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They Served, Melbourne (2026)

05/05/2024

Wales, Arthur Alfred. Late 157814 Leading Aircraftman, Royal Australian Air Force.

Arthur Alfred Wales was born on the 15 October 1913 in Richmond, Victoria. The eldest child of George Wales (1870-1954), a carpenter, and his second wife Florence Annie Watkins (1878-1963). Growing up in Richmond, Arthur would have a large family. His father George would have six children with his first wife Jane Ravie (1873-1907) and three with Florence. The children were: Annie (1893-1922), Leslie (1895-1916), Doris (1899-1899), Janet (1902-1928), Norman (1904-1963), Hilda (1907-1964), Arthur, Florence (1916-1974) and Agnes (1919-1996).

Not much is known about Arthur's early life, but in 1931, as a 17 year old, he appeared in the newspapers having been charged (along with his mates) for illegally using a car. In it, his occupation was given as a carpenter. Arthur then pops up again, this time in the 1936 electoral rolls for Richmond, this time as a motor mechanic.
On the 6 October 1944, Arthur would enlist in the Royal Australian Air Force. At the time he was 30 years old and gave his occupation as a manager of his own motor and general engineering business. Also noted on his enlistment form was that he could also play the banjo! Accepted for service, he would train in South Australia and New South Wales, before passing his studies and re-mustered to a fitter. He would then serve at 2 Personnel Depot at Bradfield Park in NSW before ending his war while stationed at the RAAF HQ at Laverton, Victoria. Leading Aircraftman Arthur Wales was discharged on the 13 May 1946.

Post war, Arthur would return to Richmond and his own business, working as a motor mechanic well into the 1970s. At 7:45pm on the 20 July 1977, Arthur was crossing the road at the corner of William and Dudley Streets in West Melbourne, when he was struck by a car. The police report of the incident and subsequent coroners inquest ruled it as an accident, as Arthur was wearing dark clothing, and had not looked properly before crossing. Rushed to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Arthur would sadly pass away from his injuries some time later on the 5 August 1977. He was 63 years old.
At the time of his death, Arthur was a pensioner living at Ozanam House, a men's shelter. With no family able to be located and no estate, Arthur Alfred Wells was buried in an unmarked public grave in Springvale Botanical Cemetery.

Lest we forget.

Photos: 1) Arthur Wales, NAA., 2) Arthur's RAAF enlistment form, NAA., 3) Springvale Botanical Cemetery public burial area, author's own., 4, 5 and 6) Coroners inquest and photo of William and Dudley Streets, looking west down Dudley, PROV.

31/03/2024

Richardson, Rodney Calvert. Late 3/3837 Private, 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment.

Rodney Calvert Richardson was born on the 15 July 1935 in Warragul, Victoria. The son of Eric and Amy Richardson. Growing up in Warragul, Rodney was working as a farm labourer when he enlisted into the army on the 15th January 1952, aged 17 years and 6 months.

Initially enlisting for a term of 6 years, Rodney would train at Puckapunyal before being assigned to the 2 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (RAR). Transferred to 1 RAR in February 1953, Private Richardson would qualify as a Class II Cook. Transferred again to the Australian Army Catering Corps, he would soon be posted to the 14th National Service Training Battalion at Puckapunyal. On the 5 March 1953, the 2 RAR departed for Korea. Left behind in Australia, Rodney would write to the Minister of the Army, begging to be allowed to serve overseas with his old battalion. Asking to be a cook or infantryman with his old battalion, he writes: “I have been in the army for 14 months and I did my training with this battalion, in fact I joined up with them and made a lot of lifelong friends, and when they left, I felt I had let them down… I want to get over there and do my bit with them.” However, this offer of service was declined by the army, as Rodney was ineligible for service in Korea as he was below the minimum age required for operational service. In addition, the army also informed him that there was no shortage of cooks in Korea. This did not deter him, as once he reached the minimum age required for service, he would write again asking to be sent to Korea. This time the application was successful, and Rodney was sent overseas as part of the British Commonwealth Forces Korea. Landing in Japan in late March 1953, he would serve as a cook attached to the HQ 28th British Commonwealth Infantry Brigade until November 1954. He would then be transferred to 1 RAR, which was involved in training and border patrols. Returning to Australia in July 1955, he would train as an army driver.

