Lance Corporal George Reginald ‘Reginald’ Wood was the 9th of ten children of draper James George Wood (1841-1924) and Anna Marie Groves (1848-1916). He was born in St Kilda Victoria in 1887. Reginald was living with his parents in Railway Parade Maylands and was working as an ironmonger prior to 1915. In 1915 the family moved to Guildford Road and he was working as a traveller.

Reginald enlisted in Perth on 13th May 1915 in the Hospital Transport Corps. He embarked on 24th May 1915 on RMS Mooltan. His records note he returned to duty on the HMAT Port Lincoln in October 1915. He returned to Australia on the SS Themistocles, working as a mess orderly, in December 1915 then embarked from Fremantle on HMAT A7 Medic on 18th January 1916. Reginald was transferred to 15th Field ambulance on 6th May 1916 and promoted to Lance Corporal on the 29th May. In June the unit was supporting major actions at Fromelles. From there they supported static trench warfare in the Armentieres sector and in April/May 1917 they were providing support for heavy casualties sustained in the Hindenburg Line battles.

Reginald sustained a gun shot wound to the thigh on 7th May 1917. He was transferred to England for further treatment. Reginald rejoined his unit in France and was wounded in action on 25th October 1917, sustaining a serious gun shot wound to the left knee. His unit diary from that day stated – Major McKenzie noted SN24 L/Cpl R. Wood should be awarded the Military Medal for his invaluable service and coolness under shell fire although a casualty. Insufficient information was obtained in the report to make such a recommendation and it was to be followed up. He was evacuated to the Reading Hospital in England. After recovering, Reginald was granted furlough and then attached to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital and later 2nd Australian Auxiliary Hospital which specialised in the fitting of artificial limbs.

The Army Corps Commander expressed ‘appreciation of the gallant service rendered during recent operations’ on 7th January 1918. Reginald returned to Australia on HAMT A14 Euripides and was discharged on 24th April, 1918. He was granted a pension of 20 shillings per fortnight, equivalent to $85 today.

Reginald married Eileen and they had a daughter Beryl. The family lived at 24 Rutland Avenue Victoria Park and he continued to work as a traveller. Reginald was involved in a motor vehicle accident on 22nd October, 1938. He was driving with Eileen and Beryl as passengers, when their car collided with another on the corner of St Georges Terrace and Barrack Street, causing a roll over. Eileen and Beryl, 12 years old at the time, were treated at Perth Hospital.

Reginald died at Victoria Park on 24th July, 1962 and was cremated at Karrakatta Cemetery.

Image is of a field ambulance operating in the Ypres sector in the muddy approaches to Passchendaele at the time of Reginald’s 2nd GSW.

Sapper Kevin Wilson Downey was the second of five children of parents William John Carlin Downey (1873-) and Mary Jane Wilson (1878-). He was born in South Perth on 10th January, 1899. At the time of his enlistment in the 1st Australian Wireless Signal Squadron on 1st March 1917 he was working as a junior clerk. His father’s whereabouts was unknown and his mother was living in Guildford Road. Kevin lodged his will with his maternal uncle, Harry Henry Wilson, who was living in property owned by Nathanial Harper on St George’s Terrace.

Kevin was sent for training to the Signal School in Seymour, Victoria. He embarked from Sydney on the SS Malta in October 1918, disembarking at Basrah, and joining his unit as a special reinforcement in Baghdad in December 1918. He worked as a telegraph operator. He was charged with being AWOL in March, 1919. Kevin suffered with malaria on three occasions. He spent nine weeks in hospital in Mesopotamia in August 1919. The second occasion was while on board ship between Mesopotamia and Bombay and the third occasion while he was in Bombay. Kevin returned to Australia on the SS Medic on 1st December 1919. He underwent a medical Board on 6th January, 1920 and was advised he was only fit to 1/4 capacity and it would take another six months to improve.

Kevin was noted as a signaller and 1st class passenger on the SS Esperance Bay, travelling from London to Sydney on 12th May, 1925. He was listed as his younger brother Rodney’s next of kin upon Rodney’s WW2 enlistment. Kevin was working for AWA in Sydney at the time. Kevin made an improvement purchase of two acres of land in Bingara in 1969. He was then living in Spring Creek. Kevin died in 1981.

Kevin’s older brother, Gunner William Karlin Downey, SN29453, 7th Battery, Australian Field Artillery, was killed in action on 17th September, 1917. Younger brother, Captain Rodney Kendall Downey, WX205, served in WW2 in the Middle East and New Guinea.

Image courtesy of AWM is of the 1st Australian Wireless Signal Squadron in Baghdad, 1919.

Private Edwin Farquhar Littlejohn was the third of seven children of engineer father Henry Littlejohn (1863-1947) and mother Mary Catherine Murray (1870-1951). He was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, on 21st June, 1897. Prior to the war, Edwin had three years service with the 22nd Army Medical Unit which provided support to the 11th Garrison Artillery, 35th Engineers and 86th Infantry, all part of the Fremantle Defence Force.

He was a chemist assistant at the time of his enlistment on 10th April 1916. Edwin embarked on the SS Uganda on 20th September, 1916, arriving in Plymouth in November and taken on strength by his unit, 14th Field Ambulance in January, 1917. He was detached to the 53rd Battalion in May, 1917. This Battalion was involved in the 2nd Battle of Bullecourt and the Battle of Polygon Wood after May, 1917. His duties were those of a stretcher bearer and RAP staff, liaison with the field ambulance units and looking after the general health and sanitation of the battalion. Edwin returned to 14th Field Ambulance in February, 1918. He was wounded in action on 20th May, 1918. His unit was positioned on the Western Front, operating with the 5th Division amid the German Spring Offensive, specifically during Operation Michael and the following of the 2nd Battle of Villers-Bretonneux. Edwin was able to rejoin his unit in August and was granted leave to England in October. He rejoined 53rd Battalion in November and went back to his unit in March 1919, and was detached to the Chemistry School in Lille. Edwin returned to Australia on the SS Koning Louise in June 1919.

