Charles  ALTMANN

Service No:    1134
Rank:            Private
Unit:             24th  Infantry Battalion

Born 1892, Mt Duneed
Son of John and Helena Altman from Mt Duneed
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer
Charles enlisted 6/03/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 10/05/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A14 Euripides
Served in Gallipoli
Killed in Action 29/11/1915
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Puebla
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– Torquay Improvement Association
– Barrabool
– South Barwon
– Mt Duneed

Charles was 23 years old when he enlisted on 8 March 1915 and was appointed to complete basic training at Broadmeadows attached to the 24th Battalion. This unit had been raised in a hurry because of a surplus of recruits at the Broadmeadows training camp and a need to clear a few of them out to make more space. The battalion officially came into existence during the first week of May 1915, and the men sailed on HMAT Euripides on the tenth of that month.
The men arrived in Egypt sometime in July, and then spent the next two months catching up on the training they had missed at Broadmeadows. Then, on 28 August, they proceeded to Alexandria, boarded a ship and headed for Gallipoli, arriving there on 6 September. Once having disembarked, the men were ordered to move to Courtney’s Post, one of the furthest advance points on the heights of Anzac Cove.
Life at Courtney’s Post had been precarious from the start of the campaign, the Turkish trenches being in very close proximity. The men at the post had already repelled one large attack in May. 24 Battalion was subjected to sniper fire very quickly and the new troops hurriedly learned to duck their heads. Their stay at Courtney’s was to be short, however. Two days later, they were ordered to withdraw, occupy White’s Valley and hold the garrison position at Lone Pine.
The position at Lone Pine had been captured by Australian troops on 6 August. On a day when a number of feints were carried out (including the infamous and murderous one at The Nek) to distract the Turks from British reinforcements landing at Suvla Bay, the capture of Lone Pine stood out as a solitary victory – although at a horrendous cost in life and limb. Naturally, the Turks wanted it back, and carried out regular sniping, bombardments and attacks on the position. When it took over the garrison along with 23 Battalion, 24 Battalion was subjected to sixteen weeks of fighting that the Australian War Memorial tells us was so dangerous and exhausting that the battalions rotated between the valley and the garrison every day.
By 29 September, in addition to a significant number of casualties, the battalion diary indicated that 112 men were sick in hospital, suffering from afflictions such as dysentery. typhus and general debilitation. When October began, the remaining troops were still rotating between White’s Valley and the garrison. Even in the valley, however, they were not safe. On 10 and 11 October, the diary recorded that shrapnel and shells were continually falling on them. The men returned to the garrison on the twelfth and were subjected to continual bombing and sniping, and an enemy advance on one of their positions that was successfully repulsed. The diary indicated that the enemy fire that day was heavier than usual. The battalion spent most of November at Lone Pine with only a week relief at White’s Valley. On 29 November the temperature was freezing, lots of shells falling at Lone Pine resulting in heavy causalities for both the 23rd and 24th battalions – totalling over 100 across all ranks – Charles was one of those killed in action on 29 November.

Charles Francis ARNOLD

Service No:    2846
Rank:            Sergeant
Unit:             23rd Battalion, 6th Reinforcement

Born 1888, Highton
Son of John and Jane Arnold from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a slaughterman

Charles enlisted 22/07/1915 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 27/10/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A38 Ulysses
Served in Western Front
He was decorated with the Military Medal
Killed in Action 1/10/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Arthur Richard Edward ASHTON

Service No:    38471
Rank:            Gunner
Unit:             Field Artillery Brigade, Reinforcement 32

Born 1884, Melbourne
Son of Edward and Susan Ashton; husband of Violet from Nth Fitzroy
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a teacher

Arthur enlisted 26/02/1917 at Geelong as a married man
He embarked for overseas 26/11/1917 from Melbourne on SS Indarra
Served in France
Returned to Australia 22/08/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Frederick William AYERS

Service No:    182
Rank:            Gunner
Unit:             Siege Artillery Brigade

Born 7/2/1897, Melbourne
Son of Austin and Elizabeth Ayers; foster mother Mrs F Burge from Geelong
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Frederick enlisted 7/06/1915 at Queenscliff as a single man
He embarked for overseas 17/06/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A67 Orsova
Served in France
Returned to Australia 19/4/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Mt Duneed
– South Barwon

John Godfrey BAENSCH

Service No:    2566
Rank:            Private
Unit:             24th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement

Born 28/3/1891, Marshalltown
Son of Godfried and Margaret Baensch from Grovedale
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a tanner

John enlisted 17/07/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 27/10/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A38 Ulysses
Served in France
Died as a result of wounds received in action 8/8/1916
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon

Oswald Henry BAILEY

Service No:    11
Rank:            Sergeant
Unit:             24th Battalion, Headquarters

Born 1885, Goulburn, NSW
Son of Alexander and Mary Bailey; Wife: Jean Bailey from Dapato, NSW
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a engineer

Oswald enlisted 13/03/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 19/05/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A14 Euripides
Served in Gallipoli, France
Returned to Australia 13/02/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Muriel Mary BAKER

Service No:
Rank:            Staff Nurse
Unit:             Nurses (July 1915 – November 1918)

Born 1889, Geelong
Daughter of Joseph and Annie Baker from Belmont
Her occupation prior to enlistment was as a nurse

Muriel enlisted 26/05/1917 at  as a single man
She embarked for overseas 30/06/1917 from Melbourne on RMS Somali
Served in Salonika
Returned to Australia 22/12/1918
Her name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Muriel trained at Geelong Hospital and qualified as a Member of the Royal Victorian Trained Nursing Association and, prior to enlisting, was nursing in the Infectious Wards at Geelong Hospital.
She enlisted on 26 May 1917 aged 26 and worked at the Caulfield Military Hospital for 2 weeks prior to departure. Muriel embarked from Melbourne aboard RMS Somali on 30 June 1917 to serve in Salonika where she was posted for 19 months until falling ill herself. She arrived home in January 1919 and subsequently was discharged medically unfit on 11 July 1919.
Muriel resided in Geelong until her death on 2 October 1974.
She is named on the War Service Honour Roll Geelong & District Nurses 1914-19 in the Peace Memorial Foyer and on the Doctors and Nurses Honour Roll 1914-18 at Geelong Hospital.

William Hector BARCLAY

Service No:    540
Rank:            Private
Unit:             Anzac Cyclist Battalion, Reinforcement 2

Born 1879, Melbourne
Son of William and Angelina Barclay; husband to Ellen from Geelong
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a cook

William enlisted 14/03/1916 at Geelong as a married man
He embarked for overseas 27/06/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A37 Barambah
Served in England
Returned to Australia 8/04/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Rollo William BARKER

Service No:    14
Rank:            2nd Lieutenant
Unit:             Siege Artillery Brigade

Born 1892, Tallarook
Son of Francis and Alice Barker from Colac
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a soldier

Rollo enlisted 6/06/1915 at Queenscliff as a single man
He embarked for overseas 17/07/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A67 Orsova
Served in Western Front
Died as a result of an accident 27/02/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Robert Charles BARKER

Service No:    2613
Rank:            Private
Unit:             57th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement

Born 1893, Queenscliff
Son of Robert and Teresa Barker from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a plasterer

Robert enlisted 19/02/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 2/10/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A71 Nestor
Served in France
Returned to Australia 5/07/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Sydney Harold BARKER

Service No:    3117
Rank:            Private
Unit:             57th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement

Born 26/5/1893, Jan Juc
Son of William and Ellen Barker from Torquay
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a laborer – cleaner – trapper

Sydney enlisted 24/10/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 16/12/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A7 Medic
Served in France
Returned to Australia 1/4/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Freshwater Creek
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– Torquay Improvement Association
– South Barwon

Sydney completed his basic training at Royal Park with the 1st Battalion Reinforcements. During his training he was transferred a couple of times finally being attached to the 57th Battalion, 8th Reinforcements. They embarked from Melbourne on board HMAT Medic on 16 December 1916 arriving in England on 18 February 1917. He joined the 57th Battalion in France on 14 May as they were defending gains made at the Second Battle of Bullecourt. Later in the year, the AIF’s focus of operations switched to the Ypres sector in Belgium. The 57th’s major battle here was at Polygon Wood on 26 September. During the battle on 29 September, Sydney was wounded in action with a gunshot wound to his right eye and jaw. He was invalided back to England returning to Australia on 1 April 1919.
Sydney returned to Torquay continuing to work as a trapper. In 1923 he married Elizabeth Drew and they continued to live at Torquay until the mid 1930s when they moved to Queenscliff and Sydney worked as a labourer. He died at Geelong in 1974.

R  BARNETT

Details currently unknown.
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Robert Mosman BARNETT

Service No:    3464
Rank:            Private
Unit:             22nd Battalion, 8th Reinforcement

Born 1896, Mt Duneed
Son of Henry and Ann Barnett from Barwon Heads
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farm Labourer

Robert enlisted 16/08/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 5/01/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A19 Afric
Served in France
Killed in Action 1/7/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barwon Heads
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon

After graduating from Connewarre Primary School, Robert worked as a baker. Not long after his eighteenth birthday in 1914, and two weeks after voluntary recruitment began in Australia he applied for active service. After 26 days of service Robert was discharged as ‘medically unfit’. From a letter Robert wrote to Base Records he recalls the discharge was ‘for not paying attention to the Sergeant’. A year later Robert enlisted in the AIF for the second time and was initially appointed to the ‘G’ Coy Geelong before being transferred to 8th Reinforcements, 22nd Battalion while in training at Broadmeadows.
After embarking at Melbourne, per HMAT “Afric” on 5th January 1916 and arriving in Egypt on 24th February 1916 Robert was transferred to the 57th Battalion and then into the newly formed 58th Battalion composed predominantly of men from Victoria. The battalion was part of the 15th Brigade of the 5th Australian Division. Like many Australian soldiers, he began to present with repeated bouts of dysentery that revisited during the war. Also an episode of mumps kept him from re-joining his unit until 17th June 1916 when they left Alexandria for Marseilles arriving a week later. The 58th became embroiled in its first major battle on the Western Front at Fromelles on 19th July. The battle was a disaster. The 58th had the dual role of providing carrying parties and a reserve force. The reserve force (approximately half of the battalion) was ordered to attack late in the battle and was virtually annihilated by machine-gun fire; as a whole, the 58th suffered casualties equal to almost a third of its strength. Robert was one of those casualties with a gunshot wound to his scalp and chest. He was discharged from hospital ten days later to re-join the unit which had continued to man the front in the Fromelles sector. Shortly after returning to the unit his mumps returned causing him to be in and out of hospital for the next 3 months. On New Year’s Eve (1916) Robert was charged, the crime was that “during active service, the conduct was to the prejudice of the good order and military discipline by appearing on parade at 1400, unshaven.” He was awarded 3 days forfeiture of pay.
Early in 1917 the 58th battalion participated in the advance that followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. On 17th March 1917 Robert was wounded for the second time – a gunshot wound to the right buttock. He was sent to London for treatment. While recovering he went on leave and didn’t return one night – another offence causing him to forfeit 2 days’ pay. Fully recovered by October Robert proceeded overseas back to France re-joining the 58th Battalion on 2nd November.
With the collapse of Russia in October 1917, a major German offensive on the Western Front was expected in early 1918. This came in late March and the 5th Division moved to defend the sector around Corbie; the 58th Battalion was the 15th Brigade’s reserve during its now legendary counter-attack at Villers-Bretonneux on 25 April.
On the morning of 1st July, 1918, in the vicinity of Buire, Robert was member of a party of 30 which raided the enemy trenches. A member of the party reported seeing him wounded during the raid but there was not time to carry him back to the Australian trenches. He was left there until the raid was over. He was the only man who didn’t return. A fighting patrol proceeded out afterwards and found he was gone. Pte. Gallagher reported seeing him laying in the enemy trenches. It was believed impossible for him to be taken prisoner. He didn’t appear on any POW or injured prisoner lists. Presiding over the “In the Field” Court of Enquiry was Lieut. RV Moon, VC 58th Battalion. The court declared that Robert was killed in action.

W  BECK

Details currently unknown.
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Vivian Charles BEDGGOOD

Service No:    1532
Rank:            Gunner
Unit:             Heavy Artillery Group 36, Reinforcement 20

Born 1897, Geelong
Son of Frederick and Grace Bedggood from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a carpenter

Vivian enlisted 1/07/1918 at Queenscliff as a single man
He embarked for overseas 30/07/1918 from Sydney on SS Gaika
Served in England
Returned to Australia 22/07/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Herbert Victor BENSCH

Service No:    1720
Rank:            Corporal
Unit:             5th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement

Born 5/4/1893, Geelong
Son of George and Emma Bensch from Torquay
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Herbert enlisted 12/02/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 14/04/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A18 Wiltshire
Served in Gallipoli
Returned to Australia 3/3/1916
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Puebla
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– Torquay Improvement Association
– South Barwon
– Barrabool

Herbert enlisted on 5 January 1915 at Geelong assigned to the 4th Reinforcements to the 5th Battalion. He embarked for combat from Melbourne on board HMAT Wilshite on 14 April along with 900 others. The following month he embarked for the Dardanelles from Egypt. They landed at Anzac as part of the second wave on 25 April. Shortly after landing Herbert with a strained back from a fall was also diagnosed with Myopia and was transferred to hospital subsequently transferred to Lemnos returning two months later to join his Battalion at Lone Pine. While fighting in this battle Herbert suffered shell shock and was admitted to hospital once again. While there he was diagnosed with Neurasthenia and a stigmatism resulting in him returning home on 2 March 1916.
Two years after returning home Herbert married Elsie Robinson, they had five children. Herbert was working as a linesman at Torquay before moving to Auburn where Herbert worked as an electrical mechanic. They moved around the Melbourne suburbs over the years, Herbert died in 1981 at Clayton.

Gustave  BENSCH

Service No:    1827
Rank:            Private
Unit:             5th Pioneer Battalion

Born 1875, Spring Creek
Son of Johan and Johanna Bensch from Marshalltown
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Gustave enlisted 21/02/1916 at Geelong as a married man
He embarked for overseas 28/07/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A32 Themestosles
Served in France
Returned to Australia 4/5/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Bellbrae
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon

After the war Gustave returned home to Agnes and their six children living in East Geelong and he continued his occupation as a labourer. They soon moved to Kilgour Street where they lived for many years before their final move closer to Geelong CBD in 1931. During the thirties there was a transition across the family to change the spelling of the name to Bench. Gustave’s birth and school registration surname spelling was ‘Baensch’. As a young man and on enlistment his spelling was ‘Bensch’. His children’s births were registered as ‘Bensch’. All the family deaths were registered as ‘Bench’. Gustave died at Geelong in 1946.

Edwin Archie BONE

Service No:    2590
Rank:            Corporal
Unit:             29th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement

Born 1885, Geelong
Son of Archer and Georgina Bone from South Geelong
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Edwin enlisted 11/02/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 14/03/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A68 Anchises
Served in England
Returned to Australia 7/11/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Robert Percy BONE

Service No:    2376
Rank:            Private
Unit:             46th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement

Born 1886, Highton
Son of David and Louisa Bone from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Robert enlisted 1/05/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 7/09/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A15 Port Sydney
Served in France
Returned to Australia 6/09/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon
– Barrabool

Harold Stanley BROAD

Service No:    5987
Rank:            Private
Unit:             14th Battalion, 19th Reinforcement

Born 1893, Lara
Son of Henry and Catherine Broad from Marshalltown
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Harold enlisted 13/04/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 1/08/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A28 Miltiades
Served in France
Returned to Australia 5/03/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Daniel  BROSNAN

Service No:    5983
Rank:            Private
Unit:             14th Battalion, 19th Reinforcement

Born 1893, Geelong
Son of Denis and Julia Brosnan from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Daniel enlisted 12/04/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 2/08/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A28 Miltiades
Served in France
Returned to Australia 27/08/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Albert  BROWN

Service No:    3114
Rank:            Private
Unit:              58th Battallion, 8th Reinforcements

Born 1890, Geelong
Son of James and Francis Brown from Korrumburra
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Albert enlisted 24/10/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 16/12/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A7 Medic
Served in France
Returned to Australia 21/4/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Torquay Improvement Association
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon
– Barrabool
– Mt Duneed

Albert enlisted on 24 October 1916 while working as a labourer in Jan Juc. He was assigned to the 1st [Depot] Battalion at Royal Park. While training there he was transferred to the 8th Reinforcements, 58th Battalion. Albert embarked from Melbourne aboard the HMAT Medic on 16 December arriving at Plymouth on 18 February 1917. He was stationed at Hurdcott for further training before proceeding overseas to France on 14 May. Once in France he joined the 58th Battalion in the field at Biefvillers Camp. Later in the year the AIF’s focus of operation had switched to the Ypres sector in Belgium. The 58th’s major battle here was at Polygon Wood on 26 September. Albert was wounded during this battle and evacuated to hospital in England with a gunshot wound to the right shoulder and back. He was discharged in November and assigned to Depot’s in Hurdcott, Longbridge and Sutton Veny. The harsh English winter made it difficult to fight off chest infections and Albert was back in hospital during February 1918 eventually returning to Australia a couple of months later.
After the death of his brother John, Albert was living with his sister-in-law Olive at Dandenong with the occupation of foreman. He died in 1955 at Dandenong.

