STAWELL Vic 3380
Australia
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Stawell Biarri Group for Genealogy Inc. | ||||||||||
| P.O. Box 417 STAWELL Vic 3380 Australia |
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| Newsletter Extracts |
"The Reefs Rumblings" Extracts
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Stawell or Pleasant Creek 1865
Stawell or Pleasant Creek 1865
The first pastoral stations were established in the Stawell district around 1841. Alluvial gold was discovered at Pleasant Creek (now Stawell West) in 1853. By 1857 alluvial gold was being won at Commercial Street and at Deep Lead, with the focus later shifting to mining the quartz gold at The Reefs (now Big Hill). Here’s how Pamela Dunn’s contribution of details from Bailliere’s Victorian Gazetteer of 1865 saw Stawell:
“STAWELL or PLEASANT CREEK (Wimmera District) is a postal and road board township in the Parish of Stawell and electoral district of Crowlands. It is situated on a small creek unnamed, which rises in the Black range and falls into the Mokepille creek; the little Wimmera runs 15 miles W.S.W., the Wimmera 14 miles N.N.E., lake Lonsdale or lake Wilson 10 miles S.W., mount William 20 miles S.S.W., and the Grampian range 18 miles S.W. There are no mills or manufactories; there is, however, one steam quartz-crushing machine in the district, which is chiefly a mining one. Formerly very rich alluvial mining was carried on at and about Deep Lead 5 or 6 miles from Stawell, and at Commercial Street and its neighbourhood, about 2 miles distant. Quartz mining is now carried on to a large extent on Cross Reefs N. and S., New Chum, Sloane's, Perthshire, Scotchman's, Flying Doe, Bonnie Dundee, and other reefs. The nearest towns are Ararat 20 miles S.E., Glenorchy 12 miles N.W., Crowlands 17 miles E.S.E., Great Western 10 miles S.S.E. There is communication by mail coach every day with Ararat and Great Western, and with Glenorchy 3 times a week. The best method of reaching Melbourne is by coach to Ballaarat and thence by rail, the distance is 176 miles.
Stawell is the head quarters of the Wimmera police district. There is a county and petty sessions court, a court of mines, a post and money order office, a telegraph station, and branches of the Oriental and New South Wales banks, and the Australasian, Australian Mutual, Australian Alliance, London and Lancashire, Imperial, and Northern insurance companies; there is a hospital, a mechanics institute, and a news agency where the colonial newspapers may be obtained; also a coach office for booking passengers and parcels to Ararat, Ballaarat, Glenorchy, and Horsham. The hotels are the Camp, New Constitution, and Shamrock.
The population of the town numbers about 60 persons; that of the district, including the adjoining quartz reefs extending for a distance of about a mile, is about 4,000. The photo (right) shows Stawell (The Reefs) looking towards the South Cross and North Scotchmans reefs in the early 1860’s.
The Stawell road board district has an estimated area of 403,200 acres and an estimated population of 3,200 persons, the number of dwellings being about 850: the estimated annual value of rateable property to £25,000; the revenue from all sources to £1,107.8.2 and the expenditure to £1,203.6.0.”
The following article is my understanding of Australian copyright. I had hoped to include a précis of Information Sheet G10 “Copyright in Australia: an introduction - March 2001” published by the Australian Copyright Council but was unable to obtain permission. I strongly recommend that genealogists obtain this publication and another entitled “Family histories and copyright - June 2001”. Ed. In Australia, copyright law is contained in the Copyright Act 1968 (Commonwealth) and decisions of courts. Copyright, which generally lasts for 50 years after the death of the original owner, protects written works, artistic works, computer programs, compilations and much more.
Owners of copyright have exclusive rights to reproduce their work, including by hand-writing, photocopying, scanning, etc.
Genealogists require permission of the copyright owner if they wish to reproduce the work in it’s entirety or even reproduce part of the work, if that part is deemed to be an important part.
Rules for libraries, educational institutions, government bodies, reviewers and students are less restrictive than those that apply to genealogists generally.
Copyright owners can sell or give their rights to someone else (assign the rights) or can allow someone else to use the material (licence the rights). Ideally a written agreement would apply.
It is possible to infringe copyright simply by authorising an infringement.
As a guide the following are ALL incorrect statements as far as our work as genealogists and as a group is concerned:
"You can copy
From the above we can determine that all of the resources held by the Stawell Biarri Group for Genealogy Inc. (including registers, indexes, CD ROMS, books, magazines, etc.) are subject to copyright and can not be reproduced in any way without the owner’s permission.
Taking this newsletter as an example, no part can be reproduced without “Biarri’s” permission and, for individual articles, also the author’s permission. The same applies to our web site.
Information available from:
Australian Copyright Council PO Box 1986 Strawberry Hills NSW 2012 AustraliaContents
Copyright for genealogists
One Stawellite and the "Forgotten War"
Prelude to 2004 CARRA/POPE/SCHNEIDER/HUNTER reunion
Hidden Treasure
History of the Bull & Mouth Hotel
McMURTRIE: From Dalmellington to Stawell
View of Stawell Goldfields 1880, looking north-west from Moonlight Hill. This area of Stawell, including 'Big Hill', was formerly known as 'The Reefs' and it is from this that we derive our newsletter title of 'The Reefs Rumblings'.
The surrounding country is hilly and varied, the Grampian range of mountains lying to the S.W. The geological formation is lower silurian.Copyright for Genealogists
Tel: +61 2 9699 3247 (administration and sales)
Fax: +61 2 9698 3536
Email: info@copyright.org.au
http://www.copyright.org.au
In view of the recent commemoration of the end of the Boer War (often known as Australia's “Forgotten War”), I thought that it might be of some interest to recount a little of the history of my grandfather Donald Gordon Akins [shown opposite] who, at the age of 20, served from Stawell with the Second Victorian Contingent.
Like many of those who served from Stawell, he was an active member of the 'A' Company of the Victorian Rangers1 based in Stawell. He originally volunteered for the "First Victorian Contingent" to go to South Africa but, much to his disappointment, he was not selected. He was, however, selected for the Second Contingent 2. By that time he had reached the rank of Corporal Bugler with the Rangers, but was simply a Private Bugler while in South Africa. From the newspapers of the times -
"Volunteering for South Africa, in the event of war, is now proceeding briskly... ...In response to the above the following officers and men of A Company have handed in their names:- Surgeon Hopkins, Captain Isaacson, Lieut. Hutchings, Sergt-Major Oakes, Bugler Akins..." 3
Bugler Akins signed up officially on 30 December 1899, and by mid January 1900 was on his way to South Africa. Prior to his departure, along with the eight other volunteers from Stawell, he was farewelled by the citizens of the town -
Robbie J Akins
He was also given a patriotic send off from his fellow staff members of the Union Bank 5 -
On the eve of your departure with the second Victorian Contingent of Volunteers, for active service in South Africa, we, your brother Officers in The UNION BANK of AUSTRALIA Ltd. STAWELL, ask your acceptance of the accompanying small souvenir of the high esteem in which you are held by us, and of our appreciation of your action in making one to assist in upholding the honor of the Great Empire to which we belong.
Trusting the little gift will tend to remind you of pleasant days spent in Stawell, and wishing you "GOD SPEED" and a safe return.
After spending a period of training in Melbourne, the nine lads from Stawell embarked on the S.S. Euryalus (shown opposite) and set sail for South Africa. As you can imagine, life on board would have been rounds of training and “morale boosting” events. This life is conveyed a little by a letter [somewhat abridged] that Donald Akins wrote to his parents while on board the ship -
S.S. Euryalus
Jany. 31st. 1900
My Dear Father & Mother and to all the family.
We are not at the Cape yet, but I want to have the bulk of my letters written before we get there, so I am making an early start in writing to you. Of course I will keep it open until the last minute, in case any fresh news turns up, so if this letter appears a little erratic, you will understand the cause.