Edwin was living with his parents in Eric Street, Cottesloe and was working as a salesman in 1922. He was working as an advertiser and living in Bondi in 1930. Edwin was back living with his parents at 21 Hawkeshead Street, Cottesloe and working as a window dresser in 1934. He was in trouble with the law in 1937 having stolen a case of cake forks. He had been convicted three times in a year for stealing and was sentenced to six months imprisonment. Edwin forfeited a property in North Cottesloe for failure to pay rates, with a debt of £50.

Edwin enlisted in WW2, SN W28630, in the Medical Training school. Edwin moved to South Australia, worked as an assistant surveyor, and married Ivy. He died on 10th February 1969, and is buried in Centennial Park Cemetery, Pasadena, South Australia. Edwin’s younger brother, Corporal William John Littlejohn, SN W58521, served in WW2, in New Guinea.

Image of 14th Field Ambulance personnel, courtesy of AWM.

Staff Sergeant Charles ‘Chas’ Stanley Riva was the 2nd of three children of compositor father Albert Alfred Harvey Riva (1859-1944) and mother Mary Menzies (1848-1917). He was born in Brunswick Victoria 21st December 1889. The family moved to Western Australia and in 1905 Charles was a cadet in the Chief of Railways Store Office. He learnt to play soccer and before the war played for Claremont Football Club and was a member of their 1910 Charity Cup winning team. In 1910 he was working as a clerk in Kalgoorlie. Charles was living with his parents and older sister Olive Isabel (1887-1966) in Guildford Road in 1912.

Charles was working as a bank clerk when he enlisted in the 5th Reinforcements, 28th Battalion, on 22nd July 1915. He embarked on HMAT Thermostocles on 13th October 1915 and was taken on strength by his unit at Tel-el-Kebir on 19th January,1916. He was hospitalised in March and was able to join his unit in France on 16th March, 1916. From April to May the battalion marched and trained in the relatively quiet Armentieres sector, undertaking trench rotations and working parties. When the Somme offensive began on the 1st July, 1916, the 28th Battalion marched and entrained from Armentieres to the Pozieres area in late July. They fought in the battle for Pozieres village, suffering heavy casualties. Charles sustained a severe gun shot wound to the neck on the 6th August, transferring to England for treatment. He recovered and in September was attached to the 2nd Australian Division Base Depot. From there, Charles was attached to the 3rd Echelon Australian Record Section in Ruoen France, December 1916. He was promoted to corporal in March, 1917 and was granted leave in July. Charles was promoted to Staff Sergeant in October. He remained in this unit until he was struck down with influenza in October, 1918. In November 1918 he was attached to Administration Headquarters AIF in London. He took leave to work in the National Bank in London in May, 1919. Charles returned to Australia on HMAT Port Sydney in September 1919.

Charles married Constance Muriel Doherty (1894-21/7/1990) in 1922. He worked for the National Bank and was promoted to bank manager with posts in Manjimup, Moora, Gnowangerup, Geraldton and finally Claremont. The couple lived at 64 Bay View Terrace, moving to Grove Road, Lesmurdie upon retirement.

Charles enlisted in WW2, SN W66638, in Headquarters, Perth Battalion, Volunteer Defence Corps. Charles’ younger brother Lance Bombardier Albert Harold Riva, SN W68743, (1892-1979) enlisted in WW2 in Swan Battalion Headquarters, Volunteer Defence Corps, Mobile Medical Unit and lived in 2nd Avenue, Mt Lawley.

Charles died on 3rd August, 1961 and was cremated at Karrakatta Cemetery.

Image courtesy of the VWMA.

Sergeant Hewitt Oliver Wheeler was the second of four children of parents Ernest Foster White Wheeler (1855-1906) and Marian Alice Bostock (1864-1968). He was born on 25th August, 1892, in Bexley, Kent, England. Hewitt departed England for Australia on the Orient Line’s HMS Otranto on 17th January 1913. His listed occupation was shop assistant. He was living in East Perth in 1914 and then in 1915, moved to Guildford Road.

Hewitt was working as a warehouseman when he enlisted in the 6th Reinforcements, 16th Battalion on 16th June 1915. He embarked on HMAT Wandilla on 25th June 1915, disembarking in Egypt. Hewitt was admitted to the 1st Australian General Hospital with diarrhoea in September, and was discharged to a convalescence depot in Helouan before rejoining his unit in December. Hewitt was transferred to 48th Battalion and then transferred to 4th Divisional Artillery, taken on strength by the 24th Howitzer Brigade. He was appointed a Driver in May and joined the 4th Australian Divisional Ammunition Column. Hewitt served in his unit in France after arriving in Marseilles in June. He was admitted to 4th Field Ambulance with a septic right leg in October and was granted leave to England, returning to his unit in November. The 4th Divisional Ammunition Column accompanied the 4th Division’s artillery and to September 1917, supported artillery in the First Battle of Bullecourt, Messines, Menin Road, Polygon Wood and Passchendaele. Hewitt went on leave in December 1917. In early 1918 he was promoted to acting Bombardier and was detached to 13th Infantry Brigade, comprising Queensland’s 9th and 49th Battalions. This Brigade was holding trenches in the Somme region and through August joined the Allied counter- offensive beginning with the Battle of Amiens and on to Mont St Quentin and Peronne. Hewitt was promoted to Bombardier in September. Montbrehain was captured on 5th October, the final major infantry action of the AIF. He rejoined his old unit in December and returned to Australia on HMAT Anchises in April 1919.

