Mt Bute Soldier Settlement 1921

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NAME	PARISH	NO.
BASSETT, HENRY CHARLES EDWARD	MANNIBADAR	37
BENNINGTON, PATRICK WILLIAM	GALLA	121
BLOMELEY, PATRICK GEORGE	MANNIBADAR	30
BOURKE, EUGENE	MANNIBADAR	43
BRINDLEY, JAMES GORDON	GALLA	47
BROOKS, ROWLAND OLIVER	GALLA,	19
BROWN, HUBERT JOHN	ARGYLE	15
BRUER, CLAUDE FREDERICK	MANNIBADAR	1
BRUER, LIONEL GREGORY	MANNIBADAR	4
CAHILL, MARTIN JOSEPH	MANNIBADAR	31
CAHILL, MICHAEL JAMES	MANNIBADAR	47
CAIRNS, DAVID	BORRIYALLOAK	4, 5
CALDOW, GEORGE MONTAGUE	MANNIBADAR	38
CALDOW, WILLIAM	MANNIBADAR	36
CALVERT, JAMES	GALLA	152
CALWELL, CHARLES PERCIVAL	MANNIBADAR	8
CAMERON, DONALD	MANNIBADAR	9
CAMPBELL, HUGH	BORRIYALLOAK	16
CARROLL, ERIC JOHN BERNARD	GALLA	120
CASTLEMAN, EDWARD THOMAS	GALLA	93
CHASE, CHARLES MULSO	BORRIYALLOAK	1
CHASE, LLOYD PATTESON	BORRIYALLOAK	2, 3
COAD, EDGAR ALBERT	GALLA	11
CULL, CECIL	MANNIBADAR	19
DALY, JOHN	GALLA	55
DAWES, NORMAN WILLIAM	MANNIBADAR	20
DONNELLY, MICHAEL FRANCIS	MANNIBADAR	34
DONNELLY, CHRISTOPHER JOHN STANLEY	BORRIYALLOAK	17
ELLIS, WILLIAM HENRY	MANNIBADAR	21,23
ELLIS, WILLIAM THOMPSON	GALLA	37
FEATHERSTON, RICHARD STANLEY	MANNIBADAR, ARGYLE	9, 18
FERGUSON, ALEXANDER McDONALD	MANNIBADAR	32, 33
FIELD, RAYMOND	MANNIBADAR	5
FINCH, HERBERT WILLIAM	GALLA	117
FITRIDGE, WALTER HAROLD	MANNIBADAR	39,40
FLETCHER, HAROLD VIVIAN ADOLPHUS	BORRIYALLOAK	22, 23
FLETCHER, WILLIAM HERBERT LEIGH	MANNIBADAR	24, 25
FROST, JAMES THOMAS	GALLA	88
GILLESPIE, CHARLES	BORRIYALLOAK	24
GORDON, STEWART LAUCHLAN	GALLA	86
GRIBBLE, THEOPHILUS	MANNIBADAR	19
GRIST, CHARLES	GALLA	35
HANNA, DAVID	MANNIBADAR	26
HOARE, PERCIVAL GEORGE	MANNIBADAR	6
HOCKING, FRANCIS CHARLES	GALLA	95
HOLDING, GEORGE HENRY CAMERON	MANNIBADAR	14, 22
HOLLOWAY, ARTHUR RONALD	GALLA	40
HOULDER, WILLIAM RICHARD	GALLA	44
JENSEN, GEORGE PATRICK	GALLA	12
JICKELL, JAMES	GALLA	39
JOHNSTON, CHARLES EDWARD	GALLA	45
JONES, JOHN EVAN	GALLA	21/21A
JONES, NORMAN HUGH	ARGYLE	13,14
KERBY, EDWIN THOMAS JOHN	MANNIBADAR	15
KERBY, NOBLE	MANNIBADAR	17
KERBY, ROYAL	MANNIBADAR	14, 22
LEWERS, SAMUEL	MANNIBADAR	13
LEWIN, OSBORNE VICTOR	GALLA	52
MacDONALD, ANDREW LAMOND	GALLA	54
MacDONALD, NEIL DOUGLASS	GALLA	38
MACDONALD, FARQUHAR	GALLA	41
MAHON, ARTHUR HUGH	GALLA	16
MARTIN, HENRY (HARRY)	ARGYLE	18
McINTYRE, ALEXANDER	GALLA	114
McINTYRE, ANDREW THOMAS	GALLA	41
McINTYRE, RUPERT JAMES	GALLA	113
McKAY, JOHN	ARGYLE	19
McKAY, WILLIAM LESLIE	MANNIBADAR	46
McRAE, JAMES	ARGYLE	11, 12, 26
MENESDORFF, ALEXANDER G B	GALLA	150
MOORE, ALFRED FOXALL	GALLA	122
MORRIS, EDWARD FORTESCUE	GALLA	119
MOTT, COLLARD	MANNIBADAR	2
MOYSEY, WILLIAM BROWN TREEBY	GALLA	92
MURRAY, JOHN THOMAS	GALLA	56
NUNN, PHILIP	ARGYLE	17
O’DONNELL, JOSEPH DANIEL	MANNIBADAR	3
O’SHANNASEY, MATTHEW	MANNIBADAR	29
ORR, ALLAN JAMES	GALLA	17
PHILLIPS, BARTON	MANNIBADAR	11, 12
PURCELL, JAMES JOSEPH	MANNIBADAR	42
QUINNELL, GORDON	GALLA	36
REED, WILLIAM JOSEPH	GALLA	18
REIDY, MARTIN CHARLES	ARGYLE	20, 21
ROSS, ALBERT ARCHIBALD	MANNIBADAR	45
ROSS, GEORGE GREENWELL	MANNIBADAR	44
ROWE, ALEXANDER ANDERSON	GALLA	20
SHARPE, GEORGE WILLIAM	MANNIBADAR	27
SPEARY, THOMAS	MANNIBADAR	18
STEWART, JOHN JAMES	BORRIYALLOAK	24
STRETCH, SAMUEL ALEXANDER CLIFFE	MANNIBADAR	35
TARDREW, JOHN WILLIAM	MANNIBADAR	10
THORNTON, ARCHIBALD	MANNIBADAR	28
TRAINOR, HENRY JOHN	GNARKEET	53
VINES, ARTHUR	MANNIBADAR	48
WALL, CLIFFORD WILLIAM EDWARD	GALLA	13,14,15

