The following Anzac stories are from men who served in ‘The Great War ‘- World War 1 from 1914 to 1918.
Some men grew up and attended local schools in the District of St Andrews, Shire of Eltham.
Some men who enlisted, worked in the area, or were just passing, but they were willing to give up what they were doing and to fight for their life, for King and Country.
‘Some men returned home, So many men died and are buried far from home’.
William Shelley Harris 1864 -1936
Born in Queenstown (now known as St Andrews.)
He attended Queenstown State School, 128. His father Robert Harris was head teacher at Queenstown for ten years.
He volunteered his services for the Boer War and left with the Bushmen’s
Contingent in 1900. He was with “the column besieged at Elands River which was relieved by Lord Kitchener on August 16, 1900.
There is a large report on his return in the Evelyn Observer 12 July, 1901.
In 1915, he joined the Australian Armed forces again.
Service Number: 3025, Rank: Private
Roll title: 6 Infantry Battalion – 10 to 12 Reinforcements
(September – November 1915)
Date of embarkation: 29 September 1915, Melbourne.
Ship embarked on: RMS Osterley.
He served with the 5th battalion in France and returned at the end of the year 1917, being discharged medically unfit due to age and ill health. He returned home with the rank of Corporal – the following account is from the Evelyn Observer – November 23, 1917.
A WELCOME TO
CORPORAL WILLIAM SHELLEY HARRIS
‘Welcome home, you old campaigner,
Welcome to your native land:
On the shattered fields of Flanders,
And on Egypt’s burning sand,
You have seen the Hunish slaughter,
You have seen your comrades fall, fighting for
Your British freedom,
For Australia, for us all.
You went boldly, without asking,
Knowing well the risk you ran;
You have challenged Turks and Germans,
And said “beat me, if you can.”
You have shown your fighting spirit,
You have proved your stirling words.
Grit like yours was never beaten,
And never will be on this earth.
So, welcome to your land of wattle,
Welcome to your old landmark:
To you, dear friend a hearty welcome
Is extended from – mud lark.
Shelley continued to live and work in the area until his death in 1936.
LIFE OF SERVICE – The Late William Shelley Harris.
SOLDIER AND NATURELOVER
Obituary June 19, 1936 , The Advertiser.
With the Passing of Mr W . S. Harris whose death occurred at the Austin Hospital on June 8.
The district loses another link with the early days and the present. The late
Mr Harris, generous, unselfish, and conscientious, almost to a fault rendered as a citizen and a soldier invaluable service to his district and country. He was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him.
Born at the little mining township of Queenstown 72 years ago; he was the son of the late .Mr R. J. Harris, then schoolmaster at Queenstown, and a brother ‘to the late Mr R. C. Harris, who for many years was editor of the “Advertiser’; then own s the “Evelyn Observer,” and printed at Kangaroo Ground.
Shelley, in the front smoking a pipe. Park Ranger at Kinglake. C.1930.
After school days “Shell” .(as he is known to his friends.) served his apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker and later in 1883 he went to live with his sister (Mrs H. Thomson) who at that time with her husband, had taken up a settlement block at Kinglake. In the nineties he visited the gold fields of Western Australia and shortly after his return volunteered his services for the Boer War and left with the Bushmen’s Contingent in 1900.
He was with “the column besieged at Elands River which was relieved by Lord Kitchener on August 16, 1900. When the Great War broke out in 1914, although aged 50 years he was keen again to serve his country and he was passed for active service in July 1915. He served with the 58th battalion in France and returned at the end of the year 1917, being discharged medically unfit with the rank of Corporal.
For the past nine years he has been the forest ranger at the National Park Kinglake, where he rendered much valuable and conscientious service for the Park Committee. His courtesy to the tourists who visit Kinglake’s famous beauty slot (Jehosophat Valley) won him many friends. An impressive burial service was held at the graveside in ‘the lonely cemetery at Smith’s Gully on Wednesday, June 10. The pallbearers were Messr’s r. H. Everard, M.L.A., O. Muller, A. Muller, H. Nichols and R. McLaren.
