Week 21 : 4 March 2015 - The Northern District Times, page 21 - the story of Private WALLACE PARK, Service No. 2253.
Wallace was the son of well-known stonemason and builder James Park, He attended both Gladesville and North Ryde Public Schools before training as a carpenter under J.J. Dakin.
In June 1915 he enlisted and arrived on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 6 August with the 6th Reinforcements of the 2nd Battalion. Two days later his status was listed as wounded in action during the Battle for Lone Pine. A Red Cross enquiry later updated his status to Killed in Action on August 8 1915.
His family's great sadness was turned into many memorials, the most well known being the Wallace Park Memorial Classroom at the Presbyterian Church of St Andrew in Gladesville, which was donated an built by his father and opened by his mother in May 1917.
Parks named after a Digger named Park
[if you click on the title -- it should take you to the on-line edition of the newspaper]
Showing posts with label Gladesville NSW. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gladesville NSW. Show all posts
Friday, 24 April 2015
Tuesday, 14 April 2015
Emmeline and Elizabeth Murrell, the Ryde sisters who both joined the Australian Army Nursing Service
Week 18 : 11 February 2015 - The Northern District Times, page 17 - tells of Emmeline and Elizabeth Murrell, who both joined the Australian Army Nursing Service and continues from the previous week's article on their brother Henry George Murrell.
The large Murrell family lived in a house named Wonga on Victoria Road, Gladesville. Emmeline was 31 when she joined as a Staff Nurse in 1916. Elizabeth had nursed at Ryde's Home for the Incurables [later to become the Royal Rehab Centre, Sydney] and had been appointed Matron of Denistone House at Eastwood in May 1916 before she also enlisted in June 1917.
By the end of the war both had served until they were suffering from debilitating illnesses. For a glimpse of their story read :
Nursing sisters served until they also fell ill
[if you click on the title -- it should take you to the on-line edition of the newspaper]
* as the newspaper link doesn't appear to open the complete article it will be added here;
The large Murrell family lived in a house named Wonga on Victoria Road, Gladesville. Emmeline was 31 when she joined as a Staff Nurse in 1916. Elizabeth had nursed at Ryde's Home for the Incurables [later to become the Royal Rehab Centre, Sydney] and had been appointed Matron of Denistone House at Eastwood in May 1916 before she also enlisted in June 1917.
By the end of the war both had served until they were suffering from debilitating illnesses. For a glimpse of their story read :
Nursing sisters served until they also fell ill
[if you click on the title -- it should take you to the on-line edition of the newspaper]
* as the newspaper link doesn't appear to open the complete article it will be added here;
Monday, 9 February 2015
Military Medal awarded to Ryde's Henry George Murrell - the 17th weekly story
From October 2014, The Northern District Times began publishing short weekly stories from our project's research into World War One service with connections to the Ryde District. This week hear of Henry George Murrell, a Gladesville Veterinary Surgeon at the time of his enlistment in the AIF in 1916,
Private Murrell embarked with Reinforcements to serve with the 17th Battalion in arriving in France in May 1917. A year later his compassion and daring almost got him killed. For his actions he was awarded the Military Medal.
His citation for the Military Medal reads:
'On morning 14th May, 1918 during German attack on our lines near MORLANCOURT, south of Albert was a stretcher bearer. Regardless of danger, he carried wounded to safety under heavy barrage and Machine Gun fire. This man volunteered to go to a post of Germans who had dug themselves in, in an isolated position, with an enemy prisoner who was wounded and said he could persuade his comrades to surrender. When Private MURRELL and his prisoner got near the trench they tried to capture him, but crying out to one Lewis Gunner who was handy, he bolted under covering fire of Lewis Gun. MURRELL's work and energy throughout the whole proceedings was a fine exhibition of bravery and resolution, regardless of self.'
Henry George Murrell was the youngest of 11 children born to Charles and Mary Anne Murrell..