MT BUTE STATION was first settled by Duncan Hoyle who came to Australia in 1832. The run is named for the Isle of Bute, not far off the western coast of Scotland and his home town of Greenock. He was a wine merchant and well known boat builder who settled in Melbourne. He squatted (or took up selection) on Mt Bute in 1838, and in about 1844 sold to his brother, John. By 1845 the run was 63,000 acres and ran 56,000 sheep. The property later passed to Oakley and Pettett, and again to Matthew Baird and Others. In 1882 it was bought by Samuel Wilson, an Irishman from Antrim, at one time a miner on the diggings at Ballarat, Bendigo and the Ovens, who with his brothers owned vast tracts of property around Victoria and elsewhere – among them Longerenong, Ercildoune, and stations in the Murrumbidgee and Queensland. Samuel did not live at Mt Bute, he preferred Ercildoune, but the property prospered under Managers. One of Wilson’s four sons married Lady Sarah Spencer-Churchill. Lieut-Col Gordon Chesney Wilson served as aide-de-camp to Col. Robert Baden-Powell at the Siege of Mafeking, while his wife, Lady Sarah, was War Correspondent to the Daily Mail in London. All four of Samuel Wilson’s sons served in the British forces during World War 1, and all four died. Lady Sarah retained Mt Bute, remaining in England as absentee landlord, and as a result of this the entire property was acquired for Soldier Settlement in 1921 when 95 ex-servicemen were allocated farms. At this time the estate was measured at 48,292 acres, stretching from Pittong in the north, with Naringal as its eastern boundary, Borriyalloak to the west, and almost to Lismore at the south. It was subdivided into 123 allotments, ranging in area from 279 acres to 789 acres. The land was described as being suitable for grazing and mixed farming. Maybe so, but it was a battle for these early settlers to wrest a living from the land. At Bradvale a church was brought in from Piggoreet, serving also as a school, until 1931 when the authorities were finally persuaded to bring in the old Staffordshire Reef school. THE SETTLERS

Allotment 37, Mannibadar: BASSETT, Henry Charles Edward, Service No. 26153, 27 years old on enlistment, born Carnarvon, WA, and his wife Marion Clarice. Driver with the 10th Artillery Field Bde. The family left the district in 1941. Among the items for the Clearing Sale were 5 draught horses, one pony, one pedigreed shorthorn bull, two Tamworth sows and four porkers. Subsequently on this block were Harold Jolly, who lost his life in the 1944 fires, then his sister Phyllis and her husband Charles William Smith. Phyllis still lives on the farm in 2010. Mrs Jean Kibble, nee Bassett, wrote her story of life in Mannibadar for the Historical Society, this is published in “Further tales from Skipton”.

Allotment 121, Galla: BENNINGTON, Patrick William (Paddy), Service No. 2102, son of Richard and Johanna (Sheehan), born 1878 at Happy Valley. Pte with 8th Light Horse and later with the Imperial Camel Corps. The earliest meetings of the Mt Bute RSSILA, forerunner of the Lismore Branch, were held in Paddy Bennington's woolshed. Paddy’s bravery when serving with the Imperial Camel Corps is mentioned on p. 173 of Frank Reid’s amazing story “The Fighting Cameliers”.

Allotment 30, Mannibadar: BLOMELEY, Patrick George MM, Service No. 124, 13th Light Horse. Awarded Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Villers Bretonneux. The block was in the South East of the Estate, and when the Blomeley family moved out towards Carranballac, was subdivided between Donnelly, Ferguson, Cahill, Bassett and Caldow. "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at VILLERS BRETONNEUX, east of AMIENS on 24^th and 25^th April 1918. During the occupation of the village by the enemy this N.C.O. led a patrol, through a heavy enemy barrage, to gain information as to the position of the right flank of the Brigade on our left, with a view to bridging the gap South East of the village. Though every man of the patrol, excepting himself, was killed or injured, he continued his efforts. He returned with the injured men and obtaining three fresh men again went out through the artillery barrage, and succeeded in fulfilling his difficult task. The information he gained was of the greatest value, enabling the gap to be filled and junction gained with the flank of the other Brigade. His coolness, initiative and leadership set a fine example to the men under his command and his conduct throughout his tour of duty with three separate patrols was of the highest order."

Allotment 43, Mannibadar: BOURKE, Eugene, Service No. 20061, aged 32, wife Margaret Jane Veronica, children Eugene, Olive and Patricia, who attended Willowvale School. The family left the district fairly early and went to Melbourne.

Allotment 47, Galla: BRINDLEY, James Gordon, Service No. 1798, 30 years old, single, farm hand from Hotspur, Victoria. Served 39^th Btn. He is remembered in the Hotspur Avenue of Honour.

Allotment 19, Galla: BROOKS, Rowland, Service No. 464, 23 years old, of Moolap via Geelong. Son of Walter and Sarah Ann. He appears on the Electoral Roll of 1922, and seems to have left the district in May 1925, when the block was subdivided between adjacent landholders.

Allotment 15, Argyle: BROWN, Hubert John, Service No. 22322. Appears on Electoral Roll for 1922 as Grazier, wife Alice [Rankin]. Known locally as “Piano” Brown, because of his skill with this instrument.

Allotment 1, Mannibadar: BRUER, Claude Frederick, Service No. 2328. Allotment 4, Mannibadar: BRUER, Lionel Gregory, Service No. 3348.These brothers, sons of Jeffrey and Ada Kate of Rose Park, South Australia took up blocks in the Willowvale area. A third brother, Leonard Jeffrey also served, but did not take up a block on Mt Bute. These blocks were later subdivided between adjacent farms.

Allotment 31, Mannibadar: CAHILL, Martin Joseph, Service No. 4990, Allotment 47, Mannibadar: CAHILL, Michael James, Service No. 3029, brother of Martin.These brothers, sons of Cornelius and Bridget of Corindhap, took up blocks in the Willowvale area. Mrs Mollie Cahill, wife of Michael, lived all of her married life on the family farm, until her death in January 2008, in her 101^st year. Martin’s story appears in “Further Tales from Skipton”.

Allotments 4 & 5, Borriyalloak: CAIRNS, David, Service No. 67. A local boy, son of Robert and Frances (McCoy) of Skipton, who took up a block along the Geelong-Portland Road, which he named “Karami”. David married May Wilson in 1922. Three daughters were born, Joyce, Lorna and Isobel. David died in 1947, aged 54. May died in 1981, aged 88.