Four returned soldiers bore the coffin, Messrs C. T. Harris, R. B. Wadeson,
H. Bayliss and Leo Gamble and the service was conducted by the Anglican Vicar, the Rev S. Cragg. Professor Laver’ paid a, graceful tribute to Mr Harris’s great service to the National Park Committee, and laid a beautiful wreath made from flora, gathered in the Park on the grave, inscribed: ‘These fragments of the Bush he loved so well are a token of affection and esteem from the President and Committee of the Kinglake National Park and members of the Laver family “Nature gathers to Herself her true lover.
“The Solemn Masonic service was read. by Mr E. C. Leach (Diamond Creek) and the Soldiers’ Ritual read by Mr; A. Barber (Secretary of the Panton Hill Returned Soldiers’ Club) after which the returned men present dropped the scarlet poppies for remembrance in- the grave. The funeral arrangements were carried out by W.1 G. Apps & Sons”
Shelley’s nephews Charles and Robert also served as soldiers in World War 1.
ROBERT JUBILEE HARRIS was born in1887 and died in 1916.
Service Number: 2073
Rank: Private
Unit: 59th Australian Infantry Battalion
Service: Australian Army
Conflict: First World War, 1914-1918
Date of death: 19 July 1916
Place of death: France
Cause of death: Killed in action
Age at death: 29
Place of association: Panton Hill, Australia
Cemetery or memorial details: VC Corner Australian Cemetery and Memorial, Fromelles, Lille, Nord Pas de Calais, France
In January, 1916, Robert was sent to hospital in Tel-el-Kebir to recover from influenza. He spent a few months in Alexandria before he left in June bound for the battlefields of France.
He was one the hundreds posted Missing following the offensive around Fromelles on the night of July 19, 1916 and declared Killed In Action as at that date on 29 August, 1917.
CHARLES THOMAS HARRIS
Robert’s brother, Charles Thomas Harris, served in the AIF, 29th Infantry Battalion 1-6 reinforcements from 10/7/1915 to 18/8/1918.
Charles was enlisted as an orchardist at Panton Hill. He was wounded in the right knee, in France in August 1916, returned to the frontline a month later and was wounded again in October and was then sent to England. He spent about three months recuperating in Bradford War Hospital, Yorkshire, England.
A SOLDIER’S LETTER. – Evelyn Observer – 19 January 1917
Writing from and Australian General Hospital, Boulogne, France, under date of Loth August last, Private C. T. Harris says :
‘My wound is very slight. A piece of shell struck me on the knee, just enough to lame me and so render me unfit for a while. I am in a beautiful home in this Australian Hospital, so different to what I have just been through.
I consider myself very lucky. The line we held was chopped to pieces (I was not with my battalion), and I was one of the few who came out alive and sound. Talk about a living hell, it was awful. I was buried twice, but not so bad that I couldn’t get free; knocked over once with concussion, struck on the back with a piece of shrapnel, which hit the buckle on the equipment brace and thus saved me.
I am thankful to be away from it all for a while. I have lost everything save what I had in my pockets.
I will not attempt to describe the ghastly sight at dawn, but only say that the terrific fire had unearthed dead Germans and laid them side by side with our own poor fellows. That sight will never get out of my mind. As far as one could see was turned upside down; not a blade of grass visible-all blackened shell craters. A lot of my mates are hit, but I don’t know if any are killed. Eight of us went down the sap together; we were blown about all roads. We soon left two lying in the sap. I was the third to be left behind, but I caught up to one of them later; so we halted, as the gun I was carrying was knocked out of action, and we did not know which, way to go.
I don’t know how the others got on, but I hear the chap in charge (No. r on the gun) was badly hit.
