Glen Eira Historical Society Newsletter

Number 4 June 2014 ISSN 2201-5647 Editorial cent of the population3. Table of contents Welcome to Issue 4: By 1914, Caulfield had 6 400 Editorial 1 Glen Eira and World War 1. dwellings compared to 3 819 President’s column 2 in Moorabbin4. This reflected In this edition, we look at two suburban expansion particularly Reports on GEHS meetings and perspectives of local involvement in Caulfield’s northwest. members’ activities 2−3 with World War 1. – Murrumbeena and the Boyds Elsternwick’s shops, for example, The first examines experiences − Glen Eira’s heritage extended along Glen Huntly Road of five Glen Eira men and women to Orrong Road and housing Glen Eira men and women go to who left for distant the war fronts 4−7 construction was taking place in battlefields in Europe and the many of the neighbouring streets. Glen Eira men, women and Middle East. children help at home 8−9 Elsternwick shopping centre was We then turn our attention clearly the largest with smaller Glen Eira Street names with to the war effort in Glen Eira settlements scattered through the World War 1 connections 9 performed by those men, women more rural remainder of Caulfield Book review: Our schools and the and children who, for a variety of and Moorabbin, with the larger war by Rosalie Trioli 10 reasons, did not leave Australia. being those clustered around Then and now 10 First though, it is timely to try stations such as Bentleigh and to understand local people and Carnegie stations. What is it? 10 society in 1914. Much of Caulfield and Moorabbin The of today was, therefore, still largely GEHS September did not exist a century ago, and rural with the built-up area fast today’s city comprised the one- encroaching from the northwest. Meeting year-old, , and will be held on Wednesday 24 It was from these young, fast that part of Moorabbin Shire September at 7.30pm in the growing outer suburbs of north of South Road. Boyd Room at Carnegie Library. , and their rural Caulfield City in 1914 included neighbours, that men and women The speaker is Janet Bolitho. the suburbs of Carnegie, enlisted and left for war service. A long-term Port Melbourne resident, Janet, a former Port Caulfield, Elsternwick, Glen Many men, women and children, Phillip councillor and Mayor, is Huntly, Murrumbeena and however, remained at home. active in Port Melbourne and Ormond, while Moorabbin In this issue its Historical Society. She has a Shire extended from Ormond to We consider on pages 4 to 7 the keen interest in the intersection Mordialloc, and Beaumaris to overseas wartime experiences between the built and natural Heatherton. This was to change of five men and women who environment, a theme she will soon after with the secession had links with Glen Eira. We address in her talk. All welcome. of Sandringham, Mentone and then turn to the efforts of local Mordialloc. Women of Glen Eira display is residents who remained at home. in the Murrumbeena Bendigo Bank Caulfield’s 1911 population of We also have our regular features until the end of July. In August, 14 846 was larger than the including Meeting Reports, What a more Bentleigh/Moorabbin area 11 155 people in Moorabbin yet is it, Then and Now, and a book version will be in the Bendigo Bank Caulfield’s 24 square kilometres review. Ormond. We thank them for their was one-quarter the size of its generosity and assistance. southern neighbour1. We welcome any feedback and contributions including articles The population was a young one Our September theme Trade and letters to the editors. with the 1911 Census recording and trading focuses on shops these figures for the Brighton Geoffrey Paterson and trading. Deadline 1 August. Electoral District: 5 098 males Carol Stals and 5 183 females were under 21 Editors Glen Eira Historical Society Inc

1 thanks the City of Glen Eira and while 6 637 males and Victorian Municipal Directory, pages 263 and 520. 2 2 Census of the Commonwealth of Australia 1911, Part 1 Murrumbeena Bendigo Bank for 8 347 females were over 21 . Ages, page 66. 3 Australian Bureau of Statistics at www.abs.gov.au their generous ongoing support, By comparison, Glen Eira’s older 4 Victorian Municipal Directory, 1914, pages 234 and 532. and thanks MP population under 19, one hundred for kindly donating the printing of years later, comprises 23.4 per this issue of the Newsletter. 2 President’s Column I am sure that most Reports on GEHS meetings readers will be aware Murrumbeena involvement of individuals, from 2014 to 2018, councils, conservation and the world will be and the Boyds heritage organisations, committees, commemorating 100 Wednesday 26 March 2014 government identities, and years since the start Talk by Colin Smith, author the media that led to the of the First World War. Colin Smith’s talk focused on development of a linear park For Australians, this provides an the 1988 creation of Boyd Park along the Outer Circle route. opportunity to learn about and in Murrumbeena, and outlined Researching the Boyd reflect on the nature and impact his research into the Boyd Family of the war in our nation and in family. The latter is embodied Colin next turned his attention our local communities. in his self-published 460 page to the Boyd family and outlined Our Society, with a variety of book entitled Merric Boyd and his methodological approach government and community Murrumbeena: the life of an to gathering of information groups, will be conducting and artist in a time and place. on that family. He