Iona World War One Honor Board

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.

Pioneers' Hall, Iona. 

The Advocate November 16, 1922 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page20363246

The very elegant Iona Honor Board

Image: Heather Arnold

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.

Report of Artur Bolger's death

Bunyip Free Press June 3, 1915 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129631431

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.

Letter written by Charlotte Bolger about her son, Arthur.

National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au

First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920

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.

Gladstone Morgan Dawes, standing.  

Photo possibly taken in Egypt. The  two seated soldiers are said to be Gladstone's cousins perhaps  Raymond Oswald Dawes (SN 430) and Edmond Withers Dawes (SN 2368)

https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au

Alfred and Elizabeth (nee Morgan) Dawes are listed in the Electoral Roll in 1914 at Iona. Were these boys brothers? According to the Indexes to the Victoria Births, Deaths and Marriages - Albert was born with the surname Morgan in 1890 to Louise Morgan, unknown father, but the middle name was Dawes, so that's a clue. When he died in 1962 he had Dawes as a surname, Alfred Henry as the father and Louise Morgan as his mother.
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.

Private Duckett attended a welcome home in his old town of Gormandale.

Traralgon Record September 6, 1918. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/67484065#

Fitzgerald, Daniel (SN 3312)

Fitzgerald, David William (SN 37563)

Fitzgerald, John Lawrence (SN 2474)
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.

Notice that Privates Clarkin and Gully of Iona have been wounded.

Bunyip Free Press June 10, 1915 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129630559

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.

Albert Maybury died from a fall when he was 50, he had been working as a liftman. It was a sad end and I hope he had some happiness in his life.

The Herald April 29, 1940.  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article245081644

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.

Letter showing Percy Pratt's address as C/O Miss D. Lacy-Evans, 'Vervalac', Vervale, Via Garfield.

National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au

First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920

Percy Pratt and Miss Grace De Lacy Evans married on June 24, 1919 at 'Vervalac'

The Age July 12, 1919.  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article202441556

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? 

William Schmutter's death notice 

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

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.

Footnotes
(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.

A version of this story, which I wrote and researched,  appears on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Commemorates: Our War Years and it has also been published in the Koo Wee Rup Blackfish and Garfield Spectator.

Koo Wee Rup Memorial Hospital plaque

On May 23, 1923 the Fallen Soldiers Memorial Hospital was opened in Station Street, Koo Wee Rup, by the Shire President, Cr E.Simpson Hill. The Hospital could accommodate medical, surgical and midwifery patients. The town was previously served by a Bush Nurse. From 1911, Bush Nursing Centres were established in country towns. The Bush Nursing movement provided a country town with a qualified, experienced Nurse and the local community had to raise the money to fund the cost of the nurse’s salary, board, uniform and transport. At Koo Wee Rup, the Bush Nursing Centre opened in July 1918, the first nurse being Nurse Ellen Amelia Homewood, who had previously been at Cowangie. The nurse treated patients in their home. In 1921, a Nurses Cottage was built by the community, which provided accommodation for the Nurse, up to two midwifery patients and  a consultation room (more on this Cottage, here). The Fallen Soldiers Hospital was replaced by the Western Port Memorial Hospital, which was built in Rossiter Road and opened December 4, 1955. 

The Fallen Soldiers Memorial Hospital in Koo Wee Rup, 1923.

Photo: Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society collection.

When the Fallen Soldiers Memorial Hospital was opened, a plaque was unveiled to honour the 'fallen soldiers' and this plaque is now at the old hospital now known as the Koo Wee Rup Regional Health Centre.

