ANZAC Histories.

LEST WE FORGET
May 2011.
Herein starts a series of personal histories, that we might know those men as more than names on an Honour Roll, but loved sons, husbands and fathers of our past and present communities.

The names of the above men killed at war were put together with the help of Bauple Museum. Please contact us should you know of others. We aim to add all soldiers in military conflicts that were residents of the Tiaro District.
Trevor Keightley trepaulfarms@bigpond.com

Tiaro's Sons.
May 2011
Andrew William Jamieson - WWI
Catherine Tait Jamieson had lost her husband and eldest son prior to 1916, when Andrew William Jamieson (known as ‘Bill’) enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces and was assigned to the 42nd Battalion, 3rd Division with his friends pictured. She was never to see him again. Two more sons enlisted, only the youngest surviving.
Bill was born 3rd January 1887 at Miva, second son to John & Catherine Jamieson, later of  “Netherby”.  The Jamieson’s had 9 children in all, including 7 sons.
Bill was killed in action, aged 30, on 31 July, 1917 in Belgium after the Warneton Stunt. He was last seen walking, wounded,  to the aid station. His remains were buried 3 months later in Vulverghem-Lindenhoek Road Military Cemetery, Belgium. Photos, letters and postcards survive the great loss to his family. 
Picture: Andrew William Jamieson, pictured left with James Cargill Groundwater & John Robert Sinclair Groundwater who also enlisted from Tiaro in World War I.

Aug 2013
Andrew William Jamieson
Private No 383
42nd Battalion, B Company, WWI
Andrew (Bill) was born in 1887 at Tiaro, Queensland. (It is also recorded he was born at Miva). He attended Gundiah State School and was a farmer by trade. He lived at Netherby via Tiaro. He was one of nine children of John & Catherine Jamieson of Netherby, and never married. At the time he enlisted his mother was a widow, and had lost her eldest son.
Bill enlisted in the Army 19th October, 1915 as a private with his embarkation roll no. 23/59/1. His unit embarked from Sydney NSW on board HMAT A30 Borda on the 5th June 1916.
He was killed in action at Messines Belgium on the 31st July 1917 at the age of 30. His place of burial is at Wulverghem-Lindenhoek Road Military Cemetery (Plot 11, Row F, Grave No. 210) Belgium. LEST WE FORGET

John & Michael Coyne WWI
Aug 2011
Private John Coyne 2102 Labourer, Gootchie QLD.
Private Michael Coyne 2360 Labourer, Maryborough QLD.

Both were sons of Philip Coyne, Knock Brack, Cleggan, Co Galway Ireland.
Michael enlisted 11 May 1915 at the age of 20 and was posted into the 9th Battalion 7th Reinforcement. The Unit embarked from Sydney on Board HMAT A9 Shropshire on the 20th August 1915 bound for France.
Mortally wounded in battle at Bullecourt France on the 7th May 1917, he died of his wounds on the 18th May 1917. He is buried in the Grevillers British Cemetery (Plot 111, Row A, Grave No 11) France. Lest we forget.

John enlisted 11 Feb. 1916 at the age of 21 and was posted into the 4th Battalion, Reinforcement 3. The unit embarked from Brisbane on board HMAT A46 Clan Macgillivray on the 1st May 1916 bound for Messines Belgium. He
was killed in action 9th June 1917. There is no known grave but he is posted on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial (Panel31). Lest we forget.

Magnus Thomas Jamieson WWI
Private 6823, 9th Battalion, 22nd Reinforcement
Dec 2013

Magnus was born in Tiaro on 18 September 1892, son of John James and Catherine Jamieson of Netherby via Tiaro. His parents arrived in Maryborough in 1884 from the Shetland Islands and worked at Miva before purchasing “Netherby”. There were 9 children.

Magnus was the fifth son. He attended Tiaro State School. On the completion of his schooling he became a stockman, working with his brothers on the family property.

He enlisted in the Army on the 4th August 1916 at the age of 23, leaving from Brisbane on board HMAT A74 Marathon on the 27th October 1916. He arrived at Plymouth, England on the 9th January 1917.

On 23 January 1917, while on leave in London, he wrote a lengthy letter to his Mother, in which he said “he had a nasty cough.” He said the parade ground has been frozen for the past week and some of his unit have frost bitten feet.
He did not recover from his cough and in just 2 weeks after writing this letter, he died at the Fargo military hospital on the 7 February 1917. He was buried at the Durrington Military Cemetery, Wiltshire (Grave No 181) on the 12 February 1917.Magnus died from bronchial pneumonia (Spanish flu) which accounted for thousands of allied soldiers during 1917-1918 and immediately after the war ceased.
LEST WE FORGET

Private Thomas Lawrence - WWII
May 2011
Thomas Lawrence was born 19th April 1913 in Maryborough and grew up at “Abbotsan” Kooringa Road, Tiaro. He attended Tiaro State School and was a farmer like his father, J.T. Lawrence.
Thomas married Mavis Adelene List at St Paul’s Maryborough on 26th June 1940. The house they lived in next to his parents at Tiaro was moved to Crown St Maryborough.
Thomas had 3 children. It is reported that his twin sons were born 11 days before he died. Although the Army tried to advise him of the birth, he was fighting in the PNG Jungle and they were unsuccessful.
Thomas had enlisted on 29th January 1942 and registered his Locality of Enlistment being Tiaro. He was killed, aged 30, on the 28th August 1943 while serving with the 47 AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BATTALION in Papua New Guinea... a devastating loss to his wife and family. Lest we forget...
Picture: Lance Corporal T. Lawrence AIF, husband of Mrs Lawrence, Blackmount, and only son of Mr. & Mrs. J.T. Lawrence, Abbotsan, Tiaro.

Private Stanley Walter Ashton - WWII
June 2011


Pictured above far right, Stanley Walter Ashton was born at Yerra on 15th June 1909, the only son Christopher and Anne Ashton (nee Sorrensen). He had 3 younger sisters and went to school at Myrtle Creek. When his mother died in 1924, he moved to Bauple and worked various jobs, helping his father in the cane industry and carting cane to the Bauple mill for several of the local farmers.
A member of the Presbyterian Church, he was highly respected in the Tiaro and Bauple districts.
Stan enlisted in the Army 1941 and was sent to New Guinea with the 47th Infantry Battalion. While on duty around Lake Salus area, Stan and 6 others were killed by a large Japanese raiding force. Also killed with Stan that day were 2 other soldiers of the Gympie district, being, Corporal D.H Day and Pte H.A.W Brown.
His death on the 14th August, 1943, aged 34 years, was a sad loss to his family, fiancée and friends. He is buried in the Lae cemetery at Salamaua.
The Gazette apologizes for omitting Stan’s name from the Roll of Honor published in our May 2011 issue.
Inset Picture left to right: Bill Davis and Stan Ashton loading cane at Bauple.

Corporal Clyde Mohr Q135255 - WWII
July 2011
Clyde Mohr was born in Longreach Qld on the 26th September 1908. He lived with his parents, Alfred and Esther Mohr, on Gootchie Creek, Gundiah. He was a member of the Australian Army and was posted at the Queensland Line of the Command Provost Company at his death.
He was killed in Townsville on the 3rd November 1942 and was buried in Cairns, he was 34 years old.
He is buried in Plot A, Row A, Grave 4. Lest we forget.

Private Roy Gee - WWII
Sept 2011

Private Roy Gee was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. W Gee of Bauple. Born on 7th April, 1917, he attended Bauple State school and enlisted in the Army in 1944 aged 27.
Roy answered his country’s call in its hour of need, taking into the Army those sterling qualities which made him and his type, ‘men’ in the real sense of the word. Roy was posted to the 129 General Transport Company and died from an illness whilst in New Guinea on 26th Aug 1944. He was buried in Buna and then was moved to Pt. Moresby.
Roy was a well-known Maryborough Sportsman and was particularly well known in the Tennis fraternity. He was a thorough gentleman on and off the court. He was one of the finest players produced in Maryborough and fans of the day would remember him best for his flashes of brilliance on the court. Roy held the Kaminski and Stanley Byrne Memorial cups. Among his notable successes were winning the Open Singles Championships at Bundaberg and Kingaroy. Lest we forget.