started promoting a variety of events, Creating Boyd Park with interviewing people who designed to capture and promote In 1984, Murrumbeena knew the Boyds, seeking to understanding of the sacrifices residents became aware of a understand the interviewees’ that were made in the war. proposed rezoning of former perceptions of that family. He One such initiative is the inclu- Outer Circle Railway land then interviewed some Boyd sion of articles on the war in this from Main Road Reservation to family members including Lucy, edition of the newsletter. I com- Residential C. David and Phyllis Boyd. mend them to you. Responses to this proposal In addition to shedding light I also encourage all our readers included formation of the on the Boyd family, Colin’s talk to take advantage of the opportu- Murrumbeena Outer Circle emphasised the meticulous nity to participate in and support Parkland Retention Group, nature of his oral history these activities. In particular, I the development of a proposal research, involving recording, appeal to all who have informa- for an Outer Circle Linear transcript preparation, and the tion and/or memorabilia related Park, and discussions with often lengthy process of gaining to the war and on its impact on feedback from interviewees on what is today the Municipality of government representatives on the transcript. Glen Eira to share them with us. the linear park concept. Media involvement included articles John O’Callaghan The 40 people present and reports in metropolitan President appreciated Colin’s presentation and local newspapers, and ABC which shed light on a significant radio coverage. recent local community action, Carol Stals and Geoffrey Paterson edited Glen Eira Historical Newsletter, In August 1985, the Outer Circle and a prominent local family. Issue 4. We thank Australian Scholarly Study Group was established, Publishing, Margaret Brown, Carmel which recommended a linear Byrne, Peta Darke, Richard Darke, John Attwood made an Peter Frawley, Malcolm Gurr, park be developed on the crown Honorary Life Member Ailsa Hunt, Anne Kilpatrick, John land along the old line, from O’Callaghan, Australian Red Cross Archives Department in North Mel- Oakleigh to Fairfield. bourne, Shrine of Remembrance, Colin After discussion, the name Boyd Smith, Andrew Ward and Pam Vial. Park was chosen and the Park was launched by Premier John Glen Eira Historical Society Newsletter is Cain on 28 February 1988. published by the Glen Eira Historical Soci- ety Inc A0041700U. Colin’s presentation of Street address is 965 Glen Huntly Road, such documents as letters, Caulfield South, 3162. newspaper articles and At the 28 May 2014 meeting, Postal address reports vividly showed the John Attwood was awarded PO Box 202, Caulfield South 3162. Glen Eira Historical Society Phone number 9077 5395. Honorary Life Membership in Email [email protected] appreciation of his support for, Website www.gehs.org.au The office is open Tuesday and Friday and involvement in, the his- between 9.00 and 12 or by appointment. tory of Murrumbeena and of the The Newsletter will be published in March, Society. John spoke of some of June and September 2014 with the next his early experiences of life in deadline being the 1 August 2014. The Sep- Murrumbeena. tember issue focuses on trade and trading. Boyd Park, Murrumbeena We welcome all contributions. 3 Estates. Indeed Caulfield, and members’ events Glen Huntly and Carnegie are was owned by Samuel Renwick. tramway suburbs. Noteworthy Glen Eira’s heritage features of the tramways are the Other Caulfield mansions Wednesday 28 May 2014 lines and overhead wires that included Sir Frederick Sargood’s Talk by Andrew Ward are “. . . the perfect complement Rippon Lea, Ontario renamed Architectural historian to the landscape of these Labassa, and those along Andrew Ward started by suburbs”. Dandenong Road including outlining his work in heritage Other features are the Grand demolished Cantala, and conservation in Glen Eira and Union Junction at Caulfield Myoora at Dandenong and proceeded to speak on three Park, the Dandenong Road Hawthorn Roads. themes related to our heritage. reservation that separates Theme Two trams and cars, and the cast Theme One iron lace verandah near the The Grand Estates The rural hinterland The area now called Glen Eira southeast corner of Orrong and Mr Ward focused on a small Balaclava Roads. area that contained eight was a landscape of heathland, estates. This area is bounded swamp and watercourses Mr Ward was thanked for his by Glen Huntly, Balaclava, that, in addition to the enthralling talk on our heritage. Hawthorn and Kooyong Roads. Grand Estates, successively hosted cattle drovers, market One of these estates was gardeners, orchardists, farmers pastoralist Henry Ricketson’s and dairymen. By 1890, Chinese Glen Eira whose mansion gardeners were prominent in was located in the present Caulfield and Glen Huntly while day Caulfield Hospital and European enterprises, such demolished in 1964. A large tree as those of the the Marriott and portion of its decorative family, operated to the south in Grand Union Junction at the corner of Haw- fence, including the lamp Moorabbin. thorn and Balaclava Roads, Caulfield North. standard, still fronts Kooyong Road and hints at the scale of Further reading this estate. These resources are available at the Society and from the Glen Eira Library. Andrew C Ward and Associates. Caulfield conservation study: background history to the built environment. Caulfield 1991.

