Harkaway Memorial Stone and Avenue of Honour

The Harkaway World War One Avenue of Honour was planted in November 1917. The only report of the planting I can find notes that 30 trees were planted, the City of Casey publication, Our Living Memorials (1) note there are 29 trees. It also notes that the Avenue was planted in 1919, but this is incorrect.  The trees are Red Flowering Gums (Eucalyptus ficifolia), which is uncommon for Honour Avenues, although Tooradin's Avenue planted in August 1919, also consists of flowering gums. (2)   

1917- Harkaway's Avenue of Honour planted.

South Bourke and Mornington Journal, November 29, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66193123

In 1959, a memorial stone with 27 names, was erected  at the end of this Avenue. Early Days of Berwick (3)  has this report Cr George Rae unveiled a memorial stone to the First World War soldiers who enlisted  from Harkaway before a crowd  of well over  100 people on Anzac Day, 1959.

The stone which stands at the southern entrance to the Honour Avenue near Harkaway, was due to the efforts of Nurse Jessie Traill. She wished to see a more permanent memorial erected then the Honour Avenue. In unveiling the stone, Cr. Rae said: "To have a great country, you must have men and women with physical courage; and in both Gallipoli and France Australians proved that hey had no superiors in this field."

Cr Rae warmly praised Nurse Traill for her thoughtfulness and thanked members of the Berwick R.S.L, and other person who had  contributed to the cost of the stone. He also thanked the Berwick Riding councillors for their assistance in erecting it.

Nurse Traill laid a wreath at the base of the stone, after which members of the Harkaway State School, and other local residents also laid wreaths. Every family in the Harkaway district was represented at the service. Two of the soldiers, whose names appear in alphabetical order on the stone, were present. They were Mr. Alf. Edmonson, of  Cheltenham, who had not been back to Harkaway for 35 years,  and Mr. Alex. McNabb,  of Berwick.

Wide interest was taken in the service by people from surrounding districts, especially members of the Berwick R.S.L. The Rev. P Gason and Rev. J. Lloyd conducted part of the service. 

The names on the stone are -  Nurse Traill / T. Coote / S. Cunningham  / J. Davidson  / H. Dean  / H.L. Dean  / J. Dean  / D. Drummond  / J. Drummond  / W.J. Drummond / A. Edmondson  / C. Fleer  / H. Fleer  / R. Glover / C. Halleur / R. Haysey / J.P. Irwin / K.M. Irwin  / W.C. Irwin  / K. Lucas  / C.H. Lyon  / R. Munro / A. McNab  / A. Wanke  / F. Wanke  / L. Way.

What follows is some information about the 25 men and Nurse Traill who are listed on the Memorial stone, including their Service Number (SN) so you can read their full record on the National Archives of Australia website, www.naa.gov.au

Harkaway Memorial Stone

Image: Glenn Williams 19.04.2026 from

https://avenuesofhonour.org/places/victoria/harkaway/harkaway-avenue-of-honour/

Traill, Jessie (1881-1967)   When the War broke out, Jessie want to England and joined the Voluntary Aid Detachment and nursed in a military hospital in Rouen, France from 1915 until 1919. After the War, she lived in Harkaway and had a distinguished career as an artist. For more information on Miss Traill - I wrote about Jessie Traill for my work blog, you can read it here and the State Library of Victoria has an account of her life, here.

Coote, Thomas Hugh (SN 4999) Thomas was born in Ireland and enlisted on January 13, 1916 at the age of 19. He was a farmer and his next of kin was his father, James, of Harkaway. Thomas was Wounded in Action in April 1918 (gun shot wound in left shoulder, penetrating chest was the bland description in his file) and Returned to Australia July 31, 1918 and was discharged on medical grounds on November 16, 1918. Thomas was granted  a Soldier Settlement farm at Rapanyup on his return. 

Thomas Coote returns home

Dandenong Advertiser, October 3, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88818303

Cunningham, Claude Sydney (SN 1246) Claude was a 24 year old farmer and his next of kin was his mother, Emma, of Narre Warren sometimes listed as Narre Warren East. He enlisted on March 18, 1916 and Returned to Australia April 30, 1919. His brother Albert (SN 1245) also enlisted and survived the war. Albert was born in Dunedin in New Zealand and Claude was born in Sydney. Their next of kin was their mother, Emma Cunningham, of Narre Warren East. I have written more about the Cunningham Brothers, here.

The Cunningham brothers of Muddy Creek enlist. Muddy Creek was an old name for 

Narre Warren East. (4)

Berwick Shire News, March 1, 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92089683

The blog Noble Sons: Harkaway in the Great War, see here,  suggests that S. Cunningham is Selwyn Bruce Cunningham (SN 7471). Selwyn enlisted on July 2, 1917 at the age of 19. He was  a farmer and his next of kin was his father, Reverend William Richard Cunningham, of The Manse, Korumburra. Selwyn Returned to Australia January 14, 1919. What is Selwyn's connection to Harkaway?  Reverend Cunningham, purchased a property in Harkaway in 1920 and he was the minister of the Berwick Presbyterian Church from 1921 to 1925. (5)  Given that that Avenue was planted in 1917 and Selwyn's connection to Harkaway appears not to have started until 1920, I don't believe he is the S. Cunningham on the Memorial stone.

Davidson, J  There is a J. Davidson listed on the Memorial Stone. We know that he had  a farewell at the Harkway Hall in August 1915, at the same time as  Robert Munro, Robert Haysey and one of the Fleer brothers (see article below under Robert Munro's entry) and we also know that he was sick in August 1915 (see below), and the article tells us that his middle name started with W. What I don't know is who he actually is. I can't find a J.W Davidson or a J. W.  Davison with a connection to Harkaway or any neighbouring area. If you know who is he, then I would love to hear from you.

Private Davidson on the sick list.

Berwick Shire News September 1, 1915 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92093269

Dean, Henry (SN 5585) Henry enlisted at the age of 29 on February 26, 1916. He was a labourer and his next of kin was his father, Thomas, of Harkaway. In August 1918 he was wounded by machine gun fire - a gun shot wound to the left wrist, smashing several carpal bones and another gun shot wound to the buttock, penetrating the thigh - once again the bland description does not give any indication of the horror of the wound. Henry Returned to Australia on November 20, 1918.
Dean, Herbert Leslie (SN 570) Herbert was 23, a labourer, when he enlisted on February 22, 1916. His next of kin was his mother, Sarah Dean of Harkaway. Lance Corporal Dean Returned to Australia on January 25, 1919.

Henry and Herbert were brothers, the sons of Thomas and Sarah (nee Meara) Dean. Sarah died  in April 1918 and a short obituary in the Dandenong Advertister said that she was of an exceedingly kind and generous disposition and that she had two daughters and seven sons. Three of her sons are on active service abroad.  (6)   I can't work out who the other son was that enlisted, and as there is also a J. Dean on the Memorial stone, it's possible that it was either  their sons named John and James (7), but I can't find a matching record for them or any of the other sons.   I have found another possible candidate, a James Dean, born c. 1874, see below, so he was not the son of Thomas and Sarah, but he lived locally, so the address fits.