The Germans attacked at dawn. I am satisfied they are no good at that; what wasn’t shot surrendered; they put up no fight at all, and our line was very weak; nearly all the machine guns and gunners were out of action The Germans are glad to surrender, but still seem confident that they will win. For the greater part the Germans are fine looking fellows, not the hard, cruel Hun,as many imagine him to be. They are a poor, mislead race; they think England has not got a ship left. Our fellows treat the prisoners well, and their wounded get every attention.
They are dead frightened of our fellows; if they see a bomb in an Australian’s hands up goes their hands. When, things quietened down I went up to the dressing station, and was sent along through several clearing hospitals to Boulogne.
It was a glorious trip, and we are so well looked after. The Red Cross do splendid work, and I am glad that Australian people work so hard for it. I don’t expect to be away long from my battalion.”
He then contracted mumps and had to go to a 45 bed isolation ward at Wareham Hospital in Dorset, England.
In May 1917 he was listed for permanent base duties at Etaples, France.
He tried to re-join his unit but due to chronic arthritis he returned to Australia in June 1918.
HERBERT JOSEPH ATKINS – 1881 -1915
Also known as Herbert John lived in Smiths Gully about 3 miles from Queenstown, He attended Smiths Gully State School until its closure in1889.
He was a member of the Caledonia Rifle Club, which was only a mile from his home.
After his school years his occupation was listed as a farm labourer.
He joined the Australian Imperial Force on 30/9/1914.
Upon reading his war service records it states that he was wounded in the Dardanelles on the 14th May, 1915 – a bullet wound to his abdomen.
He was admitted to a military hospital ‘The Imtarfa’ in Malta on 17th May.
He was then transferred to Pembroke Camp, Malta a month later. On the 12th july he embarked on the ‘Seeang Bee’ as he was fit for service. Four days later, he arrived in Mustapha Alexandria, and on 29th July he left on the ‘Cawdor Castle’ once again, bound for the Dardanelles. He re-joined his Battalion on 2nd of August, Gallopoli. On the 8th of August he was listed as ‘Missing in Action’,
Lone Pine, Gallopoli.
Herbert’s sister, Mrs Emily Tobin, wrote many letters trying to ascertain her brother’s whereabouts. After a long Military Board enquiry, Emily received a letter 12 months after the first report of being missing, stating –
‘’that the death occurred on or about 8/9th of August 1915.’
AT THE FRONT –
Reported in the Evelyn observer 27 August 1915
In a communication received by his sister, Mrs A. B. Tobin, it is stated that Private H. J. Atkins, of the 7th Battalion, who participated in the glorious achievements of the Australian troops at the world-famed landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula, and who was wounded there, is at present in hospital at Malta.
At time of writing he was nearing convalescence, and had hopes of again taking his place in the firing line almost immediately. He speaks in high terms of the good treatment he and his wounded comrades were receiving at Malta. Private Atkins has been a resident of Queenstown since early boyhood, and was a well-known member of the local rifle club. Private C. H. Atkins, a brother of the above named soldier, was also wounded on the same historic occasion.
He is in the 16th Battalion, and en listed in W.A., but was brought to Victoria to complete the unit. He is also, like his brother, ill in the hospital at Malta, hut making satisfactory progress, and cherishes the hope of soon re-joining his comrades in the trenches.
Both soldiers are the sons of Mr. J. Atkins, of Salter’s Rush,
St. Andrew’s, Queenstown, who is well and favourably known as a resident of the district for over 40 years.
Service Number: 1107
Rank: Private
Unit: 7th Australian Infantry Battalion
Service: Australian Army
Conflict: First World War, 1914-1918
Date of death: 08 August 1915
Place of death: Gallipoli, Ottoman Empire
Cause of death: Killed in action
Age at death: 34
Place of association: Queenstown, Victoria, Australia
Cemetery or memorial details: Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli Peninsula, Canakkale Province, Turkey
ARTHUR CHARLES ATKINS
Arthur was living in Western Australia when he enlisted for service.
