotes
(1) Hartnell, Ross Pack Tracks to Pastures: a history of Poowong District (Poowong Centenary Committee, 1974
(2) Drouin to Welshpool - The Age, April 15, 1880, see here.
(3) Drouin to Poowong - The Age, August 23, 1890, see here.
(4) Monomeith to Warragul - the Leader, August 30, 1890, see here. Article also has a general discussion of Gippsland railways and a map of potential lines.
(5) Ramsay, Merilyn Steam to Strzelecki : the Koo-Wee-Rup to McDonald’s Track Railway (Australian Railway Historical Society, 1991) p. 22
(6) Ramsay, op. cit., p. 29.
(7) Date of Bayles Station comes from Mickle Memories of Koo Wee Rup: for young and old, v.1 by Dave Mickle (The Author, 1983) p. 75. He quotes the Koo Wee Rup Sun, but I have checked the originals from February 1921 and can't find a reference. Marilyn Ramsay quotes the same date and her source is the Koo Wee Rup Sun. Marilyn Ramsay also writes (p. 47) that Railways Weekly Notices refer to Bayles and Catani being open during construction on 21 May 1921, and Heath Hill and Topriam on 7 March 1922. The Argus of June 23, 1921 reported the fact that Bayles and Catani were open for limited use - see below.

Notification that Bayles and Catani Stations were partially open for business

The Argus June 23, 1921 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1768863

(8) The Bayles store opened in January 1921. - I have written more about it here,  but this is the short version - I checked back through the Koo Wee Rup Suns and the earliest ad I found for the "Yallock General Store" owned by George Murdoch, was January 1921. George Murdoch also had the Cora Lynn Store, which he opened in 1907. Bayles was managed initially by Thomas Keys. In January 1922 it was advertised as the Bayles General Store and Thomas was no longer the manager, but George Murdoch himself, had taken over. I was confused initially because I didn't know whether the Yallock Store was actually in the old town of Yallock or the 'new' Yallock, centred around the Bayles Railway Station. I did however, check the Shire of Cranbourne Rate books and they confirm that Murdoch's store was actually in Bayles not Yallock. He is first mentioned as owning the land in the 1920/21 Rate books.

First advertisement for the Yallock General Store from the 

Koo Wee Rup Sun of January 20, 1921. The store was later renamed the Bayles General Store.

Yallock Store is now called the Bayles Store.

Koo Wee Rup Sun January 26, 1922

(9) The Argus, March 9, 1922, see here.

(10) Ramsay, op. cit., p. 133.

(11) Reports of the opening - Weekly Times July 8, 1922, see here;  The Age, June 30, 1922, see here.

(12) Ramsay, op. cit., p. 133.

(13) Farmers' Advocate, August 3 1923, see here.

(14) Koo Wee Rup Sun September 3, 1942

(15) Ramsay, op. cit., p. 106

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

The South Gippsland Railway line

The Koo Wee Rup Swamp is straddled by two railway lines - the Gippsland line to the north, which went to Sale, (and which I have written about here)  and the Great Southern line to South Gippsland. This is a short history of the South Gippsland line, concentrating on the Swamp area. The completion of the Gippsland line in 1879 encouraged settlement in the area as new settlers used the stations as jumping off points and would walk to new selections in the hills. 

Railway Leagues were established to push for more lines (1). The steep hills of South Gippsland and the Koo Wee Rup Swamp meant overland travel for South Gippsland was difficult. Residents from Foster had to travel to Sale and then by rail. People living around Port Albert travelled and received supplies by sea. 

Much of the following information comes from The Great Southern Railway: the illustrated history of the building of the line in South Gippsland by Keith Macrae Bowden (Australian Railway Historical Association, 1970). 

Cranbourne Railway Station
Image: The Great Southern Railway: the illustrated history of the building of the line in South Gippsland 

by Keith Macrae Bowden

The Great Southern line commenced construction  on January 2, 1887 (2) and was opened to Korumburra on June 2, 1891, and by January 13, 1892 went all the way to Port Albert (3). The initial contract was to construct the railway from Dandenong to Whitelaw's Track. Whitelaw's Track, surveyed by Government Surveyor, Oliver Whitelaw,  was cut in 1874 and went from Foster, passing Coal Creek, near  what was to become Korumburra and then met up with McDonald's Track near what is now Nyora and continued onto to Morwell (4).  The Contractor for this first section of railway, which was 50 miles in length, was Falkingham & Sons - the firm owned by Jonathan Falkingham (5). 