Joseph Bird BURGESS

Service No:    11920
Rank:            Gunner
Unit:             Divisional Ammunition Column 1, Reinforcement 14

Born 1892, Benalla
Son of Ernest and Elizabeth Burgess from Geelong
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a mantlepiece maker
Joseph enlisted 17/03/1915 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 28/01/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A32 Themistocles
Served in Egypt, Western Front
Killed in Action 4/10/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Eric  BURGESS

Service No:    1674
Rank:            Gunner
Unit:             23rd Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement

Born 1895, Herne Hill
Son of Ernest and Elizabeth Burgess from Geelong
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a clerk

Eric enlisted 17/05/1915 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 16/07/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A64 Demosthenes
Served in Western Front
Killed in Action 4/10/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Edwin George BUSH

Service No:    1306
Rank:            Private
Unit:             13th Light Horse Regiment, 7th Reinforcement

Born 1891, Belmont
Son of Thomas and Madeline Bush from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Edwin enlisted 13/07/1915 at Seymour as a single man
He embarked for overseas 23/11/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A40 Ceramic
Served in Western Front
Died as a result of wounds received in action 4/11/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Mt Duneed
– South Barwon

Reuben Harold BUSH

Service No:    2128
Rank:            Private
Unit:             58th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement

Born 1887, Geelong
Son of Thomas and Madeline Bush from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Reuben enlisted 1/03/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 1/08/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A67 Orsova
Served in Western Front
He was decorated with the Military Medal
Returned to Australia 23/6/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Mt Duneed
– South Barwon

Michael Philip CAHIR

Service No:    1634
Rank:            Private
Unit:             7th Battalion

Born 1891, Tungamah
Son of Thomas and Margaret Cahir from Elaine, Via Ballarat
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Michael enlisted 18/01/1916 at Ballarat as a single man
He embarked for overseas 27/05/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A11 Ascanius
Served in France
Killed in Action 16/12/1916
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Puebla
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– Torquay Improvement Association
– South Barwon
– Barrabool

Michael, a resident of Elaine via Ballarat, had spent about eight months with Mr. J. Charles becoming very popular before he enlisted. His brother lived in the area, his parents in Malvern. Michael enlisted on 18 January 1916 at Ballarat attached to the 1st Reinforcements of the 39th Battalion.
Following a brief period of training in Ballarat, the 39th Battalion marched through Melbourne on 15 May as the city farewelled the unit and they subsequently embarked upon HMAT Ascanius on 27 May 1916, bound for the United Kingdom. Sailing via Cape Town, the battalion landed at Plymouth on 18 July 1916, and moved by train to Amesbury, before marching to Larkhill on Salisbury Plain. While undertaking the training the training here Michael was transferred to the 7th Battalion on 9 September proceeding overseas to France a week later. He caught up with his unit in the field on 29 September. The next day, the 7th Battalion, along with its sister battalion, the 8th Battalion, mounted a raid on the German line at Hollebeke with a force roughly equivalent to two platoons The raid was a great success, with the Australians overwhelming the defenders and capturing a section of the German line and killing up to 13 Germans, before withdrawing.
In October, the battalion returned to the Gueudecourt, Somme where they spent the winter months training and manning trenches. On 16 December, work in the front trenches pushed ahead through mud 4 ft deep in some places. Gueudecourt was heavily shelled at intervals during the day and enemy artillery fire was active. Michael was one of two men killed on this day.

Roy Ian CAMERON

Service No:    64166
Rank:            Private
Unit:             8th Light Horse Regiment

Born 16/4/1899, Geelong
Son of Allan and Annie Cameron from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a clerk (Education Dept)

Roy enlisted 21/05/1918 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 14/09/1918 from Sydney on SS Port Darwin
Served in Egypt
Returned to Australia 17/4/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

A  CARROLL

Details currently unknown.
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Patrick  CARROLL

Service No:    1324
Rank:            Private
Unit:             7th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement

Born 1892, Camperdown
Son of Owen and Annie Carroll from Fyansford
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Patrick enlisted 30/09/1914 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 2/02/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A46 Clan Macgillivray
Served in Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front
Killed in Action 4/10/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Reginald J CARROLL

Service No:    2609
Rank:            Private
Unit:             29th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement

Born 1893, Prahran
Son of Charles and Christina Carroll from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a plasterer

Reginald enlisted 16/02/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 14/03/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A68 Anchises
Served in France
Returned to Australia 25/8/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Montague Henry CARROLL

Service No:    5349
Rank:            Private
Unit:             14th Battalion, 17th Reinforcement

Born 1892, Fyansford
Son of Hugh and Elizabeth Carroll from Fyansford
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a motor driver

Montague enlisted 11/02/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 4/04/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A14 Euripides
Served in France
Returned to Australia 23/6/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

William Fyffe CARROLL

Service No:    6978
Rank:            Private
Unit:             14th Battalion, 23rd Reinforcement

Born 1892, Melbourne
Son of Robert and Amy Carroll from Geelong
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a powder monkey

William enlisted 12/10/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 16/12/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A7 Medic
Served in Western Front
Returned to Australia 2/3/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Charles Henry CHALLIS

Service No:
Rank:            Private
Unit:             Depot A.I.F.

Born 1878, Mt Duneed
Son of Harry and Sarah Challis from Connewarre
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer
Charles enlisted 13/07/1915 at Geelong as a single man
Died as a result of disease 10/9/1915
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barwon Heads
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon

On 13 July 1915, Charles, was the first of the three brothers to enlist. While at the Bendigo training camp Charles contracted meningitis and died on 10 September 1915.

Edwin  CHALLIS

Service No:    3040
Rank:            Private
Unit:             2nd Machine Gun Battalion

Born 1882, Connewarre
Son of Harry and Sarah Challis from Connewarrre
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a foreman

Edwin enlisted 22/12/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 19/02/1917 from Melbourne on HMAT A70 Ballarat
Served in France, Western Front
Died as a result of wounds received in action 18/12/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barwon Heads
– South Barwon

Edwin, the second son of Harry and Sarah was appointed to the 7th Reinforcements, 38th Battalion on enlistment (22.12.1916) and sent for training to the Royal Park Camp. He enlisted 12 months after his elder brother died in training at Bendigo. After 8 weeks training the unit embarked on 19 February 1917 from Melbourne aboard the HMAT Ballarat. Just before reaching England on 25 April the Ballarat was sunk, no lives were lost. After further training in England the unit proceeded overseas to France on 11 October 1917 proceeding to the battle of Passchendaele. Belgium remained the focus of the 37th Battalion’s activities for the next five months, until it was rushed south to France in late March 1918 to meet the German Army’s Spring Offensive
On 14 June 1918 Edwin was wounded in action – a gunshot wound to right shoulder and invalided to England. He was transferred to the 2nd Machine Gun Battalion and proceeded back to France re-joining the unit on 6 October 1918. An accident at the 47th Casualty Clearing Station located on a farm shattered Edwin’s leg and foot, and fractured his arm. He died the next day on 18 December 1918.

Sydney Gordon CHALLIS

Service No:    5996
Rank:            Private
Unit:             14th Battalion, 19th Reinforcement

Born 1896, Mt Duneed
Son of Harry and Sarah Challis from Connewarre
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Sydney enlisted 17/04/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 1/08/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A28 Miltiades
Served in France
Killed in Action 11/4/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barwon Heads
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon

Sydney, a Connewarre farmer enlisted on 17 April 1916 just before his 20th birthday. He was appointed to the 14th Battalion, 19th Reinforcements training initially in Geelong before being transferred to Broadmeadows. The unit embarked from Melbourne per HMAT ‘Miltiades’ on 1 August 1916 arriving in England on 25 September. They proceeded overseas to France on 13 December.
Along with most of the 4th Brigade, the battalion suffered heavy losses at Bullecourt in April 1917 when the brigade attacked strong German positions without the promised tank support. During this engagement Sydney was reported missing in action. A court of Enquiry held in November found that he was killed in action on 11 April 1917.

Robert Eric CHAPMAN

Service No:    1168
Rank:            Gunner
Unit:             Heavy Artillery Group 36, Reinforcement 15

Born 1895, Ballarat
Son of John and Isabella Chapman from Terang
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a soldier
Robert enlisted 1/10/1917 at Queenscliff as a single man
He embarked for overseas 2/02/1918 from Sydney on HMAT A18 Wiltshire
Served in England
Returned to Australia 31/03/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Norman  CLARKE

Service No:    3054
Rank:            Private
Unit:             21st Battalion, 7th Reinforcement

Born 1879, Camperdown
Son of Nathan and Elizabeth Clarke from West Geelong
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Norman enlisted 12/07/1915 at Geelong as a married man
He embarked for overseas 18/11/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A18 Wiltshire
Served in France
Returned to Australia 25/8/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Walter  John COLLINS

Rank:            Captain
Unit:             38th Battalion, A Company

Born 1880, Geelong
Son of William and Elizabeth Colllins from South Yarra
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a soldier

Walter  enlisted 23/02/1916 at  as a married man
He embarked for overseas 20/06/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A54 Runic
Served in France
Returned to Australia 13/12/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Ernest Leslie Simon COLLINS

Service No:    3488
Rank:            Corporal
Unit:             22nd Battalion, 8th Reinforcement

Born 1888, Winchelsea, England
Son of Simon and Elizabeth Collins from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Ernest enlisted 1/09/1915 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 5/01/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A19 Afric
Served in France
Returned to Australia 19/10/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Arthur Stanley Marcus COLLINS

Service No:    201
Rank:            Lance Corporal
Unit:             No 1 Australian General Hospital

Born 1889, Geelong
Son of Marcus and Ellen Collins from Newtown
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a Director, Wollen Mills

Arthur enlisted 17/05/1915 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 25/06/1915 from Freemantle on HMAT A62 Wandilla
Served in France
Discharged in England (Business Reasons) 20/12/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Charles Hovery COLLINS

Service No:    3063
Rank:            Private
Unit:             21st Battalion, 7th Reinforcement

Born 1897, Geelong
Son of William and Catherine Collins from Geelong
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a wollen mill hand

Charles enlisted 12/07/1915 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 18/11/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A18 Wiltshire
Served in Egypt, Western Front
Killed in Action 19/7/1916
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Charles joined the 60th Battalion at Tel el Kebir on 26 February 1916 transferring to the 58th Battalion two weeks later. They continued their training before arriving in France on 23 June. The 58th became embroiled in its first major battle on the Western Front at Fromelles on 19 July. The battle was a disaster. The 58th had the dual role of providing carrying parties and a reserve force. The reserve force (approximately half of the battalion) was ordered to attack late in the battle and was virtually annihilated by machine-gun fire; as a whole, the 58th suffered casualties equal to almost a third of its strength. Charles was one of those killed on the 19 July 1916.

Matthew John COLLINS

Service No:    2584
Rank:            Private
Unit:             24th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement

Born 1891, Geelong
Son of John and Bridget Collins from Geelong
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a lime jobber

Matthew enlisted 27/07/1915 at Geelong as a married man
He embarked for overseas 27/10/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A38 Ulysses
Served in France
Returned to Australia 21/9/1916
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

James William COOTS

Service No:    2808
Rank:            Lance Corporal
Unit:             14th Field Ambulance

Born 1892, Ballarat
Son of James and Mary Coots from Torquay
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

James enlisted 28/06/1915 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 10/09/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A16 Star of Victoria
Served in France
He was decorated with the Military Medal
Returned to Australia 28/3/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
Puebla
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– Torquay Improvement Association
– South Barwon

James enlisted on 28 June 1915 to join 9th Reinforcements of the 5th Infantry Battalion embarking from Melbourne on 10 September 1915 aboard HMAT Star of Victoria arriving at Egypt 7 January 1916.
By the time 9th Reinforcements arrived in Egypt, the decision had been made to evacuate Gallipoli. As a result, James and his compatriots remained at the Australian base at Tel el Kebir, training for the conflict on the Western Front. In February James was transferred to the 57th Battalion joining them as they sailed for Marseilles on 17 June, arriving on 23 June. Two weeks after arriving he was diagnosed with diphtheria and transferred to an infectious disease hospital in Boulogne, subsequently transferred to England. Healthy again, James arrived back in France on 1 December and was subsequently attached to the 14th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps which was assigned to the Fourth Division
Early in 1917 the unit spent much of its time around Vignacourt by October they had made their way up the Western Front to Reningelst in Belgium. At the start of the Third Battle of Ypres, James tended to wounded soldiers in the front line. On 26 October they were at Hooge Tunnel on the other side of Flanders Field, Ypres. During an extremely heavy barrage a shell landed near a group of 15 men about 250 yards away. The sergeant called to the bearers that some of the men were hit. James and 3 other men ran out of their dug out and helped the men back to the dugout. They carried the wounded to safety whilst under fire. For his actions that evening James was awarded the Military Medal on 20 November 1917.
The following March he was promoted to Lance Corporal. After participating in a number of other battles James returned to England for a well earned break and by the time he returned back to France the war was over. On 28 March 1919 he left England for return to Australia per Hospital Transport ‘Karoa’ as part of the nursing staff. They reached Melbourne on 8 May 1919.
Initially James returned to the family home in Geelong with his parents and brothers before marrying Rita Barwise in 1923. They moved to a farm at Nar-Nar-Goon and raised six children. When the Second World War broke out James was an unemployed farm hand living in Brunswick with the family. He once again enlisted in 1941 at the rank of Corporal and was discharged in 1947. He died nine months later.

John Rupert COOTS

Service No:    551
Rank:            Private
Unit:             2nd Machine Gun Battalion

Born 1899, Northcote
Son of James and Mary Coots from Torquay
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

John enlisted 25/04/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 1/08/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A67 Orsova
Served in France
Returned to Australia 1/11/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Puebla
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– Torquay Improvement Association
– South Barwon

John enlisted with the 3rd Reinforcements to the 2nd Cyclist Battalion at the age of 19 years on 25 April 1916. After his initial training at Geelong John embarked at Melbourne on board HMAT Orsova on 1 August 1916 reaching England in September. He proceeded to the training battalion at Chiseldon Camp. The cyclists were mainly used as despatch riders, they were also invaluable for reconnaissance and communications work, being lighter, quieter, and logistically much easier to support than horses. After a year training with the Cyclist Battalion John was transferred to the 2nd Machine Gun Battalion for further training. All companies were equipped with Vickers medium machine-guns.
On 12 October John proceeded overseas to France to join the battalion fighting in increasingly horrendous conditions around Ypres.
In 1918 the battalion returned to the Somme valley and helped to stop the German spring offensive in March and April. The battalion subsequently participated in the Allies’ own offensive, launched to the east of Amiens on 8 August 1918. This advance by British and Empire troops was the greatest success in a single day on the Western Front, one that German General Erich Ludendorff described as “the black day of the German Army in this war”. Influenza overcame John and he was hospitalized in October then continuing to work at the base depots until he re-joined his unit on 22 January 1919. By this time guns had fallen silent and there was only the clean up to do. John arrived back in Australia on 12 December 1919.
On returning from the war John lived with his parents and brothers in Geelong and worked as a labourer. He enlisted in World War Two and still continued to live at the same house until his death in 1969.

Clement Francis COOTS

Service No:    7222
Rank:            Private
Unit:             Anzac Cyclist Battalion, 2nd Reinforcements

Born 1895, Berrumbroke, Ballarat
Son of James and Mary Coots from Torquay
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Clement enlisted 24/10/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 19/02/1917 from Melbourne on HMAT A70 Ballarat
Served in France
Returned to Australia 26/9/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– Torquay Improvement Association
– South Barwon

Clement enlisted on 24 October 1916 for a second time after his first application had been rejected because of poor eye sight. He did his initial training at Royal Park assigned initially to the 59th Battalion then transferred to the 5th Infantry Battalion, 25th Reinforcements. On 19 February 1917 Clement embarked with his unit from Melbourne aboard the HMAT Ballarat arriving in England on 25 April 1917. He was assigned duties in the depots at Larkhill and Wymouth before returning home in September.