Hewitt married Doris Mary Gardner at St George’s Cathedral on 9th August 1920. Doris had previously been married to Arthur Isaac Howlett Nixon and they had one son, Arthur Nixon Ridley Gardner, who received a commendation of service during the London blitz in 1940. Hewitt and Mary lived in Angelo Street, South Perth, until at least 1931. They had one daughter, Patricia Mary. The family moved to Domain Road, South Yarra, where Hewitt workied as a sales manager. Just prior to World War 2, he was working for Phillips Knitting Mills for £15 per week. The firm was unable to retain him due to a shortage of raw materials and he was let go in January 1942. Hewitt enlisted to serve in WW2, SN V14665, in the 1st Australian Central Ordinance Depot, and was promoted to sergeant. He attempted to be re instated in his old job following the war under the Re-establishment and Employment Act, however was unsuccessful.

Hewitt and Doris were living in Toorak when he retired. He died in Sassafrass on 8th March, 1961, and is buried in the Springvale Botanical Cemetery.

Image of 4th Divisional Ammunition Column, courtesy of AWM.

Lance Corporal Wilfred (Wilfrid) George Crofts was the tenth and last child of father and draper’s assistant, lift attendant and farmer Nicholas William Joseph Crofts (1862-1936) and mother Alice Mary Bray (1858-1940). He was born on 11th April 1896 in Harlesden, England. Although successful at school, he left at age 14 and obtained a position as a reporter with the local paper. He migrated with the rest of the family on 20th January 1911 on the SS Grosser Kurfest. Within weeks of arriving in WA, Wilfred started work as an office boy in Cowcowing. He also worked as a farmhand. After several months he returned to Perth to work in the office of legal firm Stone James & Co. Prior to the war, Wilfred served in the militia 30th Signal Company. He also studied with the Mission Society School.

Wilfred enlisted on 26th July 1915 in the 11th Reinforcements, 11th Battalion, and embarked 2nd August on HMAT Ulysses. The Battalion was involved in major offensives from July to September 1917; Battles of Menin Road and Polygon Wood. They then operated in cold, muddy and difficult conditions around Broodseinde Ridge and Passchendaele. The Battalion was withdrawn from the front line in December. Wilfred was promoted to Lance Corporal. In July, 1918, the Battalion took part in preparation and rehearsal for a major Australian-led offensive. On 8th August 1918, the 11th Battalion spearheaded the Battle of Amiens. Wilfred sustained a gun shot wound to the left leg on 10th August, only surviving by crawling to and rolling into a shell hole. He was invalided to England and returned to Australia on the Nestor, discharging in 5MD on 7th April 1919.

Wilfred resumed work with Stone James & Co, matriculated from night school and commenced classes at UWA. Wilfred left for Melbourne and studied for the ministry at the Baptist Theological College. He also completed a B.A. at University of Melbourne. Following this, he started missionary work in East Bengal. Wilfred married Gwenyth Isobel Harry (1897-1960) in Calcutta on 13th December 1926. Gwenyth had matriculated from Perth Modern and obtained a B.A. at UWA, graduating with first class honours. Gwenyth also had a calling for missionary work. Gwyneth and Wilfred had three children. The children attended boarding school in Darjeeling and were later sent to Perth to continue their education.

Wilfred and Gwenyth took time out from their missionary work to spend time back in WA, with Gwenyth returning in 1951 having suffered ill health including malaria, and Wilfred in 1952. Wilfred continued working for the Church including visits to PNG and ten month return to Bengal and Assam in 1962. Wilfred died in Mt Lawley on 8th May, 1971, and was cremated at Karrakatta Cemetery.

Wilfred had two brothers who also served in WW1; Temporary Sergeant Percy Ison Crofts and Private Harold Robert Crofts. Their histories follow. Wilfred’s brother-in-law, Private Harry Joseph Filmer, SN 3327, also enlisted in the 11th Reinforcements, 11th Battalion. Harry served time as a POW in Germany.

Image courtesy of VWMA.

Temporary Sergeant Percy Isan Crofts was the 4th of ten children of parents Nicholas William Joseph Crofts (1862-1936) and Alice Mary Bray (1858-1940). He was born in June, 1884 in Southwark, England. The family migrated to WA on 20th January 1911 on the SS Grosser Kurfest. Percy along with two friends moved to Kellerberrin to work clearing land and putting up fencing. In 1916, Percy had returned to Perth and was living in Lord Street, North Perth.

Percy enlisted on 24th January 1916 in 44th Battalion, embarking 6th June on HMAT Suevic. He was transferred to the 51st Battalion, leaving for France in November 1916. The Battalion’s first major action was the First Battle of Bullecourt in April , suffering heavy losses. They were rested and then participated in the Second Battle of Bullecourt, trench holding, working parties and training. Percy was promoted to Lance Corporal in June. He was one of two wounded on 6th August 1917 and was detached to the 4th Australian Divisional Base, returning to his unit in October. The Battalion was heavily involved in the fighting during the later phases of the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele). Percy was promoted to Corporal in November. The Battalion moved south to the Somme in February 1918 and on 21st March they were rushed forward to help stop the German advance towards Amiens. Percy was detached to the 4th Divisional Reinforcement Camp as an instructor in April, and was promoted to Temporary Sergeant in February, 1919. He returned to Australia on the SS Bremen.