The Memorial Plaque

Image: Heather Arnold

Who were these soldiers? What follows is a list of the soldiers with their Service Number (SN) so you can look up their full service record on the National Archives of Australia website, www.naa.gov.au

Bambury, Jacob (SN 762) Jacob was a 28 year old labourer when he enlisted on March 15, 1915. His next of kin was his brother Charles of Bayswater. Jacob was Killed in Action in France on July 19, 1916. What was his connection to Koo Wee Rup? That's  a good question and I have no idea. He is the only Bambury to have  died in the War and there are no Banburys that died in the War, and that is why I believe that Jacob is the man on the plaque. Jacob was the son of George Bambury and Harriet Simmonds or Simmons and their eight children were all born around Scoresby or Bayswater.  If you have any information on J. Banbury or J. Bambury, then please let me know.

Death notice of David Bethune

The Australasian September 14, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140211904

Bethune, David Gordon   (SN 1504)  David enlisted on March 22, 1916 at the age of 25. He was a blacksmith and his father was John Bethune of Koo Wee Rup. David was Killed in Action in France on August 22, 1918.

Blake, Sydney (SN 6958) Sydney was a 21 year old farmhand when he enlisted on October 18, 1916. His address was care of Mrs H. Davies of Koo Wee Rup. He was an orphan and his next of kin, his sister Kathleen, was was a nurse at the Mental Hospital in Kew.  Sydney Died of Wounds on October 4, 1917 - he had received multiple gun shot wounds. Mrs H. Davies is I believe, Helen Davies (nee Mathison), listed in the Electoral Rolls at Koo Wee Rup along with her daughter Elizabeth Myra Davies (born 1891)

Bryan, Edward John (SN 1128) Listed as J. Bryant on the plaque, so presumably known as John. John was 21 when he enlisted in January 23, 1915. He was a farmer. John died of disease on August 26 1918 - malignant malaria and acute atrophy of the liver.
Bryan, Thomas (SN 1709) Thomas enlisted at the age of 19 on November 6, 1914. His occupation was farm hand. He was Killed in Action at Gallipoli on June 24, 1915.
John and Edward were brothers, the sons of Edmund and Margaret Bryan of Pakenham South. John had his mother listed as his next of kin and Thomas had his father as next of kin. Margaret (nee English) died 1918 aged 56 at Pakenham and Edmund was living at Longwarry when he died in 1937. There is a fair bit of confusion at to whether the surname is Bryan or Bryant - the boys enlisted as Bryan, Margaret and Edmund are in the Electoral Roll as Bryan - although they are listed as Pakenham East not Pakenham South and Thomas had Pakenham East on his enlistment paper - in spite of all this I still believe that John and Thomas Bryan are actually the men listed on the Memorial plaque.

This is from The Age, published under the heading Careers of the Fallen and has two references to Thomas Bryan/Bryant.

The Age August 10, 1915. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154996613

This article, above,  shows why there may be some confusion between the names - two Thomas Bryans/Bryants from the Pakenham region. But the article does confirm that Thomas Bryant (who I actually believe was a Bryan) was from the Koo Wee Rup Swamp so that confirms the Koo Wee Rup connection. It is interesting that the father was not listed in the article.

Callanan, Michael Joseph (SN 2583) Michael enlisted on June 24 1915, he was 24 and the son of John and Lizzie Callanan of Koo Wee Rup. He had attended Five Mile (Koo Wee Rup North) State School.  Michael Died of Wounds received in France, on December 3, 1917.

Lawrence Coates and unnamed woman, looks like his sister.

Photographer: Darge Photographic Company. 

Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1064853

Coates, Lawrence (SN 2623) Lawrence was born in Koo Wee Rup, the son of Lawrence and Mary Coates. He enlisted at the age of 21 on July 28, 1915 and his occupation was a farm labourer. Lawrence was Killed in Action in France on August 18, 1916.

Davis, Percy (SN 96)  Percy enlisted on February 28, 1916. He was a 21 year old motor mechanic and had been working at McLeod Brothers in Sale, where he did his apprenticeship.  He was Killed Action in France on August 31, 1918. Percy's next of kin was his father, Charles of Koo Wee Rup.

