Death of Old Identity

1921 'OLD IDENTITY', The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954), 15 November, p. 4. , viewed 16 Sept 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article162801396

75 years ago Christmas came early

 In 1949 Mrs A Lee of Teralba got a big surprise. 

1949 'LOTTERY WIN AS XMAS GIFT', Daily Mirror (Sydney, NSW : 1941 - 1955), 23 December, p. 3. (Late Final Extra 3), viewed 20 Dec 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article273595357

Trove Tuesday 100 Years Ago

Some of the stories about Lake Mac People printed a hundred years ago this week in the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954) on Trove

Do you recognise any of these local names?

1922 'DISTRICT NEWS.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 1 November, p. 5. , viewed 15 Nov 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140008136

1922 'Family Notices', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 16 November, p. 4. , viewed 15 Nov 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140014308

1922 'TERALBA', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 13 November, p. 6. , viewed 15 Nov 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140009934

1922 'CARDIFF.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 16 November, p. 5. , viewed 15 Nov 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140014290

1922 'TORONTO', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 13 November, p. 6. , viewed 15 Nov 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140009932

Private Joseph McLaughlin

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

________________________________________________________________________

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.

Sergeant Claude William Beck

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

________________________________________________________________________

6 March 2022

Memorialised at Sandgate Cemetery, have I been forgotten?

105 years ago today, on the 6th March 1917, Sergeant Claude William Beck, 35th Battalion (Reg No-1065), carpenter from Teralba, New South Wales, Died of Wounds at Houplines, Armentières, Northern France, age 24.

Sergeant Claude William Beck

http://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1650639/ - Roll of Honour.

Born at Teralba, New South Wales on the 5th July 1892 to James (died 1919 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140078190, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140066517) and Minerva (died 1951 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139508564) Beck of Awaba, N.S.W., Claude enlisted December 1915 at Newcastle, N.S.W.

Older brother Victor David M.M. (13th & 45th Battalions, Reg No-2331, born 1891, died 1965, age 74) resting at the cemetery. BAPTIST-B NW. 32.

Younger brothers Athol Glen Mitchell (20th Battalion & 2nd Australian Machine Gun Battalion, Reg No-340, born 1897, died 1984, district unknown) and Charles Louis (34th Battalion, Reg 1787, born 1893, died 1969, Taree, N.S.W.) also served 1st A.I.F.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137096909 - Beck brothers mentioned.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137095384 - brother Athol reported as having returned to duty.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137098692 - report of the Beck brother's service.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133887829 - report that brother Athol has been wounded.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133845540 - report that brother Athol in hospital with mild GSW face & legs.

Claude Wounded in Action - 28.2.1917 (GSW chest).

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133756029 - reported that Claude had DOW.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122213408 - report of letter of sympathy for parents.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article159092686 - Newcastle Honor Roll, 35th Battalion's 316 Fallen.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138156526 - report that brother Athol welcomed home.

Mr. Beck’s name has been inscribed on the Hamilton Superior Public School Roll of Honor - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140980720, Book of Gold, Teralba Public School Roll of Honour - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138740216, Teralba Soldiers' Memorial (photos, unveiled on the 27th April 1918, 62 names originally inscribed, 8 Fallen, 72 names now inscribed, 17 Fallen), Newcastle Progressive Carpenters & Joiners Roll of Honour and The Capt. Clarence Smith Jeffries (V.C.) and Pte. William Matthew Currey (V.C.) Memorial Wall.

Claude’s Memorial Plaque, which was received by his parents July 1922, has been placed at the Beck gravesite, date unknown, and I have placed poppies in remembrance of the supreme sacrifice of this 35th Battalion Hero for God, King & Country. METHODIST 1 (WESLEYAN) L SE. 2.

Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.

Lest We Forget.

Santa at Lake Macquarie

The newspapers at Trove report on many of  Santa's visits to the Lake. Following are a few of those articles.

1922 'MORISSET.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 4 January, p. 3. , viewed 22 Dec 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140989494

1936 'BELMONT', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 23 December, p. 9. , viewed 22 Dec 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134675893

At Swansea

1949 '£105 Cheque For Swansea R.S.L.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 17 December, p. 6. , viewed 22 Dec 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134167631

1939 'TERALBA', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 22 December, p. 2. , viewed 22 Dec 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article135447823

1951 'SANTA CLAUS', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 18 December, p. 5. , viewed 22 Dec 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140340240

1951 'In Brief . . .', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 27 November, p. 5. , viewed 22 Dec 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140339961

1953 ''Santa Claus' For Toronto', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 11 November, p. 9. , viewed 22 Dec 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140296757

1953 ''Santa Claus' For Toronto', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 11 November, p. 9. , viewed 22 Dec 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140296757

Halloween Celebrations

Articles found at Trove indicate that, in yesteryear, Halloween was celebrated in several places areound our Lake. No evidence of Trick or Treating was unearthed!!!

1954 'IN BRIEF', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 13 October, p. 7. , viewed 26 Oct 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134092229

1949 'Halloween Party At Teralba', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 3 November, p. 4. , viewed 26 Oct 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134180687

1939 'WEST WALLSEND', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 4 November, p. 15. , viewed 26 Oct 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article135452062

1952 'Women's News In Brief', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 7 November, p. 5. , viewed 26 Oct 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133565081

1940 'HELPING WAR EFFORT', The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954), 1 November, p. 5. , viewed 26 Oct 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167528808

Springtime Fame

 As spring is on our doorstep we are sharing a spring story in today's post. Was the youth who carved his name on a tree a budding genealogist who wished to leave a permanent reminder of his time at Lake Macquarie for future generations?

(As this image is rather fuzzy it has been transcribed below)

1932 'CARVED HIS NAME ON A TREE!', The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954), 28 October, p. 6. , viewed 03 Sep 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article165944043

CARVED HIS NAME

ON A TREE!

"NOT FAMOUS ENOUGH"

SAYS S.M.

Now, had it been a heart, with

two names, especially as it is

springtime, he might have been

let off with a smile.

But the magistrate apparently

considered carving one's name on

a tree a form of egotism that could

not be entirely overlooked.

"You are not sufficiently fa-

mous to have your name carved

on trees," said Mr. Harrison, S.M.

at Teralba Court, when admonish-

ing a youth who pleaded guilty to

"maliciously damaging a tree, the

property of the Lake Macquarie

Shire.

Delving in a Directory

For this week's post we delved into the Magazines and Newsletters  category on Trove. 

The Newcastle city and country almanac & directory : with farm and garden calendar for 1889 contains much valuable information for researchers about early residents in settlements and towns in what is now the Lake Macquarie Local Government area. 

N.S.W. :, The Newcastle city and country almanac & directory : with farm and garden calendar R.C. Knaggs & Co, Newcastle viewed 18 August 2021 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2977812080

The index page of this directory gives an indication of the breadth of information it contains. 

In this post we are highlighting just a few descriptions of local towns and villages but, as this work is digitised and available on Trove, it can be searched to find other local information.