Private Joseph McLaughlin

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

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22 March 2022

 2 Forgotten Diggers of The Great War resting at Sandgate Cemetery, will our Honour and Dignity be restored?

70 years ago today, on the Saturday morning of the 22nd March 1952, Private Joseph McLaughlin, 5th Australian Pioneer Battalion (Reg No-4665), baker from Lake View Street, Boolaroo, New South Wales and 20 Sixth Street, Boolaroo, N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 57. CATHOLIC 2-59. 60.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article160211095 - funeral notice does not state service.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133710051 - funeral notice does not state service but indicates Sulphide worker.

Born at Wallsend, New South Wales on the 25th March 1894 to John and Mary McLaughlin; husband of Rachel Jane McLaughlin nee Hawkins (married 1920, New Lambton, N.S.W., died 1967, buried?), Joseph enlisted August 1915 with the 1st Battalion at Newcastle, N.S.W.

Admitted to hospital 28.11.1916 (not stated), 20.6.1918 (trench fever and myalgia - muscle pain).

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137499540 - report that Joseph admitted to hospital.

Joseph returned home June 1919, being discharged on the 18th August 1919.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139442659 - welcome home.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139439144 - public welcome home and presentation of medal at the Sulphide Hall.

Mr. McLaughlin’s name has been inscribed on the Teralba Public School Roll of Honour as McLAUGHLAN and the Sulphide Corporation Pty Ltd Cockle Creek Works Roll of Honour as McLAUGHLAN. Name not inscribed on the Newcastle Operative Bakers' Society Roll of Honour.

I located this Forgotten Digger resting in an unmarked grave, so July 2020 I placed a cross adorned with poppies at the gravesite in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.

73 years ago today, on the Tuesday afternoon of the 22nd March 1949, Private Henry (Harry) Murphy, 35th Battalion (Reg No-835), labourer or banker at mines from Rothbury, New South Wales and 28 Hudson Street, Hamilton, N.S.W., was laid was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 59. CATHOLIC 2-43. 134.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134354682 - funeral notice states service.

Born at Waterloo, New South Wales on the 13th February 1889 to James and Bridget Murphy; husband of Lucy Murphy nee Daley (married 1921, Newcastle, N.S.W., died 1978, CATHOLIC 2-43. 132, unmarked grave next to Harry), Harry enlisted November 1915 at West Maitland, N.S.W.

Admitted to hospital 27.8.1916 (influenza and bronchitis), 17.5.1918 (meningitis).

Wounded in action - 20.1.1917 (shell shock).

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133754958 - reported suffering from shell shock.

Invalided to England 30.8.1917 and 7.6.1918.

Harry was invalided home February 1919, being discharged on the 26th September 1919.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article80750401 - welcome home.

Mr. Murphy’s name has been inscribed on the Singleton & District War Memorial.

I located this Forgotten Digger resting in an unmarked grave, so December 2020 I placed a cross adorned with poppies at the gravesite in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.

I will be submitting applications to DVA asking for Commonwealth War Graves Plaques, curbing and marble chip for these 2 WW1 Heroes to restore their Honour and Dignity.

Lest We Forget.