Davy, John Edward  (SN 770)  Jack, as he was known as, enlisted on August 25, 1914. He was a 21 year old farmer and his next of kin was his father, Arthur, of North Melbourne. Jack was Killed in Action on the Gallipoli Peninsula on May 4, 1915. Jack is listed in the Electoral Roll of 1914 at Koo Wee Rup.

George Garbellini

Darge Photographic Company. Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C966853

Garbellini, George  (SN 378)  George enlisted on February 3, 1915 aged 23. He was the son of Peter and Jane (nee Crombie)  of 'Five Mile Drain', Koo-Wee-Rup. He was Killed in Action in France on May 3 1917.

Hamilton, Henry Campbell (SN 4719) When Henry enlisted on January 14, 1916 at the age of 39 his occupation was 'Manager, General Store' and his next of kin was his 'friend', Miss O'Riordan of Koo Wee Rup. Miss Margaret O'Riordan soon became his wife as they were married on January 29, 1916 at the Catholic Church in Koo Wee Rup and they had one child together, a little girl called Mary. Henry was listed in the 1914 and 1916 Electoral as a 'horse trainer'  and I assume that he managed O'Riordans store; so did he get that job when he became sweet on Miss O'Riordan or did he get into the family business after they started going out? Perhaps being the manager of a general store provided a more consistent income than being a horse trainer. Henry Died of Wounds on October 8, 1917. Margaret Hamilton took part in the official opening ceremony of the hospital in 1923, opening a ward in honor of her friend, the late Mrs Kitty Townson. 

Hannaker, John (SN 5363) John enlisted at the age of 43 on February 19, 1916. He was a carpenter and his next of kin was his wife, Clara, of Koo Wee Rup. John  was Killed in Action in Belgium on October 4, 1917. 

Martin, Charles Richard  (SN 3197) Richard enlisted on October 18, 1916, aged 32. He was a farmer from Koo Wee Rup and his next of kin was his brother, Isaac, of Harford in Tasmania, which was also where Richard was born. Richard was Killed in Action in France on April 4, 1918. 

Osborn, George Sydney (SN 2933)  Although listed as C. Osborne on the memorial plaque, I believe this is actually George who enlisted at the age of 21 on October 3, 1916. He was from Koo Wee Rup and his parents were George and Mary Osborn. George Died of Wounds on November 6, 1917. Osborn Road between Koo Wee Rup and Bayles is named after the family. George's brother Percy was a cyclist of some note and competed in the 1928 Tour de France with  Hubert Opperman, Ern Bainbridge, and Harry Watson. 

O'Shea, John (SN 3350)  John was born in Koo Wee Rup and his next of kin was his father, Michael, also of Koo Wee Rup, however when he enlisted at the age of 21 on October 25, 1917 he was living at Balldale (north of Corowa)  in New South Wales. John Died of Wounds August 7, 1918. 

Rundle, James  (SN 4758) James was a 31 year old Theatrical Agent when he enlisted on September 24, 1915 - not an occupation you see listed very often. His next of kin was initially his mother,  Jessie McDonald Rundle, of Koo Wee Rup and later his wife, Margaret.  James Died of Wounds on November 14, 1916.  

Slocombe, Bernard Griffiths (SN 6592) Listed as J. Slocombe but I believe that this is Bernard Slocombe who was a 22 year old farm hand when he enlisted on March 6, 1916.  His next of kin was his wife, Margaret, from Koo Wee Rup, although she had various addresses listed at various times many up in the Buchan area, which is where Bernard was born.  Bernard was Killed in Action in France on October 4, 1917.  Margaret (nee Hopkins) then married Arthur Edwin Charman  in 1920, at one stage before her marriage to Arthur her address was c/o Mr S Charman of Koo Wee Rup. This was Stephen Charman, the father of Arthur and Margaret's uncle and thus her second husband was her first cousin (not so unusual for those times) 

