Unintended Victim of War

Hector Vasyli
Source:
https://trove.nla.gov.au/version/47910204

He was only 10 years old (1), but he was indirectly killed due to the war.  He did not have the
opportunity to meet the girl of his dreams, marry and have children,  but his memory lives on.

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn" (2)

On Easter Sunday (21st April 2019), my husband and I were walking across the Victoria Bridge in Brisbane, as we have done on many occasions.   It was starting to rain and we were heading for the train station, but for some unknown reason,  I walked off the main pathway to read the plaque on the stone archway at the end of Victoria Bridge.

Hector Vasyli Memorial Tablet
Old Victoria Bridge Abutment, Brisbane

"EVERY LAND IS HIS NATIVE LAND TO A BRAVE MAN
NEAR THIS SPOT AS A RESULT OF 

A LAMENTABLE ACCIDENT, WHILST

WELCOMING RETURNED SOLDIERS,

HECTOR VASYLI

WAS KILLED 9TH JUNE 1918.

AGED 11 YEARS.

DURING HIS BRIEF SOJOURN ON EARTH,

HE DEVOTED MUCH OF HIS TIME TO

PATRIOTIC WORK FOR AUSTRALIAN

SOLDIERS DURING THE GREAT

EUROPEAN WAR.

IN HIS VEINS RAN THE HEROIC BLOOD

OF GREECE, AND IN THE BREAST OF A

CHILD HE CARRIED THE HEART OF A MAN.

------------

THIS TABLET WAS ERECTED BY

THE RETURNED SAILORS AND SOLDIERS

IMPERIAL LEAGUE, HELLENIC (GREEK)

ASSOCIATION AND CITICENS(3) OF BRISBANE"

I wanted to know more about poor little Hector.

Hector touched the souls of many, in his short life. "He devoted his Sunday to the heavenly things instead of spending his time in idleness and earthly amusements" (4). He was an altar boy at the Anzac Church."He had friends amongst yellow, black and brown people, and a little black boy was his most devoted and affectionate friend.  At his coffin tears were shed by white and coloured people.  Many an old invalid got some food from him.....and many poor souls blessed the little hand of this good-hearted dear boy.
His patriotism to his country and its brave soldiers was a great example indeed.  He did his bit for every patriotic fund, collected money, sold badges.......There were his little hands working in the interests of our soldiers, to make their return to home sweet for them.  He saved every penny (he was a paper boy), not to buy sweets for himself, but packets of cigarettes for our returning heroes....He would have loved to buy a football, but instead of saving his pennies for that purpose he spent them in the soldiers interests".(4)
Hector "never missed an opportunity of greeting returning soldiers as they proceeded from Central station to the Kangaroo Point hospital.  All his savings were spent in purchasing flowers, cigarettes and other things, which he gave the men as they passed by.  And he met his death while carrying out his noble service". (5)

At the time of his death,  Hector (age 10) (1) was the only son of Mabel Hannah (nee Hatton) and Dessa George Vasyli, who operated a fish and oyster saloon in West End.
Hector had two older sisters, Netta (age 15), Kathleen (age 13), a younger sister, Daffodil - aka Daffidal (age 6) and another sister, Olga, died at 11 months of age in 1911.(6)

Hector was killed by a motor-car while welcoming home soldiers. "This little silent worker, it is sad to say, met his end on such a good-hearted mission."(7)

"On that fatal Sunday he had four packets of cigarettes and a bundle of wattle, and stood there, waiting for the soldiers, to show them his respect and affection" (4) 

There was a procession of more than 60 vehicles taking wounded soldiers to the Military Hospital at Kangaroo Point. A group of four or five boys, including Hector were stationed at the side of the bridge. One of the cars in the lead slowed down suddenly (reportedly to avoid a lady crossing the road), which resulted in a following car, containing several returned soldiers, swerving to the left to avoid a collision with a car ahead. Unfortunately, the car knocked Hector down and the wheels ran over him.  Hector hit his head on the pavement, fractured his skull, fractured his right arm and had many abrasions and contusions.  He was immediately picked up and taken at speed to the Mater hospital, but he had already passed.

The high number of articles, appearing in Newspapers all around Queensland, is a reflection of how much Hector's tale impacted people. 