The section from Dandenong to Tooradin was relatively easy and was officially opened to the public on October 1, 1888, even though apparently the contractor had been carrying passengers from February 28, 1888 (6). The stations in this section were at Lyndhurst, Cranbourne, Clyde and Tooradin.

 

Lyndhurst Station
Image: The Great Southern Railway: the illustrated history of the building of the line in South Gippsland 

by Keith Macrae Bowden

The Koo Wee Rup Swamp proved to be impediment to the building of the line. The excavation of the Main Drain to drain the Swamp did not start until 1889 and was not completed until 1893, so the rail contractors were essentially working in an undrained swamp (7). Mr Bowden writes that on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp four separate bridges were necessary in every mile of embankment to allow for the escape of swamp and flood waters. Each of these bridges was one hundred yards long and contained seventy-two piles. To get timber to this site Falkingham tried bullocks but they sank almost out of sight in the mud....he was then forced to proceed very slowly, carrying his bridge timbers on his locomotive along approach embankments, and so build each bridge as he came to the site. It was impossible to build bridges in advance. The bridge crossing the main drain in the swamp had 137 eleven-foot openings, to allow for the escape of heavy flood waters (8). 

A trestle bridge over the Koo-Wee-Rup Swamp
Image: The Great Southern Railway: the illustrated history of the building of the line in South Gippsland 

by Keith Macrae Bowden

Mr Bowden also writes that - A journalist on the staff of the Mornington County herald was invited by Falkingham to accompany him to Yallock [Koo Wee Rup] in the ballast train to see for himself what conditions were really like in the Swamp. They left Tooradin and 'careering over the Koo Wee Rup, which had the appearance of an inland sea', says the writer, 'water lay deep on either hand and spread far over the land, with here and there bilious tea-tree clumps imparting to the seascape an uninviting aspect.'  The Dalmore station was likened to Venice, standing as it did, surrounded by water. (9)

The Stations (10) from Tooradin on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp were -

Dalmore - originally called Peer’s Lane, then Koo Wee Rup West. Named Dalmore, after Duncan MacGregor's estate, in 1909. Peer’s Lane (now Dalmore Road) was named after a local land owner Frederick Peers (1843-1896).  

Koo Wee Rup - originally called Yallock.

Monomeith - originally called Glassock’s, after the Glasscock family, local land owners. 

Caldermeade.

Lang Lang - originally called Carrington. 

Falkingham began carrying passengers between Tooradin and Koo Wee Rup on August 19, 1889. In February 1890, the service to Lang Lang was established. Then on November 11, 1890 the line opened to Nyora and Loch. And then, as we said, it went through to Korumburra on June 2, 1891.(11).

The South Gippsland Railway line now stops at Cranbourne.  Passenger services beyond Dandenong ceased on June 9, 1981 but goods services continued to operate. (12).  For a few months, after the closure,  a daily shuttle service of eight return trips between Cranbourne and Dandenong operated, but this service ceased on October 3, 1981. (13).  In 1992, the goods trains ceased and this is when the line beyond Leongatha was taken up. The passenger service was reinstated on December 9, 1984 and continued to run until July 24, 1993. (14). Trains returned between Dandenong and Cranbourne when the line was electrified in 1995; the official opening of this electric train service to Cranbourne was on March 25, 1995.  Lyndhurst Station is no more, although it was apparently used until 2009 for cement. However, Merinda Park Station opened on March 25, 1995 in conjunction with the new electrified line and Lynbrook Station opened April 2012 (15). 

Interestingly, the line to Pakenham was electrified from Dandenong to Warragul in July 1954 and this was extended to Traralgon in 1956, due to the traffic generated by the Yallourn open cut coal mines and power stations. This was a full 40 years before Cranbourne, even though the line beyond Pakenham has now been de-electrified. (16).