Here's some Charman family history - Stephen Charman was an early settler in Mordialloc (Charman Road is named after the family) He and his first wife, Harriett,  had arrived in Victoria in 1842. Harriet died and in 1852 Stephen married Mary Ann Gettens nee Rees, a widow with five children. Stephen and Mary Ann had a number of children together including Stephen Herbert Charman born in 1856 and Frances Maria Charman born in 1857.  Stephen Herbert Charman married Mary Ward in 1875 and had a number of children including Arthur Edwin in 1886. Frances Maria married William Hopkins in 1895 and had (amongst others) Margaret born 1897, the wife of Bernard Slocombe. The City of Kingston local history website has more information on the Charman family
http://localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au/htm/article/323.htm

Williams, Arthur Carter (SN 147) Arthur enlisted on October 1, 1914,  he was a 26 year old farmer and his next of kin was his step father, William George Williams.  There is another enlistment paper dated June 10, 1915 and his next of kin was his mother, Jessie Charlotte Williams.  Arthur was Killed in Action in France  on July 8, 1918.  

Form in Arthur's file listing the location of his Will, which was with Miss Alice Thewlis.

National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au

First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920

What was Arthur William's Koo Wee Rup connection? His Roll of Honour circular that the family filled out has Koo Wee Rup listed as the answer to the question 'With what town or district in Australia was his name chiefly connected?' so clearly the family had some connection to the town. The same form says his step father 'but regarded as his real father' was a retired State School teacher, so he was possibly a teacher at Koo Wee Rup. Arthur was born in Stawell, his real father was Joshua Whitby Carter and his mother had married his step father in 1894 - so I don't feel that Joshua was the Koo Wee Rup connection.  In Arthur's enlistment papers it says that his Will was with Miss Alice Thewlis of Pakenham.  Was Alice his girl friend or financee?  Alice (born 1893) was the daughter of James and Susannah (nee Young) Thewlis who had arrived in Pakenham from Euroa around 1912.  Her brother Syd Thewlis was later a Shire of Berwick Councillor. So I am assuming that Arthur farmed in the Pakenham/Koo Wee Rup area and that Alice was his girlfriend.

Woods, Charles Gordon (SN 2252)  Charles was a 20 year grocer when he enlisted on April 14, 1915 - four months later he was Killed in Action at Lone Pine on the Gallipoli Peninsula - the date was listed as August the 8th or 9th, 1915. His next of kin was his father, Charles, of Essendon. Charles' connection to Koo Wee Rup is explained in this article which appeared in the Lang Lang Guardian of September 22, 1915. It's a bit hard to read, so I have transcribed it, below.

Charles Woods' connection to Koo Wee Rup

Lang Lang Guardian September 22, 1915 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119512898

Amongst the Fallen - Private Woods
We deeply regret to record the death in action at the Dardanelles of one of our Koo Wee Rup boys, Pte Charles Gordon Woods, son of Mr & Mrs C. Woods of Essendon and nephew of Mr and Mrs Stephens of Koo Wee Rup and Mr and Mrs Christin of Dalmore. He offered his services about six months ago and was not then accepted, but shortly afterwards, again offered himself and was passed. He was in camp at Broadmeadows and was afterwards transferred to Seymour, in the 7th Battalion, 6th Reinforcements. He left for Egypt in June and in a letter received from him, dated July 14, he gave a very interesting description of his travels in that land. Again in a letter dated 30th August he mentioned he was sailing for the Front on September 1st so that he could not have been at the Front more than two or three days when he fell for his Country. After leaving School he went to work in The Age office but this did not agree with his health and about four years ago he came to his uncle, Mr Stephens at Koo Wee Rup for whom he worked up to the time he enlisted. He is the first local soldier who has fallen in his country's cause and deep feelings of regret have been expressed by his large circle of friends.

