Sunday, December 26, 2021

Yannathan World War One Honor Rolls

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

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


The Yannathan Honor Board made by Mr Rawlings
South Bourke & Mornington Journal March 13, 1919 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66195719#

Yannathan Honor Board, unveiled March 28, 1919.
Image courtesy of the Narre Warren & District Family History Group's website, 




The Yannathan State School No. 2422, Honor Board, now housed at the Yannathan Hall.
Image courtesy of the Narre Warren & District Family History Group's website, Casey Cardinia Remembers http://www.caseycardiniaremembers.org.au/

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

As a matter of interest there have been three other  schools called Yannathan (2)
Yannathan Upper, No.2492, began its life as Lang Lang North in 1883, changed its name to Yannathan Upper in 1906 and closed in 1912. 
Yannathan South, No.2510, operated between 1882 and 1890. 
In 1895 Protector’s Flat School, No.3225, opened at Lang Lang East, it was relocated in 1914 to a more central site, and became known as Heath Hill and then changed its name again in 1951 and became Yannathan South. I believe this school also closed in the 1980s. I have written about the Honor Board from this school, called the Heath Hill State School Honor Roll, here,

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

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

Bateson, Archibald Clarence (SN 4735) Archibald was born in Yallock and he joined the Navy on April 23, 1915 when he was 16.  He remained in the Navy until April 1924. 
Bateson, George (SN 1307) George was born in New Zealand and he enlisted on November 10, 1914 at the age of 21. He was a labourer. George Returned to Australia on December 30, 1918.
The boys were the sons of Elias and Mary (nee Rideout) Bateson, of Yannathan. The Bateson brothers are also listed on the Yallock Honor Board.

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

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

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

Burton, Gordon Frederick (SN 184) Gordon was born in Yannathan, enlisted on July 5 1915 at the age of 23. He was grocer and his next of kin were his parents, Frederick and  Elizabeth, of Wonthaggi.  Gordon Returned to Australia  April 13, 1919.

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

Presentation to Percy Cadd

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


John Casey
Australian War Memorial  Photograph DA11799

Casey, Arthur William. Arthur enlisted on August 12, 1916. He was a 26 year old farmer. He was discharged ten days later on August 21 on medical grounds.
Casey, George Henry 'Harry' (SN 2603) Harry was a 28 year old teamster when he enlisted on July 16, 1915. He Returned to Australia April 13, 1919.
Casey, John Alfred 'Jack' (SN 2593) Jack enlisted on July 13, 1915. He was a 29 year old farmer. John was Killed in Action in France on August 2nd or 3rd, 1918.
Casey, Victor (SN 57423) Victor was only 18 when he enlisted on January 5, 1918. He was also a farmer and he Returned to Australia January 17, 1919.
The boys were the sons of George and Lydia (nee Gardner) Casey of Yannathan. George, John and Victor are also listed on the Yallock Honor Board.

Jack Casey's death notice
The Argus, September 4, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1435192


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

Lawrence Coates, with an unidentified woman.
Australian War Memorial. Photograph DASEY2403

In memoriam notice for Lawrence Coates

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Robert Harker
Australian War Memorial. Photograph DA10833

Harker, George Ernest (SN 3840) George enlisted on December 6, 1915 aged 21. George was awarded the Military Medal and he Returned to Australia on April 13, 1919. George was also granted a Soldier Settlement farm, read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.
Harker, Robert Herd (SN 345) Robert enlisted on July 19, 1915 at the age of 28 and was Killed in Action in France, one year later, on July 20 1916.
The boys are the sons of Thomas and Catherine (nee Griffiths) Harker of Yallock. George, Robert and their brother, William, are also listed on the Yallock Honor Board.

Hatty, David Samuel (SN 279) Known as Sam, enlisted at the age of 22 on August 25, 1914. He served overseas and Returned to Australia on March 8, 1917 and was medically discharged as he suffered from chronic rheumatism.
Hatty, Thomas Alfred ( SN 5607) Thomas enlisted on November 25, 1914 when he was 24. He Returned to Australia on February 19, 1919. Thomas was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.
Another brother George (SN 66) also enlisted, on March 27, 1916 at the age of 21. He was a Labourer. George was Killed in Action in Belgium on October 12, 1917. George is listed on the Heath Hill State School Honor Board.
The Hatty boys were the sons of William and Jessie Augusta (nee Brown) Hatty and the family were living in Timboon when they enlisted. According to the Electoral Rolls they had previously lived in Yallock for a number of years. The Hatty brothers are also listed on the Yallock Honor Board.