He returned home to live with his parents in Geelong and working as a labourer. He continued to live in Geelong working as a labourer. Clement died in 1980.

John Leo CUMMINGS

Service No:    2595
Rank:            Gunner
Unit:             2nd Pioneer Battalion, Reinforcement 5

Born 10/10/1896, North Geelong
Son of George and Mary Cummings from Barwon Heads
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a boatman

John enlisted 12/05/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 18/09/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A10 Karroo
Served in France
Returned to Australia 1/4/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barwon Heads
– South Barwon

John, a boatsman, served 2 years in the Navy aboard the HAMAS Cerberus, Psyche and Penguin. He was discharged as medically unfit on 9 April, 1916. The following month he enlisted in the AIF and was appointed to the rank of Private with the 19th Depot Battalion, Geelong. On 12 July John was transferred to the 5th Reinforcements, 2nd Pioneer Battalion, Seymour. The unit embarked from Melbourne on 28 July 1916 per HMAT Karoo arriving in England on 15 November.
After a bout of illness John proceeded overseas to France on 28 February 1917 and was wounded in action on 5 May with a gunshot wound to the right foot. He was transferred to England for recovery. While there, in October, he failed to answer ‘C.C. calls’ and was detained for 7 days.
On 22 April 1918 John proceeded overseas back to France to the 7th Field Ambulance Brigade. He became ill and was admitted to hospital re-joining the unit on 15 July. Refusing to do duty and being absent from parade caused John to again be in trouble with authorities. Further illness kept John in England until his departure for Australia. During his return he once again found himself in strife by not returning to the ship on time before it left Cape Town. He was detained until he could board another ship, finally disembarking at Melbourne on 18 May 1919. John was discharged from the AIF, medically unfit due to ‘debility’ on 8 September 1919.
John married Emma Hope in 1922, they had a daughter and moved to New South Wales. He worked as a gardener until 1949 when he was working as a mechanic’s assistant. John died in 1955.

George Arthur DALE

Service No:    5662
Rank:            Private
Unit:             14th Battalion, 18th Reinforcement

Born 1878, Geelong
Son of Henry and Harriett Dale from Connewarre
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

George enlisted 12/02/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 4/05/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A17  Port Lincoln
Served in France
Returned to Australia 17/5/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barwon Heads
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon

After at first being rejected for defective teeth, George reapplied in February 1916 for active service with the AIF. He was appointed to the 14th Battalion, 18th Reinforcements training initially at Geelong before transferring to Broadmeadows. The unit embarked at Melbourne per HMAT Port Lincoln on 4 May 1916. Training continued in England until 14 October when the unit sailed for France and the Western Front with George attached to Head Quarters. At the time of arrival the battalion was taking part in bloody trench warfare.
Along with most of the 4th Brigade, the battalion suffered heavy losses at Bullecourt in April 1917 when the brigade attacked strong German positions without the promised tank support. It spent much of the remainder of 1917 in Belgium, advancing to the Hindenburg Line.
In March and April 1918, the battalion helped stop the German spring offensive. It subsequently participated in the great allied offensive of 1918, fighting near Amiens on 8 August 1918. This advance by British and empire troops was the greatest success in a single day on the Western Front, one that German General Erich Ludendorff described as “..the black day of the German Army in this war….
The battalion continued operations until late September 1918, George was transferred to the 4th Infantry Brigade until he was transferred home in March 1919 via England, arriving at Melbourne on 12 May 1919 for demobilisation and discharge.
George returned home to Connewarre and worked as a labourer. He married Helen Barnett in 1927 and they lived in Connewarre until George died in 1957.

Ewart William DAVIS

Service No:    500
Rank:            Private
Unit:             22nd Battalion, B Company

Born 1881, London
Son of Robert and Emma Davis from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a clerk

Ewart enlisted 6/03/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 10/05/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A38 Ulysses
Served in Egypt, Gallipoli
Killed in Action 17/10/1915
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Sydney George DAVIS

Service No:    3454
Rank:            Sergeant
Unit:             Divisional Ammunition Column 1, Reinforcement 1

Born 1887, Woolwich, Kent, England
Son of Robert and Emma Davis from Kent, England
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a saw filer

Sydney enlisted 2/11/1914 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 22/12/1914 from Melbourne on HMAT A30 Borda
Served in Western Front
Returned to Australia 8/10/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Arnold William Charles DECKER

Service No:    2620
Rank:            Private
Unit:             24th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement

Born 1894, Geelong
Son of Henry and Emma Decker from Marshalltown
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a tanner

Arnold enlisted 27/07/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 27/10/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A38 Ulysses
Served in France
Killed in Action 17/8/1916
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Thomas Henry DODDS

Service No:    7074
Rank:            Driver
Unit:             8th Battalion, 23rd Reinforcement

Born 1897, McKinna, Tas
Son of John and Margaret Dodds from Chilwell
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Thomas enlisted 20/09/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 23/11/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A20 Hororata
Served in Western Front
Returned to Australia 1/8/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Thomas Henry DOYLE

Service No:    263
Rank:            Lance Corporal
Unit:             8th Battalion, B Company

Born 1894, Beaufort
Son of James and Louisa Doyle from South Geelong
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Thomas enlisted 20/08/1914 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 19/10/1914 from Melbourne on HMAT A24 Benalla
Served in Gallipoli, Egypt, France

Returned to Australia 31/1/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon

James T DOYLE

Service No:    1941
Rank:            Private
Unit:             6th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement

Born 1894, Skipton
Son of James and Louisa Doyle from South Geelong
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

James enlisted 6/01/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 17/04/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A20 Hororata
Served in Gallipoli
Returned to Australia 31/10/1915
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Arthur Percy EARLE

Service No:    1534
Rank:            Lieutenant
Unit:             24th Battalion, 1st Reinforcement

Born 1892, Marshalltown
Son of Frank and Sarah Earle from Marshalltown
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Arthur enlisted 2/03/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 8/05/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A14 Euripides
Served in France
Died as a result of wounds received in action 24/07/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Thomas Brown Davies EDWARDS

Service No:
Rank:
Unit:             New Zealand Army, Ist Division Reserve

Born 1890, Rochford
Son of Joseph and Elizabeth Edwards of Torquay
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a cable operator

Thomas enlisted  at Nelson, New Zealand as a single man
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Torquay Improvement Association
– South Barwon

Tom, son of prominent Torquay Edward’s family – Joseph Edwards and Elizabeth (later Mrs Woolf owner of Melba House & St. Heliers), was living in New Zealand when the war broke out. He enlisted in 1916 with the New Zealand Army Reserve, 1st Division. He married Gladys Dimant in 1919 and they shifted to West Perth. In 1925 Thomas was working as a supervisor. In the 1930’s they were living in Java where Thomas worked as the Manager at the Eastern Telephone Exchange. By 1943 they had returned to Victoria living in St. Kilda East, Thomas was a sub manager. After spending a few more years (1969-72) in New Zealand Thomas and Gladys retired to Torquay. Thomas died in 1975.

William Henry ELLIS

Service No:    3510
Rank:            Driver
Unit:             22nd Battalion, 8th Reinforcement

Born 1888, Mt Duneed
Son of Robert and Elizabeth Ellis from Grovedale
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

William enlisted 16/07/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 5/01/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A19 Afric
Served in France
Returned to Australia 28/6/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon
– Mt Duneed

David  ELLIS

Service No:    617
Rank:            Lieutenant
Unit:             4th Light Horse Regiment, 1st Reinforcement

Born 1894, Hampden
Son of James and Annie Ellis from Bannockburn
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a student

David enlisted 12/09/1914 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 22/12/1914 from Melbourne on HMAT A43 Barunga
Served in Gallipoli, Egypt, France
Returned to Australia 21/11/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Edward  ELLIS

Service No:    2804
Rank:            Sapper
Unit:             3rd Pioneer Battalion, Reinforcement 5

Born 1881, Geelong
Son of Frederick and Sarah Ellis from Grovedale
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer
Edward enlisted 9/11/1916 at Cootamundra, NSW as a single man
He embarked for overseas 9/11/1916 from Sydney on HMAT A24 Benalla
Served in France
Returned to Australia 28/3/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Mt Duneed
– South Barwon

Leslie George ELLIS

Service No:    4002
Rank:            Sergeant
Unit:             22nd Battalion, 9th Reinforcement

Born 1893, Mt Duneed
Son of Robert and Elizabeth Ellis from Grovedale
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a contractor

Leslie enlisted 16/07/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 8/02/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A69 Warilda
Served in France
Killed in Action 18/8/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon
– Mt Duneed
– Barwon Heads

Clifford Ernest Baden-Powell FISHER

Service No:    61138
Rank:            Private
Unit:             10th General (Victorian) Reinforcements

Born 22/1/1900, Geelong
Son of Alfred and Elizabeth Fisher from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a printer

Clifford enlisted 16/03/1918 at Fitzroy as a single man
He embarked for overseas 31/08/1918 from Melbourne on HMAT A37 Barambah
Served in England
Returned to Australia 19/8/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Donald Milo FOLLETT

Service No:    6696
Rank:            Private
Unit:             7th Battalion, 23rd Reinforcement

Born 27/11/1888, Geelong
Son of James and Anna Follett from Mont Albert
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a carpenter

Donald enlisted 23/10/1916 at Melbourne as a married man
He embarked for overseas 23/11/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A20 Hororata
Served in France
Dishonourably discharged because of desertion after recovering in hospital from being gassed.
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Bellbrae
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon

After spending a couple of months in hospital in France and England because of the being exposed to Mustard Gas poisoning Donald went missing from the camp in England a couple of times at the end of 1918. Early in 1919 he did not return to camp, however it appears he did find his way back home to Australia. His wife Margaret died in 1919 and Donald continued to work as a carpenter and was living in the same pre-war house at Surry Hills in 1924. By 1931 he residence was England where he married Mary Sangster in 1939. Donald died at Surry North Western, Surrey, England in 1970 aged 81.

Colin Ernest FOLLETT

Service No:    4036
Rank:            Private
Unit:             29th Battalion, 10th Reinforcement

Born 10/10/1879, Mt Duneed
Son of James and Anna Follett from Torquay
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Colin enlisted 19/09/1916 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 21/10/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A16 Port Melbourne
Served in France
Returned to Australia 7/2/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Bellbrae
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– Torquay Improvement Association
– South Barwon
– Mt Duneed

After the war Colin returned  home to Torquay where he worked as a labourer. He died at Torquay in 1955.

Alfred  FOLWELL

Service No:    2160
Rank:            Private
Unit:             58th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement

Born 1895, Koo Wee Rup
Son of Alfred and Ellen Folwell from Footscray
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer
Alfred enlisted 29/04/1916 at Footscray as a single man

He embarked for overseas 1/08/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A67 Orsova
Served in France
Returned to Australia 7/6/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

William  FOSTER

Service No:    3312
Rank:            Lance Corporal
Unit:             7th Battalion, 11th Reinforcement

Born 1885, Geelong
Son of John and Sarah Foster from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

William enlisted 22/07/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 11/10/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A71 Nestor
Served in France
Returned to Australia 3/5/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Andrew Miller FULLER

Service No:    3538
Rank:            Private
Unit:             29th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement

Born 1884, Mt Duneed
Son of Robert and Susannah Fuller from Connewarre East
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Andrew enlisted 17/04/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 1/08/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A67 Orsova
Served in France
Killed in Action 26/9/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Freshwater Creek
– Barwon Heads
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon

Nearly a year after his brother William was killed in action during the Gallipoli campaign, Andrew a farmer from Connewarre enlisted in the AIF on 3 April 1916. He was attached to 29th Battalion, 8th Reinforcements embarking for overseas service from Melbourne on 1 August 1916 aboard the HMAT Orsova arriving in France on 25 November.
In early 1917, the German Army withdrew to the Hindenburg Line, allowing the British front to be advanced. The Germans, however, made selected stands to delay this advance and the 28th Battalion was involved in defeating a counter-attack at Beaumetz on 23 March. The battalion subsequently missed the heavy fighting to breach the Hindenburg Line during the second battle of Bullecourt as the 8th Brigade was deployed to protect the Division’s flank. The only large battle in 1917 in which the 29th Battalion played a major role was Polygon Wood, fought in the Ypres sector in Belgium on 26 September. It was during this battle that Andrew was killed in action.
Adding to the anxiety of Andrew’s family over loosing another son, his personal belongings were included in a consignment shipped from England per s.s. ‘Barunga’, which was lost at sea, with all cargo, as a result of enemy action.

Harold Thorpe FULLER

Service No:    3103
Rank:            Private
Unit:             58th Infantry Battn

Born 1894, Black Flat, Oakleigh
Son of Jacob and Caroline Fuller from Barwon Heads
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Harold enlisted 17/07/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 26/11/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A73 Commonwealth
Served in France
Returned to Australia 5/3/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Freshwater Creek
– Barwon Heads
– South Barwon
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire

Harold, a farmer, enlisted in July 1915 at Geelong. He was assigned to the 23rd Battalion at Broadmeadows with the rank of Private. The unit embarked from Melbourne on board HMAT Commonwealth on 26 November 1915.
While training in Egypt, on 23 February 1916 Harold was transferred to the 58th Battalion which embarked for France arriving on 23 March. He was admitted to hospital on 19 July in Boulogne with a gunshot wound to his back and neck. Subsequently he was invalided to England. Once recovered Harold was attached to a Depot in England with a bout of measles delaying his return to France.
On 27 April 1917 he re-joined his unit (58th Battalion) only to be wounded again on 11 May with multiple gunshot wounds. Invalided back to England to recover from a fractured Ulna caused by the gunshot wounds. After some leave, Harold proceeded back to France in November.
In January 1918. a bout of diarrhoea caused him to be in hospital for a month, re-joining his unit in March. In October he was attached to the 8th Tank Battalion British Expeditionary Force with the 58th Battalion, finding himself officially reported as a Prisoner of War in German hands on 5 November 1918. Harold was repatriated back to England arriving on 5 December 1918 finally disembarking in Australia on 25 April 1919.
Harold returned home to Connewarre working as a labourer before moving to Geelong after his marriage to Evelyn Gainger in 1922. Harold died at Heidelberg in 1961.

William Jacob FULLER

Service No:    1139
Rank:            Private
Unit:             5th Battalion, 1st Reinforcement

Born 1890, Mt Duneed
Son of Robert and Susannah Fuller from Connewarre East
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

William enlisted 21/09/1914 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 22/12/1914 from Melbourne on HMAT A32 Themestosles
Served in Gallipoli
Killed in Action 25/4/1915
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barwon Heads
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon

Connewarre farmer, William enlisted at the age of 23 years just a month after Australian volunteers were called for. Enlisting in Geelong he was attached to the 5th Battalion, 1st Reinforcements. The unit embarked from Melbourne on board the HMAT Themistocles on 22 December 1914. The ship sailed in across the Indian Ocean, bound for Egypt. By that time, the British commanders had decided to use the men initially to guard the Suez Canal against attack by the Turks, and then to send them to the Dardanelles as part of an Allied expeditionary force, hoping to knock Turkey out of the war.
The 5th Battalion was among the first infantry units raised for the AIF during the First World War. Like the 6th, 7th and 8th Battalions it was recruited from Victoria and, together with these battalions, formed the 2nd Brigade. The battalion was raised within a fortnight of the declaration of war in August 1914. The 1st Reinforcements arrived in Egypt around the start of February 1915 and joined the first contingent of the battalion at the Australian camp at Mena, near the Pyramids.
It later took part in the ANZAC landing on 25 April 1915, as part of the second wave. It was during this landing that William was killed in action.