Corporal Henry Walter James Duffy- WWII
October 2011

Corporal Henry Duffy was born on 10th December 1918, in Rossendale, Queensland and went to the Rossendale School. He was the second son of Michael James Duffy of Gundiah and Bertha Duffy nee Clarke (later Mrs. Alf Mohr).
He had an older brother and four sisters. He was a farm labourer, working at Kingaroy and all areas around about. He married Joyce Brooks of “Ocean View” Bauple, on 20 September, 1941. They had no children.
He enlisted in the Australian Army Service No QX53395 (Q105069) 13th April 1943,
and was posted into the 47th Australian Infantry
Battalion located in Papua New Guinea.
Henry was killed at Salamaua when he threw a hand grenade into a fox hole filled with Japanese soldiers on 5th September 1943. Not much is known of this event but if you know of anybody that has further information please contact the writer. Lest we forget.

Pictured Right: Henry Duffy and Joyce Brooks on their wedding day, 1941.

Private Robin James Gilchrist - WWII
November 2011

Robert James Gilchrist was born at Redbank via Tiaro on 12 August, 1901. His parents were James Edward Gilchrist and Eliza Gilchrist nee Field, who were married on 24th August, 1887 in the residence of Alfred H. Hope, Old Maryborough Township, according to the rites of the Baptist Church. His grandparents, Edward & Elizabeth Douglas (nee Anderson) migrated to Maryborough on the “Ariendne”, the first immigrant ship to sail directly from Great Britain to Maryborough on the 8th October 1862. Robin James’ father was a timber getter and farmer who lived in Redbank near Tiaro, and later at his selection, “Pine View”, via Gundiah. Young Robin James went to school at Deborah, which was a provisional school. The teacher being a Miss Bullcock, who attended the school only every 2nd week. Later Robin James, known as Jim, attended the Gundiah School, riding on horseback some miles to do so.
Jim worked at home with his father as well as for other landholders in the district. He rode horses in the local sports events.

Jim enlisted in World War II (QX 10898) joining the 2/26 Infantry Battalion on the 27 July 1940 and was lost in 1943 as a POW, having served time working on the Changi Railway. Of the 12,000 Australian prisoners who were taken to the Burma-Thailand railway, 2646 died of starvation, disease, exhaustion, and brutality.

A headstone, dated 1 August 1943 remembering him is in the Tiaro Cemetery with his mother. Lest we forget.

Corporal John Alexander Henderson- WWII
December 2011

“Waiting Dreams”

Is there no peace– did not our other dead,
Purchase it to make fair domain,
Where men could dream of greater things ahead,
And set another star, and march again? That is freedom. We must turn aside
To guard the path for those who follow on,
We!–Who knows? Perhaps our dreams will guide
The eager marching when the strife is gone.

JA Henderson. Syria.

Born 23 Nov, 1914 at Shorncliffe, John Alexander Henderson, known as Alex, (pronounced ‘Alick’) was the son of Company Sergeant-Major Bob Henderson & Lizzie (nee Kane). At age 11, they moved to Tiaro where his father took the position of Night Officer at the railway.
Alex developed a quiet strength as a lad, was a keen athlete, proficient horseman, and a kind and loving brother. His story, written by his youngest brother Eric, tells of this fearless protector with a generous and caring heart, a hero to his brothers, a hard worker, leader, avid reader and poet.
Alex was an apprentice window-dresser in Brisbane and a farm hand on a cattle station at Gayndah for 3 years. He returned to Maryborough where he obtained work ‘napping stones’. At 19, he worked at the Bauple Sugar Mill. He studied to become a 3rd class steam engine driver and became sweethearts with Winifred Waldock. They later married in 1936 when they were both 21.
He continued working at the Mill, but also joined the part-time Citizens Military Force. He and Winnie had two girls in quick succession. Soon after his son Alwyn was born in 1940, Alex had enlisted in the 2/25th Battalion AIF as a permanent soldier. Winnie was decimated at being left to care for her two young daughters and baby son. Grandmother Henderson helped Winnie face the loneliness and hardship.
Alex’s CMF training ensured his early promotion to Corporal. His physique and keen interest saw him win numerous bouts as welterweight boxer. Sailing for Ceylon with the 2/25th Battalion on the Queen Mary in 1941, his letters told of shipboard yarns but did not hide his concern for his little family.
Within 6 weeks of his sailing, notification was received that Cpl. J.A. Henderson was missing in action. Later, advice was received that he had been killed instantly with two of his men by crossfire against Free French Forces at Merdjaoun in Syria on 19 June 1941. His platoon commander had been killed about half an hour prior and Alex took up the challenge, advancing successfully only to be cut in two by a hidden machine gun.
Along with 69 Queenslanders, Alex received a “Mention in Despatches” for Outstanding Bravery. In 1991, Tiaro’s War Memorial also acknowledged the sacrifice of Tiaro’s WWII Servicemen with a plaque commemorating those who shall not grow old... Winnie Kernovske, Alex’s widow, planted a Galipoli pine at the ceremony.
Thank you to Diane Robinson for this story about her father.

Sergeant Eric John Strawbridge - WWII
February 2012

Sergeant Eric John Strawbridge 426927
Attached to 1662 RAF UK Eric was born to parents Arthur & Maud Strawbridge on 2nd May 1922. He had 2 sisters, Doris and Lillian, and 2 brothers Walter and Gordon. His family lived in Kanyan where they had a very profitable dairy farm. Eric went to school in Kanighan and took a prominent part in all school activities.
He was one of ten Queensland farm boys selected to attend the junior farmers at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney. When schooldays were finished Eric joined the family at home and helped on the farm.
He was very musical and enjoyed playing the piano and mouth organ and was always available for a game of cricket or tennis.
Eric and his brother Walter decided to join the Air Force Reserve, while awaiting their call-up they were placed in the army and sent to Townsville. Later they were transferred to Brisbane and joined the RAAF and did training in Kingaroy, NSW flight school and a Gunnery School at Evans Head. Both Eric and Walter sailed for San Francisco, arriving after 18 days, followed by a 6 day train ride to New York where they boarded the “AGUITANA” for Glasgow.
Soon after reaching England the brothers parted. Walter went on to complete his training as a wireless operator, and Eric as an Air Gunner. Eric was stationed at RAF Blyton near Gainsborough, a conversion unit to Heavy bombers; Eric lost his life on the 16th December 1943 together with the rest of the crew members on a Night Flying raid He is buried in the RAF Section of Cambridge Cemetery. Lest We Forget.

Captain Arthur Max Benson - WWII
March 2012

Captain Arthur Max Benson QX6090
was born in Gundiah on a property called Goorah Flats on March 3rd 1906. He was a twin, his brother was Emmanuel William Benson. The family was to have strong military links; by the time WW2 was under way there would be 4 of the Benson clan in uniform.

Records show that Max enlisted in the Army in Sydney in 1926 and served with the 1st Battalion until 1929, then he served with the 30th Battalion at Liverpool Sydney until 1931.Following a 3 year gap, he was then shown as joining the 47th Battalion in Maryborough, where he became OC of the Tiaro detachment and OC of the Mortar Platoon.

At the outbreak of WW2, he joined the 2/9th Infantry Battalion at Enoggera and served with that unit in the Middle East desert campaigns and later in New Guinea.

