Driver Henry (Harry) Henson Miller

Thanks to Gary Mitchell for granting us permission to share his Facebook posts on our blog

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25th February 2022

Served during The Great War, died tragically, resting at Sandgate Cemetery, have I been forgotten?

85 years ago today, on the 25th February 1937, Driver Henry (Harry) Henson Miller, 30th Battalion (Transport Section, Reg No-55), driver from 186 Darby Street, Newcastle, New South Wales and Belmont, N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 61. ANGLICAN 1-17. 122.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article135183690 - funeral notice states service.

Also known as Baron, Harry was born at Newcastle, New South Wales on the 8th October 1875 as Henry Ensigh to Henry Henson and Elizabeth Miller; husband of Frances Matilda Miller nee McConnell (married 1902, Newcastle, N.S.W., died 1949, sleeping here), enlisting July 1915 at Liverpool, N.S.W.

Harry’s service record indicates no wounds or illness, and returned home May 1919, being discharged on the 2nd July 1919.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139650641 - reported returning home.

Mr. Miller’s name has been inscribed on the Cooks Hill Superior Public School Roll of Honour, Cooks Hill St. John's Anglican Church Honor Roll (photo, unveiled on the 12th February 1922, 86 names inscribed, 24 Fallen), Newcastle East Public School Roll of Honour and the Newcastle Lodge No. 423 Ancient Order of Druids Roll of Honour. Name possibly inscribed incorrectly on the Wickham Municipal District Roll of Honour Board (1).

The tragic circumstances of Harry’s death were reported.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article135187214 - crushed by a 3 ton tank at Murrurundi (Blandford), N.S.W.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article135189237 - inquest into death.

There is no indication inscribed on Harry’s headstone plaque of his service with the 1st A.I.F., so I have placed poppies and a 1914-1918 WAR label in remembrance of his sacrifice for God, King and Country.

Also served Boer War.

Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.

Lest We Forget.

Family Plot

Interview with Rootstech Director, Jen Allen

Our LMFHG President was one of five Rootstech supporters from around the world who received an invitation to interview Jen Allen, Director of Events for Familysearch. At our DNA meeting last night we promised to share the link to the interview.

You can view the recording below.

Anyone with an interest in family history is invited to register for this free event. 

To sign up go to https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/next/

Kilaben Bay Shark Alert

 Kilaben Bay Shark Alert

On 19th February 1926 a shark estimated to have been well over 10 feet in length made its appearance when a party of four were fishing in Kilaben Bay on Wednesday afternoon, and made its way close into the shore, afterwards disappearing. This is the first shark to be seen in this part of Lake Macquarie for a long time, and residents have been in the habit of swimming in the unprotected waters, some even bathing at night. As all the other settlements  on the lake have public baths, residents of Kilaben Bay are of the opinion that they should be treated in like manner by the shire council.

Lance Corporal William Wallace Croker and Private Oliver Robert Shaw

 Thanks to Gary Mitchell for giving us permission to share his Facebook posts on our blog

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16th February 2022

Good News! 2 Returned Diggers from The Great War resting at Sandgate Cemetery will have their Honour and Dignity restored.

Lance Corporal William Wallace Croker (M.M.), 8th & 14th Battalions (Reg No-6804), teamster and carter from Redhead, New South Wales and Stuart Street, Charlestown, N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery on the 22nd November 1936, age 45. ANGLICAN 1-17. 41.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166556493 - funeral notice does not state service.

Admitted to hospital 4.5.1917 (influenza).

Wounded in action - 28.3.1918 (not stated), 18.9.1918 (GSW right forearm, severe).

Awarded Military Medal 10th October 1919.

Older brother Robert Wilson (14th Battalion, Reg No-6711, born 1889, KIA 15.10.1917) memorialised same location.

The Croker brother’s names have been inscribed on the Redhead War Memorial, Redhead Public School Roll of Honour, Dudley Public School Roll of Honor and the Dudley War Memorial.

I submitted an application to DVA December 2021 asking for a Commonwealth War Graves Plaque to be placed at the gravesite, and this was accepted February 2022.

Many thanks to Robert Learmouth (brothers of my Grandmother Mabel Muriel Learmouth (nee Croker) for photos and family history.

Private Oliver Robert Shaw, 9th Australian Machine Gun Company & 33rd Battalion (Reg No-638), also known as Patsy, ironworker and stove fitter (Fletcher’s Stove Works, Woollahra, N.S.W.), from Winship Street, Hamilton West, New South Wales and Adamstown? N.S.W. and Underwood Street, Paddington, N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery on the 29th November 1929, age 47. ANGLICAN 1-28. 138.

Admitted to hospital 8.4.1918 (septic hand).

Wounded in action - 23.5.1918 (GSW leg), 8.8.1918 (GSW arm).

Mr. Shaw’s name has not been inscribed on the Hamilton (Gregson Park) War Memorial or the Hamilton Municipal District Roll of Honor or the Hamilton St. Peter's Anglican Church Honor Roll or any known War Memorial or Roll of Honour.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article239313224 - dead in Centennial Park (cyanide poisoning, suicide).

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137795261 - Man's body in park.

Oliver’s name has not been inscribed on headstone plaque (mother Sarah Matilda Shaw nee Simpson sleeping here).

Unable to place wooden cross at gravesite.

