Even when trawling through the death, destruction, and overwhelming sadness that was the Great War – occasionally you touch on something that brings a smile to your face and lightens your heart. This photo did this for me.
Immediately I wanted to know more about this happy foursome, and even though I read in the photo caption on the AWM website that they all returned safely home, I felt compelled to delve further.
The Malcolm siblings were four of five. The eldest being Norman (left of photo
Memorial to Francois Faber, inside the Basilica, Notre-Dame de Lorette
[Originally written early 2010 before my journey, the following has been slightly reworded today.]
July 2010 saw two European Tours that held great importance for me. Both began their journey in the Netherlands, traveling down through Belgium and France, where they culminated in the city of Paris.
The first began in Rotterdam on the 3rd July and was initially watched closely by myself, late at nig
Hornsby Memorial photo taken by Scott (aka Waddell - GWF)
I first came across Lewis Yelland ANDREWS while researching Capt Gerald MASSON (9th LH), who had married AANS Staff Nurse Jessie ANDREWS in Egypt in March 1919. Gerald & Jessie had stayed behind in Palestine after the war and in 1921 while working with the Palestine Civil Service, Gerald inquired after his medals, mentioning that co-worker L.E. Andrews [sic] had received his 1914-15 Star that morning. Being curious, I wond
Many soldiers traveled half way around the world to do their bit for the war effort and then died in silly accidents. Violet Ann Robertson wasn’t a soldier of course – but she was a soldier’s widow, and her death in England in 1917, was as much a tragedy as her husband’s had been 2 years earlier at Gallipoli.
Violet’s parents Frances & Harry Chapman had both hailed originally from England, but had married in Australia in 1867. One of ten surviving children, Violet, who was also k
Photo of J.H. Davies grave kindly supplied by Matt Smith, Australian War Graves Photographic Archive
John Henry DAVIES was born in Camberwell, London on the 10 December 1882. At the age of 29, mid-way through 1911 he married Louisa Constance BEAVAN, in the parish of West Ham. Louisa had been born and raised in the area, and there she remained, pregnant, in 1913 when John made the trip out to Australia. Joining the Royal Australian Navy on the 2nd last day of that year, John served as
“My God – a torpedo!” was the shout from a sentry. “We watched the line of death getting nearer until it crashed, and the whole ship reeled. Then the order was given, ‘The ship is sinking – abandon ship.’” A subaltern on board the Southland went on to say, “Without a cry or sign of fear, or more hurrying than on a brisk march, and singing ‘Australia Will Be There,’ the order was carried out.”
It was about 9.45 on the morning of the 2nd of September 1915, and the Southland had just encounter
On the 8th January 1916 Ernest John JEFFRIES filled out his attestation papers in Melbourne to join the AIF. He declared that he was only 18 years and 4 months old, but could not produce his parents consent because they were both dead and he had no guardian – in fact he also stated that he had no next of kin and no friends. A farmer, born in Bairnsdale, Victoria, he was only a little man, standing 5feet 2½ inches tall and weighing in at 115 pounds. By this time Gallipoli had taken its toll on Au
AWM Photo 25 May 1918 (left to right): Paul Simonson, John Monash, Aubrey Moss
Eric and Paul Simonson had a close relationship with their Uncle John long before war brought them even closer. John Monash had married their mother’s younger sister Victoria Moss in 1891, and in the early days of their marriage John & Vic relied heavily on their brother-in-law, Max Simonson, as a peace-keeper during this tempestuous time. Maximilian Michaelis Gabriel Simonson had been born in Christbu
Cemeteries for some people can be quite depressing, perhaps because they bring their own fears of death to the fore. But for many history buffs they are beautiful, restful places, full of amazing stories of days gone by. I’ve had a habit of wandering cemeteries since I was young, and after a recent visit, I began to wonder whether the ‘spirits’ were perhaps becoming a little ‘familiar’. I had to admit this day to being a little spooked!
I was into the 2nd day of scouring the Boroonda
They called her Rachel and they all adored her. She worked tirelessly, looking after her boys; standing by them when they needed her strength, and her devotion was rewarded. Sister Alicia Mary Kelly won the Military Medal for her bravery under fire in August 1917. She was one of only 7 AANS nurses to receive this honour during WW1.
Alicia was born in County Mayo, Ireland c1886, and the family migrated to Australia. She undertook her nursing training at the Melbourne Hospital, and the
AWM Photo E02737: Major A.W. Hyman OBE ‘The Scales’ at the 4th Australian Divisional race meeting, Allonville, France 22 July 1918
“A Digger dearly loves a horse-race. And the Race-meeting held on July 22 by the enterprising Circle Divvy amply supported this truism. It was an admirably-conceived, well-arranged and effectively carried out affair, with all the excitement and interest and cheerfulness of the dinkum thing.” – Aussie Magazine, August 1918.
The day was perfect,
Ern HEITMANN was born Frederick Ernest HEITMANN in 1895 at Eaglehawk, Bendigo. His father, Frederick, was born in 1871 at California Gully, Bendigo; his grandfather Herman was born in Hanover, Germany in 1842, but came to Australia in 1863, where he married an Australian girl of Irish descent.
Yet in 1917, at a Labor strike meeting in Bendigo, Ern’s father, Frederick, found it necessary to explain to the gathering that he wasn’t a German. A Labor speaker had actually referred to his
Who in Australia doesn’t know the name Ansett. It blazed across our skies for 65 years as Ansett Airlines, the pioneering venture of Sir Reg Ansett. His son Bob, another well-known Ansett, also found his fame in the transport field with his company, Budget Rent-A-Car.
However, the subject in this story is a lesser known Ansett, and the patriarch of this ‘transport’ family, Charlie Ansett. Born in Abbotsford, Victoria in 1878, he was the second of seven children, and as the eldest son
My Great Uncle – by Heather ‘Frev’ Ford, 2006
PERCIVAL CECIL LUCAS, who was also known by the nickname of ‘Spud’, was born in 1891 at Bridgewater, in country Victoria. The ninth born of eleven children, Percy had a lovable personality, and was highly thought of by everyone who knew him.
After leaving school, he worked locally as a Grocer at Jenkins Store, where he was very popular with the customers. Most of them preferred to be served by him, and would go to the extent of ‘wind
My Great Uncle – by Heather ‘Frev’ Ford, 2006
WILLIAM JOHN CUMMING was born at ‘Sorbie Farm’, Kerang in 1894. He was only 9 years old when his father died, mere weeks after the family had moved from Kerang to Bridgewater, and it was here that his mother took over the sole rearing of himself and his 5 siblings.
Bill finished off his schooling at the Bridgewater State School (No. 1097), and then following in his brother Andrew’s footsteps, went on to work as a farm labourer for th
My Great Uncle – by Heather (Frev) Ford, 2006
ANDREW THOMAS GORDON CUMMING – one of 6 children, was born in 1889 at Pyramid Creek, near the town of Kerang in country Victoria.
His parents, Scottish Immigrants, farmed there until 1904, at which time they simply packed up and walked off the land after 3 bad years of weather, driving their cattle before them. Finally reaching the town of Bridgewater, his mother declared she’d had enough, so they settled. Unfortunately Andrew’s fath
My Grandad - by Heather (Frev) Ford, 2006.
EDMUND JOHN LUCAS was born in the Victorian country town of Bridgewater in 1878. The third born of eleven children, he lived with his family on the North side of the Loddon River and each day crossed the bridge to school. One morning his mother sent him off in a sailor's suit, complete with cap. The cap was lettered H.M.S. HECTOR and he was teased so mercilessly, that on the way home from school he threw the cap from the bridge, into the riv