Following the war, Percy was active in the RSL and was a member of the Order of Buffalos. He had moved the the Great Southern where he had extended family. Percy worked as a labourer and orchard hand and lived in Torbay Road, Mt Barker. Percy died suddenly on 10th April, 1943. The Albany Advertiser noted the packing shed closed its doors during the funeral. He was buried with full ex-serviceman honours and the traditional emblems of the Buffalo Lodge were cast on his coffin. Percy is buried in the Mt Barker Cemetery.

Details of his two brothers’ service can be found on this post.

Image of 51st Battalion, 1917, courtesy AWM.

Acting Sergeant Harold Robert Crofts was the 6th of ten children of parents Nicholas William Joseph Crofts (1862-1936) and Alice Mary Bray (1858-1940). He was born on 12th June 887 in Greenwich London. The family migrated to WA in January 1911. Harold wanted to learn farming and went to work with Miss Fanny Brockman on her property “Burnside” Margaret River. He saved enough to buy a block of land, “Enfield”, and grow an experimental crop of clover.

He enlisted on 19th January 1916 in the 17th Reinforcements, 16th Battalion, and embarked on HMAT Aeneas in April, meeting up with his unit in Suez. Harold moved to England for training and became ill and was hospitalised. He met his future nurse wife while an inpatient. Harold married Lillian Grace Edwards (1890-1964) in the Wesleyan Methodist Church, Muswell Hill, London, on 10th January 1917. Harold was transferred to 44th Battalion in November 1917 and he alternated serving with the 44th and the 4th Training Unit in Codford England. Harold and Alice’s first two children were born in England.

November 1917 found Harold in the trenches in Belgium. The 44th Battalion was recovering from the Battle of Ypres and was to suffer the bitter cold and miserable conditions of the 1917 winter before the German Spring Offensive of 1918. Harold was hospitalised mid year with influenza and then Trench Fever. The army arranged transport back to Australia for the family with Harold listed as a medical case to facilitate this.

The family settled at Enfield but Harold’s health was poor. He took up a post of foreman of the Group Settlement 17, Bramley, then sold his farm. Following this he went into partnership with Bob Forrester, setting up a grocery store in the Main Street of Margaret River. Harold was an active member of the RSL and he and Lillian were active community members, belonging to the local P&C, and both helped to build the town’s Anglican Church. Times were very hard during the Depression and Harold became bankrupt. The family moved to Moogebing where Harold took over his sister Winifred’s grocery business. Harold’s ill health drove the family back to Perth where Harold worked as an insurance salesman for AMP for 25 years. Following retirement, Harold and Lilian moved to Scarborough. Harold died of lung cancer on 9th September 1959 in Hollywood Hospital and is buried in Karrakatta Cemetery.

Harold and Lillian had three children; Lieutenant Harold Crofts WX29264, Lance Corporal Dorothy Lillian Crofts WFX17047 and Thelma Joyce Crofts. Details of his two brothers can be found on this post.

Image courtesy of VWMA.

Sergeant Alan Lyle Camper was the 5th of seven children of parents William Camper (1845-1941) and Eleanor Julia Sabine Scott (1857-1918). He was born in Wentworth, New South Wales on 25th December 1883. Alan arrived in Fremantle on 12th December 1910, and lived at 50 Ellen Street, working as a bank clerk. He moved to Guildford Road in 1911. Alan worked as a porter for the Western Australian Government Railways in Wickipin in 1914. He was granted leave to join the AIF.

Alan enlisted in the 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital on 5th November 1914. He embarked on the HMAT Kyarra on 5th November 1914. His unit was established at Mena Camp, Egypt, to support the Australian forces training there. From August 1915 to January 1916 they were deployed forward to Lemnos to support the Gallipoli campaign treating casualties evacuated from the peninsula. After Gallipoli, the unit returned to Egypt and set up at Tel-el-Kebir and Moascar, supporting the re-organisation of the AIF before deployment to France. In April 1916, the unit was sent to northern France mainly at Wimereux and at various sites in the Boulogne area acting as an intermediate hospital between the front and base ports. It remained on the Western Front until the Armistice and was demobilised in March 1919. Alan was promoted to corporal in May 1916. In July 1917, he was noted to have a ‘tubercle of the lung‘ and he was admitted to the 4th Australian General Hospital. Alan suffered with diphtheria in January, 1918 and was sent to a rest camp for convalescence. Alan was transferred to the 14th Australian General Hospital in April,1919 and was promoted to sergeant. He returned to Australia on the HT Delta in August 1919.

Alan was back living at Guildford road and working as a clerk in 1919. He had moved to Sydney by 1930 and was working as a clerk. In 1933, Alan was living with his father William and brother William Valentine in Beecroft. He married Staff Nurse Gladys Eva Moule (1885-1967), WW1 nurse, in 1936. Alan was an inpatient in the Lady Davidson Home in Turramurra in 1937. This was a Repatriation Hospital specifically for the treatment of veterans with tuberculosis and mental health diagnoses. In 1939, the couple were living in Neutral Bay. Alan died on 29th July, 1941, in the Lady Davidson Home. His death was announced in the Riverine Grazier, noting he had spent his youth in Hay and would be missed by its older residents. He is buried in the Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens.

Alan’s brother, Private William Valentine Crofts, SN 2659 and 326, served in the Boar War and WW1. He also died in the Lady Davidson Home in 1946.

