I have an interest in place names and street names and there are a number of such names in Victoria which are connected to the battles and personalities of the Crimean War. The Russian War, also known as the Crimean War, was fought on the Crimean Peninsula between Russia and an alliance consisting of Britain, France, the Ottoman Empire and Sardinia. It began in October 1853 and ended on March 30, 1856. (1)
A prime example of these Crimean War names can be seen in the suburb of St Kilda which has a Crimea, Odessa, Sebastapol, Raglan, Alma, Inkerman (2), Malakoff, Redan and Balaclava Street. St Kilda is also next to the suburb of Balaclava. Odessa is a port on the Black Sea, near the Crimean Peninsula; Sebastapol is named for a city on the Crimean Peninsula, which was besieged for eleven months from October 1854. It is also the source of the name of the town of Sebastapol, near Ballarat. Raglan is named for Baron Raglan (1788-1855) a commander of the British troops during the War and there is also a town called Raglan, near Beaufort. Alma, Inkerman, Redan and Balaclava were Crimean War battles. Malakoff was named for Aimable-Jean-Jacques Pélissier, duc de Malakoff (1794-1864), the last French commander in chief in the Crimean War. (3)
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Because I like the sound of the word Malakoff, and that is the only reason, I thought we would look at the soldiers who served in the First World War who are connected because their address was Malakoff Street. There is also a Malakoff Street near the eastern end of Inkerman Road where it crosses Hawthorn Road in what is now called Caulfield but was then known as Malvern, so we are looking at these men as well. In fact even then some of men who lived in the street used Caulfield as their address and some Malvern. I may eventually research the Great War soldiers who lived in the other St Kilda Crimean War streets.
Malakoff Street, East St Kilda, is a dead-end street running off Inkerman Street; it originally had 19 houses on each side, so 38 in all. It appears that Malakoff and neighbouring Sebastapol Streets were sub-divided around 1860 as they appear that year in the St Kilda Council Rate books as vacant blocks of land, most of which have a thirty foot frontages. Malakoff Street in Malvern/Caulfield runs from Hawthorn Street to Carnarvon Street and originally had 24 blocks with frontages from fifty to sixty feet; so it was a more 'middle class' street than it's St Kilda counterpart. It was part of the Carnarvon Park sub-division, first advertised for sale in March 1888.
The AIF Project - https://aif.adfa.edu.au/index.html and other sources lists ten soldiers who enlisted from Malakoff Street, East St Kilda (sometimes listed as St Kilda on the Attestation papers) and thirteen from Malakoff Street in Malvern/Caulfield. What follows are some details of their service, their family life and their life after the War. I have included their service number (SN) and you can look up their full service record on the National Archives of Australia website, www.naa.gov.au Other information comes from records at the Australian War Memorial, www.awm.gov.au - the Embarkation and Nominal rolls and Roll of Honour; the Electoral rolls on Ancestry.com; the Indexes to the Births, Deaths and Marriages and newspapers articles as specified.
Malakoff Street, St Kilda East
Beach, Victor Henry (SN 1655) 1 Malakoff Street, St Kilda. Victor was born in Coolgardie in Western Australia in 1897 to Henry and Annie Priscilla (nee Fuller) Beach. They had moved to St Kilda by 1908 and by 1915 had settled at 1 Malakoff Street. Henry enlisted on February 7, 1916 at Prahran when he was 18 years, 9 months old and his occupation was a market gardener. Henry Returned to Australia September 6, 1919. He married Dorothy Elizabeth Mary Taylor in 1920 and they lived in various addresses in St Kilda. He died in 1975, aged 78.
Coulthard, Roland Claude (SN 782) 29 Malakoff Street, East St. Kilda. Rowland was 22 years, 4 months old, a carpenter, when he enlisted in Melbourne on August 18, 1914; less than a year later he was dead, injured at Gallipoli, gun shot wound to the abdomen on May 8, and as a result died on May 11, 1915. Roland was born in Ulverstone, Tasmania on April 28, 1892 to Walter and Sarah (nee Sponge) Coulthard; they first appear in the Electoral Roll at 29 Malakoff Street in 1914. Walter and Sarah's daughter, Beatrice, married Paul Osborne of 23 Malakoff Street; he and his brothers are written about, below.