Allotment 38, Mannibadar: CALDOW, George Montague. Service No. 38954. Allotment 36, Mannibadar: CALDOW, William. Service No. 3298.Sons of William and Margaret of Werneth. George and his family farmed at Willowvale until 1941, after which the block was sub-divided. Members of the Caldow family still live in Skipton.

Allotment 152, Galla: CALVERT, James (Jim). Service No. 3044.25 years old, single, of Mansfield. Settled in the Mt Bute area, at the south end of the Estate.

Allotment 8, Mannibadar: CALWELL, Charles Percival. L/Cpl. Service No. 60Son of Daniel and Annie of Bolwarrah. Born 1887, Beaufort. Charles was so badly wounded that he was forced to delay taking up this block at the corner of the Geelong and Pittong Roads until 1924.The block subsequently was transferred to Thomas McBeath, his civilian neighbor on Block 7, in August 1926.

Allotment 9, Mannibadar: CAMERON, Donald, Lieut. 1^st Australian Pioneer BattalionSettled on the Pittong Road, north of the Geelong. Recommended for OBE“During the period midnight 16/17^th September 1918 to the 31^st December 1918, Lieutenant CAMERON has carried out his duties as Transport Officer in the Battalion. He has shown great devotion to duty and initiative in equipping and general management of the battalion Transport section. In operations of the battalion during this period, which included the fighting in front of JEANCOURT he never tired in his ceaseless energies to ensure that R.E. and road material reached its destination thereby enabling road parties to complete work of a very important nature and ultimately enabling guns to be moved forward. The complete organisation of his section, his initiative and conscientiousness have resulted in gaining complete comfort for the battalion and his own men on the move from ABBEVILLE area and subsequently on the “Rhine March”.”

Allotment 16, Borriyalloak: CAMPBELL, Hugh, Service No. 1805, 8^th Light Horse. 38 years old, Born Co. Antrim, Ireland, 38 years old, Driver, married to Margaret (Maggie), address given as c/- Skipton Post office. Hugh’s name also appears on Skipton’s War Memorial.

Allotment 120, Galla: CARROLL, Eric John Bernard, Service No. 16181. 19 year old student of Geelong. Took up this block in the Mt Bute area. Died 1980 aged 81.

Allotment 93, Galla: CASTLEMAN, Edward Thomas, Service No. 4068. 23 years old, labourer, single. Settled in the Mt Bute area.

Allotment 1, Borriyalloak: CHASE, Charles Mulso Compigne, Lieut. M.C. 27 years old, station bookkeeper, single. Son of Charles Lloyd Purvis and Fanny Emily Ker Chase of Gardenvale. Married Valerie Edith Gore YEO, who he met in England. Took up this block next to his brother, along the Geelong Road. Mulso also served in World War 2, died at Skipton aged 63.“On March 14^th, 1917, South East of GURUDCOURT this officer while acting as F.O.O. was entrusted with the task of important registrations, and, to obtain same it was necessary for him to get into position in full view of the enemy. He was observed, and in spite of the heavy hostile barrage, due to his determination to succeed, completed his task.” On 27^th May, 1917, South East of MARCHIES, Lieut. Chase’s Battery was subjected to a sudden, concentrated hostile fire. On the B.C.’s order, all ranks temporarily evacuated the position. It was then noticed that Lieut. W. F. Matthews was missing. Lieut. Chase, without hesitation, at once proceeded to the Battery position in search of the missing officer, but was severely wounded. His example, courage, and devotion to duty deserve special recognition.”Awarded Military Cross, Gazetted 18.4.1918, p. 847 position 11.

Allotments 2 & 3 Borriyalloak: CHASE, Lloyd Patteson, AFC, brother of Mulso, above. Service No. 63, Cpl. Initially joined 39^th Btn. Later joined A Company of the Australian Flying Corps. Promoted to 2^nd Lieut. March 1918. Took up the block beside his brother. Married Annie Brown, Matron at the Bush Hospital. Awarded Australian Flying Cross.

Allotment 11 Galla: COAD, Edgar Albert, born Wellington, New Zealand, Service No. 8794, took up this block near the Bradvale corner, at the intersection of Mt Bute Road and Crawfords Road. The farm remained in the family until it was sold in about 1996 to the VPC for Pine Plantation. Jim told his family’s story to the Historical Society. To inspect the land, his father had to travel by train from Geelong to Ballarat, and then on by train to Linton with his push bike, which he then rode down to the Mt Bute district. The first night he spent with the Rowes at Naringal. Jim said that he wouldn’t have been too worried about camping out after the years of war, he probably could have slept under a barbed wire fence. Jim’s story appears in more detail in “Tales from Skipton”.

Allotment 19, Mannibadar: First taken up by Cecil CULL, Service No. 4181, Blacksmith aged 26, widowed, born Sandford, son of John Francis and Janet Anne. He is mentioned on the Sandford War Memorial and on the State School Honour Roll. It appears that Cecil did not stay long on this block. His wife had died in 1914 in the year of their second child’s birth. The Block was taken up by Theophilus GRIBBLE, SN 60687, 19 years old on enlistment, born Happy Valley.

Allotment 55, Galla: DALY, John. Service No. 1913, taken POW at Moquet Farm on 26^th August 1916 after serving on Gallipoli and the Western Front. Jack and his wife Nellie took up this block in the Mingay/Mt Bute area, where John’s grandson, also John still farms today, living on the farm with his mother Joyce. Jack’s son, also Jack, recalls his life at Mingay in “Tales from Skipton”. A beautiful letter written home to Jack’s family, while serving on Gallipoli, is reproduced in Amanda Taylor’s wonderful book of collected letters “Dinkum Oil”.

Allotment 20, Mannibadar: DAWES, Norman William. Service No. 3175, 32 years old on enlistment, son of Mrs Bertha Dawes of NSW. Described as a Stockman, from Ballarat. Norman married Evelyn Isabel Wise, a local Skipton girl and settled on this block for a short time, after which it was transferred to Edward Drummond Hitchens, a civilian settler, Bank Manager, of Linton.

Allotment 34, Mannibadar: DONNELLY, Michael Francis. Service No. 6254, 25 years old on enlistment, single. Took up this block in the south-east of the Mt Bute estate.

