There are more than 200 names on the beautiful WW1 memorial board made by A Pengelley & son - the Edwardstown company which had employed some of these men. In 1986 the board went 'AWOL' and found this year (2016) - well cared for, and open for all to see, in a lovely building at Warradale Army barracks.
Most of the men whose names are on this board were either born, lived or worked in the Edwardstown district. Others are connected to family or friends who were living in or near Edwardstown and nearby districts.
The momentous time in history has become more widely known, particularly over the past couple of years due to the commemorations coinciding with the centenary of the Great War. We hear and read stories about the men who went to war, those who never returned and those who did.
The war was not as simple as that. Everyone became involved in one form or another. Communities were involved in raising funds, keeping up morale, helping families whose sole breadwinner was overseas, and comforting those who lost their loved ones. Congregations from all churches, lodges, societies worked together, as one by one young and healthy men joined up, and then many began the long lists began to appear in the newspapers under the headings of wounded, ill, missing and dead.
There was no radio, television or internet. Distance between cities and towns was vast. Knowledge of war, for Australians was limited as we were so distant from Europe, the countries were pictures and stories in the few books in Institute Libraries.
On the home front, mothers became vocal in the community. Often it was they who called for monuments, or memorials. They took on jobs the men had left behind. They knitted and packed gifts for the soldiers. They set up Cheer Up Huts for those coming home on leave or leaving for overseas.
I have been researching the names on our board, beginning with those whose names are followed by a star that indicates death. The MM is short for Military Medal. One thing you may note, is the number of times we find more than one similar surname - brothers joined together or at different times, cousins, workmates, and other relatives. On our board there are the names of the 6 Swift brothers. All brothers joined and all except one came home. Raymond Swift paid the ultimate price for his country. His mother was an outstanding member of the community, caring for her 12 boys, yes she had 12 sons, plus working with the church and other community groups. She was instrumental in setting up a memorial of a stand of trees in a street - Messines Avenue. This roadway was used by the people during both world wars. Street dances, fairs, cheer up huts, RSL, Anzac marches, and most importantly, it led to the railway station. The trees are still there 100 years later. This street led into another which was named Mons, and both were named after important battles in France. Messines June 1917, and Mons early in the war in August 1914. The Western Front.
Messines Ave with most of the trees still standing, even though surrounded by industry and used as a car park. Walk down the street and hear the sounds of laughter as people planted the young trees; the music; the sobbing of someone who had lost a loved one and came to the trees for comfort.
From the list of names on the board, I have tried to write a short story on each of the men, including a short genealogy, and how I believe they were connected to Edwardstown and Districts. Some surnames were firmly established in the area , others have descendants living here now, while others had a tenuous if not fleeting connection.
I hope these will show you that each man is more than the name, number etc. These names will be put in another blog as I have not yet figured out how to do things differently as yet.
If you are interested in finding out more for yourself, I would love to help.
To see the records of each man, go the National Archives of Australia site, type in the surname and service no (SERN) plus the years 1914 to 1920.
Each man will have his full history of enlistment, service, illnesses, medals - sometimes much more. This is in his full and original enlistment papers and details up to the presentation of medals. If you don't know the SERN, this can be found on Aust War Memorial site. Either under WW1 Embarkation Rolls or Nominal Rolls.
https://aif.adfa.edu.au/aif/ is a site which is dedicated to all those who served in the first war and you are able to print or download a special certificate of your ancestor. If you have a photograph or information on your ancestor it can be put on this site for all to share. It has been part of UNSW Canberra Postgraduate program.
If a soldier was killed in action or died from of wounds or illness, try the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour. https://www.awm.gov.au/people/roll-search/all/?preferred_name=&service_number=&unit=&conflict=0&op=Search
The Red Cross has information regarding missing men and prisoners of war on the above page.