One thing that speaks well for the boat is, that so far we have not lost a single horse. Of course there are about half a dozen pretty sick, but I fancy they will come around all right. Tell Flo [his sister] that my horse "Mike" is as good a sailor as any of them.
We have plenty of everything to fill up the days. I will give you an outline of the usual days drill. Reveille goes at 6.30am. We dress, wash, & fix up our bunks. Dress for parade goes at 7.15; fall in at 7.30. We have physical exercise without arms for half an hour, & then breakfast is ready. Loaf until dress at 10 o'clock, fall in at 10.30 & drill till 12 o'clock. Dinner. Dress at 2 o'clock, fall in at 2.15 & drill till 4 o'clock. The days work is then over, bed time being at 9 o'clock. Not too much, but just enough to make the trip enjoyable. Of course the drill differs every day, except lately.
Lately we have been having a big dose of bayonet exercise. There is a competition in two or three days from now, & we are doing our best to get in form. I will let you know later on how it goes. Two teams come from each division, so that there are to be plenty of competitors. I am chosen in the first twelve of our lot, so that I hope to be able to tell you later on that I am in the winning team. Of course I am Private Akins now, as I could not get my plate fixed at Albany. However it will be done as soon as we get over there, when I hope to get my rank as bugler back again. I will have a hard try for it, & will let you know how I get on in a later letter. When I reported the matter, I thought I was in for a good dressing down, but not a word was said to me. I am afraid my letter is rather mixed up, but I have so much to say, that I hardly know how to write.
We have plenty of amusements on board, amongst them being the boxing gloves, single sticks, cards, singing, also concerts, one of which we are to have tonight, and the Captain of the boat fills in an odd evening with a lot of views from a magic lantern. He has given two shows and is also going to give another. They are really splendid, as he has a big stock of pictures. We have plenty of all kinds of reading, as the chaplain has opened a library. There are all sorts of books, from Shakespeare down to Deadwood Dicks, and as for illustrated papers and magazines, well they are almost in the road, but having no roads here, that cannot be. We have a regular institution in the form of a daily paper. It is published by the first mate. It gives our position daily, our distance from Albany and Cape Town, & the distance of the daily run. It is very good, and causes many a good laugh. Another paper was started in opposition, but its existence only lasted two publications. The name of our paper is the Ocean Times.
We have a really good band on board. Instruments were presented to the contingent before we left, and now we have a first class band. The excellence of the band is due, I have no doubt, to my being side drummer. I am coming on well, having held the position for over two weeks. The other drummer was given the shoot on account of not being able to play.
We also have a choir, of which I am also a member. In fact, I feel that I am becoming a leading public citizen, if that is the right term. But we really have a very fine choir, the Chaplain himself being choir master. There are about thirty members in it altogether, and I am included in the bass singers. Our chaplain is one of the finest men I have ever met. I don't think I was ever more taken with a man, and it is the same with all on board. It is really a pleasure to hear him speak, and I go to evening church which is held three nights a week, just for the sake of hearing him speak.
Every one on board still has a good heart, & like myself are not sorry for having gone in for the undertaking. But of course we all look forward to the time when we will be able to return to our homes. I see a lot of all the Stawell boys, and all of my spare time is with them all, especially Jack Goodwin. Soon as duty is over, Jack & I get together.
I forgot to tell you in my last letter that when I got on board, I found a telegram waiting for me from Dr.Syme. It wished me good bye and good luck from himself & Mrs.Syme. I was very much surprised indeed, and a very pleasant surprise it was to get it. Be sure to give him my very best thanks for his good wishes and kind remembrance. Everybody on board is about recovered from their vaccination, but a great many had a bad time while it lasted. In a lot of cases it affected then men's legs & feet, so much so that a great many could not walk. For myself I got on splendidly, & am well over it.
Today we had paper & envelopes, and ink pencils issued to us. This letter is written on the paper, & you will see that it has the name of Tuson of Ararat on it. He presented a big quantity of it for the use of the contingent, & it came in very handy, as everybody was running short of paper. We have a daily issue of 2 cigars to each man, and now & again a plug of tobacco. We do not get any cigarettes for nothing, although we can get sixpenny packets for threepence. The box of cigarettes that the dad got for me came in very handy indeed, and lasted me up to a couple of days ago.
A great institution on board is washing day. We have one a week, when we wash our overalls & underclothing. The dress on washing day is bear (sic) skin, or as one of the men said, "Nothing, with side arms". The only bath we can get, is to get up early when the niggers [prior to the days of “political correctness”] are hoseing (sic) the decks, & to let them turn it on you. We have about two parades a week barefooted, when the doctors examine our feet. We also have to drill now & again without boots or socks, so as to harden our feet. There are a dozen magazine rifles on board, the same as are to be issued to us when we reach S.A. We have all had a turn at drilling & shooting with them. They are grand little rifles, & have a range of sight up to 2800 yards. They have a magazine to hold the cartridges, which is only to be used in case of necessity. All the drill is changed in connection with the rifle, as having the magazine, the handling of it is different to the Martin Henry. We are to have helmets issued to us in a day or two, in place of the hats we have at present. They are almost exactly the same as the Rangers' helmets, so that I will always have something to remind me of the old company. The uniform looks very much the same as the Rangers now.
Feb 4th 1900
We had a concert last night, which was the best that has been held. It was due, no doubt, to my rendering of "Like his Father". No encores were allowed, or else I might have still been going. The Colonel also sang what he termed the "Regimental Song". He was very good & lively, & you can guess that there was plenty of applause, but he would not respond a second time. They hold the concerts where the guard is on duty so that I was there to hear every item.
In the last two days we have lost three horses. They are the only ones so far, & we are all hoping that they will be the last. The Captain of the boat hoped to get through without losing one, but we had a little bit of rough weather, which finished off the most sickly ones. We received our helmets today, but I believe we are to receive others when we land. The ones issued are not proof against the sun, as the back does not come down as far as the rangers do. While I am writing there is a sailing vessel in sight, but she is right away on the horizon, being too far away for us to speak to. The bayonet competition came off the day before yesterday, but we did not have the luck to win. My team tied for second place, so that we were not far out.
In fact the Colonel was in favour of placing us first, but the other two judges thought different, so we only came in second with another team. We have changelled (sic) the winning team, and I hope we will have the luck to down them. My division is the leading one of the whole contingent. When we came on board, we were number four but since then we have been promoted to number one.
I have a grand officer over me, Lieut Bruce. If I had my choice, I would pick him before any of the others. Taking them all around, the officers are as fine a lot as you could wish. The guard I was on with yesterday was composed of men all from my division. We got credit of being the best & cleanest guard turned out since leaving Melb. so that was not too bad. We made up our minds to have a big try for the best guard, & so everything was as clean as could be.
Rem. me to Captain Isaacson, Lieut Stanton, & all of the Rangers. I am not writing separate letters to Harry, & the rest of the family just now, as I can give all the news in this letter. I hope mother does not worry about me being away, as there is nothing to worry about, as I am having a really good time. I send my very, very best love to all at home, & am looking forward to sitting together with all of you some day, which will soon come, as the time will soon pass away. I must now close on account of the Cook house call, with my love to you all, from your very aff. son & brother.
(Signed) Don G. Akins
Once in South Africa, Bugler Akins was soon involved in various battles, and fought around Arundel, Colesgurg, Bloomfontein and Kroonstad. Unfortunately, no other of his letters back home from South Africa survive, so the only hint at what he went through is from letters from some of the other Stawell volunteers that were published in the local newspaper. The principal correspondents were Privates Young, Goodwin and Sumner and, if you're interested in this period of history, I would encourage you to scan the newspapers of the time reading, not only the news items, but more especially the letters “from the front”. Many of them make for very poignant reading.
Then in early May came every mother's nightmare – Donald Akins was reported missing in action.