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

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

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

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


Complimentary social at the Yannathan Hall for some men who had enlisted.
Lang Lang Guardian, March 22, 1916 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/119513475

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

Dissolution of partnership between Monghan and Holcombe.
Lang Lang Guardian June 14, 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119513697


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

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

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

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

Report of the death of Tom Kelly
Lang Lang Guardian October 31, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119514817


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

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

Lineham, William James (SN 2711) William, born in Clyde, enlisted on July 19, 1915 aged 20. His next of kin were his parents, Benjamin and Eliza Maria Agnes (nee Knott) Lineham of Yannathan. William Returned to Australia on April 13, 1919. William was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file, here, on the Battle to Farm website. William is also listed on the Yallock Honor Board.
A  letter William wrote to his parents was published in the Lang Lang Guardian on February 28, 1917 (see here)
Mrs B. Lineham, of Yannathan, has received the following letter from her son, Driver W. J. Lineham, who has been ill for some time -

Dear Mother and Father,
Just a few lines to let you know I am about well again. I had a touch of bronchitis, but it was not very severe, also a septic toe, but it is quite well again. I am in the British Red Cross Hospital at Netly [sic] near Southampton. I have been in four Hospitals, and have had no letters from you for over two months, so I expect the letters are still chasing me from one Hospital to another. I expect to be back in France by the time you receive this letter. I had a letter from father's cousin in England this morning, and was pleased to have one. We are very busy to-night decorating our ward and have nearly finished. I am very lucky, I think, to be in England for Christmas, and have had a real good time in every Hospital, being treated real well.
There are only three Australians in the hut, and nearly every day someone comes in to see us. In the Hospital I was in at Rouen, France, there was one Australian nurse, and there are a few here. One came in to see us last night. On the way over from Le Havre to Southampton our boat ran into the mud twice, and the second time it took two days to pull us off. The boat had a hole knocked into front of her, but it could not have been very large as we got to port safely. It was very foggy, so I suppose that accounted for it.

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

Obituary of William Holroyd Nelson, born in Yannathan.


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

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

Presentation to Alick O'Rourke at the Yanathan Hall, November 1915.
Lang Lang Guardian December 1, 1915 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/119513174

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

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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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


Richard Scharf
Australian War Memorial. Photograph DA08326

Scharf, Alfred (SN 962) Alfred was a 26 year old carpenter when he enlisted on January 18, 1915. Alfred was Killed in Action in France on August 24, 1916.
Scharf, Richard Albert (SN 7961) Richard was 19, a shop fitter and he enlisted on July 13, 1915. He Died of Wounds received whilst fighting in France on May 1, 1917.
Alfred and Richard were the sons of Henry and Liselle (nee Fritz) Scharf. The family had lived on Finck's Road at Yallock, although they were in St Kilda Road, Elsternwick when the boys enlisted. The Scharf brothers are also listed on the Yallock Honor Board.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Farewell to Harry Thompson and the Kelly Brothers.
Lang Lang Guardian January 19, 1916. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119513272

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

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

Report of the death of Corporal William Watson, born at Hazlewood whose parents lived at Yannathan.
Morwell Advertiser, March 23, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65919663

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

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


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

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

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


The Age October 18 1986


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

Saturday, December 25, 2021

Nyora - a short history

Nyora is not actually on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp, but it is near enough and was actually just the fourth stop down from Koo Wee Rup on the Great Southern Railway line - the stations went -  Koo Wee Rup, Monomeith, Caldermeade, Lang Lang and then Nyora. In common with Koo Wee Rup it was also a railway junction. Koo Wee Rup was the starting point for the Strzelecki line which opened officially June 29, 1922 and Nyora was the starting point for the Wonthaggi line.

Nyora.
Photograph by Albert Arnell, taken between 1922 and 1929.
State Library of Victoria Image H2013.48/27

The area was originally known as Lang Lang East, part of the Parish of Lang Lang East. A township site was  proclaimed on December 23, 1886 and it was surveyed in 1887 by John Lardner an assistant survey on the Lands Department (1). He is the Lardner after whom Lardner's Track is named. 