Allotment 17, Borriyalloak: DONNELLY, Christopher John Stanley (Stan), Service No. 934, son of Christopher Owen Donnelly and his wife Agnes (Shields) of Skipton. Took up this block on the eastern side of Mt Bute Road, later transferred to Minnie Constance COAD.

Allotment 21 & 23, Mannibadar: ELLIS, William Henry, Service No. 3144. Selected this block on what is now the Linton-Mannibadar Road, Mannibadar. Will and his wife May, with baby Ron first lived in a rented house in Linton, while he fallowed the ground of his block and waited for a house to be built. He named his property “Enhallow” at the request of the King family of Glasgow, with whom Will had spent some leave while on service. The name originally comes from the Orkney Islands. Life was hard for the Ellis family, their story, written by son Graeme, appears in “Tales from Skipton”.

Allotment 37, Galla: ELLIS, William Thompson. William was born in England and served 11 years in the Royal Marines, being discharged in 1919. In 1921 he emigrated to Australia, was allotted this block on the road to Lismore, and arranged for his future wife, Jessie, to join him in Australia. Their son, Harry, tells the story in “Tales from Skipton”.

Allotment 9, Mannibadar: FEATHERSTONE, Richard Stanley, Service No. 95, 2^nd Field Ambulance. 21 years old on enlistment, single, Clerk C/- Police Station, Clunes. Richard appears to have stayed for only a short time. In 1926 he married Hazel Gray, born 1903, Carngham. Second Settler: CAMERON, Lieut. Donald, OBE, 1^st Australian Pioneer Btn. “During the period midnight 16/17^th September 1918 to the 31^st December 1918, Lieutenant CAMERON has carried out his duties as Transport Officer in the Battalion. He has shown great devotion to duty and initiative in equipping and general management of the battalion Transport section. In operations of the battalion during this period, which included the fighting in front of JEANCOURT he never tired in his ceaseless energies to ensure that R.E. and road material reached its destination thereby enabling road parties to complete work of a very important nature and ultimately enabling guns to be moved forward. The complete organisation of his section, his initiative and conscientiousness have resulted in gaining complete comfort for the battalion and his own men on the move from ABBEVILLE area and subsequently on the “Rhine March”. On December 1918 Lieut Donald Cameron was made an Officer of the British Empire. The records show that he enlisted 28^th August 1914 and returned to Australia 2^nd March 1919, having served throughout the entire period of the war.

Allotment 18, Argyle: This block, adjacent to the one above, was also awarded to Richard Stanley Featherstone, but shortly afterwards taken up by Henry “Harry” MARTIN, Service No. 1734, son of Mrs Mary Martin of Scarsdale.

Allotments 32 & 33, Mannibadar: FERGUSON, Alexander McDonald, on enlistment 25 years old, Boundary Rider, Glenfine Station, Pitfield. Service No. 3308. Alex left the district in August 1938. The property was described at the Clearing Sale as “near the old Pitfield Bridge”.

Allotment 5, Mannibadar: FIELD, Raymond, Service No. 2001, 20 years old on enlistment. We do not think that Raymond stayed very long in the district. His records show that rheumatism had made him medically unfit for further service, and the work required of the settlers to prepare these rough and often stony blocks for farming was very arduous. This block was transferred to W. G. Hocking.

Allotment 117, Galla: FINCH, William Herbert, Service No. 2307. 28 years old on enlistment, farmer, C/- Smythesdale Post Office. Settled on “Devon Park”, Crambs Rd, Mt Bute.

Allotments 9 & 10, Mannibadar: FITRIDGE, Walter Harold , Service No. 2024, 29 years old on enlistment, single. The Fitridge family spent many years happily in the Mannibadar area. Harold (Mick) Fitridge remembers the old days very clearly, and his story is reproduced in “Further Tales from Skipton”.

Allotments 22 & 23, Mannibadar: FLETCHER, Harold Vivian Adolphus, Service No. 2579. Farmer aged 23, single, of Moyston. In 1938 a Farewell Social was held for Mr Fletcher, given bymembers of the Skipton RSSILA, in the Clubroom. The family lived in the Willowvale area, along what is now known as Parkers Rd.

Allotments 24 & 25, Mannibadar: FLETCHER, William Herbert Leigh, Service No. 18806. Brother of Harold, above. Leigh Fletcher lived where the Mannibadar Tennis Courts are today. The Clearing sale for this property was held in May 1941.

Allotment 88, Galla: FROST, James Thomas (Jim). Service No. 966. Locals in the Mt Bute district say that the house was “in the gully”, there is no trace of it now, just an old pine tree. The Frost brothers (sons of Jim) were in the district until quite recently. Alan died a few years ago. Roy was living just to the south of Lismore.

Allotment 86, Galla: GORDON, Stewart Lauchlan MM. Service No. 460, son of Lauchlan and Ellen, born 1897 at Brighton. Served in the 39^th Battalion as did many young men from this district. Known throughout the Mingay/Mt Bute district for his musical skills, Stewart “Boase” Gordon married Margaret Ellen (Maggie) Corbett in 1924. The family home was rebuilt by Stewart himself after the disastrous 1944 fires which swept through this entire region. The home is still lived in and loved. Joyce French (nee Gordon) recalls her life at Mt Bute/Mingay in “Tales from Skipton”. Corporal STEWART LAUGHLAN GORDON, 39^th Battalion A.I.F. Regimental No. 460At CLERY-SUR-SOMME on 30/31^st August 1918 for gallantry and devotion to duty during action. This N.C.O. was in charge of a Lewis Gun Section and on all occasions he led his men with great daring and ability, capturing several prisoners and materially assisting the advance of his Company. After consolidation he did most valuable work patrolling. Under most adverse conditions he was cheerful and an example to his men. Recommended for Military Medal.

Allotment 35, Galla: GRIST, Charles. Service No. 3057, 8^th Light Horse Regiment. Charles was a local boy, 21 years old on enlistment, single, son of Charles Grist C/- Skipton Post Office. His block is now part of the larger family farm now farmed by Willoughby (Bill) and Barbara Grist.