Dean, James (SN 2999)  James, born in Sydney,  was 42 when he enlisted an May 31, 1916, he was a market gardener from Narre Warren North and his next of kin was his wife, Francis. He Returned to Australia on March 28, 1919.  James is also listed on the Narre Warren North War Memorial, see here.

Drummond, Daniel George (SN 3082) Daniel enlisted on July 12, 1915 at the age of 27, he was a farmer and his next of kin was his mother, Margaret, of Officer. He married Annie Hopkirk in Scotland before he Returned to Australia April 13, 1919.
Drummond, William John (SN 2902) William enlisted on January 31, 1916 at the age of 29. He was a baker and his next of kin was his father, William Peter Drummond of Harkaway. He Returned to Australia on September 5, 1919. 

Daniel and William are the sons of William and Margaret (nee Duncan). Daniel was born in Mitta Mitta and William, was born in the neighbouring town of Eskdale. 

Drummond, J  There is also a J. Drummond on the Memorial stone - not sure who he is. Daniel and William, also had another brother, Walter Neil Drummond (SN 2571) who enlisted at the age of 18 on June 28, 1915. He was a Blacksmith and had been born in Eskdale. His next of kin was listed as his father, William, of Officer. I presume that William and Margaret moved from Officer to Harkaway in 1916. Walter Returned to Australia April 13, 1919.

Two of the Drummond boys return home.

South Bourke & Mornington Journal, June 12, 1919 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66196206

Edmondson, Alfred (SN 5493) Alfred, born in Horsham,  enlisted on March 4, 1916, he was a 31 year old farmer and his next of kin was his father, John, of Harkaway.  Alfred Returned to Australia on July 22, 1917 and was medically discharged in November 1917. Alf was present at the unveiling of the Memorial stone in 1959.

Alf Edmonson, a a number of his fellow soldiers,  was presented with a wallet at function held at the Harkaway Hall on April 15, 1916.

Berwick Shire News, April 19, 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92092585 

Fleer, Cyril August (SN 6263) Cyril was an 18 year old farm hand when he enlisted on May 5, 1916. His next of kin was his mother, Martha, of Harkaway. Cyril suffered from trench feet, a condition caused by prolonged exposure to water in the trenches which led to swollen feet, blisters, ulcers and even gangrene. He Returned to Australia on April 5 1918.

Fleer, Harold Edward (SN 3112) Harold was Cyril's brother he was also 18 when he enlisted on July 12, 1915. His next of kin was his father Edward of Harkaway and both Edward and Martha gave consent for their son to sign up. Harold Returned to Australia on April 13, 1919.

Cyril and Harold, both born in Melbourne, were grandsons of Prussian born  Harkaway pioneers, Carl Ernst August Fleer (1832-1904) and his wife Emma Metzenthin (1841-1927), who had a small farm at Harkaway. (8)

Cyril Fleer returns home

Dandenong Advertiser, June 6 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88815387

Glover, Francis Robert Dean (SN 50059)  Francis enlisted on November 24, 1917. He was 19 and his  occupation was listed as Station hand and his next of kin was his uncle, George Lyon, of Harkaway. There is a letter in his file, from his mother, Edith Glover, who lived in Sydney asking why she was not listed as his next of kin. George Lyon had signed a paper saying that Francis was adopted by him when he was a child and that Francis' father was dead. Francis is the first cousin of Charles Lyon listed below. He served in France and Returned to Australia January 18, 1919. Correspondence in his file showed that in 1938 he was the Station Manager at Carriewerloo Station in Port Augusta, a long way from the rolling hills of Harkaway. As a matter of interest, Carriewerloo Station was where the 1975 film, Sunday too far away, starring Jack Thompson, was filmed.

Halleur, Clarence (SN 1026)  Clarence was 18 years old and a labourer when he enlisted on March 8, 1915. He was born in Harkaway and his next of kin was his mother, Christina. He Returned to Australia April 27, 1919.  Clarence was the son of Rudolph Ernest and Christina (nee Dugard) Halleur also of Harkaway, and the family are the source of the name of Halleur Road in Harkaway. (9) 

Haysey, Robert Ellsmere  (SN 2588) Robert, born in Seyour, enlisted on May 17, 1915, he was 20 years old and an orchardist. His next of kin was his mother, Anne, of Narre Warren North.  Robert was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the King of the Belgians in February 1918. He Returned to Australia May 30, 1919. His brother Norman (SN 6813A) also enlisted, when he was 19 on August 12, 1917. He was Killed in Action on July 4, 1918. I have written more about the Haysey brothers, here, on my post on soldiers from Narre Warren and Narre Warren North.

Irwin, James Purser (SN 5035)
Irwin, Horace Mark (SN 967)
Irwin, Walter Gray (SN 968)
The brothers were a born in Carlton to David Gray Irwin and Hannah Purser, who married in 1894. David and Hannah were farming at Harkaway but in 1918 moved to the suburbs (St Kilda, Caulfield areas) and he became a tramway employee, according to the Electoral Rolls. 

The Irwins leave Harkaway

Dandenong Advertiser April 25, 1918, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88814737

Irwin, James Purser (SN 5035) James enlisted on January 20 1916 at the age of 20. He was a warehouseman. James served in France but  Returned to Australia on  August 27, 1917 and was medically discharged in January 1918 - he suffered from Psoriasis. In 1918 he married Daphne Idina (known as Ida) Mickle and they are  listed in the Electoral Rolls as living at Brighton for twenty years and then various other Melbourne suburbs, he was a Clerk.  James died in 1986. James' dairy recording his experiences in the War is held at the State Library of New South Wales and can be accessed here. He donated the diary to the Library in 1920. The Trustees of the Mitchell Library (as the State Library of N.S.W is known) started the Soldiers' Diaries Collection in 1918 - we are fortunate that they had the foresight to start this collection when many soldiers were still in possession of their diaries.

Irwin, Horace Mark  (SN 967) Horace enlisted on February 9, 1915 at the age of 18 years 8 months. He was an Orchardist.   David Returned to Australia on July 8, 1919. After the War, Horace married Mina Slater in 1922 and they lived in St Kilda and other suburbs.   Horace was a tramways employee, like his father, and died in 1972.

Irwin, Walter Gray (SN 968)  Walter enlisted on March 3 1915 at the age of 18 years and 7 months. He was  a farmer. Walter served at Gallipoli and Returned to Australia  February 8, 1916 and was discharged on medical grounds in the July of the same year. He suffered from 'Neurasthenia' which is now described as an obsolete term to cover lassitude, inability to concentrate, mental and or physical fatigue. Walter married Lena Petersen in 1918 and died in 1968. Walter and Lena lived in Bendigo and Tatura then in the mid 1930s moved back to Melbourne to Oakleigh. Walter was a 'traveller' or salesman.