Proclamation of the township site of Nyora
Victoria Government Gazette January 7, 1887.  http://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1887/V/general/2.pdf

The first land sales in the township, which by then was named named Nyora, were held on September 6, 1887 (2). Nyora,  is from the Aboriginal word for “wild cherry tree”(3)


Land sale advertisment for Nyora
The Herald September 3, 1887 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article241421603

Nyora, was as  we said, a station on the Great Southern Railway line. This line was opened as far as Lang Lang in February 1890 and it was opened to Nyora and Loch on November 11, 1890 (4). Shops were built, the first one opened in late 1889, including a general store and post office, bakers and a coffee palace.  The telephone was put on at the Railway station in November 1891.  The hotel opened in a small wooden building in 1891, burnt down  in November 1913 and the existing brick building was erected in 1914.  To cater to spiritual needs, the Methodist Church at Nyora started in 1922 in a building that was originally the Jeetho West State School and St Marks Anglican church was opened in October 1930. The Anglicans had previously held services in the hall (5).


Nyora Railway Station
Public Records Office of Victoria photograph VPRS 12800/P1, item H 5416

As is the pattern for most county towns  the Government set aside land for community purposes -  land for sale yards was gazetted  March 11, 1890; for the  cemetery in September 8, 1890, and a racecourse  in February 1896 (6).

The town of Nyora received a boost when the railway line to the Wonthaggi Coal field (or the Powlett Coal field as it was originally called) was opened on May 9, 1910 (7).  Nyora then became  a railway junction and thus a much busier station, with more employees. This is reflected in the fact that there were 36 names on the Nyora Honor Board, unveiled on July 12, 1918 and at least six of the men listed are connected to the Railways. I have written about the Honor Board, here.


Nyora Railway Station
Public Records Office of Victoria photograph VPRS 12800/P1, item H 5414

The first school in the area was State School No. 2523, originally called Little Lang Lang. It opened on July 1, 1883 in a building 22ft by 13ft.; it was replaced by a larger building in 1889 and changed its name to Lang Lang East in February  1890. It closed October 1903, reopened November 1904 and closed again in June 1907 (or 1908 according to one source). This school was north of the township, on a corner of Allotment 61 on the Lang Lang East Parish Plan (see map, below). I can’t work out where it is on a modern map as none of the maps seem to have a road  marked anywhere close to where the school was!  The building was removed in 1914 (8).

This is from the Parish Plan of Lang Lang East - the township of Nyora can be seen bottom left. The original school on Lot 61on Charles Humphries land, is circled in red. It was no wonder that the people on Nyora wanted a new school built in the town, it was a long way away.

There was agitation as early as 1890 for a school closer to the town, and from 1894 until 1901 many parents sent their children on the train from Nyora to the Lang Lang School. For a while the School was conducted in the Public Hall but finally on May 1, 1903 Nyora School, No. 3401 was opened (9).

The Nyora Hall commenced construction in 1891 and was completed by the April of the next year. This hall is thought to have burnt down in the 1898 bush fires and the new Hall was opened in March 1900, on a new site (which is the site of the existing hall).  This Hall was extended over the years to include a Library and other rooms. Sadly this well used hall was destroyed by fire on January 20, 1968. The Community worked hard to raise funds for the new hall which was opened on December 6, 1974 (10).

Footnotes
(1) White, Joseph   Nyora: its yesterdays and today (Nyora and District Centenary Year Celebrations, 1978), p. 1.
(2) White, op. cit.,p.1
(3) Ibid
(4) Bowden, Keith Macrae  Great Southern Railway: the illustrated history of the building of the line in South Gippsland (Australian Railway Historical Association, 1970), p. 72.
(5) White, op. cit.
(6) White, op. cit.
(7) Harrigan, Leo. J Victorian Railways to '62 (Victorian Railways, 1962), p. 287
(8) White, op. cit., pp. 6 & 7. Also - Vision and Realisation : a centenary history of State Education in Victoria, edited by L.J. Blake. Published by the Education Department of Victoria, 1973.
(9) White, op. cit., pp. 21 & 22.
(10) White, op. cit., pp 22-24.