Lang Lang Railway Station 1907

Image: Public Records Office of Victoria VPRS 12800/P1, item H 4285

Footnotes
(1) Bowden, Keith Macrae The Great Southern Railway: the illustrated history of the building of the line in South Gippsland  (Australian Railway Historical Association, 1970), p. 7.
(2) Bowden, op. cit., p. 62.
(3) Bowden, op. cit., p. 73 and p. 105.
(4) White, Joseph The history of the Shire of Korumburra (Shire of Korumburra, 1988) p. 287. Oliver Peter Whitelaw was appointed as a Mining Surveyor in 1874. He was the son of John Whitelaw, a journalist, who published a newspaper in the mining town of Woods Point; you can read his obituary in the Gippsland Farmers' Journal of September 29, 1899, here. Oliver sadly drowned at the age of 48 in a flood at Stringer's Creek, Walhalla in August 1891. You can read an obituary in the Gippsland Farmers' Journal, August 18, 1891, here and a shorter on in The Argus, August 4, 1891, here.

Oliver Whitelaw's appointment as a Mining Surveyor

Victoria Government Gazette  http://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1874/V/general/43.pdf

(5) Bowden, op. cit., p. 26.

(6) Bowden, op. cit., 65.
(7) https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2014/10/a-short-overview-of-drainage-of-koo-wee.html
(8) Bowden, op. cit., p. 66
(9) Bowden, op. cit, p. 69.
(10) Bowden, op. cit, p. 72.
(11) Bowden, op. cit, p. 73.
(12) Some of these dates I got about 15 years ago from a chap at the Korumburra Historical Society, I can't remember who. The June 9, 1981 date is confirmed by the Vicsig website - https://vicsig.net/  and a report in the Koo Wee Rup Sun June 1, 1981, p.1. 

(13) The Shuttle service reports in the Koo Wee Rup Sun of June 8, 1981, p. 1; September 21, 1981. p.1; October 5, 1981, p. 1. 

(14) The July 24, 1993 is confirmed by an article in The Age, July 25, 1993, p. 8.

(15) Vicsig website - https://vicsig.net/
(16) Vicsig website - https://vicsig.net/ ;  Harrigan, Leo. J Victorian Railways to '62 (Victorian Railways, 1962)

Yallock World War One Honor Boards

There are two Yallock Honour Rolls. One is at the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society. It has 29 names on it. The other one, with 52 names and photographs is at the Lang Lang R.S.L.  I do not know why there are two Boards - perhaps one was in the Hall and the other in the School or maybe one went missing and new one was made and then the original  was re-discovered later?

Yallock Honor Board, unveiled July 24, 1918, now at the Lang Lang R.S.L.

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

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

There is an article in the Koo Wee Rup Sun of July 31, 1918 about the unveiling of the Honour Roll on Wednesday, July 24 1918 by the Hon A. Downward, M.L.A. The Board is described as this specimen is a particularly fine one and contains the honored names and photographs of 57 local boys. The date of enlistment is also given. The Board is of Australian blackwood and is the work of Mr. W.J Tiller of Little Collins Street, Melbourne.  This is presumably the Board now held at Lang Lang, although it has 52 names and not the 57 mentioned in the article (and surely there weren't three Yallock Honour Boards!) You can access the article about the Honour Board unveiling here

The Yallock Honor Board, which is now at the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society

Image: Heather Arnold

What follows is a list of the soldiers taken from the Honour Board at the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society and the Koo Wee Rup Sun article - I have only seen a photo of the Lang Lang Board, so I assume that all the names on the Board are listed in the article. The information below also contains the Soldier's  fate (i.e. when they Returned to Australia after active service or when they were Killed in Action) and their Service Number (SN) so you can look up their full service record on the National Archives website (www.naa.gov.au).  

The names on the Yallock Honor Board which was unveiled July 24, 1918.

Koo Wee Rup Sun July 31, 1918 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/127198107

When I talk about the Honour Board, I am referring to the one held at the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society; when I talk about the Koo Wee Rup Sun article I am referring to the one published July 31, 1918 (the names are above, see full article here).  I have also used an article called Families at Yallock written by H.J. Boxshall, which was published in the book The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire by Niel Gunson (Cheshire, 1968). It is transcribed, here.

William Angus

Australian War Memorial. Photograph DA10801

Angus, William (SN 2101)   William Angus enlisted on July 22, 1915, at the age of 26. He was a labourer. William was Killed in Action in France on August 26, 1916.  His next of kin was listed as his aunt, Mrs A. Yeaman of Wonthaggi. Annie Yeaman is in the Electoral Roll at Yallock in  1903 and Mr Boxshall says that a J.Yeaman, who was an Engine Driver, lived on Fincks Road, so I believe that this William's Yallock connection.

