World War One Soldiers with a connection to Bangholme

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.

A memorial service was held for Private Blackmore at a Methodist service at the Bangholme State School on October 14, 1917.

 Spectator and Methodist Chronicle, November 28, 1917. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154178611

Cameron, Dugald (SN 2839A) Dugald was a 40 years old farmer when he enlisted, on March 11, 1916. He Returned to Australia January 16, 1919. Dugald was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file, here, on the Battle to Farm website.
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.

George Cameron had been declared Missing, before it was confirmed that he was Killed in Action and the local paper reported this. 

Dandenong Advertiser November 8, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88818555

Gamble, John Clement (SN 1925) John enlisted on March 11, 1916, he was a 27 year old farmer. he was born in Malvern and his next of kin was his mother,  Mrs Mary Wines, whose address is listed as Mailor's Flat, Warrnambool. John Returned to Australia April 8, 1918 and was discharged on medical grounds - Trench Fever and Pleurisy. John's address is listed as Dandenong in the Embarkation Roll, his address in the 1919 Electoral Roll is Harwood Road and in 1921 he is listed at Clyde North. John was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.

Gambles,  William Denis  (SN 887) William was a 19 year old farmer when he enlisted on August 18, 1914.  His next of kin was his mother, who lived in York in England. William was Killed in Action on September 20, 1917 in Belgium. What was his connection to Bangholme? The Dandenong Advertiser of November 1, 1917 had the following report - which mentions that William was working for George Williams of Hammond Road. Was Hammond Road considered to be Bangholme? It does connect to Bangholme Road and there is a report (8) that Mr Williams spoke at a  function at the Bangholme School on April 27, 1916, where local soldiers were given a presentation before they left the district, so that's enough of a connection to give William a place in this blog post.

Notice about the death of Private William Gambles

Dandenong Advertiser, November 1 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88819005

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.

A report of planning meeting for a 'send off' to be held for Bangholme soldiers, 

at the State school on April 27. 

The Pullar boys, their surname is actually Pillar.

South Bourke and Mornington Journal April 20, 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66189742

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. 

Michael Holschier's death notice.

The Age October 20, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155176752

The report of the 'send off' held on April 27, 1916 at the Bangholme State School for local boys - Corporal Holschier, G. Pillar, H. Pillar, F. Blackmore, D. Cameron, M. Thompson and J. Keating were present, and Privates D. Jamieson, J. Gamble and Lewis, J. Giles and Hayes, who could not be present. I believe, as I said before, that Michael's name was incorrectly listed as Halshaw in an earlier report of this function (see newspaper report under Giles)

South Bourke & Mornington Journal, May 11, 1916  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66189819

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.

William Hume was recruited at the function at the Bangholme State School, held April 27, 1916

South Bourke & Mornington Journal, May 11, 1916  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66189819

Jamieson, Duncan (SN 1946)  Duncan was 35 years old when he enlisted on March 11, 1916. His occupation was farmer and his next of kin was John Jamieson, his parents were listed as deceased, so I presume John was his brother.  Duncan Returned to Australia June 10, 1919. Duncan was granted a Soldier Settlement farm in Lyndhurst, you can read his file, on the Battle to Farm website, here.

Keating, Thomas Francis (SN 6294)  There is a J. Keating listed in the 'send off' function of April 27, 1916  referred to previously and at first I thought it might refer to William Joseph Keating (SN 3204 of Dandenong) but he enlisted in August 1918, so that wasn't him. Then I found  a listing of Dandenong Shire volunteers (see here) (11)   and it lists a T. Keating -  and I believe Thomas is the man referred to. Thomas enlisted on May 24, 1916 - he was 35 years old and a labourer. He was born in Skipton and his next of kin was his mother, Matilda, of Skipton.  Thomas was Killed in Action on August 23, 1918. What was his connection to Bangholme?  His address on enlistment was Carrum. His Will lists his sister, Margaret Curley, of Carrum as his executor. The Electoral Roll in 1919  has Margaret Curley at Thompson Road, Carrum and her husband, Matthew Michael Curley,  at Thompson Road, Lyndhurst so in between Carrum and Lyndhurst is Bangholme.  I believe this discrepancy just reflects the fluidity of place names at the time.

Lewis, Albert Reginald (SN 83) Albert was a 25 year old farm worker from Dandenong when he enlisted on March 10, 1916. His next of kin was his father,  Samuel, who lived in England. Albert Returned to Australia June 12, 1919.

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.

Solley, Henry (Captain)  Henry was 44 when he enlisted on February 23, 1916 as a Lieutenant. He was born in England had already served 21 years in the Army, including serving in India  and five years in the Civilian Military Force. His next of kin was his wife, Annie, they had three children and lived at 104 Victoria Avenue, Albert Park. Henry was promoted to Captain in October 1917. He Returned to Australia May 29, 1919. The connection to Bangholme came in June 1916, when Mrs Solley sent a letter to the Army Records that she had changed her address to Island Road, Dandenong. I feel she must have had relatives in the area. The family were obviously connected to the Methodist Church at Bangholme as Captain Solley was listed on their Honor Roll (see below).

A report on the first anniversary of the Bangholme Methodist Church and Sunday School, held on Janaury 14, 1917. It also mentioned that a Methodist Roll of Honor was unveiled.

South Bourke & Mornington Journal January 25, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66191400

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.

Presentation to Francis Turner

South Bourke & Mornington Journal September 21, 1916 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66190648

Trove list  - I have created a list of newspaper reports on Trove, about the soldiers who enlisted from the town of Bangholme, in the First World War. There are also some articles on the opening of the School and the Memorial Hall. You can access the list here

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)

(6) School location - the article from 1915 says it was on the corner of Harwood and Bangholme Road; Vision & Realisation, says the school was also on the corner of the Bangholme and Harwood Rds .... Harwood Road has since been named Worsley Road at this point. The advertisement (see below) about the sale of the school property in 1993 has the address as Bangholme Road, close to Worsley Road, which is the location of the school in every Melway Street Directory from Edition 1, 1966 to Edition 21, 1991/92.  Harwood Road, is south of and parallel to Bangholme Road; I can't explain the inconsistencies with the address.   [Vision and Realisation: a centenary history of State Education in Victoria (Education Department of Victoria, 1973)]

Location of Bangholme School. 

Perry Road becomes Worsley Road, south of Bangholme Road. 

