Claiming a Brother

Having delivered ammunition supplies to the guns, unidentified members of the Australian Divisional Ammunition Column gallop past a dangerous crossroad.  Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial, EZ0073.

Writing in 1967 to collect his ANZAC medallion, Jim Nutt explained his change of Regimental Number:  "Gallipoli.... was there until the evacuation.  On arrival back in Egypt I was claimed by my older brother to his Unit, unknown to me".

This chance reference to "claiming" by a brother in a piece of correspondence from 1967 set Marilyn Kenny off on a hunt to discover how this claiming worked.  Even the Australian War Memorial couldn't come up with any written reference to explain what went on.  The AWM thought it was an informal arrangement.  Eventually a lone and persistent searcher at the AWM, David Gist, solved the puzzle.

Marilyn's article about the Nutt family of Murchison and Flemington explains the answer.  See "Claiming a brother: The Nutt family before and during the Great War".  

John Hunt Kelleher , a Lost Boy

John Hunt Kelleher's brother Wilfred Kelleher, who served, not with the AIF, but two prison terms at Her Majesty's Pleasure.

We always expect a good yarn from Marilyn Kenny, and this time is no exception.   Robberies, police raids, lost wills, orphaned children, 'Pompey' Elliott taking a dunking into the Somme - this story has everything. 

Who will be the beneficiary of John's estate?   His twin sister Grace, whom he named as his Next of Kin, or the ne'er do well brother Wilfred? 

Grab a fresh cup of tea, and sit back and click here for the story of John Hunt  Kelleher, the Lost Boy.

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.

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.

Disloyalty in the Essendon District

It would be a good thing if the Germans marched up Napier Street.

- Statement attributed to Angelina King by Nurse Rebecca Ross

Mrs. Rebecca Ross was indignant, accustomed to speaking her mind and broadcasting her opinion. Harold George Jones was a man starting a new venture who needed to take account of public opinion. Angelina King needed to maintain her reputation that she depended on for her livelihood. They all met in the County Court where Miss King sued Nurse Ross for slander, accusing her of making untrue statements to Mr. Jones with the result she, Angelina, lost her employment. 

In her new article about the personalities and events surrounding this court case, Marilyn tests the temperature of hatred within the local community.  You can read it here:

 "Disloyalty in the Essendon District, 1914-1918"

We could contrast this with an article in the Manly Daily Telegraph by John Morecombe, published on 15 May 1915:  

"Anti-German sentiment during WWI was so rife it bordered on hysteria".

John Goldsworthy, Mayor of Essendon, 1914

The Colours and Emblems of the 58 Infantry (Essendon Rifles) Regiment, designed by Councillor John Goldsworthy, the Mayor of Essendon, featured on a Patriotic Concert Program from 1914.

Marilyn Kenny has prepared an overview of the role of Councillor John Goldsworthy, who became  the youngest Mayor of Essendon when he was elected to that position in 1914.  Goldsworthy  set a cracking pace supporting patriotic activities within the City of Melbourne.   A graphic artist, his design for the emblems and colours of the 58 Inf Regt was accepted by the Commonwealth.  It was Goldsworthy who created the first Honour Boards in the Essendon Town Hall.  You can read the full story here.