William Lees McClure and his tragic death

On October 22, 1917, 25 year-old William went to his work as a bank clerk at the Bank of London branch at Koo Wee Rup. He had only been appointed to the branch a few weeks earlier. That morning,  the Bank's loaded revolver was on the counter, wrapped in a cloth and William removed it from the counter and placed it on a stool so he could dust the counter before the Bank opened. When opening the cash drawer he accidently knocked the gun off the stool, it hit the ground and exploded, and a bullet entered his groin. He was taken to Nurse Campbell's Private Hospital in Dandenong, operated on, however the wound became septic and he died fifteen days later, on November the 6th. (1)

Evidence was given at the Inquest by Clarence Adeney, the Bank manager, who said it was usual for me to place the automatic pistol in the counter, there was also another revolver for the use of the bank officials. William's father, also called William, who had spoken to his son in hospital, said in his evidence that his son did not like the automatic revolver, and had not seen [it] for three weeks prior to that morning.  William's father also noted in his evidence - My son left my home at Springvale at 6.45am in good health and spirits, and he had no financial or other troubles. The Inquest determined the incident was an accident. (2)

The local newspapers reflected the sadness that William's death caused in the Springvale and Heatherton communities - A gloom has been cast over the district owing to the death of Mr Wm McClure, who was accidentally shot at Kooweerup Mr McClure was well known and highly respected throughout the district (3) and Genuine expressions of regret were heard on all sides, when it became known that Mr W. L. McClure, son of Mr W. McClure, secretary of the  progress association, had met with an untimely death. (4)

I found out about William when I was researching the history of the Bank of London at Koo Wee Rup (5), and thought he deserved to be recognised and remembered as his death was senseless and preventable if only there had been better procedures in place at the Bank.

William, born April 22, 1892, was the son of William Lees McClure and his wife Catherine (nee Hallinan) of Clericote, Tootal Road, Springvale. They had married at St Patrick’s Cathedral on February 18, 1890, when they were both 22 years old. William, a labourer, had been born in England and his father (also called William) had his occupation as ‘Gentleman’. Catherine, was a dressmaker, the eldest of six daughters born to Thomas and Margaret (nee Condon) Hallinan, between 1865 and 1878, whose births were registered at Mordialloc or Cheltenham. (6)

The Hallinans were farmers, who had selected land at Heatherton in September 1872 (7).  Thomas' Probate papers tell us their address was Boundary Road, Heatherton and they owned 8½ acres, part of Allotment 3, Section 15 and 11½ acres part of Allotment 3, Section 14 - both in the Parish of Mordialloc. (8)

Thomas Hallinan's property, as listed in his Probate papers. Thomas was William's grandfather. 

Public Records Office of Victoria VPRS 28/P0002, 68/957 

 https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/A166631D-F1E4-11E9-AE98-91A36ACDFA06?image=1

Thomas, who died March 7, 1898 and Margaret, who died October 24, 1908, are buried in the Roman Catholic section at the Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery. (9)

Death notice of Thomas Hallinan, William's grandfather.

The Leader, March 12, 1898 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197303732

Short obituary of Margaret Hallinan, William's grandmother.

Brighton Southern Cross, October 31, 1908 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article164346824

Sadly for the Hallinan family, James Hallinan, the brother of Thomas, passed away just a few weeks after his sister-in-law Margaret on November 9, 1908. He had an informative obituary in the Brighton Southern Cross newspaper, which gives some background to the Hallinan family.

Heatherton lost one of its best known residents on Monday last, when Mr. J. Hallinan, senr., passed away at his residence, Centre Dandenong-road. The deceased gentleman was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1830, and arrived in Australia in the ship James Bain in 1853, and was married in Victoria, settling first at East Brighton, and coming to Heatherton in 1856. During his long residence in the district, he had seen many changes, and was noted for his knowledge of the locality, being ever ready to assist anyone with the information that he possessed. Until a few months ago, Mr. Hallinan was in the enjoyment of excellent health, but he was suddenly taken ill, and it was found that his heart was  affected. In spite of the attention that be receded, he grew slowly worse. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved family in their time of trouble, as it is only a few weeks since Mrs. Hallinan, of Boundary road, died, and the shock caused by her loss has left Mrs. Hallinan, of Centre Dandenong-road, in such a condition as to cause her family to feel the greatest anxiety about her health. The funeral, which was largely attended, took place on Wednesday, and proceeded to the Cheltenham Cemetery, where the service was conducted by the Rev. Father Quinn. (10)

