Remembering Thomas Rossiter

In December 1924 there were many reports in rural newspapers announcing the accidental death of  Thomas Rossiter, a 16 year old youth.

1924 'FATAL GUN EXPLOSION', Northern Star (Lismore, NSW : 1876 - 1954), 2 December, p. 5. , viewed 09 Dec 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article93466583

While those articles gave little information on  the circumstances surrounding Thomas' death the reports of the subsequent  funeral  and coronial enquiry relate the story of this mishap.

1924 'FATAL SHOOTING', The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954), 2 December, p. 1. , viewed 09 Dec 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article163256624

1924 'LAKE SHOOTING ACCIDENT', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 9 December, p. 4. , viewed 09 Dec 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137774378

Thomas Leslie James Rossiter was interred in Catherine Hill Bay Cemetery/
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/152864907/thomas-james_leslie-rossiter

Thanks to reader and local historian, Ros Cheetham, who after reading this post supplied a current image of  Thomas' grave.

Photo by Ros Cheetham - August 2024

Sapper John Joseph Dempsey

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

__________________________________________________________________________________
 

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.

Private Leo (Mick) Aloysius McGuinness

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

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Awaiting memorialisation at Sandgate Cemetery, have I been forgotten?

104 years ago today, on the 27th June 1918, Private Leo (Mick) Aloysius McGuinness, 2nd Battalion (Reg No-727C), miner from Toronto, New South Wales, was Killed in Action, age 35?

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1650630 - Roll of Honour.

No Roll of Honour circular submitted.

Born at Quirindi, New South Wales about 1883 to Daniel (died 12.9.1915 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137969011, of Gulliver Street, Hamilton Park, N.S.W.) and Teresa Bridget (Theresa, died 4.6.1919 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139446629, of "Rosallen", Toronto, N.S.W.) McGuinness, Leo enlisted November 1916 with the 1st Australian Machine Gun Company at Newcastle, N.S.W.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140987006 - reported KIA.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140973653 - report that Leo had been KIA.

Leo is resting at La Kreule Military Cemetery, Hazebrouck, France. Plot I Row F Grave 15.

Mr. McGuinness’s name has been inscribed on the Toronto Public School Roll of Honour, Toronto Soldiers' Memorial (photos, unveiled on the 30th September 1922, 115 names inscribed, 21 Fallen), Toronto Red Cross Honour Roll, Catherine Hill Bay Roll of Honour and the Catherine Hill Bay Honour Roll of Soldiers.

There is no headstone at parent’s curbed gravesite, therefore no memorial inscription to tell us of their son’s supreme sacrifice during The Great War, so July 2020 I placed a Memorial cross adorned with poppies in remembrance of Leo’s service and sacrifice for God, King & Country. CATHOLIC 1-08. 24.

Younger brother Charles Alphonsus (served as McGUINESS, Reg No-955, 36th Battalion, born 1888, died 1963, Sydney, N.S.W.) also served 1st A.I.F.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134860409 - Charles reported wounded.

Older brother Denis L (served as McGUINESS, Reg No-2610, 33rd Battalion, born 1879, died 1957, Newcastle, N.S.W.) also served 1st A.I.F.

Older brother Daniel James (born 1873, died 1944, Toronto, N.S.W.) enlisted but did not serve.

Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.

Lest we forget

Corporal George Henry Ruddy

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

One of the saddest aspects of my research is locating families who lost a son or sons during The Great War that are buried at Sandgate Cemetery who have a headstone, but there is no memorial inscription to tell us of the supreme sacrifice of their son for God, King and Country.

126 gravesites located so far, many more to locate, this is a typical example.

Corporal George Henry Ruddy, 5th Australian Pioneer Battalion (Reg No-2177), miner from 53 Morgan Street, Merewether, New South Wales, father of one (George Alan), was killed in action on the 29th September 1917 at the Battle of Polygon Wood, age 24.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138745505 - reported George KIA.
https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1663778/ - Roll of Honour.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article159090805 - photo of George.