“Don Akins is missing and is supposed to be a prisoner, and I think that may be true, as our people say that the Boers had one of our fellows..." - Letter from Private Sumner, from "Kroonstad", 12 May 1900, "Stawell News & Pleasant Creek Chronicle", Thu 28 Jun 1900.
"...Next morning we were up at 3am and marched out and fought the way towards Brandfort. We got a severe shelling there, but no one was hurt, although Don Akins has been missing since. I heard that he was with the New Zealanders. ..." - Letter from Private G Young, from "Kroonstad", 13 May 1900, "Stawell News & Pleasant Creek Chronicle", Thu 28 Jun 1900.
"Nothing very important has happened since I wrote a week ago, unless it is that Don Akins has turned up smiling. He had only lost his way, not such a very difficult thing to do either. I have missed the regiment dozens of times, and it is just by mere luck that I have found them again..." - Letter from Private Sumner, from "Kroonstad", 19 May 1900, "Stawell News & Pleasant Creek Chronicle", Thu 28 Jun 1900.
The incident didn't last long but, given the very slow speed of communications in those days, it was quite some time before Donald's parents had their minds put to rest. Aside from the letters above, there were also a series of news reports in the newspaper concerning the incident -
The anxiety felt by the parents of Bugler D Akins of Stawell who left for South Africa with the Second Contingent and who has been reported missing since 3rd. inst, is likely soon to be allayed by exact information. Other efforts to obtain information having failed, an appeal for the assistance of Mr Burton, MLA, was made and in reply to a telegram to the Hon. Donald Melville, MLC, the Minister of Defence, the following message was received last evening:- "Premier has cabled to South Africa for further information re Bugler Akins. Will communicate reply as soon as received. - Robert COLLINS, Sectretary of Defence." - "Stawell News & Pleasant Creek Chronicle", Sat 26 May 1900.
A rumour was
current yesterday that Mr C.A.Akins had received word that his son, Bugler
Akins, of the Victorian forces in South Africa, who was some time ago reported
missing, was not at Pretoria. There was no foundation whatever for the rumour,
as Mr Akins has heard nothing so far as to the fate of the missing bugler.-
"Stawell News & Pleasant Creek Chronicle", Thu 31 May 1900.
General pleasure was felt in the town on Saturday when it became known that Bugler Don Akins who was reported missing after the engagement at Brandfort on the 3rd May, was alive and well. The missing bugler it seems got separated from his company and picked up the New Zealand Mounted Rifles to whom he attached himself until he could join his comrades. - "Stawell News & Pleasant Creek Chronicle", Tue 26 Jun 1900.
Telegraphic News" - Bugler Akins of Stawell, rejoined his comrades on the 16th May."Stawell News & Pleasant Creek Chronicle", Thu 28 Jun 1900.
The men who served in South Africa went through many difficult times, and some of this is summed up in another letter from Private James Ziba Sumner 6 7 [pictured] from a soldiers nursing home in Rustenberg -
"We have had a big smash up here. The Boers captured our convoy the other 
day and killed and wounded a lot of the British, and I am sorry to say that one
of our men (Sergeant Francis) is amongst the killed.
Our men left over a week ago to escort the convoy down to Reitfontein and back, and about four days ago the Engineers found that something was wrong with the telephone line between Reitfontein and here so 20 of us set out along the wires with one of the R.E. We were to meet the convoy next day and come back with it.
When we had ridden about six miles we met a lot of the drivers who told us the convoy had been captured, so we sent a messenger back to Rustenberg to tell them the news and pushed on to see if we could be of any help whatever. We had gone another four miles when Private Howard and two conductors galloped up and told us our fellows were all surrounded, and that the Boers were burning the convoy. Howard had thrown up his hands when told and then they fired at him, and not wanting to be murdered he made a run for it and made good his escape. He told us there were at least 800 Boers, and reckoned we would be only a flea bite, so we retired a couple of miles when we met a relief party of 300 men, comprising all that was left in camp of the V.M.R. [Victorian Mounted Rifles], and some infantry, the West Yorks men who were fighting with Buller at Ladysmith and two guns belonging to the 75th battery.
By this time it was sundown, but it was decided to push on with all speed possible, so we started on once more. I kept wondering how Don Akins would be, because I know that he was in the thick of the fight, as his company was with the first convoy, and mine was further back with the second one.
About 11 o'clock, as we were crossing a spruit 8 we found poor Bill Francis laying on his face shot through the heart. When we found him we thought it was all up with the rest of the chaps, but they had the usual luck and came through all right. About midnight we came to a nek 9 where the road runs through some kopjes and half a dozen of us were sent around it while the rest halted before going through the nek. We went round the kopje 10 and then over a bit of a ridge into the nek. We were just on top of the ridge when two shots were fired about 200 yards from us, but they were fired in another direction.
However we cantered down to the others and reported it, and we had dismounted duty to the front at once the West York's going on the right. We advanced up to the kopje and then we could hear horses stamping their feet and the jingle of stirrup irons, so we extended out around the kopje and got ready for a bayonet charge. We crept up closer and closer until at last someone challenged from the kopje and the officer of the West Yorks shouted friends, and asked who was up there. They did not answer at once, so he said, "Come on lads" and they started to charge up the kopje, but the fellows on the kopje sang out "We're the West Yorks, who are you?" and the officer said "We're West Yorks too." Those on the kopje said "No you're not" and our fellows said "Yes we are." They said "What's your name", and they sang some name out, but still they seemed doubtful until one of them recognised the voice and said "It's the relief all right," and they gave a feeble kind of cheer. I was glad when I heard Don Akins was all right, although I was told his horse got a bullet through its leg. We lay down in our coats and snatched a couple of hours' sleep before daylight, for we expected to be attacked at dawn as the Boers were still up on a high kopje just the other side of the road.
We were about as soon as day began to break, and some of the Boers were seen down at the convoy, and the infantry opened fire on them at once, and the battery put a few shells into the kopje, but there were not many Boers about. The majority of them, I think, had done a moonlight flit.
I was watching the red cross men carrying the wounded down the kopje, and they had their work to do, for the wounded were lying two deep. I saw one West York with four bullets in him, one in each arm and one in each leg, and still he walked down to the ambulance all by himself.
I was sent back with some others to bury poor Bill Francis, and I can tell you I did not relish the job. While we buried him others went out on observation post, and kept watch in case there were any snipers kicking about.
When we got back they were burying the others, and it was a terrible sight. I saw one poor fellow who was perfectly riddled with bullets; another had the back of his head blown off; another one had been hit in the face with an explosive bullet, and both eyes were blown out and his nose blown off; others were black in the face and a lot were flyblown. I felt quite sick when I saw them. In one grave they buried six of our men, a Kaffir and a Boer. The Boer did not look to be much over eighteen, and he was picked up fifteen yards from the guns. When found he had a cigar in his hand which he had been smoking. His pockets were full of officers' biscuits, and he a pair of brand new boots on which he had taken from the convoy. They must have been pretty determined to take the guns when he was picked up only fifteen yards from them. De la Roy told an army service corps man that they had got everything they wanted bar the guns, and he said "We are going to take them too;" but he found out his mistake. The gunners would not surrender.
You want to see the place before you can form any idea of the way our men fought. Every tree near the place had its limbs all cut about with bullets. I saw Don Akins that morning and hardly knew him. He had been lying near a stone, and a bullet hit the stone and a splinter caught him in the ear. He was a sight with his ear full of blood, and his face black with powder, and a fortnight's beard on him. He looked more like a Kaffir than anything else. We waited all that day and in the evening the second convoy came along, and we escorted it in. They had had a pretty rough time of it, but fortunately the convoy was saved without any loss of life.
