Corporal William Ernest Bookless

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

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Served and suffered during The Great War, died tragically, resting at West Wallsend Cemetery, have I been forgotten?

82 years ago today, on the Wednesday afternoon of the 31st July 1940, Corporal William Ernest Bookless, 45th Battalion (Reg No-4555), miner from Eare Street, West Wallsend, New South Wales and Brown Street, West Wallsend, N.S.W., father of one (Billie or Billy), was laid to rest at West Wallsend Cemetery, age 46. GENERAL-OLD SECTION 3. Row S. Plot 33.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139379836 - funeral notice does not state service.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139369119 - funeral notice states service.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139367364 - report of funeral mentions service.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139380353 - death notice states service.

Born at Homerton, Northern London, England on the 15th April 1894 to Henry John and Eleanor Bookless of 18 Heigham Road, Eastham, London, England; husband of Hannah Elvira Ancil Bookless nee Snedden (married 30.7.1921, West Wallsend, N.S.W., as BROOKLESS, remarried 1944 to George Cockerell Wright, died 1974), William enlisted August 1915 with the 1st Battalion at Newcastle, N.S.W.

Admitted to hospital 4.12.1916 (trench feet), 19.7.1918 (otitis media - middle ear infection), 23.9.1918 (abrasion left knee, abscess, severe).

Wounded in action - 12.10.1917 (GSW right knee, Battle of Passchendaele).

William was invalided home February 1919, being discharged medically unfit on the 17th April 1919.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139647859 - reported returning home.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article159367565 - welcome home and presentation of a gold medal at the Hartland's Hall, Holmesville, N.S.W.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article162564131 - William mentioned as being a returned member of the West Wallsend Rifle Club.

Mr. Bookless’s name has been inscribed on the Holmesville Community WW1 Honour Roll (unveiled on the 5th September 1916, unknown number of names originally inscribed, 70 names now inscribed, 14 Fallen, located at 22 George Street, Holmesville, N.S.W. - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133838999) and the West Wallsend and District Soldier's Memorial.

The tragic circumstances of William’s death were reported.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139379851 - Miner's Sudden Death.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167456007 - inquiry into death of miner (natural causes, heart failure).

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139380387 - Coroner's Report.

I have placed poppies at William’s gravesite in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.

Many thanks to Smith Dick for the notification and database of those resting at West Wallsend General Cemetery.

Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.

Lest We Forget.

Sapper John Joseph Dempsey

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

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A Forgotten Digger of The Great War resting at Sandgate Cemetery, Honour and Dignity to be restored.

82 years ago today, on the Tuesday afternoon of the 9th July 1940, Sapper John Joseph Dempsey, 2nd Australian Tunnelling Company (Reg No-7356), station hand from Blende Street, North Broken Hill, New South Wales and Catherine Hill Bay, N.S.W. (1938), was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 53. CATHOLIC 2-61. 8.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139373977 - funeral notice states service.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139370659 - obituary.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167459544 - death believed to be natural causes.

Born at Hackney, South Australia on the 10th April 1887 to John and Mary Dempsey nee Flahavan, John enlisted November 1916 with the Tunnelling Companies, September 1916 to February 1918 Reinforcements at Torrens Island Camp, South Australia.

Admitted to hospital 14.5.1918 (pyrexia), 24.5.1918 (influenza), 6.8.1918 (influenza), 7.10.1918 (contusion of head & hand, accidental).

John returned home July 1919, being discharged on the 17th August 1919.

Nothing located on Trove regarding enlistment, sickness, returning home, etc.

British War Medal & Victory Medal sent and returned 3.3.1924. (John Gillam).

Mr. Dempsey’s name has been inscribed on the Broken Hill Barrier Municipal District Roll of Honour, photo - https://www.warmemorialsregister.nsw.gov.au/.../barrier....

I located John resting in an unmarked grave, another Forgotten Digger of The Great War, so April 2015 I placed a cross in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.

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

I will post photos when gravesite complete.

Lest We Forget.

Trove Tuesday - A Feud in Hue Hue

Neighbourly relations were too cordial ninety years ago in Hue Hue.

If the print is too small to read please open and read the article from the link below.

1932 'FEUD IN BUSH HAMLET', The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954), 1 July, p. 7. , viewed 01 Feb 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article165938799