Now qualified as a driver, Rodney would be sent to Malaya during the Malayan Emergency with 1 RAR for operations against communist terrorists, between October 1959-61. This would involve patrolling the jungles among the Thai-Malaya borders. On his return home, Rodney would continue to serve until his engagement expiry and subsequent discharge on the 21 February 1964. Following this he was transferred to the reserves for 3 years. In total, Rodney had served12 years and 38 days with the army, of which 3 years and 151 days had been overseas.

Post discharge, Rodney would find work as a labourer in Cheltenham. On the 5 January 1969, the body of Rodney Calvert Richardson was found in his rented room. He was only 34 years old. A coroner’s inquest revealed that he had tragically taken his own life between the 1st of January and the 5th. Identified by a friend, Rodney’s body remained unclaimed, and he was buried in an unmarked in Cheltenham Cemetery. A death certificate was not filed until the 5th of August.
Lest we forget.

09/02/2024

McKay, Gordon. Late 61898 Private, 23 Battalion; V80989 Private, 12 Garrison Battalion; VX30249 Private, 21 Anti-Tank Company; V6866
Private, LHQ Prov. School.

Gordon McKay was born on the 27 July 1897, in Richmond, VIC.
The only son of Annie Sophia Scragg (1864-1949) and James Gordon McKay (1868-????), a driver. Living in Richmond, then an industrial working-class suburb, Gordon's father ran afoul of the law. Charged with embezzling funds (to the tune of £29 3s 11d, which adjusted for inflation is about $5,200 today) from his branch of the United Ancient Order of Druids, of which he was trustee.
James fled to Sydney, however he was caught and sentenced shortly after in Sydney in August 1905. He again appears in the New South Wales Police Gazette in 1907 with the charge of deserting his family.

Annie remained in Richmond with Gordon and found work as a dressmaker, helping to support the now smaller family as the main provider.

In 1910 Gordon, (then aged 13), appeared in the Victoria Police Gazette as a missing person. Presumably found again, Gordon settled down in Richmond and married Violet May Holland in 1917. They would have three children together.

Enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force as part of the Sportsmen's 1000, on the 24 January 1918, Gordon, a 20-year-old labourer stated that he was previously rejected for active service due to deafness. Assigned the regimental number 61898, Gordon initially served as a Private with the "Sports Thousand" 1 Depot Battalion at Broadmeadows Camp. Deserting the army in May 1918, he was recovered in June.

In a statement after his apprehension, Gordon writes:

"I enlisted at the Town Hall, Melbourne on the 24
day of January 1918 and entered Broadmeadows Camp on the 4 day of February 1918. I was sent to the Recruits Depot Battalion and was there for about 2 weeks when I was transferred to Langwarrin suffering from V.D. I was at Langwarrin for 7 weeks and was transferred back to Broadmeadows Camp, cured. I was attached to the Recruits Depot Battalion and about a month later was transferred to the Sports Thousand, 1 Depot Battalion,
Broadmeadows Camp. About three weeks after I was transferred to the Sports Thousand, I absented myself without leave. The reason I did so was that I had received a letter telling me that my mother had taken a fit and had fallen into the fire but was not seriously burnt. My mother is in delicate health and has been for the past 19 years. I partly support her, she is a widow and prior to my enlistment I kept the house going. I am a married man and my wife is shortly to be confined. She also is in indifferent health. I am now quite prepared to play the game and get away as soon as I can."

Sent overseas, Gordon embarked for England in October 1918, landing in December. In March 1919, he sailed to Cape Town, South Africa for service with the AIF Depot there. Sent back to Australia in August 1919, he was discharge on the 20 September 1919.

