Bangholme is a small town near Dandenong - it used to be part of the Shire of Dandenong and then when the Shire of Springvale and Noble Park was created in 1955, it became part of this Shire. In 1961, the Shire became the City of Springvale and the area is now part of the City of Greater Dandenong (1). Much of Bangholme is now covered by Melbourne Water's Eastern Treatment Plant. This plant covers 1,100 hectares and opened in 1975 (2).
What was at Bangholme? Not a lot, it seems. The 1940 Victorian Municipal Directory had this to say - BANGHOLME - Agricultural district, with State School and tennis club. This wasn't quite correct as Bangholme also has a Soldiers Memorial Hall, in Worsley Road just north of Harwood Road, which was opened on August 19, 1931 (3). One report said that the Hall was originally the old Dandenong Fire Station (4). Thirty four years later The 1974 Victorian Municipal Directory has this to say about the town - BANGHOLME - Agricultural District, with State School and Public Hall (5).
The State School, No. 3884, had opened on January 23, 1915. There is a delightful account of the opening of the school, described as being on the corner of Harwood and Bangholme Roads (6), in the Dandenong Advertiser of January 28, 1915 - which reads in part - on Saturday afternoon the new State school, situated at the corner of Mr. S M. Keys' paddock, Harwood and Bangholme roads, was formally opened by Mr. W. S. Keast, M.LA. .....He had much pleasure in expressing his appreciation of the generosity of Mr S. M.Keys, (who was a bachelor in search of a wife) who gave the site for the school, and this was the only instance in Victoria where a landowner had contributed 2½ acres to the Education Department for school purposes...He hoped that in time to come Mr Keys would be the happy daddy of a large family, and they would learn the rudiments of their education at the Bangholme State School... Mr Scott proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies for the important and pleasing part they had taken in the good work. He said there were a number of married people in the district who were not blessed with children, and he hoped now they had a fine free school they would help to fill it..... Miss Dorothy Field is in charge of the school, which will be attended by about 25 children to commence with (7).
What follows is a list of soldiers with a connection to Bangholme. I got all the names from newspaper reports of the time, so there may be others and if you know of them, I would be happy to hear from you. 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
Blackmore, Frederick William (SN 1825) Frederick, born at Bangholme, was a 22 year old market gardener when he enlisted on May 31, 1916. His next of kin was his mother, Christina, of Thomas Street, Dandenong. Frederick Died of Wounds September 23, 1917.
Cameron, George William (SN 4172) George was a 32 years old farmer when he enlisted on July 17, 1915. George was Killed in Action on September 20, 1917.
The Cameron boy's next of kin was their widowed mother, Hughina Cameron and they lived in Harwood Road, Bangholme. Mrs Cameron died in April 1921 and there are a series of letters between Agnes Cameron (Hughina's daughter) and the Army regarding George's medals. Agnes claimed them as next of kin as their older brother, John, was in 'Portuguese East Africa' and had been there since 'he went over to the Boer War.' John wrote a letter from his home in Inchape, Mozambique, as Portuguese East Africa is now called, asking that the medals be given to Agnes.
Giles - the papers report that A. Giles, along with other soldiers, was presented with a wristlet watch at a function in April 1916 (see below) and there is also a report in July 1918 that Corporal Giles was welcomed home (9). The only Giles with a connection to Bangholme that I could find is John Giles (SN 16015) and he wasn't a Corporal, he was a Driver, however I believe I have the right man. John enlisted January 19, 1916 and his address at enrolment was Boxleigh Farm, Dandenong and his next of kin was his sister, Mrs George Taylor, of said Boxleigh Farm. I found an advertisement (10) for a clearing sale at Boxleigh Farm in May 1914 and the address was Harwood Road, which is Bangholme. John was 43 years old when he enlisted, he was a farmer and born in Portarlington. John never reached Europe but was in India and South Africa where he was 'dangerously ill' with malaria and eventually returned to Australia in December 1917 where he was discharged on medical grounds on February 1, 1918.
Halshaw, J There is a J. Halshaw is listed, along with A Giles, whom I wrote about above, and others, as one of the men who would receive a wristlet watch at a send off on April 27, 1916 (see report, above) You would think that he would be easy to find - but no. There are no soldiers who have a record at the National Archives called Halshaw, Halshore, Holshaw or Holshore. There is a Michael Holschier who enlisted (I have written about him, below) so was Halshaw a phonetic rendering of Holschier? I believe it was.