Johanna Hallinan (nee Mackey), James' widow, passed away, less than a year later, on August 4, 1909 at the age of 71 and she is buried with her husband in the Roman Catholic section at the Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery. (11)

Back to William and Catherine McClure. William and Catherine had three children - Margaret Flora 'Florrie' (birth registered at Cheltenham in 1890); William Lees (Cheltenham, 1892) and Thomas Hallinan, (Dandenong, 1894).  (12) 

Gillian Hibbins in her book A history of the City of Springvale notes that William had been leasing Andrew Clarke’s old estate from its new owner, John Catto, since 1895. In 1905 the 1,298 acres, or McClure’s paddock, as the sandy land between Springvale Road, Heatherton Road, Tootals road and Old (Centre) Dandenong Road, was known, had been subdivided and sold as the Spring Vale South Estate and McClure had bought the house he lived in and another 21 acres. (13) McClure Road in Dingley, part of this sub-division, is named after the family. 

William's father was Secretary of the Heatherton Progress Association

Moorabbin News January 29, 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91355807

Along with managing his farm, William senior was also the Secretary of the Heatherton Progress Association. A report in the South Bourke & Mornington Journal in September 1915, showed how seriously he took his role. The Shire of Dandenong councillors, and the Shire Engineer and Shire Secretary, accompanied by a journalist,  were undertaking their Annual Inspection of Roads -

From the Heatherton road we travelled along West Boundary road to Cheltenham road, and on to Dingley church, to view the clearing done some time ago on the unmade road near the church. The party was about to set off along Tootle's road when a man was seen running along Cheltenham road, evidently keen upon an errand of importance, so the city fathers decided to await developments. In due course Mr. W. L. McClure, a property a owner in the vicinity, and a prominent member of the local progress association, duly arrived, and ere long was advocating claims on behalf of the locality. First, a footbridge was required on Tootle's road, near the church, and the request appeared to meet with a favorable consideration. Mr McClure was taken along to the private road intersecting with Tootle's road, which, in its present state, is a drawback to residents, and in order that the road, about two miles in extent, could be gravelled, the majority of the people interested are prepared to repay the council if a loan is floated in order that the work might be carried out. There are about 40 people concerned, and the estimated cost is set down at £1120. Mr McClure put the request in a plain, business-like way, and in such a manner as to enlist the support of those whom he was addressing. (14)

Gillian Hibbins in her book A history of the City of Springvale (15)  produced this map of the Dandenong Council 1915 Annual Inspection of Roads, and it shows the location of the McClure property.

 At the time of  young William’s death, he was the only one of the children living at home. Flora and Tom were both school teachers and Flora was at Balliang East School and Thomas at Dartmoor School. Flora had started her teaching career in 1909, close to home at the Heatherton State School. (16)

Florrie McClure teacher at Heatherton State School

Brighton Southern Cross, February 27, 1909 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article164349728

Catherine died on May 5, 1921, aged 53 and is buried with her son, William, in an unmarked grave in the Roman Catholic section at the Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery.  (17) 

Death Notice of Catherine McClure, William's mother. 

 Her son Thomas seemed to have been known as Hal (short for Hallinan, his middle name) 

at the time.

Melton Express, May 14, 1921 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article254690614

After Catherine died, William and his daughter Flora left Australia for England, where William died on July 3, 1946. The Melton Express published this short update on the family-

The announcement in the "Argus" of Saturday last of the death of William Lees McClure, at Whiston, England, on 3rd July, recalls the fact that about 1922, following the death of his wife, he left Australia to take over property in England left him by his brother, and he was accompanied by his daughter, Flora. Many of us have pleasant recollections of her sojourn in this district, as she was beloved by both pupils and parents when she taught in the Balliang East school prior to 1922. She corresponded fairly regularly with a few of her pupils and the last heard of her was that she was travelling with her father in Italy. She has one brother in Australia. Over the period of years she has never been forgotten and these notes have been written to acquaint her many friends of her sad loss. (18)

William of The Lathams, Whiston, Lancashire left an estate of £6800 in England. His second wife, Ellen Myfanwy McClure and his daughter Flora were executors. Flora, who never married, died in Whiston, on April 4, 1951 and is buried in a family grave in the St Nicholas Churchyard, Whiston with her father, great-grandparents and other relatives. (19) 

Thomas taught at various schools in Victoria throughout his working life, including Dartmoor, Ensay, Werribee South, Macedon and Epping.  He married Eileen Weston in 1937 and died on July 28, 1972, aged 78. (20) 

Death notice of Thomas McClure, William's brother.