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

Heath Hill State School Honor Roll

The Heath Hill State School unveiled their Honor Roll on Friday, March 28, 1919. William Kelly whose son, Thomas, was one of the fallen, had the honour. According to the report in the Koo Wee Rup Sun of April 2, 1919 the Hon. A. Downard, M.L.A spoke, as did the Reverend Nasib Jaboor (1), the Presbyterian Minister; Mr E. Cougle, J.P and the head teacher, Lewis Tamblyn. After the ceremony refreshments were served and the report finished with the day was perfect and a most enjoyable outing resulted


Heath Hill State School Honor Board.
Image courtesy of the Narre Warren & District Family History Group website http://www.caseycardiniaremembers.org.au/

The Board was made by Herbert Rawlings of Dandenong (2), who also made the Yannathan Honor Board. The Board is now at the Yannathan Hall. Some of the soldiers on the Heath Hill Board are also on the Yannathan Honor Board. 


Mr Rawlings completes the Honor Board
 South Bourke & Mornington Journal, March 13, 1919 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66195756

The Heath Hill State School, No. 3225, opened in April 1895, under the name Protector's Flat. The school moved from its Lang Lang East location to Heath Hill in 1914 and the name was changed to Heath Hill. In 1951, the name changed again to Yannathan South (3). I believe it closed in the 1980s.


Unveiling of the Heath Hill Honor Board
Koo Wee Rup Sun, April 2, 1919

What follows is information on the soldiers on the Heath Hill Honor Roll. There are eighteen names on the Roll. I have included their Service Number (SN) so you can look up their full record on the National Archives of Australia, www.naa.gov.au

Brunt, Archibald Andrew (SN 101)  Archibald enlisted January 11, 1915. He was a 21 year old farmer. Archie Returned to Australia December 18, 1918. Archie's brother Trevor (SN 358)  also enlisted. Trevor enlisted at the age of 24 on August 20, 1914 and he  Returned to Australia March 5, 1919. The boys were the sons of William and Sarah (nee Buckland) Brunt, who lived at Pines, Lang Lang.  William died on September 3, 1912 and Sarah moved the family to Albert Park to live. William was the son of Ralph and Mary Jane (nee Funston) Brunt of Gin Gin Bean, Officer, and thus Archie and Trevor are also listed on the Officer Honor Board.


Mrs Brunt and family move to Albert Park.
South Bourke & Mornington Journal February 27, 1913   http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66182634

Glover, Robert Henry (SN 3179)  Robert was born in Nyora, he was a farmer and he enlisted at the age of 21 on November 15, 1916. Robert Returned to Australia July 3, 1919. Robert was granted a Soldier Settlement farm in Poowong, you can read his file, here.  Robert's brother George Edward Glover  (SN 3774) also enlisted on July 24, 1915, when he was 21. He was wounded in action and died as a result on March 16, 1917. The boys were the sons of Daniel and Emily (nee Jolley/Jolly) Glover, they were also the first cousin of Abraham Patullo, listed below.

Hatty, George Frederick (SN 66) George enlisted March 27, 1916 at the age of 21. He was a Labourer. George was Killed in Action in Belgium on October 12, 1917. George was the son of William and Jessie Augusta (nee Brown) Hatty and the family was living in Timboon when he enlisted. According to the Electoral Rolls they had previously lived in Lang Lang East and Yallock for a number of years. Two of George's  brothers also enlisted -  David Samuel (SN 279) and Thomas Alfred (SN 5607). David and Thomas are listed on the Yannathan Honor Board and the three brothers are listed on the Yallock Honor Board.

Head, Charles Arthur (SN 77664) Charles enlisted on May 31, 1918, he was a 29 year old Wheelwright, born in Oakleigh, and was living in Goroke when he enlisted. His next of kin was his father, John, of Lang Lang. Charles did not serve overseas and was discharged December 24, 1918, due to the War ending.There is also a C. Head on the Honor Board. I can't find another C. Head with a local connection, however Charles' brother Alfred also enlisted.
Head, Alfred John Head (SN 316). Alfred enlisted on July 19, 1916 at the age of 19, he was born in Lang Lang and he was a farmer. Alfred Returned to Australia April 8, 1919. He was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file, here, on the Public Records Office of Victoria website.
The brothers were the sons of John and Margaret (nee Forster) Head of Lang Lang.

