A Teacher's Bequest

In a letter to his mother in 1917,  a young soldier and former State School teacher, James Stephen Hogan  explained carefully that in the event of his death, his younger sister Doreen could claim his vacant teaching position with the Education Department.  Marilyn Kenny traces the education and training of James Hogan - and what happened next.

A Wartime Wedding, 1914

Bill Tytler & Lillian Andrewartha's wedding,  21/11/1914.  Left to right: Hilary Watson, Stanley Tytler,  Ina Tytler,  Bill Tytler (seated),  Richard Andrewartha, Lillian Andrewartha, Fred White, Nellie Andrewartha.    Courtesy of Heather Tytler.

In December 1914 Australian troops had already departed in two large convoys, and British troops were fighting in France.  The debacle at Gallipoli was still months away.  This pretty wedding was not overshadowed by imminent departures.  The situation changed dramatically after the Australian public became aware of the devastating losses in Gallipoli.  A groomsman, Richard Andrewartha, a law clerk from Newmarket, enlisted as a private on 26 July 1915.  His brother-in-law Stanley Tytler, a salesman of McCracken St, Kensington, enlisted a few days before the first anniversary of the Landings at Gallipoli in 1916.

Stanley served in the 22 Infantry Battalion, and returned from the war as a Sergeant with a Military Medal.  Richard served with the 8 Infantry Battalion, and returned as a Lieutenant with a Military Cross, and twice Mentioned in Despatches.

Can a recruit change his eye colour?

22 Battalion, newly arrived from Egypt, going into line at the southern part of Lone Pine, 6 September 1915  AWM A00847

When Davey joined the 22 Inf Bn in 1915 his eyes were blue, but when he re-enlisted in 1917 after being sent home wounded, his eyes were brown.   One of life's little mysteries.    Rod Martin tells this and other stories about the life and death of Private Davey of Moonee Ponds.  Once wasn't enough for Alman Davey - he enlisted twice, but wasn't so lucky the second time.   Read his story here.

A Sportsmen's Thousand recruit

Artist Will Dyson: 22^nd Battalion men awaiting relief, near

Ville sur Ancre, 1918. (AWM ART 19603)

Benjamin Phillip James, a 40 year old labourer, was inspired to enlist in the Sportsman's Thousand in July 1917.    Rod Martin has taken up his pen again to relate the story of Private James from Broadmeadows to France.  Read Private James' story here.

Farewell to Dave Hunter, citizen and soldier of Australia

Well-wishers, some holding paper streamers connecting them to men on the ship, on the wharf prior to the departure of HMAT Anchises.

For some, the streamers connecting the troops on the Anchises with their friends and family on the dock at Port Melbourne would be their last link with home.  Gus Stelling, en route to Gallipoli two months later, told his parents that they had not yet received any letters from Australia.  Gus died within days of arriving at Gallipoli in October 1915.  His friend Dave Hunter, who left by the same ship, survived two months on the peninsula, returned to Egypt for further training, and then travelled on to France with 22 Infantry Battalion.  Rod Martin tells the story of David Hunter, a woolclasser from Kensington, in his usual compelling fashion.

Gus Stelling - a short life

Gus as a member of the Essendon Rifles, 1915.

Gus Stelling was a young man of great promise.  He was a lively boy who enjoyed life - he joined the Boy Scouts, did Universal Training with the Senior Cadets and the Essendon Rifles, and was a skilled artist. He was employed prior to enlistement as a process engraver with a company in Melbourne.  Gus literally gave his life for others at Gallipoli.  Thanks to the kindness of the Dusek family we are able to catch a glimpse of  the life of a young man who paid the great sacrifice.  He died aged 20.  See Gus's story here.

Soldier's photo identified

This Darge photo was originally identified as S D C Simmon in the AWM collection, but they have lately agreed with my identification of that photo as D C Simmons, and have advised me that they will change the catalogue accordingly.

This photo of D C Simmons comes from a publication called  A Tribute to those employees of The Metropolitan Gas Company who served in The Great War.   
  

'Other rank' wounded in shelling

Ruins of a dye works at Erquinghem, December 1916, AWM H15704.

Private Arthur William Findlay of Kensington was wounded at Erquinghem, France, in 1916 while serving in the 22nd Infantry Battalion.  Rod Martin has traced his service from enlistment, through a sojourn in Gallipoli, then France, until being wounded in the jaw by a shell.  You can read Arthur Findlay's story here.

Local sportsman answers the call

Bill Liston of Lincoln Rd, Essendon answered the call for recruits to help in the Middle East.  While in France he was struck by the number of locals whom he saw.  "It is just like walking up Puckle-st here, at times: you run across so many chaps from Essendon way."  Rod Martin tells Bill's story, and the struggle of the 22nd battalion in the very bad winter of 1916-17 against trench feet in the wet and muddy trenches.

22 Inf Bn trainees at Broadmeadows, 1915

Trainees at the Broadmeadows Army Training Camp, Melbourne in about July 1915

Allen Evans' grandfather, Walter Napper Scott, is second from left in the back row. He would love to know who the others in the photo were, and he thinks he has found a clue to their identity in his grandfather's notebook, which contains the following list of names: Gus Stelling, Bill Sertees, Bill Liston, Frank Tribe, Malcolm, Norm, Harry.


Allen has described his grandfather's experiences with the 22 Infantry Battalion in a post titled At the Broadmeadows Army Training Camp in the First World War, and also the post-war suffering of his pal Bill Liston, A First World War soldier who suffered years later.


 Allen would appreciate anyone who recognises one of the men in this photo getting in touch.

Pte Middleton in Sausage Valley

Australian troops in 'Sausage Valley', as the troops called Pozieres, in 1916.   Private Ellis Middleton of Bowen St, Moonee Ponds, was sent into Sausage Valley with the 2nd Australian Division on 24 July 1916, and never came out.  Read Rod Martin's account of Ellis Middeleton's war service.