It lists his mother, as next of kin – Mrs A Atkins C/- Peakes Store, Smiths Gully , Victoria.
Arthur spent most of his time training with his battalion or he was sick in hospital with venereal disease, gastro enteritis and dysentery. He was often sent back to hospital in England to convalesce. On many occasions he opposed authority and disobeyed orders and would overstay his leave. His punishment was spent in detention or
money was deducted from his pay. This continued until he was discharged and left France in September 1918.
SOLDIER VISITS TO QUEENSTOWN
Evelyn Observer – 5 November 1915
‘We understand that from 80 to 100 returned soldiers will visit Queenstown on Sunday next, where arrangements have been made to fittingly entertain them.
The party will be conveyed in motors from Melbourne via Greensborough, Diamond Creek, and Hurstbridge on the up trip, and return via Kangaroo Ground and Eltham early in the afternoon.’
WOUNDED SOLDIERS FROM GALLIPOLI. THEY VISIT THE DISTRICT.
Evelyn Observer – 12 November 1915
‘On Sunday morning last motorcar and a char-a-bane conveyed via Eltham and Kangaroo Ground about. 100, wounded soldiers to Queenstown where they were hospitably entertained by the residents, and on the return journey they were warmly welcomed and feasted at Eltham. Capital reports from our Queenstown and Eltham correspondents appear below. We may add that at all, the townships and way-side houses from Eltham to Queenstown, the occupants of the motor cars as they passed were loudly cheered, and in several in stances were presented with fruit and flowers.’
COTTLE’S BRIDGE. RETURNED SOLDIERS’ VISIT.
Evelyn Observer – 23 February 1916
A very enjoyable time was spent at “The Oaks,” Queenstown Road, last Saturday afternoon, 19th inst., when the returned wounded soldiers visited Cottle’s Bridge. The welcome change on Friday night cleared the air nicely, and the members of the Cottle’s Bridge Patriotic Committee worked with a will to have things in readiness for the returned lads. The place was nicely decorated with flags of the Allies, and little tables with covers and’ bowls of fruits, and rustic seats completed the picture.
The cars bringing the soldiers arrived shortly after three o’clock, and after a short social chat and a smoke, afternoon tea was served by willing hands and greatly appreciated by all. After ten, Mr J. Shanhun, representing to C B.P.C, spoke a few words to the visitors, followed by short addresses by Mr L McMillan, of Arthur’s Creek, and Rev. Chase, of Panton Hill. About 5 o’clock the cars, laden with fruit (the gifts of the residents) and gum leaves, began the return journey to the city, the soldiers waving farewells until out of sight.
‘The Committee wish to thank all who so kindly helped, by their donations and gifts, to make the ” bushtea” a success. Also would thank anyone for information leading to the discovery of the person or persons who are unpatriotic enough to take down the notice about the above afternoon from the tree by the Cottle’s Bridge Post Office,
KANGAROO GROUND
Evelyn Observer – September 14, 1917
On Saturday afternoon last close on 100 returned sick and wounded soldier visited Kangaroo Ground, and were hospitably entertained by the local Red Cross Society and resident. The weather up to the early afternoon was showery, but fortunately rain ceased for several hours, allowing the motor cars convoying the soldiers to do the journey up and return with a degree of comfort. ‘The Hall was appropriately decorated with flowers and flags, and the soldiers were treated to an appetising spread.
The quality and quantity of which once again testifying to the hospitality and liberality of the good folk of this district. Short addresses of welcome were made by Messrs. John Bell, J.P and Harris and “God save the King” and “God Bless our splendid Men” were appropriately rendered and altogether a pleasant time was spent.
RETURNED SOLDIERS AT CHRISTMAS HILLS. [CONTRIBUTED.]
Evelyn Observer – 24th November 1916.