I wonder what the people at home would think if they saw a large convoy. You can hear it coming miles off, the boys yelling and screaming to get the bullocks to pull. Then there's the escort, then the guns, and then the mounted infantry, the West Yorks, and the Argyle riding all sorts of horses. Then there are the Sutherland Highlanders. I could not help pitying the Jocks as they trudged along through the wet grass. I should imagine that their legs must be terribly cold, but they are as happy as Larry. Both the West Yorks and they think the world of the Australians, and will do anything for us. When the battery came back here after the fight they gave three cheers for the V.M.R., and carried their own captain shoulder high up to his tent, for if it had not been for him the Boers would have taken the guns.
One of our men, Sergeant McGowan, died in the hospital last Saturday from enteric fever, and he was buried on Sunday. We all attended his funeral. He was one of our best non-coms, and had been promoted to sergeant only about a week before. One of the Bushmen died here the day before Jack McGowan, and their graves are side by side. There are 13 Australians buried in the Rustenberg cemetery, and all but two of them are Victorians. This is a very unhealthy place, and there is somebody being buried, nearly every day. It's a regular fever bed and we will not be sorry when we leave it.
Owing to the Boers burning the convoy we are forced to live on three quarter rations. That is ten men on a two pound tin of jam and three loaves of bread between five of us. We had an extra 1lb tin of jam between eight of us, and labelled from some friends in the city of London.
Last night one of the sentries thought he saw a rocket go up at a place named Magata pass, and they thought it might be the signal for the Boers to attack us on all sides. We were awakened and made to stand to arms, but no Boers came our way, so we went to bed again.
I have lost my Victorian horse. She received a kick from another horse down at Dass Poort and went lame. I got permission to try and bring her up here, but the other day, when I was away with the convoy, they sent her away to the sick horse farm, and I do not think I will be able to have her again. I have got a Bronco now, a terribly slow old nag, but if I keep digging my spurs into his ribs and hitting him over the head with the butt of my rifle, I can manage to get him into a trot. If he goes away from me though, it takes me about half a day to catch him. He is like a horse I have read about somewhere that had two very bad faults, the first was that he was very hard to catch, and the second was that he was no blessed good when he was caught.
We have church parade in great style here. We go to a real church, but it seems very funny to have to take our rifles with us. They combine business and religion together here all right."
The remainder of Donald Akins' service was relatively uneventful, and he returned home to Stawell with James Ziba Sumner to an enthusiastic welcome -
Privates Sumner and Akins, the last of the Stawell representatives in the Second Victorian Contingent that went to South Africa, returned last night and were accorded an enthusiastic welcome by their comrades in the Rangers and the townspeople generally. There was a very large crowd at the railway station, though of course they were unable to gain admittance to the platform. "A" Company Rangers were drawn up on the platform as the express arrived, and the appearance of the returning soldiers was greeted with loud cheers from their comrades, who lifted them shoulder high and carried them into the refreshments room, where their health was drunk amidst cheers at the instance of Captain Akins [Donald's father].
Headed by the Brass Band the Rangers accompanied by the crowd marched to the Rotunda carrying the returned soldiers who were cheered and cheered again. The Railway Hotel and the residences of Mrs A. Hall and Mrs Greenwood were illuminated by Chinese lanterns which brightened the route considerably. Arrived at the Rotunda the formal welcome took place.
The Mayor, on behalf of the citizens of Stawell, extended a cordial welcome to Privates Sumner and Akins, whom they were all pleased to see back again and in good health. They were proud to think that the returned soldiers had gone through the campaign from first to last. They had done some heavy work and had conducted themselves with great credit to the place they belonged. On behalf of the citizens he again welcomed them and wished them every success. (Cheers) When the Mayor had concluded his remarks the band played "Home, Sweet Home".
Lieut Stanton said that on behalf of the Rangers it was his duty to welcome Privates Sumner and Akins home. He could tell them all, and especially those who were Rangers 16 months ago when they went away, had followed their doings and read their letters with great interest. They were proud to know that their returned comrades had, as Lord Roberts had said when speaking of the soldiers in South Africa, borne themselves as soldiers and gentlemen. He could only add that on behalf of the Rangers he gave them a very hearty welcome home. (Cheers)
Private Sumner, who was received with loud cheering, said it gave him the greatest pleasure to be back once more and see his old friends and comrades again. He had been looking forward to it for the last twelve months. He thanked them for the hearty welcome. (Cheers)
Private Akins also briefly expressed his thanks for the welcome and was loudly cheered.
This terminated the proceedings at the Rotunda and the returned soldiers were escorted to their homes by the Rangers and the Band. The proceedings throughout were of a most enthusiastic character.
Finally, a short summary of the Second Boer War Contingent. This contingent was raised in late 1899 in Melbourne, recruited in Melbourne and country Victoria from members of the Victorian Artillery, Victorian Mounted Rifles, Victorian Rangers, Victorian Infantry Brigade and ancillary units of the Victorian Military Forces, commanded by Colonel Tom Price. Initial training was at Langwarrin and later in South Africa.
The contingent left for Cape Town from Port Melbourne on the S.S.Euryalus on 13 January 1900 arriving on 5 February. They operated with the 1st Victorian Contingent including operations in Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal, between February 1900 and October 1900 including actions at Colesberg, Karee Siding, Vet River, Zand River, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Diamond Hill and Belfast. The contingent's service was similar to that of the First Contingent but the problems of enteric (intestinal) fever was not as serious. The unit embarked at Capetown on November 5 onboard S.S. Harlech Castle, arriving in Melbourne on 4 December 1900.
Casualties: 10 killed in action, died of wounds or died of disease.
There is a fuller description of the contingent's military actions in "Official Records of the Australian Military Contingents to the War in South Africa", compiled and edited for the Department of Defence by Lieut. P.L. Murray, R.A.A. (RET.) All members of the Second Victorian Mounted Rifles qualified for and were issued with The Queens South Africa Medal, 1899-1902 with Clasps Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill and Bellfast. Letter from Defence Personnel Executive.
Footnotes
The AKINS family in STAWELL
Charles Alfred AKINS & Margaret DONALD [m: 8 Sep 1869, Ballarat]
Children (born Stawell):
Selina Mary AKINS b: 28 Nov 1870 d: 5 Mar 1934
Charles Henry (Harry) AKINS b: 22 Dec 1872 d: 12 Sep 1947
Edith Elvira AKINS b: 15 Dec 1875 d: 6 Dec 1951
Ernest Alfred AKINS b: 8 Jan 1877 d: 17 Jun 1953
Donald Gordon AKINS b: 3 Jun 1879 d: 14 Feb 1960
Edgar Eric AKINS b: 6 Apr 1883 d: 4 Oct 1962
Victor Arthur AKINS b: 6 Apr 1883 d: 1 May 1883
Flora Maggie AKINS b: 15 Dec 1887 d: 10 Jun 1964
Addendum At the time of the recent commemorations the local newspaper published a list of those who served from Stawell -
The local RSL at “Oban” has an excellent range of displays from the various conflicts that men of Stawell were involved in, including the Boer War. They will also shortly have available a range of memorabilia from Donald Gordon Akins to add to their Boer War display. On a recent visit to Stawell I donated all his Boer War items to the Stawell Historical Society who in turn have lent it to the RSL for display. I encourage you to visit “Oban” and see the displays – they're well worth the trip. They are also eager to hear from any persons who could supply details of members of the Boer War contingent from Stawell in relation to dates and place of birth, parents, brothers, sisters, wounded in action and any other details. You can contact the RSL Sub Branch Secretary or Charles Kerr, the branch curator, at “Oban” on 5358 3588.