Some of the information in the article does not tally  with the facts in his service record, but that is to be expected with communications of the era. Charles, born 1894,  was the son of Charles Woods and Minnie Margaret (nee Hazlett). Minnie died the year after her son was born in 1895.  Charles' uncle and aunty, Mr and Mrs Stephens, were Arthur William Stephens and his wife Frances Edith (nee Hazlett) - Charles was a storekeeper.  The other uncle and aunty, Mr and Mrs Christin,  were actually Samuel Kerr Christie and his wife Rebecca Evelyn (nee Hazlett) - Samuel was a farmer of Dalmore. 

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

The Frawley Brothers pay the Supreme Sacrifice

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

The Frawley commemorated on the Bunyip War Memorial.

Photograph courtesy of the Casey Cardinia Remembers website

www.caseycardiniaremembers.org.au

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

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

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

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

State Library of Victoria Image H98.250/2179

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

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

Image: Berwick Pakenham Historical Society

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Garfield Red Cross in 1945

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

James Frawley died September 7, 1947 at the Iona Hotel at Garfield. He was 63 years old. I don't have a date for when the Frawley's left the Hotel but in 1949 Margaret and her son James were listed in the Electoral Rolls at 237 Blyth Street, Brunswick East. James' occupation was a barman. Margaret Frawley died on July 4, 1973 at the age of 80. She is buried with her husband at the Melbourne General Cemetery (12).

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

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

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

an aunty of John and Kevin.

Photographer: Committee for Urban Action, Melbourne

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

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

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

Photographer: Committee for Urban Action, Melbourne

State Library of Victoria Image CUASM179/5 Image 2

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

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

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

World War Two soldiers with a connection to Vervale

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

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

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

John Thomas Burnett

National Archives of Australia

Second Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1939-1947

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

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

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

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

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

Albert Maldon Davies

National Archives of Australia

Second Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1939-1947

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

Rupert Evan's death notice

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

Rupert Buller Evans

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

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

Eric Baden Folks

National Archives of Australia

Second Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1939-1947

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

William Green's invention

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

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

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

Keith Lennox's send-off.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Farm Hedges

Hedges have traditionally been used in the country to delineate property boundaries and as wind breaks. In this region, Cypress trees have been planted for this purpose and it is quite usual to see rows of old cypress trees along the road sides. However 100 years or so after the cypress trees were first planted they begin to look very straggly, have a tendency to blow over on high wind days and in recent times they have also suffered from Cypress canker and row after row of the trees have died. On the Koo Wee Rup Swamp it was thought that this canker took hold after the February 2011 floods. So due to these circumstances many old cypress trees have been removed.

This is my grandmother's farm on Murray Road at Cora Lynn, c. 1957. 

A good illustration of cypress trees used as wind breaks.

Image: Jim Rouse

This is an aerial of Brentwood farm at Berwick, taken sometime before 1988. Another illustration of the use of cypress hedges as wind breaks. Brentwood was on Berwick Clyde Road, located near what is now the southern part of Bemersyde Drive. You can still see some of the Brentwood cypress trees in the Brentwood Park housing estate, especially lining Chirnside Walk.

Image: Casey Cardinia Libraries

These are other cypress trees on Murray Road, in the process of being removed - they are at the ugly, straggly stage. Photo was taken June 2013.

Image: Heather Arnold

Another type of hedge that was planted in the area was English Hawthorn or Whitethorn (C. monogyna). You can still see some of these remnant hedges at Caldermeade,  along Ballarto Road near Cardinia and near the Catani township amongst other places.

The Cardinia Shire Heritage Study (1) has this to say about the hedges -  In Cardinia Shire, hedges were used extensively from the late nineteenth century onward as an efficient form of fencing, particularly on the large pastoral estates in the southern parts of the Shire around Koo Wee Rup. Windrows of trees were also planted, chiefly Monterey Cypresses or Pines to protect stock and crops. These trees and hedges also had an aesthetic value that added a picturesque quality to the landscape and consequently 'bear witness to the immigrants' desire to have familiar surroundings in this strange new land'  

Usually planted in straight lines along the edges of paddocks and along boundaries, they closely followed the north-south and east-west lines marked out by the allotment surveyors and hence emphasised the grid layout imposed by the Government survey upon the landscape. 