Image: from Map 94, Melway Street Directory 1977 Edition 10 (Melway Publishing P/L)

(7) Dandenong Advertiser, January 28, 1915, see here. the school closed around 1992 and the site was advertised for sale in April 1993

Bangholme School site advertised for sale

The Age April 15, 1993, p. 19 from newspapers.com

(8) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, May 11, 1916, see here.  

(9) Dandenong Advertiser, July 25 1918, see here.

(10) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, May 14 1914, see here.

(11) Dandenong Advertiser, September 20, 1917, see here.

(12) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, September 21, 1916, see here

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

The Ordiyal Estate at Clyde.

The Ordiyal Estate at Clyde was located at in the Parish of Sherwood - Sections 8 and 19, part sections 9, 10, 11 and 12 and Portions 47, 48 and 49 - all up just over 2,469 acres. It has connections to two notable names connected to the history of Victoria.

The land was originally part of John Bakewell's holdings. John Bakewell was a member of the influential partnership of Mickle, Bakewell and Lyall who arrived in the Western Port area in 1851. John Mickle (1814 - 1885) and John Bakewell (1807 - 1888) were business partners in Melbourne from 1847 and they were soon joined by William Lyall (1821 - 1888) whose sister Margaret was the wife of John Mickle.  In 1851 they acquired the Yallock Run (based on the Yallock Creek, south of Koo Wee Rup). In 1852 they acquired the Tooradin run and in 1854 they acquired the Great Swamp run and at one stage they occupied nearly all the land from Cranbourne to Lang Lang. After Government land sales in 1856 the trio subdivided their jointly owned land. Bakewell’s portion included Tooradin, Tobin Yallock, the Bluff and Warrook on the Yallock Creek. Mickle received the Upper Yallock blocks which he renamed Monomeith. Lyall received the Yallock pre-emptive right and the remaining land. William and Annabella Lyall built Harewood house in the 1850s and the property remained in the Lyall family until 1967. John Bakewell died in England in 1888 (1).

In the 1860s Bakewell leased out his properties - the Ordiyal property, also called Oordiyalyal (and listed as Cordigalgal by Niel Gunson in The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire) was taken up by W.S. Cox, who is the first notable name to own the property (2). Dr Gunson says that in October 1877, Cox purchased the land (3). W. S. Cox was William Samuel Cox (1831-1895). He was a racehorse owner, established the Moonee Valley racecourse in 1882 and is the namesake for the Cox Plate horse race. The race was established in 1922 and  is a race for three year old thoroughbreds. It was originally run over 9 and a half furlongs or 2,090 yards and is now 2,040 metres (4).The Racing Victoria website says that Cox took pains to ensure that the racing was honest and to offer sufficient prizemoney to attract a good class of horse. He also had a flair for timing, and he secured an October meeting on the Saturday before the VRC Derby, which remains today as the meeting at which the Cox Plate and Moonee Valley Cup are run (5). 

The first mention I can find in the papers of William Cox at the property was in The Weekly Times of August 17, 1877 Having seen one or two winners by Chieftain at Benalla and Deniliquin, it is evident that he imparts the family characteristics to his stock. He should have a most successful season at Oordiyalyal, near Cranbourne, where Mr. Cox has placed him at the service of the public at the low figure of 5 guineas (6).

In November 1883, Cox put Oordiyalyal as he called it, up for sale, along with his Sherwood Forest estate, which adjoined it to the south (7). 

Plan of Oordiyalyal and Sherwood Forest Estates, 1883. 

The northern boundary of the property is Ballarto road.

State Library of Victoria.

Click on this link if you wish to see an enlarged version of the plan http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/293703

I assume it was at this sale that Robert Chirnside (1830 - 1902) the second notable name connected to Ordiyal,  purchased the property.  Robert Chirnside was the nephew of Thomas Chirnside (1815 - 1887) and Andrew Chirnside (1818-1890).  Thomas had arrived in Australia in 1839, and Andrew the next year and they prospered and acquired various farming properties and their wealth was showcased by the construction of the grand mansion, Werribee Park, from 1873 which was completed late 1877 or early 1878. Robert was the son of Peter and Margaret (nee Bell) Chirnside and he arrived in Australian in 1857 to manage the Werribee run for his uncle Thomas (8). 

Werribee Park mansion built by brothers Thomas and Andrew Chirnside in the 1870s.

South East View of Werribee Park Mansion. (The Property of T. and A. Chirnside, Esqs.), 1880. Photographer: Fred Kruger.

State Library of Victoria Image H24834

In 1868, Robert married Margaret Forbes, whose grandfather was the Reverend James Clow (1790 - 1861).  Clow was a Presbyterian Minister, the first one in Victoria, who arrived in Melbourne in 1837 and had land and a house on the corner of Lonsdale and Swanston Street. Clow took up the Tirhatuan Run in August 1838. This run takes in parts of modern day Dandenong, Endeavour Hills and Narre Warren  North, and he built  a homestead, just north of what is now Wellington Road, Rowville.  Clow Street in Dandenong is named after him (9).  Robert was the first cousin of Andrew Chirnside (1855 - 1834) the son of the Andrew Chirnside, mentioned above. Andrew Jnr was married to Winifred Sumner and they owned Edrington at Berwick. The couple both died within three months of each other in 1934 and Edrington passed to Lady Casey and her brother, Colonel Rupert Ryan, niece and nephew of Winifred (10).

Back to Robert Chirnside, he had extensive land holdings apart from Ordiyal. He owned and lived at Mount Rothwell at Little River and he also had Weering, Mowyong and Green Meadows. We know this because in 1886 he put the entire estate up lease for five years, as he was visiting Europe. Weering of 11,172 acres was advertised as being available as a stand alone property, but Little River, Mowying, Green Meadows and Ordiyal were to be let as  a whole - 16,838 acres, the advertisement said that It has been decided to let these properties as a whole, because they are found to work so well together. The Ordiyal property had a three-roomed cottage, kitchen and bedroom and was described as a fine summer country, and carries a large number of stock, Mr. Chirnside having had 7000 sheep on it from December until the end of April this year, and it carried them well (11). 