Hayes, Stanley William James (SN 2675) I presume this man was known as James as he is listed as J. Hayes in the newspaper article, above, so that's what we will call him. James was born in Ireland and was a 23 year old labourer when he enlisted on March 1, 1916. He Returned to Australia April 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds in July 1917. His next of kin was his friend, Hettie Williams, of Willaura, Hammond Road, Dandenong. As a matter of interest, there is a document in his file from 1956 saying that the Imperial War Graves Commission was trying to locate a Stanley Alan Anderson, but that he had actually served as Stanley William James Hayes, so not sure whether he was really Mr Anderson or Mr Hayes.
Holschier, Michael Herman (SN 2638) Michael enlisted on March 1, 1916 at the age of 21, he was a farmer and his next of kin was his widowed mother, Margaret Holschier, of Frankston Road, Dandenong. Michael Died of Wounds, received while fighting in Belgium, on September 30, 1917. The family put a death notice in the paper for Michael (see below) and it mentions that his brother, Harry, was also on active service, but I cannot find any record of him.
Hume, William Reports of the 'send off' function held on April 27, 1916 said that two recruits joined up on the night - 'Wm Hume and Smith.' I cannot find a Hume, who enlisted, with a connection to the Bangholme or Dandenong area.
Pillar, George (SN 109) George enlisted on March 21, 1916. He was a 20 year old gardener, born in Carrum. George Returned to Australia May 27, 1919. George was granted a Soldier Settlement farm in Lyndhurst, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.
Pillar, Harvey (SN 1968) Harvey was 24 when he enlisted on March 2, 1916. He was a market gardener, born in Carrum and Returned to Australia June 2, 1919. Harvey was also granted a Soldier Settlement farm at Lyndhurst, read his file here.
Pillar, Stewart (SN 962) Stewart enlisted on March 1, 1915 at the age of 27, his occupation was Dairyman. Stewart was award the Military Medal. He Returned to Australia May 15, 1919. Stewart, was also granted a Soldier Settlement farm, near Cobden, read his file, here.
The Pillar boys all listed their mother, Catherine, as their next of kin. They had her address as Dandenong and once as Island Road, Keysborough. Island Road runs off Perry Road, and Keysborough also borders Bangholme. Catherine (nee Thompson) married Thomas Pillar in 1874. Thomas died in 1911. There is a Pillars Road in Keysborough and Bangholme, which is named after the family.
Smith Reports of the 'send off' function held on April 27, 1916 said that two recruits joined up on the night - 'Wm Hume and Smith' The only Smith that I can find, with an enlistment date after April 1916 and a local connection is Frederick William Smith (SN 7085), but I am not convinced that he is the same man who volunteered on the night of the 'send off' function. I have Frederick listed in my Lyndhurst soldiers list (see here) but here is a short record of his service - Frederick was born in Lyndhurst and was living in Dandenong when he enlisted on September 17, 1916. He was 24 and his occupation was listed as grocer. His next of kin was his father, Robert Smith, of Dandenong. Frederick Returned to Australia on February 19, 1919.
Thompson, Middleton Cooper (SN 1948) Middleton enlisted on March 2, 1916, he was a 29 year old market gardener - his address in the 1914 Electoral Roll was Main Drain Road in Carrum. Middleton was awarded the Military Medal. Middleton's next of kin was his mother, Jane, of Richmond. He Returned to Australia July 4, 1919.
Turner, Francis Herbert Blackley (SN 32421 / Lieutenant) Francis enlisted on September 11, 1916; he was a 26 year old grazier. His address on the Embarkation Roll was Glen Innes, Dandenong. His next of kin was his mother, Lucy Turner, who lived in Kew. The South Bourke and Mornington Journal of September 21, 1916 (12) had this report of an event at the Bangholme State School where Cr Burden, on behalf of the residents, presented Private Turner (who will soon be leaving for the front) with a case of pipes, and in a few well chosen remarks expressed the pleasure it gave him to be present at such a gathering, it being the first since he became president of the shire, and concluded by wishing that Pvt. Turner would live long to enjoy a smoke out of the pipes he had the honor of presenting to him that evening. I am pleased to report that Lieutenant Turner did survive the War and Returned to Australia May 22, 1919, Francis was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, read his file, here, on the Battle to farm website.
Footnotes
(1) Victorian Municipal Directory State Guide and Water Supply Record for 1974 (Arnall & Jackson, 1974)
(2) https://waterstory.melbournewater.com.au/content/our-sewerage-story/eastern-treatment-plant-opens
(3) Dandenong Journal, August 27, 1931, see here.
(4) Dandenong Journal, December 2, 1942, see here.
(5) Victorian Municipal Directory and Gazetteer also Commonwealth Guide and Water Supply Record for 1940 (Arnall & Jackson, 1940); Victorian Municipal Directory State Guide and Water Supply Record for 1974 (Arnall & Jackson, 1974)