Allotment 26, Mannibadar: HANNA, David, DCM. Service No. 1316. Son of Edward Hanna of Ararat. 26 years old on enlistment, single. Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 11^th April, 1918. “Private (Lance Corporal) DAVID HANNA for conspicuous bravery during enemy attack on 46^th Battalion near ALBERT 3.4.18. Advancing across the railway embankment, and not being able to secure a good position for his Lewis Gun, this N.C.O. stood and fired from the hip, and continued to do so until the attack was broken. All this time he was under heavy enfilade and frontal fire of machine guns and rifles. He afterwards advanced 20 yards to a hedge, and with his Lewis Gun, cleared out snipers who had taken up positions. His coolness under fire had an inspiring effect on the remaining members of his platoon.” David Hanna’s name appears in the 1922 Electoral Roll for Corangamite/Linton. The block was later subdivided between three adjoining neighbours: W.L. Fletcher, G. W. Sharpe and T. Speary.

Allotment 41, Naringhil North: HAYWARD, W. T. Originally settled on Trawalla WW1 Soldier Settlement.

Allotment 149, Galla: HAWKINS, William Christopher Loftus, Service No. 5087. The contact given in his enlistment papers is Mrs Deacon in Co. Wexford, Ireland. Served in the 3^rd Light Horse Brigade Train. “This block is known as Mt Kinross”. In the devastating fires which swept the Western District on 14^th January, 1944, two members of the Hawkins family lost their lives – Mrs Mary Helen Hawkins, formerly Mrs Holdsworth, and a grandson, William Stanley Stuart.

Allotment 6, Mannibadar: HOARE, Percival George (Percy) Service No. 61622, 19 years old on enlistment, son of John Edward Hoare PO Dereel. Married May Chenery. Settled on this block which he called “Permay”. In 1929 the block was sold to Percy Howell, later farmed by his son Ray, who served in World War 2, and finally by Ray’s niece Glenda and her husband James Flanagan. The block was sold by the Flanagans in April 2010.

Allotment 95, Galla: HOCKING, Francis Charles, Service No. 6401, born Murgheboluc. 19 years old on enlistment, son of W. S. Hocking of Cockatoo Creek. This block in the Mt Bute area was subsequently sold to Harry James, whose daughter Jean married her next door neighbour, Rupert McIntyre, son of Rupert Snr. also a settler.

Allotment 40, Galla: HOLLOWAY, Arthur Ronald, Service No. 3800, son of William Henry and Edith, of Chiltern. Arthur was remembered as an “outstanding ruckman”, not surprising when you consider that according to his enlistment records he was a farm labourer, 6 ft tall and 12 stone. Sgt Holloway was wounded in action 12^th July, 1918. He held this block for quite some time, and in later life married Miss Tolliday, a dressmaker in Ballarat.

Allotment 44, Galla: HOULDER, William Richard, Service No. 10722. Born Deloraine, Tasmania, NOK his brother, Preston. This is a mystery, the daughter of the next occupant of the block says that her father bought from Mr W. Houlder in 1928. However, the Houlder children enrolled at Bradvale School are the children of George Richard Houlder of Carranballac and were previously enrolled at Carranballac School. George was not a serviceman, he died in 1923 and is buried at Skipton. We have yet to establish a family relationship, though it seems likely that there is some connection. William turns up in Lockhart, NSW in 1930.

Allotment 12, Galla: JENSEN, George Patrick. Service No. 5121. George was 18 years old on enlistment, giving his NOK as his sister, a nun at the Convent of the Good Shepherd in Abbotsford. He was the son of William Henry Jensen and Elizabeth Jan (HYLAND) and served as L/Cpl in the 8^th Btn. He was unable to give his parents’ consent, saying that both were dead. He belonged to the “Lonely Soldiers’ Union” No. 6, The Block, Collins St., Melbourne and corresponded with Miss H. Younger (C/- G. Morrison) Oshawe, Scott St, Camperdown. Late in the war correspondence is received from a Mrs J. E. Jenson of Frankston, claiming to be his mother, saying that he was an orphan, had been made a Ward of the State, and enquiring about his financial allotment. The reply from the War Department was rather terse. George’s block was in the heart of Bradvale, along Crawfords Road, across the Lismore Pittong Road from the Coad family. The block was later subdivided.

Allotment 39, Galla: JICKELL, James, Lieut. Mentioned in Despatches, D.S.C. Born Auckland, NZ, in 1888, Lieut Jickell went to sea at the age of 15. Soon after the outbreak of war he enlisted in the AIF and because of his expertise in Morse Code etc. became a member of the 2^nd Div. Signallers Corps. He served on Gallipoli, where he and another signaller were responsible for signalling each unit as the orderly evacuation took place. Later he served in France where he was Mentioned in Despatches, and in 1916 transferred to the Royal Naval Reserve serving in one of the notorious Q Ships, HMS Heather, acting as Submarine decoys. Lieut. Jickell took up a block in the Bradvale area, down the Lismore Pittong Road, just to the south of Arthur Holloway, where the family lived until 1944, the year of the disastrous fires, when he was obliged to leave on doctor’s orders. Lieut. Jickell’s story, told by his son David, appears in “Further Tales from Skipton”.

Allotment 45, Galla: JOHNSTON, Charles Edward, Service No. 28404, Chauffeur, of Ettrick, Camperdown. Born at Melton in 1888, the son of Charles and Jessie (McRae) Charles was twice wounded in action, and later served in WW2. He died at Heidelberg in 1973, aged 86.

Allotments 21 and 21A, Galla: JONES, John Evan (Jack), born England, Service No. 1133. Jack was gassed in 1917, returned to Australia September 1918, after losing the use of his right arm. He took up this Block in Bradvale on the road running south to Lismore, and died in a farm accident. Jack’s daughter Rene served in WW2. The family has always retained their link to the Bradvale/Skipton district, Jack’s grave is in Skipton Cemetery. Howard, the first child of Jack and Clariss Jones, told their story for the Historical Society in 2000, it appears in “Tales from Skipton”.

Allotments 13 and 14, Argyle: Norman Hugh JONES, son of Thomas and Louisa (Parker) of Buninyong. Norman served first in the Infantry and later in the Royal Flying Corps as a Flying Officer Observer from June 1917. This block was at the Pittong end of the Settlement, at the north. In WW2 he held the rank of Captain.