Samuel  GALLAGHER

Service No:    4121
Rank:            Private
Unit:             21st Battalion, 10th Reinforcement

Born 1898, South Melbourne
Son of George and Ernestine Gallagher; foster son of Margaret Bleeze from

His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer
Samuel enlisted 7/01/1916 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 7/03/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A18 Wiltshire
Served in France
Returned to Australia 28/8/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

W  GARDINER

Currently there are no details.
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Charles Harold GOGOLL

Service No:    3984
Rank:            Private
Unit:             22nd Battalion, 9th Reinforcement

Born 1895, Connewarre
Son of Charles and Fanny Gogoll from Mt. Duneed
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Charles enlisted 13/07/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 8/02/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A69 Warilda
Served in France
Killed in Action 4/10/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon
– Mt Duneed
– Barwon Heads

Charles Harold GOGOLL, born in 1895, Connewarre, son of Charles and Fanny Gogoll was working on the farm at Mt Duneed when he enlisted as a single man at Geelong on 13 July 1915. After some preparation and basic at Geelong with D Company he transferred to Broadmeadows for training with the 8th Reinforcements to 22nd Battalion. Shortly after he was transferred to the 9th Reinforcements. They embarked from Melbourne aboard the HMAT A69 Warilda on 8 February 1916 for Alexandria and then to Marseilles arriving 27 March 1916. The battalion initially were in reserve near Fleurbaix. The battalion’s first major action was at Poziers as part of the massive British offensive on the Somme. Charles was wounded in the head and evacuated to England for treatment. He returned back to the Somme where the battalion was enduring a particularly harsh winter. In 1917 during the bloody trench warfare from Bullecourt to Broodseinede in Flanders Charles was in and out of hospital suffering from influenza, impetigo and diarrhoea. He was also gassed and suffered a gunshot wound to his right foot. The battalion returned to the Somme valley in 1918 helping to stop the German Spring offensive. During August while helping to capture Mont St Quentin Charles was gassed again. He went on with his battalion to take part in the last action fought by the AIF on the Western Front, the battle of Montbrehain in October 1918. Charles was killed in action there, his body was never recovered. A memorial cross was erected on the site of the battle and later he was to be commemorated at the Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, France and also at Mt Duneed Cemetery with his mother and father.

August Frederick GRADNER

Service No:    1686
Rank:            Private
Unit:             58th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement

Born 1887, South Morang
Son of Frederick and Ella Gradner from Grovedale
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

August enlisted 17/02/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 4/04/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A14 Euripides
Served in Western Front
Died as a result of wounds received in action 30/3/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Percy George GRAHAM

Service No:    372
Rank:            Private
Unit:             8th Battalion, C Company

Born 1895, Mt Duneed
Son of John and Caroline Graham from Connewarre
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer
Percy enlisted 24/08/1914 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 19/10/1914 from Melbourne on HMAT A24 Benalla
Served in Egypt, Gallipoli
Killed in Action 2/5/1915
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barwon Heads
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon

Nineteen year old Percy was one of the first from the Shire to enlist after volunteer recruiting begins in Australia enlisting on 24 August 2014. He was allocated to the 8th Infantry Battalion embarking from Melbourne on board HMAT Benalla on 19 October 1914. After a brief stop in Albany, Western Australia, the battalion proceeded to Egypt, arriving on 2 December. It later took part in the ANZAC landing on 25 April 1915, as part of the second wave. Ten days after the landing, the 2nd Brigade was transferred from ANZAC to Cape Helles to help in the attack on the village of Krithia. The attack captured little ground but cost the brigade almost a third of its strength. Percy was one of the casualties of this campaign, he was killed in action on 2 May 1915.

Henry Gardiner GREEN

Service No:    217
Rank:            Driver
Unit:             46th Battalion, 1st Reinforcement

Born 1885, Mt Duneed
Son of John and Flora Green from Connewarre
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Henry enlisted 21/09/1914 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 22/12/1914 from Melbourne on HMAT A32 Themestosles
Served in Gallipoli, Egypt, France
Returned to Australia 24/9/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barwon Heads
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon

Henry, a Connewarre farmer, enlisted for active service on 21 September 1914. He was appointed to the 6th Battalion and embarked from Melbourne on 22 December 1914 aboard HMAT Themistocles. The ship sailed in across the Indian Ocean, bound for Egypt. By that time, the British commanders had decided to use the men initially to guard the Suez Canal against attack by the Turks, and then to send them to the Dardanelles as part of an Allied expeditionary force, hoping to knock Turkey out of the war. Henry arrived at the Gallipoli Peninsula on 5 May 1915 sustaining a knee injury which kept him away from active service for 3 months.
After the withdrawal from Gallipoli, the battalion returned to Egypt, Henry suffered dysentery causing him to be hospitalized a few times and he was going to be transported back to Australia. In March 1916, Henry was transferred to the 46th Battalion.
As part of the 12th Brigade of the 4th Australian Division, the 46th Battalion arrived in France on 8 June 1916, destined for the Western Front. It participated in its first major battle at Pozieres. Initially, the battalion provided carrying parties for supplies and ammunition during the 2nd Division’s attack on 4 August, and then, with its own division, defended the ground that had been captured. The 46th endured two stints in the heavily contested trenches of Pozieres, as well as a period in reserve.
After Pozieres, the battalion spent the period up until March 1917 alternating between duty in the trenches and training and rest behind the lines. On 11 April it took part in the attack mounted against the heavily defended village of Bullecourt – part of the formidable Hindenburg Line to which the Germans had retreated during February and March. Devoid of surprise, and dependent upon the support of unreliable tanks, the attack had little chance of success; after managing to fight through to it’s objectives, the 46th was forced to withdraw with heavy casualties.
Later in the year, the focus of the AIF’s operations switched to the Ypres sector in Belgium where the 46th took part in the battles of Messines and Passchendaele. Winter had a big impact on Henry’s health, from December 1917 to April 1918 He suffered impetigo and trench fever spending much of this period in hospital.
In the spring of 1918, his unit played a role in turning the great German offensive by defeating attacks around Dernancourt in the first days of April. During the Allied offensive that commenced in August, the 46th also played an active part, fighting in the battle of Amiens on 8 August. Shortly after this battle Henry embarked for Australia arriving per HT Devon disembarking at Melbourne on 23 November 1918.
Henry returned to the Connewarre farm, married Edith Clery in 1921 and they had a son. Henry continued farming until his death in 1947.

Clifton  GRENFELL

Service No:    381
Rank:            Sergeant
Unit:             8th Light Horse Regiment, C Squadron

Born 1891, Adelaide
Son of Richard and Catherine Grenfell from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a grocer

Clifton enlisted 16/09/1914 at Deniliquin, NSW as a single man
He embarked for overseas 25/02/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A16 Star of Victoria
Served in Gallipoli, Egypt
He was Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in Action 7/08/1915
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Sydney John GRENFELL

Service No:    2037
Rank:            Sergeant
Unit:             29th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement

Born 1896, Talbot
Son of Richard and Catherine Grenfell from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a clerk

Sydney enlisted 22/02/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 18/02/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A70 Ballarat
Served in France, England
Returned to Australia 15/6/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

R S HARRISON

Details are currently unknown.
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Stanley John HARRISON

Service No:    40
Rank:            Corporal
Unit:             Head Quarters 1st Australian Division

Born 1889, Geelong
Son of John and Harriet Harrison from Highton
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Stanley enlisted 20/08/1914 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 21/10/1914 from Melbourne on HMAT A3 Orvieto
Served in Gallipoli, France
Returned to Australia 9/12/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon
– Barrabool

Arthur Jeffreys HARRISON

Service No:    2047
Rank:             Private
Unit:             29th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement

Born 1895, Northcote
Son of Walter and Alice Harrison from Highton
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Arthur enlisted 13/08/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 18/02/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A70 Ballarat
Served in France
Returned to Australia 13/4/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Herbert  HARTWICK

Service No:    60698
Rank:            Private
Unit:             8th General (Victorian) Reinforcements

Born 1896, Geelong
Son of August and Alice Hartwick from Grovedale
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Herbert enlisted 27/03/1918 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 23/07/1918 from Melbourne on HMAT A74 Marathon
Served in France
Returned to Australia 13/7/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Charles William HENDERSON

Service No:    1698
Rank:            Private
Unit:              58th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement

Born 1897, London, England
Son of Ada Henderson from London, England
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Charles enlisted 11/02/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 4/04/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A14 Euripides
Served in France
Returned to Australia 22/8/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Charles William HIGGINS

Service No:    17930
Rank:             Private
Unit:             April 1917 Reinforcements

Born 1886, Highton
Son of William and Sarah Higgins; husband of Mabel from Hobart, Tasmania
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a solicitor

Charles enlisted 25/01/1916 at Geelong as a married man
He embarked for overseas 4/08/1917 from Melbourne on HMAT A32 Themistocles
Served in France
Returned to Australia 23/7/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Harold  HIRST

Service No:    502
Rank:             Private
Unit:              8th Battalion, C Company

Born 1883, Marsden, England
Son of Harold and Emily Hirst; husband of Emily from Geelong
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a clerk

Harold enlisted 25/08/1914 at Geelong as a married man
He embarked for overseas 19/10/1914 from Melbourne on HMAT A24 Benalla
Served in Gallipoli, France
Returned to Australia 23/10/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Frederick John HOLMES

Service No:    2852
Rank:            Private
Unit:             22nd Battalion, 6th Reinforcement

Born 1891, Marshalltown
Son of John and Margaret Holmes from Marshalltown
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Frederick enlisted 20/07/1915 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 27/10/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A38 Ulysses
Served in France
Killed in Action 26/8/1916
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Charles Arthur HOLMES

Service No:    6632
Rank:             Private
Unit:              7th Battalion, 21st Reinforcement

Born 1886, Geelong
Son of John and Margaret Holmes from Cobram
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Charles enlisted 25/04/1916 at Melbourne as a married man
He embarked for overseas 2/10/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A71 Nestor
Served in France
Returned to Australia 4/7/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

George Piggott HOLMES

Service No:    267
Rank:             Sergeant
Unit:              Machine Gun Company 10, Reinforcement 2

Born 1891, Geelong
Son of John and Margaret Holmes from Marshalltown
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a fireman

George enlisted 18/04/1916 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 16/08/1916 from Melbourne on RMA Orontes
Served in France
Died as a result of wounds received in action 29/09/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Leslie  HOPGOOD

Service No:    35064
Rank:            Gunner
Unit:              Field Artillery Brigade, Reinforcement 27

Born 1898, Barwon Heads
Son of Joseph and Edith Hopgood from Barwon Heads
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Leslie enlisted 30/01/1917 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 9/11/1917 from Melbourne on HMAT A15 Port Sydney
Served in France
Returned to Australia 3/7/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barwon Heads
– South Barwon

As a young eighteen year old Leslie enlisted in the AIF on 2 February 1917. After initial training with the Recruiting Battalion at Royal Park he was transferred to the Field Artillery Reinforcements at Maribyrnong. His rank changed to Gunner as he was attached to the Field Artillery 37th Reinforcements in May. Leslie embarked from Melbourne on board HMAT Port Sydney on 9 November 1917 arriving in Egypt on 12 December on his way to England for further training.
On 13 March 1918 his unit proceeded overseas to France, on arrival Leslie was attached to the 8th Field Artillery Brigade, 3rd Division. He was appointed to the rank of Driver in May. The Brigade took part in the Capture of Hamel on 4 Jul 1918 followed by the battles of Amiens, Albert, Mont St. Quentin and The Hindenburg Line. On 3 April 1919 the 7th and 8th Field Artillery Brigades were amalgamated.
Leslie returned to Australia aboard Prinz Hubertus arriving on 24 August 1919 marrying Minnie Burton in 1922. In 1924 they lived in Dandenong with Leslie working as a carrier.

George  HORMAN

Service No:    692
Rank:            Private
Unit:             14th Battalion, E Company

Born 1884, Geelong
Son of William and Hannah Horman from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

George enlisted 18/09/1914 at Melbourne as a married man
He embarked for overseas 22/12/1914 from Melbourne on HMAT A38 Ulysses
Served in Gallipoli
Returned to Australia 7/11/1915
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Alfred  HORMAN

Service No:    2653
Rank:             Private
Unit:               29th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement

Born 1885, Geelong
Son of William and Hannah Horman from Warracknabeal
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Alfred enlisted 24/01/1916 at Geelong as a married man
He embarked for overseas 14/03/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A68 Anchises
Served in France
Returned to Australia 21/7/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

William Albert HORNSEY

Service No:    2366
Rank:            Corporal
Unit:             7th Battalion, 7th Reinforcement

Born 1895, Corio
Son of Frederick and Emma Hornsey from East Geelong
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a tanner

William enlisted 15/03/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 16/07/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A64 Demosthenes
Served in Gallipoli, France
Returned to Australia 4/5/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

R  HORWOOD

Currently there are no details
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Claude Harold HORWOOD

Service No:    3136
Rank:            Private
Unit:             21st Battalion, 7th Reinforcement

Born 1893, Geelong
Son of John and Annie Horwood from Highton
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a sheep farmer

Claude enlisted 6/07/1915 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 18/11/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A18 Wiltshire
Served in France
Killed in Action 18/11/1915
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Richard Albert HOWARD

Service No:    3883
Rank:            Sergeant
Unit:              22nd Battalion, 8th Reinforcement

Born 1893, Ballarat
Son of William and Emma Howard from North Geelong
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a draper

Richard enlisted 12/06/1915 at Geelong as a married man
He embarked for overseas 5/01/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A19 Afric
Served in Western Front
Died as a result of wounds received in action 22/5/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Thomas  HUNTER

Service No:    1012
Rank:             Private
Unit:             13th Light Horse Regiment, 4th Reinforcement

Born 1881, Worde Boluck
Son of George and Margaret Hunter from Torquay
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Thomas enlisted 1/07/1915 at Melbourne as a married man
He embarked for overseas 27/09/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A20 Hororata
Served in Egypt
Returned to Australia 11/5/1916
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Bellbrae
– Puebla
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– Barrabool
– South Barwon

Thomas, from Torquay, a married man and father of five children enlisted on 1 July 1915 at Melbourne and was assigned to the 4th Reinforcements of the 13th Light Horse Regiment at the rank of Private. During training he was promoted to Corporal just prior to embarking overseas at Melbourne on board the HMAT Hororata on 27 September. They sailed for the Middle East arriving at Egypt early November and located to the training camp at Tel el Kebir. On 25 December 1915 Thomas was admitted to hospital with Meningitis, dangerously ill. The ensuing months he displayed symptoms of defective vision and contracted influenza before the meningitis remerged in April 1916. Thomas was invalided home on 11 May 1916 with spinal meningitis.
Thomas returned home to Torquay and once he recovered from his illness he initially took up fishing as his new occupation. By 1924 Edith was living in Port Melbourne. In 1937 Thomas was the caretaker of the Western Baths, Geelong. He died later that year aged 56.

E W JASPER

Currently details are unknown.
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Frederick  JASPER

Service No:    3564
Rank:            Lance Corporal
Unit:             29th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement

Born 1895, Germantown
Son of Gottleib and Ernestine Jasper from Barwon Heads
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farm Labourer

Frederick enlisted 17/04/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 1/08/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A67 Orsova
Served in France
He was decorated with the Military Medal
Returned to Australia 9/7/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barwon Heads
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon

Frederick enlisted on 17 April 1916 undergoing training at Geelong with the 19th Depot Battalion. On 1 August he embarked from Melbourne on board HMAT Orsova with the 29th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement arriving in England six weeks later. After further intensive training he embarked overseas to France on 6 December 1916.
In early 1917, the German Army withdrew to the Hindenburg Line, allowing the British front to be advanced. The Germans, however, made selected stands to delay this advance and the 28th Battalion was involved in defeating a counter-attack at Beaumetz on 23 March. The battalion subsequently missed the heavy fighting to breach the Hindenburg Line during the second battle of Bullecourt as the 8th Brigade was deployed to protect the Division’s flank. The only large battle in 1917 in which the 29th Battalion played a major role was Polygon Wood, fought in the Ypres sector in Belgium on 26 September. In December, Frederick was wounded in action but remained on duty.
In January 1918 Frederick was awarded 2 days forfeiture of pay for disobeying a lawful command given by his superior officer. Then during
“WYTSCHAETE Operations. On 20 March 1918 during a very heavy bombardment with gas and high explosive (HE) shells, Private JASPER worked the whole of the time with Gas Cases and on the same night worked for six hours as a Stretcher Bearer in his Gas Helmet. He was instrumental in saving the lives of several of his comrades.”
“SAILLY-le-SEC Operations. During these operations he carried three wounded men in from No Man’s Land under very heavy Machine gun and artillery fire. On the 15th May 1918 a British Aeroplane crashed into No Man’s Land and in broad daylight Private JASPER with another man went out and brought the wounded Aviator in.” Source: ‘Commonwealth Gazette’ No. 75 Date: 17 June 1919
The 29th fought in a minor attack at Morlancourt on 29 July, and then in August and September took part in the great advance that followed the battle of Amiens. “During the advance at Morlancourt on 28th July 1918 he carried in wounded continuously for 8 hours. Artillery barrages were intense throughout. Then at “VAUVILLERS 8th/9th August 1918. On 9th August three men were wounded whilst advancing from one mound to another. The Machine gun fire was intense and scarcely a man got through but Private JASPER went out and brought the three men in to shelter. ETERPIGNY Operations 28th/29th August 1918. On 29th August 1918 Private JASPER went out under point blank artillery fire and intense Machine Gun fire and carried three seriously wounded men to shelter.” Source: ‘Commonwealth Gazette’ No. 75 Date: 17 June 1919
The 29th fought its last major action in September when the 5th and 3rd Australian Divisions, and two American divisions attacked the Hindenburg Line across the top of the 6-kilometre-long St Quentin Canal tunnel; the canal was a major obstacle in the German defensive scheme. The offensive of 1918, however, had strained the AIF almost to breaking point. Just prior to the disbandment of the Battalion, Frederick was wounded in action again. He had a gunshot wound to the left ear and was hospitalized for a week. On 12 October the 29th Battalion was disbanded to provide reinforcements for other 8th Brigade units consequently Frederick was transferred to the 5th Division Train and was appointed to Lance Corporal.
On 13 March 1919 Frederick was awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry and bravery in the field during 1918. He returned to Australia on July 1919.