Lease of Robert Chirnsides properties, including Ordiyal

Australasian October 16, 1886 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/142438195

Robert Chirnside died on May 3, 1902 and left an estate of  £83,000. The Geelong Advertiser said he was apparently not as wealthy a man as many people expected (12). The weight of expectation in being a Chirnside! In November 1902,  Ordiyal, listed as 2,469 acres was for sale.  It obviously did not sell as in January 1904 it was advertised for lease (13). In March 1906 it was listed for sale again, by the Trustees in the estate of the late Robert Chirnside - This estate comprises several hundred acres of rich black flats, running from the homestead down towards the railway line. It is all maiden country which has not been cultivated for a number of years, and has been used as a sheep run for a very long time, and is now in good heart. The situation is one of the best. The Great Southern line divides the property which runs right down to the Clyde railway station. The improvements consist of a good W.B house and stable (14). 

Sale of Ordiyal by auction

The Age March 24, 1906 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/18539860

The property did not sell this time either and it wasn't until June 1909 that it could be reported that the Sale on behalf of behalf of Mr. Peter Chirnside, of Mount Rothwell, Little River, his Ordiyal Estate, Cranbourne, containing 2,500 acres to Messrs. Hagelthorn and Keenan (15).  Peter was the third of Robert and Margaret's ten children (16).  Hagelthorn and Keenan quickly moved the property on as The Age reported on July 22, 1909 that Messrs. G. Power and Co. (Frank Boileau, auctioneer), Bourke-street (in conjunction with Messrs. Edwin Eagland and Co. Drouin), report the recent sale of 1200 acres and 248 acres of the Ordiyal Estate, Clyde, purchased in June last by Hagelthorn and Keenan from Peter Chirnside, to W. V. Bailey, of Garden House, Malvern, and Thomas Twyford, of Clyde, respectively, for close on £9500. It is Mr. Bailey's intention to improve his 1200 acres, and submit it to public auction, in small farms in the near future. The remaining 1000 acres of the Ordiyal Estate are under offer to northern and local buyers (17). 

Sale of Ordiyal

The Age July 22, 1909 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/198486691

As this is when Ordiyal was sub-divided, then this is where we will leave the history of the property, apart from an explanation of the name.  On December 6, 1932 The Argus reported on a a scout camp at Gilwell Park in Gembrook - The camp will be known as the Lone "Oordiyalyal" a name new to scouting, but familiar to some of the Victorian aboriginals as a term for the "gathering of the tribes"  (18).

Trove list - I have created a list of newspaper articles on the Ordiyal property at Clyde on Trove, it can be accessed here. 

Footnotes
(1) I have written about Mickle, Bakewell and Lyall, here.
(2) Gunson, Niel The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire (Cheshire, 1968), p. 123.
(3) Ibid.
(4) The Age, October 16, 1922, see here.

(5) https://www.racingvictoria.com.au/the-sport/racing/australian-racing-museum/hall-of-fame/associates/ws-cox-family
(6) Weekly Times, August 18, 1877, see here.
(7) The Herald, October 13, 1883, see here.
(8) The information about the Chirnside family comes from Wool Past the Winning Post: A history of the Chirnside family by Heather Ronald (Landvale Enterprises, 1978). Mrs Ronald (nee Lambert) and her husband Peter lived at Pakenham at Koo Man Goo Nong; P.B. Ronald Reserve is named after Mr Ronald, who was  local Councillor. Mrs Ronald's mother, Violet Lambert (nee Barry)  has the distinction of being  the first woman in Victoria to be elected a Shire Councillor, when she stood for the Shire of Fern Tree Gully in 1931.
(9) Reverend James Clow - read his Australian Dictionary of Biography Entry, here.
(10) Read Lord Casey's entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, here;  read Lady Casey's entry, here. I have written about Lady Casey, here.
(11) The Australasian October 16, 1886, see here. 
(12) Geelong Advertiser, July 5, 1902, see here.
(13) The Argus, January 30, 1904, see here.
(14) The Age March 24, 1906, see here. 
(15) The Argus, June 2 1909, see here.
(17) See footnote 8
(18) The Argus, December 6, 1932, see here.

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

Cranbourne Presbyterian Church Honour Board

The Cranbourne Presbyterian Church Honour Roll is now housed at the Fishermans Cottage Museum at Tooradin. The Museum is operated by the Cranbourne Shire Historical Society. It's a beautiful board, in a Gothic ecclesiastical style and was originally unveiled in the Church on Christmas Day, 1919, by Chaplain-Colonel McCrae Stewart. At the same service, a marble tablet was unveiled to the memory of James and William Lecky. The Presbyterian Church was opened on May 27, 1860 and replaced by the existing building which was officially opened February 14, 1953 (1).   

The Cranbourne Presbyterian Church Honour Board

Photo: Michelle McLean

What follows is a list on the men on the Honour Board,  their fate (i.e. when they Returned to Australia after active service or when they were Killed in Action) and their Service Number (SN) so you can look up their full service record on the National Archives website (www.naa.gov.au)

Baker, Alexander George  (SN 1782) Alexander enlisted on June 11, 1915 at the age of 22. He was a farmer and his next of kin was his father, Mr J. W Baker of Lyndhurst. Alexander was awarded the Military Medal in 1917. He Returned to Australia April 8,  1919

The T. Bell listed on the Honour Roll is either Thomas Bell (SN 340) or Thomas Bell (SN 3773) They are both Presbyterian.
Bell, Thomas (SN 340) Thomas was one month off 25 years of age when he enlisted on January 18, 1915. His next of kin was his father, J. Bell of Cranbourne and his occupation was farm labourer. Thomas Returned to Australia January 2, 1919.
Bell, Thomas Stanley (SN 3773) Thomas enlisted on August 12, 1915 aged 23, he was a labourer.  His next of kin was his mother, Mary Ann Bell of St Germains, Clyde. Thomas Returned to Australia October 18, 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds on January 21, 1918. In June 1917 he had been wounded - 'Gun shot wound chest penetrating' was the description of the wound. Thomas is also listed on the Cardinia State School Honor Board and was honoured by a tree in the Memorial Grove planted at the School. You can read about this, here.

Bethune, Rupert Charles (SN 3672) Rupert enlisted at the age of 26 on July 24, 1915. He was a labourer. His next of kin was his widowed mother, Mrs Annie Meade of Cranbourne, who later moved to  Lyndhurst. Rupert was Killed in Action in France on July 19, 1916. His parents were Alexander and Annie (nee Hudson) Bethune.

Report of the death of Rupert Bethune and Thomas Leopold Gaborit. Rupert and Thomas were both Killed in Action July 19, 1916, however it wasn't until a Court of Enquiry held the next year in August 1917 that their fate was officially determined.

