Advertiser January 27, 1928 The picture “Ghosts of Menin Gate,” which has been presented to Australia by Lord Woolavington (formerly Sir James Buchanan) was painted by Mr. Will Longstaff, who is an old resident of Eltham. Mr. Longstaff lived here for a good number of years, and enlisted when the war broke out, subsequently attaining the rank of captain, and being the […]
Category: Nillumbik
Anti-conscription Rally
More than 40,000 people attending a WWI anti-conscription rally on the banks of the Yarra in Melbourne on 21 October 1916. The anti-conscription movement was also active in our Shire. An anti-conscription rally was organised in Panton Hill by Kangaroo Ground wheelwright Mr Fryer. A correspondent writing in the Evelyn Observer in 1916 accused Mr […]
Anzac Stories from the St Andrews District
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 […]
Fly Specks on the Universe
By Paul Howard “Places like Panton Hill had been referred to by Mr Clement Wragge as fly-specks on the universe, and yet, from this little fly-speck, over 32 boys had volunteered and been accepted for active service.” 1916 ‘ RETURNED WOUNDED. SOLDIERS AT PANTON HILL.’, Evelyn Observer and Bourke East Record (Vic. : 1902 – […]
Tower of Rememberance
By Amy Shaw Just, a few more, steps, to go, almost, there! Wow, just look at the amazing views! These were the views you would see if you had the courage to climb the 52 steps to the top of the Kangaroo Ground Tower of Remembrance. It’s one of the most unusual war memorials in […]
“One of the Most reliable and Courageous Men”
by Jillian Durance Frederick George Starling was ‘best man’ at my grandparents’ wedding in October 1919. The wedding photo shows Fred Starling with just a glimmer of a smile on his face. A brave smile perhaps. I never knew Fred Starling, nor do I remember my grandfather Herbert Godber speaking of him, but then again, […]
Rozell’s Last Journey
by Lilian Kwiatkowski Australia December 1916 On the other side of the world, another name was added to the list of lost Australian sons who would not be coming home. Rozell Newton Stevens was one of those boys. Christmas lunch at 119 Melbourne Road, Williamstown was a sad affair. Around the table, someone was missing. […]
Hurstbridge Lads
This postcard size studio portrait (cropped here) of Hurstbridge locals Stanley and Allan Verso was sent home to their family in March 1918. Both brothers had worked as orchardists on the family property Versdale in Boyd’s Road before enlisting in 1916. Both survived the war and were awarded the Victory Medal, the British War Medal […]
Trooper Albert Thomas Day
Trooper Albert Thomas Day by Bev Day No.600 Trooper Albert Thomas Day, 9th Light Horse Regiment Albert (Bert) Thomas Day was born on April 14th 1869 in Camperdown in the Western District of Victoria. He was the seventh child of Alexander and Beata Day who had migrated to Australia from Wiltshire, England in the 1850s. […]
Gunner Arthur Hubert Day
Gunner Arthur Hubert Day by Bev Day No. 34336, Gunner Arthur Hubert Day, 3rd Division, Australian Imperial Forces Arthur Hubert, known as Hubert or Hugh, was the elder son of Arthur Joseph (Art) Day and Annie Jordan Cope. His father was the eighth child of Alexander Day and Beata Stratton, and was born at “Chocolyn”, […]