Allotment 15, Mannibadar: The Mt Bute Homestead Block was awarded to Major Edwin Thomas John KERBY, son of John Macklin Kerby and Margaret Ann (Brennan), married to Annie Matilda (Mitchell). The actual hill, known as Mt Bute is on this property, as were a homestead and several farm buildings. Allotments 16 and 17, Mannibadar, adjoining the block above went to Major Kerby’s brother, Noble, ( Noble Victorious Champion), and Allotment 14 to a third brother Roy (Royal Richard Tressilian). Noble was 18 years old on enlistment, Service No. 51630, and Roy was 19, Service No. 2248. The Kerbys left the district after a year. The homestead Block was sold to the Collins family, who still live there. Roy’s Block went to Returned Serviceman George Henry Holding, Service No. 1555. George married Belle Kerr, their sons were Alan James, Kenneth George,Ronald Armstrong and Malcolm. The Holding name lives on here, Noble’s block was ultimately transferred to James Armstrong Kerr, and later to the Collins family. The Kerby family would be well known to many Melbournians as the proprietors of “Kerby’s” Kiosk at the end of St Kilda Pier.

Allotment 13, Mannibadar, LEWERS, Samuel, Service No 262. Sam Lewers was a brother of William Ochiltree Lewers, both natives of nearby Linton. Sam served in the Army Veterinary Corps until his return to Australia in June 1918.

Allotment 52, Galla: LEWIN, Osborne Victor, Service No. 1092, 18 years old on enlistment, farmer of Warrak. The son of Francis Forbes Lewin and his wife Elizabeth Adelaide (Thomas). I was told by Michael Murray, a nearby farmer, that Vic’s land was bisected by a creek, and with no access roads he could not get around the block at all in wet weather. He played for Mingay Cricket team, and vacated the land in mid 1926.

Allotment 114, Galla: McINTYRE, Alexander, Service No. 457. One of three brothers who served, sons of Andrew McIntyre and Anna Maria (Dowler) who later settled in this district, at the south of the Estate in the area known as Mt Bute. All were born near Learmonth and went to school at nearby Weatherboard. Alexander was always known as “Cook”. Allotment 113, Galla: McINTYRE, Rupert James, 18 years old on enlistment, brother of “Cook” and Andrew. Service No. 6307. McINTYRE, Andrew Thomas, Allotment 114, Galla: The third brother to serve, Service No. 529, aged 24 on enlistment in August 1914. Andrew’s block was away from his two brothers, in the Bradvale area. He brought with him an English born wife and a baby. Imagine the feelings of a young woman brought up in London, obliged to camp in a tent in a plantation with no heating, running water and a small child. But she did it. Local people remember her beautiful singing voice.

Allotment 19, Argyle: McKAY, John. I have been unable to identify this settler’s details, any help would be welcome. In the 1922 Electoral Roll he appears as McKay, John, farmer, Pittong, with his wife Florence Emily. From the Victorian indexes, Florence Emily (Skilton) married John McKay in 1920. One son, Cyril died Melbourne 1977 aged 54. Florence Emily died Doncaster 1971 aged 76. Barton Phillips’ brother Charles later bought the land.

Allotment 46, Mannibadar: McKAY, William Leslie. Son of John McKay of Corindhap. Service No. 3115. Bill McKay died in 1940. His wife carried on, helped by her neighbours, but the home was lost in the 1944 fires. Mrs McKay and her daughter Mary lived with the Cahill family for a year afterwards. The McKay family are buried in the cemetery at Cape Clear.

Allotments 11,12 and 26, Argyle: McRAE, James. Service No. 158. The 1922 Electoral Roll shows James Hugh McRae, Grazier, wife Maysie Eunice. The Block was later transferred to Alfred Francis. Francis lane runs east-west across the northern portion of the estate.

Allotment 54, Galla: MacDONALD, Andrew Lamond MM Service No. 28667. Andrew and his fellow settler and brother, Neil, sheltered on their land in a covered wagon until a house was transported to the block. Andrew met his future wife, Cecil, who had come to Mt Bute to keep house for her brother, another Soldier Settler, Stewart Gordon. Three children were born to Andrew and Cecil: Joyce, Shirley and John. John and his wife still live in the Lismore area. Shirley’s story of her life in the Mingay area is beautifully told in “Tales from Skipton”. “For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty at VAIRE WOOD SOUTH EAST OF CORBIE on 4^th July, 1918.This N.C.O. displayed the greatest energy and determination throughout the whole operations. He was particularly conspicuous for smart leadership of his section in an attack on an enemy post which produced 7 prisoners and 3 trench mortars. He personally manned and fired an enemy mortar into parties of the enemy disappearing into ACCROCHE WOOD and dispersed them. His dash, industry and cheery demeanour were a great asset.” Awarded Military Medal 24.7.1918

Allotment 38, Galla: MacDONALD, Neil Douglass, Service No. 68833, brother of Andrew, enlisted mid 1918, ready to leave Australia, when the Armistice was signed. He settled on the block next. to his brother.

Allotment 41, Mannibadar: MACDONALD, Farquhar, Service No. 3573, son of Mrs Annie Macdonald of Langwarrin. Farquhar was 37 years old when he applied for land in November 1921, married with a wife and child, brought up on his father’s farm at Seymour. The land was abandoned in July 1926, leaving a house and all farm equipment, and subsequently subdivided. Corporal Farquhar McDONALD24^th Battalion, Regimental No. 3573On the morning of the 13^th March, 1917 during the advance on the BAPAUME RIDGE, definite information was required urgently as to exact trenches held by enemy.This N.C.O. although slightly wounded volunteered to accompany Lt. Seabrook on a patrol. The party was under heavy M/G and rifle fire at close range, and during the return journey a Private was badly hit. Cpl. McDonald went to his assistance, but was himself again wounded. He however assisted Lt. Seabrook to bring the wounded man to a shell hole. Shortly afterwards he volunteered to bring in Lt. Seabrook’s report across the bullet and shell swept area, and succeeded in getting back with the required information although again hit in the foot.He showed extraordinary endurance, courage, and coolness during the whole operation, and was a splendid example to the men.Recommended for D.C.M.