A 'complimentary social' was held at Harkaway on July 8, 1916, with over 200 people present, to honour new recruits and also to welcome home Private Walter Irwin.

Berwick Shire News July 12 1916, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92092893

Lucas, Keith Mackie (SN 9315)  Keith, born in Bright, was an 18 year old student when he enlisted on August 18, 1915. his next of kin was his mother, Mary Janet Lucas of Kalimna, Harkaway. Keith Returned to Australia April 27, 1919. 

Keith Lucas and a number of his fellow soldiers, was presented with a wallet at function held at the Harkaway Hall on April 15, 1916.

Berwick Shire News, April 19, 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92092585

Lyon, Charles Hugh (SN 412) Charles was the first cousin of Francis Glover, listed above. His  next of kin was his father, George, of Harkaway. He enlisted at the age of 26 on October 13, 1914 in Walebung in Western Australia. Lieutenant Lyon was Killed in Action in Palestine on November 7, 1917.  Charles' mother, Kate, wrote a letter to the Army on December 1, 1917 -  Lieutenant C.H Lyon is our  only son. The news of his being 'Killed in Action' came direct to me, according  to our dear sons own wish his father being over 70 we did not want him to hear the news unawares. Is it possible for us to ascertain where in Palestine he was killed?  We regret the  country has lost another  of its brave defenders but his place is already filled by our young nephew and adopted son who enlisted last week and hopes to be as true a soldier as his cousin has been since the beginning of the War. Charles attended Berwick Grammar School and is commemorated in their Avenue of Honour, see here. He also attended Geelong College and they have a tribute to him on their website, you can access it here. 

There was an interesting article in the Dandenong Advertiser in March 1918 regarding Lieutenant Lyon's memorial tree -
Some months ago the good people of Harkaway planted an avenue of ornamental trees in memory of the young soldiers who had enlisted from that sylvan retreat, and amongst them was Private Charles Lyon, a son of Mr Gorden [sic] O. Lyon, a well known and influential resident. Amongst the reported killed in action in France was Private Charles Lyon, son of the gentleman named above, and deep and genuine grief was expressed in the little hamlet when the official news came to hand. A few days ago the tree dedicated to the memory of the slain young soldier was pulled up by the roots and there was great indignation at such a disgraceful sacrilegious act, and the perpetrator of such a foul deed was worthy of the most condign punishment. It turns out that the culprit was a five year boy with no malicious intent. (10)  This report also confirms that the Avenue was actually planted in 1917 and not 1919.

McNabb, Alexander (SN 4166) Alexander, born in Ararat, was a 25 year old Engineer and he enlisted on December 13, 1915. His next of kin was his father, Donald, of Harkaway. Alex Returned to Australia  December 22, 1918. Alex was present at the unveiling of the Memorial stone in 1959.

Munro, Robert (SN 6542, incorrectly listed as 65421 in the National Archives) Robert's occupation was Quarrry man  and he served as a Sapper, a military engineer, who constructed bridges, trenches, depots, roads etc.  He was born at Neilborough and was 25 when he enlisted on June 5, 1915 and his next of kin was his wife, Ettie, of Berwick. Lance Corporal Munro Returned to Australia April 13, 1919.

The farewell to Robert Munro, Robert Haysey, J Davidson and either Cyril or Harold Fleer was held at the Harkaway Hall on Saturday, August 14, 1915.

Berwick Shire News, August 18, 1915 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92090128

Wanke, Arthur Robert (SN 1427) Arthur enlisted on March 11, 1916, he was a 27 year old carpenter. Arthur was Wounded in Action on three occasions - Gun shot wound left thigh, Gun shot wound hand and Gun shot wound right leg - as I have said before, the banal description of the wounds does nothing to indicate the severity of them. He Returned to Australia December 12, 1918.
Wanke, Frederick William (SN 6379) Frederick enlisted on April 28, 1916, he was a 26 year old farmer. Frederick Died of Wounds, whilst fighting in France on May 17, 1918.

Arthur and Fredrick were the sons of Emmanuel and Bertha  Wanke of Harkaway. Emmanuel (also spelt Immanuel) was the son of Ernst Gottlob Wanke and his wife Pauline (nee Schurmann) who settled in Harkaway in 1853. Bertha Wanke was an Aursich, and thus from another pioneering German Harkaway family.  (11) The brothers are also listed on the Narre Warren War Memorial, see here.

The Dandenong Advertiser published this tribute to Fred on July 4, 1918 -

Quite a gloom was cast over the district of Harkaway when the sad news recently came to hand, that Private Fred. Wanke had been killed in action "Somewhere in France," on 17th May. This young hero was born and educated at Harkaway, and took a keen interest in any movement that was likely to improve the district. He was a member of the Harkaway Young Men's Club, and was always a true sport. When in camp, while on many of the numerous expeditions with his mates, his motto was: "Age before honor," and he never could do too much for any of the older members of the party. "Fred" was of most genial and obliging disposition, and was 28 years of age. He left a good home and loving parents, to go forth and do his share with the boys in the trenches, where he made the extreme sacrifice. When on furlough he devoted his time to studying the different methods of farming, and was keen on acquiring a knowledge of new ideas. Much sympathy is expressed by his many friends throughout the district, for Mr and Mrs Wanke and family, of "Hillcroft" who have lost a noble son, and brother. Private Arthur Wanke a brother of this fallen soldier, and who was also a member of the Harkaway Young Men's Club, is on active service in France

Way, Leslie Gordon (SN 4547) Leslie, born in Carlton,  enlisted on January 20, 1916, he was a 23 year old farmer and his next of kin was his father, Edward, of Harkaway. Leslie was gassed on two occasions and he Returned to Australia on March 31, 1919. 

A report about Corporal Way

Dandenong Advertiser, May 2 1918  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88818197

General Sources

• First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920 (or Service records as I call them) at the National Archives www.naa.gov.au
• Early days of Berwick and its surrounding districts (Berwick & District Agricultural and Horticultural Society, 3rd edition, 1979)
• Early Settlers of the Casey-Cardinia District compiled by the Narre Warren and District Family History Group (2010)
• Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages.
• Various newspaper articles on Trove
• Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com

Footnotes
(1) Our Living Memorials: Avenues of Honour in the City of Casey (City of Casey, 2001) - view and down-load a copy here (it's free) https://www.casey.vic.gov.au/avenues-of-honour
(2) https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2026/05/avenue-of-honour-at-tooradin.html
(3) Early days of Berwick and its surrounding districts (Berwick & District Agricultural and Horticultural Society, 3rd edition, 1979)

(4) https://victoriaspast.blogspot.com/2026/05/narre-warren-east-wants-new-name.html
(5) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, July 22, 1920, see here;  Dandenong Advertiser, March 18 1937, see here. 
(6) Dandenong Advertiser, May 2, 1918, see here.
(7) From the the death notice of Thomas in The Argus of April 11, 1924 (see here) and the Indexes to the Births, Deaths and Marriages we can establish that Thomas and Sarah had thirteen children - Frederick Thomas (born 1874, birth registered at Elmore), Annie (1876 Elmore), Sarah Jane (1878 - 1879, ten months old, Diggora), John (Rochester, died 1965, aged 83, hence born c. 1882), James (1882 Elmore), Henry (1885, Rochester), William (1887 Elmore), Arthur Alfred (1889 - 1890, seven months old, Elmore), Joseph Leonard (1891 - 1891, two months old, Elmore), Albert Edward (1891 - 1891, 2 months old, Elmore), Herbert Leslie (1892 Moama), Sydney (1894 Moama) and Ruby (1896 Moama).
(8) Early days of Berwick and its surrounding districts  and Early Settlers of the Casey-Cardinia District  - see General Sources, above.
(9) Ibid.
(10) Dandenong Advertiser,  March 21, 1918, see here.  
(11) Early days of Berwick and its surrounding districts  and Early Settlers of the Casey-Cardinia District  - see General Sources, above.

