St Thomas' Harriers - update

A relative has identified the gentleman in the collar and tie in the group portrait of the St Thomas' Harriers Club, Moonee Ponds, as her uncle Alfred William Gregory Wheatley, enlisted as Gregory Alfred Wheatley.

Greg was aged 33 when he enlisted, employed as an accountant, and a well-known amateur athlete, having competed in the 1908 Olympic Games held in Athens.

Despite having no prior military training, either as a cadet or in the Citizens Military Forces (according to his service record) his mature years, his professional occupation, his tall stature and his reputation as an athlete singled him out from the general run of recruits, and he was immediately sent to train to be a Sergeant.  Before the end of the war he was commission as a 2nd Lieutenant, later confirmed as a Lieutenant.

An unusual feature of his overseas service was a temporary transfer from his unit to the 8th Brigade Sports Unit in February 1918.

One Lovely Blog Award

On Friday I was very kindly nominated for a "One Lovely Blog Award" by Deb Ruth of the  Adventures in Genealogy blog.   It's a lovely thought, and very encouraging, so thank you, Deb.

To accept the award the rules are as followed:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who granted the award and their blog link.
2. Pass the award on to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. (alphabetical)
3. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.


This is perhaps the best part of the award - finding new blogs to pass on the encouragement.  The ones I have chosen are those blogs which pass on their learning and passion to others.

-->
--> -->

Australian Genealogy News by Aillin
Australian History for Genealogists by Margie
Cemetery Curiosities by AiW
Edenhope History by Tammy
Family History Research by Kerry Farmer
Geelong and District by Susie
Genealogy in New South Wales by Carole
Leah’s Family Tree by Leah
Lost Medals Australia by Glyn
Medals Gone Missing by Gary
My Family Hunt  by Carmel
My Gen Wishlist by Tina
My Genealogy Adventure
Resident Judge of Port Phillip by Janine
Stratford Historical Society Museum by Linda

The Empire Called......Invitation to a luncheon....

…to launch a website that honours the volunteers from Essendon & Flemington area who served in the First World War.

The website, still a work-in-progress, tells the stories of these men and women, and is a rich source of local history as well as a testament to the sacrifices they made.

Developed by local historian Lenore Frost it will prove to be much appreciated by future generations.

Come and hear Lenore talk about her project and view it in a PowerPoint presentation.

Come and talk to other people interested in preserving local stories and history.


12:00  Wednesday April 20th  2011
Doutta Galla Hotel
Racecourse Road
Flemington
                    
Excellent $12 meals available

rsvp by Mon 18th April to Anne:
divedu@bigpond.net.au
or  phone 03 93722422


The portrait is of Private Arthur Beachcroft of Moonee Ponds who enlisted in 1915.

St Thomas', Moonee Ponds, Harriers, circa 1914

This photo shows St Thomas' Harriers, Moonee Ponds, just prior to the outbreak of the Great War in 1914.  Many of these young men enlisted.    We can identify some of them, have tentative identifications for others, and would appreciate some assistance in identifying others, and confirming our tentative identifications.  Click on the photo for a larger version. See the names on this page.

Engine trouble

Lieutenant Leonard Waller Heathcote of the Australian Flying Corps became a prisoner of war of the Turks when his biplane, a B3.2e as picture above, developed engine problems and came down in the desert near Gaza.  Read Rod Martin's story here.

Ken Walker, died of wounds received at Steele's Post

The poignant story of the death of the youthful 2nd Lieutenant Kenneth Walker, a protege of Lieut-Colonel Pompey Elliot, told by Rod Martin.








Image courtesy of Kim Phillips of the Spirits of Gallipoli website.

Pompey Elliott's memorial

Rod Martin has visited the grave of Brigadier-General H E 'Pompey' Elliott and found this wonderful soldier's memorial. 

Elliott was the commanding officer of the 58th Infantry Battalion (Essendon Rifles),  Citizens' Military Force in 1914.  He subsequently raised the 7th Infantry Battalion, AIF and went on to become one of Australia's great WW1 military leaders.