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.