Festive Cheer at LMFHG

 

Corporal James Brown Barclay

 Thanks to Gary Mitchell for permission to share this post.

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30 October 2021

Served bravely and suffered during The Great War, resting at Sandgate Cemetery, Honour and Dignity restored.

81 years ago today, on the Wednesday afternoon of the 30th October 1940, Corporal James Brown Barclay, (M.S.M.), 34th Battalion (Reg No-362), wheeler from Michael Street, O'Brien's Estate, Cessnock, New South Wales and Swan Bay, N.S.W. and Docker Street, Marks Point, N.S.W., father of three (Barbara May, James Brown, Gloria), was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 53. BAPTIST-D NE. 11.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132797994 - funeral notice does not state service.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132805352 - obituary.

Born at Wickham, New South Wales on the 22nd January 1887 to Joseph Brown and Margaret Barclay nee Brady of Clyde Street, Hamilton North, N.S.W.; husband of Barbara Barclay nee Batey (married 1906, New Lambton, N.S.W., died 1970?) of Clyde Street, Hamilton North, N.S.W., James enlisted January 1916 at West Maitland, N.S.W.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123392643 - report of enlistment.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137093366 - report of enlistment.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137107524 - report of farewell banquet and presentation at Cessnock, N.S.W. (Bellbird Miners' Lodge).

Wounded in action - 3.3.1918 (GSW left thigh and left foot, severe).

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138158615 - reported wounded.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article159098396 - reported wounded.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138161589 - reported in hospital.

James returned home September 1918, being discharged medically unfit on the 30th March 1919.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140983024 - reported returning home.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137499485 - welcome home and presentation of medal at the Hamilton Mechanics' Institute.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article159364761 - Medals at Hamilton.

Awarded Meritorious Service Medal, 25.7.1918.

For consistent meritorious service and devotion to duty during the period 22nd September, 1917 to 24th February, 1918. As a signaller and linesman this man has on many occasions performed invaluable work in maintaining the Battalion communications under heavy shell fire and adverse climatic conditions. He did especially good work in the 3rd Battle of YPRES in October, 1917. He has always been an inspiring example to his comrades.

Australians were awarded 1237 Meritorious Service Medals for gallantry or meritorious service in connection with the First World War.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article159362450 - report that James has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

Mr. Barclay’s name has been inscribed on the Hamilton (Gregson Park) War Memorial (as BARKLEY), Hamilton Municipal District Roll of Honor (photo, unveiled date unknown, 619 names inscribed, 87 Fallen, proudly displayed at the Fort Scratchley Military Museum, N.S.W.), Cessnock War Memorial and the Hamilton-Rose of Hamilton Lodge, G.U.O.O.F. Roll of Honour.

I located James resting in an unmarked grave, now long forgotten, so August 2015 I placed a cross adorned with poppies on the gravesite, taken a photo of the grave and uploaded the photo onto the Northern Cemetery website as a permanent record of his service.

http://sandgate.northerncemeteries.com.au/.../index.php...

I submitted an application to DVA May 2018 asking for a Commonwealth War Graves Plaque, curbing and marble chip, and this was accepted June 2018, completed October 2018.

Older brother Joseph Brown (35th Battalion, Reg No-2278, born 1881, died 1943) also resting at the cemetery, unmarked grave, wooden cross erected 22.8.2015 - GENERAL-28. 53. I submitted an application to DVA October 2018 asking for a Commonwealth War Graves Plaque, curbing and marble chip, but unfortunately this was declined November 2018.

Lest We Forget.

 

Private Peter Moffitt, 1st Battalion

 Thanks to Gary Mitchell for permission to share this post

 26 October 2021

Served and suffered during The Great War, resting at Sandgate Cemetery, have I been forgotten?

73 years ago today, on the Tuesday afternoon of the 26th October 1948, Private Peter Moffitt, 1st Battalion (Reg No-7287), labourer from Cooranbong, New South Wales and the Oriental Hotel, 132 Young Street, Carrington, N.S.W. and Wilson Street, Carrington, N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 52. CATHOLIC 2-38. 102.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140354434 - funeral notice states service.

Born at Mandalong, New South Wales on the 19th September 1896 to James Robert and Sarah Moffitt nee Frost - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134321937, Peter enlisted January 1917 at Newcastle, N.S.W.

Older brother Albert Henry (35th Battalion, Reg No-1175, born 1893, died 1948 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140346960) also resting at the cemetery, side by side, unmarked grave. CATHOLIC 2-38. 100.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166854829 - report that brother Albert is returning home.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166854234 - report that Albert has been welcomed home.

Older brother Silvester (1st Battalion, Reg No-7286, born 1894, died 1961) also resting at the cemetery. CATHOLIC 3-83. 25.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167218918 - report that brother Silvester has returned home.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166851441 - report that brother Albert in hospital and Peter and brother Silvester have arrived in England.

Admitted to hospital 11.2.1917 (injury to leg), 18.6.1918 (tonsilitis), 21.6.1918 (peritonsillitis).

Wounded in action - 3.10.1917 (GSW left arm, mild), 18.9.1918 (GSW left leg, severe).

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166852605 - report that Peter has been wounded.

Peter was invalided home June 1919, being discharged on the 1st July 1919.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167214863 - report of welcome home social for Peter and Silvester.

Mr. Moffitt’s name has been inscribed on the Cooranbong Public School Roll of Honour (photo, unveiled on the 26th May 1917, 16 names inscribed of ex-scholars, 10 names inscribed of local volunteers).