Dandenong Advertiser September 20, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88817939

Bethune, William Charles (SN 3262) William was a 20 year old grocer when he enlisted on June 30, 1917, his next of kin was his widowed mother, Mrs Susie Bethune, of Cranbourne. William Returned to Australia on July 23, 1919. William also served in World War Two, when he had the rank of Captain. His parents were Kenneth and Susie (nee Brown) Bethune.

Brunt, Robert Harold  (SN 26769) Robert is the son of  William Brunt and  Mary Jane (nee Espie), who lived at Spring Villa, where the Settlement Hotel is now located. William was a Cranbourne Shire Councillor from 1904 to 1923. Robert enlisted on February 26, 1916 aged 27, he was a farmer, and Returned to Australia on May 31, 1919. Brunt Street in Cranbourne is named for the family (2). 

Cameron, Alexander Gordon (SN 1688) Alexander enlisted on June 28, 1915 at the age of 23. he was a farmer. His next of kin was his mother, Mary Ann Cameron of Heatherleigh in Cranbourne. Alexander Returned to Australia May 15, 1919. Alexander's father was Ewen (1860-1903) and his mother Mary Ann (1859- 1947)  was also a Cameron and she was the daughter of early Cranbourne pioneer, Alexander Cameron (1814-1881) who took up the Mayune run in 1851 and purchased the pre-emptive right of the property which he re-named Mayfield; he was also a member of the Cranbourne Road Board from 1863 until 1867. Cameron Street in Cranbourne is named for the family (3). 

Daws, James  (SN 3809)  James was 18 years old when he enlisted on July 16, 1915. He was an engine driver and his next of kin was his father, Abraham Daws, of Codringtton Street, Cranbourne. James was Killed in Action in France on May 3, 1917.

James Daws - Killed in Action.

Photographer: Darge Photographic Company.Australian War Memorial Image DA13442

Greaves, Charles Forrester (SN 13156) Charles enlisted on July 10, 1915 aged 24. He was a farmer.  Charles Returned to Australia May 6, 1919.
Greaves, Sydney Alexander (SN 6523) Sydney enlisted at the age of 23 on July 16, 1915. He was a farmer, and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant during his service. He Returned to Australia May 29, 1919.
Charles and Sydney were the sons of of Edwin and Margaret (nee Forrester) Greaves of The Springs, Berwick. Edwin's brother, William, owned Picnic Park at Lyndhurst (4). 

Hallyburton, Adam Benjamin  (SN 391) Adam enlisted at the age of 21 on February 3, 1915. He was a farmer. Adam was Killed in Action in France on July 27, 1918. His next of kin was his father, William Bow Hallyburton of Cranbourne. William and his wife, Lillian, later moved to Caulfield.  In December 1917, Mr and Mrs Hallyburton generously donated two blocks of land in Cranbourne to be raffled with the proceeds going to the Red Cross and the Lady Mayoress' Patriotic League.

Report of the Hallyburton raffle

Lang Lang Guardian, December 22, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119514934

Hill, Leslie Victor (SN 64207) Leslie first enlisted on November 27, 1917 - claimed he was 18 and his next of kin was his father, Leslie of Nilma, this was, of course, all lies. His father sent  a stern letter asking how it is that the military authorities have taken him in as he was not only underage but didn't have his parent's permission. He was discharged on March 14, 1918 because  he was underage (he was born January 13, 1900) but then he re-enlisted less than two months later, on May 1.  This time he truthfully said that his father was Samuel Hill of Tooradin Park in Tooradin. He was sent overseas to Egypt, where he arrived in October 1918 and he Returned to Australia on July 3, 1919.

Letter from Samuel Hill asking how his son could have enlisted as he was under 18 and did not have his parents permission.

National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au   First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920

Innes, Peter  (SN 1757)  Listed as Innis on the Honour Board. Peter was 33 when he enlisted on January 5, 1915. He had been born in Scotland and was a farm labourer. Peter was killed at Gallipoli four months later on August 6, 1915. His next of kin was his brother, William, of Hicksborough, near Wonthaggi.  Peter was a resident of Cranbourne when he enlisted and his death was reported in the 'Patriotic News' section of the South Bourke and Mornington Journal, as the first from our district to fall at the front. 

Report on the death of Peter Innes.

South Bourke and Mornington Journal September 23, 1915  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66188498

Kennedy, Alexander Stewart  (SN 2131) Alexander enlisted at the age of 31 on March 2, 1916. His occupations were listed as 'farmer and general smith'. His next of kin was his wife, Helen Quinn Kennedy of Clyde. His enlistment papers say that he had spent five years with the Tooradin Rifle Club. Alexander Returned to Australia January 24, 1919.

Kirkham, Malcolm (SN 913)  Malcolm was 29, and a farmer from Lyndhurst, when he enlisted on June 8, 1915. He was the son of William Edward and Margaret (nee McLellan) Kirkham.  Lieutenant Kirkham was Killed in Action in France on September 2, 1918. Some sources say that the Lyndhurst Memorial Hall was built in his and Charles Payne's honour. You can read my history of the Lyndhurst Memorial Hall, here. 

This tribute to Malcolm Kirkham and Mervyn Lecky was in the South Bourke & Mornington Journal. The rest of the article is below, under the Lecky Brothers entry.

South Bourke and Mornington Journal October 10, 1918.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66194848

Laidlaw, Rodney Goulburn (SN 2037) Rodney was a blacksmith and enlisted  on April 18, 1917 at the age of 28. His next of kin was his father, Robert Laidlaw, of Cranbourne.  He Returned to Australia on May 6, 1919. Interestingly, Rodney was born in Tatura which is in the Goulburn Valley and also part  of the old Shire of Rodney, which may have influenced his parents when they were naming him.

Lecky, James Alexander (SN 19922) James enlisted on February 25, 1916 at the age of 25. He died of 'wounds received in action' in France on November 14, 1918. The wound was a gun shot wound to the chest, which he sustained on October 25 1918.
Lecky, William Mervyn (SN 6612) William enlisted on June 15, 1915 aged 20. He was killed in Action in France on September 1, 1918.
James and William were the sons of James and Margaret (nee Duff) Lecky of Cardinia Park in Officer. James (1841-1939) was a Cranbourne Shire Councillor from 1876 until 1905. Their grandfather, also James (1802-1884) had taken up the Gin Gin Bean Run (later named Cardinia Park) at Officer in 1846 and he was a member of the Cranbourne Road Board and the Cranbourne Shire from 1860 until 1881. Lecky Road in Officer/Pakenham is named for the family (5). The brothers are also listed on the Cardinia State School Honor Board and were honoured by a tree in the Memorial Grove planted at the School. You can read about this, here.