This is a revised and expanded version of  posts, which I wrote and researched, that appears on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Commemorates: Our War Years.

The Relief of Mafeking celebrations in the Shires of Berwick and Cranbourne

The siege and battle for the town of  Mafeking in South Africa is one of the most well known events in the South African or Boer War. The siege lasted  217 days from October 13, 1899 to May 17, 1900. When the British (which included Australian forces) 'won' the battle and the town of Mafeking was 'relieved' there was wide-spread celebrations throughout the British Empire including Australia. 

These are some accounts of local celebrations, but before we look at them, this is an account of the Siege from South African History on-line, see it here.
The Siege of Mafeking (now known as Mafikeng) was an important battle in the South African War (Second Anglo-Boer War). The war began in late 1899; President Kruger (1) issued an ultimatum, instructing the British to withdraw their soldiers from the border of the Transvaal. When the British failed to heed the instruction, Kruger's government declared war. In 1900 Afrikaans Commandant Eloff was sent to put the town of Mafikeng under siege. Eloff (2) instructed General Piet Cronje (3) to lead approximately 5000 Afrikaner soldiers (numbers vary) to Mafikeng. For almost seven months fighting ensued; with the Afrikaner soldiers burning the Barolong huts and the defences that the British lieutenant-general, Robert Baden-Powell (4), had set up. A turning point occurred on 17 May 1900, when British forces, led by Colonel Mahon (5) and Lord Roberts (6) fought their way into the city and lifted the siege. The British forces were dubbed "defenders of Mafeking". The relief is said to have sparked so much jubilation in London that a new word was coined in English, (to "maffick" came to mean "to revel inordinately). Although the war was fought primarily between the British and the Afrikaner soldiers, the battle of Mafeking claimed the lives of 400 Barolong, who fought alongside the British. The British lost were 212 soldiers and over 1000 Afrikaner lives were lost. (7) 

There was wide-spread joy at the end of the Mafeking Siege, which can be summed up by this report of a Berwick Shire Council meeting in August 1900, where the suggestion was made that a street in Pakenham be renamed Mafeking.  A letter had been received from Mrs. Flower, Pakenham, requesting inter alia  that the name of the street be changed from King to Mafeking street. Cr. D. Bourke moved that the change of name be made as desired, this was seconded by Cr. A'Beckett and carried (8).  

The name was changed, it was still called that in 1918 but I don't know how long it lasted, because it is not called that now.

Nurse Lowen of Mafeking Street, Pakenham East

Pakenham Gazette April 26, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92152200

What follows are the accounts of  Relief of Mafeking celebrations from the Shire of Berwick and Shire of Cranbourne. These reports were written 125 years ago and  attitudes and language have changed  since then.

Berwick
The enthusiasm here was intense on Wednesday. An immense bonfire was lit on the highest part of the township, and a splendid display of fireworks was shown, lasting for two hours. The school children were assembled at the post-office, where patriotic songs were sung. They were then marched to the scene of the bonfire, and cheers were given for the Queen, Major-General Baden-Powell and his garrison, and Lord Roberts. (The Argus, May 25, 1900, see here.)  

Berwick
The rejoicings over the relief of Mafeking are past, and Berwick turned out right loyally on Wednesday to participate in the general festivities. We had a grand display of fireworks and a large bonfire, in the evening, and it was a pretty sight to see the rockets and other fireworks ascending.
(South Bourke & Mornington Journal, May 30, 1900, see here.) 

Cranbourne

On the welcome news of the relief of Mafeking, it is the intention of Constable Dwyer (9) to fire 12 rifle shots in front of the shire-hall. The residents of the town will hoist flags, and the Church of England bell will be rung.

(The Argus, May 19, 1900, see here)

Cranbourne
To say that Cranbourne looked gay on Saturday last would be putting it very mildly indeed. News of the relief of Mafeking caused residents to make a bold display in honor of the event, and the amount of enthusiasm shewn by the townspeople was very great. 

(South Bourke and Mornington Journal, May 23, 1900, see here) 

Cranbourne
Our quiet little township made a great demonstration on Wednesday last in honor of the relief of Mafeking. People from Cranbourne and district gathered in large numbers at the Shire Hall in the evening, when speeches of a patriotic nature by Mr. Downward, M.L.A. (10), President Le Roux (11), and Mr. J. W. C. McLellan (12), and other gentlemen were given. Appropriate songs were rendered by Mrs. Wiltshire (13) and Miss Allan, each number being illustrated by the Rev. E. Robertson on a screen with the aid of a magic lantern. The assemblage sang "Rule Britannia" and "God Save the Queen," whilst hearty cheers were given for Her Majesty, Major-General Baden-Powell, Lord Roberts, and General White (14). At the close of the proceedings the Rev. A. A. Wiltshire (15) thanked those who had assisted in the evening's entertainment, and expressed the hope that the war would soon be over. The band played a number of selections, and a collection taken up to defray expenses resulted in over £2 being gathered. The hosts of our respective hotels laid themselves open for the occasion, and their respective houses were gaily dressed in bunting, whilst a line of streamers floated bravely over the main street. Truly "there was a sound of revelry by night," and-an-array of defunct "Sandersons" (16) in a certain pub next morning testified to the fact that both the "spirit" and the flesh were willing.  

(South Bourke & Mornington Journal, May 30, 1900, see here.)

Relief of Mafeking Celebration in Pakenham

Image: North of the Line: a pictorial record (Berwick Pakenham Historical Society 1996)

Pakenham
Our friend Host Hogan (17), of the Gembrook Hotel, was so delighted at the relief of Mafeking that he held open house for the night, and the rejoicings were carried out in a very enthusiastic manner, singing and dancing (for joy) being vigorously carried on till further orders. There in no doubt about Mr. Hogan being a Britisher, and he very fitly hoisted the Union Jack and Stars and Stripes interwoven at the salute on Monday. Never, before, and probably never again, in the lives of the present residents, will there be occasion to celebrate such a memorable and soul stirring event as the relief of Mafeking. For seven months, against overwhelming odds, "stormed at by shot and shell" daily, and the last month literally starving, this garrison of solid heroes knew not defeat, but actually, almost on the last days of the siege, rushed out of the beleaguered town and inflicted a severe defeat upon the enemy.