Edward  JASPER

Service No:    6042
Rank:            Private
Unit:              6th Battalion, 19th Reinforcement

Born 1880, Tennyson, Vic
Son of Henry and Mary Ann Jasper from Tennyson, Vic
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Edward enlisted 28/02/1916 at Bendigo as a single man
He embarked for overseas 28/07/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A32 Themistocles
Served in Western Front
Killed in Action 4/10/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Bernard  JASPER

Service No:    3378
Rank:             Private
Unit:             7th Battalion, 11th Reinforcement

Born 1893, Geelong
Son of Herman and Harriet Jasper from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Bernard enlisted 21/07/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 11/10/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A71 Nestor
Served in Egypt, Western Front
Killed in Action 19/7/1916
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Bernard disembarked with the 59th Battalion at Tel el Kebir on 26 February 1916. He transferred to the 58th Battalion two weeks later. They continued their training before arriving in France on 23 June. The 58th became embroiled in its first major battle on the Western Front at Fromelles on 19 July. The battle was a disaster. The 58th had the dual role of providing carrying parties and a reserve force. The reserve force (approximately half of the battalion) was ordered to attack late in the battle and was virtually annihilated by machine-gun fire; as a whole, the 58th suffered casualties equal to almost a third of its strength. Bernard was posted missing from this battle on 19 July 1916. A Court of Enquiry, held in the field, 1 September 1917, pronounced his fate as ‘Killed in Action, 19 July 1916’.

Ernest Albert JENDE

Service No:    3568
Rank:             Private
Unit:               29th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement

Born 1898, Horsham
Son of Johann and Emma Jende from Geelong
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Ernest enlisted 20/05/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 1/08/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A67 Orsova
Served in France
Returned to Australia 5/7/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Arthur  JOHNSON

Service No:    11961
Rank:             Gunner
Unit:               Divisional Ammunition Column 1, Reinforcement 14

Born 1899, Geelong
Son of Frederick and Fanny Johnson from Abbotsford
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a dairyman

Arthur enlisted 5/07/1915 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 28/07/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A32 Themistocles
Served in France
Returned to Australia 19/10/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Charles Hotham JOHNSON

Service No:    31473
Rank:             Gunner
Unit:               Howitzer Brigade 21, Reinforcement 9

Born 1887, Geelong
Son of William and Alice Johnson from Highton
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Charles enlisted 6/10/1916 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 23/12/1916 from Melbourne on RMS Orontes
Served in France
Returned to Australia 31/3/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon
– Barrabool

William (Bill) Henry JOHNSON

Service No:    31379
Rank:             Gunner
Unit:               Field Artillery Brigade 4, Reinforcement 12

Born 1895, Geelong
Son of William and Alice Johnson from Newton, Highton
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a soldier

William (Bill) enlisted 19/12/1916 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 23/12/1916 from Melbourne on RMA Orontes
Served in Western Front
Returned to Australia 24/1/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Alfred Victor JOHNSON

Service No:    1374
Rank:             Private
Unit:               Heavy Artillery Group 36, Reinforcement 18

Born 1896, Geelong
Son of Emil and Ellen Johnson from Highton
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a gardener

Alfred enlisted 1/03/1918 at Queenscliff as a single man
He embarked for overseas 5/06/1918 from Sydney on RMS Orontes
Served in England
Returned to Australia 23/03/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Francis Ernest JOHNSON

Service No:    3136
Rank:             Private
Unit:               22nd Battalion, 7th Reinforcement

Born 1886, South Melbourne
Son of Frederick and Jessie Johnson; husband of Elizabeth from Birregurra
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Francis enlisted 14/07/1915 at Melbourne as a married man
He embarked for overseas 26/11/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A73 Commonwealth
Served in France
Returned to Australia 6/6/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Harry  William JOHNSON

Service No:    3986
Rank:             Private
Unit:               22nd Battalion, 9th Reinforcement

Born 1894, Geelong
Son of Joseph and Jane Johnson from Marshalltown
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a butcher

Harry  enlisted 24/07/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 8/02/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A69 Warilda
Served in France
Returned to Australia 10/3/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

John Alexander JOHNSON

Service No:    6040
Rank:             Private
Unit:               14th Battalion, 19th Reinforcement

Born 1897, Geelong
Son of William and Alice Johnson from Highton
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

John enlisted 20/03/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 1/08/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A28 Miltiades
Served in France

Returned to Australia 20/12/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon
– Barrabool

Leslie Errol KENNEDY

Service No:    2375
Rank:             Sergeant
Unit:               7th Battalion, 7th Reinforcement

Born 1896, Warrnambool
Son of Thomas and Grace Kennedy from Highton
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a clerk

Leslie enlisted 4/05/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 16/07/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A64 Demosthenes
Served in Gallipoli, France
Returned to Australia 12/6/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

William Andrew LAMB

Service No:    6050
Rank:            Lance Corporal
Unit:             14th Battalion, 19th Reinforcement

Born 31/10/1880, Ceres
Son of David and Jane Lamb from Highton
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

William enlisted 22/03/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 1/08/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A28 Miltiades
Served in France
Returned to Australia 4/6/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Walter Hamilton LAMB

Service No:    8230
Rank:            Private
Unit:              19th ASC, 2nd Field Bakery section

Born 3/6/1878, Ceres
Son of David and Jane Lamb from Highton
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Walter enlisted 22/07/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 30/11/1915 from Sydney on HMAT A23 Suffolk
Served in France
Returned to Australia 12/5/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon
– Barrabool

Walter enlisted for service in the AIF on 22 July 1915. He was posted to 19 Army Service Corps as a baker. He is not listed on the embarkation rolls but it can be assumed from his arrival in Egypt that he embarked from Sydney on 30 November 1915 in HMAT Suffolk disembarking in Alexandria in February. His service record indicates that Walter embarked from Alexandria on 17 March, arriving in Marseilles on 23 March. He was attached to the 2nd Field Bakery where he spent the remainder of the war. Walter left France for England on 17 March 1919 where he spent two months, before embarking for Australia aboard the ship Zealandia on 12 May.

Charles Richard LAWRY

Service No:    134
Rank:             Corporal
Unit:               4th Light Horse Regiment, A Squadron

Born 1888, Geelong
Son of William and Amy Lawry from Highton
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a carpenter

Charles enlisted 18/08/1914 at Broadmeadows as a single man
He embarked for overseas 19/10/1914 from Melbourne on HMAT A18 Wiltshire
Served in Gallipoli, France
He was decorated with the Military Medal
Returned to Australia 23/10/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Norman Francis LAWRY

Service No:    1804
Rank:             Gunner
Unit:               9th Light Horse Regiment, 13th Reinforcement

Born 1894, Geelong
Son of William and Amy Lawry from Highton
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a engineer turner

Norman enlisted 7/07/1915 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 11/01/1916 from Adelaide on HMAT A30 Borda
Served in France
Returned to Australia 22/5/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Leslie Giles LAWRY

Service No:    515
Rank:            Lieutenant Colonel
Unit:             8th Light Horse Regiment, A Squadron

Born 14/12/1895, Geelong
Son of William and Amy Lawry from Highton
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a carpenter

Leslie enlisted 4/01/1915 at Broadmeadows as a single man
He embarked for overseas 25/02/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A16 Star of Victoria
Served in Gallipoli, Egypt
He was Mentioned in Despatches and decorated with the Military Cross
Returned to Australia 18/7/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Herbert William Harold LAWRY

Service No:    3819
Rank:             Private
Unit:               29th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement

Born 1886, Geelong
Son of William and Amy Lawry from Geelong
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a railway employee

Herbert enlisted 29/06/1916 at  as a married man
He embarked for overseas 19/09/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A73 Commonwealth
Served in Western Front
He was decorated with the Military Medal and a Bar to the Military Medal
Returned to Australia 6/8/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Robert Thomas LENNOX

Service No:    997
Rank:             Corporal
Unit:               8th Battalion, A Company

Born 1894, Belmont
Son of Marshell and Mary Lennox from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a carpenter

Robert enlisted 8/09/1914 at Broadmeadows as a single man
He embarked for overseas 19/10/1914 from Melbourne on HMAT A24 Benalla
Served in Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front
Killed in Action 19/07/1916
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Harold Marshall LENNOX

Service No:    2684
Rank:             Private
Unit:               29th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement

Born 1895, Geelong
Son of Marshall and Mary Lennox from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a factory hand

Harold enlisted 8/01/1916 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 14/03/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A68 Anchises
Served in Western Front
Killed in Action 2/11/1916
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

George  LOWE

Service No:    902
Rank:             Corporal
Unit:               8th Light Horse Regiment, 5th Reinforcement

Born 1891, Blackpool, England
Son of George and Annie Lowe from England
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a golf professional

George enlisted 2/12/1914 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 7/05/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A56 Palermo
Served in Gallipoli, Middle East
Returned to Australia 3/7/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barwon Heads
– South Barwon

George was born in Blackpool, Lancashire, England the son a Scottish/English professional golfer. A naturally talented golfer, upon leaving school unsurprisingly he became a professional golfer appointed in 1909 at the Old Manchester Golf Club, considered the second oldest in England, but during 1911 was advised by doctors to move to warmer climates due to bronchial trouble. He decided to immigrate to Australia, arriving in 1912. His older brother Stewart (aka Alex) also a golf professional and greenkeeper joined him. George first worked as a jackeroo before a position at Colac, then Barwon Heads Golf Club (1912) became available. He was the golf professional at the Geelong Golf Club in 1913/14, holding both the positions concurrently. George enlisted at Geelong with the AIF on 26 November 1914 and was attached to the 5th Reinforcements of the 8th Light Horse Battalion at Broadmeadows.
On 7 May 1915 the unit embarked for active service from Melbourne on board HMAT Palermo. Eventually they landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 7 August 1915. The light horse were considered unsuitable for the initial operations at Gallipoli, but were subsequently deployed without their horses. The 8th formed the first two waves for the Brigade’s disastrous attack on the Nek on 7 August and suffered heavily. Recurring dysentery affected George for the first time in September and he was invalided from Gallipoli in October and transferred to Malta then England by which stage enteritis had also set in.
By January winter had set in affecting George severely. On 18 January 1916 he hospitalized for pneumonia taking quite a while to recover. Once George was fully recovered he re-joined the unit, who were back in Egypt. In March 1916, the unit joined the forces defending the Suez Canal from a Turkish drive across the Sinai Desert. The Turks were turned at Romani. Although it didn’t take part in the actual battle, the 8th Light Horse participated in the advance that followed the Turks’ retreat back across the desert. After another stay in hospital George was discharged on 15 September 1916 and transferred to 6th Battalion at 2nd Training Camp at Perham Downs for complete recovery. However another bronchial attach caused him to be admitted to hospital again on 27 November 1916.
As full recovery was near George was transferred back to the 8th Light Horse Regiment on 22 February 1917 arriving in March at Egypt marching into the isolation camp at Moascar for a month. He subsequently attached to the 3rd Light Horse Training Regiment which was involved in a stint of protective duty along the line of communications through the Sinai. The unit was then involved in the abortive second battle of Gaza on 19 April. Gaza finally fell on 7 November, after a wide outflanking move via Beersheba, in which the 1st Light Horse Brigade played a part.
George’s health started to fail again with further hospitalization for bronchial issues as winter closed in. He was transferred to the 8th Light Horse Regiment on 3 January 1918, then subsequently detached to cookery school in the March, returning month later. George succumbed to further attacks of diarrhoea and was infected with Malaria before returning to Australia on 7 August 1919.
George had considered settling in British East Africa after war’s end but the Geelong Golf Club requested he return, having kept the job open for him during his absence, as did Barwon Heads. He married Edith Barnett in 1920, they were to have three children. George’s career flourished as he developed golf courses around Melbourne and regional Victoria. He held committee positions at the Long Island golf club at Frankston which he relinquished toward the end of 1938 having decided to move his family to a farm he had purchased at Lillico via Warragul. He continued to work as a golf professional holding the position at Warragul Golf Club for 22 years. He also continue to advise on the design of new golf courses.
George provided a distinguished service to the game of golf as a professional, course builder and course designer. He died at Warragul in 1974.

Henry Joseph LYNCH

Service No:    1122
Rank:             Private
Unit:               24th Battalion, B Company

Born 1889, Geelong
Son of James and Mary Lynch from Newtown
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Henry enlisted 2/03/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 10/05/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A14 Euripides
Served in Gallipoli
Killed in Action 29/11/1915
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Patrick  LYNCH

Service No:    3506
Rank:             Private
Unit:               59th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement

Born 1885, Geelong
Son of James and Mary Lynch from Geelong
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Patrick enlisted 22/01/1917 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 16/07/1917 from Sydney on HMAT A16 Port Melbourne
Served in France
Returned to Australia 20/11/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Thomas Keddie MACFARLANE

Service No:    1910
Rank:             Lance Corporal
Unit:               4th Light Horse Regiment, 13th Reinforcement

Born 1889, Collingwood
Son of Thomas and Jane Macfarlane from Torquay
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a electrical engineer (Mechanic)

Thomas enlisted 9/10/1915 at Geelong as a Single man
He embarked for overseas 20/01/1916 from Sydney on HMAT A54 Runic
Served in France
Returned to Australia 23/7/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Puebla
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– Torquay Improvement Association
– South Barwon

Thomas was working as an electrical engineer before he enlisted on 9 October 1915. He was a single man, 26 years old when he was assigned to the 4th Light Horse Regiment, 13th Reinforcement; proceeding overseas on board HMAT Runic on 20 January 1916.
Thomas arrived in Egypt in February and underwent further training there at the Australian base at Tel el Kebir. The regiment spent 1916 engaged on rear area security tasks in the Suez Canal Zone. During this time Thomas was promoted to Lance Corporal and he was transferred to the 2nd Anzac Light Horse in July. Thomas was attached to the Commander, Royal Engineers at divisional headquarters in September. The 2nd Light Horse Regiment participated the Allied advance across the Sinai in November and was subsequently involved in the fighting to secure the Turkish outposts on the Palestine frontier – Maghdaba on 23 December 1916. Just after this battle Thomas contracted bronchial pneumonia and was invalided back to England on 28 December.
It wasn’t until April 1917 that he was well enough to march into the command centre in London where he remained for the rest of the war. During his time at London he was charged with crimes of being AWL a couple of times in June and July. Then in 1918 from April until July he was granted leave without pay for family reasons. He was discharged in London at the end of July as medically unfit and with the intention of living in Edinburgh, Scotland.
It appears he started to make his way home in August 1919 travelling from London to Hong Kong, China listed as his intended permanent address. By 1931 Thomas is listed in the electoral roll as an engineer living at Dandenong with the family Schnaars. He married Clara Schnaars in 1935. They moved to Warrnambool where Thomas worked as a labourer before moving to Canterbury as an engineer. Thomas died at Caulfield in 1952.

Stanley Randolph MACFARLANE

Service No:    3577
Rank:             Private
Unit:               29th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement

Born 1892, Malvern
Son of Thomas and Jane Macfarlane from Breakwater
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Stanley enlisted 3/03/1916 at Geelong as a married man
He embarked for overseas 1/08/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A67 Orsova
Served in France
Returned to Australia 17/3/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Puebla
– Torquay Improvement Association
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon

Stanley, a married man from Breakwater enlisted in the AIF on 3 March 1916 attached to the 29th Battalion, 8th Reinforcements. He completed his basic training at Geelong with the rank of Private. He left for overseas from Melbourne aboard the HMAT Orsova on 1 August 1916 arriving at Plymouth in September. The Battalion proceeded overseas to France in December.
In early 1917, the German Army withdrew to the Hindenburg Line, allowing the British front to be advanced. The Germans, however, made selected stands to delay this advance and the 28th Battalion was involved in defeating a counter-attack at Beaumetz on 23 March.
Stanley was charged with disobedience of orders on 24 July 1917 when he ate his emergency ration without authority and was awarded 2 days loss of pay. The only large battle in 1917 in which the 29th Battalion played a major role was Polygon Wood, fought in the Ypres sector in Belgium on 26 September.
In January 1918 Stanley returned to England on leave and while there became ill spending the next five months in and out of hospital re-joining his unit in France in June. On 27 July while in the trenches at Le Treport he was wounded in action with a gunshot wound which fractured his right forearm and consequently Stanley was transported back to England for treatment. By the time he recovered the war was over. Stanley arrived back in Australia on 30 April 1919.
He returned home to Kate living in Belmont and obtained work as a labourer. They had a daughter in 1922 and moved to Whittington shortly after. There were a couple more moves for the family – to Corio, Geelong West and Belmont as Stanley tried other occupations such as basil worker and wool worker. He died in 1966.