This tribute to Malcolm Kirkham and Mervyn Lecky was in the South Bourke & Mornington Journal. The rest of the article is above, under the Malcolm Kirkham's  entry.

South Bourke and Mornington Journal October 10, 1918.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66194848

McLellan, Donald (SN 2207) Donald was a 19 year old labourer, when he enlisted on May 1, 1916. He was born at Lyndhurst and his next of kin was his father, Alexander of Ferndale, Cranbourne. Alexander Returned to Australia on June 10, 1919. 

Morris, Philip Samuel (SN 1509) Philip enlisted at the age of 34 on September 6, 1918. He served in Rabaul in New Guinea and then was seconded to the Department of Agriculture over there and Returned to Australia on January 28 1920 and was discharged on medical grounds (post-malarial debility) on March 7, 1920.  His next of kin on enlistment was his wife, Minnie, and his address was Ellamatta, Cranbourne and his occupation was orchardist. 

Pitcher, Claude  William Leonard (SN 2552)  Claude enlisted on February 26, 1916, aged 21. He was a farmer and his next of kin was his father, John, of Cranbourne,  He Returned to Australia July 31, 1918 after being wounded including sustaining a gun shot wound to his right shoulder, and discharged on October 14, 1918.

The original Presbyterian Church at Cranbourne, which would have been a familiar sight to all the men on the Honour Board.

Photo: Cranbourne Shire Historical Society.

Read, George Alfred  (SN 1636) George enlisted at the age of 21 on November 10, 1916. He was a farmer. His next of kin at the time was his father, William, of Myrtle Cottage, Cranbourne.  George Returned to Australia on December 21, 1919.

Reeves, Albert Reginald (SN 629) I believe that this is Albert Reginald Reeves as he is the only A.R Reeves I can find who enlisted. Albert was farm labourer, so could have worked on a local farm, but I can't find  a specific local connection.  He enlisted on July 20, 1915 at the age of one month off 23 years of age. He was born in Essex in England and his next of kin was his father, who also lived in Essex. Albert Returned to Australia on April 19, 1919.

Ryland, Arthur Anderson (SN 2553) Arthur enlisted at the age of 21 on March 23, 1916. His next of kin was his mother, Amelia Ryland of Clyde; his father Alfred having already died.  He stayed in France after the War ended and was attached to the Australian Base Depot and on September 29, 1919 he married Marie Jeanne Hureaux at the Town Hall in Argenteuil, in France.   He Returned to Australia on February 2, 1920. What happened to Marie? Did she come to Australia? In the 1925 Electoral Roll Arthur is listed at Duff Street Cranbourne with the interesting occupation, Picture Showman. Also at the address is his mother, Amelia, and  Hilda Alice Ryland, his sister, who was a dressmaker. In the 1930s Arthur was President of the Cranbourne Football Club, on the Recreation Reserve Committee and President of the Cranbourne Band Committee and gave his sister Ruth 'away' at her marriage to Thomas Facey, amongst other things. So we know all this, but I can't tell you what happened to Marie (6).

Stark, John (SN 4311) John enlisted on July 20, 1915 at the age of 20, he was a Railway employee. His next of kin was his father, William, of Cranbourne, even though in  a letter William wrote in August 1917, he has his address listed as Devon Meadows, Cranbourne.  John was Killed in Action in France on August 18, 1916.

John Stark - Killed in Action

Photographer: Darge Photographic Company. Australian War Memorial Image DA13020

Strong, Frederick William (SN 29790) Frederick enlisted on March 23, 1916. He was 27 and a farmer. Frederick Returned to Australia May 31, 1919.
Strong, Albert Victor (SN 29789) Albert was 24 when he enlisted on the same day as his brother, Frederick. He Returned to Australia on February 7, 1919.
Frederick and Albert were both born in Portarlington and were the sons of William and Margaret (nee Mclean)  Strong of Ercildoune, Cranbourne.

Taylor, William George (SN 1740) He is listed as G. Taylor on the Honour Board, and known as George.  George was 24, a farm labourer, and had been born in Lyndhurst and  enlisted on February 17, 1916. He was the son of Richard Thomas Taylor whose address was Post Office Lyndhurst   William Returned to Australia January 8, 1919.  George was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file here on the Battle to Farm website.

Thomas, Hedley Howard (SN 4611) Hedley enlisted on September 3, 1915. He was Killed in Action in France, on July 10, 1918. He was the son of George Thomas of Clyde. His enlistment papers said that he was Methodist, but this may have been a mistake, or he may have just been very ecumenical.

A service for Kenneth Bethune, Jack and Thomas Gaborit and Hedley Thomas. 

South Bourke and Mornington Journal November 4, 1915 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66188737

Further to the article above regarding  Kenneth Bethune, Jack and Thomas Gaborit and Hedley Thomas. Jack Gaborit (SN 1743 / 1578) Returned to Australia October 14, 1918 and was discharged on medical grounds and his brother Thomas (SN 3314) was Killed in Action July 19, 1916. Thomas is mentioned in the same news report as Rupert Bethune in this post.  I can't find  a Kenneth Bethune who enlisted, so the report may refer to Rupert Bethune who was killed the same day at Thomas or it may refer to William Bethune, listed above, whose father was Kenneth. As it is, the Gaborit brothers are not on this Honour Board.

Footnotes

(1) A report of the unveiling of the Honour Board was in the South Bourke & Mornington Journal, January 8, 1910, see here. Date of the opening of the Church in 1860 is from The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire by Niel Gunson (Cheshire, 1968), p. 60. A report of the opening of the 1953 building can be read in the Dandenong Journal, February 25, 1953, see here.

(2) Family information from The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire by Niel Gunson (Cheshire, 1968) and Early Settlers of the Casey Cardinia  District (Narre Warren & District Family History Group, 2010) 

(3) Ibid.

(4) Early Settlers of the Casey Cardinia  District (Narre Warren & District Family History Group, 2010) 

(5) Family information from The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire by Niel Gunson (Cheshire, 1968) and Early Settlers of the Casey Cardinia  District (Narre Warren & District Family History Group, 2010) 

(6) Electoral Rolls are on Ancestry.com; the other information comes from various newspaper reports on Trove.

