NOOSA Today sets out to add a character, and sometimes a face, to those men on marble from the Cooroy and Pomona district, so when fronting up for an Anzac Day service, our readers may now have a better idea of who those people were, what they did and how they died. Their remains may lie in a foreign field, but by having them in our thoughts this week, in a sense we can welcome them home.
COOROY
Private George William Leaper Davie of the 15th Battalion
COOROY labourer George Davie left for the war effort on 21 October 1916 at the age of 19 on board the HMAT Boonah from Brisbane. Private Davie died from wounds 10 months later on 9 July 1917 at the age of 20 when he was hit in the head by a shell. Private Davie died while being stretchered to the dressing station and, it is believed, his final request was for a photo to be sent to a Miss Putman in England. With no known grave, Private Davie has been remembered at the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.
Private John Graham Parry Horsman of the 47th Battalion
FORMERLY a clerk in Cooroy, Private Horsman was described by his comrades as well-educated and well-spoken. He left for the war from Sydney on board the HMAT Demosthenes just days before Christmas on 22 December 1916 at the age of 42. Private Horsman was killed in action less than a year later on 12 October 1917 and with no known grave, is remembered at the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.
Private James Clyde McGrath of the 5th Light Horse Regiment
COOROY labourer James Clyde was just 18 years old when he set sail for war on board the HMAT SS Hawkes Bay on 21 October 1915. From a battlefield in France, Private McGrath wrote to his sister, Myra, telling her he was “a bit cold and feeling a little homesick” and also recounting a recent stay in London and Scotland while on leave.
“It’s nearly as bad to live there (London) as it is to be in France because you don’t know when you are going to get skittled,” the letter said. A copy of the letter is now held by the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Almost three years after leaving Australia, Private McGrath was killed by an enemy shell on 22 October 1918 while fighting with the 14th Field Artillery Brigade in the battle for Cambrai. Private McGrath was laid to rest at the Busigny Communal Cemetery, France.
Corporal Archibald McKellar of the 11th Machine Gun Company
Corporal McKellar, originally from Scotland, was a farmer in Cooroy before setting sail for the war on 20 October 1916 at the age of 28 on board the HMAT A17 Port Lincoln. Corporal McKellar was killed in action on 29 September 1918 at the age of 30, while fighting at Bellicourt, France. Corporal McKellar was laid to rest at Bellicourt British Cemetery, France.
Private Cyril Eric Moorhead of the 11th Machine Gun Company
PRIVATE Moorhead departed Australia alongside Private McKellar on 20 October 1916 on board the HMAT A17 Port Lincoln at the age of 21. Before heading to war, Private Moorhead was a bank clerk in Cooroy. Private Moorhead died from bomb wounds less than a year later on 29 September 1917 and was buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Sapper Ernest Victor Robins of the 2nd Tunnelling Company
FORMERLY a farmer and miner, Sapper Robins boarded HMAT A38 Ulysses in Melbourne on 25 October 1916, aged 32, leaving behind his wife in Cooroy. Almost 18 months later, Sapper Robins died from shell gas poisoning and acute pneumonia on 28 March 1918 and was later buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery, England.
Private Errol Ray Wheeldon of the 15th Battalion
FARMER Errol Ray Wheeldon departed Australia on 31 October 1917 on board the HMAT A14 Euripides from Sydney at the age of 20. Private Wheeldon was killed in action while fighting in Hamel, France, on 5 July 1918. Private Wheeldon’s two cousins, Cuthbert W.D. Wheeldon and Sergeant Alston L. Wheeldon also served in WWI, both were also killed in action. Private Wheeldon was buried at the Crucifix Corner Cemetery in Villers-Bretonneux, France.
Private Henry Barley of the 52nd Battalion
FORMER Cooroy farmer Henry Barley embarked from Sydney on board the HMAT A40 Ceramic on 7 October 1916 aged 37. Private Barley was killed in action on 8 June 1917 and, with no known grave, is remembered for his service at the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.
Private Alfred Joseph Basing of the 42nd Battalion
PRIVATE Basing embarked from Sydney on board the HMAT A30 Borda on 5 June 1916 at the age of 19. Almost a year later on 3 June 1917, Private Basing was severely injured in the neck and shoulder by an enemy shell while he was trying to carry a wounded soldier to a dressing station. Private Basing died from his wounds on 13 June 1917 and was buried at the Trois-Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck, France.