St Elmo at 133 Tucker Road McKinnon. Andrew Ward. City of Glen Eira heritage management plan 1996. Evidence of this bygone age 4 volumes. Burwood 1996. includes remnants of plate ways Map showing still-existing mansions in Large tree and remnant of the fence of laid for use by night carts and Caulfield mentioned in Mr Ward’s address. demolished Glen Eira at Caulfield Hospital in market gardeners. Kooyong Road in 2014. Some houses of market Next door, Montague William gardeners also remain Langdon occupied Tarqua later including St Elmo, Lirrewa which faced Hawthorn the late Victorian villa Road. Langdon, his father and at 133 Tucker Road, Samuel Renwick purchased land and William Marriott’s to the west of Kooyong Road and Californian Bungalow built Hengar at 356 Glen Eira Glen Eira at Road, Neringa, and Beemery 118 Jasper Road. at 85 Seymour Road. Langdon also bought in 1870 Ringwood, Theme Three later Rosecraddock. Near The electric trams neighbours included now- Mr Ward noted that demolished Croton Hurst, built trams paved the way by HJ Langdon’s cousin George for close subdivision Webb, while Garrell to the west and loss of the Grand 4 Glen Eira men and women Private Frederick William about two hours then departed as quickly as they came. 6.2 go to the war fronts Rowe, pictured below, wrote thirty-one letters home from In August 1914, Prime Minister An- drew Fisher’s government declared the Middle East and Gallipoli in Australia’s full support for Britain in 1914 and 1915. their war. In the following four years Introducing Private Rowe to November 1918, 53 884 Austral- 5 Frederick Rowe was born on ians died and 159 777 were injured . 24 July 1889 and lived with In Glen Eira, 1 409 Caulfield people his mother Rosetta, and father enlisted of whom 303 died. Figures View of the 4th Battery Lines, Mena 1915 William, at 85 Eskdale Road Photograph by Private FW Rowe for Bentleigh, McKinnon and Caulfield. Moorabbin show 65 servicemen and Mena: the people Before enlisting, Frederick two nursing sisters returned while 31 Private Rowe was equally 6 worked at FW Mollard and Co. servicemen died . observant of local people and Pty Ltd mantle (or cloak) The following four pages explore the provided his relatives back manufacturers. experiences of three local men and home with such vivid pictures two women who enlisted and left He enlisted in the Australian as his portrait of the Soudanese Australia. Imperial Force at St Kilda on people: We start by examining extracts from 23 August 1914 and embarked . . . they are a very dark race letters sent home to North Caulfield with the 4th Battery of the much like the Negro and are very by Private Frederick William Rowe. 2nd Artillery Brigade. On 20 powerful men. One of them lifted Whilst Private Rowe survived the war, a box of horseshoes off one of our October 1914, he sailed on the lorries and carried it for about 20 Lance Corporal Henry Yin Goon died Shropshire via Albany, Colombo yards. Four of us lifted it and had on the battlefields In Belgium. Finally, and the Suez Canal, arriving in to drop it after we went about 5 yards. 8.12 we consider the war experiences of Cairo in early December. Merric Boyd who is featured earlier The presence of the Australians in this Newsletter. The following extracts of letters, had impacts on the locals: We conclude with wartime service of sent from Mena Camp and Tabe As soon as you put your foot in local nurses Mrs WE Gepe at Gallipoli, portray Cairo about 50 kids (boot blacks) people and places at or near the start polishing your boots and you Attiwill and Miss Ida O’Dwyer. have to dance to stop them, they war front as well as family and will clean them for a ½ Piastre. friends back in Melbourne. 8.12 Private Frederick We had done one good thing here Letters from Mena Camp for an Australian Product that we William Rowe Four months were spent at have opened a market here for Mena Camp en Egypt. This Kiwi Boot Polish. One enterpris- ing firm got some about 4 weeks period permitted interspersing ago. He sold out in about two days of military duties with visiting and since then has placed a con- and observing local people and tract with the Kiwi firm.13.2 places. Some of these observa- tions are provided here. Mena: the place Mena’s arid environment with its vegetation and weather must have seemed very different from temperate Melbourne: Taking the guns at a gallop over rough coun- Today is the worst day I have ever try during final manoeuvres experienced. The temperature is Photograph by Private FW Rowe about 115° in the shade and there Editor’s Introduction has been a sand storm all day. . . Military activities Mrs Pam Vial, lifelong Caulfield You cannot see five yards ahead of you and your face feels as if it has Whilst Frederick reports on resident, recently asked if I was been cut to pieces . . . 