News & Events

Private Clifford Hall Killed in action 21 October 1917

Nothing written on Clifford Hall’s attestation papers would have suggested that he  had been actively involved in the union movement in Hobart. According to his obituary in the Weekly Courier, Cliff Hall was a ‘labourite’ and an ‘ardent propagandist for Labour among the boys at the front.’ He was, according to the same article very much involved in influencing the men during the conscription campaigns and the general elections in which the Australian soldiers would vote whilst still at the Front. Continue reading “009 – Private Clifford Hall”

Private John William Geale Killed in action 15 October 1916

John William Geale and his younger brother Ernest both served in the Australian Imperial Forces. At the outbreak of the war the brothers were farmers at Smithton where the family had moved to some years earlier. With Ernest away serving with the 3^rd Light Horse, John gave up his farm, which according to a brief newspaper article, had good prospects and volunteered for enlistment on 11 January 1916. He was allotted to the 16^th reinforcements for the 12^th Battalion embarking for overseas on board the RMS Orontes on 29 March 1916 and disembarking at Suez on 25 April 1916. Continue reading “008 – Private John William Geale”

Private Kenneth Grant Drake Died of disease 29 January 1919

The churchyard of St. John the Evangelist Church at Sutton Veny contains the remains of 142 Australian soldiers and one Australian nurse, most succumbing to a range of diseases as another winter set in.  After the Armistice the No. 1 Australian General Hospital was located here among the hutted camps that were scattered around the area. Kenneth Drake had been involved in the cadets whilst at school but stated later that he had evaded service. Continue reading “007 – Kenneth Grant Drake”

Private Russell Harry Aubrey Dawson Killed in action 29 July 1917

Like Crole, just what motivated a 41 year old married father of four children to enlist is unclear. It is quite possible that he felt if enlisted he would be able to keep an eye on his two sons who were in uniform (12th Battalion) and at the Front already. He also had at least one step-son at the front also serving in the Field Artillery Brigade. Continue reading “006 – Private Russell Harry Aubrey Dawson”

Sergeant Frederick Charles Crole Killed in action 8 May 1917

Among the headstones in the Strand Military Cemetery at Ploegsteert, Belgium is one for Sergeant Frederick Charles Crole, 40^th Battalion. Continue reading “005 – Sergeant Frederick Charles Crole”

Private Clarence Evendale Burr Died of wounds 10 October 1917

One of the worst jobs that ministers of religion had during the First World War was to inform families when one of their loved ones had died. The Reverend G. Rowe of Devonport had the sad duty to have to tell Wesley and Martha Burr that their son Clarence had died of his wounds. Continue reading “004 – Clarence Evandale Burr”

Corporal Cecil Bramich  Died of disease 6 November 1918

Just six days before the fighting on the Western Front came to a halt, Lance Corporal Cecil Bramich from Melrose lost his battle with broncho-pneumonia at the 7th Canadian General Hospital at Etaples. Continue reading “003 – Cecil Arthur Bramich”

Private Herbert Bakes Died of disease 24 April 1919

Herbert Bakes, a 21 year old farm labourer from Quamby Brook, who volunteered for enlistment in late May 1918. He was allotted to the Tasmanian Reinforcements that departed Australia on 5 October 1918. On the voyage to England, Private Bakes spent time in hospital on board the SS Zealandic. On arrival in England he was al-lotted to the 12th Battalion and marched into the 1st Training Battalion, hostilities having ceased. Continue reading “002 – Bakes, Batchler & Shaw”

Private Paul Allen Died of Wounds 3 April 1917 Private Edwin Allen Killed in action 28 July 1917

In early July 1918 the Taranna community provided a warm welcome home to Private James Allen on his safe return similarly when the local boys left for war. Such celebrations must have been difficult for Egbert and Lucy Allen who had farewelled their four eldest sons as they went off to war. Only one son would return. A bitter blow for any parents to bear. Continue reading “001 – Allen Brothers”