Unfortunately, Gordon and Violet's marriage did not last. They were divorced in 1921. After this, Gordon continued to live in Richmond with his mother and continued to work as a labourer. During the post-war depression period of the 1930s, Gordon spent a few months imprisoned in Ballarat on petty charges, however he was released by May.

On the 6 October 1939 a 43 year old Gordon reenlisted at ANZAC House, Melbourne following the outbreak of WWII. The newly minted V80989 Private Gordon McKay served as a Group III cook with the 12 Garrison Battalion in Broadmeadows until his desertion and his subsequent discharge in absentia on the 12 April 1940. Wasting no time, Gordon enlisted again on the 4 June 1940 at Melbourne Town Hall. Assigned the service number VX30249, he was graded as a Group II cook, and was put to work helping to feed the 21 Anti-Tank Company at Puckapunyal until his discharge as medically unfit on the 7 October 1940. Unperturbed, Gordon reenlisted again. Assigned the service number V6866, Private Gordon McKay served as a Group II Baker and Cook with the 3
Military District Provost Company in Melbourne. Over the next few years, Gordon would see service in Victoria and South Australia, working as a cook at various military training schools, until his final discharge as medically unfit on the 11 May 1944.

Not much of Gordon's post war life is known, except that on the 24 May 1959, Gordon McKay, occupation unknown, passed away at a Salvation Army shelter for homeless men in Melbourne. He was 61 years old. His body remained unclaimed and he was buried in an unmarked public grave at Springvale Botanical Cemetery. A death certificate was not filed until the 7 August 1959.

Lest we forget.

06/01/2024

WHITTY, Francis Edward. Late VX26060 Private, Australian HQ Guard Battalion, and V16683 Private 12 Garrison Battalion.

Francis Edward “Frank” Whitty was born on the 15 July 1901 in Knowsley, Victoria, to Mary Ann Doyle (1860-1938) and William Whitty, a labourer. The second youngest of six children, the family grew up in Knowsley, a tiny town near Bendigo which as of 2016 had a population of 160. The children were (in order): William Albert “Bill” (1895-1961), George Luis (1896-1974), Arthur (1898-1967), John (1900-1900), Francis Edward “Frank” (1901-1974) and Ruby Pearl (1906-1907). Tragically, two of William and Mary’s children died as infants.

When war broke out the three eldest boys answered the call. Bill, George and Arthur all enlisted early. Bill enlisted in September 1914 with the 8th Light Horse Regiment and later served with the 11th Field Artillery Brigade where he was gassed in France. George enlisted with the 7th Battalion in February 1915 and would be wounded twice, once in 1915 and again in 1918. Arthur would enlist in January 1915 with the 13th Light Horse, and later served with the 1st Light Horse Regiment, and, like his brothers, he would also be wounded, once in 1915 and again in 1918.

Not much is known about Francis’ early life, except that by 1931, he was living in Emerald Hill, (now South Melbourne), and working as a labourer. In 1936 he would wed Eileen Carter (1903-1966) and together they would settle down at 37 Lambeth St Kensington, a small Victorian terrace house. Following the declaration of WWII, Francis answered the call. The almost 39 year old motor driver enlisted at the Town Hall recruiting office in Melbourne on the 11 June 1940. After a brief training period in Victoria, the newly minted VX26060 Private Francis Edward Whitty was posted to the 2/7th Battalion reinforcements. Arriving in Palestine in November 1940, he was soon transferred to the HQ 1st Australian Corps Guard Battalion. This unit was formed from men who were considered too old for front line service, and were nicknamed “The Old and the Bold”. They were tasked with guarding the Corps HQ and base facilities in Palestine. Stationed at Kilo 89 Camp, in Gaza Ridge (89 km from Jerusalem), and graded as a Group II Cook, Francis would play his part helping to feed the troops that were stationed there as permanent staff and as others that were using the camp for desert training.
In an interview given to the UNSW Canberra for the Australians at War Film Archive, by WX1293 Lance Sergeant Edward ‘Eddie’ Roberts 6th Div. Signals in 2004, he recalls how “camel sausages… were big in Palestine”, and the “food was pretty good, it might have been bland and tasteless, but it was good for you.”