27 March visits to different landmarks, interested in reading her or 27.3 military preparations continue. father’s World War 1 letters. Unexpected visitors were We have had the usual I eagerly accepted. encountered in the form of manoeuvres each day and go 5 W Vamplew Ed. Australian Historical Statistics. Fairfax, Syme & out to the same place every time Weldon, Broadway 1987, page 414. a mass of large grass hoppers which is about three miles south 6 Caulfield figures: see G Solomon, Caulfield heritage: Caulfield’s about the size of your middle recent municipal heritage, City of Caulfield 1990, page 133. of the Pyramid. We do not mind Bentleigh, McKinnon and Moorabbin figures: see C Johnson finger and if anything a bit longer. the drill so much but when you and I Donald, Serving them, serving still: the story of Bentleigh They settled in the camp in have to walk along side the guns RSL and a record of service of this district in three world wars, thousands and remained there for Bentleigh RSL Sub Branch, 2000, pages 72–90. all the way out and back again 5 to save the horses as much as resented in any war with Artillery Postscript possible and through sand which so we have got to make a name is above the top of your boots all and God grant that we do so and Private Rowe returned to Aus- the time I can tell you it gets a one that will not be forgotten for tralia by HM Transport bit monotonous and makes you many a day 6.4 Karoola on 21 February 1916 pretty tired. 6.2 Two weeks later, he wrote in a and was discharged from the Connecting with the family censored letter: AIF on 26 March. He later reen- We are not privy to the letters We are still on the ship [SS Karoo listed to be discharged again in that Private Rowe received from A19] doing the usual work that 1919 when he returned to work has to be done when the horses home. However, we can glean are __ Duties and fatigues are at FW Mollard until around from his letters some issues very light and we are all in the 1945. He suffered ill health as relevant to his family. best of spirits. 22.4 a result of a wartime operation, and was diagnosed with tuber- One was Frederick’s concern The next letter is dated 12 May. culosis in 1945 and died in 1947. for his mother. Writing to his Had a bit of bad luck today got mother on 21 January he says: right in the way of a piece of shrapnel and of course stopped I have just received Ethel’s letter it, as luck had it it went right saying that you were in the hospi- through without striking a bone. tal it came as a shock to me. I did I got it through the thigh it is not not think you would get Pneu- serious and I will be back with the monia. You must have had a bad Gun in a few days. time of it and I hope you are quite 12.5 well again now. . . This injury required a stay on Lemnos Island. His mother’s concern for her son is implied when he writes four Private Rowe’s letter dated months later: “. . . I am in the 13 February 1915 best of health and am fitter for a rough time than I have ever been before so you have nothing Lance Corporal to worry about”. 6.4 Gaba Tepe. Henry Yin Goon Another issue that affected Image A00987 Australian War Memorial Born 1895, Elsternwick many Australians at home was Died 4 October 1917 Belgium pressure to join the military Looking back at the Anzac effort. Private Rowe offers the landing, Private Rowe reflects: Introducing Henry Yin Goon following advice to Roy, his 18 It was a terrible landing they Henry Yin Goon was one of the year old brother: were under shell fire and gun Chinese residents of the Garden Take a tip from me Roy do not be fire from the time they left the Vale/Elsternwick area who ships. Each boat held 40 each too keen on enlisting, one away helped produce the wonderful from home is enough at present and out of two boats I know of and besides your place is at home. only nine reached the shore. The market gardens, for which the There are plenty of other chaps to men did not wait for the boats suburb is named. come away before it is your turn to get right in but jumped into besides you must remember that the water above their waists and He was the third child and first Mum and Dad are getting on in waded ashore. When they got on the sand off came their packs and son born to Frank Yin Goon years now and they need your and Lydia (Young), of Elster help as much as you can. I know with fixed bayonets they charged it stings seeing the other chaps the hills. It was a great feat and Avenue, Garden Vale. They coming away and you not being will remain in history for years. had 13 children. His father is The six bob a day tourists have able to come but rest assured Roy listed in Sands and McDougall yours is the biggest self-sacrifice. made a name for Australia that will live for ever. I am not in a Directory as living there until Finally, on a lighter note, good writing mood so will closing 1920. Private Rowe sends such greet- . . . 