While attacking a Japanese position near Buna in 1942, Max, then a Captain, was struck by a piece of shrapnel in the head and was returned to Australia in January 1943. By March 1944 he had recovered sufficiently to be reposted into service and was into active service in Port Moresby, he was then again returned to Australia in May to again recover from the wounds suffered in Buna.

On Christmas day in 1944 Max was on leave and took his wife, 2 sons and daughter down to the Mary River to teach the boys how to swim. Unfortunately he disappeared under the water and could not be revived. Later a post mortem revealed he suffered a major stroke probably as a result of the head wound he had been nursing for almost 2 years. Max was 38 and 9 months when he passed away. Lest we forget.

Alan Woodward has produced a report of about 150 items on Max’s life for the Maryborough Military Museum; the story follows shows the true character of this solider. Captain Benson’s report to CO, Lt-Col Eric Patterson, “We drove the enemy from outposts and forced them to retire inside the fortified area, my platoon led the main attack and my lads did excellent work with the bayonet as they fought like tigers, the Ities were game and fought and died while firing their guns, but there was no holding back our lads. We had our usual narrow escapes in one instant a grenade was thrown at me and exploded at my feet, except for being blown off my feet I received no injury. Not being selfish, I tossed back a Mills hand grenade for the occupants to share amongst them. Later 2 men out of my Platoon joined me and we captured all from the fort being 4 officers and 60 other ranks.” Later the Australians eventually took 600 Italian soldiers including a Colonel Costiana who had under him 2000 Italian and Libyan troops.

Private George Edgar Krafft - WWII
QX 37595 (Q6128)
April 2012

George was born on the 21st January 1921 in Wondai, the youngest son to his parents Fred and Anne Krafft. There were 3 girls and 3 boys in the family.
He went to school at the Running Creek Primary School, his teacher being the well-known Gympie identity Molly McKenna. After leaving school, he worked on the family property “Lone Pine” at Glen Echo. He was a good horseman, enjoyed country life and loved to yodel! His main hobby was leather work and plaiting whips.

George and his brother did their army training with the 5th Light Horse and the 5th Motor Regiment in Gympie and Goomeri and then joined the A.I.F. in March 1941.

George fought in battles at Shaggy Ridge and Ramu. After overcoming an attack of Malaria in military hospitals in Queensland and New South Wales, he and brother Roy were attached to the field Ambulance and sailed with the Seventh Division to Borneo. In the landing at Balikpapan, George was seriously wounded and died at the age of 24 years and 5 months on the 1st July 1945. LEST WE FORGET.

Gunner James Alexander Savage- WWII
QX 9322
May 2012

QX9322 Gunner James (Jim) Alexander Savage was a descendant of the Anderson family who settled in the Miva district in 1873. He was born in Charters Towers on the 22 October 1914.
As a small child, he came to live with his Uncle August Anderson and his wife at Miva where they had a dairy farm. Jim was a son to the Andersons and brother to their two girls. Jim was educated at Munna Creek School which was within sight of the family home. He took part in all local sports and was a talented rider. Horses and horse sports were his special interests. As a small boy he would ride his pony without saddle or bridle.
When he was older he went to work on properties in other areas and was involved in cattle and horse work.
He married Kath Robinson and enlisted in the Army in Brisbane. He went on to Redbank for training before being sent to Malaya as a Gunner of B Troop, 2/10th Field Regiment, 19th Battery.
James was taken prisoner of war by the Japanese and conditions were harsh, Jim suffered of Malaria and Beriberi and died on the 13th December 1943 at the age of 29 years. LEST WE FORGET

George A Jacobson WWII

George Alexander Jacobson was born in 1917, the second son of Charles and Elizabeth (Nee Lacey). He had four brothers John Charles, Frank, Alan & Percy.
The Family lived at “Hillcrest” Gunalda before moving to “Seaview” in the same district. The boys attended the Gunalda State School and Gympie High School.Friends remember them as good Natured and well-mannered young men. Their mother had a beautiful garden in which they took great pride.
George loved camp-drafting which was a popular pastime in the late thirties.

He enlisted in the army in 1939 before transferring to the R.A.A.F. He served in Canada and England as a navigator with the Lancaster Squadron No 514. He lost his life in a flying battle over Holland on the 23 April 1944.

Two brothers Frank & Alan were in the A.I.F His family was presented with a scroll that says: This scroll commemorates Flying officer G.A Jacobson Royal Australian Air Force held in honour as one who served his King and Country in the World War of 1939-1945 and gave his life to save mankind from tyranny. May his sacrifice help to bring the peace and freedom for which he died.
LEST WE FORGET.
Next

Archibold Robert Hoffman
QX10825 Private, Australian Arm)
July 2012

Archie Hoffman was born on the 14th May 1900 in Maryborough and was employed by Tiaro Shire Council. He was an active tennis player in the area and a member of the Wattlebae Tennis club in Tiaro. Archie married Olive Ashford daughter of Mr T.E Ashford of Harvey Siding, they had 5 children, Spencer, Gloria, Beryl, Lester and Rex.

Archie enlisted in the Army in July 1940 and ended up becoming a prisoner of war in Malaya and died as a result of injuries whilst working on the infamous Burma railway on the 21st January 1944.

LEST WE FORGET.

William Arthur Matthews
Private Australian Army QX 42890 (Q135495)
August 2012

William was born in Clermont on the 26th December 1922.
He lived in Curra and enlisted in Gympie on the 31st December 1941 and was posted overseas.
His Posting on his death was with the 31/51 Australian Infantry Battalion. He died on 31st January 1945 of unknown cause.
If any reader has further details or a photo of William Matthews please contact the the gazette.

LEST WE FORGET.

Edward Charles Hewerdine
Sept 2012

QX40744 (Q24766) Private, Australian Army
Edward was born on the 22nd September 1920 in Maryborough, the eldest son of Mr. & Mrs. C Hewerdine of Tiaro. He enlisted in Maryborough on the 29th Jan 1942, aged 21.

Edward was killed in action on the 20th August 1943 at the age of 22 whilst Serving with the 47th Australian Infantry Battalion in New Guinea.

Edward’s father served in the Great War 1914-1918.

LEST WE FORGET.

Herbert Arthur Snell
Oct 2012

Qx21253 PRIVATE – AUSTRALIAN ARMY
Herbert (known as Arthur) was born 31st March 1919 to Charles and Ethel Snell at Wooroolin, South Burnett. Arthur and his 6 brothers and sisters–Viv, Frank, June, Les, Muriel and Trea– had a happy hard working childhood on their farm. He attended the Kenilworth State School and later played cricket for the local team, worked at Kenilworth Sawmill and other farms in the district.

Arthur enlisted in the Army at Gympie on 20th May 1941 at age 22 and was drafted to Singapore. He was taken prisoner at the prisoner-of-war camp at Moulmein Burma with his friend McGhie. He was being transferred on the prison ship Rakuyo Maru with 1300 prisoners to Japan for labour work, when it was sunk by an American Submarine on the 13th September 1944 and many of the prisoners were drowned including Arthur.

LEST WE FORGET.

Edward William Gesch
Nov 2012

QX59556 (Q25180) Corporal 47 AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BATTALION
Corporal E.W. (Ted) Gesch, was born on 21st Oct 1911 being elder son of Mr & Mrs C.K. Gesch of “Riverview” Tiaro. His siblings were Cecil and Roy Gesch of Tiaro and Mrs I. Hoult of Antigua.

Ted was husband to Mrs Marjorie Gesch of “Avondale”, Tiaro.
Corporal Gesch served with A.M.F in the New Guinea area and was killed in action on January 12th 1945 at the age of 33. He died as he lived, “everyone’s friend”.

LEST WE FORGET

James Leslie Wilson
Nov 2012

Service Number 405103Royal Australian Air Force
James was the son of Mr and Mrs A.C. Wilson of “Mavisbank” Tiaro. He was born on the 31st January 1916 and enlisted in Brisbane on the 6th January 1941.