I submitted an application to DVA January 2022 asking for a Commonwealth War Graves Plaque to be placed at the gravesite, and this was accepted February 2022.

Many thanks to Michelle Foster for the extensive family history.

I shall post photos when commemorations have been completed.

Lest We Forget.

Trove Tuesday - Court matters from Kahibah

 The newspapers on Trove regularly report on local court matters. The following snips relate to matters at Kahibah.

1899 'FEMININE QUARREL AT KAHIBAH.', The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 - 1930), 19 August, p. 10. , viewed 16 Feb 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article239523148

"KAHIBAH SHOOTING." Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954) 2 May 1931: 13. Web. 16 Feb 2022 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139620888>.

1937 'STOREKEEPER'S REVOLVER', The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954), 20 October, p. 2. , viewed 16 Feb 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166635974

1935 'KAHIBAH ARRESTS', The Maitland Daily Mercury (NSW : 1894 - 1939), 25 November, p. 1. , viewed 16 Feb 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127105947

Boolaroo Presbyterian Church Honor Roll

 Thanks to Gary Mitchell for permission to share his Facebook posts here on our blog. 

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15th February 2022

98 years ago today, on the 15th February 1920, the Boolaroo Presbyterian Church Honor Roll was unveiled. 27 names have been inscribed, 6 of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice. The Boolaroo – Speers Point RSL Sub-branch are the custodians of this historic Lake Macquarie Honor Roll, made from white marble.

http://www.warmemorialsregister.nsw.gov.au/.../boolaroo...

Also unveiled today, on the 15th February 1917, was the East Greta Railway Employees Roll of Honour. The company’s workshop employees were responsible for turning out this handsome piece of cedar, with 30 names inscribed upon it. Only 1 name has been designated as having fallen during the Great War at that time, so I must assume that other names were added later. I am unsure of total numbers as I do not have a photo and unsure of its location.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/122671913

Lest We Forget.

Tonight's the night for DNA

Please join us at 7pm when Clare and Lyn will lead a discussion on “The Best Genetic Genealogy Website”.

Trove Tuesday - Croke Wyee

 Oftentimes a simple Trove search that combines a family name with a place name will reward the searcher with details of other family members.

A search for Croke Wyee and limited to Newspapers in New South Wales returned these results from a range of newspapers.

1933 'BATHS AND FARES', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 20 October, p. 4. , viewed 01 Feb 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136698557

1939 'Cosy Corner Chats', Catholic Freeman's Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1932 - 1942), 30 March, p. 17. , viewed 01 Feb 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146382519

1939 'OBITUARY.', Catholic Freeman's Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1932 - 1942), 2 March, p. 41. , viewed 01 Feb 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146385231

1951 'Family Notices', Catholic Weekly (Sydney, NSW : 1942 - 1954), 2 August, p. 10. (Magazine Section), viewed 01 Feb 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146744854

1951 'OBITUARY', Crookwell Gazette (NSW : 1885 - 1954), 8 August, p. 8. , viewed 01 Feb 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article221291164

Two Returned Veterans of The Great War to have their Honour and Dignity restored.

Thanks to Gary Mitchell for permission to share his Facebook post here on our blog.

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Great news! 2 returned veterans of The Great War to have their Honour and Dignity restored.

Private Albert Henry Moffitt, 35th Battalion (bomb thrower, Reg No-1175), also known as Albie, timber getter and telegraph linesman from Cooranbong, New South Wales and Wilson Street, Carrington, N.S.W. and 113 Fern Street, Islington, N.S.W., father of three (Harry or Henry A, Clarence S and Frank K, 1 male deceased), was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery on the 16th August 1948, age 55. CATHOLIC 2-38. 100.

Admitted to hospital June 1917, suffering from deafness.

No headstone.

Wooden cross erected - 25.9.2018.

I submitted an application to DVA November 2021 asking for a Commonwealth War Graves Plaque, curbing and marble chip, and this was accepted January 2022.

Younger brother Silvester (Reg No-7286, 1st Battalion, born 1894, Morisset, N.S.W., died 1961) also resting at the cemetery in a marked grave. CATHOLIC 3-83. 25.

Younger brother Peter (Reg No-7287, 1st Battalion, born 1896, Mandalong, N.S.W., died 1948) also resting at the cemetery next to Albert in a marked grave. CATHOLIC 2-38. 102.

Private John Henry Stokes, 18th Battalion (Reg No-3673), farmer from East Branxton, New South Wales, was laid to rest on the 2nd July 1939 at Old Section, Branxton Catholic Cemetery, Station Street, Branxton, N.S.W. Row D, Plot 83, age 65.

Wounded in action - 4.8.1916 (GSW leg, slight).

Admitted to hospital 23.12.1917 (diarrhoea), 5.2.1918 (diphtheria), 24.2.1918 (scabies), 7.3.1918 (not stated), 24.3.1918 (trench fever, slight).

Many thanks to Helen Scott for the notification.

No headstone.

Wooden cross erected - 12.12.2021 with Helen Scott and husband, Piper Joe Royston and Branxton RSL sub-Branch member Cath Harvey.

I submitted an application to DVA December 2021 asking for a Commonwealth War Graves Plaque to be placed at the gravesite, and this was accepted January 2022.

I will post photos when gravesites complete.

Lest We Forget.