Henham, F. There are two F. Henhams on the Honour Board and it was difficult enough to indentify one F. Henham, so it there really are two F. Henhams, I have no idea who the other one is. I could not find an enlistment for a F. Henham, so  I looked on the Victorian Births Deaths and Marriages Index and found a Frederick Ernest Henham born in 1895 in Berwick to William Iden Henham and Annie Simmons.  He looked likely, but I could not find his enlistment papers. Then I looked on Trove and found a divorce report of William and Annie from 1906 (read it here). The report said they had lived in Lang Lang and that William was divorcing Annie on the grounds of her 'misconduct' with William Brisbane of Hawthorn. Brisbane was a 'land agent' and the Henhams had purchased their Lang Lang farm through him. In the end the divorce was granted. Now I knew that Frederick  Ernest Henham had a connection to the local area, but I still couldn't find his enlistment records, but discovered the enlistment of a Frederick Ernest Brisbane, who I believe is the same man.

Annie Henham and William Brisbane married on December 10, 1906. Whether William Brisbane was Frederick's real father or he just took his name, I cannot tell you. William died in November 1910. In 1912, Annie married Gordon Forrest. Annie Forrest died at Loch in 1939 aged 75 - her father's surname was listed as Simmonds, so that confirms she was the same woman as Annie Henham. Frederick's death record in the Victorian Births Deaths and Marriages Index lists his father as William Brisbane. His two brothers James William (1888-1955) and Reginald Walter (1899-1919) also changed their surname to Brisbane. There were two sisters as well Annie Grace (b.1884) and Ethel Rose (b. 1885), I am still tracking them down. Here's Frederick's details-
Brisbane, Frederick Ernest (SN 3969). Fred was born in Berwick and was a 21 year old farmer when he enlisted on July 9, 1915. He Returned to Australia April 11, 1916 and was discharged on medical grounds (chronic laryngitis) in August 1916. When he enlisted, Frederick's next of kin was his mother, Mrs G. Forrest, of Athlone, who as we know was the former Mrs William Brisbane and the former Mrs William Henham.

Kelly, Thomas (SN 16078) Thomas was 21 when he enlisted on December 10, 1915. He was a Labourer. Thomas was wounded in action and Died of Wounds September 27, 1917.
Kelly, William (SN 16077) Nineteen year old William enlisted the same day as his brother. He was also a Labourer.  William Returned to Australia September 23, 1919.
Thomas and William, born in Yannathan, were the sons of William and Sarah Ann (nee Stephens) Kelly.

From Thomas Kelly's Roll of Honor circular, held at the Australian War Memorial. 
It tells us that he attended Heath Hill State School.

Ketels. I cannot find a Ketels who enlisted, or a Ketel, Kettel, Kettels, Kietel, Kietels or a Kettles. There were 14 men with the name Kettle who enlisted, however, none had a local connection that I could find, so this person is a mystery. There is, of course, Kettle's Road in Lang Lang that goes from McDonald's Track to the South Gippsland Highway, so I wonder if that has a connection. That is what I wrote when I first did this research in 2019. In May 2023, I had a phone call from David Ketels, who told me that the Ketels were indeed locals and that Kettles Road was originally called Ketels Road, but after a car wiped out the road sign in the 1960s the new sign was put up with incorrect spelling, and it has remained that way ever since, obliterating the Ketels family connection to the area.  David said that the most likely man to have enlisted was his great-uncle Albert Augustus Ketels born in 1895, the younger brother of his grandfather, Charlie. I still cannot find a record of Albert enlisting in Australia, or New Zealand (where he moved after the War) or England. I did find the following article on Trove, from the Kyneton Guardian, which shows that Albert has volunteered, but perhaps was not accepted on medical grounds. I feel we can safely say, thanks to David's information, that the entry on the Honour Board refers to Albert Augustus Ketels.


Albert Ketels, who has volunteered, visits his brother and mother at Metcalfe. His brother was Charlie, who also taught at Garfield State School.
Kyneton Guardian July 27, 1915 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129605157


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. Gordon was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file here
Gordon's brother, Donald Malachi McGhee (SN 3416) also enlisted, on June 24, 1915. He was a 19 year old Railway Porter and he was Killed in Action in France on July 19, 1916.
The boys were the sons of John and Margaret (nee Johnston) McGhee; they were living at 61 Bridge Street, Northcote when their sons enlisted. Donald was born in Heath Hill and Gordon was born in Lang Lang, according to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages Index or Warragul according to his enlistment papers. Donald's Roll of Honor circular says he attended Yannathan State School. Gordon and Donald are also on the Yallock Honor Board.