The family lived on Victoria Road, Gladesville, Two of his sisters also served with the Australian
Army Nursing Service, Emmeline Anne MURRELL and Elizabeth Ellen MURRELL and a brother-in-law, Private John McFarlane, SERN 4584 was killed in action at Pozieres in January 1918.
Week 17 : 6 February 2015 - The Northern District Times, page 19 - the story of Private HENRY GEORGE MURRELL, Service No. 6341.
Heroic attempt to return wounded enemy soldier
[if you click on the title -- it should take you to the on-line edition of the newspaper]
Private Murrell embarked with Reinforcements to serve with the 17th Battalion in arriving in France in May 1917. A year later his compassion and daring almost got him killed. For his actions he was awarded the Military Medal.
His citation for the Military Medal reads:
'On morning 14th May, 1918 during German attack on our lines near MORLANCOURT, south of Albert was a stretcher bearer. Regardless of danger, he carried wounded to safety under heavy barrage and Machine Gun fire. This man volunteered to go to a post of Germans who had dug themselves in, in an isolated position, with an enemy prisoner who was wounded and said he could persuade his comrades to surrender. When Private MURRELL and his prisoner got near the trench they tried to capture him, but crying out to one Lewis Gunner who was handy, he bolted under covering fire of Lewis Gun. MURRELL's work and energy throughout the whole proceedings was a fine exhibition of bravery and resolution, regardless of self.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15
Date: 4 February 1919
Week 17 : 6 February 2015 - The Northern District Times, page 19 - the story of Private HENRY GEORGE MURRELL, Service No. 6341.
Heroic attempt to return wounded enemy soldier
[if you click on the title -- it should take you to the on-line edition of the newspaper]
Wednesday, 14 January 2015
Our 10th weekly story tells of George Rottenbury of Ryde.
George Rottenbury had been born in Ryde in 1892. He lived with parents William & Mary in Potts St, Ryde. George was single when he enlisted at Ryde Town Hall in May 1916. He left for the Front with 16th Reinforcements of the 19th Battalion.
In the following April, he was injured with a severe gunshot wound to his chest. After treatment at 13th General Hospital, Boulogne, he was transferred to Fort Pitt Hospital, Chatham. five months later he was well enough to travel home. George later married and had a son and settled in Gladesville after the war, where he was a member of the Gladesville RSL Sub-Branch and the Permanently Disabled Soldiers Association.
Week 10 : 3 December 2014 - The Northern District Times, page 15
[ current working on getting this link to work ]
[if you click on the title -- it should take you to the on-line edition of the newspaper]
In the following April, he was injured with a severe gunshot wound to his chest. After treatment at 13th General Hospital, Boulogne, he was transferred to Fort Pitt Hospital, Chatham. five months later he was well enough to travel home. George later married and had a son and settled in Gladesville after the war, where he was a member of the Gladesville RSL Sub-Branch and the Permanently Disabled Soldiers Association.
Week 10 : 3 December 2014 - The Northern District Times, page 15
[ current working on getting this link to work ]
[if you click on the title -- it should take you to the on-line edition of the newspaper]
Thursday, 27 February 2014
SEARCHING FOR SOLDIERS - the Smythe family of Gladesville and Jerilderie - Our team member Betty details her search for four brothers....
Over a year ago the Ryde Goes to War project began and volunteers were given various letters of the alphabet to find service personnel from the Ryde district who served in World War 1.I was 'lucky' enough to be given the letters 'J' and 'S'.The names from all the Honour Boards in the area were collected and amongst my list were four Smythes onthe Honour Board at Presbyterian Church of St Andrew, Gladesville. They were recorded as:
SMYTHE, H.E.
HMAT Euripides. On 30 April 1915 at Gallipoli he suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder. He
was killed in action in the second battle of Bullecourt on 3 May 1917.
was Lieutenant in the 24th Btn and won the Military Cross. In October of the same year he was
awarded the Bar. In 1915 his wife's address is “Glenvale” in Morrison Rd Gladesville. He servedalso in World War 11 from September 1939 to July 1946. He died in Port Moresby aged 77 in October 1968.