The nursing staff of this facility appealed to the Public Service in 1944 for better pay and conditions. Nine nursed were looking after 200 veterans at the time, working at least 110 hour fortnights.

Extra Regimental Sergeant George Hanson Nelson was the third and last born child of parents Thomas Nelson (1857-1889) and Augusta Sophia Hanson (1859-1938). He was born in Footscray on 7th December 1888. George is noted to be living with his mother and siblings Cecil Thomas, a clerk, and Henrietta Augusta (who also held George’s will), a milliner, in Guilford Road Mt Lawley, between 1913 and 1917. George was working as a warehouseman. Prior to the war he spent three years with the 30th Signal company Australian Engineers.

George enlisted on 1st August 1917 in 13th Field Ambulance. He was working as a shop keeper and commercial traveller. George trained at Blackboy Hill and was ill with diarrhoea and influenza. He embarked on 29th July 1918 on HMAT Marathon, rising through the ranks to Lance Sergeant. George disembarked in London in September 1918 and joined his unit in December. The unit was primarily engaged in post-armistice duties in France and Belgium. Following the end of the war in November, the unit’s responsibilities shifted from active combat support to administrative and logistical tasks associated with the demobilisation process. George was detached to the Australian Army Pay Corps in May 1919. He arrived back in Australia on 6th October 1919 via HMAT Pakeha.

The Nelson family had moved to 27 2nd Avenue and records note George was living with them between 1921 and 1939. George ran a successful shoe store at 600 Hay Street Perth. His 1929 store window lighting was noted to be worth an evening visit. He gave special place to Australian and Empire goods. George’s innovative advertising attracted customers, including a gamble on whether rain would fall on People’s Day at the Perth Royal Show, 1931. A man was gaoled for six months for stealing a pair of shoes from his store in 1935. George was living at 71 St George’s terrace in 1943 and in the Cecil Building, Sherwood Lane, in 1949. The Western Australian Museum holds a pair of shoes made for George’s store.

George married Alma Violet Harris (1901-1989) in December,1950. They lived in McMillan Street, Victoria Park.

George died on 22nd July 1960 and was cremated at Karakatta Cemetery.

Image courtesy of the Trove and 1929 Perth Mirror.

Company Sergeant Major Arthur William Arthur Dedman was the 3rd of six children of telephone assistant father Charles Henry Dedman (1864-1942) and mother Sarah Hannah Tempest (1865-1926). He was born in Dutson, Victoria, on 5th May 1892. The family arrived in Fremantle via ship in 1898. Loco fireman Arthur, along with loco fireman younger brother, Private Francis Charles Dedman, SN 4719, enlisted in the 12th Reinforcements, 28th Battalion, on the same day-4th February 1916. They embarked together on HMAT Aeneas on 17th April, 1916.

Arthur was assigned to the 1st Training Battalion, and later joined his unit in Belgium on 24th September 1916. The battalion was in a period of regrouping and rotation in and out of the trenches near the Somme, enduring artillery barrages, poor weather and fatigue. Arthur was hospitalised in November with a PUO (fever). Brother Francis was killed in action in Flers during this admission. From November 1916 the battalion spent winter trench duties in France and Belgium, then supported operations during the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. They took part in the Battle of Messines in June. During this period, Arthur was promoted to Temporary Sergeant. He was granted leave to England in late July, returning to his unit in August, with the 28th suffering shelling and gas in holding trenches near Ypres. The battalion took a major role in the Battle of Menin Road with success but with heavy losses in September. Arthur was promoted to Sergeant on 30th September. While fighting in the Battle of Broodseinde, part of the Passchendaele campaign, Arthur sustained a gun shot wound to his face 4th October, requiring evacuation for treatment to the Bath War Hospital. Following treatment, Arthur was transferred to the 4th Convalescent Depot. He took leave over New Year, 1918, transferred to the Overseas Training Brigade in July 1918 and rejoined his unit in August. The 28th was involved in heavy fighting in the Somme-Mont St Quentin-Peronne sector. Arthur was wounded in the neck on 12th September outside St Quentin. He was treated and spent time in the Convalescent Depot. Arthur was promoted to Company Sergeant Major on 15th February 1919. He returned to Australia on RMS Ormonde and was discharged in Perth on 7th September, 1919.

Arthur married Elizabeth Mary McAndrew (1892-1984) on 10th January, 1920. He had returned to his career in the railways as a loco fireman and the couple lived in Leslie Street, East Perth. They moved to Brunswick Junction in the 30s, and Arthur was active in the local RSL where he advocated for the prematurely aged returned servicemen. By 1949 Arthur was back in East Perth working as a locomotive driver. Arthur and Elizabeth retired to Dunsborough. He died on 15th September, 1972 and is buried in the Dunsborough Cemetery.

Arthur and Elizabeth had two sons, Staff Sergeant Roy Francis Dedman (1920-2003), W14339, who served with 13th Field ambulance and 110th Australian General Hospital, and Lyal Neil Dedman (1926-2017).

Image courtesy of Ancestry.

Private Francis (Frank) Charles Dedman was the 4th of six children of parents Charles Henry Dedman (1864-1942) and Sarah Hannah Tempest (1865-1926). He was born in May 1894 in Dutson Victoria.

The family lived in the mining town of Walhalla in Gippsland and Frank attended the Walhalla primary school. When the long tunnel mine started to close out, the family moved to Western Australia, arriving in Fremantle in 1898. They resided in Coolgardie and Frank attend the local primary school. The Dedman children participated in all sports and competitions. Their first love was music, playing in the successful bass band of Hughie McMahon. Frank and older brother CSM Albert William Arthur (Arthur) Dedman, SN 4720, were close mates and both joined the Western Australian Government Railways becoming locomotive firemen.

