DERMOT O'LEARY - No.128

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Just about every family has a connection to people who have sacrificed their lives in war. Today I am sharing just a few pieces of family history to honour those who served or never returned - Tom.

Click to enlarge picture above:

Of the boys above: David H. White is buried in France. His body was not recovered due to being blown apart by grenades. David was awarded a war medal posthumously. It was presented to his mother. The medal called a “dead man’s penny” is copper-coloured and is the size of a small dinner plate. 

The township of Dora Creek also purchased and presented the family with a circular gold medal to commemorate David’s sacrifice in the war. Young Fred White returned home from WW1 to discover his Catholic girlfriend's parents didn't want their daughter to marry him so they ran away and then committed suicide in the town of Parkes NSW. Strangely, both Fred and his lover Mavis are buried together in a Catholic cemetery even though at the time the Catholic Church didn't sanction this right. George F. White deserted his first wife and family during the end of WW1. He is known to have also served in WW2. For many years he was listed as missing before accidentally meeting his brother Charlie while both men were in hospital at the same time. It was then that Charlie discovered George had a second family. Charles J. White was wounded in Egypt. He was unable to have children.

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On September 6th 1914 Miss Eliza Osborne (my mum's cousin) was listed as living at West Maitland NSW, fiancé George Buxton sent her a letter that I have transcribed:

Military Camp 

Newcastle Race Circuit

August 26th 1914

Dear Kid,

Just a few lines to let you know that I arrived in Camp safe. We had an exam this evening only nine of them put up for it and only 2 passed. We are not supposed to write to anyone without letting the head officer read them. This letter is a sly one on the quiet. Tell Win I will write to her when I get a chance. We will have to put up for another exam shortly after that I don’t know where I will be there is nothing doing down here at present. We are having the evening off this evening. No one knows how long we are here for one officer said till the end of the War. That will be great I don’t think! I hope you are all well as I am at present. Please excuse the writing as I am writing it on the grass in my spare time. I will write again shortly. No news at present address my letters to 14th Regimental Signallers. Well I think I will close now, as I know nothing at present. With best love to yourself and family I remain yours ever,

George XXX 

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My mother is descendant from two First Fleet convicts Anthony and Elizabeth Rope, and her Rope cousins served in numerous wars. Here is a headstone for Rupert Rope which stands in a small cemetery in the middle of NSW with about 15 other headstones. You have to pass through private grazing pasture to reach them.

Some of my mother's country cousins died in WW1 and nobody from Australia has been to France to visit their cemeteries to my knowledge. Here is one such relative: Hamen Charles Honeysett married Clara Hasler in November 1914 just before he departed for the War. Sadly, Clara died in 1915 during childbirth while Hamen was still overseas on duty and unable to return. Hamen died in service Feb 1917.

Record:

Rank: Private Unit: 45th Battalion Australian Infantry

Service: Army Conflict: 1914-1918

Birth Place: Tallawang NSW Schooling: Two Mile Flat Public School

Date of Death: 24/02/1917 aged 25 years Place of Death: not recorded 

Cause of Death: died of wounds

Memorial Panel: 139 Cemetery: FRANCE 177 Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension

Next Of Kin: Mrs. J. Honeysett (mother) Place Of Enlistment: Mebul, NSW

Native Place: “Hillview” a family property at Mebul

My dad's cousin, “Lewis” Richard Wynn born in Raymond Terrace NSW d: 28.7.1943 Malaya - he never married. His occupation prior to going to WW2 was newsagent at Bondi Beach, Sydney. He has his name listed on the Bondi WW2 Roll of Honour. Lewis died as prisoner of war working on the Burma Railway. He was captured and imprisoned after returning to try to fix a broken truck so others could escape. He died of cholera and malaria aged 28. He died while being marched to Takanoon Thailand by the Japanese and is buried at Kanburi War Cemetery Plot 1 Row G grave 26 in Thailand.

tnvol19: @SirThomasWynne Tommy, this was a beautifully written bit of family history & service. So poignant! Thank you for posting & sharing. Xxx