Hall, Arthur (SN 762) 30 Malakoff Street, St Kilda. Arthur enlisted on August 15, 1914; he was 19 years and 2 months old, and his occupation was a cellarman. he was part of G Company, 5th Infantry Battalion. He had an interesting military career. He rose to the rank of Lance Corporal; was court martialled, charged with absenting himself without leave for six weeks from the end of October 1917. The hearing was held in January 1918, and he refused to be cross-examined but stated - I joined the AIF in 1914. I was present at the landing on Gallipoli and served eight months there. I have has sixteen months service in France and was evacuated on 20th July 1917.
His commanding officer Lieutenant Meikle said in his evidence that he had known Arthur for three months and his work had always been carried out satisfactorily and he has always borne an excellent character. He is one of the best N.C.O's I have in the Company. The Court recommended mercy due to Arthur's previous good character and long service; he was found guilty and was sentenced to be reduced to the ranks. I just feel for the poor man.
1918 was an extraordinary year for Arthur - he was awarded the Military Medal and two Bars and then was wounded in the August - gun shot wound right leg, femur - and the leg was amputated. He finally returned to Australia in August 1919, five long years since he enlisted as a young man of 19.
His next of kin on enlistment was Frances Hall of 30 Malakoff Street, more of her later; his birthplace was listed on his Attestation papers as St Kilda East. In the Electoral Rolls from 1905 until 1927 Frances Louise Hall and James Hall (occupation - gardener and later a mason's fixer) were listed at 30 Malakoff Street and from 1928 until 1934, they lived at 18 Malakoff Street. After the War, Arthur (occupation - mechanic) was listed with them in the Electoral rolls from 1921 until 1924, but not in 1925.
I lost track of Arthur after 1924 until I looked at his Inquest at the Public Records Office of Victoria. Arthur died June 10, 1961 from a Subdural Haemorrhage. He was living at the time at 218 Wellington Street Collingwood, boarding with Mrs Anne Christy. In her evidence she said that In January 1947 I put the advertisement in the paper for a room. Mr Hall came in answer to the advertisement. He formally lived in Harmsworth Street [Collingwood]. Arthur had got up that morning and had breakfast, and then he remained in the kitchen whilst she was tidying his room. When she returned to the kitchen she said to Arthur, "Don't you feel well today, Mr Hall" and he replied "No, anything but well." He then fell from his chair but managed to crawl back to his room. He laid on his bed and Mrs Christy heard that he was breathing heavily, and Dr Thompson was called. The Doctor came about an hour later, and by this time Arthur was comatose. Arthur was then taken by ambulance to St Vincent's Hospital where he died that day. He is buried at the Cheltenham Memorial Park.
His friend, Arthur Gordon, greengrocer, of Napoleon Street, Collingwood also gave evidence. He had seen him the night before. Mr Gordon said that ''He [Arthur] said he was feeling the best and he did not look best. His eyes were going and he was going deaf. He used crutches." Dr Thompson's evidence was that Arthur had high blood pressure, didn't always take his tablets, that he often complained of dizzy spells and at times when it was suggested that he go to hospital he refused to do.
Arthur didn't leave a will but his probate papers list his assets as just over £426 - £216 in the bank, a radio valued at £4; cheques belonging to the deceased from the Repatriation Depart, £129 and £76 due from Limbless Soldiers Provident Fund.
There are a few mysteries surrounding Arthur. Firstly as I said before, I can't find any reference to his birth in the Indexes, but his given his age on enlistment he must have been born around 1895. Frances is listed as his mother on his death certificate, and as she would have been 50 years old when he was born, I believe that he was adopted or fostered by Frances and her husband James.
I purchased their marriage certificate and discovered that Frances and James had married in Melbourne on May 8, 1897, that she was 48-year old years old (she was actually 52, she appears to have taken a few years off her age every now and then); and a widow, who had five children, but only one of whom was living at the time. James was 28 years old, a bachelor, born in Windsor in Melbourne and his occupation was a gardener. Frances had actually been widowed twice - her first husband was Robert Holmes, with whom she had a daughter, Flora Louise in 1880; he died in early 1883.
In September 1883, when she was 38, she married 29 year-old Felix Werry, a lithographer. Frances, Felix and little Flora migrated to Melbourne arriving in February 1885. Felix died at only 32 years of age in December 1886 and Flora died on June 2, 1893 aged 13 years eleven months. James died on August 18, 1943 and is buried with Frances at the Brighton General Cemetery and his brother Archibald. I have written more about Frances Hall (nee Stapley) and her life in more detail here.