Frank and Arthur enlisted in the 12th Reinforcements, 28th Battalion, on the same day-4th February 1916. They embarked together on HMAT Aeneas on 17th April 1916. Frank was assigned to the 1st Training Battalion, and later joined his unit in Belgium on 24th September 1916. The battalion was in a period of regrouping and rotation in and out of the trenches near the Somme, enduring artillery barrages, poor weather and fatigue. On 5th November 1916, the Battalion was in the trenches at Flers, preparing for and participating in operations connected with the attack on the Hindenburg Line positions. Conditions were atrocious: mud, cold, and heavy German resistance. The 28th suffered significant casualties which included Frank. Arthur later related he was in hospital when Frank ‘went under’ during a day attack. He met two men who spoke to him … he was wounded and quite cheerful but never got back. Mother Sarah entertained hopes of him returning some day. Frank’s remains were exhumed, identified, and reverently reburied in 1933 in Serre Road Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel. Frank’s identity disc, found with his remains, was forwarded to father Charles.

Frank is memorialised in the Kings Park Honours Avenue.

Frank and Arthur’s first cousin, Private Thomas Herman Dedman, SN 1920, 28th Battalion, was killed in action two days before Frank, 3rd November, 1916.

Image courtesy of Ancestry.

Driver William Ernest Kay SN 25364 enlisted on 1st March 1916. He is listed as a Printer. He was born in Albany WA on 27th March 1894.

He left Melbourne in June 1916 on A37 Barambah and proceeded to France in November, 1916 as a Driver with the 1st Reinforcements, 3rd Divisional Ammunition Column.

He had many admissions to hospital mainly for skin issues such as scabies and ichthyosis but was not wounded according to his record. He returned to Australia on the SS Somali on 8th July 1919 and was discharged in August the same year.

William lived at ‘Sunnyhurst” 79 Guildford Rd with his parents William Ernest Kay (wagon builder and railway official) and Ellen Kay( nee Edwards) He had 2 brothers Harry and Arthur and 3 sisters, Maud, Nellie, Minnie.

At the house also lived the 2 boarders who also enlisted from this address.

William returned from war and married the girl next door Clarice Maud Dedman (1896-1971) of 97 Guildford Rd on 24th March 1922. The Dedmans also had 2 sons enlist in WW1-histories noted above. Following the war, William worked as a printer and later a printer instructor. William and Clarice lived at 37 Anzac road, Mt Hawthorn and later at 72 Holmfirth Street, Coolbinia. William and Clarice had a son, Sergeant William Ernest Kay Junior, SN A52850, who served in WW2.

William died on 26th February, 1974 and is buried at Karrakatta Cemetery. He is honoured on the Maylands Methodist Church Board.

Image courtesy of the VWMA.

Private Harry Kay SN 3830was 19 years old when he enlisted on 30th August 1915. He was born in Albany in 1896. Harry lived at ‘Sunnyhurst” 79 Guildford Rd with his parents William Ernest Kay (wagon builder and railway official) and Ellen Kay( nee Edwards) who had built the home in 1913. He had 2 brothers William and Arthurand 3 sisters, Maud, Nellie, Minnie (a bookbinder). Harry went to school at the Maylands State School and later joined the Western Australian Government railways working as a car and wagon builder at the Midland Workshops. Prior to the war he served with the militia unit 88th Battalion.

He initially joined the 12th Reinforcements, 12th Battalion, and embarked on HMAT Ajana on 17th December,1915. Harry was transferred to the 52nd Battalion and in March 1916, was assigned to the 3rd Training Battalion. He arrived in Marseilles with the British Expeditionary Force on 12th June 1916. The Battalion proceeded by rail to northern France. They moved into the “nursery sector” around Petillon for acclimatisation, training (including gas training) and preparation for trench warfare. Harry sustained a finger wound on 8th July 1916 that required hospital management. He rejoined his unit on 25th August 1916. The Battalion diary notes his unit moved from Bonneville to Brickfields (Albert) over the next few days and on 30th August, paraded before General Birdwood and rested prior to going into acton. On the 1st September B company took over the front line. Harry was killed on 3rd September, 1916.

Harry is buried at the Serre Road Cemetery 1 in Beaumont-Hamel. Mother Ellen, received a pension of 15/- from 16th February, 1917. Harry’s identity disc and a knife handle were recovered from his remains and sent to his father in 1924. Harry has several memorials including the Australian War Memorial, Kings Park State Memorial, Maylands Methodist Church, Midland Railway Workshops and the Mount Lawley-Inglewood Memorial.

Image of Mouquet Farm courtesy of the Sir John Monash Centre.

Signaller Thompson Lawson Walker, SN 3739, was the 2nd of seven children of parents George Thompson Walker (1856-1896) and Anne Clark (1858-1933). He was born on 18th May 1882 in West Hartlepool England and moved to Australia along with his younger carpenter brother, Private Percy Rutherford Walker, SN902, 3rd Field Company Engineers. Thompson joined the Western Australian Government Railways, working as a clerk, in 1915. He was living in Henry street, East Perth, later moving to 79 Guildford Road, boarding with the Kay family, who had two sons serve in WW1. He likely met Harry Kay through work with WAGR.