This is Ann Yeaman's notice of Probate for William's will. 

Powlett Express April 27, 1917. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page14974879

Bateson, Archibald Clarence (SN 4735) Arch 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. Arch is the brother of George, below.
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. Mr Boxshall writes that Mr Elias Bateson was a member of the first School Committee and donated land for the Methodist Church. The Bateson brothers are also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board.

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.Thomas' obituary from the Lang Lang Guardian appears below. Bert is also the brother of Henry John Boxshall who wrote the Families at Yallock paper. Bert is also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board.

Thomas Boxshall's obituary 

Lang Lang Guardian October 17, 1917. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page13334125

John Casey

Australian War Memorial  Photograph DA11799

Casey, George Henry (SN 2603) Known as Harry, he enlisted on July 16, 1915 aged 28. He was born in Drouin and was a teamster. Harry Returned to Australia on April 13, 1919.

Casey, John Alfred (SN 2593) John enlisted on July 13, 1915, three days before his brother George. He was a 20 year old farmer, born in Lang Lang. John was Killed in Action in France on August 23, 1918.
Casey, Victor (SN 57423) Victor was born in Lang Lang and was 18 years old and a farmer when he enlisted on January 5, 1918. Victor Returned to Australia on July 17, 1919. 

George, John and Victor were the sons of George and Lydia (nee Gardner) Casey of Yannathan. The Casey brothers are also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board.

Coates, Benjamin Wilson (SN Depot) Benjamin enlisted on October 5, 1918 and was discharged on Christmas Eve 1918 as the war had ended. He was a 21 year farmer from Yallock.

Coates, Lawrence (SN 2623a) Lawrence enlisted on July 19, 1915. He was a 21 year old farm labourer. Lawrence was Killed in Action in France on August 18, 1916.
Benjamin and Lawrence were the sons of Lawrence and Mary Jane (nee Wilson) Coates of Yallock. The Coates brothers are also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board.

Death notice of Lawrence Coates.

The Argus September 23, 1916  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1614050

Collyer, John Clements Leslie (SN 1018) Known as Les, he enlisted September 15, 1914 at the age of 19. He suffered a number of wounds including a bullet wound to the left hip and he Returned to Australia on March 11, 1916 and was discharged on medical grounds.
Collyer, Russell Stanley. Russell was born July 3, 1899 and joined the Royal Australian Navy on  February 23, 1915.  He was discharged on November 7, 1925.

Les and Russell were the sons of  Eli and Francis (nee Potter) Collyer of Yallock.

Russell wrote a letter to his parents about travelling from Melbourne to London 

and it was published in the Lang Lang Guardian on June 21, 1916.

Read the full letter here http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119513703

Crespin, Frederick Legassick (SN 26791) Fred was 42 and a widower with four children when he enlisted on March 18, 1916. According to Mr Boxshall, Fred was a share farmer at Quamby for  a few years prior to 1914...he was an accomplished organist and piano player....and a good cricketer and captained the local Eleven during his stay at Yallock....on his return from the War he was unable to take up farming again owing to failing health and was given employment in the Land's Office in Melbourne. Fred Returned to Australia on August 24, 1918.

Davies, D  The Honor Roll lists a D. Davies and the Koo Wee Rup Sun article lists a D. Davis. This is possibly Douglas James Davies (SN  1524) who enlisted on March 21, 1916 aged 20. He was  a Farmer.  He was living in Rossiter Road in Koo Wee Rup at the time, with his mother, Ellen, who was his next of kin. Douglas Returned to Australia on June 12, 1919.

De Forest, Gilbert (51347) Gilbert was a 32 year old farmer from Monomeith when he enlisted on December 27, 1917. His next of kin was his wife, Margaret.  He Returned to Australia on June 19, 1919.   Gilbert is incorrectly listed in the Koo Wee Rup Sun list as G.D. Forrest. 

John De Little.

Australian War Memorial  Photograph P07179.001

De Little, John Cyril (SN 220) John enlisted on July 17, 1915 aged 23. He was  a farmer and his next of kin was his father Edward Vernon de Little of Koo Wee Rup. John was Killed in Action in France on October 10, 1916 , a day after being shot by a sniper.  John is incorrectly listed in the Koo Wee Rup Sun article as J.D. Little. 