Frank  MACFARLANE

Service No:    1748
Rank:             Private
Unit:               21st Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement

Born 1892, Edinburgh, Scotland
Son of Thomas and Jane Macfarlane from Torquay
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Frank enlisted 18/01/1915 at Geelong as a Single man
He embarked for overseas 16/07/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A64 Demoathenes
Served in Gallipoli, Egypt
Returned to Australia 8/4/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Puebla
– Torquay Improvement Association
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon

Frank enlisted on 18 January 1915 at Geelong. He left Australia on the HMAT Demosthenes as part of the 21st Reinforcements for the 21st Battalion on 22 July 1915 and disembarked in Suez. The unit quickly moved to proceed to Gallipoli. It was an eventful trip, the battalion’s transport was torpedoed near the island of Lemnos and had to be abandoned. The battalion finally landed at ANZAC Cove on 7 September. It had a relatively quiet time at Gallipoli, as the last major Allied offensives had been defeated in August.
After evacuation from Gallipoli in December 1915, Frank with the 21st Battalion arrived in France on 26 March 1916. In April, it was the first Australian battalion to commence active operations on the Western Front. During the battle of Pozieres it was engaged mainly on carrying duties, but suffered its heaviest casualties of the war during the fighting around Mouquet Farm.
On 1 March 1917 Frank transferred to the 24th Battalion working as a cook for the unit. In May the battalion participated in the successful, but costly, second battle of Bullecourt. It was involved for only a single day ‘ 3 May ‘ but suffered almost 80 per cent casualties. The AIF’s focus for the rest of the year was the Ypres sector in Belgium, and the 24th’s major engagement was the seizure of Broodseinde Ridge.
Like many AIF battalions, the 24th was very weak at the beginning of 1918, but still played its part in turning back the German offensive in April. When the Allies took to the offensive, the 24th fulfilled supporting roles during the battles of Hamel and Amiens. At Mont St Quentin, however, it played a major role by recapturing the main German strong point atop the summit on 1 September.
The battalion’s last battles of the war were at Beaurevoir on 3 October and Montbrehain on 5 October. It left the front line for the last time on 6 October 1918 and Frank left France at the end of January 1919 marching into the 3rd Training Brigade at Hurdcott before embarking for Australia and disembarking on 22 May 1919. Once home, in August he applied to the AIF for free passage for his wife Margaret from Scotland to Australia.
In 1924 Frank and Margaret were living in Belmont. They moved to Celebration, Hampton Plains near Kalgoorlie, Western Australia the following year living near his brother John and his wife Emma. Frank was working in the mines.

Percy  MALKIN

Service No:    24419
Rank:             Driver
Unit:               3rd Divisional Ammunition Column

Born 1889, Macclesfield, England
Son of George and Harriet Malkin from Jan Juc
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Percy enlisted 10/03/1916 at Geelong as a married man
He embarked for overseas 27/06/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A37 Barambah
Served in France
Returned to Australia 11/12/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon
– Barrabool

John Mauson McCANN

Service No:    16081
Rank:             Driver
Unit:               Field Artillery Brigade 4, Reinforcement 6

Born 1897, Geelong
Son of Robert and Emily McCann from Sunshine
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farm Hand

John enlisted 31/07/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 27/05/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A11 Ascanius
Served in France
Returned to Australia 11/5/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– Barrabool
– Freshwater Creek
– South Barwon

After returning from his service abroad Jack’s whereabouts are more elusive than before the war.

Leo Aloysius McCARTIN

Service No:    517
Rank:             Lieutenant Colonel
Unit:               22nd Battalion, B Company

Born 1895, Melbourne
Son of Michael and Mary McCartin from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a draper

Leo enlisted 15/03/1915 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 10/05/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A38 Ulysses
Served in Gallipoli, France
He was decorated with the Military Cross
Killed in Action 18/8/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

M  MCDONALD

Details are currently unknown
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Norman Leo Lawrence McDONALD

Service No:    71
Rank:             Lance Corporal
Unit:               8th Light Horse Regiment, A Squadron

Born 1890, Connewarre
Son of Donald and Catherine McDonald from Connewarre
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Norman enlisted 12/09/1914 at Geelong as a Single man
He embarked for overseas 25/02/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A16 Star of Victoria
Served in Gallipoli, Egypt
Returned to Australia 26/7/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barwon Heads
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon

Norman enlisted at the start of the war on 12 September 1914 a week before his younger brother. He was assigned to the ‘A’ Squadron 8th Light Horse Regiment embarking from Melbourne aboard HMAT Star of Victoria on 25 February 1915. They arrive at Alexandria in Egypt on 14 March 1915.
On 15 May 1915, the 8th Light Horse received orders to proceed to Gallipoli, and they embarked at Alexandria for Gallipoli on 16 May 1915 per H.M.T. Menominee. All of their horses were left behind at Heliopolis under the care of one officer and 30 men. The 8th Light Horse landed at Kota Tepe (on Gallipoli) on the night of 21 May 1915, and took up positions at Walker’s Top. The 8th formed the first two waves for the Brigade’s disastrous attack on the Nek on 7 August and suffered heavily. Norman was admitted to hospital with influenza on 11 August while the regiment played a defensive role in the campaign. They finally left the peninsula on 20 December 1915.
Back in Egypt, the 8th took part in defending the Suez Canal from a Turkish drive across the Sinai Desert. The Turks were turned at Romani. Although it didn’t take part in the actual battle, the 8th Light Horse participated in the advance that followed the Turks’ retreat back across the desert. In September Norman was promoted to Lance Corporal. Later in the year the unit was involved in the fighting to secure the Turkish outpost of Maghdaba on 23 December, which was captured at bayonet point.
The next Turkish stronghold to be encountered was Gaza in March and April 1917. Norman was hospitalized in August, returning to duty in November to be involved with the unit in the wide outflanking move via Beersheba that began on 31 October.
With the fall of Gaza on 7 November 1917, the Turkish position in southern Palestine collapsed. The 8th participated in the pursuit that followed and led to the capture of Jerusalem in December. The focus of British operations then moved to the Jordan Valley. In early May 1918 the 8th was involved in the Es Salt raid. It was a tactical failure but did help to convince the Turks that the next offensive would be launched across the Jordan. Instead, the offensive was launched along the coast on 19 September 1918. The mounted forces penetrated deep into the Turkish rear areas severing roads, railways and communications links. The 8th Light Horse took part in the capture of Tiberius on 25 September and Sasa on 29 September. It entered Damascus on 1 October, and was resting in Homs when the Turks surrendered on 31 October. While waiting to embark for home, the regiment was called back to operational duty to quell the Egyptian revolt that erupted in March 1919; order was restored in little over a month. Norman sailed for home on 26July 1919.
Once home he married Olive Thorley in 1921 and moved to Dreeite, near Beeac where he worked as a farmer until his death in 1974.

William Joseph McDONALD

Service No:    2704
Rank:             Private
Unit:               29th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement

Born 1886, Geelong
Son of Alexander and Agnes McDonald from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a wool classer

William enlisted 28/01/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 14/03/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A68 Anchises
Served in France
Returned to Australia 21/7/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Austin  McDONALD

Service No:    3581
Rank:             Private
Unit:               29th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement

Born 1896, Belmont
Son of Donald and Catherine McDonald from Connewarre
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Austin enlisted 17/04/1916 at Geelong as a Single man
He embarked for overseas 1/08/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A67 Orsova
Served in France
Returned to Australia 19/2/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barwon Heads
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon

Austin McDonald, Connewarre farmer, enlisted in the AIF on 17 April 1916. He was posted as a member of the 8threinforcements for the 29th Battalion to train at Geelong.
They embarked from Melbourne for England on 1 August 1916 on board HMAT Orsova. By the time the Orsova reached Plymouth in the September an old ulcer had reappeared on Austin’s shin causing him to go to hospital, he re-joined the unit a month later. On 5 December 1916 Austin proceeded overseas for the Western Front on board the SS Princess Victoria from Folkestone.
After wintering in the mud of the Western Front, the 29th entered the fighting of 1917 against the German defensive positions forward of the Hindenburg Line. The Battalion’s aggressive and decisive action particularly at Sunray Trench contributed to the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line. The 29th Battalion played a major role at Polygon Wood, where they fought in the Ypres sector in Belgium on 26 September. During this battle Austin was wounded in action. Here the Battalion excelled despite poor communication from higher authorities. While stationed at the hospital and still recovering from the injury, Austin went AWL overnight and his punishment was the loss of ten days pay for his crime. He re-joined his unit from hospital on 22 December, however he returned to hospital two weeks later to be discharged in April 1918.
When the Allies took to the offensive again, the 29th fought in a minor attack at Morlancourt on 29 July, and then in August and September took part in the great advance that followed the battle of Amiens. During this advance on 9 August 1918 Austin was wounded in action with a gunshot wound to the head. He was admitted to hospital and invalided to England for recovery. On the 4 December 1918 Austin was transferred to 5th Battalion before returning to Australia. On 31 March 1919 he disembarked in Melbourne.
Austin returned to Connewarre for a short time. In 1924 he was a labourer living in Dreeite with his brother Norman. He died in 1955.

John Alex MCDONALD

Service No:    2145
Rank:             Private
Unit:               6th Battalion, 1st Reinforcements

Born 1892, Geelong
Son of Donald and Catherine McDonald from Connewarre
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

John enlisted 21/09/1914 at Geelong as a Single man
He embarked for overseas 5/04/1915 from no record on not listed
Served in Gallipoli
Killed in Action 8/5/1915
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barwon Heads
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon

John enlisted on 17 September 1914 at the beginning of the war. He was attached to the 6th Battalion, 1st Reinforcements and training at Broadmeadows. On 22 December 1914 he embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Themistocles. The ship sailed in across the Indian Ocean, bound for Egypt arriving early February.
After intensive training the 6th Battalion landed at Gallipoli as part of the 2nd wave on the 25th April 1915. While attempting to hold back the Turks John was reported on 8 May 1915 as being wounded, then reported as wounded and missing. He was pronounced killed in action by a Court of Enquiry held on 24 April 1916. In 1920 his body was found in a Turkish Cemetery at Pine Ridge, exhumed and re-interred in the Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli.

Edward  McGEE

Service No:    7276
Rank:             Private
Unit:               7th Battalion, 24th Reinforcement

Born 1886, South Morang
Son of Edward and Edith McGee from Geelong
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a plasterer

Edward enlisted 18/12/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 19/02/1917 from Melbourne on HMAT A70 Ballarat
Served in Western Front
Killed in Action 2/7/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

William Joseph   McINNES

Service No:    4548
Rank:             Private
Unit:               23rd Battalion, 11th Reinforcement

Born 1887, Geelong
Son of William and Sarah McInnes from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

William enlisted 1/12/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 23/04/1916 from Melbourne on RMS Walwa
Served in France
Returned to Australia 1/8/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Henry Ernest MILLER

Service No:    1073
Rank:             Private
Unit:               5th Battalion, B Company

Born 1895, Geelong
Son of Henry and Maude Miller from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a soap maker

Henry enlisted 21/09/1914 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 21/10/1914 from Melbourne on HMAT A3 Orvieto
Served in Gallipoli
Returned to Australia 4/9/1915
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Elsie Millicent MILLER

Service No:    25512
Rank:             Sister
Unit:               A.A.N.S.  (Australian Army Nursing Service)

Born 26/3/1888, Avon Plains, Victoria
Daughter of Alexander and Margaret Millicent from Jan Juc
Her occupation prior to enlistment was as a nurse

Elsie enlisted 13/12/1914 at Freemantle as a Single man
She embarked for overseas 14/12/1914 from Freemantle on HMAT A55 Kyarra
Served in Egypt, France
Returned to Australia 25/9/1917
Her name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– Barrabool
– South Barwon

Elsie trained at Maryborough Hospital continuing to work there after her training. One of her roles was as a Sister in the surgical Ward. During 1910 – 11 she was the superintendent of night nurses at Ballarat Hospital and also was the Acting Matron Maldon Hospital for a while.
When war broke out Elsie was living at Archie’s Creek (Wonthaggi) Victoria working as a nurse. She travelled to Perth enlisting on 21 November 1914 having previously served with 1st AGH. She embarked from Freemantle aboard the HMAT A55 Kyarra hospital ship on 14 December arriving a month later in Egypt attached to the No. 1 A.G.H. A year later Elsie was promoted to Sister.
On 20 April 1916 Elsie reported at 1st A.G.H. Rouen for duty staying there until September 1917 when she proceeded back to England for duty attached as part of the nursing staff aboard HMAT A30 Borda returning to Australia. After returning to Australia, Elsie was attached to the 2nd A.A.H. On 14 October 1918 as part of the Sea Transport Staff once again Elise re-embarked from Sydney aboard SS Wyreema bound for Salonika, Greece. As a result of the cessation of hostilities the ship was recalled from Cape Town arriving back in Australia 21 December 1918. She was discharged from the A.A.N.S on 5 February 1919.
After her return, Elsie continued nursing working at the No 11 A.G.H, Caulfield. Until 1925 when she travelled abroad. Elsie married Dr Ralph Noble at Katoomba, NSW in 1929 and they lived in the Wentworth district of NSW until about 1934. They moved overseas to England. Elsie died at Cambridge, U.K, on 8 October 1979.

Frank Alfred George NEWLAND

Service No:    776
Rank:             Sergeant
Unit:               24th Battalion, C Company

Born 1894, Geelong
Son of James and Fanny Newland from Marshalltown
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a hairdresser

Frank enlisted 15/03/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 10/05/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A14 Euripides
Served in Gallipoli, France
He was decorated with the Military Medal
Returned to Australia 8/04/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Jock Macmullen NOBLE

Service No:    28744
Rank:             Driver
Unit:               4th Division D.A.C (Divisional Ammunition Column)

Born 2/2/1895, Geelong
Son of George and Frances Noble from Connewarre
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Jock enlisted 10/05/1916 at Geelong as a Single man
He embarked for overseas 25/10/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A38 Ulysses
Served in France
He was decorated with the Military Medal
Returned to Australia 15/6/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– Anglesea
– South Barwon

Arthur Stanley PALMER

Service No:    3594
Rank:             Private
Unit:               29th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement

Born 1892, Geelong
Son of James and Eva Palmer from Moolap
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Arthur enlisted 28/06/1916 at Geelong as a married man
He embarked for overseas 1/08/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A67 Orsova
Served in Western Front
Killed in Action 25/1/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon
– Mt Duneed

James Reginald PALMER

Service No:    3987
Rank:             Private
Unit:               2nd Machine Gun Battalion

Born 1893, Connewarre
Son of James and Eva Palmer from Germantown
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

James enlisted 13/07/1915 at Geelong as a Single man
He embarked for overseas 8/02/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A69 Warilda
Served in France
Returned to Australia 9/2/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon

Horace Leslie PALMER

Service No:    3959
Rank:             Private
Unit:               29th Battallion, 8th Reinforcement

Born 1895, Geelong
Son of James and Eva Palmer from Grovedale
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Horace enlisted 19/02/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 1/08/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A67 Orsova
Served in France
Returned to Australia 16/12/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon
– Mt Duneed

H J PANNOWITZ

Currently details are unknown
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

E  PATTERSON

Currently details are unknown
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

N   PATTERSON

Currently details are unknown
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Royden Kennedy PATTERSON

Service No:    11863
Rank:             Corporal
Unit:               Supply Column 3, Army Service Corps 26

Born 1886, Winchelsea
Son of Robert and Annie Patterson from Swan Hill
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a auctioneer

Royden enlisted 7/02/1916 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 5/06/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A19 Afric
Served in France
Returned to Australia 31/07/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Ernest Alexander PATTERSON

Service No:    2174
Rank:             Private
Unit:               7th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement

Born 1894, Numurkah
Son of James and Elizabeth Paterson from Dandenong
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a miner