Corporal Walter Henry Basing of the 15th Battalion
CORPORAL Basing embarked from Sydney on 20 August 1915 on board the HMAT A9 Shropshire at the age of 23. According to WWI Red Cross records, Corporal Basing was injured when the trench he was in was hit by an enemy shell while fighting in Hamel, France. He was taken to the 47th Casualty Clearing Station where he later died on 6 July 1918 from a shrapnel wound to the head and a compound fracture to his forearm. Corporal Basing was buried at the Crouy British Cemetery in Crouy-Sur-Somme, France.
Private Richards Penney Atkinson of the 31st Battalion
ON 16 August 1916, Private Atkinson embarked from Brisbane on board the HMAT A42 Boorara. Records show Private Atkinson was admitted to the 12th General Hospital in Rouen suffering pleurisy, and after several bouts of illness, he was transferred to England to be admitted to hospital seriously ill with pleurisy. On 1 November 1917, Private Atkinson was discharged a medically unfit for duty and returned to Brisbane, where was admitted to St Helen’s Hospital and later died on 25 October 1918. He was buried at Toowong Cemetery.
Private Charles Timothy Herbert Binfield of the 31st Battalion
AGED just 24, Private Binfield embarked from Melbourne on 9 November 1915 on board the HMAT A62 Wandilla. Army records show he died from wounds in France just over a year later on 1 November 1916. Private Binfield is remembered at the Dartmoor Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt, Picardie, France.
Private Joseph John Blunt of the 15th Battalion
PRIVATE Blunt embarked from Sydney on 25 November 1916 on board the HMAT A72 Beltana, aged 32. It is believed Private Blunt suffered numerous injuries and illnesses including trench fever, influenza and mumps throughout his service. Private Blunt was killed on 7 July when the hospital he was being treated for bullet wounds in, located on the border of France and Belgium, was attacked by German bombers. Private Blunt left behind his wife and family, and was buried at the Bailleul Communal Cemetery, France.
Corporal Arthur George Bosanquet of the 52nd Battalion
A FORMER fruiterer, Corporal Bosanquet embarked from Sydney on 24 January 1917 on board the HMAT A33 Ayshire at the age of 35, leaving behind his wife, Violet, and their three children. Prior to enlisting with the Australian Army, Corporal Bosanquet had served for four years with the 4th Hussars of the British Army. Corporal Bosanquet died from a fracture at the base of his skull on 22 July 1918 and was buried at Tidworth Military Cemetery, Wiltshire.
Private James Brown of the 15th Battalion
PRIVATE Brown embarked from Melbourne on 22 December 1914 on board the HMAT A40 Ceramic. Private Brown was reported missing on 9 May 1915 following an attack on enemy tranches at Quinn’s Hill, Cape Helles, Gallipoli, and was confirmed as killed in action on 31 August 1915. There is no known grave, but Private Brown is remembered for his service at the Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli.
Lance-Corporal Allan Begbie Campbell of the 12th Light Horse Regiment
LANCE-CORPORAL Campbell enlisted alongside his brother, Herbert Smirnoff, and embarked on 9 August 1915 on board the HMAT Runic. Lance-Corporal Campbell was killed in action on 19 April 1917 at the age of 28, but war records show varying accounts of his death and burial.
Private Albert William Carter of the 15th Battalion
FORMERLY a timber getter, Private Carter embarked on 17 November 1916 on board the HMAT A55 Kyarra at the age of 28. On 26 September 1917, Private Carter was a part of a major offensive at Polygon Wood, Ypres, where he was shot in the head and hip. Private Carter died from his injuries on 2 October and was buried at St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France.
Trooper John Francis Crozier of the 2nd Light Horse Regiment
ON 4 May 1916 and aged 28, Trooper Crozier embarked from Brisbane on board the HMAT Seang Choon. On 9 January 1917, Trooper Crozier suffered a gunshot wound to the head while in action at El Risa, Egypt. He was reported as dangerously ill on 11 January 1917 and died later that day from his wounds. Trooper Crozier left behind a widow and two small children and was buried at the Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.
Trooper Robert James Crozier of the 2nd Light Horse Regiment
TROOPER Crozier embarked from Brisbane alongside his brother John Francis, on 4 May 1916 on board the HMAT Seang Choon. Trooper Crozier was 19 years old when he embarked for the war, and died from a gunshot wound to his abdomen while in action at the age of 21 on 11 April 1918. Trooper Crozier was buried at the Jerusalem War Cemetery, Palestine.
