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.

Sergeant Augustine Cotter

Thanks to Gary Mitchell for granting us permission to share his Facebook posts on our blog.
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Awaiting memorialisation at Sandgate Cemetery, have I been forgotten?

107 years ago today, on the 28th June 1915, Sergeant Augustine Cotter, 7th Australian Light Horse Regiment (Reg No-701), blacksmith (Walsh Island Government Dockyards, Newcastle, N.S.W.), of Railway Station, Fassifern, New South Wales, was Killed in Action on the Gallipoli Peninsula, age 22.

https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1727540/ - Roll of Honour.

Born at Newcastle, New South Wales on the 10th January 1893 (as Augustin) to William James (died 25.5.1936 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139227885) and Rose Kate (Katie, died 28.7.1946 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133164797) Cotter, Gus enlisted November 1914 at Liverpool, N.S.W.

Resting at Shrapnel Valley Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. Plot III Row D Grave 37.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137200739 - Roll of Honour, 1915.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133890559 - Roll of Honour, 1916.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134864467 - Roll of Honour, 1917.

Mr. Cotter’s name has been inscribed on the Toronto Soldiers' Memorial, Toronto Red Cross Honour Roll, Gardner Memorial (photos, unveiled on the 16th September 1916, 15 names originally inscribed. 73 names now inscribed of the Fallen) and the St. Mary's-Marist Bros' School (Newcastle) Honour Roll. Name possibly inscribed on the Newcastle Technical College Roll of Honour (unveiled on the 13th June 1917, over 100 names inscribed, whereabouts unknown). Fassifern did not unveil a War Memorial or a Roll of Honour.

There is no headstone at the clearly marked curbed gravesite of the Cotter family, therefore no memorial inscription to tell us of their son’s supreme sacrifice during The Great War, so December 2017 I placed a Memorial cross adorned with poppies in remembrance of Gus’s service and sacrifice for God, King & Country. CATHOLIC 2-32. 61.

Older brother William Robert (7th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Reg No-702, born 1885, Newcastle, N.S.W., died 21.12.1962, resting at Murwillumbah Catholic Cemetery, photo 6) enlisted same day.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137207032 - brother William reported wounded.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133759102 - brother William welcomed home at the Toronto School of Arts Hall.

Older brother John Sylvester (7th Australian Light Horse Regiment & Army Postal Corps, Reg No-1623, born 1887, Newcastle, N.S.W., died 1966, Balmain, N.S.W.) also served 1st A.I.F.

Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.

Lest We Forget.

Private Leo (Mick) Aloysius McGuinness

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

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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
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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 Ford

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

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The tragic end for an Original Anzac of The Great War resting at Sandgate Cemetery, not forgotten.

85 years ago today, on the Sunday afternoon of the 30th May 1937, Corporal William Ford, 12th Australian Field Ambulance (cook, Reg No-987), labourer (Hetton Colliery) and crane driver from Little Gipps Street, Carrington, New South Wales and 9 Vista Parade, Belmont, N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 41. (3 funerals on this day). GENERAL-30. 3.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166612302 - funeral notice does not state service.

Born at Sydney, New South Wales on the 14th May 1896 to George and Margaret Ford; husband of Isabella McArthur Ford nee Munro (married 11.10.1918, Marlborough House, Glasgow, Scotland, arrived at Carrington on the Tuesday night of the 9th September 1919, died?), William enlisted October 1914 with the 4th Australian Field Ambulance at Broadmeadows, Victoria.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137968335 - report that relatives presented with medal at the Carrington School of Arts hall.

Wounded in action - 7.8.1915 (GSW? right hand).

Admitted to hospital 2.8.1915 (septic right hand), 14.6.1917 (anthrax), 8.8.1918 (appendicitis, seriously ill).

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140980657 - report that William suffering from appendicitis.

William was invalided home January 1919, being discharged medically unfit on the 12th March 1919.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139645188 - welcome home for William at the Carrington School of Arts hall.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140071717 - report of reception for Corporal Ford and his Scottish bride at the Carrington School of Arts hall.

Mr. Ford’s name has been inscribed on the Carrington Citizens' Memorial Gates and the Carrington Municipal District Roll of Honor (photo, unveiled date unknown, 275 names inscribed, 43 Fallen).

The tragic circumstances of William’s death were reported.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166622444 - car accident victim dies in hospital.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166615163 - inquest.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133544080 - Evidence at Inquest.

I placed a cross adorned with poppies at William’s unmarked grave July 2021 in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.

A Plaque will be placed at the gravesite courtesy of the Forgotten Diggers Headstone Project to restore Honour and Dignity to William.

Many thanks to William's Granddaughter Julie Bayliss for the notification and photo.

Lest We Forget.