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

Great War Soldiers with a connection to Lyndhurst and Skye (Lyndhurst South)

This is a list of soldiers with a connection to the towns of Lyndhurst and Skye.  I have linked these towns together as Skye changed its name to Lyndhurst South in 1894, after a murder brought unwelcome attention to the area. It changed back to Skye in 1964 (1).  Parts of Lyndhurst have been re-named Lynbrook, but it traditionally covered the area roughly south of Abbotts Road, west of Dandenong Frankston Road, east of the South Gippsland Highway and north of Thompsons Road. Skye or Lyndhurst South roughly covered the area south of Thompsons Road, west of  McCormicks Road, north of Ballarto Road and  east of Dandenong-Hastings Road, so it included both Hall Road and Wedge Road.  All this area used to be in the Shire of Cranbourne. I have written a short history of Lyndhurst, here.

If you know of any other soldiers that I have missed, then please let me know.

You can read more about Skye in the book 100 years in Skye: 1850-1950 by Dot Morrison, published by the Mornington Peninsula Family History Society in 2004.

What follows is a list of soldiers, their connection to Lyndhurst or Skye, their fate (i.e. when they Returned to Australia after active service or when they were Killed in Action) and their Service Number (SN) so you can look up their full service record on the National Archives website (www.naa.gov.au)

Anderson, John William (SN 10579)   John was born in Lyndhurst and enlisted on December 29, 1915 aged 23. He was a share farmer and his next of kin was his father, Richard Anderson of Charman Road, Cheltenham. John Returned to Australia on May 12, 1919.

Baker, Alexander George (SN 1782)  Alexander enlisted on June 5, 1915 aged 22. He was a farmer from Lyndhurst South and his next of kin was his father, J.W. Baker, also of Lyndhurst South. Alexander was awarded the Military Medal in 1917. He Returned to Australia on April 8, 1919. Alexander is listed on the Cranbourne Presbyterian Church Honour Roll, see here.

Bassett, Thomas James (SN 2616). Thomas enlisted on July 10, 1916 at the age of 24. He was a farmer, whose address was Frankston Road, Dandenong, but he clearly had a connection to Lyndhurst as he was entertained with a 'social evening' at the Lyndhurst School, prior to his departure (see article below). His next of kin was his father, John, of the same address. Thomas Returned to Australia March 12, 1920.

A farewell to Thomas Bassett

Dandenong Advertiser, September 7, 1916  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88659855

Cairns, Godfrey Brown (SN 16080) Godfrey was born in Rosebud and he was living at Lyndhurst when he enlisted on January 27, 1916. His occupation was driver, was 28 years old and his next of kin was his father, Robert Cairns, of Fern Villa, Rosebud. He Returned to Australia on July 4, 1919.

Cozens, John Edwin  (SN 2602)  John was born at Lyndhurst and was living at Mornington Junction (the original name for Baxter) when he enlisted on August 2, 1915, at the age of 23 and eleven months. John was a labourer and his next of kin was his father, J.R. Cozens also of Mornington Junction.  John Returned to Australia on April 13, 1919.

Fisher, Culbert Cecil (16926) The unusually named Culbert enlisted on March 9, 1916 aged 18. He was a State School teacher, born in Lyndhurst and living there at the time of his enlistment. He Returned to Australia on September 25, 1919.
Culbert's wedding to Myrtle Poole was written up in Table Talk on May 28, 1925. By this time his parent's had moved to Woodend, but it seems they were sentimental enough to call their property after their original location. The account of the wedding is very comprehensive - you can read the full report, here. 

Culbert Fisher's wedding

Table Talk May 28, 1925  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/146557158/17424002 

Hope, George  (SN 1394)   George said he was born in Lyndhurst in South Australia when he enlisted at the age of  26 on August 2, 1915. He was a labourer and his next of kin was his brother, John Hope of Lyndhurst South.  George embarked to return  to Australia on March 16, 1918, however never made it home as on April 20 he went over the side of the boat and his body was never found. The inquiry said that he was in great pain from rheumatism and trench fever which caused headaches and rashes amongst other things and he had also suffered a gun shot wound to his right thigh, however the verdict was that he had fallen overboard accidentally. There is paperwork in his file saying that his real name was Robert George Chrozier and he was born at Lyndhurst in Victoria. His brother's name as next of kin was later changed to John Alexander Chrozier.  In his will he leaves everything to his cousin John Chrozier of Cranbourne (the name is also spelt as Crozier in the file). A sad ending, but you can understand with all the pain he must have been suffering, why he may have decided to end it all. I wonder why he enlisted under an assumed name.

Howse, Frederick Thomas   (SN 15911)    Frederick enlisted on October 9, 1916 when he was a 21 year old postal assistant. Thomas was born at Lyndhurst  and living in Dandenong when he enlisted. His next of kin was his father, Thomas Howse of Hutton Street, Dandenong. Frederick Returned to Australia on January 2, 1919.

Kerr, Alfred William Charles (SN 2080) Alfred was born at Lyndhurst and enlisted at the age of 21 on November 10, 1916. He was a driver. Alfred Returned to Australia on March 31, 1919. 
Kerr, Frederick John Lee (SN 3420) Frederick enlisted on June 6, 1917 when he was 18 years old. He was born in Lyndhurst and was living at Hastings at the time of enlistment. Frederick was Killed in Action in France on August 25, 1918 

Alfred  and Frederick were the sons of Gilbert and Clara (nee Kernot) Kerr of Hastings. Clara's family, the Kernots, were early settlers in Tooradin. 

Kerr, Charles Thomas  (SN 2040)   Charles was born in Lyndhurst and was a 22 year old newsagents assistant living in Albany Park in Western Australia when he enlisted on November 1, 1915.  Charles Returned to Australia on January 14, 1919. His next of kin was his father, Moses, of Upper Hawthorn.

Kirkham, Malcolm (SN 913)  Malcolm was 29, and a farmer from Lyndhurst, when he enlisted on June 8, 1915. He was the son of William Edward and Margaret (nee McLellan) Kirkham.  Lieutenant Kirkham was Killed in Action in France on September 2, 1918. Malcolm is listed on the Cranbourne Presbyterian Church Honour Roll, see here, and some sources say that the Lyndhurst Memorial Hall was built in his and Charles Payne's honour. You can read my history of the Lyndhurst Memorial Hall, here. 