He was reported missing in the Middle East and now presumed dead. (We believe he was a pilot and he went missing in an aircraft.) His posting at his death was the Rank of Sergeant in the 108 Squadron. His recorded date of death was 25th July 1942.

He was 26 years old.

LEST WE FORGET

Clifford Cecil Swanson
Feb 2013

QX10616 Gunner 2 Anti Tank Regt. R A A
Born 4 February 1911 in (Brisbane) Bauple to Charles James Swanson and Jane Swanson; Clifford was married to Emily May Swanson, of Burwah, Queensland. He enlisted in Maryborough 29 June 1940, and was assigned to the second Anti Tank Regiment as a gunner. He death was accidental in Australia on 7 April 1942, aged 31 years. He is buried in Centennial Park War Cemetery, Adelaide.

Norman Charles Swanson
QX23201 Sapper 1st Forestry Company RAE (Royal Australian Engineers)

Norman C Swanson was born 19 September 1913 in Bauple. He enlisted 23 May, 1941 in Maryborough and was assigned to the Royal Australian Engineers as a Sapper. [The Royal Australian Engineers adopted the Royal Engineers practice of calling their private soldiers “Sappers”, in recognition of the fact that the very earliest engineers had been primarily concerned with driving saps (tunnels) both towards the enemy lines, and underneath fortifications.]
Norman was accidentally killed while serving in the forestry unit in Scotland, (We believe it was an incident involving a Brengun carrier) on the 21st March 1942, aged 28. He is buried in Troqueer, Scotland. His parents mourned the death of 2 sons in quick succession.

LEST WE FORGET.

William McGrath
QX3293 Private 2/15 AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BATTALION
March 2013

William McGrath was born in Balmain NSW on the 1st April 1908 and he enlisted on the 28th May 1940. His army records state the locality of enlistment was Gunalda and place of enlistment being Maryborough. His next of kin is listed as Caroline McGrath. If any reader has any history big or small on William please contact the Museum and we will update his records.

LEST WE FORGET

John M R Adams
Service # 22887 Royal Australian Air Force
April 2013

John Methuen Robertson ADAMS or “Jock” as he was as called, was the only son of Mr & Mrs W.R.Adams of Tiaro, and born in Ayr, Scotland on the 23rd September 1908.

He enlisted in the Australian Air Force on the 8th July 1940 and worked his way through the ranks to become a Pilot officer in the 75th Squadron.
Jock had a property near Tiaro and gave invaluable service as a member of Tiaro Shire Council prior to his enlistment.During his years in Tiaro he was always interested in community events and was a member of the Tiaro Patriotic Fund Committee and the Tiaro Rifle Club. He was proud of the district and did all in his power to promote its interests, he applied himself with the same diligence to the welfare of his Squadron.

He lost his life in an aircraft accident on February 3rd 1943 at the age of 35.

LEST WE FORGET

Clive William Roberts
Service # Q135498 Australian Army
May 2013

William was born in Gympie on 2nd September 1922. He applied to enlist in Gympie (Locality of Enlistment being ANDERLEIGH) on the 31st December 1941. His next of kin was Emma Roberts. William had the rank of Private in the 36 Australian Infantry Battalion; he was a prisoner of war and died on the 2nd February 1943.

LEST WE FORGET

Norman Frank Strehlau
Service Number QX3220 Australian Army
June & July 2013

Norman was born in Maryborough on the 23rd February 1914, the son of Frank and Grace Jane Strehlau.
Norman had 5 sisters and 4 brother’s. Two brothers, Mervin and Andrew, were also members of the Australian Military Forces during World War 2.
[Only Leslie and Mary survive of the 10
siblings in the Strehlau family.]

From Norman’s history we note that he was highly respected in the Brooweena and Thinoomba districts where he was employed for 6 years by Mrs Jones of Teebar Station. He was a keen rifleman and won several trophies in district competitions.
He enlisted on the 25th May 1940, aged 26 at THINOOMBA. Norman was killed in action in the Middle East on the 1st September 1942, aged 28. He held the rank of Private in the 2/15 Australian Infantry Battalion. Norman was buried in El Alamein War Cemetery Egypt.

LEST WE FORGET

Vernon John Scheldt
Flight Sergeant 426691. RAAF 463 Squadron
September 2013

Born to Peter and Eleanor Edith Scheldt on 10th May 1922 in Brisbane. Vernon grew up on a banana and bean farm at Camp Mountain with his siblings Judith and Ronald. He attended school at Samford and later at the new school at Camp Mountain.
The family moved to Kanyan in 1930, house and all, in what is now called Strawbridge’s Road. His secondary Education was at Commercial State High School in Brisbane. He returned to work on the farm at Kanyan where they ran dairy cattle and grew bananas, beans and tomatoes. Vernon was a great organiser and was virtually the foreman for his father.

He enlisted in Gympie in 1922 at the age of 18, doing training at Maryborough, Kingaroy and Evans Head. He qualified as a wireless operator and Navigator and was transferred to England in 1943. In 1944 he was transferred again to 463 RAAF Squadron out of Waddington, flying Lancasters. On the 25th July 1944, it was learned that he had been shot down over St. Cyr in France. It was about 14 months later that the family heard that he had been laid to rest at the Imperial War Graves at Omerville in France.

LEST WE FORGET

Gordon Maxwell Crouch
Flight Sergeant 414655
63 Squadron R.A.F England
October 2013

On 12th April 1923, a son was born to Roy and Lena Crouch at Cooroy. He was named Gordon Maxwell and was their 8th child. The others were Maud, Theo, Ena, Alan, Elsie, Frances and Harrington, after Gordon came Ailsa, Ruby and Nellie.
Roy and Lena were share farming for Cecile Hetherington late of Gympie and it was a case of many hands make light work. Gordon went to Theebine School and also went to Church and Sunday school there. Observation the Sabbath in those days saw crowds of people assembling in the local hall for the church service and all their horses and sulkies lined up under the trees.
In his spare time, Gordon enjoyed playing tennis and football, but the best of all was dancing. After leaving school Gordon worked on his father’s dairy farm.
On 8th November, Gordon and his brother Harrington enlisted in the R.A.F in Brisbane. He went on and gained his pilot’s license at Wagga Wagga. On the 29th July 1942, he sailed for Canada where he was lucky enough to be billeted with a Presbyterian Minister and family. He was then sent to England where he underwent extensive night flying training.
He was killed on the 29th February 1944 at the age of 21 while piloting a Hurricane aircraft. He was buried in England at the British Ministry Cemetery.
His mate Keith Hoffman, who now resides in Sydney, wrote a tribute to Gordon in the Gympie Times 1st March 1945.

LEST WE FORGET

Kevin Corley
Private. Australian Army
QX 64922 (Q89673)
November 2013

Kevin was the second son of Elizabeth Ellen and David Leary Corley. born on the 28th July 1914, he lived with his parents and brothers David, Charles (Chilla) and sister Beverley at Crown Road, Gympie. His father worked as a grocer at Cullinanes.
He attended the Convent Christian Brothers, afterwards working at Stuart Tailors at the Five Ways, then the railways for a few years, later joining Sauers as a shop assistant.
Kevin was a good looking bloke and “liked the girls in his youth,” said his brother Chilla. Kevin was transferred to Stanthorpe where he met his wife
Joyce. They ran a Boarding House, and he continued working for Sauers.
Before enlisting, he had been in the 5th Light Horse for quite a few years.
Two weeks after arriving at Rabaul, Papua New Guinea, in January 1942, he
became a P.O.W., but escaped by hiding in a Plantation owned by Germans. The
Germans notified the Japanese, and a boat came from Rabaul flying the Australian Flag. The men had been hiding amongst the rubber trees, ran down the beach. Some were bayonetted to death, two escaped, the others were taken
prisoner. His death is recorded 1 July 1942. Kevin aged 31, left behind his wife Joyce and son Kevin (junior).