Pictured are the Central Park Gates, erected in 1904 as a memorial to those men and women from the Stawell District who volunteered to serve in the Boer War. (See Reefs Rumblings Feb 1999) 
Akins, Charles Henry [brother of Donald Gordon]; Akins,Donald Gordon; Allingham, John; Bell, Henry Henderson; Best, Henry; Bristow,George Edward, Chamings, William; Cox, William John; D'Alton, Charles Wylde; Davis, Dr Edwin Zerubabel; Davies, John Hugh; Dineen, Cornelius Patrick; Dodd, Walter Charles; Egglestone, William; Esdale, William; Fletcher, Stanley; Gillham, Atherley; Goodwin, John Ephraim; Gray, Harry; Gray, Robert; Hall, Sydney E; Henderson, Leslie James; Herbert, William Barker; Hicks, Sydney James; Hopkins, William F (Surgeon); Howard, Richard James; Hutchings, Edward Thomas; Ingram, Alexander; McInerny (No initials); McMurtrie, Thomas James; McPherson, John Thomas; Murray, Arthur Charles; Neville, George Albert; Neville, Henry Percy; Oakes (a Sgt farrier); Pollard, Charles Ernest; Porch, John William; Pritchard, George; Ratcliffe,Charles; Ross, Andrew; Ross, Malcolm; Rough, William George; Scrivenor, E R; Seaborne, William James; Skene, Thomas; Smart, Arthur; Smith, William Henry; Stewart, George Raleigh; Taylor, William Rufus; Tiddy, Diana (Nurse); Tomlinson, William James; Trew, Henry Freame; Trew, William Merriman; Wells, David Read; Whelan (No initials); Wyatt, Albert W J; Young, George James. It is sad to note that James Ziba Sumner is missing from this list. An unfortunate oversight.
Pictured right, Demetrious CARRA with daughter Edith May CARRA (12th child).
Formerly Karas, of a Greek island seafaring family. He jumped ship in the 1850's to go to “the goldfields”. He was recorded as a miner at Great Western, Victoria, AUSTRALIA from 1869 to 1876 at least. He applied to become an AUSTRALIAN citizen on the 2nd February 1894 and was granted his NATURALISATION CERTIFICATE on the 6th March 1896 #6344. A letter from Keith Hofmaier [great grandson] dated 8th September 1984 to Dorothy Brumby that was sent to Keith from his grandaunt Ada Ellenora Blundell [daughter] written between 1970 and 1975 to him contained the following:
" My father was a Greek seaman. He heard of the "goldfields" while trading in what is now PAPUA NEW GUINEA and deserted when his ship came to Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA. His name was Karas and on the" goldfields" he was nicknamed "ASS" at which he was offended and annoyed, so before his marriage he changed his surname to Carra and all his offspring are Carra's. Mother said he was a fine looking young man, well educated with command of several languages, superior to many and better dressed than most and kept to himself. She was determined to marry "Jimmy the Greek" although she had plenty of admirers. Her sister said she was a flirt, but she denied that - said "women and girls were scarce at the time and not enough to go around".
Father did well as a miner and had a comfortable home with orchard and vegetable garden. In the early days we lived off the land, an abundant time with fruits of all kinds and vegetables. We had a few cows, also goats, geese and fowls and of course we made our own butter. Father dried fruits, such as large plums, which we used all the year around. He bought meat from a nearby piggery and cured all our bacon. Our breakfast was always bacon and eggs, besides porridge and plenty of butter, jam and milk. We were a large happy family and had good parents. Mother was a very bright shapely little woman. She was head and tail of the children’s parties and picnics. The fun didn't start till Mrs. Carra arrived. She used to bake for 2 and 3 days before a Sunday school tea party or a state school tea party, and we had frequent picnics. I'll never know how she managed all she did with two camp ovens. There was no built-in stove and none of today's mod cons. A large kettle and pots hung on chains from an iron rod fixed across the fireplace. Our fire was never out day and night. My mother’s only sister married Thomas Bullock. Some of their descendants still live in Great Western. There should be some Popes also, as mother had three brothers, John, Richard and Thomas [John had two sons, no news of them for years]. Thomas married and lived in Shepparton. His wife and he separated, he went to Tasmania to live and was married and had a family over there. He committed bigamy but was never found out. There must he a few Carras, Popes and Bullocks and their relations around that I haven’t heard of. My mother had a sweet personality and was very fair and lovely in her young days. She had big blue eyes and retained her good looks and her intelligence all her life. She was short, only about 5 feet, shapely and of robust constitution, and lived to be 93. She had fifteen children and fourteen of them grew to adulthood [one died young from whooping cough]
EDITOR’S NOTE:
DEMETRIOUS KARAS/CARRA:
My father continued a "goldseeker" to the end. I well remember in my childhood seeing him go through the process of blowing the dust from his few, grains, or pennyweights sometimes with luck a few ounces, and weighing the gold carefully on his tiny scales. Gold was £8 an ounce in those days and many a time I took the gold to our general storekeeper who was also a gold buyer to pay our accounts. The storekeeper invariably assessed it was less than father and gave little or no change. My father used to feel cheated but had no redress. My mother was always busy with her large family, but she seldom missed Sunday night church and we children all went regularly to Sunday school. My father read from the bible to the family every night with prayers after. He always said grace before meals. My father was good living, God fearing man, a "good man and gentleman in word and deed'. He tutored my two eldest sisters and brother at home before free state education. He was an excellent tutor and they had the best education of us all"
Cassay Walton writes that planning for the reunion “is progressing as best as a project like this can…” and asks that we point out that the reunion will be held on the 108th anniversary of Demetrious Carra’s naturalisation.
Aren’t family reunions great? You meet the extended families (many of whom you have never seen before) as well as renewing old friendships. Help this reunion, booked for Great Western 6&7 March 2004, to be a success by passing the word around. Ed.
“My Grandfather passed away before Mum had married and had children and Grandmother passed away in 1989. When going through my Grandmother’s things we found a collection of cards, photos, etc. in several fabric bags in the bottom of her wardrobe. They had been there since the early 1920's. The first card is dated 29/4/1916 and is from Ballarat; the last letter 20/3/1919 and is from France. There are approximately 270 letters and post cards plus numerous mementos and photos, even a sympathy card sent from the battalion to my grandmother when my grandfather died in 1936. Thank heavens some people keep things.
The letters were stored in a small leather case, sprinkled with a white powder and that’s where they remain. They appear to have suffered no ill effects from this storage so I feel that’s the best way to keep them.
My mother was an only child and didn't know of these letters etc. until after my grandmother had passed away so I was really happy to do this project for her. I read and printed each letter out so all the members of the family could read them. These transcriptions along with the cards, photos etc are now in dry mounted albums, using archival-quality glues and photo corners. The collection gave us a wonderful insight into this remarkable man.” Pictured right: Edward Miller and Charlotte May Smith.
The Thirty-eighth Battalion of the AIF was formed on 1st March 1916 and, after training at Bendigo, left Australia on 20th June 1916 on HMAT Runic. Del’s grandfather Edward Miller, along with eight other men from Goroke, Vic., enlisted for Active Service and became part of the 38th Battalion. (Goroke Enlistees 1916 were BACK: Barney Knight, Val Gardner, Paddy Carracher, Bill McDonald, Tommy Hamilton. FRONT: Ray Gardner, Ted Miller, George Ingram, Tom Callaghan.)
Edward (Ted) regularly wrote to his fiancée, Charlotte (Lottie) Smith, who kept all of his correspondence. This record of one man’s experience of WW1 is now held by his grand-daughter.
In an attempt to capture the spirit of the collection, some excerpts follow, starting with the first of several letters from “somewhere on the water”
My dear Lottie
We are somewhere on the water but 1 can't say where, but I think there is a chance of getting letters posted either today or tomorrow, so 1 am going to write up every chance I get today. We are having a bonzer time so far, nice weather and a smooth sea. I have not been the least bit sick but a lot of the boys had a bad time, Bill, Tom, Ray and Andy were sick but are alright now. I am in the unenviable position of MP for the trip, got no choice, just told to put the badge on. There is plenty of work to do in it and a good chance of being disliked but someone has got to do it and as well me as any of the others, there is 24 of us altogether. We got a move on the day we went on board, most of us stayed up all night or till the bugle sounded at 1 o'clock in the morning, but we were all glad to get way. Every man answered the roll call that morning so that was not too bad. You remember the chap I had the run after who got out of the clink, well he was being sent down to the boat and he jumped out of the train at Castlemaine and got away, he is not too keen on going to the war. Well dear girl I have not much news as we are not too sure what we can write but remember me kindly to all the friends and don't you worry dear, I will be alright, we are having the time of our lives on board and being well fed. I will write again ready for the next chance to post so will ring off now with the best love.