Private Robert Alexander Ellis of the 9th Battalion
PRIVATE Ellis embarked from Sydney on 20 April 1916 on board the SS Hawkes Bay. On 28 December 1916, Private Ellis and his battalion were in action in the Flers area of France where he was wounded in action, having been shot in the left leg and shoulder. Private Ellis later died from his wounds at the 38th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly Station Cemetery, where he was also buried.
Private Frederick James Geary of the 49th Battalion
PRIVATE Geary embarked from Sydney on 7 October 1916 on board the HMAT Ceramic A40. Private Geary was killed in action in Belgium on 7 June 1917 and with no known grave, is remembered for his service at the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.
Private William Peter Grant of the 41st Battalion
PRIVATE Grant embarked from Sydney on 18 May 1916 on board the HMAT A64 Demothenes at the age of 18. On 8 January, while in action in France, Private Grant, 19, was admitted to the 1st Australian Field Ambulance suffering from pneumonia. He later died from the illness on 4 February 1917 and was buried at the Trois Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerch, France.
Driver Roger Green of the 5th Field Artillery Brigade
DRIVER Green of Pomona embarked from Sydney on 18 November 1915 on board the HMAT A34 Persic. There appear to be no further military records for Driver Roger Green, but he is remembered as one of the fallen soldiers who served Australia.
Private Charles Greenshields of the 31st Battalion
PRIVATE Greenshields embarked from Melbourne on 5 November 1915 on board the HMAT A41 Bakara. On 8 August 1916, Private Greenshields was killed in action when he was shot in the head by an enemy sniper while in his company’s trenches in France. He was buried at the Anzac Cemetery, Sailly-sur-la-Lys, France.
Private Bert Stewart Hansen of the 25th Battalion
PRIVATE Hansen embarked from Brisbane on 27 October 1916 on board the HMAT A75 Marathon. Private Hansen arrived in France on 6 April 1917, but was killed in action less than a month later on 3 May 1917 while fighting in the second battle of Bullecourt. He was 23 years old at the time he died and has no known grave but is remembered for his service at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France.
Private John William Hempsall of the 4th Battalion
PRIVATE Hempsall embarked from Brisbane on 1 May 1916 on board the HMAT A46 Clan Macgillivray. After returning from two weeks’ leave on 11 October 1917, Private Hemsall’s camp was shelled by the enemy on 15 October and 21 October. War records show Private Hempsall was killed by a high explosive shell on 21 October at the age of 22 and was later buried at the Bedford House Cemetery, Belgium.
Private Brian Higgins of the 25th Battalion
FORMERLY a labourer, Private Higgins embarked from Brisbane on 29 June 1915 on board the HMAT A60 Aeneas at the age of 30. One year and one month later on 29 July 1916, Private Higgins was killed in action and, with no known grave, is remembered for his service at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France.
Trooper Thomas John Higgins of the 5th Light Horse Regiment
FORMERLY a farmer in Cooran, Trooper Higgins embarked from Sydney on 21 December 1914 on board the HMAT A34 Persic. On 28 June 1915, Trooper Higgins was killed in action at Gallipoli. He is buried at the Shell Green Cemetery, Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey.
Private Francis Gilbert Jenkins of the 11th Machine Gun Company
Private Jenkins set sail from Melbourne on 16 August 1916 on board the RMS Orontes. On 29 September 1917 Private Jenkins was shot in the abdomen and shoulder while in action in France. He died from his wounds on 4 October 1917 at the age of 24. Private Jenkins was buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Sergeant John Kelleher of the 5th Light Horse Regiment
ON 21 October 1915, Pomona farmer John Kelleher, 24, embarked from Sydney on board the HMAT SS Hawkes Bay. On 8 November 1914, Sergeant Kelleher suffered a gunshot wound to the head while in action in Egypt. Sergeant Kelleher was carried by other soldiers to a dressing station where he would die the next day. Sergeant Kelleher is buried at the Bersheeba War Cemetery, Palestine.
Corporal Frank David James Knowles of the 12th Battalion
ON 20 October 1914, Frank Knowles of Pomona embarked from Tasmania on board the HMAT A2 Geelong. While serving in France on 24 August 1918, Corporal Knowles was shot in the stomach and left arm and died from his wounds the same day. Corporal Knowles was buried at the Daours Communal Cemetery, France.