Sent back to Australia in May 1941 for ‘special duty’, Francis arrived back in Sydney in late May 1941.

The Argus Newspaper (29 May 1941) reveals that this entailed guarding Italian prisoners of war on a transport ship from Greece to Melbourne. It states: "FOUGHT IN GREECE - Soldiers Here As Guards. First soldiers to return to Australia after fighting in Greece arrived in Melbourne yesterday. They were guards on a ship which brought Italian prisoners to Australia, and will spend 6 days' leave here. About 30 are Victorians and another group left for Adelaide last night.
They gave graphic accounts of the fighting in Libya and Greece and the evacuation from Greece. An AA gunner who left Australia about 12 months ago served first in Libya and then spent about 6 weeks in Greece. The ship on which he left Greece was attacked repeatedly by dive-bombers.
All praised the work of the Navy in helping the evacuation. Pte. Frank Whitty of Kensington, said that Italian prisoners on the ship were quiet and orderly and did not seem to care what happened. They were allowed more freedom than could have been given to Germans. Some of the men thought that after months of fighting they should have been
given more than 6 days' leave to spend with their families."

He was discharged at Caulfield on the 1 July 1941 due to his “services no longer [being] required, not due to misconduct”.
Francis then reenlisted at Royal Park on the 2 July 1941 for home service. Francis, now almost 40 years old, was given the service number V16683, and was assigned as a Private with the 12th Garrison Battalion, a unit made mostly of “Class B men”. These were the men who were only medically suitable for home service, with many being WWI veterans.
Transferred again to the HQ Guard Battalion a few days later, this unit spent most of its time stationed at the military camp at Royal Park, no doubt guarding the area. Francis was discharged on the 11 November 1941 as medically unfit for further service.

Post discharge, he appears to have resumed his pre-war occupation of a motor driver. Francis and Eileen continued to live in their modest terrace house together until her death in 1966. She is buried in the Roman Catholic section of the Melbourne General Cemetery. They had no children together. On the 14 November 1974, Francis Edward Whitty, a pensioner, passed away at his home in Kensington, Victoria, of a stroke and heart attack. He was 73 years old. A coroner’s file held by the Public Records Office of Victoria reveals that his body was found covered in fleas, and that had been suffering from various health issues for years. It also goes on to state that no assets were identified, and that he had less than $80 at the time of his death. The informant listed on his death certificate was a friend who had known him for four years. As such, it is quite lacking in evidence. An investigation conducted by the police to locate Francis’ next of kin in order so they could be notified of his death and make burial arrangements was fruitless. As a result, Francis was buried in an unmarked public grave in Springvale Botanical Cemetery the next month. A death certificate was not filed until February 1975.

Photos: (1) Francis Edward Whitty from his service record. Source: NAA. (2) Front page of Francis’ initial enlistment form. Source: NAA. (3) Public grave at Springvale Botanical Cemetery. Source: Author’s own. (4) Francis’ militia enlistment. Source: NAA. (5) Eileen’s unmarked grave at Melbourne General Cemetery. Source: Author’s own.

13/11/2023

SCRIVEN, Cyril Augustus William. Late 237645 Ordinary Signalman, Royal Navy; Radio Officer, Merchant Navy and 15987 Sergeant, RAAF.