Thompson had been rejected for service previously due to deficient eyesight, with a railway medical noting he only had 20/30 vision in his right eye. He enlisted in the 10th Reinforcements, 51st Battalion, on 4th November, 1916 and embarked from Fremantle on HMAT Borda on 29th June 1917. After arriving in Plymouth he was assigned to the 4th Division Signal School and was promoted to acting corporal in February 1918. He reverted to private on proceeding to France to join the 48th Battalion. During the German Spring Offensive, the 48th Battalion played a key defensive role near Albert and Villers-Bretonneux. They were heavily engaged in repelling German attacks including an assault on Monument Wood in May. After this action, they were withdrawn to rest. In August they took part in the Allied attack at Amiens, marking the start of the 100 Days Offensive. On the 15th September, the 48th Battalion was poised to attack the Hindenburg Line. Thompson sustained a serious gun shot wound to the left thigh, right buttock and a penetrating wound to the rectum. He was admitted to the South African Military Hospital in Surrey and later transferred to the 3rd Auxillary Hospital. Thompson then spent time in convalescence, returning to Australia on the HMAT Wandilla on 9th May 1919. He was formally discharged in September, 1920.

Thompson resumed work with the WAGR on light duties due to his war injuries, and ended work as a clerk in the Engine Material Store upon his retirement in 1942. Thompson married Elsie Ann in 1924 and the couple lived in Greenmount, Balcatta and l after retirement. in Kalamunda. He lived in Creery Street Mandurah in the late 60s and early 70s, before moving to Rowethorpe, Bentley, where he passed away on 26th October, 1979, at age 97. He is buried at Karrakatta Cemetery. At wars end, younger brother Percy married Minnie Kay.

Image courtesy of AWM-48th Battalion September, 1918.

Sapper Alfred George Coppin was the 10th and final born of parents William John Coppin (1836-1926) and Jane Amy Coppin (1850-1920). He was born on 27th July 1893 in Brighton,England. He was a compositor and came out from London to Fremantle in 1913 on the Australind. Alfred travelled back to England and arrived in Fremantle on the Orient Line ship RMS Osterley in March 1916.

He enlisted for service in 1916 but failed his medical exam due to a varicocele. Following repair, he enlisted again. His next of kin originally noted was his father William in Brighton. Alfred changed this to William Kay as he boarded with the Kay family in Guildford Road. Alfred was sent to Signal School in April 191, and embarked on A29 Suevic in June 1917, arriving in Liverpool on 26th August, 1917 then joining the 1st Division Signal Company in Folkestone. Alfred joined the Australian Corps Signal Company in France in March 1918. This company was officially formed on 19th February 1918, drawing personel from Divisional Signal companies and the 1 ANZAC Wireless Section. Its principal duty was to deliver communication support at the corps and army levels-particularly for coordinating artillery operations-through telephone, wireless, cable, pigeon and other methods. Additional elements were raised by March 1918. The company was stationed near Albert during March and April to handle critical communication links for defensive action during the German Spring Offensive. From May-July, they moved to Villers-Bretonneux and onto Le Hamel. By September and during the Allied Hundred Days Offensive, they were positioned in the operational zones of Corps HQ, near Peronne. Alfred was transferred to 5th Divisional Signal company on 10th October 1918. He remained with this unit until Armistice on 11th November 1918.

Alfred was granted leave in England from Armistice until the end of November 1918, rejoining his unit. Demobilisation had commenced, however Alfred was granted leave to attend a Motor Engineering Works in Hassocks near his home town of Brighton, in June,1919. For some of this time Alfred was joined by older brother Private James Coppin (1891-), SN 3360, 52nd Battalion, Military Medal awardee.

Alfred returned to Australia in October, 1919 on HMAT Pakeha. He married Sylvia May McIntosh (1897-1971) in 1922. The couple lived at 58 King George Street, Victoria Park for many years. He received his medals in 1924. Alfred continued to work as a compositor. He returned to the UK on at least two occasions; 1955 and 1957. Alfred and Sylvia had a son, Graham Alfred (1923-2010), a compositor. Alfred died on 12th June, 1972, and is buried at Karrakatta Cemetery.

Image of 1st Division Signal company courtesy of AWM.

Driver MT Albany Maston Bell was the eldest of nine children of parents Albany Peter Bell (1871-1957) and Edith Agnes Clark (1874-1963). He was born in Perth on 1st December, 1897. Father Albany was a highly respected businessman, building the iconic Albany Bell Castle, and running a confectionery chain. He was a JP, a foundation member of the YMCA and the Silver Chain Nursing Association and a member of the Perth Hospital Board. Albany senior’s mother, Jane, was a foundation member of the first Church of Christ in WA, and Albany senior was baptised in the Swan River in 1891. Albany junior was educated at Perth Modern and was working as a motor mechanic at the time of enlistment 26th April 1916, in the Army Medical Corps. While in training at Blackboy Hill, Albany suffered appendicitis and was treated at St John of God Hospital, Subiaco.

Albany embarked from Fremantle on the RMS Surada on 22nd September 1916, arriving in Plymouth on 20th November 1916. He was taken on strength by the Australian Mechanical Transport Services and detached for training to Chelsea. Albany went to France in Jun, 1917 serving with the 5th Division Ammunition Sub Park. This unit held and moved artillery rounds, small-arms ammunition and fuses from the divisional ammunition park, toward the gun lines. In February 191, he took leave in London, and in March 1918, Albany was transferred to the 5th Division Motor Transport Company. From April, Albany served with the 8th Field Ambulance. This unit supported 5th Division and was in the Arras sector in April, moving to Hangard in France during the Amiens offensive, and then pushed east with the Allied forces towards Armistice. Albany briefly served with 13th Field Ambulance in late November 1918. He was granted leave in Paris in early 1919 and took a pastry cooking course with the Burnbaum brothers in Brussels. He was involved in a pay dispute as he was initially an HT Driver and later an MT Driver-MTs received extra trade pay above their horse transport colleagues. Albany returned to Australia on HMAT Burambah in September, 1919.