Private Harold Henry Lawrence of the 15th Battalion
ON 21 October 1915, Harold Lawrence embarked from Brisbane on board the HMAT A48 Seang Bee. Private Lawrence would serve for almost three years and in battles in Egypt, Hamel, Amiens and Pozieres. On 13 August 1918, an enemy shell killed landed between a group of soldiers, killing nine and wounding two. Private Lawrence sustained severe shrapnel wounds to his legs. He was taken to the 53rd Casualty Clearing Station where he died the next day, aged 22. Private Lawrence was buried at the Daours Communal Cemetery, France.
Lance Corporal John Cameron Mackenzie of the 12th Battalion
ORIGINALLY a butcher, John Mackenzie embarked from Brisbane on 5 October 1915 on board the HMAT A69 Wandilla. On 1 May 1918, Lance Corporal Mackenzie was killed in action in France at the age of 31. He was buried at the Le Peuplier Military Cemetery, France.
Lance Corporal Ivor Edward Mackie of the 31st Battalion
ON 4 May 1916, Ivor Mackie embarked from Brisbane on board the HMAT A49 Seang Choon. On 2 October 1917, Lance-Corporal Mackie was honoured with a Distinguished Conduct Medal for his bravery while in action at Polygon Wood near Ypres, Belgium. War records state he was commended for his efforts on 26/28 September when “only one officer was left in his company, this soldier, a signaller, took upon himself the combined duties of runner, signaller, and rallier. He repeatedly carried messages under the heaviest fire, led men to their places in the final objective and by his consummate coolness and total disregard for danger, helped the whole company to maintain its wonderful spirit of cheerfulness”. Sadly, on 30 September 1918, at the age of 28, Lance-Corporal Mackie was killed in action. He was buried at the Bellicourt British Cemetery, Fance.
Private Thomas Ernest Mark of the 25th Battalion
FORMERLY of Cootharaba, Thomas Mark embarked from Sydney on 16 November 1917 on board the SS Canberra. On 11 June 1918, at 22 years old, Private Mark was killed in action in France. He has no known grave but is remembered for his service at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France.
Private David McConnell of the 25th Battalion
ON 21 December 1914, David McConnell of Pomona embarked from Sydney on board the HMAT A34 Persic. Private McConnell’s service seemed plagued with disease, with the soldier reportedly suffering illnesses such as typhoid fever, neuralgia and dysentery. Private McConnell was also wounded in action at Morlancourt on 11 June 1918, when he was shot in the foot. On 1 November 1918, Private McConnell died at Salisbury Road Hospital, Plymouth, England after being operated on for acute appendicitis. He was buried at the Plymouth Cemetery, Devon, England.
Sapper William John McGrath of the 6th Tunnelling Company
Formerly a lengthsman, William McGrath embarked from Melbourne on 21 December 1916 on board the HMAT A38 Ulysses at the age of 41. On 4 February 1917, Private McGrath died from bronchitis at Etaples. He left behind his wife and three children. Private McGrath was buried at Etaples Military Cemetery, France.
Private Walter McGrath of the 25th Battalion
ON 27 October 1916, Walter McGrath embarked from Brisbane on board the HMAT A75 Marathon. On 3 October 1918 aged 26, Private McGrath was killed in action when he was struck by an enemy shell. He has no known grave but is remembered for his service at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France.
Corporal William McVicar of the 42nd Battalion
William McVicar embarked from Brisbane on 5 June 1916 on board the HMAT A3 Borda. On 1 September 1918, Corporal McVicar died instantly when he was shot in the head while in action in France. He has no known grave, but Corporal McVicar is remembered for his service at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France.
Lieutenant James Meigh of the 42nd Battalion
ON 21 October 1916 at the age of 29, James Meigh embarked from Brisbane on board the HMAT A36 Boonah. On 25 August 1918, while out on patrol during his service in France, Lieutenant Meigh was killed by an enemy shell. He has no known grave but is remembered for his service at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France.
Captain Frank Page of the 9th Battalion
ON 24 September 1914, Frank Page of Pomona embarked from Brisbane on board the HMAT A5 Omrah. On 7 November 1916 he was awarded the Military Medal for “gallantry in the field” and on 5 June 1917, Lt Page was awarded the Military Cross. On 9 October, Captain Page was wounded in action sustaining gunshot wounds to his back, leg, arm and buttock. He later died of his wounds on 29 October at the Red Cross Hospital. Red Cross records state Captain Page made a “fine fight for life but had far too much to contend with”. Captain Page was buried at Calais Southern Cemetery, France.
