Corporal George Henry Ruddy

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

Corporal William Ernest Bookless

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

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24th April 2022

Served during The Great War, resting at West Wallsend Cemetery.

Corporal William Ernest Bookless, 45th Battalion (Reg No-4555), labourer or 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 on the 31st July 1940, 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 does not state 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 about 1894 to Henry John and Eleanor Bookless of 18 Heigham Road, Eastham, London, England; husband of Hannah nee? (married? died?), 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 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 the gravesite in remembrance of William’s 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.