I have placed poppies and a 1914-1918 WAR label in remembrance of Peter’s service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.

http://sandgate.northerncemeteries.com.au/.../index.php...

Service record states Died after Discharge, 24/10/1948.

Plaque in New South Wales Garden of Remembrance - Rookwood Cemetery - Sydney.

Lest We Forget.

+5

Private Albert Harris, Australian Army Ordnance Corps

Thanks to Gary Mitchell for permission to share this post on our blog.

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27 October 2021

Served and suffered during The Great War, resting at Sandgate Cemetery, will my Honour and Dignity be restored?

80 years ago today, on the Monday afternoon of the 27th October 1941, Private Albert Harris,
Australian Army Ordnance Corps, 1st Australian Pioneer Battalion (Reg No’s - 428 & 4312A), apprentice fitter (engineer) and Warrant Officer, from 15 Northumberland Street, Mayville, New South Wales and "Birkenhead", Coal Point, N.S.W., father of two (Joan and Rosalind), was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 45. ANGLICAN 2-115. 9.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134073343 - funeral notice states service.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134071465 - obituary.

Born at Islington, New South Wales on the 26th June 1896 to Albert Edward and Annie Elizabeth Harris nee Matters; husband of Dorothy H L Harris nee Chettoe (married 1929, Carey Bay, N.S.W. or Waverley, N.S.W., died 1984, unmarked grave, sleeping side by side, ANGLICAN 2-115. 11., 43 years a widow), Albert enlisted July 1915 with the 30th Battalion at Liverpool, N.S.W.

Recalled by the Railway Commissioners.

Reenlisted April 1917 at Newcastle, N.S.W.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133750230 - send-off from the Smedmore Mechanics' Institute.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138747281 - report that Albert has arrived safely in England.

Admitted to hospital 16.3.1918 (trench nephritis and bronchitis).

Albert returned home October 1919, being discharged on the 13th December 1919.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140068911 - report that Albert is returning home.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140068478 - report that Albert due to arrive home soon.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140074574 - welcome home.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article162596390 - welcomed home at the Smedmore Literary Institute.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article162595160 - report that Albert had returned home (with photo).

Mr. Harris’s name has been inscribed on the Cooks Hill Superior Public School Roll of Honour, Islington St. Mark's Anglican Church Roll of Honour, Wickham Municipal District Roll of Honour Board (1), Honeysuckle Point Railway Workshops Roll of Honour (photo, unveiled on the 25th May 1915, 10 names originally inscribed, 44 names now inscribed, 5 Fallen), Newcastle Amalgamated Society of Engineers Roll of Honour, Newcastle Loyal Union Lodge Manchester Unity I.O.O.F. Roll of Honour and the Newcastle 39th Fortress Company, Australian Engineers' Roll of Honour. Name probably inscribed on the Smedmore Mechanics' Institute Roll of Honour. Name not listed on the NSW Govt Railways and Tramways Roll of Honour, 1914-1919.

I located Albert resting in an unmarked grave, now long forgotten, so December 2018 I placed a cross adorned with poppies on the gravesite, taken a photo of the grave and uploaded the photo onto the Northern Cemetery website as a permanent record of his service.

http://sandgate.northerncemeteries.com.au/.../index.php...

I submitted an application to DVA October 2020 asking for a Commonwealth War Graves Plaque, curbing and marble chip, but unfortunately STILL waiting for a decision.

Lest We Forget.

Gary's Obsession

Gary Mitchell at Sandgate

Local Hunter historian, Gary Mitchell, has an interest in Australian diggers who are not resting  peacefully. His mission is to ensure World War One soldiers, buried in unmarked graves, get the recognition they deserve.

Gary's interest in military history began back in 1995 and in the intervening years he has become quite obsessed as he researches the lives of service men and women who served their country and are buried in unmarked graves.

Using his research skills Gary identifies those who are  in unmarked graves at Sandgate Cemetery and goes hunting for them in online databases, archives and cemetery records. Gary uses social media to find and connect with family members as he builds these personal histories.  Gary then sources and arranges placement of grave markers or headstones for those he has  researched then posts the commemorative histories in the Lost Newcastle and other relevant Facebook groups where they reach and are appreciated by a large local audience. By telling the stories of these men and women Gary believes that he is giving them an opportunity to rest peacefully.

Gary is interested in sharing these stories widely through social media so, as number of the men and women that Gary commemorates are from the Lake Macquarie area, I approached Gary for permission to publish his Lake Macquarie stories on our blog. 

Gary has generously agreed that we can share his stories on our blog "All my information and photos that I post are freely available for all to copy and use." We thank Gary for his generosity and commitment and look forward to publishing and preserving his stories relating to Lake Macquarie.

Shortly after Gary posts a new history on social media we will copy and format its content and post it here on this blog. 

Halloween Celebrations

Articles found at Trove indicate that, in yesteryear, Halloween was celebrated in several places areound our Lake. No evidence of Trick or Treating was unearthed!!!

1954 'IN BRIEF', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 13 October, p. 7. , viewed 26 Oct 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134092229

1949 'Halloween Party At Teralba', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 3 November, p. 4. , viewed 26 Oct 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134180687

1939 'WEST WALLSEND', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 4 November, p. 15. , viewed 26 Oct 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article135452062

1952 'Women's News In Brief', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 7 November, p. 5. , viewed 26 Oct 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133565081

1940 'HELPING WAR EFFORT', The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954), 1 November, p. 5. , viewed 26 Oct 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167528808