6.6 In a report from a newspaper ings as “. . . Remember me to all Private Rowe was again in of 5 May 1910, Henry was in the boys and girls that make en- hospital with Gastritis and trouble. He was involved with quiries about me also the young returned from hospital after ten friends in lighting a fire in lady at Felstead goods and also days. Another incident occurred the grass on Mr. Lempriere’s the hands that I know in the when a shell hit their gun pit. property. The Fire Brigade was factory” 10.8. Private Rowe sustained called and his two friends were scratches to the eyebrow and After five months, Private Rowe charged with the offence. This forehead, and a slightly frac- wrote on 6 April: infringement is referred to on tured eardrum. Those with more We are leaving Egypt tonight and his Army enrolment form. are going to do our bit for King severe eardrum damage were and Country . . . It is the first sent further away, possibly to time Australia has ever been rep- England. 6 Henry was 5’4”, a sallow After the war of some of the memorial plaques complexion, dark brown eyes, August 1918 originally placed in the Avenues black hair, 10 stone, a gardener Frank Yin Goon planted a tree of Honour in North Road, aged 19 when he enlisted on 9 for Henry in the North Road McMillan Street and Point September 1914. Avenue of Honour. Nepean Road. Henry’s war history 14 July 1921 Both Frank and Lydia are He joined the 6th Battalion and A Memorial Scroll and King’s buried in Brighton Cemetery. Message was received by his embarked from Melbourne with Members of the Yin Goon family father. them on 22 December 1914 in remained in the Bentleigh the Themistocles. 5 October 1922 and South Oakleigh area for a 5 April 1915 Henry’s father received a considerable time and Frank He was on the CG Troop ship Victory Medal on behalf of No was the last Chinese market Galeka and embarked to join 2176 Lance Corporal H. Yin gardener in the area. One of MEF at Alexandria. Goon, 2nd Machine Gun Coy. the Yin Goon daughters gave 29 April 1915 18 December 1922 her address as Lydia Street, Admitted to No 1 General Frank authorised his daughter Bentleigh, on the electoral roll Hospital (Heliopolis) Cairo. to collect a memorial Plaque for many years later. Moorabbin him. 30 April 1915 Council had no record of the Gun shot wound to the chest in On 3 June 1917, Henry signed naming of the street, but it can the Dardanelles. his Will, bequeathing his be assumed to be named for personal effects to his mother. Lydia Yin Goon, who died in 1 May 1915 East Bentleigh. Admitted to No 17 General From April to July 1919 letters Hospital. went backwards and forwards We thank the Brighton from his mother Lydia to Cemetorians for their assistance 6 May 1915 the Army, searching for any with this research. Discharged to Base Camp at personal effects. None was ever Zistoun. located. Footnote on Gardenvale 22 May 1915 The name Gardenvale, initially 23 July 1920 Embarked on the Dorflinger. spelled Garden Vale, came into On 23 July 1920, Mrs Lydia Yin 26 May 1915 Goon received a letter asking use at about the turn of the Rejoined unit at Gallipoli. if there was a nearer blood century. Its origin is unknown. 3 to 17 January 1916 relation than her. And stated Some sources suggest that AWOL Tel-El-Kebir. “for instance, is his father still it is a name derived from a Fined five days pay. alive?” family estate of the Lempriere 11 March 1916 Lydia replied at her earliest family. Indeed, when the family Transferred from 6th Battalion convenience “the father of her subdivided their local land they to No 2 Machine Gun Company, late son is still alive” and gave called it the Garden Vale Estate. Serapeum. his address, the same as hers. 25 March 1916 From then on all communication But the name was officially in Proceeded to join British went to the father. use before the subdivision Expeditionary Force in Caulfield-Brighton Avenue and had been applied, in Alexandria. of Honour preference to Bentville and 30 March 1916 Unfortunately the municipal other suggestions, to the railway Disembarked from the Briton at honour has not lasted as station when opened in 1907. Marseilles. this Avenue of Honour was The name Garden Vale may have 5 September 1917 demolished in the 1960s. its roots in the large number of Appointed Lance Corporal, The GEHS has some plaques market gardens which had been France, 2nd MC Company B213. while the Glen Eira/Caulfield located in the area. 4 October 1917 Council has since created two Killed in Action Belgium, Battle memorials. Caulfield Park The Yin Goon family was one of Broodseinde. (Hawthorn Road) now holds the such gardener. Avenue of Honour Memorial Henry’s memorial is at Menin PR Murray and JC Wells, From Stone that lists the names of Gate Memorial, Belgium. He is sand, swamp and heath . . . 298 people who died during listed as a Chinese Anzac. a history of Caulfield. City of World War 1. Memorial Park (Kooyong Road) features a wall Caulfield 1980, pages 29–30. 