I feel for Frances, who was widowed twice and gave birth to six children, only one of whom it seems survived to adulthood and she deserves credit for looking after Arthur and raising him to be a man who served his country with distinction. I hope Arthur, who never married, had some happiness in his life, he sounds modest and uncomplaining. For a man who fought for his country throughout the duration of the entire War and was awarded the Military Medal, and two Bars for conspicuous service, he deserves more recognition and I can't help but feel if he wasn't just a working class boy that he would have had that recognition. (4)
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Hodges, Edward (SN 1078) 13 Malakoff Street, St Kilda. Edward, born in Balaclava to Angus and Annie Hodges, was 19 years old when he enlisted on January 11, 1915; his next of kin was his mother Mrs Annie Bailey of 13 Malakoff Street and his occupation was a farm hand. Edward Returned to Australia March 23, 1919. In 1924 he married Eileen Coyne and they had four daughters - Bernice, Wilma, Margaret and Valarie. Edward also enlisted to serve in World War Two in April 1941 (SN V92230). His occupation at the time was a cleaner in the Defence Department; he was discharged in August 1944 due to his age, which was 49, and chronic bronchitis. Edward died in 1969, aged 74.
Osborne - Three sons of William and Johanna (nee Griffin) Osborne, of 23 Malakoff Street, St Kilda enlisted in the First A.I.F. - Vincent, Paul and Joseph. They all survived the war and returned home.
Osborne, Vincent Bernard (SN 8988) 23 Malakoff Street, St Kilda. Vincent, the eldest of the three boys who enlisted was born in Warrnambool in 1893. He enlisted at the age of 21 years, 10 months on July 17, 1915. His occupation was a diamond setter, an unusual occupation. Vincent Returned to Australia April 27, 1919 and he married Matilda Kathleen McAllister in 1921. They are listed in the Electoral Rolls at Rosanna and later at West Brunswick; his occupation was watchmaker. Vincent died on July 10, 1958, aged 64.
Osborne, Paul Clement (SN 1034) 23 Malakoff Street, St Kilda. Paul was 19 years and 2 months old when he enlisted on November 10, 1914. He was born in Warrnambool in 1895 and was a sawyer. He embarked in June 1915, but before he left he married Beatrice Coulthard, the sister of Roland and Walter, as listed above, of 29 Malakoff Street. After four years, Paul Returned to Australia December 24, 1918. Paul was a plumber and he and Beatrice lived at various addresses in St Kilda, Prahran and Malvern; they had two children, both born in St Kilda, Claude in 1915 and Norma in 1920. Paul died in 1959, aged 63 and Beatrice in 1993, aged 98.
Osborne, Joseph Alphonsus (SN 51669) 23 Malakoff Street, East St Kilda. Joseph, a grocer, had just turned 18 when he enlisted on April 19, 1917, he had been born in St Kilda in 1900. His parents did not allow him to embark for overseas service until he turned nineteen, thus it was June 1918 before he sailed. He Returned to Australia July 22, 1919. Joseph married Marjorie Margaret Reynolds in 1933 and they lived at 13 Arthur Street, Moonee Ponds. His occupation in the Electoral Rolls was a transport officer. Joseph died on July 16, 1961 aged 60, leaving behind Marjorie and children Eileen, William and John.
Young, Gavin Glenday (SN 8011) 11 Malakoff Street, East St Kilda. Gavin enlisted on July 22, 1915. He was 31 years old and his occupation was Slot collector, Gas Company. He embarked in November 1915 and Returned to Australia March 28, 1919. Gavin was born in Macedon in 1884 to David and Isabella (nee Smith) Young. He married Alice Lucy Wilson in 1913; he died on June 16, 1950, aged 66 at their home at 20 Packer Street, Murrumbeena.
Malakoff Street, Malvern/Caulfield
Aitken, Herbert (SN 3676) Chatterton, 24 Malakoff Street, Caulfield. Herbert was a 25 year old mechanical engineer when he enlisted on August 3, 1915. In September 1916, whilst serving in France, he suffered a gun shot wound to the arm (severe); after treatment he returned to the Front and in May 1918 was shot in both legs and the left thigh. Herbert Returned to Australia September 15, 1918 and was discharged on medical grounds in the December. Herbert was born in Geelong in 1890 to Charles and Alice (nee Cooper) Aitken. After the War Herbert was listed in the Electoral Rolls at Oakleigh, occupation mechanic. He died in 1958 aged 67.