Little wonder that the whole civilised world is to-day looking with awe and reverent respect on the nation that can produce men capable of such a feat of endurance and such unsurpassed bravery and heroism; and it is good, that even in a little township like ours, that on such an occasion as this we should rejoice and be thankful that we belong to the empire that claims these heroes of Mafeking as her sons and daughters. On Saturday night, there was indeed "a sound of revelry" in the township, and every patriotic song known was sung and received with deafening cheers, the assemblage letting their long pent-up feelings loose with a vengeance. A tall pole was set up in the township and a large new Union Jack hoisted, whilst at Webster and James' and Paternoster's store, the empire's flags were very conspicuous.

On Monday the flag was hauled down until 2.30 p.m., when the local detachment of Mounted Rifles with their captain preparatory to their drill drew, up in front of the pole, and hoisted the Union Jack with which was interwoven the Stars and Stripes of America, amid the cheers of the people present, and fired a Royal salute to the flag, of 21 guns. The National Anthem was then sung and cheers given Baden-Powell and "Our Bobs," and with the consent of the captain, three more cheers for the American flag. The assemblage then dispersed, to meet again on Wednesday (to-day) to further celebrate this gallant and glorious defence and relief.
(South Bourke and Mornington Journal, May 23, 1900, see here.)

Pakenham
The relief of Mafeking was celebrated in a right royal manner here, and our usually staid township fairly eclipsed itself in the effort to do honor to the gallant defender and his band of heroes. The children attending the three local schools marched in procession from the Toomuc Creek bridge through Old Pakenham, along the Main road to the Mechanics' Institute in the new township singing patriotic songs and waving Union Jack flags to the strains of music provided by Mr. C. Battersby, who headed the procession in a buggy. They were halted under a line of flags across the Main street, including the Union Jack, Royal Standard, Stars and Stripes, and others, when they sang the National Anthem. They then adjourned to the Hall, where tea and edibles were served to young and old. Patriotic songs were then sung by Mr. W. Close amidst ringing cheers, the singing being taking up by the audience must enthusiastically. Loud cheers were given for The Queen, Baden-Powell, Lord Roberts, and the Union Jack. The children were marched under the leadership of our worthy Racing Club secretary, Mr. R. C. Clements, who was assisted by the teachers of the respective schools, and every praise is due to them for the efficiency of the arrangements. 

A special word of praise is due to the members of the Rifle Club, as it was they who very fitly mooted the idea and to two of their members - Messrs. W. H. Bloomfield and H. Hogan who collected the amount due to defray the cost of the treat - but they must have felt well repaid for any trouble taken in the matter to hear the happy expressions of approval given sound to by the juveniles and seconded by their seniors. A souvenir handkerchief was presented to every child marching, which they will no doubt treasure in remembrance and honor of the brave souls who so gallantly defended Mafeking. A matter spoken of during the proceedings was the formation of a local band, and, as there is plenty of material here, the matter is well worthy of the residents' consideration, and it is hoped someone will take this matter, up at once.
(South Bourke and Mornington Journal, May 30, 1900 see here.)  

Trove List - I have created a list of articles on Trove about any local connections to the Boer War and any articles on the Relief of Mafeking Celebrations, access it here.

Footnotes
(1) President Kruger - Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger (1925 - 1904). He was president of the Transvaal, or South African Republic, from 1883 until his flight to Europe in 1900, after the outbreak of the South African (Boer) War. 

Source: Encyclopedia Britannica https://www.britannica.com/biography/Paul-Kruger
(2) Eloff - Sarel Eloff, described as a 'dashing young officer', grandson of President Kruger. You can see a photograph of him, here. He was taken Prisoner of War at Mafeking and sent to St Helena along with Piet Cronje and others.

Source: https://www.angloboerwar.com/forum/pow-e/26076-eloff-sarel-johannes-comdt
(3) Piet Cronje - Pieter Arnoldus Cronjé (1836 - 1911), was a Boer General. 

Source: Encyclopedia Britannica https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pieter-Arnoldus-Cronje
(4) Robert Baden-Powell - Robert Baden-Powell (1857-1941) 1st Baron Baden-Powell of Gilwell, established the Boy Scout movement in 1908.
Source: Encyclopedia Britannica https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robert-Stephenson-Smyth-Baden-Powell-1st-Baron-Baden-Powell
(5) Colonel Mahon - General Sir Bryan Mahon (1862-1930), British General and later an Irish Senator. See his obituary in the Brisbane Courier, September 25, 1930, here. 

 (6) Lord Roberts - Lord Roberts (1832 - 1914) was Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, a British Field Marshal.
Source: Encyclopedia Britannica https://www.britannica.com/biography/Frederick-Sleigh-Roberts-1st-Earl-Roberts
(7) South African History - https://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/south-african-war-lifting-siege-mafeking
(8) South Bourke and Mornington Journal, August 15, 1900, see here.

(9) Constable Dwyer left Cranbourne for Footscray in 1902 - South Bourke & Mornington Journal, July 2, 1902, see here.  
(10) Mr Downward, M.L.A - Alfred Downward (1847 - 1930). Member for the Legislative Assembly seat of Mornington from 1894 until 1929. See his obituary on The Argus, June 28, 1930, see here.
(11) President Le Roux - Prosper Henry Victor Le Roux, Cranbourne Shire Councillor 1896 until 1905. Shire President 1899-1900. Source: The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire by Niel Gunson (Shire of Cranbourne, 1968)
(12) Mr. J. W. C. McLellan - John William Charles McLellan - Cranbourne land owner and Councillor 1903 - 1905. Source: The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire by Niel Gunson (Shire of Cranbourne, 1968)
(13) Reverend A.A. Wiltshire and Mrs Wiltshire - Albert Arthur Wiltshire. The Reverend Wiltshire was the Anglican Minister, President of the Cranbourne Brass Band established in May 1899, and a member of the Cranbourne Rifle Club formed in March 1900.  Mrs Wiltshire was born Sara Hodgson and they married in 1890. Rev Wiltshire died in an accident in 1908 at the age of 42, you can read his obituary in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal, October 14, 1908, see here. The other information comes from The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire by Niel Gunson. 

(14) General White - Field Marshal Sir George Stuart White (1835 - 1912). Awarded the Victoria Cross in the Afghan War in 1879. 

Source: the British Empire website, see here. https://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/armycampaigns/africancampaigns/boerwar/stuartwhite.htm
(15) See footnote 13. 
(15) Sandersons - was a brand of Scotch Whiskey.
(17) Host Hogan of the Gembrook Hotel - Charles F. Hogan was the licensee of the Hotel from at least 1894. The Gembrook Hotel is the hotel in Main Street in Pakenham near the Railway Station (now called the Railway Hotel)

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

Narre Warren East wants a new name

Narre Warren East is just over the border from the City of Casey in the Shire of Yarra Ranges. It was previously part of the Shire of Fern Tree Gully / Sherbrooke (1). Narre Warren East is located off Wellington Road in the Berwick Road and Mountain Flat, Edebohls and Haysey Roads vicinity. 