The Age, August 2, 1972. p. 23 from newspapers.com

Sadly, William's life was cut short at the age of 25 by a tragic, but highly preventable incident at Koo Wee Rup. The local newspaper, the Lang Lang Guardian, which normally reported on Koo Wee Rup matters, did not mention the accident or his subsequent death, even though it did  have a paragraph on the outcome of the Inquest in its November 21, 1917 issue. It seems a bit remiss, as the paper often reported local accidents and accidental deaths, so one hundred years on I hope this post can atone for this lack of coverage.

Trove List - I have a list of articles about the Koo Wee Rup Bank, which has articles on William McClure and family, access it here. 

Footnotes

(1) Appointment to Koo Wee Rup - South Bourke & Mornington Journal, October 11, 1917, see here; William's Inquest - Public Records Office of Victoria Inquest Deposition Files VPRS 24/P0000, 1917/989  https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/92888D50-F1C3-11E9-AE98-6D8B14280B73/about

(2) William's Inquest - Public Records Office of Victoria Inquest Deposition Files VPRS 24/P0000, 1917/989  https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/92888D50-F1C3-11E9-AE98-6D8B14280B73/about

(3) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, November 8, 1917, see here.

(4) Moorabbin News, November 10, 1917, see here.

(5) https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2016/04/koo-wee-rup-anz-es-bank.html

(6) Date of birth from his Inquest file; McClure/Hallinan marriage certificate; Index to Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages - the children of Thomas Hallinan and Margaret Condon - Catherine, born 1865, birth registered at Mordialloc; Margaret, 1867 Cheltenham, married name Garvey; Grace, 1870, Cheltenham, married name Sheridan; Bridget, 1871 Cheltenham, married name Williams;  Mary, 1875 Cheltenham, died aged 7 in 1883; Annie, 1878 Cheltenham, married name Kelly.

(7) Hibbins, G.M. A History of the City of Springvale: Constellation of Communities (City of Springvale, 1984) p.77.

(8) Thomas Hallinan's Probate papers Public Records Office of Victoria VPRS 28/P0002, 68/957
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/A166631D-F1E4-11E9-AE98-91A36ACDFA06?image=1

(9) Thomas Hallinan death notice The Leader, March 12, 1898, see here; Friends of Cheltenham Regional Cemeteries database - https://www.focrc.org/

(10) Brighton Southern Cross, November 14 1908, see here.

(11) James Hallinan death notice The Age, November 11, 1908, see here; Johanna Hallinan death notice The Age August 5, 1909, see here;  Friends of Cheltenham Regional Cemeteries database - https://www.focrc.org/

(12) Index to Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages

(13) Hibbins, op. cit, p. 109.

(14) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, September 23, 1915, see here.

(15) Hibbins, op. cit., p. 107.

(16) Public Records Office of Victoria, Teacher Records Books, VPRS 13579.

(17) Death notice Melton Express, May 14, 1921, see here; Friends of Cheltenham Regional Cemeteries database - https://www.focrc.org/

(18) Melton Express, July 13 1946, see here.

(19) England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995 on Ancestry.com; Grave - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/224160358/margaret-flora-mcclure

(20) Tom's schools - Public Records Office of Victoria, Teacher Records Books, VPRS 13579; Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com and various newspaper mentions - Omeo Standard, May 20, 1927, see here; Bairnsdale Advertiser, September 23, 1930, see here;  Sun News-Pictorial, July 25, 1936,  see here;  The Argus, March 29, 1944, see here.

Albert Drayton's accident - an epic tale of survival and mateship

I bought a postcard of the Melbourne Fire Station, mainly because it was very pretty with the horse shoe of forget-me-not flowers. The post card is addressed to Alice Drayton, Jumbuk, Yinnar, Gippsland. The letter reads -
Dear Alice,
I must send you a few words and tell you that I am back in town now and very happy and busy. I stayed a days [sic] at Trafalgar and had a good with [sic] my uncle. I will send you my photo as soon as I get it taken. How is your brother Albert and all of you. Hope you are all well, as it leaves me. 
M. Blucher.

The message to Alice Drayton

Who were the Draytons? Alice and Albert were the children of  Robert and Mary Drayton. They had married in 1878 and had six children -

Mary Jane  - born 1879 and registered at Yea.  Died at King Parrot Creek in 1879 aged 10 days old.