The most common hedging plant used in Cardinia Shire was English Hawthorn or Whitethorn (C. monogyna), one of a number of different plant varieties used throughout Victoria in the nineteenth century. One of the earliest hawthorn hedges in the former Cranbourne Shire was established in 1882 at Caldermeade near Lang Lang (Gunson, 1968) (2).

This last reference is to Niel Gunson, The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire (3). The hedge referred to was planted by Alexander McMillan (1825 - 1897). Alexander was the fifth son of Archibald McMillan (1789-1863). Alexander purchased the Caldermeade property in May 1881, when the property was put up for sale after the death of Archibald's widow, Katherine. At the time the property consisted of over 3,000 acres.  Alexander kept the property in excellent condition and planted the hawthorn hedgerows around 1882. There are still some of these hedges along parts of Caldermeade Road and the South Gippsland Highway.

The Cardinia hedges along Ballarto Road are likely to be associated with the ownership of land by the Patterson family in the nineteenth century according to the Heritage Study (4).  You can see these hedges from the Cardinia township to Pound Road. Alexander Patterson (1813 - 1896)  had acquired the St Germains run of nine square miles (5, 760 acres) in 1848. Some of the St Germains property, facing Ballarto Road was sold off after 1906 (5). You can read Mr Patterson's obituary in the South Bourke & Mornington Journal of December 30, 1896, here.

We will now look at the Catani hedges. The Heritage Study (6) has this to say about these hedges - This series of Hawthorn Hedges surround almost the whole boundary of the property that is bounded by Caldermeade, Heads, Taplins and  Walshes roads immediately to the south of Catani township.

The exact date of the Hawthorn hedges at Catani is not known, however, it appears that they may have been associated with the farm established by James Smethurst, a farmer of Yannathan, in the late 1880s. Smethurst obtained the Crown Grant for Crown Allotment 21D, Parish of Yallock in July 1888. CA 21D is the land now bordered by Caldermeade, Heads, Walshes and Taplins roads. 

Smethurst did not own the property for long. A small portion of land at the corner of Caldermeade and Heads roads was sold to William Scott in 1889, while the balance was sold in 1891 to James Greaves, a butcher from Dandenong . James sold to William Henry Greaves, a farmer, in 1899. He owned the property until 1933. In 1932, the north-east corner was sold to the Presbyterian Church of Victoria as the site of the Catani Presbyterian Church.

The Hawthorn Hedges as they exist today therefore appear to correspond with the boundaries of the land as selected by Smethurst in 1888 so may have been planted by him as a condition of the Grant. Alternatively they could have been planted by Greaves after 1891 (7).

James Smethurst who owned the land may have been James Smethurst Snr or James Smethurst Jnr - hard to tell from the Cranbourne Shire Rate Books as they  both own lots of land and it does not seem to specifically mention CA 21D, however he is listed on the Yallock Parish, as owning that allotment.

Yallock Parish Plan showing J. Smethurt's properties inculding CA 21D.

James Smethurst (1822-1905) and his wife Sarah (nee Hulton 1846 - 1907) arrived in area at Cranbourne in the late 1850s and had land at Yannathan and Cranbourne. James Smethurst Jnr (1846 - 1909) and his wife Eliza (nee Stanlake 1856-1909) also had  land at Yannathan as did  his brother John Henry Smethurst (1849 - 1898). John and his wife Annie (nee Redfern 1853 - 1925) had the property Glen Avis at Yannathan and was also a Cranbourne Shire Councillor (8). 