Report of John De Little's death

Lang Lang Guardian December 13, 1916  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119514147

 

Donaldson, Norman Stanley ( SN 84)  Norman enlisted on August 18, 1914 aged 22.  He was living in Elsternwick and his father, John Walter Donaldson, was his next of kin. Norman Returned to Australia on July 12, 1919. What was his Yallock connection? He was the son of John Walter and Mary Jane (nee Waring) Donaldson and a Mary J. Donaldson owned land at Yallock according to the Cranbourne Shire Rate Books in the early 1910s. There is a report in the Lang Lang Guardian of June 24, 1914 about Mrs Donaldson selling her Finck's Road property (see here). Norman is also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board.

Cranbourne Shire Rate Books, 1912.

The Rate Books also show a Walter R Donaldson owning land at Yallock. Mr Boxshall refers to a W. Donaldson, a brick layer in his article.  This is, I believe, Walter Rehm Donaldson who is in the Electoral Roll at Koo Wee Rup in 1914. His wife, Leah Agnes (nee Robinson) is listed at Yallock. Not sure how or if these families are connected.

Bill Finck.

Image: Courtesy of Valerie Slade, his daughter.

Finck, Lewis William (Louis Wilhelm, known as Bill)  (SN 339)  Listed as W. Finck on the Honour Roll. Bill enlisted on July 10, 1915 aged 22. He Returned to Australia on April 13, 1919. Bill was the son of Louis Wilhelm and Elizabeth Mary (nee Killeen) Finck of Yallock.  Finck's Road is named after the family. Bill was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here. He married Gwendoline Harriet Stronach on March 8, 1927 at the Oakleigh Church of England and they had nine children.

Franklin,  Leslie (SN 878)  I am not one hundred per cent sure who this is - there were five  Leslie Franklins who enlisted, three are from New South Wales; the other Victorian one was Killed in Action and we know that 'our' Les survived the War, so by eliminating those four, it just leaves this Leslie - but I have not as yet found a connection to the area. He possibly worked locally or had lived there with his parents when they were alive as his next of kin was listed as his grandfather, John Franklin of Yea.  Les enlisted on March 24, 1915 aged 19. He was born in Yea, he was a labourer. Whilst he was overseas he married Margaret McKay in Scotland on May 24, 1919. He Returned to Australia on November 7, 1919. 

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 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.
Harker, William Thomas (SN 16235) William enlisted at the age of 34 in January 1916 and was discharged as medically unfit in February 1917, he then enlisted again on July 2, 1917, served overseas and Returned to Australia on May 6, 1919.
The boys are the sons of Thomas and Catherine (nee Griffiths) Harker of Yallock. William had been born in Quorn in South Australia, his brothers were born in Dandenong. George and Robert are also listed on the Yannathan 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, George Frederick (SN 66) George enlisted March 27, 1916 at the age of 21. George was Killed in Action in Belgium on October 12, 1917.
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.
The Hatty boys were the sons of William and Jessie Augusta (nee Brown) Hatty and the family was living in Timboon when they enlisted. According to the Electoral Rolls they had previously lived in Yallock for a number of years. Thomas and David are also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board and George is also listed on the Heath Hill State School Honor Board.

Henry, Robert (SN 344) Robert enlisted on July 8, 1915 at the age of  19. His next of kin was his father, William Henry of  Grassmere, Yallock. Robert was reported missing in July 1916 and had been captured by the Germans. He was released when the War ended, repatriated to England and Returned to Australia on March 2, 1919. Robert was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.

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. Mr Boxshall writes that Charles was a saddler and the Secretary of the first Yallock Progress Association. The Izzard brothers are also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board.

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. I believe that this is the correct record even though John's record does not directly link him to Yallock. There is a J. Jones listed in the Koo Wee Rup Sun article and Mr Boxshall writes that Mr J. Jones was a saddler by trade and had land in Hall Road. The 1909 Electoral Rolls show a John William Jones, Marian Jones and Maud Jones at Yallock and an article in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal of August 24, 1911 (see here) says that Mr W. Jones has sold his farm at Yallock and intends settling in Wonthaggi. Based on all that I believe that we have the correct J. Jones.  J. Jones is also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board. 