Yours as always
The ship landed at Plymouth at 11.30 a.m. on 11th November 1916, almost five months after leaving Melbourne. Edward was sent to Wool Military Camp, a seven-hour train trip from Plymouth. On his first night there he was surprised when Barney Knight, who was at a camp about 7 miles distant, walked in. Barney thought that Val and the other boys were in the firing line. Edward’s expectation was that they would be 14 weeks in England and 6 in France before it was their turn to “see the firing line”.
On 17th November Edward moved to Dinton Camp, Hurdcott, West Salisbury where he met Tim & Peter Dowling and Val Gardner. Ten days later Edward, on leave, went to London, which he jokingly described as, “… a bit bigger than Goroke…” and on 2nd December 1916 he wrote, “I got my first mail today and you can guess how overjoyed I was to get 3 from you … We are going to another camp on Monday, a place called Lark Hill about 18 miles from here”.
It's said that our fight with the Kaiser
We've mud on our knees and our faces
We've mud in our sugar and coffee
We've mud that is dreadfully sticky
At times we have mud that is like treacle
No matter what else may befall us
Then the almost-inevitable happened, a local newspaper of 27th May 1917 reported, “Corporal E. Miller, of Goroke, who was recently mentioned in despatches, is reported wounded.” Edward’s subsequent letter, written from Norfolk War Hospital, gives these details:
“I am going to try and scratch you a few lines to let you know I am going well and have no pain now, in fact I never had much pain at any time. I got my full dose all the same, I got hit in 19 places but most of them very slight. My old gamey thumb got a knock, that’s why I can’t write, I have no broken bones and am not likely to be affected in any way so I can’t growl. There was a lot of the boys killed and wounded the night I got my lot but I have not heard who they were yet. It happened in a raid at Messines, just in front of hill 63 in Belgium. It’s a hot place, the hottest I’ve been in. If we can advance there we can take Lille and Yepies…”
Edward stayed in Norfolk War Hospital until he was moved to Wayland Military Hospital in mid-August 1917, to Dartford Military Hospital in early September, to Westham Camp, Weymouth in October and by 18th November 1817 he was back in Hurdcott Camp, with some furlough in London and Scotland. On 7th January 1918 he wrote, “… I am going back to France in a few days, perhaps tomorrow. We have everything ready now, but don’t worry my little girl, I feel sure we will come out alright and I will write as often as I get the chance. I must tell you that the Dr told me this morning that I would never be fit to march and he is going to give me a recommendation for the transports, which will be much better than the infantry. … Kind regards to you all
Your own old boy
My own darling
I am taking the chance of writing you a few lines to post in England, Perce Willis is going on leave and will take this with him. I wrote a note a few days ago but did not put much in it, hence the "buckshee" letter. I have had rather an easy time since rejoining the Batt, I have been on light duty all the time, the only work I have done was 4 days and nights in the line, 3 on a post and 1 night on patrol. We did not have a bad time in the line, the old boy was fairly quiet. The only trouble he gave us was a few trench mortars, minnies they are called and they are rotten things too, but there was only 7 casualties in the whole Batt for 8 days in the line so that was not too bad. 'there was no sniping on either side, we could see the Fritz walking about nearly all, day and of course he could see us too, we were about 400 yds apart at the place we were holding. The trenches were very muddy, both on our side and Fritz so that accounts for no sniping, as it was better for both parties to walk over the top than to walk through the trenches. I am not much good in the line now as I am too deaf and my nerves are rotten and the, old knee is not the best. I am only waiting the return of our Commanding Officer now to try for a transfer to the transports or perhaps a board. Our Medical Officer says I have no right to be here at all but it's very hard to get sent back, from here, and he blames the Dr on the other side for sending one over. I don't expect to go in the line again, but of course I am not sure yet. But I won't go in if I can help it. I have had enough to do me for a long time and I won't be much good till I get a safe job somewhere, behind the line a bit. We are like rabbits here, we live in dugouts in the side of a hill, each platoon [about 20-50 men] have their own dugout. There is bunks of a sort on each side, a passage through the middle, electric light day and night. Our dugout is about 20 feet underground and they all have gas proof doors, so we are fairly safe and snug. The old boy sends a few shells over here sometimes but does not do much damage and we can laugh at him. The weather just now is 'Tres Bon' [good] and looks like an early spring, we had lovely sunny days while we were in the trenches.
Well darling I think that is about all the news I can give you this time but if another chance comes along I will write another the same way, I have been getting some papers lately, two parcels of Horsham Times and Natimuk Rags, so that's much better. I had a letter from Donald McDonald Snr yesterday and I think I forgot to, mention in my last that I got your letter with Malyons letter. I think I had better sign off now or Perce will think its a parcel he has got and not a letter. Did I tell you that I got a letter from Mother before I went into the trenches last time. Ta Ta for now my darling, fondest love.
Yours the same
Many letters followed until, on 16 November 1918, Edward wrote, “… Well dear the war is over at last, thank God and the next thing is, when will we be sent home. I’m afraid it won’t be for some time yet, but I hope it’s before the winter sets in properly for I don’t wish to spend another winter here, could do with a bit of sunshine for a change now. … I am still waiting for leave and have not heard when I am likely to get it. .. A fellow is pretty safe now unless he gets run over by a wheelbarrow or something …” Leave was granted and Edward spent ten days in Paris, describing this in detail and sending many postcards. Soon after he purchased a camera and started taking photos of the areas he worked, including, “...up in the old battle area for a few days fixing up some of the boys graves up around the Hindenburgh Line, …”
His last letter was dated 20th March 1919:
EDITOR’S NOTE:
It has been my privilege to borrow Del’s albums and compile this article which, quite frankly, doesn’t do the collection justice. Hopefully Del can be encouraged to extend her work by seeking a grant to publish a commercial version of this unique collection of letters, postcards, official and personal photographs (including some found on the battlefields) a piece of a German aeroplane that had been shot down and first-hand accounts of the war in France. It would make absolutely compelling reading.
FAR LEFT: Myriam Scott, Darol Walsgott, Doug Hateley & Del Rickard
History of the Bull & Mouth Hotel
Compiled by Shane Wegener.
The first building on the Bull & Mouth Hotel site was a small business, a green grocery selling fresh fruit and confectionery. The Pink family owned this business.
The original Bull & Mouth Hotel which stood on the comer of Main street and Doyle Lane was built by George Dawkin and James Hickey in about 1863. For a start the hotel was a modest weatherboard building of four bedrooms and two sitting rooms, but became a two storeyed house with sixteen rooms by the year 1878. It was made entirely of wood with the exception of the east wall which was corrugated iron, with an octagon comer and above the double doorway there was an inset panel with elaborate square columns each side supporting a neat pediment and supported by a suitable base.
George Dawkin held the publican's licence in December 1863 but James Hickey became the licensee a year later when their partnership ended in 1864. James Hickey retired from the business in the early 1870's and there were many licensees to follow. John Hunter, a local miner, took over in 1876 and stayed there until 1889 during which time he was a borough councillor and was mayor of Stawell in 1880. Mr. Hunter was followed by a Mr. Hugh Menzies, Francis Ormston and Albert Franklin who, when re-applying for his licence in December 1906, stated that the building was old &was six or seven inches out of plumb and re-building was contemplated. Bryant &Co, owners of the Stawell Brewery, then owned the Bull & Mouth Hotel. It was very popular hotel at that time when Stawell was only a young country town. In the early years it was a brewery as well as a hotel. There were many people who came in for a meal and a drink, which was cheap, also at that time during the day and night.