The Hawthorn hedges in Catani that are of heritage significance.  The township of Catani is at the top left, the road on the left is Walshe's Road, at the bottom is Head's Road, on the right is Caldermeade and at the top is Taplins Road.  The little square at the top of the marked roads is the Catani Presbyterian Church (now a  Community Church) as referred to in the Heritage Study description. This photo is from the Cardinia Local Heritage Study Review  Volume 2: Key Findings & Recommendations  Revised Report  May 2011 undertaken by Context Heritage Consultants.

This is the hawthorn hedge in Taplin's Road at Catani. The old cypress trees are part of the Catani Recreation Reserve. (April 2018)

Image: Heather Arnold

Walshes Road hawthorn hedge, looking back towards Head's Road. The pile of trees on the right are felled cypress trees. (April 2018)

Image: Heather Arnold

Red hawthorn berries - Catani (April 2018)

Image: Heather Arnold

Caldermeade Road hedges at Catani (April 2018)

Image: Heather Arnold

The Heritage Study (9) also lists a hawthorn hedge on Linehams Road at Catani and, when I first wrote this in 2018, there was a hawthorn hedge at Clyde, from around Patterson Road, down to the old railway line. This has now gone, due to development. 

The Heritage Study (10) quotes this passage from Early Days of Berwick (10) Mr Walton, father of Mrs G.W Robinson, introduced the hawthorn hedge one of the charms of North Narre Warren into the district. He taught the art of thorn setting or layering, as practiced in England which by the interlacing of the upper and lower branches hedges were rendered cattle and sheep proof.  Mr Walton was Thomas Walton, who wife his wife Eliza,  arrived in the Narre Warren area in 1852 and built Holly Green (located where Fountain Gate Shopping Centre is today). The Waltons left the area in 1877 and  Sidney Webb purchased Holly Green in 1880. It was their daughter, Eliza Mary Walton, who married George Washington Robinson in 1867. Robinson was the Shire of Berwick Engineer from 1876 to 1890.

This is the Holly Green property in 1900 - the property has a post and rail fence facing what is now the Princes Highway, but the other boundary fences could still be Mr Walton's hedges.

Footnotes
(1) Cardinia Local Heritage Study Review 2008 - Volume 5: Stage B Individual places, Draft June 2008, Context P/L., p. 57 of 304.
(2) Ibid
(3) Gunson, Niel The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire (Cheshire, 1968), p. 128.
(4) Cardinia Local Heritage Study Review 2008, op. cit., p. 16 of 304.
(5) Cardinia Local Heritage Study Review 2008, op. cit., p. 15 of 304.
(6) Cardinia Local Heritage Study Review Volume 3: Heritage Place & Precinct Citations Revised Report May 2011, Context P/L., p. 226.
(7) Ibid
(8) Early Settlers of the Casey Cardinia Region (Narre Warren & District Family History Group, 2010) 
(9) Cardinia Local Heritage Study Review 2008, op. cit., p. 41 of 304.
(10) Cardinia Local Heritage Study Review 2008, op. cit., p. 16 of 304.
(11) Early days of Berwick and its surrounding districts of Beaconsfield, Upper Beaconsfield, Harkaway, Narre Warren and Narre Warren North. 3rd edition, 1979, p. 98.


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

Robert Preston and Lyall & Son Produce Merchants

 I recently acquired this postcard which I was interested in because it was addressed to Mr R. Preston, Koo Wee Rup from Lyall and Sons Produce Merchants, Victoria Market. It is dated June 10, 1909. I love the fact that they sent a postcard to tell Mr Preston that his order had been dispatched, these days we would get an email or text, so that's the 'olden days' version of tracking, which Australia Post offers. The delivery would have been sent to the Koo Wee Rup Railway Station.  

The postcard reads - June 10 '09 -Sent your order today - 7 oats - seed - 

can't read the rest, is it 2 bags - 1 flour?

