Sergeant Clarence Gordon McWaters was the fifth of six children of parents George Cranford McWaters (1871-1963) and Laura Catherine Miller (1869-1947). He was born in Leighton, South Australia on 27th December, 1894.

Clarence was a product merchant at the time of his enlistment in 10 Light Horse Regiment on11th January 1915. He embarked on HMAT Argyllshire for Gallipoli, 22nd May 1915. A series of illnesses including enteric fever, tonsillitis and anemia saw him return to Australia on 29th August 1915. While back in Australia, Clarence was admitted for three months treatment of a head and back injury in Fremantle Hospital, sustained in a fall while jumping over a hurdle on horseback.

Clarence married Hilda May Tomlinson (1894-1980) in 1917. He reenlisted 26th February 1917 in 10 Light Horse Regiment and embarked on RMS Morea for Egypt. He became ill again over 1917 and 1918 with tonsillitis, anemia and occipital neuralgia and was invalided to Australia on 15th November 1918.

Clarence and Hilda had four children: Leading Aircraftsman Ronald Gordon (1917-1995) RAAF WWII, Dorothy Jean (1920-1999), Private Alan Stuart (1923-2013) WWII and Roma Isobel (1924-2013). Son Alan was born at nurse Hannah Weaver’s private hospital, Carn Brae, at 19 Kirkahm Hill Terrace, Maylands.

Clarence’s younger brother George Frederick (1911-1968) served in the Citizen’s Military Force 1927-1946. Clarence’s Great Great Grandfather, Stewart McWaters, served in the 19th Regiment of Foot from 1793 to 1815. The Regiment was raised in the 17th century to support Wiliam of Orange. During Stewart’s service, the Regiment was deployed to Flanders, Brittany, India, Ceylon and Mauritius.

Clarence died 28th February 1952 and was cremated at Karrakatta Cemetery.

Image courtesy of the VWMA.

Gunner Henry Robert Kelly was the eldest of nine children of parents Robert George Kelly (1861-1938) and Sarah Anne Smith (1870-1957). He was born in Melbourne on 14th September 1890. The family moved to Perth and Henry was a sales manager at the time of his enlistment at Blackboy Hill on 22nd November 1916. His service in 14th Field Artillery Brigade commenced on the 3rd January 1917. Henry embarked on HMAT Port Sydney 9th November 1917.

The 14th Field Artillery Brigade was raised to support 5th Division. During 1917-1918, the Division was under the command of Lieutenant General Birdwood. In November 1917, the Division became part of the Australian Corps under the command of Lieutenant General John Monash. It wintered in Messines and then returned to action in March 1918 around Villers Bretonneux. August 1918 saw the Division participate in the Allied One Hundred Days Offensive, reaching the Hindenburg Line in September, being one of only two Divisions fit for action.

By October, the Division was withdrawn from action until the end of the war, with total casualties of 32,180 (5716 killed).

By March 1919, Henry had taken leave from the AIF and was working for Charles Atkins and Co in London. He returned to Australia and married Maggie Alma “Peg” Grant at St Mark’s Church, Darling Point, on 16th September 1920. Henry and Maggie had three children: Bombardier Basil Alexander Kelly who served in WWII, Valerie Anita Kelly and Harry Dickison Kelly.

Henry died 19th July, 1950, and is buried at the North Ryde Cemetery.

Image courtesy of Ancestry.

Trooper Wilfred Harold Ferrier was the seventh of nine children of parents George Ferrier (1857-1934) and Elizabeth Wilson (1856-1945). He was born in Perth on 9th January 1895. He was working as a clerk at the time of his enlistment in 10 Light Horse Regiment on 2nd January 1915.

Wilfred embarked from Fremantle on A52 Suranda 17th February 1915. He suffered from illnesses while serving at Gallipoli and Egypt, requiring treatment in England. During his convalescence in 1916, Wilfred married Rose King in Andover, Hampshire. Wilfred continued on his service with 10 Light Horse Regiment before suffering further ill health in 1917. He was discharged from the AIF on 8th April 1919. Wilfred and Rose’s eldest son, Wilfred Lovell Ferrier (1919-1971) WWII, was born in Monmouthshire. Wilfred was working for Ebbw Vale Steel and Iron and Coal Ltd. The family travelled back to Australia on the HT Burmen on 28th May 1920. Wilfred and Rose had a further three children: Kenneth William Ferrier (1923-2023), Lance Bombardier Brenda Dorothy Ferrier (1924-2006) WWII, and Yvonne Ferrier (1927-2007).

Rose Ferrier left Wilfred and their four children, and they divorced in 1929. Wilfred married Annie Myrtle Egan (1902-1984) in Perth in 1932. They had three children: Alvie Elizabeth Ferrier (1933-2012), Clyde James Ferrier (1940-1971) and Allan George Ferrier (1942-2021).

Wilfred was involved with the Cottesloe City Band while the family lived in Cottesloe, and for while was the band secretary.

Wilfred died on the 10th November 1967 and is remembered in the rose garden at Karrakatta Cemetery. Image courtesy of VWMA.

Wilfred’s bother Captain George Gray Dixon Ferrier, MC, served in WWI and WWII. Wilfred’s brother-in-law, Private Bob Heard Baker, 16th Battalion, was killed in action at Mouquet Farm on 31st August 1916. Wilfred’s niece, Rhoda Florence Baker, served as a nurse in WWII. Wilfred’s great nephew, Ron Baker, served in the RAAF.