Cyril Augustus William Scriven was born on the 18 July 1891 in Croydon, Surrey, England, to Charles Augustus Manning Scriven, a schoolteacher, and Eleanor Mary Restell. The eldest of 10 children, the family lived in London. During his early years, Cyril was sent off to school at Christ Church Hospital School in Hertford. After leaving school, Cyril, then aged 15 and a carpenter's boy, enlisted into the Royal Navy at Chatham on the 22 October 1906. This decision could have been influenced by his father, who in his youth was part of the merchant navy. He was initially given the rating Boy 2nd Class. After training on various shore establishments. He was assigned to the HMS Bulwark for the first half of 1908 and then to the HMS Minotaur for most of 1909. During this time serving in the channel with the Home Fleet, he obtained the rating of Ordinary Signalman on his 18th birthday.
Unfortunately, his Royal Navy career was cut short, when in October 1909 he was convicted and sentenced to 90 days hard labour. He was discharged on the 5 November 1909, with his record stating that it was for: "In review of a conviction for theft." His record also states: "mother informed that above decision cannot be rescinded." Obviously, his mother was not happy about his discharge.
Undeterred, a now out of work 18 year old, Cyril moved back to London and worked for an electrical instrument maker for a few years, before obtaining a certificate at the Marconi School of Wireless in 1915. Following his graduation, he joined the Merchant Navy and was afloat with the Government of Western Australia as a Radio Officer in charge on the MS Kangaroo. During this time, the ship was part of the Admiralty Transport for the RN.
In 1917 he married Winifred Laura Veronica Ryan and fathered a daughter, Stella Elinor Phyllis Scriven, the following year. His wife and daughter migrated to Western Australia in 1921. Post war, he continued to serve on the Kangaroo, which by this time was part of the Australia-Singapore trade until 1925 when he transferred to the SS Gascoyne as a Radio Officer.
He left the MN service in 1927 and moved to New Guinea where he worked for the AWA Island Radio service and was for four years, the officer in charge of Kieta Radio. This included maintenance, accounting, publication and editorial duties.
Contained in his RAAF service record are quite a few glowing letters of recommendation gathered throughout his long career in the wireless industry. One of them from Sir Ernest Fisk about his Kieta Radio position reads: "… I consider your effort in publishing a newspaper in that remote part is magnificent, and I feel sure you fellow residents highly appreciate both your energy and your spirit of service."
Between 1933 and 1934 he worked for the British General Electric Co. in Melbourne with the Radio and Refrigeration sales and services department as part of the "All Electrical Exhibition" of the Melbourne Centenary Celebrations. It appears he abandoned his wife and daughter, who were living in Western Australia at that time. She divorced him on grounds of desertion in 1943.
It seems that Cyril couldn't resist the call of the sea. Between 1934 and 1939 he returned to marine services, working with costal trawlers in NSW. Following the declaration of war, he worked for the PMG's department in censorship and observation duties at the Middle Head Observation Station in NSW.
Enlisting into the RAAF on the 1 July 1940 aged 48 years, he claimed 26 years as a wireless operator. He passed the entrance test with flying colours. After training, Cyril served with 11 Squadron and RAAF HQ in Port Moresby as a Wireless Operator Mechanic with the rank of Temporary Sergeant. Unfortunately, it appears his application to become commissioned into an officer was rejected, as although he was recommended by his superiors and he had enough experience, he was determined to be over the age limit. During his time in New Guinea, Cyril was court martialled at Port Moresby on the 26 August 1941, unfortunately the proceedings are not digitised yet, so we cannot know for sure how he got into trouble.
Sent back to Australia in 1943, he served out the rest of the war as an instructor in various signal schools until his discharge on the 29 October 1945, aged 54 years old. It appears he couldn't wait to leave RAAF service and return to his old job, which was offered back to him. A letter in his service record reads: "On my return from leave, I learn that both younger men, and men with less service than myself, have already received their discharge." Post war he returned to work in the naval radio service, with fishing trawlers in NSW. He died in Kogarah, NSW on the 19 October 1958, aged 67 years.

After his death, his body presumably unclaimed, and was given to the University of Sydney's Medical School. It was buried in an unmarked common grave a year later at Rookwood Cemetery, Government Burial Section NNNN, Allotment 1666.

Lest we forget.

03/10/2023

MacMILLAN, Lawrence Vincent. Late VX3711 Private, 2/5th Infantry Battalion.

Lawrence Vincent MacMillan (sometimes spelt McMillan), was born on the 7 February 1918 in Carlton, Victoria, to unknown parents. Newspaper clippings from his wedding note that he is the second son of Alexander MacMillan, a labourer, and Susan Merab MacMillan (nee Cox), however Alexander MacMillan died in 1907 and Susan would have been 45 when she gave birth. What is more likely, is that Lawrence was an illegitimate child of one of Alexander and Susan’s daughters. In any case, the other children of Susan and Alexander were (in order): Veronica, Merab, Reginald and Alexandra.