McFarlane, David James  (SN 77806)  David enlisted on June 14, 1918 didn't see active service and was discharged in December 1918. He was 21 year old butcher at the time of his enlistment and was born in Lyndhurst.

McLellan, Donald (SN 2207) Donald was a 19 labourer, when he enlisted on May 1, 1916. He was born at Lyndhurst and his next of kin was his father, Alexander of Ferndale, Cranbourne. Alexander Returned to Australia on June 10, 1919. Donald is listed on the Cranbourne Presbyterian Church Honour Board, see here.

Norquay, Walter James (SN 1914)  Walter, born in Lyndhurst,  was a 27 year old Senior Postal Assistant when he enlisted on May 29, 1916. His next of kin was his wife, Dagmar of South Yarra. Walter was Killed in Action, in Belgium, on October 13, 1917. Walter was the son of James and Margaret (nee MacPherson) Norquay and the grandson of Alexander and Barbara (nee Cromarty) Norquay, who had arrived in Lyndhurst in the 1850s (2).

Payne, Charles Lyndhurst (SN 4801) Charles Lyndhurst Payne was born in Lyndhurst, and presumably named after his place of birth. He was 21 when he enlisted on April 1, 1916 and his guardian was listed as Mrs Margaret Greaves of Picnic Park, Lyndhurst.   He Died of Wounds received whilst fighting in France on April 26, 1918. Margaret Greaves (1842-1921) was married to William Greaves and was the daughter of Stephen and Alice Payne, so I presume that Charles was her nephew (3).  Some sources say that the Lyndhurst Memorial Hall was built in his and Malcolm Kirkham's honour. You can read my history of the Lyndhurst Memorial Hall, here. 

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

Reilly, Eric Campbell  (SN 479) Eric was a 26 year old farmer from Lyndhurst when he enlisted on October 13, 1914. His next of kin at the time was his father, J.L. Reilly of Queen Street, Melbourne. He was single when he enlisted but there is a note in his file dated May 7 1915 saying that he had married; his wife's name was Selina. Eric Returned to Australia on April 23, 1919. Eric was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file here on the Battle to Farm website.

Reynolds, Henry Simpson (SN 80602 / Depot) Henry, whose enlistment was announced in the Dandenong Advertiser (see below) was 34 when he enlisted on October 5, 1918. He was a Labourer.  His next of kin was his wife, Olena, of Lyndhurst South and they had six children.  Henry did not see active service and was discharged in December 1918.and 

Henry Reynolds of South Lyndhurst enlists

Dandenong Advertiser  October 17, 1918  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88816358

Smith, Frederick William  (SN 7085)  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.

Strong, Albert Victor (SN 29789) Albert enlisted on March 23, 1916, at the age of 24. He was a farmer. He Returned to Australia on February 2, 1919 and was welcomed home at a function in April 1919, see the account from the South Bourke and Mornington Journal, below, where he is listed Driver V. Strong, so was presumably known as Victor. 
Strong, Frederick William (SN 29790) Frederick enlisted on March 23, 1916, the same day as his brother, Albert. He was 27 ands was also a  farmer. Frederick Returned to Australia May 31, 1919.
Frederick and Albert, both born in Portarlington, were the sons of William and Margaret (nee McLean) Strong of Ercildoune, Cranbourne. Frederick and Albert are listed on the Cranbourne Presbyterian Church Honour Roll, see here.

Welcome home to Victor String and George Taylor

South Bourke and Mornington Journal April 17, 1919  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66195941

Taylor, William George (SN 1740) William was 24 and a farm labourer when he enlisted on February 17, 1916. He was the son of Richard Thomas Taylor, of Lyndhurst and he was also born in Lyndhurst. William Returned to Australia in January 8, 1919. William or George, as he was seemingly known as, was welcomed home at the same function in April 1919 as Victor Strong (see above).  William is listed on the Cranbourne Presbyterian Church Honour Roll, see here. George was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file here on the Battle to Farm website.

Footnotes
(1) Gunson, Niel The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire (Cheshire, 1968), pp. 59 and 157
(2) Gunson, op. cit., p. 59
(3) Morrison, Dot 100 years in Skye: 1850-1950  (Mornington Peninsula Family History Society, 2004). 

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

Lyndhurst Memorial Hall

Communities commemorated the Great War in various ways -  War Memorials, Avenues of Honour, Memorial Gates, Memorial Hospitals and Memorial Halls. This is an account of the Memorial Hall at Lyndhurst, near Dandenong.  I have written a short history of Lyndhurst, here. 

The South Bourke and Mornington Journal reported on April 25, 1912 the following - At the Cranbourne Council meeting on Saturday, 13th inst., a communication was received from eight residents of Lyndhurst making application for a piece of land as per plan forwarded, at the end
of Kirkham's lane, with a frontage to Lyndhurst road, for the purpose of erecting thereon a public hall (1). 

A year later the matter was back before the Council again as they were dealing with correspondence from the Lands Department regarding the site of the Hall and at the  May 1913 Cranbourne Shire Council meeting the following was reported -  From W. H. Peers, shire solicitor, forwarding copy of plan attached to title for allotment 24 and part of allotment 44, Lyndhurst, proposed site for public hall. On the motion of Crs Brunt and Gamble, secretary to write to owners of land re transfer of same (2). Lyndhurst Road is the same road as Dandenong-Hastings Road which is now called the Western Port Highway.

However, the Lyndhurst community had obviously been very confident obtaining  the land and  thus building a hall as in October 1912, they purchased a piano for the hall at the cost of  £40, a price which was considered a bargain according to the report in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal (3).

Report of the purchase of the piano

South Bourke and Mornington Journal October 31, 1912 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66181675

I presume that work in connection with the erection of the Hall was put on hold due to the First World War as the only reference I can find to the Hall between 1913 and 1920  was in the Koo Wee Rup Sun in July 1918 which reported on a successful dance having been held in the Lyndhurst Hall (4). This report obviously suggests the Hall was opened by 1918, however it doesn't tally with other reports about the Hall. In the 1920s there were reports about fundraising activities for what was now called the Lyndhurst Memorial Hall and these were often held at the Lyndhurst School (5) and a report from November 1920 talks about the site of the the proposed Hall (6). The earliest report that I can find to the Hall being finished, was this one, below, from the Koo Wee Rup Sun of April 7, 1921. I believe the 1918 report is incorrect and that the successful dance was held either in the Lyndhurst School or another Hall. 