7 Air Mechanic Miss Ida O’Dwyer Local World War 1 2nd class William nurses Merric Boyd “The Australian military Merric was a pacifist who en- authorities have decided listed and served overseas from to recognize the work that 1917 to 1919. women have done during the war in the capacity of nurses. He enlisted as an air mechanic in the Australian Flying Corps The nurses have to face and after initial training was hardships as well as the men sent to England. At the end of in the trenches; they, too, the war he stayed in England have left the comfort and under an Army Educational safety of their homes, and in Rehabilitation Scheme to study many cases have displayed bravery only equalled by pottery. He gave pottery classes Miss Ida O’Dwyer RRC 1st and the best of the men in the to returning soldiers on his way 2nd Class was one of the first fighting ranks. home. Sisters to serve with the AIF Mrs WE Attiwill when war was declared. She The authorities have decided embarked on SS Kyarra on 5 that nurses who have been December 1914. discharged shall be permitted to wear the official discharged As Senior Sister, she served in soldier’s badge, to prove that Egypt, Heliopolis No 1 AGH they were worthy followers of until November 1915. Florence Nightingale”. Sister O’Dwyer then transferred Mentions of the Unit in British Nursing to England with a number of Journals. Vol. 57, 7 October 1916, page 290. Sisters awaiting transfer to Glen Eira nurses, France and served in Bagthorpe who served overseas Military Hospital in November Alfred. Ellen, Caulfield; 1916. Brown, Linda Myra Isabella, She left for France and was Caulfield; Cannon, Lilian, appointed Sister-in-charge of Glen Huntly; Clune, Annie, Mrs WE Attiwill enlisted in the the Third Australian Casualty Elsternwick; Cornish, AIF in 1914 and embarked on Clearing Station where she Ella Gwendolin, Caulfield; the first hospital shipKyarra. remained until November 1917. Curtain, Nancy, Caulfield; She served in Egypt, Heliopolis, Miss O’Dwyer then transferred Higgs, Ester Myrtle, No 1 Australian General to England to take charge of Caulfield; Howarth, Laura, Hospital (AGH) in 1914. In Mrs TS Hall’s Hospital for Sick Caulfield; Hughes, Catherine 1915, she was Matron-in-charge Australian Nurses at No 12 Josephine, Elsternwick; of Kyarra, the first hospital ship Southwell Gardens, Kensington. Kelson, Octavia Iona, returning to Australia with In 1918, she returned to Caulfield; Maning, Mary wounded soldiers. Australia to take charge of the Louisa Beresford, Caulfield; August 1915 saw her appointed No 16 AGH Macleod Military Mason, Dorothy, Caulfield; as Matron-in-charge of Hospital until its closure. In McArthur, Katherine Powell, Reinforcements to Army Sisters April 1920, she was appointed Caulfield; Mead, Ethel May, for England, and she served in Matron of No 11 AGH Caulfield Elsternwick; Monaghan, Harefield Hospital, England. Military Hospital. Evelyn Rose, Caulfield; Newham, Ada, Caulfield; Recalled to Australia, she On reconstruction of Army Overend, Elvira, Elsternwick; was made Matron-in-chief of Nursing Reserves, she was Richards, Ettie Florence Commonwealth Military Forces elected Principal Matron in Annie, Caulfield; Simpson, of Australia, a position she held until 1931, and First Amy Alice, Caulfield; until 1920. Decorated with President, St Vincent’s Nursing Warren, Katherine Waldron, Royal Red Cross (RRC) 1st Association, during which time Caulfield; and Wyse, Muriel Class for services rendered. Her the first bed was presented by Gwendoline Hutchinson, address was Lliwitta, Crompton nurses for sick members of the Caulfield. Court, Caulfield. profession. 8 Glen Eira men, women and Visiting the Caulfield The nurses were in starched children help at home Military Hospital (AGH 11) uniforms. The men did craft work for occupational therapy. The war’s immediate impact was the On 10 July 2014, the Editor I remember wearing for many return of the Wounded Warriors7. interviewed the daughter of an years a scarf that my father The statistics are staggering – for occasional patient at AGH. The made in the hospital. Some every five that went away, only four interview provides interwar patients were there all the time returned; of the five, three (or 170 impressions of the hospital and and were wheeled around on 000) would return sick, wounded Caulfield. or injured. The first hospital ship to large stretchers with men flat How often did you visit and arrive at Port Melbourne was the on their back. Karolla on 5 February 19158. who accompanied you? What legacies of the war Local residents worked tirelessly to I have very little memory of did you see when you were assist both the returned men as well visiting as a young child but growing up in Caulfield? as those in distant battlefields. from the age of 10, I remember There were a lot of men from One major development in Caulfield going with my mother and later World War 1 who were