In the late 1950s, Helen Coulson, in her book The Story of the Dandenongs (2) wrote the following about Narre Warren East -
Narre Warren East, known originally as Muddy Creek, is a rural hamlet boasting only a school, hall, sports ground and store. The Muddy Creek, a stream of crystal clear water which traverses the area, derived its name from the fact that in the early days horses crossing the stream in winter were often covered in mud up to their bellies, Few changes - except in ownership - have occurred in the district since 1839, when cattle from the Monbulk run roamed the poor-type scrubby country, in the vicinity of Mountain Flat Road. In the early days one or two well defined tracks run through the district, the best known of these being the old road to the Emerald Diggings, which crossed the Eumemmerring, Muddy and Cardinia Creeks en route to Emerald, following roughly the route of present Old Emerald (Westland) Road.

Some 55 years ago Muddy Creek boasted a post office, which was located at the home of E. Cunningham. It remained in service for only two or three years and letters were then delivered by the contractor carrying mail from Narre Warren to Macclesfield. The district once possessed a church (3), which was erected about 1907 and remained in use for 20 years. The small Church of England congregation was served by the clergyman stationed at Emerald and today the arbitrary manner in which the district was deprived of its church still rankles with some old-timers. Almost overnight the building was sold for £35 and spirited away to Springvale. About 1921 (4)  the Muddy Creek (now Narre Warren East) School was erected on a site adjoining the church. 

The Narre Warren East hall was erected in 1926 (5) and compulsorily acquired by the Council at the request of the committee in 1951.

A picnic ground of two acres, adjoining the Muddy Creek, was purchased by the Council in 1924 and named Kerr Park in honour of R.H. Kerr (6). In 1947 A.R. A'Beckett (7) gave to the Narre Warren East Progress Association a lease in perpetuity of some 7 acres of Kalora Park for use as a sports ground, in a fulfilment of a promise made to that body by his father, W.G. A'Beckett. In 1949, under threat of compulsory acquisition, A.R. A'Beckett sold this land and the adjoining three acres to the Fern Tree Gully Shire Council, which was anxious to secure tenure for all time by outright ownership, and the area is known as A'Beckett Park in honour of this pioneer family (8).

As Mrs Coulson has written, Narre Warren East began life as Muddy Creek. In October 1946 the name of the town was again an issue for discussion. The Dandenong Journal reported -
Narre Warren East wants to change its name - Owing  to the confusion caused through its distance from Narre Warren proper, and so many “Narre Warrens” an idea is afoot to change the name of the district, and in this regard a special meeting is being held in the local hall on Friday, October 11th, when residents will discuss the merits of the various names suggested. All interested are invited to attend. (9)

Meeting to change the name of Narre Warren East

Dandenong Journal, October 2, 1946 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214795742

As you can see, the residents felt  they were too far from Narre Warren proper - the town on the railway line.  Narre Warren originally referred to the township of Narre Warren North, which was surveyed around 1860 (and Narre Warren East, is actually east of this town.) The original settlement was later known as Old Narre Warren to distinguish it from New Narre Warren which developed around the Railway Station, which opened on March 10, 1882; when the school in the 'new' town opened in 1889, it was called the Narre Warren Railway Station school, No. 2924 to distinguish it from the original Narre Warren school, No. 1901, which changed its name to Narre Warren North in 1925. (10)

The Dandenong Journal reported on the outcome of the meeting - 

Narre Warren East Selects New Name - As a result of the meeting held on Friday evening, 11th inst, to change the name of the district three names proposed in order of preference were Melville, Pendrill and Lyndisfarme, and these have now been submitted to the Post Office for approval. (11)

New names for Narre Warren East

Dandenong Journal, October 23, 1946 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214796145

I cannot find any connection between these suggested names -   Melville, Pendrill or Lyndisfarme - and the local area. None of them are listed in Mrs Coulson's extensive index as either surnames or property names. In November, Dandenong Journal reported on this issue again-

Narre Warren East Still Looking For A Name - The Postal Department has rejected all three suggested new names for Narre Warren East, and the Progress Association will now submit the remaining half-dozen names put forward. A special meeting is being held on Friday, December 13th, to consider the names. Any objections or suggestions will have to be made at that meeting. (12)

Names rejected

Dandenong Journal, November 20, 1946 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214796557

However in a report of the meeting held on December 13 we find that - A new name for the district has not yet been found and the association would be very pleased if any of the local residents would help in this matter. (13) That is the last report I can find on the matter, and as Narre Warren East is still called that, then presumably the residents gave up, or could not think of a name that the Post Office would approve. 

Footnotes
(1) In 1963 the Shire of Fern Tree Gully split and the Shire of Knox was formed on November 16 (it became a City on July 4, 1969). The remains of the Shire of Fern Tree Gully was renamed Shire of Sherbrooke and this was announced in the Victorian Government Gazette of December 23, 1964.
(2) Coulson, Helen Story of the Dandenongs, 1838-1958 (Cheshire 1959), p. 246-247
(3) The Church was called St Mungos.
(4) The State School No. 3719, opened in February 1912, in the Anglican Church Hall. It initially operated half time with Menzies Creek, No. 2457, but they both became full-time in 1914. In February 1921, a new school building was erected. [Source: Vision and Realisation: a centenary history of State Education in Victoria, edited by L.J. Blake. Published by the Education Department of Victoria, 1973]
(5) The Hall was opened on November 30, 1928, by Sir George Knox, M.L.A, who later gave his name to the Shire of Knox.

Opening of the Narre Warren East Hall

Dandenong Journal November 29, 1928 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article200678402

(6) R.H. Kerr - Robert Hart Kerr. His father, Hamill Kerr arrived in the area around 1869, his property was called Aura and was adjacent to Kerr's Lane (source: Coulson - Story of the Dandenongs) Robert Kerr was a Councillor of the Fern Tree Gully Council for over 30 years and was also a Councillor at Dandenong Shire. He died October 1944, read his obituary in The Argus of October 27, 1944, here.
(7) A.R. A'Beckett - Arthur Richard Walstab A'Beckett (1914 - 2004) was the son of William Gilbert A'Beckett (1864 -1941) and his wife Gertrude Walstab (1880 - 1962). William Gilbert A'Beckett was the son of William Arthur Callandar A'Beckett, M.L.C., J.P. (1833-1901).
(8) Coulson, op. cit pp 246-247

(9) Dandenong Journal, October 2, 1946, see here.  

(10) The name was used in the area as early as 1837 when the Native Police Force was established at Nerre Nerre Warren, this area later became an Aboriginal Protectorate to protect the Aborigines from the white settlers. It is now the Dandenong Police Paddocks Reserve. Narree Worran is a Parish name in the County of Mornington. 