From a report of Cranbourne Shire Council meeting held April 2, 1921.

Koo Wee Rup Sun April 7, 1921

This brings us to the name of the Hall. Before the War, the hall was referred to as a public hall and it wasn't until, as I said, the 1920s that the Hall was referred to as a Memorial Hall. In the Dandenong Journal of March 21, 1935, the following was reported - The Lyndhurst Memorial Hall was erected in 1922 to do honor to the late Lieut. M. Kirkham and Driver C. Payne, who paid the supreme sacrifice in the Great War (7).  Apart from the date being incorrect this is interesting as it is the first mention in the newspapers of the fact that the hall was a memorial to the two men and not all the men who had served from the area, which was more common. There are more than twenty men with a connection to Lyndhurst, who enlisted, and I have written about them here.

Here is more detail on Lieutenant Kirkham and Driver Payne -
Kirkham, Malcolm (Service Number 913) Malcolm was 29, and a farmer from Lyndhurst, when he enlisted on June 8, 1915. He was the son of William Edward and Margaret (nee McLellan) Kirkham. Lieutenant Kirkham was Killed in Action in France on September 2, 1918. Malcolm is listed on the Cranbourne Presbyterian Church Honour Roll (8).

Payne, Charles Lyndhurst (Service Number 4801) Charles Lyndhurst Payne was born in Lyndhurst, and presumably named after his place of birth. He was 21 when he enlisted on April 1, 1916 and his guardian was listed as Mrs Margaret Greaves of Picnic Park, Lyndhurst. He Died of Wounds received whilst fighting in France on April 26, 1918. Margaret Greaves (1842-1921) was married to William Greaves and was the daughter of Stephen and Alice Payne, so I presume that Charles was her nephew (9).  

The Hall was the centre of social life in Lyndhurst - it was a very active community and many fundraising functions were held - mainly balls. In 1935 it was reported In the month of October, it is estimated that approximately £50 has been raised for church, charitable and local objects, as the result of efforts in the Lyndhurst Memorial Hall (10).  They also held many functions during the Second World War to raise funds for the Red Cross. I have created a list of articles on Trove on the Lyndhurst Memorial Hall, which you can access here, and so you can read for yourself the many and varied social activities that the Hall hosted. 

However, sadly these events came to an end on the night of January 25, 1944 when the hall was destroyed by fire. The Dandenong Journal of January 26 reported the fire  the Lyndhurst Memorial Hall, which possessed one of the best dance floors in the district, was completely destroyed by fire early yesterday morning. Built in 1921 by the residents of the district as a memorial to Lieut. M. Kirkham and Dvr. C. Payne, the hall cost over £700 then and its value was increased to over £1000 by subsequent additions. It was well appointed and was one of the most popular social centres in the district. The night previous to the fire, a successful function had been held in the hall, and it is surmised that the blaze started from a smouldering cigarette butt (11).  This was a bit ironic as the Dandenong Journal of September 27, 1934 reported that the Lyndhurst Memorial Hall Social Committee meeting was held on Friday in which Objections were raised to  so much smoking being allowed in the hall, and after discussion it was decided to prohibit smoking in the main hall and kitchen; notices to be put up to that effect (12).

The Lyndhurst Social Club still continued to hold functions at other halls, such as Cranbourne and Hampton Park. A public meeting was held in May 1946 where it was decided to build the new hall in brick and the Hall committee already had £1090 in hand for the rebuilding (13).  In 1952, the Lyndhurst Progress Association wrote to the Cranbourne Shire for permission to erect a new hall (14).  But the new Hall was never built and I don't know why. It certainly wasn't for lack of community spirit. I do not have  a photo of the Memorial Hall, so if you have one in your possession I would be interested in seeing them.

A new memorial was unveiled in Lyndhurst on Remembrance Day, November 11, 2017 - it lists just eight soldiers - two from the Great War and six from the Second World War (15) -
Lieutenant Malcolm Kirkham
Driver Charles Lyndhurst Payne
Lieutenant Ivor Kenneth Allison
Private Allen John Brereton
Private Raymond George Brereton
Sergeant James Murray Thomson
Flying Officer Eric Hurlstone Renfree
Private Thomas Alfred Wear

The Memorial was funded by the City of Casey and the money that had been collected to rebuild the Lyndhurst Memorial Hall and kept in Trust for over sixty years was also used. I don't understand why they commemorated only two soldiers from the First World War to be honoured as it appears to me that the original hall was initially opened as a memorial hall for all the soldiers in the area, not just Malcolm Kirkham and Charles Payne. I am not suggesting at all that they are unworthy of the honour. Walter James Norquay, born in Lyndhurst on the property where the new memorial is located and Killed in Action is an egregious example of a man who should be on the new memorial, but was ignored. The Memorial is a wasted opportunity to honour all the men from Lyndhurst who served in the Great War and would lead the many new residents in the now suburban Lyndhurst to believe that only two men with connections to the area enlisted, when in fact there were many more (see here).  Casey Cardinia Remembers website, has a photograph and some information on this new memorial - see here.

Trove List - I have created a list of articles on Trove on the Lyndhurst Memorial Hall, which you can access here. 

Footnotes
(1) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, April 25, 1912, see here.
(2) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, June 12, 1913, see here.
(3) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, October 31, 1912, see here.
(4) Koo Wee Rup Sun, July 24, 1918, see here.
(5) See my Trove list for various reports.
(6) South Bourke and Mornington Journal, November 18, 1920, see here.
(7) Dandenong Journal, March 21, 1935, see here.
(8) Malcolm Kirkham - see his Attestation file from the National Archives of Australia, here.
(9) Charles Payne - some of the family information came from 100 years in Skye: 1850-1950 by Dot Morrison (Mornington Peninsula Family History Society, 2004). see his Attestation file from the National Archives of Australia, here. 

(10) Dandenong Journal, November 7, 1935, see here.

(11) Dandenong Journal, January 26, 1944, see here.

(12) Dandenong Journal, September 27, 1934, see here.

(13) Dandenong Journal, May 22, 1946, see here.

(14) Dandenong Journal, March 19, 1952, see here.

(15) Some World War Two files have been digitised at the National Archives of Australia. The World War Two nominal rolls are here, https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/ww2

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