injured. was the purchase of the 29-acre I went by myself. My mother It was normal to see in the property of Glen Eira on 14 August visited my father every day street a blind person, a man 1914 where the Australian Army while my brother and I went with a leg or arm missing, or General Hospital No 11 (AGH) was es- when we could. with one eye covered. They tablished from 1916 The first patient What gifts did you take? really suffered but did not talk was admitted on 17 April 1917. Fruit, cake and shaving about it. My Brother Jack is equipment – anything that was what my childhood was like. essential and anything needed. How did you get there?? Red Cross and the War We walked in the back way Red Cross at AGH No 11 through Newstead Street. The Rest House provided tempo- rary accommodation for ambu- What are your memories of lant ex-servicemen who came the hospital, the patients, from the country for treatment. and staff? The former Glen Eira mansion formed part The Red Cross erected the build- of AGH No 11 We visited a long verandah ing with help from the Caulfield In addition to the mansion, there ward with beds in rows. It Citizens’ Patriotic League were eight 25-bed single storey wards was open during the day and (Men’s Branch), the Crib Point of galvanised iron and wood erected closed with blinds at night. at a cost of 75 000 pounds9. Other During visits, we would be Branch for furniture, and the features were the Rest House (see told: see that fellow, he is in proceeds from a fete. later) and a bowling green that was and out of hospital all the Red Cross ladies cleaned the laid out by the Victorian Bowling As- time. They all seemed to know rooms and served afternoon tea. sociation and the Elsternwick Club each other. Each patient had Facilities included a reading The bowling green played an impor- a normal hospital bed with a room, well-stocked library, and tant role in a soldier’s rehabilitation. table by its side . . . very frugal. two billiard tables10.

Bowling green at AGH 11. Photo courtesy of the Alfred and Caulfield Hospital

The following pages include memories of visiting AGH, and the ways in which men, women and chil- dren supported the hospital.

7 This term is used in B Ford, The wounded warrior and rehabilitation: including the history of No 11 Army General Hospital/Caulfeld Top left: Old Ward 6 interior. Bottom left: Volunteer Aid Detachment nurses at the Rest Rehabilitation Hospital, Caulfield General Medical Centre, 1996. 8 B Ford, page 34. House. Top right: Rest House at AGH No 11. Bottom right: doctors, nurses and patients 9 B Ford, page 47. in front of the hospital buildings. Sources: Bottom left: Australian Red Cross Victoria 10 Caulfield Branch Red Cross Record, 1 December 1915. Annual Report 1917–1918. Other photos courtesy of the Alfred and Caulfield Hospital. 9 Red Cross helping soldiers was named The Victorian State- flowers, 7 926 pumpkins, as- Local Red Cross branches worked school Children’s Wards. sorted vegetables (34), non-cit- tirelessly to provide goods and Metropolitan and rural schools rus fruit (22), 40 000 oranges equipment for the soldiers over- were also organised into eight and lemons, 99 lbs tobacco, 11 seas. Bentleigh Red Cross men, 482 packets of cigarettes, 11 082 for example, produced stretchers groups with each supplying to the hospital, in turn, food com- poultry, 1 758 rabbits, wood and convalescent aids for the (136), cakes and biscuits (18), 34 soldiers. Similarly, local groups of forts during a month. The goods were transported to Montague sheep, 81 lbs pork, 591 lbs Red Cross women made available mutton, 638 cucumbers, 160 lbs clothing for the troops. PA Lord, School (see photo). oats, 400 lbs wheat and 4 278 Honorary Secretary reported that saveloys12. Elsternwick group produced these items: 46 pairs bed sox, 9 pairs Schools helping the soldiers sox, 15 gauze shirts, 19 scarves, The Education Department also 4 suits of pyjamas, 15 kit bags, established a War Relief Fund one shirt, one pyjama coat, and on 15 August 1914. Each school one pyjama pants11. was to act as a centre for raising The Red Cross also raised funds funds which were to be forward- for the wounded soldiers in the ed to the Department. trenches, and the horses on the School donations at Montague School depot. Victorian State schools contrib- war front. In 1917, a Grand Car- The Education Department’s Record of war uted £422 170 15s 8d to the end service, 1914–1919, page 210. nival was organised by the Red of 1920. Glen Eira school Cross at Caulfield Racecourse. In 1919, for example, schools contributions were: This event included a horse pa- provided AGH No 11 with the • Bentleigh £266 10 8 rade for the Purple Cross Society. following goods with tons shown • Carnegie £535 3 1 State Schools and the war in brackets unless indicated • Caulfield £974 1 7 Schools and AGH No 11 otherwise: jam, honeys and • Caulfield North £693 0 3 