Gallipoli. He served in France and In March 1917 as Captain he won the Military Cross. In October
1917 he was awarded the Bar. He returned to Australia in December 1918 and died in March 1982.
I had some difficulty finding records of birth certificates in Victoria to prove that they were brothers, so one
evening I Googled ..... 'Jerilderie Historical Society' – no luck, then I tried 'Jerilderie World War 1 soldiers' where I found pure gold!
SMYTHE, H.E.
SMYTHE, Viv
SMYTHE, Ver.
SMYTHE, P.
After some searching through Service records in the National Archives and the Australian War Memorial,electoral rolls and BMD records for NSW and Victoria, I discovered they were brothers and their parentswere Edward Albert and Annie Smythe. The 1913 electoral roll shows Mr & Mrs Smythe living in Eltham StGladesville. He was a bootmaker.
HERBERT ANDREW
Born in Victoria, he enlisted on 21 August 1914 aged 24 and embarked on 20 October 1914 onHMAT Euripides. On 30 April 1915 at Gallipoli he suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder. He
was killed in action in the second battle of Bullecourt on 3 May 1917.
EDWARD VIVIAN
Born in Victoria he enlisted on 24 September 1915 and rose to the rank of Major. By March 1917 hewas Lieutenant in the 24th Btn and won the Military Cross. In October of the same year he was
awarded the Bar. In 1915 his wife's address is “Glenvale” in Morrison Rd Gladesville. He servedalso in World War 11 from September 1939 to July 1946. He died in Port Moresby aged 77 in October 1968.
VERNON ERLE
Born in Jerilderie. NSW, he enlisted with his brother, Herbert Andrew, and they served together inGallipoli. He served in France and In March 1917 as Captain he won the Military Cross. In October
1917 he was awarded the Bar. He returned to Australia in December 1918 and died in March 1982.
PERCY ELLESMERE
Born in Victoria, he enlisted on 30 April 1915 aged 22. He became a 2nd Lieutenant and in late 1918 was awarded a Military Cross. He died in 1966 and the Ryerson Index states he was 'late of Denistone.I had some difficulty finding records of birth certificates in Victoria to prove that they were brothers, so one
evening I Googled ..... 'Jerilderie Historical Society' – no luck, then I tried 'Jerilderie World War 1 soldiers' where I found pure gold!
The Smythe family have a website http://www.smythe.id.au and I would recommend that you check it out.The website is in chapters – family, letters, diaries, photos, honours and awards etc etc. Herbert wrote many stories for the Jerilderie newspaper, giving a wonderful record of Gallipoli. There are letters from their brothers and sisters still at home – it was obviously a large, very close family.
The records on the website of their heroic feats to win Military Crosses are amazing reading, And so it is that 4 names on a Roll of Honour through a bit of searching and a lot of luck (thank you Mr Google) have become a wonderful, interesting story of amazing brothers in an amazing family.
Permission has been given by the Smythe website webmaster to include their link.
Betty
15 Feb 2014
Wednesday, 24 April 2013
ANZAC DAY 2013 & 1926
This ANZAC Day we remember all those who have fallen in war and pay tribute to their service
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Our Project Coordinator, Kim Phillips is currently at Gallipoli to attend the services and collect further information on all the Australian Service men and women who lost their lives, as well as those with a connection to the Ryde Municipality.
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The Anzac Commemorative site ready for the Dawn ServicePhoto : Kim Phillips, April 2013 |
ANZAC DAY - GLADESVILLE - 1926
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| Source: Collis, E.H. The Story of Gladesville and its first church. 1938.
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A large gathering in Gladesville remembered those who fell in the War of 1914-1918
on Anzac Day 1926.
The Christ Church memorial gates were unveiled by Governor General of Australia,
Lord Stonehaven.
Originally located near the corner of Victoria Road and Jordan Street, they were moved, to their current location, a bit eastward along Victoria Road, during road widening.
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