Private Frank Archer, husband and father, died in April 1917

The twenty-six year-old blacksmith had a wife and two children to support and care for, and the initial rush to enlist after war broke out in 1914 suggested that there were plenty of eager and single young men to fill the ranks.  By 1916, however, things had changed.  News of the diasters at Gallipoli had led to a significant reduction in the numbers enlisting, and a commitment by the Huges Labor goverment to provide an extra 50,000 troops on top of those who had already enlisted led to a substantial propaganda campaign across the country. It may have finally persuaded Frank that he had to go and do his bit.

Rod Martin takes up the story of this young husband and father, and the anguish caused to his family due to a mistaken identification.  See the story here.  

The sterling qualities of Staff Nurse Margaret Leonard

 

Nurse Leonard on her graduation. Table Talk 21 Oct 1909 p 21

Graduating at the end of 1909 from the Homoeopathic Hospital, St Kilda Road, Margaret nursed for six years before enlisting in the AANS in 1916.  After a 4 month training in military nursing, Margaret was appointed Staff Nurse and embarked for overseas.  She nursed in France and Italy in British military hospitals before returning home.  Her devotion to the members of the AIF saw her continuing on at the Caulfield Military Hospital for the rest of her working life.  Newspaper paragraphs about Margaret inevitably commented on her kindness and other sterling qualities.  You can read more about Margaret's training at the Homoeopathic Hospital and her nursing experiences in Europe on the Time Travellers website.

Gunner Nott, organist

Fred Nott, of Ascot Vale, was a well-known musician in Essendon and Melbourne before the war, and had left for England in January 1914 to further his studies in music at the Royal College of Music. When his studies came to a standstill in November 1914, he played in a few concerts and at churches in England, but returned to Australia in 1915. He took up his musical posts and teaching again, but in October 1916 he joined up, and went into camp with the Artillery in Maribyrnong. Fred was given leave while in camp to play the organ at St Peter's on Sundays, as the church hadn't been able to replace him. In the photo above he is in his uniform as a gunner. The army kept him in Australia for 12 months, playing in military bands, until he was finally able to embark. Marilyn Kenny has turned in another excellent piece of work in her research into the life and musical career of Frederick John Nott. If you would like to read more about Fred's part in the war, go to the Empire Called website.

Sapper Douglas Morpeth of Mar Lodge

A general search around the internet for photos of Douglas Morpeth turned up this interesting photo on the Great War Forum. The photo shows a group of men who embarked as reinforcements for a Field Artillery Battalion, recently arrived at Lark Hill for training. Morpeth, far right, didn't stay in Field Artillery, being transferred to the 3rd Division Signals Company. Here he distinguished himself under enemy action, and was awarded a Military Medal. Douglas's father was a noted Stock and Station Agent, and Douglas was moving along the same career path before the war. Douglas was included on an Honour Board featuring men in the stock industry. You can read a bit more about Douglas's Military Medal, and find a link to the Stock Agents' honour board on this webpage. On this page you will see two photographs, courtesy of the late Jim Frost, which had belonged to his father Eric who is also in the photo above with Douglas Morpeth.

Thunderboxes, troops, for the use of

If you ever wondered what sanitary arrangements were made for troops in the trenches at Gallipoli, wonder no more. Rod Martin has investigated this difficult question, and found that Kensington man, Ernest O'Leary, played a role in attempting to protect the troops from disease. Unfortunately, it was rather too little, and way too late. Follow the link to The Empire Called and I Answered, to read Ernest's story.

Mystery Man: Doctor J Hughston

 

The Essendon Gazette of 10 June 1915,  in its For King and Country column,  carried the photo of a young man in civilian dress with a subheading.  There was no article to explain the reference or nor does his name appear on the Roll Of Honour either then or in the succeeding three years of the War.  Who was this man and why did the Essendon Gazette think that this could be of interest to readers?

Never one to ignore a challenge, Marilyn Kenny set out to solve the mystery of this youthful doctor.  She details her findings in an article Mystery Man: Major Johnston Hughston RAMC.

2nd Aircraft Mechanic Harry Nelson and the widow's fight

Four Australian air mechanics enjoying lunch at Halefield, June 1918   (AWM P10218.009)

Harry Nelson, fruiterer and cyclist of McConnell St, Kensington, enlisted in October 1917, and embarked in May 1918.  In 1917, between his enlistment and embarkation, Harry married. Harry and his bride, Florence, evidently anticipated their vows, as their son was six weeks old when Harry left the country.

Arriving in England in mid-1918, Harry was a sitting duck for the influenza sweeping though military encampments.  Harry died of illness on 22 October 1918, barely three weeks before the Armistice.  

In his new story, Rod Martin describes the difficulties Florence had getting souvenirs and assets to which she was entitled.  It is not certain if she ever did as Harry's family and lawyer set out to thwart her.  See the full story, so far as we know it, here.