Allotment 16, Galla: Lieut Arthur Hugh MAHON, MC. On enlistment, 21 years old, student. Son of Hon. Hugh Mahon M.H.R. The Block was later subdivided.Arthur Hugh Mahon also served as Lieut. in the VDC, World War 2.“On the 9^th and 10^th August 1918, in front of VILLERS BRETONNEUX, this Officer acted as F.O.O. to his Battery. He accompanied the Infantry in their advance for the capture of VAUXVILLERS and FRAMERVILLE. Largely by his own efforts he succeeded in establishing and maintaining telephonic communication with his Battery. During the day he successfully fired on several targets, including enemy Machine Guns and Field batteries which were hindering our Infantry’s advance. In addition he furnished much useful information regarding the tactical situation. All this information was clearly and definitely given. On one occasion, he, at great personal risk, pushed forward 400 yards in front of our Infantry to observe. In the performance of his duties he showed a total disregard of personal danger and was tireless in his efforts to assist the Infantry. This Officer’s devotion to duty is deserving of special recognition. Awarded Military Cross

Allotment 150, Galla: MENESDORFF, Alexander Gustave Benjamin, Service No. 7043. Son of Alexander Ladislois Menesdorffer and Esther Jane (FARMER), of St Albans. Born Northcote in 1890. Married Myrtle Alice Selway in 1920. A daughter, born Lismore, served WW2. This block was later subdivided between Lindsay, Hawkins and Moore.

Allotment 122, Galla: MOORE, Alfred Foxall, 22 years old on enlistment, son of Mr J. H. Moore of Middlesex, England. Local families remember that he “came from England”. Service No. 351, enlisted September 1914. Alf Moore’s block was immediately to the north of “Mt Kinross”, close to the southern boundary of the estate.

Allotment 119, Galla: Lieut. MORRIS, Edward Fortescue, MM Service No. 126, aged 28 on enlistment in November 1914. Son of William Edward and Clara Elizabeth (FRENCH), born Melbourne, enlisted from Western Australia, 14^th Light Horse. Served on Gallipoli, wounded at Walkers Ridge and evacuated, later served on the Western front. Awarded Military Medal 6.1.1918 while a member of the Imperial Camel Corps. Note that Skipton’s Presbyterian Minister, Rev. A. S. Houston served as Chaplain to this Corps, and that Paddy Bennington above, was also a member of the Corps. The eighth child in the family, his younger brother was Major General Basil Moorhouse MORRIS, CBE DSO, who served in both World Wars, being Australian Military Administrator at Port Moresby and the start of the Japanese push to cross Kokoda.

Allotment 2, Mannibadar: MOTT, Collard, born Natimuk, the son of John and Sellena (JASPER). Served in the 39^th Battalion, as did many locals to this district. Service No. 1682. The children of Collard and Amy attended Bradvale school. At a later date the Block was transferred to Joseph Daniel O’Donnell.

MOYSEY, William Brown Treeby, MM, a descendant of the Moysey family who built the first house in the Beaumaris area. James Bickford Moysey was the Proprietor of the Beaumaris Hotel, overlooking what was then known as Moyseys’ Bay, now Beaumaris Bay, a stretch of beach in the shelter of Ricketts Point, made famous by artist Frederick McCubbin in his painting “Moyes Bay”. At one time a fencer and shearer lived in the house, and the block was later taken up by Lance Cornish, who went on to have the Mail Run at Linton. Sergeant William Brown Treeby MOYSEY, 5^th Australian Machine Gun Battalion SN 239, awarded Military Medal. “During the advance from Villers-Bretonneux on the morning of 8^th August 1918, this NCO was temporarily cut off from his section officer owing to the density of the fog that prevailed at the time. Whilst situated so, he found himself faced with strong opposition from an enemy post: he organised his party and successfully fought his way through, which enabled him to bring his two guns into action from a flank into line with the advancing Infantry. His capable and gallant leadership whilst temporarily detached from his section officer, materially assisted towards the success of the operation.”

Allotment 56, Galla: MURRAY, John Thomas, Serial No. 2275. The Murray family still holds this Block in the Mt Bute area. JT Murray died 1967, Lismore, aged 76, his son Michael farmed here for all of his life, and his widow Carmel is still living at the farm in 2010. Michael Murray paints a wonderful picture of the family’s life in the Mingay district in “Tales from Skipton”.

Allotment 17, Argyle: NUNN, Philip Leslie, on enlistment 20 years old, single, of Carngham. Served in the 39^th Battalion. In January 1919 Philip married Jessie Milbourne at St Cuthberts Church, Birmingham. Philip’s block was to the north of the estate, on the road to Pittong. He was present at the opening of the new hall at Mannibadar in 1925.

Allotment 3, Mannibadar: O’DONNELL, Joseph Daniel, 25 years old on enlistment, son of D. O’Donnell of Koo-wee-rup. Settled at Willowvale, just across the road from the dam. The land was later transferred to George Caldow. In 1934, in correspondence with the War Dept. he was living in Adelaide.

Allotment 29, Mannibadar: O’SHANNASSY, Matthew, Service No 317. Cpl. 29^th Btn. 24 years old on enlistment, giving his NOK as his father Daniel. This was later changed to his sister, Mrs May Harry, living in Westerham, Kent, UK. Matthew’s block was along the Skipton-Rokewood road, to the west of Thorntons, and was later transferred to M. L. Mellington, related to the Thorntons.

Allotment 17, Galla: ORR, Allan, Service No. 54967, 18 years old on enlistment, farmer of Haddon, near Ballarat. Son of James Allan Orr and Catherine (O’Farrell). The Orr family lived on the block until 1938, when it was sold to the McKinnon family. The Orr children attended Bradvale School.

Allotments 11 & 12, Mannibadar: PHILLIPS, Barton, Service No. 2435, aged 21 years on enlistment, son of Robert and Caroline (Mason) of Moyston. This block is on the corner of the Pittong Road and the Skipton- Rokewood Road, in the area of the “Green Swamp” and is still in the family hands, considerably extended and run now by son Don, his wife Joan (Alexander) sons Robert, Leigh and Glenn. For some time Barton’s brothers Charles and Jack worked McKay’s block to thenorth. Barton arrived on his block in the company of his brother Jack, and lived in a hut for twelve months before bringing his wife Edith Myrtle (McKINNON) out there. Barton’s son, Don, has written the family’s story for “Tales from Skipton”. Barton’s own story appears in “Further Tales from Skipton”.

Allotment 42, Mannibadar: PURCELL, James Joseph, a 22 year old carpenter from Ballan. Service No. 613. Son of James Joseph and Minnie (Byrne) of Ballan. In November 1944, after the land had recovered from January’s terrible fires, this block was sold to Ben and Annie Kavanagh, later farmed by their son John and his wife Cath.