In April 1907, the Stawell News reported the old building was being pulled down and tenders for a new brick building to cost something like around 2000 pounds were about to be let. In that year, 1907, the foundation was laid for a new building. In side the rooms of the lounge and the bars there was a Bull's head on the wall. The windows of this building were made of lead light glass from the local glazier firm in Stawell. After the building was completed, the new licence was granted to a Mr. George Oliver in 1908 and it stayed in the Oliver family until 1921. Since then, the hotel changed hands many times until it was demolished in 1985 to make way for a car park serving the adjacent supermarket, only one of two left in Stawell today.
We acknowledge assistance given by Dorothy King, of Stawell Historical Society, when researching the above history.
Photos courtesy of Stawell Historical Society
McMURTRIE: From Dalmellington to Stawell
Following the death of their father, five of the six children of James McMurtrie (1813-1853) and Margaret Hettrick (1808-1884) of Dalmellington, Ayrshire, Scotland 1 migrated to Australia. Four of these five children eventually settled in Stawell during the early days of gold mining. The obituary of the eldest son, David McMurtrie, as recorded in the “Stawell News”, 15 May 1918 gives brief details relating to his 63 years in Victoria:
Our own member, Del Rickard, was guest speaker at our April 2002 meeting. Del brought with her a remarkable collection related to her ancestry. We’ve all heard stories about family members disposing of family records - throwing them in the tip, burning them, etc. This story is quite the opposite, here’s a paraphrase summary of what Del told us:
Address removed by the censor
E Miller.
The Runic reached Durban on Sunday 15th October 1916. On Monday Edward wrote, “Just a wee note on the chance of it getting through from here. Well dear we have had a splendid trip so far, the weather has been good except for a few days. We got into Durban on Sunday and done the town on Sunday night on 4 hours leave … We have been doing it grand on the trams, free rides … don’t you worry, I am doing alright, would not miss it for quids…”
Then, on 7th December 1916 Edward wrote again advising, “This will be the last chance for writing before we leave for France… on Tuesday night [12th December 1916] … All the boys from our way except Ray Gardner are on the draft with me…”. Later letters indicate that Edward didn’t leave until 18 December 1916. In one he writes, “… It’s snowing like the devil this morning… What oh kid, talk about mud, this place [Lark Hill Camp] is the home of it. It is like porridge and sticks like —–.” Apparently things didn’t get any better in France as this newspaper clipping of a poem written by PTE Alfred Miller RAF, Somewhere in France, November 1916 tells.
From France Edward writes, “This is dinkum but a bit mild… It’s cold enough to freeze the whiskers off a fellow here. This is a full size camp 20 miles long and 7 miles wide. Plenty of aeroplanes here going day and night. There is a big concentration camp here full of German prisoners…”. Around mid-January 1917 he was at the front line and wrote, “… We did not have to do any fighting … It is terrible to see the damage done to the towns up near the front line, some beautiful places completely ruined…” Then follow many letters, containing information about other people from the Wimmera area he has met and some of the conditions experienced, e.g. “… it struck me as being a bit queer yesterday at church to hear the shells screeching over our heads…”.
Is the wettest affray since the flood
At least every day makes us wiser
In the infinite samples of mud.
We've mud on our ears and our hair
We've mud on our tunics and braces
On everything else that we wear.
We've mud on our beef and our bread
We seem to be tramping through toffee
We've mud from our toes to our head.
[It's depth may be more than a foot]
We've mud that is chalky and tricky
We've mud that is liquefied soot
At times it is thinner than soup
At times many men by a squeak 'll
Just fail to do looping the loop.
No matter how smooth be our path
When home the authorities call us
The first thing we'll need is a bath
Ted.”
Red Lodge
Edward's correspondence continued, this letter being from the trenches in France with an "up-market" address.
Hyde Park Corner
9/2/18
Just me
"Dearest Girl,
Just a note to let you know I am on my way to England on 14 days leave. I am writing this at Abbeville while waiting for the train. I did not intend to take leave now but … I would be on the next draft in my case, so of course I am taking it now. I expect we will leave France next month for England enroute for Australia and I will get another 14 days then. I will cable you for money from England … I have about 140 different photos of France. I am quite proud of them. I have a little album filled now and will post it to you when I get to England, also a lot of official photos …”
LEFT: Jill Ridler, Betty Crouch & June Radford
The photo above is of Stawell's Main Street in 1906. The original Bull & Mouth Hotel is the two-storey timber building in the left foreground. (No sign of the octagon corner and elaborate pediment)
The photo above shows the brick Bull & Mouth Hotel as it was in early 1923, when Mr. E Quosdorf held the licence for one year.
MR DAVID McMURTRIE
One of the oldest, best known and most highly respected residents of the district in the person of Mr David McMurtrie, of Jallukar, passed to his last rest after a lingering illness on Monday evening. The late Mr. McMurtrie was born in Dalmellington Ayrshire, Scotland, on 31st January 1841. When a boy of 14 years he sailed in "Oliver Lang" 2 for Melbourne, where he attended the John Knox School. Afterwards, accompanied by the late George Lamont and T. K. Campbell, he went to the gold diggings at Maryborough where he took up store keeping. Following up the diggings in 1857, he arrived at Doctors' Creek, where the first crushing battery was erected by Messrs E. Grant and Lamont and where the late Mr J. Scouler his father-in-law, was engineer. Eventually he became a store keeper at Pleasant Creek in the early days of its prosperity. 
In 1872 he took up land in the parish of Jallukar where he resided up to the present time. He was legal manager of the Oriental claim, and with the exception of Mr E.L. Simmons is the last of the shareholders. In September, 1913, he was overtaken with a serious illness and since that period has been an invalid. He formed the first church and Sunday school in the Jallukar parish, and for 30 years carried on the good work in connection with same. Although in delicate health for the past five years he devoted much time to a large correspondence, and also contributed much interesting matter to various papers of the district, including the “News.” Deceased was a true type of Christian and a patriot. He was one of the foundation members and one of the first choir of St. Matthew's Presbyterian Church and was a regular attendant before going on the land. He was present, however, at the jubilee some six years ago. His patriotism was evidenced by the fact that although past the Psalmists' allotted span he knitted close on 200 pairs of socks for the soldiers after the war broke out. His family inherit these traits of character and two sons have served their country and one daughter is a nurse with the forces.
Extreme sympathy is felt for his widow and eight children viz., Messrs James, Alex, Graham (returned wounded from the front), Gunner David (South Africa), William (called to the colors in New Zealand), Sister McMurtrie (Egypt), Mrs Geo Baker Tamworth, N.S.W., and Miss T. McMurtrie, Jallukar. Sympathy is also extended to his sister, Mrs J. Chadwick, Main street, and two brothers. The funeral will leave his late residence at 11.30 a.m. today, arriving at the Stawell Cemetery about 3 p.m. ...”
We go back now to the 1851 Census of Scotland, Parish of Dalmellington, which records our particular McMurtrie household as:
| Street | Name | Relationship | Condition | Age | Rank | Where Born |
| 10 Waterside | James | Head | M. | 38 | Carpenter | Dalmellington |
| - | Margaret | Wife | M. | 41 | - | Maybole |
| - | David | Son | - | 10 | Scholar | Dalmellington |
| - | Alex’r | Son | - | 8 | Scholar | .. .. |
| - | Duncan | Son | - | 6 | - | .. .. |
| - | Jean | Daughter | - | 4 | - | .. .. |
James died two years after the census and, in May of 1855, David was sent to Australia. Oral history has it that he sat at the back of the ship knitting throughout the journey. The remainder of the family, including his mother, Margaret, followed later. David McMurtrie’s family is documented below:
David McMURTRIE (II), b. 31 Jan 1841 Dalmellington, d. 13 May 1918 Jallukar, Vic., Australia(Two more births are registered, but nothing is known of these children. (--?--) McMURTRIE, b. 1884 Stawell, and David McMURTRIE, b. 1909 Stawell)
+Christina SCOULER, b. 27 Apr 1854 Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, m. 23 Sep 1873 Stawell d. 27 Apr 1940 Ararat.