In spite of Friday’s weather prognostications for ” more rain,” Saturday, November 18, proved an ideal day for the Christmas Hills Returned Soldiers’ Welcome League, who entertained about 150 returned soldiers at the Mechanics’ Hall to lunch and tea.
For weeks beforehand almost everybody here had been working hard in anticipation of the proposed visit, and very successful were their efforts, for on Saturday the little ball presented a most festive end attractive appearance, the interior being decorated within numerable flags (kindly lent by Mrs Macalister), evergreens and flowers, while a large ” welcome,” worked in red letters on a white back-ground by Miss Mary Muir (the indefatigable Hon. Secretary,) was hang over the platform, fitly expressing the feeling of sincere pleasure each one felt in being able to show their gratitude to those who had done so much for the Empire.
Long tables tastefully dressed with flowers and laden with all manner of good things in the way of cold meats, out hams, salads, cakes and sweets of every description, cigarettes, cigars, and soft drinks added the final touch of attraction. Outside, furling and unfurling itself in the soft summer-like air, was the flag on which the sun never sets. About 1 p.m. the first contingent of motor cars and char-a-banes began to arrive, being met a little before the hall by the children of Christmas Hills, who threw flowers into the cars as they passed along-and then when they reached the hall, a great cheer went up from those waiting to receive their guests; Those of the wounded who were unable to alight of themselves were tenderly helped into the hall by the willing hands of their hosts.
As each car was unloaded, the men were take at once to their lunch, each man declaring he had never en joyed a meal so much before. The whole party came up in two char-a banes and about 18 cars, which had been kindly put at their service by the Red Cross Volunteer Motor Corps. During the course of the afternoon speeches wore made by the following gentlemen: Mr G. D. Nash (Chairman of the Christmas Hills Welcome League), and who fitly expressed, on behalf of all present, the pleasure this visit had given. Mr Chapman, the Presbyterian minister, who spoke feelingly on the appreciation of Australia for those who had dared so much and had come hack, as in so many cases, broken in body and health.
Mr Ramsay, the Hon. Secretary of the Yarra Glen Branch, also spoke in his usual eloquent style, and ex-Councillor Mealy gave a short speech. In reply, Mr MacKay spoke on behalf of the Red Cross Volunteer Motor Corps, and a Poitier’s veteran thanked one and all for the warm welcome that had been given the ” boys.” He dwelt humorously on the mountainous nature of Christmas Hills, from a motorist’s point of view, but added naively it was Christmas all right when you got there singing and music were added to the afternoon’s programme,
Mr G. D. Nash contributing two humourous songs in his usual good style-ones of which contained some patriotic verses, written by himself, which elicited a vociferous encore.
The Misses Agnes Young and Constance Johns also sang, their sweet clear voices being fully appreciated by all who heard them, while little Miss Aileen Nash won great applause by her clever rendering of a song entitled Jackasse,finish it up with the exact imitation of the laugh of the bird itself, and last but by no means least, one of the soldier guests sang the ” Perfect Day,”.a most appropriate selection considering the lovely summer like weather, the soft lights and shades of the foliage, the beautiful scene-ry and the general air of peace and good will. Not with standing the very heavy rains, which had fallen for days before, the roads were in a very ” …………..” condition.
Besides the soldier guests and car owner, about 200 people were present, having come from all the surrounding districts, everyone declaring that Christmas Hills had shown and given a welcome to the brave lads of the Commonwealth which in its warmth and patriotic depth of feeling was second to none. Great thanks are due to all the ladies of Christmas Hills for their untiring efforts in making such a success of the entertainment.
This story was first published in “Fine Spirit and Pluck: World War One Stories from Banyule, Nillumbik and Whittlesea” as “St Andrews Extracts” – published by Yarra Plenty Regional Library, August 2016
Photo: War Memorial at St Matthew’s Anglican Church, Panton Hill, 2016.
War Memorials on Banyule, Nillumbik and Whittlesea series
Photographer: Kev Howlett