LEST WE FORGET

James Cecil Dowling
Private Q17064 Australian Army.
9th Australian Infantry
February 2014

Little detail is known of John Dowling prior to his enlistment. Born 28th January 1918 in Nambour, his locality on enlistment was Pamona with next of kin named as Hazel Dowling.
In New Guinea, a small Militia and some admirable local volunteers were at first the only garrison, but by the time the Japanese began to press forward, the 7th Division with Major AS Allen was already arriving.
On the 26th August 1942, the Japanese trying to land at Milne Bay were defeated by the militia and AIF Brigade and were forced to withdraw by sea. Two RAAF Squadrons arrived to support the ground forces. During part of the fighting the only anti tank weapons the Aussies had were hand grenades. In the early stages they were driven back.
On the 31st August 1942, Pte. J. C. Dowling was killed, however the Japanese were unable to capture the air strip. From here the RAAF Kittyhawks swept at low levels to blast enemy positions in the thick coconut plantations and repeatedly raked the decks of the Japanese cruisers that came to support their land forces.
Japanese forces ceased on the 7th September and the battle cost the enemy at least a 1000 of their best troops.
Pte J.C. Dowling of Pomona was 24 years of age when he gave his life for his country. LEST WE FORGET

LEST WE FORGET

William John Wilson
Private QX27445
61st Australian Infantry Battalion
March 2014

William Wilson was born on the 12th February 1921 at Maryborough. He enlisted in Tiaro on 17 February 1942, and died 26th Aug 1942, aged 21 years.

Please forward any further information to update our museum records.
As you may be aware, over the months we have paid homage to our Diggers
from the WWII listed on our Honour Board. They gave their lives for our country, that we may remain safe and free. William is the last of our diggers that did not return. We will continue to research other wars for our Diggers.

LEST WE FORGET

Herbert Arthur Neil Anderson
Private Q3457 WWI
25th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement
April 2014

Herbert was a Kanyan lad and single farmer who enlisted on the 16th August 1915 at the age of 30.
His next of kin was listed as his brother Joseph Anderson likewise a Kanyan lad.
His unit embarked from Brisbane on board HMAT A55 Kyarra on the 3rd January 1916.
He was killed in action on the 29th July 1916, with no known grave.

LEST WE FORGET
As always if any reader has further information on Herbert or any previous Digger we have acknowledged, please contact me or the Museum and we will add to the Museum records. Trevor Keightley 41292504

Albert Victor Bracher
Sergeant, 25th Battalion A.I.F WWI
June 2014

A Bauple Hero
Albert Bracher was born in England in the Parish of Morton, Worcestershire. He served 5 years in the Royal Navy as a purchaser and worked in the cane industry in Bauple. Albert owned a farm at Bauple and it is understood to have been a relation of well-known Bates family of Bauple. He enlisted on 15th February 1915 at the age of 27.

Albert was credited with being the first district soldier mentioned in dispatches. Albert, then a sergeant in the 25th Battalion A.I.F was mentioned for his bravery during a clash with Turks on October 29th 1915. An extract from the Army corps written by the commanding officer reads: On the night of October 29th, Sergeant A. V. Bracher and Lieutenant H. Page carried out a particular daring piece of reconnaissance work to within a few yards of enemy trenches. There they came in contact with 2 Turks, one being disabled with the officers revolver. The other, whilst in the act of lighting a bomb, being shot by Bracher. The 2 soldiers obtained a supply of bombs from the remainder of the patrol and proceeded to throw bombs at the fallen Turks, gaining very useful information as to the enemy’s disposition.

LEST WE FORGET
As always if any reader has further information on Albert or any previous Digger we have acknowledged, please contact me or the Museum and we will add to the Museum records. Trevor Keightley 41292504

William Buckingham
Private 25th Battalion, 11th Reinforcement
WWI
July 2014

William was born in Guernsey, Channel Islands in 1885, but the date of his arrival in Australia is unknown. He worked as a local blacksmith, was single and his address was Bauple, Tiaro. He enlisted on October 7th, 1915 at the age of 28. After training, his unit embarked from Sydney on board HMAT Star of Victoria on 31st March 1916.
William was killed in action on the 29 July 1916 at Pozieres, Somme, France at the age of 29. His place of burial is the Courcellette British Cemetery, Plot 11, row B, Grave No 21, France.

Victor Christensen
Private 4769. 15th Battalion, 15th Reinforcement.
WWI
August 2014

Victor attended Tiaro State School. He became a Fitter & Turner after completing an apprenticeship in Engineering. He was a single man who lived in Tiaro with his parents and served in the local cadets. Victor enlisted on 30th September 1915 at the age of 21. After training, his unit embarked from Brisbane on board HMAT A73 Commonwealth on 28th March 1916.
Victor was killed in action on the 31st July 1917 at Messines, Belgium at the age of 22. There is no known grave, his memorial Commemoration details are at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial (Panel 7) Belgium. LEST WE FORGET

Leonard Howard Neilsen
AIF Regimental No 20850.
WWI
September 2014

Leonard was born, we believe, in Gundiah and had an occupation of labourer when he decided to enlist in the Army at the age of 21 years and 10 months. He enlisted on the 15th November 1915 in the 9th Field Artillery Brigade 33rd Battery and given the rank of Gunner. After training he embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A8 Argyllshire, 11th May 1916. He landed in Devonport on 10th July 1916 and then to the battle fields in France on the 6th Jan 1917. Leonard was killed in Action in Belgium on the 25th September 1917 and is buried in The Huts Cemetery Dickebusch Belguim. His awards were the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Memorial Plaque and Scroll. Leonard’s parents were D and Rachel Neilsen of Mountain View, Gundiah, Qld.
LEST WE FORGET

Samuel Richard POWER
Private No. 824. 5th Battalion, E Company
WWI
October 2015

Samuel was born in 1895 at Neerdie and attended Central Boys School at Gympie. He had the occupation of labourer when he left school, his last known address was ‘Gunalda, North Coast line’, and he served in the cadets. At 19 he decided to join the Army and enlisted on the 31st August 1914 and as the rank of Bugler.
His unit embarked from Sydney on board transport A14 Euripides on 20th October 1914. He was transferred to the 5th Medium Trench Mortar Battery and was wounded and died from his wounds on 1st November 1914. Place of death and/or wounding was Fleurbaix, Fromelles, France. Place of burial is Rue-David Military Cemetery (Plot 1, Row F, Grave No 27) Fleurbaix, France and his Roll of Honour Panel No 20, Australian War Memorial.
Samuel received the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
LEST WE FORGET

James Frances HOURIHAN
Private 6426. 26th Battalion, 18th Reinforcement
WWI
November 2015

James was born at Thinoomba, Maryborough around 1886, and attended Kilkivan School. He became a teamster and never married.
His next of kin was his sister, Mrs Mary Clifford, who lived at Tarong via Nanago.
He enlisted as a Private on the 15 August 1916, aged about 30 years. He embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A64 Demosthenes on the 23rd December 1916.
He was killed in action on the 15th September 1917 in Polygon Wood, Ypres, Belgium. The place of burial is not known but his tribute is on the Menin Gate Memorial (Panel 23) Ypres Belgium.
LEST WE FORGET

William Edward Helmstedt
Private 2785A 52nd Battalion, 6th Reinforcement
WWI
December 2015