James Alexander McMURTRIE, b. 15 Aug 1874 Stawell, d. 21 May 1966 Stawell (m. Lucy Catherine BRISTOW 20 March 1902)
David McMURTRIE, b. 06 Nov 1876 Stawell, d. 1958 Johannesburg South Africa (m. Dorothy Emmeline SAYELL c. 1922)
Elizabeth Scouler McMURTRIE, b. 13 Aug 1878 Jallukar, d. 21 Jun 1964 Stawell.
Alexander Hettrick McMURTRIE, b. 12 Sep 1880 Jallukar, d. 12 Jun 1966 Stawell, (m. Emma Merren Maude HALL 29 April 1914)
Maggie Carlisle McMURTRIE, b. 14 Jul 1882 Jallukar, d. 1964 N.S.W., (m. George Samuel BAKER 6 March 1914)
William McMURTRIE, b. 11 Jun 1885 Jallukar, d. 15 Oct 1943 Mauku, New Zealand (m. Evelyn Blanche HOWARD 12 Sept 1913 at Mauku N.Z.)
Graham McMURTRIE, b. 16 Nov 1887 Jallukar, d. 17 Aug 1961 Stawell, (m. Mary McGREGOR in 1926)
Teenie Scouler McMURTRIE, b. 21 Jun 1890 Stawell, d. 03 Jun 1984 Stawell.
Before 1914 two of David & Christina’s sons had left Stawell, David (South Africa) and William (New Zealand). That year saw the marriage of one of David & Christina’s daughters. The “Ararat Advertiser” of 23 April reported rather tongue-in-cheek:
“JALLUKAR (From our own Correspondent) Steady rain commenced to fall shortly after midnight on Friday, and continued well on to daybreak, 45 points being recorded. … Our statistician tells us that the number of marriages that take place is largely regulated by the annual rainfall. By the number that have taken place here since the new year and the dry time we have been having, his averages are likely to be upset. The first to be celebrated was Miss. A. Ford and Mr. R. Wild of Moyston. Then followed Miss M. McMurtrie to Mr G. Baker of N.S.W. [pictured right], and on the same day Miss L. Scherger to Mr C. Cattanach, both former residents. Miss Alma May’s wedding to Mr Nichols was celebrated in the Congregational Church, Stawell, closely followed by Mr Bert Ford’s in Ararat to Miss Young. The wedding of Mr A.H. McMurtrie to Miss Hall is announced for the 29th inst., in Melbourne, and hardly two inches of rain for the four months. If Mr Knibbs is right, it is a good tip for two or three inches more before the end of the month.”
What of David McMurtrie’s siblings? The “Stawell News”, 13 September 1924 records a brief outline relating to his brother, Alexander Hettrick McMurtrie:
Death removed from our midst on Wednesday evening a very old pioneer in Mr. Alexander McMurtrie, who had long been associated with the life of Stawell and District. He was in his 80th year, and was a native of Dalmellington, Ayrshire, Scotland, and arrived in Victoria about 65 years ago, first going to the Westernport district, where an uncle had an estate. Some time afterwards he came to Stawell and was employed by the late Mr. Hobbs on his mine, and also at No. 7 Scotchmans, when mining operations were in full swing. He left here to take part in the first New Zealand rush, and after staying there for some time he returned to this district, and with other members of his family, took up land at Jallukar, where he resided for a considerable time afterwards. He returned to Stawell some years ago and remained here until his death. He was of a genial nature and was acquainted with all the history of the goldfield and a most interesting conversationalist. He was a bachelor and leaves to mourn his death a brother, Mr Robert McMurtrie (Armadale) and a sister, Mrs. J. Chadwick (Armadale), with whom and with his relations in this district deep sympathy will be felt in their bereavement. Two other brothers, Messrs D. and R. McMurtrie, predeceased him. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon, and many old friends attended to pay their last tributes of respect. ...” Brother, Duncan McMurtrie, was married twice (in 1877 to Esther Franks HOWE and in 1882 to Mary HYSLOP), each wife dying soon after the marriage at the young age of 27. Duncan was involved in goldmining in Stawell but was not, as was first thought, “The late Mr. Duncan McMurtrie, for many years amalgamator for Grant, Lamont & Company, and who more recently filled a highly responsible position for a mining company in Johannesburg…” (Stawell Past and Present, Maynard Ord, 1896). He left Stawell about 1884 and is believed to have died at Yalgoo W.A. in 1913. (Editor's Note: Research has proven that our Duncan McMurtrie was not the Duncan referred to by Maynard Ord, but was a book-keeper or accountant employed by the Mining Company in which his brothers, cousins (Lamont) and father-in-law (Hyslop) had an interest.)
Sister, Jean McLeod McMurtrie, came to Stawell where she married Joseph Chadwick who founded a large drapery store in Upper Main Street. (The bronze plaque remains on the original shopfront). Joseph died in 1904 and Jean continued in business until 1922-23, when she retired and moved to Kooyong Road Armadale with her three daughters.
Brother, Robert Hettrick McMurtrie, migrated to Melbourne in 1869 where he was a contract carpenter. Isaac Selby (The Old Pioneers Memorial History of Melbourne) refers to his business being in Lonsdale Street, whilst the late Campbell McMurtrie believed that his office was in Little Collins Street. He lived at Armadale. Robert is believed to have designed the McMurtrie home, “Doon Dell”, at Pomonal which was built by Andy Shaw and to have built the “Yarram Park” homestead for the Simmons family. John Wynd
James (The weaver) McMURTRIE, b. 1710 Dalmellington
Duncan McMURTRIE, b. 1748
+Jean McKIE, m. 26 Nov 1770 Dalmellington,
David McMURTRIE, b. 05 Feb 1776 Dalmellington, , d. 31 May 1846 Stratton
+Helen RICHARDSON, m. 22 Dec 1799, b. 5 May 1776, d. 24 June 1842 Straiton,
James McMURTRIE (II), b. 18 Apr 1813 Dalmellington, d. 02 Aug 1853 Dalmellington,
+Margaret HETTRICK, b. 21 Feb 1808 Maybole, m. 30 Oct 1840 Dalmellington, d. 12 Mar 1884 Jallukar, Vic., Australia
David McMURTRIE (II), b. 31 Jan 1841 Dalmellington, d. 13 May 1918 Jallukar, Vic., Australia
+Christina SCOULER, b. 27 Apr 1854 Glasgow, m. 23 Sep 1873 Stawell, d. 27 Apr 1940 Ararat, Vic., Australia
Alexander Hettrick McMURTRIE, b. 09 Feb 1842 Dalmellington, d. 10 Sep 1924 Stawell, Victoria, Australia
Duncan McMURTRIE, b. 20 Feb 1845 Dalmellington, d. 24 July 1913 Yalgoo W.A.
+Esther Franks HOWE, b. circa 1850, m. 1877 Australia, d. 13 Mar 1877 Jallukar, Victoria, Australia
+Mary HYSLOP, b. circa 1855 Ayrshire, m. 10 Apr 1882 Stawell , d. 24 Apr 1882 Stawell
Jean McLeod McMURTRIE, b. 09 Oct 1846 Dalmellington, d. 23 Jan 1913 Armadale
+Joseph CHADWICK, b. circa 1845 Newton with Scales, Lancashire, m. 25 Aug 1875 Stawell, d. 31 Jan 1904 Stawell.
John McMURTRIE, b. 08 Sep 1848 Dalmellington, , d. 25 July May 1849 Dalmellington
Robert Hettrick McMURTRIE, b. 11 May 1852 Dalmellington, , d. 20 Apr 1939 Armadale, Vic, Australia
+Annie COTTELL, b. circa 1854, m. 1902, d. 03 Aug 1924
Footnotes