The Prestons had arrived in Koo Wee Rup in 1905 and had a farm on the South Gippsland Highway, in the vicinity of Preston Road which is named for the family.  The family consisted of Robert and Martha (nee Dick) and their children - Jim, Jack, Henry, Jessie, Maggie and Bob. Robert died December 19, 1930, aged 81 and  Martha died August 31, 1937 at the age of 88 (1).  They are buried at the Pakenham Cemetery.

The Koo Wee Rup Sun, December 24, 1930 published this obituary of Robert Preston -
It is with deep regret that we announce the death of Mr Robert Preston, which took place on Friday last at his residence at Kooweerup. The deceased, who was 81 years of age, was very highly esteemed, being the possessor of a fine character and a disposition which made friends of all with whom he associated. Almost two months ago the deceased was driving home in a jinker, and when he arrived at the gate entrance to his property the animal plunged and he was thrown to the ground and sustained a broken leg. He was taken to the local Memorial Hospital, but his advanced age, coupled with the fact that he had not enjoyed the best of health for some time were factors which operated against his recovery. He expressed a desire to be taken home, and on Friday last his request was acceded to, but several hours later he passed "beyond these voices to where there is peace." The deceased was born in Scotland, and as a young man with a wife and family of four children he came out to Australia and took up work on the sugar plantations in Queensland. Later he came to Victoria and took up farming pursuits on land on which the township of Carrum is built. About 22 years ago he came to Kooweerup and bought land on the Main Coast Road. Deceased leaves a widow and six children - James, John, Harry, Robert, Mrs C. Child and Mrs F. Mummery - to whom general sympathy is extended in their irreparable loss. The remains were interred in the Pakenham Cemetery on Saturday afternoon, and there was a large attendance at the graveside to pay their last sad respect.

The Koo Wee Rup Sun also published an obituary for Mrs Preston on September 2, 1937

Martha Preston's obituary

Koo Wee Rup Sun September 2, 1937

This is the front of the postcard with a colourised photograph of Lyall & Son Produce Store.

Robert Lyall was listed as a Produce Merchant at 308 Sydney Road, Brunswick in the 1900 Sands & McDougall Directory and by 1905 the business had become  Lyall & Son, Produce Merchants and was located at the Victoria Market (2).   Robert Lyall died at the age of 80 on July 12, 1943. His short obituary in The Argus said that he was associated with the grain trade in Melbourne for the past half century. He had also been Secretary of the Church of Christ, Swanston Street for fifty years. In Mr Lyall's death notice his wife was listed as Lillias, he was the father of three daughters Eadie, Elsie and Winifred and one son Harry, the '& Son' of Lyall & Son (3). Harry was elected to the Melbourne City Council in November 1937 and was still on the Council in 1955 (4). 

I thought that Lyall & Son may have been connected to William Lyall of Harewood, at Koo Wee Rup and who was part of the influential partnership of early land owners, Mickle, Bakewell and Lyall, but although they may have been related, he was not a direct descendant. Robert's death notice lists his parents as Henry and Eleanor Lyall. 

How would Robert Preston of Koo Wee Rup have heard of Robert Lyall & Son, Produce Merchant of the Victoria Market? It was more than likely through an advertisement in the Lang Lang Guardian, perhaps even this very advertisement reproduced below, which came from the June 2, 1909 edition. The business advertised in the Lang Lang Guardian and its successor the Koo Wee Rup Sun up to 1924.

Is this the advertisement that prompted Mr Robert Preston to patronise the business Lyall & Son?

Lang Lang Guardian, June 2, 1909.

Footnotes:
(1) Death notices for Robert and Martha Preston were in The Argus December 20, 1930 and The Age September 1, 1937. Both notices list their six children.
(2) Sands & McDougall Directories have been digitised by the State Library of Victoria, access them here https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/search-discover/popular-digitised-collections
(3) Robert Lyall's death notices were published in The Argus July 13, 1943. His obituary was in The Argus on the same day, see here.
(4) The Herald November 9 1937 and The Argus, August 26, 1955.