Private Herbert Pidd of the 52nd Battalion
HERBERT Pidd of Pomona embarked from Sydney on 23 December 1916 on board the HMAT Demosthenes. On 21 October, Private Pidd was killed in action while serving on the Western Front near Ypres, aged 28 years. Private Pidd was buried at the Belgium Battery Corner Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium.
Private James Pirie of the 9th Battalion
ON 13 February 1915, James Pirie embarked from Brisbane on board the HMAT A48 Seang Bee. He was killed in action on 26 September near Ypres, Belgium. Private Pirie was buried at Bedford House Cemetery, Belgium.
Trooper Angus Bruce Robins of the 5th Light Horse Regiment
ON 21 December 1914, Angus Robins embarked from Sydney on board the HMAT A36 Persic. Trooper Robins was killed in action on 14 November 1915 while serving in Gallipoli and is buried at the Shell Green Cemetery, Gallipoli. Trooper Robins’ brother, Ernest Victor served in the 2nd Tunnelling Company until he died from gas poisoning and acute pneumonia on 28 March 1918.
Private William Hercules Robinson of the 36th Battalion
ON 10 February 1917, William Robinson embarked from Sydney on board RSM Osterley. Private Robinson was killed in action on 12 October 1917 while serving on the Western Front, aged 42. He has no known grave, but Private Robinson is remembered for his service at the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.
Private Ronald William of the 15th Battalion
ON 25 November 1916, Ronald William of Cooroy embarked from Sydney on board the HMAT A72 Beltana. On 28 March 1918, Private William was killed by an enemy shell while in action in France. He has no known grave, but Private William is remembered for his service at the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux, France.
Private George Alexander Sanderson of the 26th Battalion
ON 29 June 1915, George Sanderson of Pomona, embarked from Brisbane on board the HMAT A60 Aeneas. On 16 July 1918, Private Sanderson was killed in action. He is buried at the Adelaide Cemetery, Villers-Bretonneux, France.
Lance Corporal James Joseph Sankey of the 11th Battalion
JAMES Sankey embarked from Fremantle on 23 December 1916 on board the HMAT A35 Berrima. On 31 July 1918, Private Sankey was promoted to lance-corporal. Less than two weeks later on 10 August 1918, Lance-Corporal Sankey was killed in action in France. He is buried at the Heath Cemetery, Picardie, France.
Gustave Edouard Schmidt of the 5th French Colonial Infantry
Believed to have been rejected from the Australian Army due to his German heritage, Gustave of Cooroy and his brother travelled to New Caledonia to enlist with the French Colonial Forces. Gustave died on 21 August 1916 from wounds received in action.
Lance-Corporal John Maxwell Shepherd of the 13th Field Company Engineers
ON 15 September 1915, John Shepherd embarked from Melbourne on board the SS Makarini. He was killed in action by a high explosive shell at Noreau near Bellecourt, France, on 7 April 1917. Lance Corporal Shepherd is buried at the Queant Road British Cemetery, France.
Private George Lane Smith of the 26th Battalion
George Smith of Cooran embarked from Brisbane on 30 March 1916 on board HMAT A16 Star of Victoria. Private Smith received the Military Medal for his bravery during 5 and 6 November 1916. War records state he showed “great bravery and untiring energy during an attack on the German positions”. Acting as stretcher bearer, Private Smith “displayed great self-sacrifice”, returning repeatedly to no man’s land under heavy fire to rescue wounded comrades. Private Smith was also commended for carrying messages and bombs to captured trenches while under heavy fire. On 28 April 1917 in France, Private Smith was killed in action at the age of 25 and with no known grave is remembered at the Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, France.
Private Samuel Samson Smith of the 29th Battalion
ON 30 March 1916, Samuel Smith of Cooran embarked from Brisbane on board the HMAT A16 Star of Victoria. On 8 August 1918, Private Smith was killed in action at Villers-Bretonneux, France, where he is also buried in the military cemetery.
Private Cosby Kennedy Snodgrass of the 26th Battalion
On 30 March 1916, Cosby Snodgrass of Cooran embarked from Brisbane on board the HMAT A16 Star of Victoria. Private Snodgrass was killed in action in France on 3 May 1917 and with no known grave he is remembered for his service at the Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, France.
Driver William Spence of the 41st Battalion
WILLIAM Spencer of Cooroy embarked from Sydney on 18 May 1916 on board the HMAT A64 Demosthenes. On 29 September 1918, Driver Spence, 24, was killed in action by an enemy shell while taking rations to the line. With no known grave he is remembered for his service at the Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, France.