Ada Caroline Brown - born 1881 at Yea.   Died in South Melbourne in 1883 aged 2 years old.

William Albert  - born in 1883 at Yea.  Married Matilda Henrietta Koenig in 1921. Albert died in Traralgon in 1960,  aged 77;   Matilda Henrietta died in 1979, aged 82. They are both buried at the Hazelwood Cemetery. Matilda was the daughter of John and Annie (nee Cameron) Koenig. John Koenig was born into a German Lutheran family at Harkaway, read about this here. He was also a pioneer of the Jumbuk area, read his obituary, here. 

Ellen Maud (known as Maud) - born 1884 at Yea. Maud married Peter James Jarvie in 1905. Peter was a Boer War Veteran, and sadly took his own life in 1915, at the age of 43, leaving Maud with five young children. Maud married Arthur Cecil Vere Pritchard in 1918; he died in 1936 aged 48. Maud died in Dandenong, in 1950 aged 66. 

Alice Mabel - born in 1887 at Yea.   Died in Dandenong in 1972, aged 85.

Caroline Anne  - born in 1889 at Reedy Creek.   Died in Prahran in 1971,  aged 82.

To finish off the genealogical information - Mary Drayton was born Mary Firth, the daughter of James Firth and Mary Loutett. She had been married in 1867  to James Duff and they had two boys - John Firth Duff born in 1868 and  James Duff, born in 1870. I don't have any information about the fate of James, Mary's husband, but I presume she was a widow when she married Robert Drayton. Mary died in Garfield, in 1925 at the age of 78; Robert also died at Garfield in 1927, aged 79.

The 1903 Electoral Roll has the family living at Yinnar and Robert is listed as a grazier and in the 1909 roll the family are listed at Jumbuk, the address on the postcard. The writer of the card, M. Blucher (of which more later) asks Alice - How is your brother Albert? As it turns out, we can find out how Albert was because on July 3, 1908, Albert had an accident which was reported on in the newspapers. It was an epic tale of survival, community spirit and mateship. The report, transcribed, below, is from the Morwell Advertiser, July 10, 1908 (see here)

Morwell Advertiser, July 10, 1908  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/65871831?

THE JUMBUK ACCIDENT.

ALBERT DRAYTON CARRIED TO MORWELL. A JOURNEY OF 20 MILES.

As briefly mentioned in our last issue, Albert Drayton and William Langford met with a serious accident whilst engaged felling a huge tree in the hills. Langford, we are pleased to say, has almost recovered from injuries received, but Drayton, who was much more seriously hurt, is still in a critical condition, but is progressing as favorably as can be expected.

It appears that both men were felling a giant tree, about seven feet in diamater, for the purpose of split ting palings out of it. As is customary with these large trees, which enormous butts, a "landing" was fixed some twelve or fourteen feet from the ground. As a general rule these big trees begin to "crack" some minutes before they fall, and men on landings are thereby warned in ample time to reach the ground and stand clear. In this case the tree, which was about a mile from Drayton's home, gave practically no warning. This was due partly to the fact that the cuts on each side were put in above one another so that the tree would fall in a certain direction, and the tree was really cut through before it gave any warning of falling. A slight crack was heard, and on looking up the men saw that the tree was falling, and then jumped for their lives. In all probability they would have escaped injury, but for the fact that soon after starting to fall the tree crashed into the top of another, tree threw it back on the men. The head of the tree, which was broken off by the collision, came down where the men were standing, and it is a marvel they were not killed on the spot. Both men state that they fully expected to be killed, and can scarcely account for their escape, as huge limbs and large pieces of wood that came crashing down are strewn all over the ground where they were.

Langford believes that the axe handle which he held in both hands above his head saved him and partly turned off a limb that struck him on the head. Drayton fell once and on getting to his feet again was struck by a huge limb across the hips and pinned against another log. Fortunately Langford, who was in a very dazed and injured condition, was able with much difficulty to get the log off his mate, and call for help. Albert lay in a helpless state, but was quite conscious. His father, brother and sister were soon on the spot, and assisted by Langford, they carried him home on a mattress placed on a door. Dr M'Lean was summoned, but as the night was dark and roads bad, it was some hours after the accident before the doctor was able to treat the injured men. On examination, the doctor found that Langford had escaped with a few severe bruises and shock, but Drayton was badly crushed across the lower portion of back; the pelvis was broken, hip joint fractured, and he was otherwise seriously injured. 