Ernest enlisted 5/03/1915 at Wonthaggi as a single man
He embarked for overseas 17/06/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A62 Wandilla
Served in Egypt, France
Died as a result of illness – self inflicted wounds 8/5/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Elmo John POWELL

Service No:    2730
Rank:             Private
Unit:               29th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement

Born 1898, Geelong
Son of Patrick and Mary Powell from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a boot maker

Elmo enlisted 25/01/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 14/03/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A68 Anchises
Served in France
Returned to Australia 31/8/1916
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Cornelius Lowe Hobbs RANKIN

Service No:    2746
Rank:             Private
Unit:               29th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement

Born 1887, Geelong
Son of Walter and Sarah Rankin from Highton
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Cornelius enlisted 10/01/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 14/03/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A68 Anchises
Served in France
Returned to Australia 12/5/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Alfred William RAYFIELD

Service No:    275
Rank:             Private
Unit:               Machine Gun Company 10, Reinforcement 2

Born 1891, Grayesend, England
Son of James and Ann Rayfield from England
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a barman

Alfred enlisted 27/04/1916 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 16/08/1916 from Melbourne on RMS Orontes
Served in France
Returned to Australia 6/9/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barwon Heads
– South Barwon

Alfred, a barman at the Mt. Colite Hotel Barwon Heads, enlisted at Melbourne on 27 April 1916. He was appointed to training at Seymour with the 2nd Reinforcements of the 10th Machine Gun Company and assigned to the 10th Infantry Brigade. The unit embarked from Melbourne on 16 August aboard HMAT Orontes arriving in England on 3 October and allocated to No 3 training camp Parkhouse. After intensive training it crossed to France on 18 November.
The Division was commanded by Major General John Monash, who went on to command the entire Australian Corps and is still regarded as one of the finest military commanders of the World War I.
In 1917, the Australian 3rd Division participated in a number of major battles in France and Belgium including Messines, Polygon Wood, Broodseinde and Passchendaele.
Each company within the Battalion was equipped with 16 Vickers machine guns, giving the 3rd Machine Gun Battalion a total of 64. Each gun required a six to eight man crew – one to fire, one to load and the rest to help carry the gun, ammunition and spare parts. The Vickers machine gun was capable of firing up to 450 rounds per minute and had an effective range of around 4 kilometres!
In February 1918, the 10th Machine Gun Company was absorbed into the 3rd Machine Gun Battalion which was attached to the Australian 3rd Division, saw action in Ypres in Belgium, in the Somme during the German’s spring offensive, and later that year, as part of the allies’ 100 day offensive around Amiens, France.
Private Alfred William Rayfield served continuously in France and Belgium (other than for short periods of leave) between November 1916 and May 1919. He returned to Australia per HT Berrima embarking on 6 September 1919 with his mother and father. They disembarked in Melbourne on 2 November 1919. Within weeks of returning to Australia he married Maude Daniels, they made their home in Caulfield with Alfred working as a storeman. In 1931 James Rayfield (father) was living with Alfred and Maude at Caulfield. Alfred died in 1935.

John Frederick William RECHENBERG

Service No:    2245
Rank:             Private
Unit:               46th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement

Born 1885, Geelong
Son of Frederick and Johanna Rechenberg from South Geelong
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

John enlisted 22/03/1916 at Geelong as a married man
He embarked for overseas 16/08/1916 from Melbourne on RMS Orontes
Served in France
Returned to Australia 30/1/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Charles Frederick RECHENBERG

Service No:    1958
Rank:             Private
Unit:               58th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement

Born 1888, Geelong
Son of Frederick and Johanna Rechenberg from Marshalltown
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Charles enlisted 18/02/1916 at Cairns as a married man
He embarked for overseas 8/07/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A31 Ajana
Served in France
Returned to Australia 12/5/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Hugo Boswell REID

Service No:    3235
Rank:             Corporal
Unit:               21st Battalion, 7th Reinforcement

Born 1871, Geelong
Son of David and Mary Reid from Highton
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a driver

Hugo enlisted 9/07/1915 at Geelong as a married man
He embarked for overseas 18/11/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A18 Wiltshire
Served in France
Returned to Australia 8/4/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

A  RICHARDSON

Details currently not known
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Frank Evan  RICHARDSON

Details currently unknown
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Frank  RICKARD

Service No:    6570
Rank:             Driver
Unit:               21st Battalion, 5th Reinforcement

Born 1895, Glenrowan
Son of Frank and Flora Rickard from Mt. Duneed
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Frank enlisted 11/04/1916 at Melbourne as a Single man
He embarked for overseas 2/10/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A71  Nestor
Served in France
Returned to Australia 28/3/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon
– Mt Duneed

William Henry Gladstone ROBERTSON

Service No:    2281
Rank:             Private
Unit:               60th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement

Born 1891, Port Campbell
Son of Robert and Mary Robertson from Geelong
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a drainer

William enlisted 17/01/1916 at Melbourne as a married man
He embarked for overseas 1/08/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A67 Orsova
Served in France
He was decorated with the Military Medal
Died as a result of wounds received in action 3/10/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

William Gray Dixon ROBERTSON

Service No:    61
Rank:             Sergeant
Unit:               13th Light Horse Regiment, A Squadron

Born 1896, Geelong
Son of Colin and Margaret Robertson from Moe
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farm student

William enlisted 18/01/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 26/06/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A44 Vestalia
Served in Gallipoli, France
He was decorated with the Military Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal
Returned to Australia 7/08/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

John Charles ROSS

Service No:    2743
Rank:             Private
Unit:               29th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement

Born 1892, Waurn Ponds
Son of John and Martha Ross from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

John enlisted 5/03/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 14/03/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A68 Anchises
Served in France
He was decorated with the Distinguished Conduct Medal
Returned to Australia 22/5/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Winchelsea
– South Barwon
– Barrabool

Allan Hector ROSS

Service No:    2885
Rank:             Private
Unit:               7th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement

Born 1887, Geelong
Son of John and Emily Ross from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Allan enlisted 1/07/1915 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 10/09/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A16 Star of Victoria
Served in France
Died as a result of wounds received in action 29/6/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon
– Barrabool

Harold Leslie ROSSER

Service No:    2989
Rank:             Private
Unit:               29th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement

Born 1898, Torquay
Son of Felix and Florence Rosser from Torquay
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Harold enlisted 21/01/1916 at Ballarat as a Single man
He embarked for overseas 4/04/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A14 Euripides
Served in France
Killed in Action 9/8/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Puebla
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– Torquay Improvement Association
– South Barwon

Harold was a labourer from Geelong, possibly working at Ballarat where he enlisted prior signing up on 21 January 1916. He was initially attached to the 19th Training Depot at Ballarat before transferring to Broadmeadows and the 29th Battalion, 6th Reinforcements. Harold embarked with the 6th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Euripides on 4 April 1916 disembarking Suez, 12 May before heading across to England in June spending time with the 8th Training Battalion.
In September he joined the 29th Battalion in France and was wounded in action in November with a gunshot wound to the hand and knee consequently evacuated to England with those injuries and trench feet in December. Harold appeared not to be one to keep family and friends at home up to date about his health. From London in September Harold sent a letter home in response to an instruction from a superior officer. “I got rather a surprise today to receive word from you as to someone enquiring news of me. I have had late mail from Australia and my peole had received my letters up to date. As regards to how I am getting on: I left France last November 25 and at present stationed at the above address and enjoying the best of health. Thanks for the trouble you have taken to find me”. Following his recovery, he transferred to the 65th Battalion in England before rejoining the 29th Battalion overseas in October 1917.
During 1918, the 29th fought in a minor attack at Morlancourt on 29 July, and then during the Allied Hundred Days Offensive that was launched on 8 August 1918, the battalion took part in the 8th Brigade’s advance up the treacherous Morcourt Valley, subsequently achieving a considerable feat by capturing the town of Vauvillers. Harold’s unit had reached their objective North of Harbonnieres and were holding position. The next day at 11:42 am the battalion moved forward to attack from the left of Harbonnieres under heavy machine gun fire. No other troops were moving on the right flank leaving the battalion open to heavy fire. Tanks that were supposed to support them had been put out of action early in the advance. There were heavy casualties being caused by machine guns firing from in and around Vauvillers. An order arrived to stay in position until it was possible to move without heavy casualties. The Coys marched by short rushes towards the objective and engaged the enemy machine guns with Lewis Gun and rifle fire. After a series of short rushes of crawling they achieved the objective, though one company had advanced through and beyond Vauvillers succeed to establish Lewis Gun Posts to cover the village. The new front line was established as a series of posts. The Commanding Officer noted in his diary that “Great bravery was exhibited by all ranks in advancing against extremely heavy enemy M.G. fire and ultimately silencing all opposition.” AWM 29th Battalion War Diary 9/8/18 On this day 3 officers and 14 other ranks were killed from the battalion. After the morning advance, Harold a stretcher bearer approached some men who were with some German Prisoners thinking there was a wounded man amongst them. He was wounded at first by a pieced of shell in the arm and while he was being attended to another piece of shell hit him in the back and came out the front cutting a piece off his pay book which he had in his pocket. He and many of the prisoners died instantly. He was initially buried three-quarters of a mile North East of Harbonnieres, on the left of road to Rainecourt. A Chaplain officiated at his burial. He is now buried nearby at Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres, France.

W  SCOTT

Details are currently unknown
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

William John SCOTT

Service No:    4916
Rank:             Lance Corporal
Unit:               58th Battalion

Born 1894, Mt Duneed
Son of William and Elizabeth Scott from Connewarre
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

William enlisted 13/09/1915 at Geelong as a Single man
He embarked for overseas 7/03/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A18 Wiltshire
Served in France
Killed in Action 9/8/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barwon Heads
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon

William enlisted on 13 September 1915 at Geelong completing his initial training at Geelong and later at Broadmeadows. He departed Melbourne aboard HMAT Wilshire on March 7 as a reinforcement for the 15th Battalion. He arrived in Egypt in April and was transferred to the 58th Battalion. After intensive training William left Egypt for France arriving in June. The following month William soon found himself in action sustaining a gunshot wound to the face and shock during the catastrophic battle of Fromelles. Three weeks later he was back in action rejoining his unit on 15 August however an inflammation of the middle ear caused him to be readmitted back to hospital. He briefly rejoined the unit in October before developing Trench Feet in December and spending another week in hospital.
Early in 1917 the 58th battalion participated in the advance that followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, but it was spared from the assault. During this operation on 26 March William was wounded in action for the second occasion, this time a gunshot wound to the right elbow. He was transferred to England for medical attention. In May he proceeded overseas back to France and joined his unit on 16 June. When the Allies launched an offensive around Amiens on 8 August, the 58th Battalion was amongst the units in action, although its role in the subsequent advance was limited. The battalion was involved in the fighting to secure Peronne at the beginning of September. On 4 October William was appointed Lance Corporal, the same day the Army Corps Commander expressed appreciation of the gallant services William rendered during a recent operation.
The Hundred Days Offensive was the final period of the First World War, during which the Allies launched a series of offensives against the Central Powers on the Western Front from 8 August to 11 November 1918, beginning with the Battle of Amiens. The offensive essentially pushed the Germans out of France, forcing them to retreat beyond the Hindenburg Line, and was followed by an armistice. The term “Hundred Days Offensive” does not refer to a specific battle or unified strategy, but rather the rapid series of Allied victories starting with the Battle of Amiens. On the 9 August the 58th role was to attack in a south-easterly direction toward Chaulnes with Vauvillers on their left in support of the Battle of Amiens. They sustained heavy casualties including William Scott who was killed in action.

George Harold SCOTT

Service No:    256
Rank:             Private
Unit:               8th Battalion, B Company

Born 1893, Waaia, Vic
Son of John and Kate Scott from South Yarra
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a barman

George enlisted 19/08/1914 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 19/10/1914 from Melbourne on HMAT A24 Benalla
Served in Gallipoli, France
He was decorated with the Military Medal
Returned to Australia 24/09/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

George Tait SCOTT

Service No:    3635
Rank:             Private
Unit:               22nd Battalion, 8th Reinforcement

Born 10/3/1896, Mt Duneed
Son of William and Elizabeth Scott from Connewarre
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

George enlisted 22/07/1915 at Geelong as a Single man
He embarked for overseas 5/01/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A19 Afric
Served in Western Front
Returned to Australia 18/5/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barwon Heads
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon

On a small piece of paper, parents Elizabeth and William wrote their consent for George to enlist in the Expeditionary Force. He did so on 22 July 1915 as a 19 year old Connewarre farmer, joining the 22nd Infantry Battalion as a Private. He began his training at Geelong before being transferred to Broadmeadows in November.
His unit embarked from Melbourne on board HMAT Afric on 5 January 1916. On arrival in Egypt (24 February) George was transferred initially to the 57th Battalion, then shortly after to the 58th Battalion. On 23 March the unit arrived in France becoming embroiled in its first major battle on the Western Front at Fromelles on 19 July. The battle was a disaster. The 58th had the dual role of providing carrying parties and a reserve force. The reserve force (approximately half of the battalion) was ordered to attack late in the battle and was virtually annihilated by machine-gun fire; as a whole, the 58th suffered casualties equal to almost a third of its strength. George was wounded in this battle. Firstly it was reported that he had been shot in the back and axilla, then later it was his chest, he was eventually invalided back to England. In October, while stationed at Perham Downs for recuperation, George went AWL for three days and awarded 7 days confined to camp (CC) and forfeited 4 days pay. It was another twelve months before he re-joined his unit.
During March 1917, while still based in England, he was allocated to the 65th Battalion. However on 21 September George went back to France to reinforce 58th Battalion, joining the unit on 2 October. After the major battle of Polygon Wood which the 58th was involved they joined the great offensive launched to the east of Ypres. The 58th was ordered to relieve the 8th Battalion on 25 October. The next day there was heavy shelling all morning and at 8pm an order was received to send out patrols with the object of ascertaining the condition of pill boxes situated front of their line. It was on this day that George was wounded for a second time and sent to hospital.
George re-joined his unit on 5 January 1918 from hospital. Influenza in April had sent him to hospital again and while there he developed impetigo. He was discharged in July re-joining the 58th Battalion in the field. George was sent to hospital on 2 September with NYDN. In 1917, the term shell-shock was no longer allowed. Men were classified as Not Yet Diagnosed Nervous (NYDN). The men called it Not Yet Dead Nearly. A week later the diagnosis was concussion! After a month in hospital George returned to his unit only to be readmitted to hospital with influenza and again re-joining his unit in January 1919.
With the armistice signed and the war over, George returned to Australia on 8 May 1919. Once home he married Elsie and they lived and farmed in Connewarre until George’s death in 1952.

William Henry SECHTIG

Service No:    8764
Rank:             2nd Corporal
Unit:               2nd Field Ambulance, 14th Reinforcement

Born 1886, Collingwood
Son of August and Martha Sechtig from Burnley
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a assistant station master

William enlisted 14/07/1915 at Melbourne as a married man
He embarked for overseas 28/01/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A32 Themistocles
Served in Western Front
Returned to Australia 19/4/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

William Patrick Joseph SHELLY

Service No:    2009
Rank:             Private
Unit:               8th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement

Born 1895, Geelong
Son of Patrick and Margaret Shelly from Marshall
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

William enlisted 11/01/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 17/04/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A20 Hororata
Served in Gallipoli
Died as a result of disease 5/9/1915
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Albert Charles SMITH

Service No:    4127
Rank:             Private
Unit:               29th Battalion, 10th Reinforcement

Born 1895, Highton
Son of Charles and Lilian Smith from Grovedale
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Albert enlisted 28/03/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 21/10/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A16 Port Melbourne
Served in France
Returned to Australia 23/6/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon
– Mt Duneed

Sydney Francis SMITH

Service No:    1769
Rank:             Sergeant
Unit:               60th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement

Born 1890, Geelong
Son of Richard and Rebecca Smith from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a carpenter

Sydney enlisted 24/08/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 4/05/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A17 Port Lincoln
Served in France
Returned to Australia 22/7/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Robert Blyth SPENCER

Service No:    2781
Rank:             Private
Unit:               24th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement

Born 1891, Strathbogie
Son of William and Frances Spencer from Connewarre
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Robert enlisted 27/07/1915 at Geelong as a Single man
He embarked for overseas 27/10/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A38 Ulysses
Served in France
Returned to Australia 13/4/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barwon Heads
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon

Robert was twenty four years old when he enlisted on 17 July 1915 to join the AIF, one of a record 36,575 men to sign up that month. He was allocated to the 6th Reinforcements of the 24th Infantry Battalion and sent to Broadmeadows to undergo his training. While at the training camp he married Ivy Fuller. He duly sailed for the Middle East on HMAT Ulysses leaving Melbourne on 27 October 1915. Arriving in Egypt in early December, Robert was not sent to Gallipoli as the Allied high command had already decided to leave the peninsula at the end of the month. Instead there was reorganisation of the battalions to focus on the Western Front.
The 24th Infantry Battalion and Robert sailed for France on 21 March 1916 taking part in its first major offensive around Pozieres and Mouquet Farm in July and August. The Battalion got little rest during the bleak winter of 1916-17 alternating between the front and labouring tasks. When patrolling no-man’s land the men of the 24th adopted a unique form of snow camouflage – large white nighties bought in Amiens.
In May 1917 the battalion participated in the successful, but costly, second battle of Bullecourt. It was involved for only a single day ‘ 3 May ‘ but suffered almost 80 per cent casualties. Robert soon after transferred to the 1st Anzac Corps School where he stayed for twelve months, probably as an instructor. The Anzac Corps School was at Aveluy, in France. The school ran courses on subjects such as bombing, Lewis guns, trench mortars and signalling.
When Robert returned to his battalion in August 1918, the 24th was preparing for the battle at Mont St Quentin where it played a major role by recapturing the main German strong point atop the summit on 1 September.
The battalion’s last battles of the war were at Beaurevoir on 3 October and Montbrehain on 5 October. It left the front line for the last time on 6 October 1918 and Robert returned to Australia in April 1919 and to the farm at Connewarre.
The following year Robert and Ivy’s son Harold was born in 1920, he died the same year. Sadly Ivy died in 1927 and Robert married Lillie Tink in 1930. In 1936 Robert was a farmer, living with Lillie at the Soldier Settlement, Bookar in the Camperdown area. He continued living in Camperdown until his death in March 1972.