Here you will also find the embarkation lists, other WW1 , pre WW1 and on the right of the page, WW2, Korea and Vietnam search guides. The results from this site will enable you to print off a certificate of service, death and burial. Below the search box you can click on Roll of Honour Circular if there is one. This was a form sent to all next of kin after the war, inviting the families to give as much information as possible about their loved ones to be kept at the Memorial.
The State Library of South Australia and the South Australian section of National Archives - both found in the State Library in North Terrace can be very helpful.
Photos of WW1 soldiers can be found in State Records of South
Australia, http://www.archives.sa.gov.au/content/family-history , on Australian War Memorial site and in many cases on Trove. This is the online digital newspapers of Australia and during the war daily, there were lists of men killed, ill, hurt, coming home etc There are many tidbits that might arise including letter sent home, and photos and stories or obituaries. Soldiers were asked to have a will made up before they left, and if they did, probate would be published in local newspapers. http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/?q=
When soldiers enlisted, they also had to nominate next of kin, and if they were going to send money home and to whom. This information can be found on their files which are all open on the National Archives site. Often there may be paybooks available to see or to get copies of - also through National Archives,
If you want to do a family history on 'your' soldier, go into the State Library or to a genealogical society or contact the War Memorial. These places will help to get you started and will give information on how to find out more. SAGHS at Unley have birth, marriage and death certificates on microfiche that you can copy off the originals. Their volunteers are very helpful and knowledgeable.
Battles and other facts of the war are on the War Museum Website and this year 2016 a travelling exhibition showing all aspects of the War to End all Wars is free to all. Check the websites to find out more information. If you are in Adelaide a wonderful museum is located at the Keswick Barracks, on Anzac Highway, not far from Edwardstown or the city.http://www.amosa.org.au
The museum is open every Sunday 12noon to 4pm and they can be contacted at other times. Their display is really interesting with many authentic articles etc The volunteers are very helpful and if they cannot help, they will know of someone or somewhere you may be able to get help. There are also guided tours available of the historic Keswick Barracks. Parking is available and it is also easy to get via bus or train.
One thing I should add, is that since Edwardstown was part of Mitcham Council area, a good source of family history or history of homes, streets etc is the Mitcham Heritage Research Centre - the volunteers there are so helpful. Check their website out for address and times of opening. Of course there are many other places to do research, but I have tried to stay with sites for WW1. Even as I have been researching for this I have found many other sites.
Edwardstown during the World War would have been a bustling area, a thriving community which worked through hard times and sometimes good times - together. It would have been hard for those left at home considering the lack of information. Sometimes soldiers were reported missing, but it could take up to 2 or more years before they were officially listed as KIA. Telegrams were the 'instant' messaging of the day, and although the War Deparment tried to keep the families back home informed as quickly as possible, the wait to find out any news would have seemed so long. Many families found it hard and at times impossible to believe that someone they loved was simply 'missing' or deceased but no body found. Many hung on to the belief that that soldier would one day appear at home. Even when the war was over there were deaths from wounds and illnesses, so it would have been so bitter sweet for families. Other families had to wait longer to see their sons and husbands as they were posted in the UK or other European places to peace keep, but mainly because of the lack of transport to get them home. Only ships - no airplanes.
And once the men were home they were often 'different' but rarely spoke of 'it'. Men of the day had to keep a stiff upper lip and just 'forget' the horrors of war, and the physical pain they may have. Children met their fathers for the first time perhaps. Men came home to find their wives or children or other family members had died while they were away. Women who worked throughout the war had to go home and become the 'housewife' once more. It was a traumatic time for all.
Jobs and homes had to be found, families had to try to bond again. There were no counselling services or medical services for mental anguish for anyone - it was a case of just getting on with it - don't talk about it and it will go away.
Please look at the men who went off to fight for King and Country and the families they left behind as innocents in a way. There was no adventure - although many did have the opportunities to see something of the world they would not have otherwise been able to visit, but on the other hand, it would have been only a few who could sail to France, England, Egypt, etc to visit the graves of their loved ones. Think of these brave men and women with respect and honour and kindness. Let us remember them with love.
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