William was born in Bauple in 1901, educated in Maryborough and was a pupil at Newtown State school. His occupation was listed as Labourer. He also served as a member of Training area 4B Maryborough before enlisting.
Enlisting on 19th June 1916, his details were AWM 23/69/3. He embarked Sydney on board HMAT A40 Ceramic on 7th October 1916 for the 10 week voyage to England. He disembarked Plymouth 21st November 1916.
William was wounded in action on the 7th June 1917 with gunshot wound to his hip and foot, he returned to France on the 9th February 1918 and was killed in action on the 5th April 1918.
He was buried in an unknown grave and was commemorated at the Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux France. He also was awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal and the Memorial Plaque and Scroll.
LEST WE FORGET

Albert Stanley Scott
Regimental Number 949
Unit 15th Australian Battalion, F Company.
February 2015

Albert Stanley Scott, my Grandfather’s uncle, hailed from Mt Bauple, Queensland, Australia. (Born in Gympie and attended Raby State School.)
He enlisted in Maryborough on the 23/9/1914 at the given age of 18 and joined the 15th Battalion. Being underage his parents - Joseph & Eliza Scott- had to give their permission for him to enlist. (He embarked from Melbourne on board Transport A40 Ceramic on 22 December 1914.) He was sent to Gallipoli and on the 28/4/1915 he was killed in action. He is buried in Quinns Post Cemetery, Anzac Cove where his age is recorded as only 17.

As an example of the confusion of the era, after recieving news from the Army of his death, his father sent a letter to the Minister of Defence enquiring as to whether his son was Alive or Dead as the media had reported that he was only wounded. Alas the latter was true.
The last picture is the actual photo in the issue of the Sydney Mail where the photo of Albert was seen by his parents on the 16/6/1915 which prompted the letter by his father. ...A brave BOY at a time when we needed them.
Lest We Forget. by’AussieMick’
http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/history-research/wasted-life-434938/ (edited)
Albert’s medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Stewart Malcolm Harrod
Private 5836 AIF Regiment
March 2015

Stewart was the second son of Malcolm John Harrod and his first wife, Catherine Newell Chapman McDuff. He was born 29 April 1898 at Eidsvold where his father was involved in gold mining. He was younger brother to Rayleigh (b.1896). Sadlly their mother died when Stewart was one year old. Rayleigh and Stewart attended Teebar West Provisional School.

In 1913 the family moved to”Ulirrah” Gunalda. When war was declared Rayleigh volunteered, closely followed by his cousin Lancelot. Stewart had to wait until he was 18 and enlisted 9 days after his birthday - 8 May 1916.
After Initial Training, he embarked on the “Boonah” for the 3 months trip to England arriving January 1917. A year after his enlistment and a bout of Mumps and Measles, he landed in France and finally saw action 12 June 1917. There followed hospital admissions for Pyrexia (fever) and finally rejoins the fight on 26 August 1917. Twenty-six days later he was killed near Polyygon Wood.

Pte Philips of Gootchie stated, “I saw him wounded by shrapnel. I bandaged him up, made him as comfortable as I could, but he passed away after 5 hours.
He was a neighbour of mine, we lived in Maryborough.”
Hearing of his death the family members enlisted as nursing sisters. They later reenlisted for WW2.

Stewart was awarded the Victory Medal, 1914/1915 Star of the British War Medal. He is buried in the Huts Cemetery Dickebusch, Belgium–A brave lad who did his duty.

Robert Arthur MacKellar
Regimental Number 3906
28th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement.
April 2015

Robert(Robin) was born 4 April 1889, in Bauple [Tiaro] and was the third of 8 children of Alexander MacKellar and Mrs Edith Willoughby Mackellar nee Biddles.
He moved to Broome WA in May 1912 and took up the occupation of a Pearler.
Maryborough Chronicle 30 May 1912: “...farewell for Mr R. McKellar- a very straight goer and an excellent fellow...at all times a credit to the town and district, and had taken a healthy and unselfish interest in everything with which he was associated. His departure would be keenly regretted... “

He enlisted on the 30th December 1915 as the rank of Private Roll No 23/45/3, aged 25. He embarked from Fremantle WA on board HMAT A28 Miltiades on 12th February 1916. He was killed in action on the 29th July 1916. There is no known grave but his commemoration details are held at the Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux France. Villers–Bretonneux is a village about 15K east of Amiens, the memorial stands on the high ground (Hill 104) behind the Military Cemetery.
LEST WE FORGET

Robert Arthur MacKellar’s letter appeared in Maryborough Chronicle Saturday 19 September 1916. It reads:
LETTER FROM THE FRONT. Mrs A. Mackellar, Bauple, has received a letter from her son Private Robin A Mackellar, written somewhere in France on June 29th in the course of which he states:-
“We are still in the training camp but expect to go to the front any day. The weather is fine at least; mid summer here is just like early spring in Australia. I am afraid it will be rather cold for our lads in the Winter. Many feel the cold even now. The drill here is first class, the best I have had since going into camp. No doubt they will turn the majority of the Australians into first class soldiers here, but I am afraid it is going to take a lot of us to end this war. Some people think It will end this year, well let us hope it will. Under date July 8th he writes - I will very likely be going up in a few days as I have been warned to be ready at a moment’s notice. We will hope for the best and I feel as if I will see you all again, and very shortly too. The war cannot go on very much longer, and perhaps we will all be together again for Christmas. Fancy, I played in a cricket match yesterday against another Battalion, and we won easily. It seemed quite like old times.”

George Alexander Low
Service No 6050. 15th Battalion
June 2015

George was born at Fairhill, Yandina around 1895. He lived at Gootchie. He enlisted on the 29th February 1916 and after training embarked on “HMAT Iton” and sailed on 8th August 1916.
George death was in the Honor Role in the Chronicle on 27th February 1918,
and on the 19th February 1918 the Chronicle published the following letter the family had received:

To Mrs. Mary Low, Gootchie, N.C. Line, Dear Madam,— it is with very deep sorrow that I have to report to you, the death of your dear son (George Alexander Low). He came on board at Avonmouth in a very serious condition, but we had hoped all along that we might be able to keep him alive until we reached Australia. There was no hope of his getting to Queensland. But despite all our efforts he died yesterday morning at 10 o’clock. He was a dear uncomplaining boy, and always had a smile as greeting to anyone who spoke to him. We all became very fond of him, and the news of the death of so dear a son will come as a very severe blow to you. He was in a ward under my own charge, and was devotedly nursed, by Sister Leitch, and the Orderly, Corporal Kirchubel, and also by the night Sister, Sister Harden. He was buried at sea one day after passing New Amsterdam Island, and within a week of our expected arrival at Fremantle. The service at the ship’s side was sympathetically conducted by Senior Chaplain Green, and was attended by a large number of your son’s comrades. Please accept the assurance of’our deep sympathy with you in the great loss which you have sustained.
A.B. BROCKWAY. Lt.-Col. A.M.C.A.I.F. ,
OC. Trooper H.M.A.H.S.

George died of tuberculosis whilst returning to Australia on the 29th January 1918, and was buried at sea.
LEST WE FORGET

Senica George Anderson
Regimental No 1508
9th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement
July 2015

Senica was born in Tiaro to Lars and Ellen Anderson. We know that he was single, 25 years of age and a labourer at time of embarkation.
He enlisted (Nominal roll) on 15 December 1914 and two short months later, embarked from Brisbane on board HMAT A49 Seang Choon on the 13 February 1915.
Within 4 months he was dead–12 July 1915 at the age of 25, after serving in Egypt and Gallipoli. He is buried at Chatby War Memorial Cemetery (Row L Grave No .36) Egypt and is remembered Panel No 54, Roll of Honour Australian War Memorial. He received Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal. LEST WE FORGET

Philip Conrad BERGHOFFER
Regimental No 2778
52nd Battalion, 6th Reinforcement
August 2015

Philip was born in Gatton 1894 and lived with his parents, Philip and Frederica Berghoffer at Patterson Siding near Theebine, NC Line, Qld. He was a farmer, single and 22, when he enlisted on 28th June 1916. He had been in the Rifle Club Reserves and had previously enlisted and been rejected because he was of German descent.