Sources for footnote 10 - 

Early days of Berwick and its surrounding districts (Berwick & District Agricultural and Horticultural Society, 3rd edition, 1979)

Thomson, Max Little Hills 1839-1977 (Narre Warren North State School No.1901 Centenary committee, 1977)

Vision and Realisation: a centenary history of State Education in Victoria edited by Les Blake (Education Department of Victoria, 1973)

(11) Dandenong Journal, October 23, 1946, see here. There is another report of the meeting held on October 11, 1946 where the three names - Melville, Pendrill or Lyndisfarme - were selected - Fern Tree Gully News, October 25, 1946, see here. 

(12) Dandenong Journal, November 20, 1946, see here.  

(13) Fern Tree Gully News, December 20, 1946, see here.

This is an expanded version of a post, which I wrote and researched, that first appeared on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Links to our Past.

Edward Vieusseux, Berwick Grammar School and their Avenue of Honour

There are three Avenues of Honour in Berwick which commemorate the service of local people in the First World War.  The City of Casey has produced a book,  Our Living Memorials, on the Avenues in their region, including the three Berwick ones. You can down-load a copy of the book here.

The smallest of these Avenues is the one in Church Street in Berwick which commemorates the nine soldiers who had attended Berwick Grammar School and died in the service of their country. 

Berwick Grammar School (now a private home)

Image: Heather Arnold, 2014

John Bellair, a past pupil of Berwick Grammar, has written a book, The School that Was: a history of the Berwick Grammar School, 1882-1928 (1) and much of the following history of the school comes from his book.    

Berwick Grammar School began in 1882 as a private school owned by the Head Master, Edward Antonio Lloyd Vieusseux (1854-1917)  and operated until 1928. Edward was the third son of Louis and Julie (nee Matthieu) Vieusseux who had arrived in Melbourne in 1852. Louis was a Civil Engineer, but in 1857 opened a private school for girls, Valetta House Ladies College, in Clarendon Street, East Melbourne, where the Freemasons Hospital now stands. (2)  Edward had two older brothers, Stephen who died at 15 months and Lewis, the eldest boy, who disappeared on a family picnic in January 1858. Lewis, aged seven, was riding behind the family buggy on a stock horse, went off the track to look at something and his rider-less pony returned but Lewis did not.  His body was found two years later, by a wood cutter, about ten miles from where he had disappeared. (3)

Edward had worked at Jacob Hessel's boarding school in Harkaway, at the property Ratharnay, from 1880 and previous to this he had taught at Geelong Grammar. His father, who as we know had operated  his own school for many years, financed the purchase of a house in Berwick for his son to operate a school  and so Berwick Grammar school began. The first advertisement I could find for the Berwick Grammar School was in October 1882 (4) The property they purchased, which was on 1½ acres of land, was on the corner of Brisbane Street and Church Street and had been used by Miss Adelaide Robinson as a girls school from when it was built in 1877. (5)

Advertisement for Berwick Grammar School.

South Bourke & Mornington Journal, November 22, 1882 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70053874

Edward had married Emily Maria 'Nellie' Ross on December 18, 1877 at Trinity Church in East Melbourne. They had four children - Lewis John Matthieu (1878 -1890), Edward Telford Rivier (1880-1887), Dorothy Jean (1888-1921) and Nellie Phyllis (1889-1914). As you can see three of the children died very young and the last remaining child, Dorothy, when she was only 33; she did not marry, so there were no grandchildren. Nellie died on September 26, 1940, aged 82, having out-lived all her children. (6) They are all buried at the Berwick Cemetery. 

Nellie Vieusseux was by all accounts a kind and benevolent woman. At a function to celebrate Edward's appointment as a Justice of the Peace in 1909, the Reverend A.J. Cole,  said -  everyone knew the magnitude of Mrs Vieusseux's charitableness and benevolence. There was never a case of need in the district where Mrs Vieusseux was not the first to the fore with help. In his position he had had many opportunities of witnessing her acts of kindness and practical help to those in want, while there were also many cases which he had only incidentally heard of, and very likely there were many that he had not heard about, thus showing that her kindly acts were not prompted by any desire to be lauded or eulogised by her fellows, but only to exercise the philanthropic propensities with which she was liberally endowed (7)

It is not known how many boys were enrolled in the early years of Berwick Grammar, there are apparently no school rolls in existence and it is thought that around 400 students were educated there over the life of the school. (8)

Edward Vieusseux unexpectedly died on November 6, 1917, aged 63. In June 1919 it was reported that On Sunday afternoon the Church of England  [Berwick] was crowded to the doors, when the memorial window to the late Mr Edward A. L Vieusseux, head master of the Berwick Grammar School for 35 years was unveiled. The window was given by the old boys of the grammar school as a mark of respect to the memory of their late beloved master. (9)  

After his death the School became affiliated with the Church of England, who acquired the buildings. The School then went through a succession of Head Masters, eight in eleven years until it closed in 1928 - The Reverend P.P McLaren became Head Master at the start of 1918, he was replaced by the Reverend Charles Zercho in 1920; in 1922 Mr Hancock took over, then the Reverend Douglas Howard, Mr Charles Kenrick, Mr Paul Polan, Mr J. H Morgan and lastly the  Reverend Hubert Brooksbank. (10) 

The building became the short lived Winchester House Grammar school, then a guest house. From 1949 until 1972 it was used by the Anglican Church  to train teachers and for a holiday camp for 'Christian Holidays' for children. The Building was then called Mary Blackwood house, after a staff member at the Diocesan Office in St Pauls Cathedral. It then became a Community school, until 1977 when it was used as a place of instruction into the Jewish faith. The Church of England (or Anglican church) finally sold the building in  1990 and it is now a private home (11)

Avenue of Honour

This is the memorial stone, at the Avenue of Honour, in Church Street, which lists the names of the nine soldiers.

Image: Heather Arnold, 2014

The Berwick Grammar Avenue of Honour was planted in June 1920 and an Honour Board listing the names of the 66 'old boys' who joined up was unveiled at the same time. The Honour roll was started by Edward Vieusseux in February 1916. (12)

Plans for a Roll of Honour in 1916.

Berwick Shire News February 9, 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92090882

Unveiling of the Honour Roll and planting of the Avenue of Honour in 1920.

The Argus, June 12, 1920, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1710870

School historian, John Bellair, describes the process to establish the Honour Roll and the Avenue and the dedication service - 
At the second annual meeting held in June 1920, the Association decided to have a Roll of Honour made for the sixty-six Old Boys' who served World War I, nine of whom made the supreme sacrifice The Old Boy' subsequently thanked Miss Dolly Vieusseux for the great help she had given in compiling the list of names. This roll, handsomely designed and inscribed in blackwood, was moved from the school to Christ Church when Berwick Grammar closed down in 1928. The Association also arranged for ten American Pin Oaks to be planted on the road opposite the school to honour the memory of the nine who fell in World War I, and to honour the memory of Laurie Goudie, who was killed in the Boer War. As well the families of the Old Boys' who lost their lives were presented with a silver emblem which bore each ones battalion colours. This accompanied a letter of sympathy from the Association. At this time also, an oak tree was planted in the school grounds in honour of Edward Vieusseux.