When war broke out, a 21 year old Lawrence was working as a secretary and living with his foster mother, a Mrs Ellen Fitzgerald of Footscray, Victoria. He enlisted on the 4 November 1939, claiming prior service with the 32nd Battalion AMF, the ‘Footscray Regiment’. A newly minted Private, MacMillan was sent to train at Puckapunyal, as a member of one of the fist drafts of recruits for the 2/5th Battalion. After basic training, the unit, and MacMillan, embarked overseas for Palestine in April 1940. After more training, during which MacMillan qualified from the Middle East School of Cookery in Sarafand in September 1940. Serving as a cook for the battalion, he was eventually transferred to the A.I.F. HQ, and later the AIF Kit Stores. Interestingly, he was promoted to Acting Corporal, but would later revert to a Private on his own request. Sent back to Australia in May 1942, he would marry Mona Isobel Smith, a 26 year old music teacher, on the 6 June 1942 at St. John’s Church, Essendon.

Newspaper articles proudly write about the event: “RECENT WEDDINGS, Macmillan – Smith.

A charming gown of magnolia satin was worn by Mona Isobel, only child of Mr and Mrs Thomas Smith, "Harcourt." Langtree Ave, Mildura, when her marriage to Lawrence Vincent Macmillan, AIF (returned) was celebrated at St John's Presbyterian Church, Essendon, on June 6. Padre W. F. Waters. RAAF, officiated at the ceremony, and the sweet bride was given away by her father. The bodice of her frock, which was cut on Grecian lines, with a long circular train, had long fitting sleeves with points over the hands, and a high neckline, from which hung three rows of pearls. The fine embroidered silk net veil (loaned by the bridegroom's sister, Mrs J Sullivan) was caught to her hair with a pleated tulle halo, and tiny sprigs of orange blossom previously worn by the bride's mother and grandmother. A sheaf of white gladioli and azaleas was carried. The bridesmaids, Misses Betty and Irene O'Brien, and flower girls, Betty and Edna Richards, were frocked alike in ivory spotted net boufferte frocks made over taffeta. The bridesmaids wore large crinoline picture hats, and the flower girls short tulle veils. All carried bouquets of white flowers. Mr Jack Stewart was best man, and Mr Reg Macmillan acted as groomsman. A reception was held at Ascot House, Ascot Vale, where the guests were received by the bride's mother, who was smartly attired in a mustard ensemble and hat to tone, with brown accessories, and a shoulder spray of orchids. She was assisted by Miss S. Macmillan, who wore a smart navy-blue ensemble, hat relieved with white accessories, and a spray of orchids. During the breakfast the usual toasts were honoured, and Mr Cecil Atkinson (the well-known Melbourne tenor, and a friend of the bride) sang "I'll Walk Beside You" and "For England." Many telegrams of congratulation were read.”

After his wedding, he would return to active service, serving at depots in Melbourne. Private Lawrence Vincent MacMillan was discharged on the 22 February 1943 due to “nervous instability and recurrent depression.” Unfortunately, like many wartime marriages, his does not seem to have lasted. It is unknown when he and his wife split, but Mona would remarry Arthur Laurie Paul in 1953.

Post war, Lawrence would live in Mildura, Sydney and Marrickville. He would apply for his campaign medals in 1959 while a resident of the Repatriation General Hospital in Concord, NSW.

Not much can be found out about his later life, except that in Melbourne on the 19 February 1980, Lawrence Vincent MacMillan, occupation unknown, died of a heart attack aged 62 years. His usual place of residence being given as 650 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, a building which used to be the Manchester Arms Hotel. It is unsure if family could be located, as the informant on his death certificate is listed as his friend. He was buried at Eltham Cemetery on the 11 March 1980, where he lies today in an unmarked grave. A death certificate was not issued until April 1980.