Joseph, J This man is listed on the Yallock Honour Board and on the Yannathan Honor Board as J. Josephs. The only J. Joseph listed is from New South Wales. 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 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 Clara Letitia Cutts of Ringwood. Joseph was discharged on medical grounds, due to rhuematism 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, that's very sad.

Kenny, Harry Phillip (SN Depot)  Harry enlisted on June 29, 1915 aged 29. He was born in Yallock and his next of kin was his father, Harry Kenny, of Nar Nar Goon. Harry was discharged on October 9, 1915 as medically unfit due to the loss of the index finger on the right hand. A report in his record said the finger  accident happened around October 1914 in Poowong when it was cut off by an axe. Harry was recommended for Home Services. 

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 Koo Wee Rup Sun list has an R. Leeson - this is possibly a mistake, as they don't list Arthur. The Leeson brothers are also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board.

Light, Alfred Percy (SN 5042) Alf was a 29 year old butter maker when he enlisted on January 27, 1916. He Returned to Australia on December 4, 1918.
Light, Norman Edward  (SN 1958) Norman was 26 when he enlisted on March 15, 1916.He was a farmer. He suffered a gun shot wound to his right leg, whilst fighting in France, and it fractured his tibia. He Returned to Australia on March 16, 1918 and was medically discharged in the November. Norman was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.
Light, Thomas Reuben (SN 1959) Thomas enlisted the same day as his brother, Norman. He was 27 and eleven months old, a farmer, and was discharged as being medically unfit on July 3, 1916.
Alf, Norman, and Thomas were the sons of Thomas and Maria (nee Ingram) Light. When Alf enlisted in January 1916 the family address was Tarwin Lower; when Norman and Thomas enlisted 2 months later the family had shifted to Yallock. 

Lineham, William James (SN 2711)  William enlisted on July 19 1915 aged 20.  His next of kin were his parents, Benjamin and Eliza (nee Knott) Lineham of Yannathan. He was born in Clyde.  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 on the Yannathan Honor Board and I have more information about him on that post.

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 Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here. Gordon is listed in the Koo Wee Rup Sun article as Rawdon M'Gee - not sure where the Rawdon name came from, but he on the Honour Board as G. McGhee.
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. Donald is listed in the Koo Wee Rup Sun article as Malachi M'Gee. 
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. Their brother, David Johnston McGhee, was living at Yallock in 1914 according to the Electoral Rolls. The brothers are also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board and Gordon is also listed on the Heath Hill State School Honor Board.  

McPhee, Charles Carey (SN 422) Charles was a Methodist Home Missionary and he enlisted at the age of 29 on May 10, 1916. He was reported missing in France in April 1918 and became a 'Prisoner of War in German hands'. He was released after the War and Returned to Australia on February 10, 1919. Charles has been stationed at the Methodist Mission at Yallock before his appointment.

Charles McPhee enlists

Lang Lang Guardian February 23, 1916  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page13333765

O'Donnell, D According to the list in the Koo Wee Rup Sun there was a D. O'Donnell who served in the War. This was likely to be a brother of Joseph and Michael (see below) as there is correspondence from Joseph, dated March 1918, in Michael's file asking about the whereabouts of Michael as they had lost touch as 'we had parted for about five years' and it also mentions 'my youngest brother' who was serving in France. I haven't worked out who he is.
O'Donnell, Joseph Daniel (SN 3602) Joseph enlisted on September 17, 1915 aged 25. 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. 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 Attestation file at the National Archives has the family's address as Yallock.

The O'Donnell brothers are also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board.

Michael O'Donnell's Will

National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au

First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920

Pretty, Albert George (SN 6944)  Albert enlisted on March 9, 1917 at the age of 23. His next of kin was his father, Frederick Matthew Pretty of Yallock. He was promoted to a Lieutenant. Albert was a Military Clerk who served in England and France. When you read all the military records you realise what a massive administrative task it must have been to keep all the records up to date. Albert Returned to Australia on October 30, 1919. There is a W. Pretty listed on the Honour Roll, but I believe this is a mistake as I can't find any other Prettys with a local connection apart from Albert.