After returning from the war, Albany assisted his father in the management of his chain of restaurants and later conducted a small business of his own before commencing a large and successful hatchery in Maylands, 1942. The hatchery building was designed by prominent architects Power, Cameron and Chisholm. Agricultural buildings were not generally designed by architects. It was representative of the Inter-War functionalist architectural style. The facade is heritage listed. Albany played an active role in the Perth Church of Christ, holding many prominent positions.

He married Elizabeth “Bessie” Chisholm Gilbert (1897-1985) on 23rd February 1921. They had five children including the respected Perth orthopaedic surgeon, Franklyn Gilbert Bell, MB BS FRCS FRACS. The family lived at 86 Guildford Road and later 10/29 Third Avenue. Albany died on 27th April 1983 and is buried at Karrakatta Cemetery. Albany had two brothers who served in WW2; Private Clifton David Bell, WX21646, 16th Battalion AMF and Leading Aircraftman Cromwell James Bell, 46900, 11 and 20 Squadron Catalinas.

Image is of the Bell family home courtesy of the State Library of WA.

Private Frank Blackburn was the 7th of nine children of carpenter and joiner father Joseph Henry Blackburn (1859-1948) from Yorkshire, and mother Emma Hurlstone (1852-1933) from Warwickshire. Frank had two older step siblings. The family migrated to Australia, arriving in Fremantle on the barque Helena Mena in 1883. Frank was born in Perth in 1893. Father Joseph had a keen interest in language. They were living in 185 Stirling Street Mt Lawley in 1910, but had moved to Guildford Road by 1915.

Frank was working as a labourer when he enlisted as an 11th Reinforcement, 11th Battalion on 26th July 1915. He embarked on the HMAT Ulysses on 2nd November 1915 and was taken on strength into A Company on 7th January 1916 at Tel-el-Kebir. On the 1st March he was transferred to 51st Battalion and 15 days later to his final unit–4th Pioneer Battalion. Frank joined with the British Expeditionary Force in Alexandria in June and arrived in Marseilles on 11th June 1916. The unit was stationed around Armentieres and Fleuxbaix for trench familiarisation and defensive duties. In late 1916 it took part in the Battle of the Somme, performing pioneer duties such as trench construction, battlefield engineering and support tasks. Frank required brief hospitalisation in November. 1917 saw the unit involved in the Battle of Messines and Third Battle of Ypres. Frank enjoyed a period of leave in London in July, including being AWOL and forfeiting 19 days pay. Early 1918, the unit faced the German Spring Offensive, helping to repair trenches and fortifications during defensive actions. Frank was hospitalised with bronchitis in March. By mid 1918, the unit participated in supporting advances with construction and repair of roads, bridges and trenches. Frank returned to Australia on the HMAT Anchises in February 1919.

Frank worked as a labourer and was living with his publican brother Harry, owner of the imperial Hotel, York, in 1931. In 1937, Frank was living with brother Sergeant Joseph Blackburn, SN 9126, in Quinninup, with Frank working as a clearer and Jospeh as a labourer. The brothers moved to Denmark and were working in similar roles in 1939. Joseph died in 1940 and Frank moved to Kalgoorlie, working in the Inland City Hotel as a barman. He was working as a porter in Kalgoorlie in 1954, living in Forrest Street. Frank died on 15th February 1968 and is buried at Karrakatta Cemetery.

Image of 4th Pioneer Battalion courtesy of AWM.

Sergeant Joseph Blackburn was the 2nd of nine children of carpenter and joiner father Joseph Henry Blackburn (1859-1948) from Yorkshire, and mother Emma Hurlstone (1852-1933) from Warwickshire. Joseph had two older step siblings. Joseph was born in Worcestershire England in 1883. The family migrated to Australia, arriving in Fremantle on the barque Helena Mena in 1883. Father Joseph had a keen interest in language. They were living in 185 Stirling Street, Mt Lawley in 1910, but had moved to Guildford Road by 1915 with Joseph working as a clerk. Joseph married Ethel Mary Thomas in Perth, in 1913, and they moved to Sydney.

Joseph enlisted at Warwick Farm on 20th July 1915 in the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital, embarking on HMAT Kanowna, 22nd December 1915. The unit was formed in 1915 and specialised in treating venereal disease, mainly gonorrhoea and syphilis. The unit established at Abbassia, Cairo, during early 1916. In September, 1916, Joseph along with his unit, relocated to Bulford Camp, Wiltshire, on the Salisbury Plain, and it became formally known as 1st ADH. At its peak, the unit could house up to 1,500 patients with some under guard due to disciplinary status.

Joseph was promoted to corporal in March 1917,and sergeant in April 1917. He suffered with bronchitis in January,1919. Joseph returned to Australia on the SS Mahia, July 1919 and was discharged in Sydney. Ethel was living with Joseph’s parents following his enlistment and had moved to Rose Bay in Sydney by 1919. The couple must have separated as Joseph was back in Western Australia, working as a labourer at Ballidu West, from 1925 to 1931. Joseph was living and working with his brother Frank in Quinninup in 1936 and then in Denmark in 1939. Joseph died on 14th December, 1940, in Perth, and is buried at Karrakatta Cemetery.

Image courtesy of VWMA.