McGrath, Edmund (SN 2604)  Edmund was born in Lang Lang and he enlisted at the age of 19 on June 30, 1916.  He was a farmer and his next of kin was his father, Patrick, of  Woolamai. Edmund was wounded in action, gun shot wounds to the shoulder and thigh, and Returned to Australia March 12, 1918. Edmund was the son of Patrick William and Anne Jane (nee Carlton) McGrath. They held a clearing sale on November 23, 1899, so we can clearly establish Edmund's connection to Heath Hill.

Notice of Mr McGrath's Clearing Sale.
Warragul Guardian November 10, 1899. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/68741445

Patrick later became the Valuer at the Shire of Phillip Island and Woolami and he will be assisted in the work by his soldier son, who has recently returned from the front. I presume this was Edmund


Mr McGrath becomes the Shire valuer.
Powlett Express July 12, 1918   http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130665842

McGrath, M - this person is also on the Heath Hill Honor Roll, but I cannot find a M. McGrath with a local connection. Edmund (above) had a brother, Michael, born in 1894 in Lang Lang, so he is a potential, but I can't find an enlistment record for him so at the moment this man remains a mystery. 

O'Connor, Robert James (SN 382) Robert was 34 when he enlisted on November 21, 1914. He was born in Heath Hill, was a farmer and his next of kin was his sister, Mary Hanley of Longwarry South.  Robert Returned to Australia May 11, 1919. Robert and Mary were the children of James and Bridget O'Connor. Bridget had died in 1903 and James in 1909.

O'Keefe, Matthew John Allan (SN 3591) Matthew enlisted on April 25, 1916. He was born in Lang Lang, was 19 years old and employed by the Victorian Railways. His next of kin listed was his mother, Charlotte, of Lang Lang. His father was Nicholas Francis O'Keefe. Matthew Returned to Australia May 11, 1919.

Patullo, Abraham Albert (SN 31500) Abraham enlisted on October 2, 1916, at the age of 25. He was a farmer and his next of kin was his father, Thomas, of Lang Lang, which is also where Abraham was born. He Returned to Australia July 13, 1919. Abraham was the cousin of Robert and George Glover, listed above; his mother Elizabeth was the sister of Daniel Glover. Elizabeth and Daniel were the children of Abraham and Ann (nee Lee) Glover.

Priestley - brothers Alfred and Arthur both enlisted, I am not sure which brother was honoured on the Board.
Priestley, Alfred (SN 6877) Alfred was born in Lang Lang and enlisted on July 11, 1917. He was a 20 year old farmer. Alfred Returned to Australia December 20, 1918 and was discharged on medical grounds - gunshot wound, right shoulder.
Priestley, Arthur (SN 2200) Arthur enlisted at the age of 21 on June 20, 1916. He was a farmer and also born in Lang Lang. He was wounded in action and died on January 6, 1918.
Their next of kin was their father, Alfred Turner Priestley, of Nullawil. Their mother was Fanny Gray. Her sister, Ellen, was married to David Johnston McGhee, the brother of Gordon and Donald McGhee, mentioned above. Ellen and Fanny were the daughters of George and Mary (nee Kelly) Gray. George's obituary in the Gippsland Independent of October 29, 1915 (read it here) said that the deceased was well known and highly respected around the district, having lived at Heath Hill for a number of years before coming here [Modella].

Shandley, John Adam (SN 2206) John is not actually on the Heath Hill roll, but he was living in Heath Hill when he enlisted, so he deserves a place in this post. John was born in Bunyip, enlisted on October 12, 1916 at the age of 21 and he was a horse breaker. His next of kin was his father, Adam, of Longwarry. John Returned to Australia July 1, 1919.

Thompson, James Henry (SN 4953) James enlisted on October 11, 1915. He was a 22 year old farm labourer and his next of kin was his father, Thomas Alfred Thompson, of Glen Wattle, Yannathan. In September 1916,  his parents Thomas and Catherine, were informed that their son had been Killed in Action on July 21, 1916, this fortunately for the family turned out to be false and James Returned to Australia May 15, 1919.


Footnotes
(1) The Reverend Nasib Murad Jaboor, came to Lang Lang in 1916. He was born in Syria and did his B.A at the American University in Beirut. When he came to Melbourne he studied at Ormond College and Lang Lang was his first Parish. He died at the age of 66 in 1942. You can read his obituary in The Argus, here.
(2) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, March 13, 1919, see here.
(3) School history from Vision and Realisation : a centenary history of State Education in Victoria, edited by L.J. Blake. Published by the Education Department of Victoria, 1973.

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