Rietschel, Arthur William John
Rietschel, Percy George Oscar
Mr Boxshall has O.W Reitchel living at Fincks Road - he was a bricklayer; the Honour Roll has A. Reitschel and P. Reitschel and the 1914 Electoral Roll has Arthur and Percy Rietschel listed at Wonthaggi, so that's three different spellings on the surname. Arthur (b. 1888) and Percy (b. 1889) are the sons of Otto William and Helen (nee O'Neil) Rietschel, I think that's the correct spelling. 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 once again, 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 Yannthan Honor Board.

Ridgway, Mark (SN 449) Mark was born in Lang Lang and he was a 23 year old Butter maker 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 Yannathan Honor Board.

Sanders, Robert Oliver  (SN 13170)  Robert enlisted on August 7, 1916 at the age of 23 years, 11 months. His occupation was chauffeur, and as might be expected, he joined the Auxiliary Mechanical Transport Company. His address at enlistment was Monomeith and he was born in London and his next of kin was his father, who lived in England.  Robert was demobilized in England on October 31, 1919. There is an R. Saunders listed in the Koo Wee Rup Sun article, but I can't locate anyone of that name with a local connection, so I believe it should have been R. Sanders. 

Savage, Leslie Hardwick (SN 50459)  Leslie was 24 when he enlisted on December 14, 1917.He Returned to Australia on January 19, 1919.  He was born at Poowong and his next of kin was his father, Francis Savage of Yallock.  

A report from the Lang Lang Guardian of March 23, 1918 about the farewell give to Les Savage and Victor Casey at the Yallock Hall. It was actually Victor Casey (SN 57423) not G. Casey who enlisted at this time.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page13334217

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.  Mr Boxshall writes that Henry Scharf was a carpenter and had left Germany to escape militarism. 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 Yannathan Honor Board.

Scott, Bert
Scott, Ray 

Bert and Ray, who both died in the War, are listed on the Honour Roll and in the Koo Wee Rup Sun article. I just can't find them on any list. I assume they are brothers - I have an Albert Scott (SN 3257) and a Herbert Scott (7561) both with a connection to Ensay and the sons of William and Kathleen (nee Leonard) Scott, but their next of kin was their sister, Mrs Ruby Murrell of Ensay, it may be them, but I can find no connection to the Yallock area. They were both Killed in Action in France, Albert on July 29, 1916 and Herbert on June 8, 1918.There are four soldiers with the surname Scott who have Raymond as a first or middle name and there are 98 soldiers with a surname of Scott who have Albert, Bert, Herbert or Robert as a first or middle name but none have any obvious connection to Yallock. Any help appreciated.

Sherriff, Alfred (SN 2994) Alf enlisted on May 23, 1916 at the age of 36. He was a farmer from Lang Lang, born in Berwick,  and his next of kin was his wife, Sarah Janet Sherriff (nee Richardson)  He Returned to Australia on January 2, 1919 and was discharged from the Army as medically unfit in March 1919 due to Rheumatism and Functional Dyspepsia. The 1917 Electoral Roll lists Alf and Sarah at Yannathan, so I presume that was the Yallock connection.

Smith, Bert.   Bert is listed on the Honour Roll as having died in the War. There are about 90 Albert, Bert, Herbert and Robert Smiths who died during the War and I can't find any obvious connection to the area. There is also a B. Smith on the Cora Lynn War Memorial and I believe it may be the same person - Smith, Berth.  (SN 1436)  His first name was also listed as Bert, Bertie and Beith in some documents but I believe that Berth is correct. He was Killed in Action May 9 or May 10 in 1915 at Gallipoli.  Berth enlisted at Tynong on September 21, 1914. at the age of 19.  The Attesting Officer was William Carney, Shire of Berwick President, so that proves he was in the local area, so he may have worked at Yallock as well. His occupation was listed as a labourer. He was born at Rochford, near Kyneton and that is where his father lived. Any ideas as to who this is, I would love to hear from you.

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 Yannathan Honor Board.

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 Yannathan Honor Board.

Charles was welcomed home at a function in Yallock held on July 12 1917 at the Public Hall and he sent the letter above to the Lang Lang Guardian thanking the residents for the home coming. 

Lang Lang Guardian July 25, 1917  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119514561

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 were the sons of  George and Isabella Wright, who lived in Hall Road, Yallock, although the 1909 Electoral Roll has their address as Yannathan. When the boys enlisted they put their mother as their next of kin and her address was Shepparton East.   John and Duke are also listed on the Yannathan Honor Board.

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