Alexander Ewing SPENCER

Service No:    1967
Rank:             Private
Unit:               58th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement

Born 1889, Strathbogie
Son of William and Frances Spencer from Connewarre
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farm Labourer

Alexander enlisted 29/02/1916 at Geelong as a Single man
He embarked for overseas 8/07/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A31 Ajana
Served in France
Returned to Australia 15/5/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barwon Heads
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon

Alexander enlisted on 29 February 1916, and was allocated to the 3rd Reinforcements for the 58th Battalion. He trained at Broadmeadows before embarking from Melbourne aboard HMAT Ajana on 8 July. They arrived at England on 31 August 1916. With some further training behind him, Alexander sailed with his unit to France on 6 December.
Things were quiet initially, then early in 1917 the 58th battalion participated in the advance that followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, but it was spared from the assault. It did, however, defend gains made during the second battle of Bullecourt, between 9 and 12 May. Alexander suffered a gunshot wound to the right thigh and was admitted to hospital, eventually being invalided out if France and admitted to 1st London General Hospital on 29 May. He was again admitted to hospital in August for the treatment of Trench Feet. He re-joined his unit in October at the time of the collapse of Russia.
Alexander began the new year with a transfer to the 15th Infantry Brigade at Brigade Head Quarters re-joining the 58th Battalion in October just after it withdrew from the front line for a rest. It was still resting when the war ended.
He marched out of France for return to Australia in March 1919 as the battalion merged with the 59th Battalion. He sailed from England on 15 May 1919 aboard the Orontes, disembarking at Melbourne 29 June.
Once home Alexander returned to living at Connewarre and farming. He died in 1972.

Pearl  SPRIGGINS

Rank:             Sister
Unit:               No1 Australian General Hospital

Born 1889, Geelong
Daughter of John and Elizabeth Spriggins from Belmont

Her occupation prior to enlistment was as a nurse
Pearl enlisted 12/06/1915 at Heliopolis, Egypt as a single man
She embarked for overseas 25/06/1915 from Fremantle on HMAT A62 Wandilla
Served in France
Returned to Australia 30/4/1919
Her name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Nurse Pearl Spriggins trained at Colac Hospital and was Charge Sister of the Adelaide Government Hospital from which she resigned to go to the war following in the footsteps of her brother Quarter-master Sergt. Alf Spriggins who was serving overseas. Another brother, Sergt. Charles Spriggins enlisted in 1917. Pearl first enlisted in May 1915 and embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Wandilla on 15 June 1915 with reinforcements for the Ras el Tin, 2nd Convalescent Depot, Alexandria, Egypt. She completed enlistment papers again at Heliopolis, Egypt on 23 March 1916 and continued to work there until June when she was transferred to 14th General Hospital located at Abbassia, Cairo. The following month Pearl was sent on special duty to the Cawnpore Military Hospital in Bombay where she was stationed until 15 January 1917. From Bombay Pearl embarked to England where she was assigned to different hospitals before proceeding overseas to France on 22 August 1917. While in France Pearl was promoted to the rank of Sister on 1 October 1918. In March the following year she was returned to London for six weeks which included transport duty in the English Channel before her role became V.O. Matron aboard HMHS China on the route back to Australia. They disembarked at Melbourne on 6 June, 1919 subsequently Pearl was discharged on 26 September 1919.
Once back home Pearl leased, operated and was matron at the Somerton Private Hospital in Skene Street, Newtown. In December 1921 when the property was put up for auction as part of a deceased estate, Pearl was the successful bidder. She continued as matron for another 2 years before moving to Sandringham and continued nursing.
One of the latest appointments of a woman to a sea-going billet is that of Sister Pearl Spriggins, one of three permanent matrons travelling from Great Britain to Australia. Matron Spriggins will probably leave Australia next month to collect her first batch of migrants, returning with them before the end of the year. As a war sister, the new matron is used to travel, having seen war service of four years’ duration in India, Egypt, France and England. With a good knowledge of Australian country and city life, Matron Spriggins should be able to give the new-comers an adequate idea of what kind of a life they are coming to. Chronicle (Adelaide, SA), 6 August 1927 page 68
Pearl moved to Mosman, NSW in the early 1950’s still recording her occupation as a nurse. She died on 11 July 1954 at Mosman.

Herbert William Francis STACEY

Service No:    3988
Rank:             Driver
Unit:               22nd Battalion, 9th Reinforcement

Born 1891, Mt Duneed
Son of Francis and Catherine Stacey from Mt Duneed
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Herbert enlisted 14/07/1915 at Geelong as a Single man
He embarked for overseas 8/02/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A69 Warilda
Served in France
Returned to Australia 10/4/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon
– Mt Duneed

Francis Samuel Edward STACEY

Service No:    3989
Rank:             Private
Unit:               22nd Battalion, 9th Reinforcement

Born 1893, Connewarre
Son of Francis and Catherine Stacey from Mt Duneed
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Francis enlisted 13/07/1915 at Geelong as a Single man
He embarked for overseas 8/02/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A69 Warilda
Served in France
Returned to Australia 20/10/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon
– Mt Duneed

Arthur Vincent STANLEY

Service No:    832
Rank:             Private
Unit:               3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance

Born 1892, Keighley, England
Son of Holmes and Matilda Stanley from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a clerk

Arthur enlisted 7/10/1914 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 2/02/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A51 Chilka
Served in Gallipoli, Egypt
Returned to Australia 12/04/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Arthur Harold STENNING

Service No:    3645
Rank:             Bombardier
Unit:               Field Artillery Brigade 2, Reinforcement 2 and Reinforcement 3

Born 1888, Brighton, England
Son of Nelson and Elizabeth Stenning from Sussex, England
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a carpenter

Arthur enlisted 2/11/1914 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 2/02/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A45 Hessen
Served in Gallipoli, England, France
Returned to Australia 22/7/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Michael  STOKES

Service No:    4899
Rank:             Private
Unit:               8th Battalion, 15th Reinforcement

Born 1892, Waurn Ponds
Son of Patrick and Bridget Stokes from Waurn Ponds
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

Michael enlisted 21/07/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 7/03/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A18 Wiltshire
Served in France
Returned to Australia 27/8/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon
– Barrabool

William George TAIT

Service No:    7149
Rank:             Private
Unit:               8th Battalion, 23rd Reinforcement

Born 1890, Mt Duneed
Son of George and Mary Tait from Barwon Heads
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a farmer

William enlisted 24/10/1916 at Geelong as a Single man
He embarked for overseas 23/11/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A20 Hororata
Served in France
Returned to Australia 4/1/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barwon Heads
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon

On William’s first application for enlistment in the AIF, he was rejected because of his teeth. William then enlisted on 22 July 1915 but was discharged in November having been found medically unfit due to heart disease. A third application on 24 October 1916 saw him finally accepted into the AIF and attached to the 23rd Reinforcement of the 8th Battalion. After completing four weeks basic training William embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Hororata on 23 November 1916. He disembarked at Plymouth, England on 29 January 1917.
With further intensive training in England William proceeded overseas to France on 29 May 1917 joining the 8th Battalion AIF in August. The battalion was participating in the operations that followed-up the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line. They returned to Belgium to join the great offensive launched to the east of Ypres. William became ill on 15 September with PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin) the medical term usually applied to Trench Fever. A month later he was transferred to England for treatment.
In May 1918 William proceeded overseas to France, and re-joined the 8th Battalion a week later. They had just held back the Germans in their spring offensive. The battalion then participated in the allies’ own spring offensive, launched near Amiens on 8 August 1918. The advance by British and empire troops was the greatest success in a single day on the Western Front, one that German General Erich Ludendorff described as, “the black day of the German Army in this war”. Two days after this action William was wounded with gunshot wound to his right arm and leg subsequently invalided to the U.K two weeks later. In October he was discharged to the Com. Depot, Weymouth before returning to Australia per Morvada on 4 January 1919.
After returning to the farm at Connewarre William married Ruth Lloyd in 1921. The moved to Dreeite where William worked as a farmer until 1949 when they shifted to Newtown. In 1954 William died.

Alice Blondell TAPP

Rank:             Staff Nurse
Unit:               Nurses (July 1915 – Nov 1918)

Born 1881, Warrnambool
Daughter of Peter and Jenney Tapp from Belmont
Her occupation prior to enlistment was as a nurse

Alice enlisted 27/04/1917 at  as a single man
She embarked for overseas 29/12/1916 from Sydney on HMAT A32 Themistocles
Served in England, France
Returned to Australia 4/7/1919
Her name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Alice embarked from Sydney aboard the HMAT A35 Ulysses on 9 May 1917 arriving at Plymouth six weeks later and reported to Headquarters in London. She was initially attached to the Croydon War Hospital then was attached to hospitals at Weymouth and Southall before leaving overseas for France on 17 August 1918. Alice served at Rouen for 4 months before returning to England posted to Sutton Veny. During March 1919 Alice was stricken with influenza returning to duty on 31 March. She was promoted to Sister on 9 June 1919 prior to embarking for return to Australia on 4 July 1919. Her appointment with the AIF AANS was terminated on 24 October 1919. She was still working as a nurse in 1954. Alice died on June 9, 1956 at her residence in Caulfield.

Alfred  TAYLOR

Service No:    1349
Rank:             Private
Unit:               24th Battalion, Headquarters

Born 1891,
Son of Arthur from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a engineer

Alfred enlisted 10/04/1915 at  as a single man
He embarked for overseas 10/05/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A14 Euripides
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Leonard Stanley TOMKINS

Service No:    1350
Rank:             Private
Unit:               2nd Light Horse Regiment, 10th Reinforcement

Born 1888, Geelong
Son of John and Harriett Tomkins from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer

Leonard enlisted 17/05/1915 at Chermside, Qld as a single man
He embarked for overseas 5/10/1915 from Brisbane on HMAT A69 Warilda
Served in Egypt
Returned to Australia 13/03/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Henry  TREVASKIS

Service No:    2634
Rank:             Gunner
Unit:               13th Light Horse Regiment, 23rd Reinforcement

Born 1899, Beechworth
Son of William and Fanny Trevaskis from Geelong
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a grocer and gardener

Henry enlisted 23/07/1917 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 2/02/1918 from Sydney on HMAT A18 Wiltshire
Served in England, France
Returned to Australia 19/6/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Leslie Charles TUCKER

Service No:    129
Rank:             Sergeant
Unit:               Australian Flying Corps, No 1 Squadron Headquarters

Born 1896, Geelong
Son of Charles and Lily Tucker from Geelong
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a fitter and turner

Leslie enlisted 16/02/1916 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 16/03/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A67 Orsova
Served in Egypt
Returned to Australia 4/03/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

James  TWEEDIE

Service No:    1199
Rank:             Private
Unit:               4th Infantry Brigade headquarters

Born 1873, Linton, Scotland
Son of John and Elizabeth Tweedie from Highton
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a horse breaker

James enlisted 18/09/1914 at Echuca as a single man
He embarked for overseas 22/12/1914 from Melbourne on HMAT A38 Ulysses
Served in Egypt
Died as a result of disease 25/07/1914
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

John Anderson TWEEDIE

Service No:    1200
Rank:             Sergeant
Unit:               4th Infantry Brigade headquarters

Born 1877, Stratford, England
Son of John and Elizabeth Tweedie from Highton
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a railway employee

John enlisted 15/09/1914 at Melbourne as a single man
He embarked for overseas 22/12/1914 from Melbourne on HMAT A38 Ulysses
Served in Gallipoli, Egypt, France
Returned to Australia 4/05/1917
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Arthur Stanley WALL

Service No:    12015
Rank:             Gunner
Unit:               Divisional Ammunition Column 1, Reinforcement 14

Born 1892, Highton
Son of Andrew and Annie Wall from Highton
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a shipping clerk

Arthur enlisted 2/08/1915 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 28/01/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A32 Themistocles
Served in France
Returned to Australia 12/5/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Harold (Vic) Victor WALL

Service No:    2788
Rank:             Private
Unit:               29th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement

Born 1895, Highton
Son of Andrew and Annie Wall from Highton
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a driver

Harold (Vic) enlisted 18/01/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 14/03/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A68 Anchises
Served in Egypt
Returned to Australia 10/1/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

A  WATT

Details currently not known.
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Wilford  WHEATLAND

Born 1/9/1898, Geelong
Son of George and Charlotte Wheatland from Belmont

Other details currently not known
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

John Thomas WHITE

Service No:    473
Rank:             Trooper
Unit:               Australian Remount Unit 1, Squadron 2

Born 1865, Queenscliff
Son of Richard and Elizabeth White; husband of Agnes from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a boot repairer

John enlisted 23/09/1915 at Melbourne as a married man
He embarked for overseas 12/11/1915 from Melbourne on HMAT A67 Orsova
Served in Egypt
Returned to Australia 21/11/1916
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Albert Victor WHITTEN

Service No:    61721
Rank:             Private
Unit:               12th General (Victorian) Reinforcements

Born 1900, Belmont
Son of Victor Albert Whitten from Belmont
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a engineer’s apprentice

Albert enlisted 4/01/1918 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 31/08/1918 from Melbourne on HMAT A37 Barambah
Served in England, France
Returned to Australia 22/11/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Frank  WILKINS

Service No:    193
Rank:             Private
Unit:               8th Battalion, B Company

Born 1893, Corio
Son of Alfred and Mary Wilkins from Marcus Hill
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a labourer
Frank enlisted 19/08/1914 at Geelong as a single man

He embarked for overseas 19/10/1914 from Melbourne on HMAT A24 Benalla
Served in Gallipoli, Egypt, England, France
Returned to Australia 4/12/1918
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Anglesea
– South Barwon

John Alexander WILSON

Service No:    2733
Rank:             Private
Unit:               69th Infantry

Born 1895, Geelong
Son of John and Anna Wilson from Torquay
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a carpenter

John enlisted 28/04/1916 at Geelong as a Single man
He embarked for overseas 18/09/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A63 Karoola
Served in France
He was decorated with the Military Medal
Returned to Australia 7/7/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– Barrabool & Sth Barwon Shire
– South Barwon

Leslie Ernest WINKLER

Service No:    2789
Rank:             Private
Unit:               29th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement

Born 1898, Germantown
Son of Eward and Annie Winkler from Germantown
His occupation prior to enlistment was as a bricklayer

Leslie enlisted 29/01/1916 at Geelong as a single man
He embarked for overseas 14/03/1916 from Melbourne on HMAT A68 Anchises
Served in France
Returned to Australia 8/9/1919
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon

Frederick Horton WURFEL

Frederick was not called up for service because of the end of hostilities
Born 29/4/1898, Golden Grove, SA
Son of Frederick and Violet Wurfel from Belmont

His occupation prior to enlistment was as a engineer
Frederick enlisted 26/10/1918 at Geelong as a single man
His name is listed on the following memorials / honour boards:
– South Barwon