This blog is a companion to the Database of Volunteers of Essendon and Flemington

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Mothers of Men



Pte S M Memery is identified as being in the centre of this photo, taken prior to embarkation on 29 October 1915.  Given that the three brothers embarked on the same vessel on the same day, and one a sergeant,  it seems likely these are the three Memery brothers.

MOTHERS OF MEN.
The sacrifices madc by some women in sending their sons to serve the Empire are so notable that it seems fitting that they should be made known to readers of "The Argus."
It is therefore proposed to give on this page the photographs  of mothers who have sent three or more sons to the front. For this purpose I shall be glad to receive the portraits of such mothers, with their full name and the names of their soldier sons, together with particulars of their service.
From The Argus, 10 May 1916. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2099589



MRS. MEMERY.
Mrs. Catherine Memery, who lives at No. 8 Heritage street, Moonee Ponds, has three sons, all of them in the third reinforcements of the 29th Battalion. Sergeant Vivian Memery, aged 22; Private Samuel Memery, aged 25; and Private John Memery, aged 19. Her son-in-law, Private Edward Murphy, is in the 27th Battalion. She has also two nephews on service; Sergeant Ryan, of the 7th Battalion, was at the Gallipoli landing; Carlyle Ryan is in the A.M.C. Mrs. Memery had also a son who died on service in the Boer War, and a nephew who was killed in the Boer War.
The Argus 10 May 1916
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2099589

2 comments:

  1. Well that made me skeddaddle very fast to the Argus, but no luck. I have a watching brief on Annie Whitelaw of Briagolong, who sent six sons to the war, three were killed in action and one died of wounds on return. It is only recently that I have found even a distant photograph of her.
    So sad for women - even the loss of one son is dreadful.

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  2. I'm now making a collection of Coburg families who had three or more soldier sons at the Front. Also fathers and sons who served. There are quite a number. It must have been a very anxious time for those wives and mothers. I'm off to look at the Argus now!

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