Allotment 36, Galla: QUINNELL, Gordon, born England, single, 18 years old, of Willaura on enlistment. Son of Henry and Sarah Anne (Savage) of Winchester, England. Service no. 1758. This land on the road leading south to Lismore was subsequently farmed by Les Bennett and his wife Nancy (Quinnell).Allotment 18, Galla: REED, William Joseph, 20 years old on enlistment, farmer, of Warracknabeal. Service No. 9024. Billy Reed’s block was immediately to the south of Coads’ block, which gave them both a pleasant surprise, as they had been mates during the war. Joy Wilson (nee Reed) gives a wonderful account of the family’s life at Bradvale, in “Tales from Skipton”. In “Further tales from Skipton” an article by H. W. Lempriere written in 1972, is partly reproduced.

Allotment 20 and 21, Argyle: REIDY, Martin, married Amelia Myrtle Jackson from Beaufort. On enlistment Martin was 21 years old, a wool sorter from Linton. Service No. 73, son of Michael and Mary (Cox) of Linton, apprenticed to the O’Beirnes. Martin’s block was in the north of the estate in the Pittong area, and later was taken over by the Knight family.

Allotment 62, Naringhil North: ROBERTS, William Carlos Darbyshire, Service No. 14173/14724, son of Robert Darbyshire Roberts and Theodora (Rowe). Theodora was the daughter of W. T. Rowe and Elizabeth (Stretch), (see below). William was born in Capetown, South Africa in 1895. He enlisted in the AIF and in December 1917 transferred to the Australian Flying Corps at Wendover, Acting Cpl. While in England he married Dora Gwendoline Harris, of Dursley. On Mt Bute the property at Wallinduc was named “Dursley”. William also served in WW2 in the VDC. The property was transferred to Les Hobson. Allotment 69, Naringhil North: ROBERTS, Carodoc Bevan Darbyshire, Service No. 64808, WW1, V59070, WW2. Born Pascoe vale in 1899, brother of William Carlos, above. This property was also transferred to Les Hobson.

Allotment 89, Galla: ROBERTS, Maurice John, Service No. 2114, aged 25 on enlistment, 5 ft 7 inches, 13 and a half stone. Marine Engineer. Born Ballarat. This block was on the Pittong-Mt Kinross road, south of Brindleys.

Allotment 45, Mannibadar: ROSS, Albert Archibald, Service No. 6882, of Corindhap, father Duncan Ross. Allotment 44, Mannibadar: ROSS, George Greenwell, BROTHER OF Albert above. These blocks were adjacent, on the east side of the Pittong-Mt Kinross Rd at Willowvale, south of Bassetts Road.

Allotment 20, Galla: ROWE, Alexander Anderson, Service No. 6130, Sapper with Tunnelling Company. Son of John Rowe and Mary Ann (Allen) of Skipton. Married Bessie Elder, respected teacher at Skipton School. Alex’s children were Jean and John. Jean (Sturgeon) tells of her happy childhood on the farm “Rothesay”, half way between Mingay and Bradvale, in “Tales from Skipton”. The Block was sold in 1939 to John Stevens, formerly a Soldier Settler on Trawalla.

Allotment 18, Mannibadar: SPEARY, Thomas, 43 years old on enlistment, farmer, single, of Rokewood. Son of Robert and Elizabeth Ann (Ashmore). Service No. 1869, 39^th Btn. After several owners, this land is now the property of the Ellis family, part of ‘Enhallow’.

Allotment 35, Mannibadar: STRETCH, Samuel Alexander Cliffe, a British ex-serviceman, according to Skipton RSSAILA records a returned man, L/Cpl in the King Edward Horse. In 1924 married Agatha Crawford, daughter of Canon Edward Crawford. Note the Naringal connection, and the connection with the Church of England. Three sons of Bishop Stretch of Newcastle enlisted from Australia – Thomas Noel Heath, SN 534, Hubert Francis Keith, SN 3467 and Kenneth Robert Marshall SN 20299.

Allotment 10, Mannibadar: TARDREW, John William, 21 years on enlistment, single, son of John and Maria (Howard) of Mt Lonarch. Service No. 2764. In 1923 his address was Mt Bute, via Linton.

Allotment 53, Gnarkeet: TRAINOR, Henry John “Harry”, 19 years old on enlistment, single, of cape Clear. Served in the 39^th Btn. Wounded in action on three separate occasions. Information from the Cape Clear Family Histories – On leaving school Harry worked locally doing farm work before enlisting with the 1^st AIF 39^th Btn. Wounded three times in France, and after returning to Australia took up his Soldier Settlement Block near Lismore. In 1926 he married Wilfreda Eugena Urch. The property was completely burnt out in the disastrous fires of 1944. (This was the southernmost block of the entire Soldier Settlement estate.)

Allotment 48, Mannibadar: VINES, Arthur Alexander, Service No. 32250. This is our best guess. Arthur John Vines, of “Sunnyside” Terang, a 21 year old jackaroo served with the Light Horse Field Ambulance on Gallipoli and later in the Camel Field Ambulance. Was awarded the DCM on Gallipoli and mentioned in Despatches. A newspaper article from 1939 refers to the death of Cr. A.J. Vines at Yea, and mentions that he was a Killingworth settler. Arthur Alexander Vines, a 19 year old Bank Clerk, connects to a family of Coach drivers. His address was given as C/- Cobb & Co. Geelong. In 1907 Abernathy’s Cottage at Barwon Heads was sold to Arthur H. Vines, Manager of the Western Stage Company. Whichever Arthur it was, he stayed on this block just to the south of Michael Cahill’s, for not much more than a year.

Allotments 13, 14 and 15, Galla: WALL, Clifford William Edward, 18 years old on enlistment, student, single, son of Henry and Sarah Elizabeth (Edwards). Service No. 34222. This stretch of land, known as “Walls” was on the south side of the extension of Crawfords road, already the site of a plantation, running east to intersect with the Lismore Pittong Road at Willowvale.

In addition to the specific stories mentioned throughout the text, our second book of stories “Further Tales from Skipton” has many short references to Settlers in the Mt Bute area, at the south of the Estate in a record of our “Mt Bute Night”, 2.4.2007. Both books of stories, “Tales from Skipton” and “Further Tales from Skipton” are available from the Society, see the page titled “Publications” on this Website. We welcome any comments or further information – Janet Walsh, for Skipton and District Historical Society.