Schools, and school children like preserves (23), 12 433 bottles of • Glen Huntly £294 15 8 sauce, tea and coffee (2.8), • Murrumbeena £91 18 9 their parents, were involved in 13 helping the new Kooyong Road invalid foods (12), groceries (14), • Ormond £273 13 1 . hospital. The Education De- 52 126 eggs, bacon and ham partment’s War Relief Fund, (12), butter and cheese (2.5), inaugurated on 15 August 1914, condensed milk (2), tinned fish set aside £10 000 to build a (2.5), fresh fish (1), potatoes section of the hospital which (88), 9 014 cabbages and cauli- Glen Eira street names with World War 1 connections These Bentleigh East street names form the Warrigal Road Estate and have a World War 1 connection. Birdwood Street 69D11 Chauvel was a professional Field Marshal William Riddell soldier made commander of the Birdwood, GCB GCMG GCVO First Light Horse at Gallipoli. GBE (1865−1951) Later commanded all Anzac English general commanded forces in Egypt. Australian troops at Gallipoli Monash Street 68D11 White Street 69D11 and gained great respect by Sir John Monash, GCMG KCB Sir Cyril Brudenell White, moving round amongst his VD (1865–1931) KCB KCMG KCVO DSO troops. Again commanded Anzac A civilian soldier who became (1876−1940) troops on the Western Front one of the most successful First He played an important before Monash was promoted to World War generals. Was at part in the Gallipoli landing replace him late in the war. Gallipoli then spent the rest of particularly in organising the Chauvel Street 68D7 the war on the Western Front evacuation. On the Western General Sir Henry (Harry) where he became the senior Front, he played a key role in George Chauvel, GCMS KCB Australian field commander. support of General Birdwood. (1865–1945) Knighted in the field, he is Thanks to Malcolm Gurr for 11 Caulfield Branch Red Cross Record,1 September 1919, page 22. buried in the Jewish section of collecting some of this information. 12 The Education Department’s record of war service 1914–1919, The above map is on the State Education Department 1921, page 239. the Brighton Cemetery. 12 The Education Department’s record of war service, pages 275, 278. Library website www.slv.vic.gov.au 10 Book review What is it? Rosalie Trioli What is this? Our Schools and the War. Where would you find it? Australian Scholarly Publishing, North Melbourne 2012. ISBN 9781921875564 364 pages Australia’s participation in the support for the introduction Great War forced our citizens of it nationally, Victoria voted to ask themselves the question ‘yes’ each time. The Education ‘Were we loyal members of the Department encouraged its Issue 3 solution British Empire?’ and if so ‘Were staff, especially the young male The objects were a darning mush- we obliged to send our young teachers, to join the services and room and mother of pearl shank men and women to potential facilitated their time release for buttons slaughter on the opposite side of training and fighting abroad. the world?’ In Dr Rosalie Trioli’s Dr Trioli uses sources such as Then and now . . . book Our Schools and the photos, posters, leaflets, letters, On the eve of World War 1, War, she traces the roles that journals, poetry and songs to Caulfield was proclaimed the Department of Education, clearly evoke early 20th Century a city and the Prahran and teachers, students and the wider Victoria. In particular she tells Malvern Tramways Trust school communities in Victoria the story of a school teacher trams arrived in Elsternwick. played in assisting people to at University High School, These photos are taken at answer those questions in the Norman Heathcote, who made the same location just over a affirmative and to live with the the journey from blackboard to century apart. consequences for the duration of battlefield. Through his letters 30 November 1913 the hostilities and beyond. we can see the significant role Basing her research heavily on that his school played in fund the Education Department’s raising, providing care parcels, publications The School Paper writing letters of support, and and The Education Gazette, Dr communicating news from Trioli asserts that when war his home and his profession was declared in 1914, Victorian by sending regular Education families were ready to answer Department publications. the call to enlist. The School Our Schools and the War is of Paper, a fortnightly publication interest to anyone tracing the 21 July 2014 that acted as an important part history of Australia at war, our of the curriculum in schools, pathway towards a possible espoused the traditional values republic, relations between of doing one’s duty and fighting the Education Department to protect one’s home, country and their employees, and the and the British Empire. Even changing focus of education. though the two plebiscites Carmel Byrne over conscription failed to gain

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