Edwards, Murray Francis (SN 545) Corona, Malakoff Street, Malvern. Murray was a 28 year old Mining Engineer when he enlisted on September 14, 1915 in the 2nd Company Miners Corp. After serving overseas he Returned to Australia on April 21, 1918 for discharge due to pleurisy. Murray was born in Malvern in 1887 to Edward and Mary (nee Murray) Edwards. After the War Murray was listed in the Electoral rolls at various addresses in the Caulfield-Malvern area and his occupation was a manger and later a merchant. He died in 1964, aged 77 at the Repatriation Hospital.
Gartly, John George (SN 5966) 22 Malakoff Street, Malvern. John enlisted on March 11, 1916; he was a 35 year old salesman and had been born in Richmond, the son of Robert and Mary Ann (nee Strachan) Gartly. Before he Returned to Australia September 6, 1919 he was granted two months leave to study Wholesale Trade at Messrs Buckley and Nunn Ltd in London. In 1920, John joined the firm of Grutzner & Tobias, Furriers, operated by Albert Grutzner, whose premises were in Queens Walk, off Collins Street; by the end of that year the company was known as Grutzner and Gartly. (5) John married Florence Lilian Thorpe in 1924 and they lived in Malvern He died on July 3, 1954, aged 74.
Johnston, John George (SN 3052) 28 Malakoff Street, Malvern. John, born in Bendigo, enlisted on July 12, 1915. He was a 39 year old electric tram fitter. His next of kin was his wife Minnie Riverina (nee Wright); her middle name came from the fact that she was born in the Riverina at Deniliquin. John Returned to Australia March 21, 1919. After his return the couple lived in Buxton Street, Elsternwick and John resumed his employment with the Tramways. John died on July 7, 1950 aged 74. As you can see from his death notice, below, he was the father of William, Jean, John, George and Marjorie; George was the journalist, war correspondent and novelist, whose perhaps most famous novel is My Brother Jack. (6)
Lamont, Robert William (SN 33) Springburn, Malakoff Street, Malvern. Robert enlisted on August 17, 1914 and embarked two months later; he was a 23 year old clerk. He served in the Gallipoli campaign and in France. He Returned to Australia October 23, 1918. Robert was born in St Kilda in 1890 to Malcolm and Harriet (nee Forsythe) Lamont. After the War Robert lived in Narong Road in Caulfield and continued his occupation as a clerk. He married Doris Lanceter in 1930 and they had two sons, Ian and Wallace, and later moved moved to McCrae. Robert died on September 6, 1963.
Watts - Harold and Arthur were the sons of Thomas Salter Watts and his wife Anna (nee Ankatell). They were born in Caulfield. When they enlisted their next of kin was their mother, Anna, of Ki-u, Malakoff Street; their father had died in 1910.
Watts, Thomas Harold Anketell (SN 334/6440) Ki-u, Malakoff Street, Malvern. Harold, as he was called, enlisted on August 15, 1914. He was a 27 year old builder. He was sent back to Australia for change in January 1916 and re-embarked in November 1916; during this time back in Melbourne he married Beatrice Elizabeth Ripper. In October 1917 he suffered gun shot wounds to his thigh, left knee and neck. Harold Returned to Australia December 12, 1918. After the War, the couple lived for a time in Merino, in the Western District, where they operated a farm and they later moved back to Melbourne - Camberwell then Balwyn. Harold died on August 16, 1971 aged 84.
Watts, Arthur Thomas Salter (SN 7118) Ki-u, Malakoff Street, Malvern. Arthur was a 27 year old grocers assistant when enlisted on April 3, 1916. He embarked in November 1916 and then Returned to Australia July 22, 1917 and was medically discharged in the November of that year due to rheumatic pain. Arthur married Mary Alma Stonehouse in 1919 and they lived around Camberwell, Auburn area. Arthur's occupation was listed as a salesman and a porter; he seemed to have various jobs. Arthur and Mary had four children - Eileen, Robert, Ian and Wilma. Arthur died on November 2, 1965 aged 76
Footnotes
(1) https://www.britannica.com/event/Crimean-War
(5) I am basing this information on - The Argus, April 2, 1917, see here; advertisements for staff - The Age, October 11, 1919, see here; this advertisement - Table Talk, May 13, 1920, see here; and this Table Talk, November 4, 1920, see here.