Subsequently Dr McLean (Morwell) and Dr. McLean (Traralgon) held a consultation in
connection with the case, and it was resolved that the injured man should be carried on a stretcher into Morwell, being in too critical a condition to stand the journey in a vehicle. This meant a great undertaking as the distance to Morwell was twenty miles, and the road in a bad state. The recommendation was, however, no sooner made than there were ample volunteers for the arduous
task. A stretcher was procured from Morwell on Monday, and early on Tuesday morning practically all the men in Jumbuk and Jeeralang were at Drayton's home ready to render wholehearted service. 

Dr. McLean visited the patient on Monday and remained with him all night and prepared him for the journey next morning. A start was made at ten o'clock, there being nearly forty men present, and carrying the injured man in relays of six they set out on the trying journey. Steady rain was falling, and the road was muddy and slippery, but nevertheless splendid progress was made, the "team" being changed at frequent intervals. Dr. McLean accompanied the "caravan" most of the way as it was thought possible the injured man, may collapse during the way and the doctor's services would be required. Fortunately such was not the case, which was no doubt due to the great care exercised throughout the journey by the bearers of the stretcher. At Billy's Creek ford which was running strong, two of the strongest men took the stretcher, and with boots off, waded across the stream without a mishap.

The party arrived at Miss Townsend's private hospital, Morwell, at five o'clock, the journey having been accomplished in seven hours, which is considered excellent time considering the state of the country passed through. The men have to be congratulated upon their efforts and there is something about their actions that one might call "practical Christianity" that cannot be too highly commended. We understand that Drayton is now progressing favourably, and the doctor has every hope of his recovery. (Morwell Advertiser, July 10, 1908, see here)

We came across this postcard addressed to Albert Drayton, No. 1 Ward, Melbourne Hospital, City. It is just a classic postcard - the writing on the front at the bottom left says I believe this gum leaf came from Jumbuk - well I think it says that. Albert may have been in the hospital for further treatment related to his accident.

The postcard reads - Morwell 4-6-09 Was surprised to hear you had gone to town. Hope you will soon be quite well again. Am laid up myself with poisoned foot. Will be glad when over and I get about again. Sincerely yrs [yours] K. Sheen. There is a Kathleen Bertha Sheen listed at Morwell in the 1909 Electoral Roll.

The tale of Albert Drayton became part of the folklore of the area and the story was revived in 1942 in the Morwell Advertiser as part of their Harking Back column written by E.L. Vary, J.P. There is a description of the accident, along the lines of the report transcribed, above, and Mr Vary ends with
I cannot remember the names of all these men but amongst them were W. A. Young, Christie Kleine, Jim Duff, Geo. Firth and W. Gow. He, was taken to Miss Townsend's hospital, then situated in Commemcial Road, where he spent many months and now Albert, though not the powerful man he was, is like Johnnie Walker, "Still going strong," (Morwell Advertiser,  October 1, 1942, see here).  It is interesting to see the names of some of the men who helped Albert out - Jim Duff would be his half brother and George Firth is no doubt another relative, perhaps a cousin on his mother's side.

We know Albert married Matilda Koenig in 1921, I don't know if they had any children. Albert was involved in the Jumbuk Rifle Club, in fact he was stilling winning competitions at rifle clubs when he was 66 years old (see here).  According to the Electoral Rolls, they spent most of their married life on the farm in Jumbuk. They had the misfortune of having their hay shed, buggy shed, separator room and pig-stye destroyed by fire in 1922 (see here). As for Alice, she never married and by 1949 was living at 29 Scott Street in Dandenong with her sister Caroline. She must have kept the post card all her life, then after her death in 1972 it was obviously kept by someone else - maybe a niece or nephew until 2020 when it found it's way to EBay.

Who is M. Blucher, the writer of our postcard? The 1909 Electoral Rolls have a family of Bluchers living at Jumbuk that year - Augusta, Frederick, Herbert, John, John Jnr, Margaret Frances, Margaret Frances (she is listed twice) and Sophia. I believe our writer is almost certainly connected to this family. In 1908,  Jane and William Blucher (incorrectly spelt as Bloucher) were listed in the Electoral Roll at Trafalgar - he was  a farmer. William is possibly the uncle that the writer stayed with at Trafalgar. That's as close as I can get to identifying M. Blucher.

I have created  a list of articles on Trove on Albert Drayton, his accident and his family and connections, access it here.