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 and the 1914/1915 Star. After the war Stanley married local Hurstbridge girl Edith Durham and moved to Bacchus Marsh to grow peaches on the banks of the Lerderderg River. He died in 1968 and is buried at Warringal Cemetery.
Allan married Helena Murphy from Arthurs Creek and moved to another family property Arnleigh on Bannons Lane. Allan continued to work Versdale and Arnleigh until his death in 1962. He is buried at Nillumbik Cemetery in Diamond Creek.
First published on Facebook. Nillumbik Shire Council Nillumbik Chronicles #27, 2 March 2015
With thanks to: Nillumbik Historical Society.
This story was first published in “Fine Spirit and Pluck: World War One Stories from Banyule, Nillumbik and Whittlesea” published by Yarra Plenty Regional Library, August 2016