As part of the dedication of the Roll of Honour and the memorial trees, a service was held in Christ Church [in Berwick]. The large congregation consisted of the families of the boys who wee killed and many Old Boys'. Mr Zercho have what is described in the Minutes as "a stirring eloquent appeal to the boys of the school, past and present, to live honest and upright lives and profit by the lesson taught them by the boys who went abroad, especially those who had given their lives for the Empire." His text was the word "Remember." (13)

The Berwick Grammar School Avenue of Honour in Church Street

Image: Heather Arnold, 2014

Avenue of Honour soldiers
Who are the nine boys, who were honoured by the Avenue in Church Street?  It is not always that easy to specifically identify the names on a memorial and in this case as Berwick Grammar was a boarding school as well as  a day school, many of the students did not have a local address. What follows is my best guess of who the nine students are and their Service Numbers (SN). You can access their full service records on the National Archives of Australia website, www.naa.gov.au If you have any more accurate information, I would be happy to hear from you.

Brunn (surname is actually Bruun)  Eric D'Arcy Bruun (SN 3357) Eric was born in Seymour and was 38 years old and living in Woodend when he enlisted on  April 30, 1917.  Eric was Killed in Action in France on April 25, 1918.  His sister, Alice D'Arcy Bruun enlisted in the Australian Army Nursing Service in 1915.

Obituary of Eric Bruun

The Age, May 14, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155093343

Elmes  Herbert Oliver Elmes (SN 1543 / 1355 ) was born in Berwick and enlisted at the age of 40, on November 30, 1914. His occupation was a station hand. Herbert was Killed in Action in France on November 5, 1916. His father, Thomas, was the Doctor in Berwick from around 1870 until his death in 1893. As mentioned in his short obituary, below, Herbert's older brother also enlisted -  he was Frederick Warre Elmes (SN 1254). Herbert also attended Melbourne Grammar School, and the photo below comes from their Archives (see here)

Herbert Elmes

Image: Melbourne Grammar School Archives 

Obituary of Herbert Elmes

Berwick Shire News, December 6, 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92095495

Gaunt  The only Gaunt listed in the student list in Mr Bellair's book is W. Gaunt; but the only Gaunt in the Roll of Honour on the Australian War Memorial website is Edwin George Gaunt (SN 2604). He was born at Yarraville and enlisted at the age of 37 on July 7, 1915, in New South Wales. Edwin was Killed in Action in France on July 19 or 20, 1916.

Death notice of Edwin Gaunt

The Age, August 9 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155163642

Hodgson Sidney Bertram Hodgson (SN 39813, New Zealand) Sidney was the  youngest child of John Charles Hodgson and Catherine Fraser, and was born in 1891 in Berwick. John Hodgson carried on a General Store business in Pakenham between 1879 and 1888, and from 1890 was Berwick Shire Secretary. They also had a property on High Street Berwick, which went through to Langmore Lane. The family sold it in 1906 to moved to New Zealand, where Sidney enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He was Killed in Action on October 4, 1917.  Sidney is also listed on the War  Memorial in High Street, Berwick. I am indebted to Marianne Rocke for providing this information on Sidney, because I could not identify him. Marianne is the author and researcher of Upper Beaconsfield History website - https://upperbeaconsfieldhistory.au/

Hope  Harry Leslie Hope (SN 61) was born in South Melbourne and was living in Elsternwick  when he enlisted  on June 4, 1915 at 30 years of age. He died of wounds, in France, on April 22, 1917. 

Death notice of Harry Hope

The Argus, May 26, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1620752

Kent  Alfred Ernest Kent (SN 3336) was born in Berwick and was living in Narre Warren when he enlisted on  August 2, 1915. Alfred's parents, Anthony and Mary Kent had arrived in Narre Warren around 1875 and purchased Granite Park (which they re-named Oatlands). Alfred was married to Alice Webb, the daughter of Sidney and Ann Webb.  Alfred was 40 when he enlisted as was Killed in Action in France on May 5, 1916. Alfred is also listed on the Narre Warren War Memorial, see here. He also attended Melbourne Grammar School, and the photo below comes from their Archives (see here)

Alfred Kent

Image: Melbourne Grammar School Archives

Obituary of Alfred Kent

The Argus, May 25, 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2098217

Lyon Charles Hugh (SN 412) was born at Hawksburn and enlisted in Western Australia on September 10, 1914. He was 26  and his next of kin was initially his father George of  Harkaway, and later his mother Kate. Lieutenant Lyon was part of the Camel Corp and was Killed in Action on November 7, 1917 in Palestine. Charles is also remembered on the Harkaway Avenue of Honour, see here; and also attended Geelong Grammar, you can see their tribute here. 

Charles Lyon

Photographer: Darge Photographic Company  https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1059258

Obituary of Charles Lyon

Pakenham Gazette December 7, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92152769

Miller Lieutenant Alexander Henderson Miller was born in Berwick  and enlisted, at Beechworth,  on July 15, 1915 aged 29. He was Killed in Action in Belgium on September 25, 1917.

Lieutenant Alexander Henderson Miller

Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C73695 

Obituary of Lieutenant Alexander Miller

Pakenham Gazette October 12, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92155976

Robin  Arthur Mervyn Robin (SN 2180) was born at Camberwell and was 21 years old when he enlisted on March 10, 1915.  Arthur was Killed in Action in France on June 29, 1916.

Death notice of Arthur Robin

The Argus, July 19 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1627046

Trove List - I have created a list of newspaper articles on Berwick Grammar and the Vieusseux family, access it here. 

Footnotes

(1) Bellair, John The School that Was: a history of the Berwick Grammar School, 1882-1928 (The Author, 1992)

(2) Ibid.

(3) Ibid and a report of finding the body was in The Argus, Janaury 17, 1860, see here.

(4)  Bellair, op. cit. First advertisement - South Bourke & Mornington Journal, October 11, 1882, see here.

(5) Bellair, op. cit.

(6) Marriage notice -  The Australasian, January 5, 1878, see here;  Death notice - Nellie Vieusseux - The Argus, September 28, 1940, see here.  Death notices of the children are in my Trove list, see here. 

(7) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, June 2, 1909, see here.

(8) Bellair, op. cit.

(9)  Death notice - The Argus, November 8, 1917, see here. Dandenong Advertiser, June 20, 1918, see here.

(10) Bellair, op. cit.

(11) Bellair, op. cit.

(12) Berwick Shire News February 9, 1916, see here.  

(13)  Bellair, op. cit., pp 40-41.

Acknowledgment: This post is an expanded and updated version of  two posts I wrote and researched and which were posted on my work blogs - 

Casey Cardinia Commemorates: Our War Years and 

Casey Cardinia Links to our Past.