Lieutenant Ernest William Spreadborough of the 31st Battalion
ON 9 November 1915, Ernest Spreadborough embarked from Melbourne on board the HMAT A62 Wandilla. Lieutenant Spreadborough was killed in action on 19 July 1916 in France while leading a charge towards German trenches. With no known grave he is remembered for his service at the VC Corner, Australian Cemetery, France.
Private Henry Joseph Stayt of the 26th Battalion
HENRY Joseph Stayt, 24, shopkeeper. embarked from Brisbane on board the HMAT A55 Kyarra on 3 January 1916. Private Stayt was killed in action on 29 April 1917 in France and with no known grave he is remembered for his service at the VC Corner, Australian Cemetery, France.
Corporal Horace George Stumbles of the 25th Battalion
ON 29 June 1915, 22-year-old farmer Horace Stumbles embarked from Brisbane on board the HMAT A60 Aeneas. On 20 October 1915, Corporal Stumbles died from illness while in Greece and was buried at the East Mudros Military Cemetery, Greece.
Private Sydney Turner of the 42nd Battalion
ON 5 June 1916, Sydney embarked from Sydney on board the HMAT A30 Borda. Just over a year later on 31 July 1917, Private Turner was killed in action in Belgium and with no known grave is remembered at the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.
Private Albert Ward of the 42nd Battalion
ON 23 December 1916, aged 34, Albert Ward embarked from Sydney on board the HMAT A64 Demosthenes. On 9 April 1917, Private Ward died from bronchial pneumonia and was buried in Durrington Military Cemetery, England.
Private Edward Clive Westbrook of the 49th Battalion
ON 31 January 1916, 21-year-old baker Edward Westbrook embarked from Brisbane on board the HMAT Wandilla. On 5 September 1916, aged 21, Private Westbrook was killed in action while charging the German lines in France. He has no known grave but is remembered for his service at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France.
Private Herbert Stanley Westbrook of the 4th Battalion
ON 8 August 1916, 23-year-old carpenter from Coory, Herbert Stanley, embarked from Brisbane on board the HMAT A50 Itonus. On 13 June 1917, Private Westbrook was hit by an enemy shell while pushing a truck over rail lines. He later died from his wounds and was buried at the Bailleul Communal Cemetery, France.
Gunner Thomas Wilfred (Fred) Wootton
WAR records show Fred Wootton never went to war as he died after trying to cross a railway line on 16 March 1916 at Brisbane Central Station. Fred, 26, was struck by a train after falling onto the line. He was transported to the Brisbane General Hospital but never recovered and died on 17 March 1916. Fred was buried at the Toowong Cemetery, Brisbane.
Private Thomas Desmond Charles Woods of the 42nd Battalion
ON 16 August 1916, Thomas Woods embarked from Brisbane on board the HMAT A42 Boorara. Private Woods was killed in action in Belgium on 4 October 1917 aged just 21 years old. Records show letters from his commanding officer to Private Woods’ father commending Private Woods for courageously carrying messages while in action and for being fearless in the execution of his duty. With no known grave, Private Woods is remembered for his service at the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.
Private Walter Matthias James Withers of the 15th Battalion
ON 3 May 1916. Walter Withers embarked from Brisbane on board the HMAT A49 Seang Choon. Private Withers was killed in action on 11 April 1917 at Delville Wood, Bapaume. With no known grave, Private Withers is remembered for his service at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France.
Private Albert Leonard Withers of the 15th Battalion
ON 31 October 1917, Albert Withers embarked from Sydney on board the HMAT A14 Euripides. On 25 November 1917, Private Withers died from cerebral haemorrhage and was buried at Mount Hop Cemetery, Colon and is remembered at the Australian War Memorial on panel 78, next to his brother Walter Withers.
Lance-Corporal Robert Glen Williams of the 5th Light Horse Regiment
ON 10 August 1915, Robert Williams embarked from Brisbane on board the HMAT A55 Kyarra. The 5th Light Horse formed part of the attack which led to the fall of Gaza from Turkish occupation and Robert was promoted to rank of lance-corporal at the end of October, 1917. On 8 November 1917, aged 21, Lance Corporal Williams was killed in action. He is buried at the Beersheba War Cemetery, Palestine.
Private Charles Regan of the 25th Battalion
FORMERLY a grazier in Cooroy, Charles Regan of Cooroy embarked on 27 October 1916 on board the HMAT A75 Marathon at the age of 21. Private Regan died of wounds almost one year later on 1 October 1917 and was buried at Longuenesse Souvenier Cemetery, France.