His AWM Embarkation Roll number 23/69/3 and his unit embarked from Sydney, NSW on board HMAT A40 Ceramic on the 7th Oct 1616.

Rank on enlistment was Private, he died of wounds 30th September 1917 at Ypres Belgium at the age of 22(?).

He was buried at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery (Plot1, Row H, Grave No 14) Belgium. Australian Roll of Honour 154. He also gained the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. LEST WE FORGET

George William GREEN
Regimental No 6970. Roll # 23/26/4
9th Battalion, 23rd Reinforcement
September 2015

George was born in Mount Bauple (Rossendale) 5 August 1892, attended the Raby State School and was living with his parents George & Florence (Phillips) Green when he enlisted on the 4th May 1916.
At the time of embarkation he stated he was a single farmer in Bauple, aged 23.
His unit embarked from Brisbane on board HMAT A55 Kyarra 17 Nov 1916.
George was killed in action on 10th August 1918 in France at the age of 26. His place of burial is: Heath Cemetary (Plot 1V, Row 1, Grave No 17) Harbonnieres France. His War Service was on the Western Front and he gained the British War Medal and Victory Medal. LEST WE FORGET

Thomas Oswald GREY
Unit 7 Australian Machine Gun Company
Australian Army
October 2015

Thomas was born in Brisbane and was the son of Mr William Gray of Gundiah, his trade was that of a farmer. He enlisted at the age of 21 years and 3 months.
He was killed in action at Ypes Belgium on 3rd Oct 1917.
His Memorial is at the Menin Gate Ypres , Flanders Belgium.
Thomas’ name is located at 178 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial.
LEST WE FORGET

Peter William BLACKWELL
Unit 26th Battalion, 11th Reinforcement # 4379
November 2015

Peter William Blackwell, b. 1888, was one of 11 children of John and Florence Lillian BLACKWELL of Miva. They were a Presbyterian family and Peter attended Munna Creek State School. He was single and his occupation was that of a labourer when he enlisted on the 16th December, 1915, aged 26.
His unit embarked from Brisbane on board HMAT A16 Star of Victoria, 30 March 1916. Peter served on the Western Front and died of wounds on the 14th December 1917 at the age of 28. Peter is buried in the St. Sever Cemetery Extension (block O, Plot V111, Row H Grave No1) Rouen, France. Panel no 106, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial. He earned the British War and the Victory Medals.
LEST WE FORGET

George KAJEWSKI
Private #4637. 47th Australian Infantry Battalion. Australian Army
December 2015

George was born 10 December, 1895 at Ma Ma Creek, Gatton, Queensland and attended Ma Ma Creek School. His parents were Carl and Elizabeth Kajewski (nee Naumann). He had 3 siblings when his mother died in childbirth at Ma Ma Creek. George was only 2 1/2 years old. His father remarried in 1899. He and Marie Wacker had 6 more children. They moved to Gundiah area prior to 1908.
A member of the Church of England, George was single, a labourer and his address was Pialba when he embarked at the age of 20.
George enlisted 15 November 1915, naming Mrs Carl Kajewski of Gundiah, as next of kin. His unit embarked from Brisbane Queensland, Roll no 23/32/2, on board HMAT A62 Wandilla on the 31st Jan 1916.
George was killed in action at (Hooge Crater) Messines, Belgium at age 21 on 7 June 1917 and buried at Strand Military Cemetery, (Plot V, Row B, Grave No 9) Ploegsteert Belgium, Panel No 143.
LEST WE FORGET

Earnest William LARKINS
Private 5369-12th Battalion Australian Army
February 2016

NOTE: Bauple Honor Roll lists “Larkin, E.“ Following is the information for EW Larkins that was in the files at Mt Bauple Museum. If any readers can advise how this fellow came to be listed on Honour Board at Bauple, it would be appreciated.

Ernest William Larkins was born in Hobart and served in the Army Cadets. His occupation prior to enlisting on 9th June 1915 in Hobart, aged 26, was a Clerk. His mother Margaret was listed as next of kin, she was living in Tasmania but later moved to Sydney. His AWM Embarkation Roll 26/84/1. He embarked with his unit from Melbourne on board HMAT A67, Orsova on the 17th July 1915.
He rose to rank of Corporal. Initially he was attached to the Convalescent Depot, Harefield Park, London.
He died of wounds on the 23 August 1918 and is buried in Morlancourt, France. (Also recorded as Heath Cemetery, Picardie, France)
LEST WE FORGET

George Henry BENNETT
Regimental No 5307. Private
26th Battalion 14th Reinforcement
March 2016

NOTE: Bauple Honor Roll lists “Bennett, G.“ Again, we see no direct attachment to the area for this Digger. If any person has details please pass them on so we can correct.

George was born in Sydney to Roman Catholic parents. He was a carpenter and established himself in Oakey. George was single when he enlisted on the 3rd February 1916 at the age of 41. His AWM Embarkation Roll number was 23/43/4. His Unit embarked from Brisbane on board HMAT A50 Itonus on the 8th Aug 1916.

His previous military service was in the South African war with the Queensland Mounted Rifles.

George died of wounds whilst in France on the 20th April 1917. He was buried at St Server Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France.
For his War Service Western Front, he received British War & Victory Medals.
LEST WE FORGET

(Major General Sir William Glasgow was featured in our April 2016 issue.)

Albert Christopher Julius GRAFFUNDER
2nd Australian Light Horse Regiment.# 462.
May 2016

Corporal A.C.J.Graffunder appears on both the Bauple and Mackay Honour Boards. We can only assume that he was a local resident or worker prior to his enlistment at Gladstone in August 1914.

Albert Graffunder was born 21st July 1890 in St Helens, Mackay, Queensland to Julius and Sylvia Graffunder. He was a farmer, single and a British Subject when he enlisted in 1914.

His Unit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A15 Star Of England on 24 September 1914. He was killed in action on the 14 May 1915 in Monash Gully, Gallipoli at the age of 25 years. Albert was buried in Quinn’s Post Cemetery, Gallipoli Peninsula, Canakkale Province, Turkey.
He had served in Egypt and Gallipoli, was mentioned in dispatches and was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal posthumously.
LEST WE FORGET

Contributed by Brice Kaddatz, Albert's nephew:

In 1914, Albert Graffunder left his farm at Kolijo, near Calen, north of Mackay, to offer himself in the defence of free people, including we who enjoy our liberty today. Having served firstly in Egypt, and then sent to Galippoli dismounted, Albert was killed in action at Quinn’s Post, among the very early casualties of that catastrophic engagement.

Albert had established himself as a capable soldier, expert horseman and one who displayed leadership qualities. We might not have expected less, given the available accounts of his service.

Brice had the privilege of visiting Albert’s grave at Quinn’s Post Cemetery in 2015, the only family member to have done so in the 100 years he has lain there. Prior to this, Brice visited Albert’s former farm at Kolijo, from where a pair of Hames Hooks, known to have been part of Albert’s draught horse equipment and salvaged from the original farm shed long since flattened by a cyclone, were presented by the family who purchased the farm from Albert’s estate 100 years ago. These hooks were used to mount a family tribute plaque, presented to the Hampden State School Museum at Kuttabul, on Anzac day 2016. RIP Albert.
Lest We Forget.
Ev. Brice Kaddatz

Herbert Claude RAYNER
Private # 1994B. 47th Battalion, 3rd
Reinforcement. World War I
July 2016

Herbert Claude Rayner was born on November 30, 1896, in Tiaro, the second son of Henry Rayner, 31 and Alice Rayner nee Ingham, 24. Herbert and his siblings were second generation
Australians, with his father also being born in Tiaro and his Grandfather immigrating from Norfolk, England around 1858.
His two brothers, Clemence and Edgar and sister, Mabel, attended Tiaro State School and were of the Presbyterian faith. Herbert lost his father and grandfather around the age of 13.