Photos: Grave Photo of Lawrence MacMillan courtesy of Lindsay Forman, Find A Grave, group photo courtesy of AWM. "Beit Jerjia. Members of the 2/5th Battalion receive their dry rations before going out on manoeuvres. (Negative by D. Parer)" Other images from the National Archives of Australia

23/06/2023

SEDGWICK, Dudley. Late VX43003 Private, 2/23 Infantry Battalion.

Dudley Sedgwick was born on the 24 September 1919 in Hamilton, Victoria. The son of Elizabeth Mary Whyte (1895-1975) and Charles George Sedgwick (1889-1934) - a carpenter and a WWI Veteran.
A 20 year old Dudley was living in Orford and working as a farm hand when he enlisted on the 14 June 1940. Assigned to the 2/23 Battalion, he shipped out and was sent to the Middle East, where he landed on the 17 December 1940. A little over five months later, Sedgwick found himself captured during the siege of Tobruk on the 19 May 1941. Officially reported as a prisoner of war, Dudley found himself in POW camps in Italy and later Germany (Held in Benghasi, Gruppignano, Campo 57 & 106 then Stalag IVB, IVF & Stalag IVG).
Post war, Sedgwick would give an affidavit stating that he was a witness to the ex*****on of his hut mate (NX16597) John Ernest Laws, 2/17th Battalion, while at a work camp in Vercelli, Italy. He stated that in an attempt by a sentry to get back in favour with his superiors after being caught sleeping at his post, he orchestrated a plan in which he promised Laws extra bread if he could meet him. Laws then went to meet the guard and was promptly shot by him, and arranged to look like the guard had successfully stopped Laws from escaping.
Recovered by allied forces near wars end in late April 1945, he arrived back in Australia that October.
Sedgwick was discharged on the 7 January 1946, having spent most of his service in POW camps. I cannot find many records of him post war, so his life remains a mystery for now.
What I can tell you, is that Dudley Sedgwick died in North Melbourne on the 14 April 1977. At the time of his death, the 56 year old was unemployed, divorced and of no fixed place of abode.

Dudley's body remained unclaimed, and he was buried in June 1977 in an unmarked public grave at Springvale Botanical Cemetery. A death certificate was not filed until later that month.

19/06/2023

Headstone application approved.

A forgotten veteran of the Great War resting at Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery.

William George Wearne was born in 1890 in Bendigo, Victoria, to Thomas Wearne (1837-1895), a miner, and Rhoda Valance (1850-1905). The second youngest of ten children, he was working as a Painter living in Sunshine, Victoria when the war began. Enlisting on the 13 July 1915, a 25-year-old William sailed overseas with the 8th Reinforcements of the 24th Battalion AIF in January 1916, he was taken on strength of the 57th battalion in Tel-el-Kebir military camp, Egypt, before being transferred to the 60th Battalion
During training in Egypt, he was hospitalized for Influenza. He made a full recovery and was sent with the Battalion to France in June 1916. The following month, William was wounded in action, being shot in the arm, and was evacuated to England. After a brief recovery period, he was back in France with the 60th Battalion by December. On the 4 April 1917, William was leaving a trench when he tripped and fell back into the trench. He could not walk and it was found that he was suffering from an internal derangement of the knee. Hospitalized and sent back to England, he was declared medically unfit and sent back to Australia in June 1917. He was discharged in December of that year.
William George Wearne, died of tuberculosis and heart failure on the 12 September 1925 at Heatherton Sanitorium, Victoria, and is buried in an unmarked grave in Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery, Victoria (Methodist, Section 30, Grave 11). His occupation at his time of death was a painter. Medical records state that he was casually employed on the wharf. He was 35 years old. He was survived by five of his siblings. His death certificate states that he never married.
William’s brother Richard Wearne (1879-1918) also served during WWI. He served as a Private with the 55th Battalion AIF, and was Killed in Action in France.

They Served

05/05/2024

31/03/2024

09/02/2024

06/01/2024

13/11/2023

03/10/2023

23/06/2023

19/06/2023

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