Greetings

 

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

Christmas Social on our Lake

 Although we research Family History from all over the world Lake Macquarie or Awaba, as it was known to original residents, is the home of our Group.

It was most fitting that last week, for our final event of 2021, we took to our "splendid sheet of water" on MV Lady Mac for an end of year celebration. Uur appetite for this event had been whetted by Scott Bevan's excellent presentation on The Lake at our last meeting.

MV Lady Mac 

In spite of the recent high Covid case numbers in our area 25 members and guests mustered last Thursday at Booragul wharf where the weather did not appear promising. Once on board and settled we found that apart from a small family group on the upper deck we had the boat to ourselves. Light rain and small waves accompanied us as we set off on our adventure but, as we ventured south, we soon left these behind. 

Conditions didn't look promising as we set off 

We enjoyed the limited commentary from the captain of our vessel who pointed some of the prominent sites we passed. There was much additional knowledge on board especially from members who have lived in the area all their lives that those of us newer to the area learnt more about our neighbourhood. Several members proudly pointed out their homes and neighbourhoods as we sailed by. 

Although the seating was a little cramped we enjoyed having tables at which we could enjoy our included lunch of delicious salads, barbequed sausages and minute steak. Thanks to the crew who prepared our meal and looked after our safety as we cruised.

Most of our members were were relieved that they could just turn up on the day without having to do any preparation. Our gratitude goes to our committee member, Jean, who organised the event and our Treasurer, Karen, who looked after money matters. Thank you Jean and Karen.

Following are some happy snaps of our LMFHG cruisers.

Corporal Oswald Bruce

Thanks to Gary Mitchell for permission to share his Facebook post here on our blog.

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18th December 2021

Memorialised at Sandgate Cemetery, have I been forgotten?

105 years ago today, on the 18th December 1916, Corporal Oswald Bruce, also known as Osie, 4th Field Company, Australian Engineers (Reg Nos-430 & 4032), mining surveyor and clerk (New Lambton Colliery, N.S.W.), from 6 Morgan Street, Adamstown, New South Wales, was Killed in Action, age 23.

http://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1677871/ - Roll of Honour.

https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1481035/ - Red Cross Wounded and Missing.

Born at Kahibah, New South Wales on the 20th November 1893 to Stewart (Stuart, died 1922 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140999610, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140992447) and Ann (died 1933 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article135555554) Bruce nee Cant, Osie enlisted March 1915 with the 17th Battalion at Liverpool, N.S.W.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137204386 - send-off.

Wounded in action - 28.9.1915 (GSW left shoulder, or splinter from bomb casing).

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137978991 - reported wounded.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137969367 - letter home explaining wound and treatment.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133749744 - reported KIA.

Osie is resting at Bernafay Wood British Cemetery, Montauban, France. Row J Grave 73.

Mr. Bruce’s name has been inscribed on the Adamstown Citizens' Memorial, Adamstown Methodist Church Honour Roll (photo, unveiled on the 31st October 1915 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137963677, 27 names inscribed, 2 designated as having Fallen, 2nd unveil on the 20th June 1917 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134867979, 82 names now inscribed, 11 Fallen, 115 names now inscribed), Adamstown Mechanics Institute Roll of Honour, Cooks Hill Superior Public School Roll of Honour, Charlestown Public School Honor Roll and The Capt. Clarence Smith Jeffries (V.C.) and Pte. William Matthew Currey (V.C.) Memorial Wall.

I have placed poppies at the Bruce gravesite in remembrance of their son’s service and supreme sacrifice during The Great War. METHODIST 1 (WESLEYAN) E SW. 23.

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

Half brother to James Cant (Second Lieutenant, 19th Battalion, KIA 3.5.1917 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134870737) memorialised at the cemetery - METHODIST 2 (PRIMITIVE) 11 SE. 50.

Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.

Lest We Forget.

Community support at Redhead

On this day in 1935 the community at Redhead worked to provide assistance to the unemployed.

1935 'REDHEAD', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 16 December, p. 14. , viewed 15 Dec 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139792434

Private William Moses

  Thanks to Gary Mitchell for permission to share his Facebook post here on our blog.

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15th December 2021

A Forgotten Digger of The Great War resting at Sandgate Cemetery, Honour and Dignity to be restored.
84 years ago today, on the Wednesday morning of the 15th December 1937, Private William Moses, also known as Tot, 33rd Battalion (Reg No-7295), miner from Dudley Road, Charlestown, New South Wales, was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 62. METHODIST 4-07. 68.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134977704 - funeral notice does not state service.

Born at Lambton, New South Wales on the 21st February 1875 to Thomas and Susan Moses nee Hyde; husband of Lillian M Moses nee Mitchell (married 1899, Adamstown, N.S.W., died 1920?), Tot enlisted January 1917 with the 2nd Battalion at Newcastle, N.S.W.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123508769 - report of enlistment.
Admitted to hospital 19.12.1917 (diarrhea).
Tot returned home August 1919, being discharged on the 4th October 1919.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139441467 - reported returning home.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140076674 - welcome home.

I have not located Mr. Moses’s name inscribed on any known War Memorial or Roll of Honour.
I located William resting in an unmarked grave, another Forgotten Digger of The Great War, so January 2021 I placed a cross adorned with poppies on the gravesite, taken a photo of the grave and uploaded the photo onto the Northern Cemetery website as a permanent record of his service.
http://sandgate.northerncemeteries.com.au/.../index.php...

I submitted an application to DVA February 2021 asking for a Commonwealth War Graves Plaque, curbing and marble chip to be installed at the gravesite, and this was accepted May 2021.
I will post photos when gravesite complete.

Lest We Forget.

Trove Tuesday - 1935 Wedding at Whitebridge

 On this day many years ago a wedding was celebrated between two Whitebridge locals.

1935 'WEDDINGS', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 24 December, p. 8. , viewed 15 Dec 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139793018

If the text on the above image is unclear please use the link above to access it on Trove.