Herbert was 19 when he enlisted on 18 February 1916. He was single and employed as a labourer.
His Unit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A46 Clan
Macgillivray on 1 May 1916.

He was killed in action in the Battle of Messines on June 7, 1917, in Belgium,
at the age of 20. He has no known grave and recorded as buried in Ieper,
West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. He is memorialised on the The Ypres (Menin
Gate) Memorial (Panel 27), Belgium. Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
LEST WE FORGET

John Alexander RAYNER
31st Battalion 10th Reinforcement
Regimental No. 4125 World War I
August 2016

Cousin to last month’s Digger, Herbert Claude Rayner; John Alexander Rayner was also from Tiaro and a second generation Australian. He was the fourth child of Robert Isaac Rayner and Elizabeth Paula McKenzie.

John was born 14 May, 1894, and attended Tiaro State School with his 4 brothers and 2 sisters. The family was Presbyterian.

He worked as a Station Master, and lived on Bridge Street, Tiaro, when he enlisted at the age of 22 on 7 April 1916. He was assigned to the 31st Battalion, 10th Reinforcement; Roll Number 23/48/3 and embarked from Brisbane on board HMAT A36 Boonah on 21 October 1916.

John was killed in action 26/27 September 1917, at Polygon Wood, Belgium, aged 23 years and 4 months. His place of burial Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendaele, Belgium. Australian War Memorial 119.
LEST WE FORGET

Thomas Gifford ROBINSON
Private 2679, 13th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement,
Embarkation Roll 23/30/2. and 45th Australian Infantry Battalion.
October/November 2016

Thomas Gifford Robinson was the youngest of 6 sons of Captain John Robinson and Jane Moodie of Weisdale, Shetland Islands. He was born January 1892, West Hartlepool, Durham, England.

He left London bound for Australia, arriving in Sydney 18 Jan 1912 at age 20. He worked as a ‘trimmer’ on the Suffolk, sailing from Brisbane to Sydney in Sept 1913.

Thomas worked as a tram guard before enlisting at Liverpool NSW on 16 June 1915. His place of association was Sydney, care of Mrs King, 109 Cromwell St Sydney.

He was assigned to the 8th Reinforcement, 13th Battalion and his unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A54 Runic on 9 August 1915. He transferred to 45th Battalion 3 March 1916 and served in Gallipoli.

Thomas spent time in hospital with diaorrhea and pyrexia in Mudros, returning to Alexandria on 3 Jan 1916 before embarking for France. He disembarked at Marsailles 8 June 1916 and was killed in action 6 August 1916.

He has no known grave, and is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France.
T.G. Robinson was awarded 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

NOVEMBER UPDATE: Thomas Gifford Robinson was the youngest of 6 sons of Captain John Robinson (formerly ‘Robertson’) and Jane Moodie of Weisdale, Shetland Islands. He was bound for Australia in 1912 at age 20. He followed his friend Christopher Tait to Tiaro area, worked and visited friends and possibly distant family.

We assume that he left his ship's chest with the Sinclairs at Tiaro. He also joined in the family photo with the Jamiesons in 1913. (The Robinson family of Shetland Islands also had a copy of this photo.)

Robinson worked as a ‘trimmer’ on the Suffolk, sailing from Brisbane to Sydney in Sept 1913. He enlisted 1915, served in Gallipoli. He was killed in action 6 August 1916 in France.

LEST WE FORGET

Charles STOCKWELL
Regimental No 7586, 42nd Battalion, World War I
December 2016

Charles Stockwell, born in the parish of Maryborough in 1895, was a stockman. He enlisted on January 1917, as a single man living with his mother, Mrs C Hedges of Tiaro, near Maryborough.

Mr Stockwell’s AWM Embarkation roll no 23/32/3. Rank on enlistment was a Private in the 42nd Battalion. They embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A20 Horoatar on 14th June 1917.

Less than 8 months later Charles was wounded and died on 1 April 1918. He is buried at Etaples Miltary Cemetery (Plot XX1X, Row A, Grave No 2, France.)

At the Australian War Memorial Panel 136. Roll of Honour. He also gained the British War Medal Victory.

LEST WE FORGET

Bevan Claude WALDOCK
QX10710 SERGEANT AUSTRALIAN ARMY
February 2017

Bevan was born on the 25th March 1922 in Maryborough, the third child of Mr. & Mrs. D Waldock of Bauple.

He enlisted in Maryborough on the 6th July 1940, aged 18. Bevan served with the 25th Australian Infantry Battalion in North Africa, Syria, three campaigns in New Guinea and Borneo. He was captured and spent 26 days as a Prisoner of War. Bevan also had 12 confirmed cases of Malaria, one case so bad he spent 3 days in a coma. He spent 5 years, 1 month and 1 day in the Army. Bevan was discharged on the 7th of August 1945. He was relieved to leave a place of suffering and carnage but sad to leave his comrades.

Bevan married Ivy Joan Nichols and had 4 children. They had 3 boys and one girl. Bevan began his fitter and turner apprenticeship at the Bauple Mill but then World War II broke out. Bevan later finished his trade in Bundaberg between 1946-1947. He worked at the Bundaberg Foundry then he worked as a maintenance technician for the News-Mail in Bundaberg. Bevan passed away aged 78.

LEST WE FORGET

Herbert SMITH
WW1 private #2203
15th BATTALION 6TH REINFORCEMENT

We have avoided writing the story of Private Herbert Smith, mainly due to the difficulty in finding a connection to the Tiaro District, and the concern we had the right H.Smith...With the help of Ancestry.com and the ‘Discovering ANZACs’ website we found the link - a 'Miss Elizabeth Rassmussen'!

Leicestershire. Herbert Smith was one of 9 children born to Joseph and Elizabeth E Smith, February 1889 in Hoton, Leicestershire. It seems he may have been sponsored to come to Queensland and arrived in 1909 on the Ormuz.

Brisbane. He signed up in Brisbane on 18 March 1915, aged 26 years, listing his next of kin as his mother in England and his profession as ‘labourer’. His records described him as fair complexion, blue eyed with fair hair, 5’8” and of the Church of England faith.

He embarked from Brisbane, 12 June 1915 on HMAT Karoola A63 and joined the 15th Battalion on 2 August 1915 to fight for King and Country.

Gallipoli. Herbert was reported wounded only five days later on the Gallipoli Peninsula. He was then ‘wrongfully’ reported ‘missing’ on 8 August 1915, leaving his family and friends enquiring after him.

Tiaro Connection. In his military records we found a lot of correspondence from Nurse EC Rasmussen as to the whereabouts of Herbert Smith. Elizabeth Rasmussen was from ‘Mount Park’, via Tiaro. (We could not find ‘Mount Park’ on any maps but did find other Rasmussens at Netherby.) We knew we had found the right H.Smith listed on our Honour Roll.

However, it was not a happy story for Miss Rasmussen. We are unsure of her direct connection but her letters state she was enquiring after her ‘friend’. Correspondence was also included from Herbert’s family to Elizabeth which was quite endearing.

Two years after being reported missing, the war office advised Miss Rasmussen and the Smith family that Herbert was ‘killed in action’ on 8 August 1915 after a Court of Enquiry.

He was survived by his parents and 3 siblings in Leicestershire, UK.

LEST WE FORGET

P.S. Miss Rasmussen, 36, married James Walter Thurecht, 43, in 1922. The couple had no children. GG

As always, if any reader has further information on any Digger we have acknowledged, please contact me or the Museum and we will add to the Museum records. Trevor Keightley 41292504