Born at Catherine Hill Bay, New South Wales on the 3rd August 1893 to George (died 1931 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137707309) and Ellen Mary (died 1942 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132826602) Ruddy of Alice Street, Merewether, N.S.W.; husband of Mildred Ruddy nee Jones (married 1915, died?), George enlisted February 1916 with the 1st Australian Pioneer Battalion at Newcastle, N.S.W.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133888997 - farewell concert.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133747815 - report that George and Joseph and Jack Jones have met up in England.
Wounded in action - 20.7.1916 (multiple GSW, slight, Battle of Fromelles - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133888029, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133878292), George’s name has been inscribed on The Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial (Panel 31), Belgium.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138738369 - Memorial Service for George held at the Morgan Street Presbyterian Church.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138742186 - George's wife Mildred Ruddy receives letter from the front.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137488548 - George's wife Mildred Ruddy presented with certificate.
Mr Ruddy’s name has also been inscribed on the Merewether (Mitchell Park) Memorial Gates, Merewether Public School Roll of Honor, Merewether Advance Football Club Roll of Honor - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138747464, Merewether School of Arts Roll of Honour - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138736228, Merewether U.A.O. Druids (Rock of Hope branch) Roll of Honour - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133885247 and the Cooks Hill Superior Public School Roll of Honour. Name would be inscribed on the South Newcastle Rugby League Football Club Roll of Honour. Name not inscribed on the Merewether St. David's Presbyterian Church Roll of Service/Roll of Honour.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138741783 - Roll of Honour, 1917.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138747109 - Roll of Honour, 1917.

There is no memorial inscription on the headstone of George’s parents, and I am unable to place a memorial cross, so I have placed poppies in remembrance of the supreme sacrifice of their son. PRESBYTERIAN-13SW. 92.

Obituary for father George - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137710336 NMH, 17.4.1931.
Younger brother Joseph Alexander (8th Battalion, Reg No-6852, born 1895, died 1961) also served 1st A.I.F.
Brother-in-law Edward (Jack) Stamford Jones (57th Battalion, Reg No-66227, DOD 3.2.1919) memorialised at the cemetery, METHODIST 3 (UNITING) G. 9., no memorial inscription.

Lest We Forget.

Private Robert Smith

 Thanks to Gary Mitchell for permission to share this post.

__________________________________________________________________________

17th November 2021

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

71 years ago today, on the Friday afternoon of the 17th November 1950, Private Robert Smith (M.M.), 30th Battalion (Reg No-2495), wheeler from "Maudville", 93 Teralba Road, Adamstown, New South Wales, was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 57. ANGLICAN 2-141. 71.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134386077 - funeral notice states service.

Born at Catherine Hill Bay, New South Wales on the 24th August 1893 (as Richard A) to George Robert and Clara Smith, Robert enlisted August 1915 at Newcastle, N.S.W.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137105449 - farewell from Kitchener Hall, Adamstown, N.S.W. (as H. Smith).

Admitted to hospital 14.4.1916 (mumps).

Wounded in action - 29.9.1917 (GSW right arm, Battle of Polygon Wood).

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138735930 - reported wounded.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138740099 - report that Robert being discharged from hospital.

Robert returned home July 1919, being discharged on the 13th September 1919.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139441607 - welcome home.

Awarded Military Medal, 15th September 1919.

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the operations near NAUROY from 29th September to 1st October 1918. This man is a stretcher-bearer, and with [2733] Private WHYATT, M.M., rendered untiring service in carrying wounded men under intense shell and machine gun fire. On 30th September an intense barrage fell on our front line posts, which were under direct observation from the enemy who was only 300 yards away. Two men were severely wounded by the barrage and Private SMITH with Private WHYATT immediately rushed forward from Company Headquarters passing through the barrage and in spite of heavy machine gun fire directed at them carried one wounded man back and returning a second time, again passed through the barrage and came under concentrated fire from at least 4 enemy machine guns. With the utmost determination and disregard of personal danger they stuck to their task and brought the second wounded man back. Though exhausted, Private SMITH stuck to his task, and before the Company was relieved, carried out several wounded men passing over an area which was continually under the direct fire of enemy field and machine guns.'

Mr. Smith’s name has been inscribed on the Adamstown Citizens' Memorial, Adamstown Municipal District Roll of Honor and The Capt. Clarence Smith Jeffries (V.C.) and Pte. William Matthew Currey (V.C.) Memorial Wall. Name possibly inscribed on the Adamstown St. Stephen's Church of England Roll of Honour (possibly names inscribed are only the Fallen), whereabouts unknown.

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

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

Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.

Lest We Forget.