The memorial tablet was unveiled on Sunday 8th December 1918 in front of a crowd of over 1000.  It was originally erected at the Brisbane end of the old Victoria Bridge, near where Hector died.  The memorial tablet was moved to its current location on the Victoria Bridge Abutment in 1971. (9)

In addition to the memorial tablet, on 10th July 2018, a memorial service was held at the South Brisbane Boys' State School (now the Brisbane State High School on Merivale Street) and a fig tree was planted to perpetuate the memory of Hector Vasyli (10).  I drove past today and there are two big fig trees at the school.  I shall try to find out if Hector's memorial tree remains.

On the 21st August 1919, Mr & Mrs DG Vasyli had the greatest pleasure to announce the birth of a son named Hercules.
"which event they regard to be a consolation granted to them by the Lord.  In His mercy for the loss they suffered when He called up to Him their dear beloved boy, Hector." (11)

"In loving memory of my little friend, Hector Vasyli, who was accidentally killed 9th June 1918, while welcoming returned soldiers home.

One of the best that God could send,

Beloved by all, a faithful friend,

Called home from those who deeply love,

To gain a glorious life above.

With aching hearts and tearful eyes

We linger where our dear friend lies,

And breathe those sacred words once more,

Not lost, but only gone before"

Christie and Charlie Marneros

The Telegraph, Brisbane

Monday 9th June 1919, Page 4

(1)  Hector was reported as being 11 years old at the time of death, but his birth record 1907/B015210 indicates that he was born 6th July 1907 and the death record 1918/B027344 show his date of death as 9th June 1918, so he was10; one month off turning 11 years of age.

(2)  From the fourth stanza of the poem, Ode of Remembrance, by Englishman Laurence Binyon

(3) The spelling of citizen is incorrect on the memorial. 

(4) https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/215432953
     The Daily Mail (QLD 1903-1926), Friday 21 June 1918, Page 7

(5) https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/177062554
    The Telegraph (QLD 1872-1947), Thursday 11 July 1918, Page 2

(6) www.findmypast.com.au

(7) https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20231149
    The Brisbane Courier (QLD 1864 - 1933), Thursday 13 June 1918, Page 6

(8) https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/179048639
    The Telegraph (Brisbane QLD 1872 - 1947), Monday 9 December 1918, Page 5

(9) https://www.visitbrisbane.com.au/brisbane/things-to-do/arts-and-entertainment/heritage-and-architecture/former-victoria-bridge-abutment--memorial?sc_lang=en-au

(10) https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/rendition/nla.news-article177058701
    The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Monday 8 July 1918, page 7

(11) https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/174298188
      The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Saturday 30 August 1919, page 6

Other Resources
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20231149
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20230566
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/216446643
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/216197773
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/213753396
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/176084171
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/175205249

Remembering Roy

Take a few moments to have a good look at the photo below.  

What are your thoughts?  How do you feel?  What do you see?

Source:  www.awm.gov.au
Taken by Unknown Australian Official Photographer 28th September 1917.  Belgium: Flanders, West-Vlannderen, Ypres
Stretcher bearers of the 57th Battalion, at Polygon Wood in the Ypres Sector.  This area was subject to almost continual shellfire, the front line, then about 300 yards away, having been established only the morning before, following the attack on this vicinity by 4th and 5th Division

This is likely the final resting place of my first cousin (twice removed), who died at Polygon Wood three days before this photo was taken.  He was only 20 years of age.   The photo above shows other members of his Battalion, scouring the battlefields, searching for survivors.

Source: www.awm.gov.au
Private Roy Weir was never located and his memory is now preserved on panel 164 at the Australian War Memorial and also on Panel 29 at Menin Gate, being the memorial for soldiers whose graves are unknown.

Roy Weir in 1906
A book was also amongst his
 final possessions

Richard Royal James Weir
1897 - 1917

Richard Royal James Weir (aka Roy) was born at the small farming community of Kinimakatka, in Western Victoria, Australia on the 21st August 1897.  He was the third of the four children of James Weir and Catherine "Amy" Page Pilgrim.

Roy would have been the "man of the house" from a young age as he was only six years old when his father died.  He became a plumber prior to his enlistment.

Although he listed his age as 18 years and 11 months when he enlisted for duty in 1915, he was actually a year younger but he had the written approval of his mother to join up.1

Roy was a small man, standing at 164cm (5ft 4in) and weighing about 56.4 kg (8st 12lb) with blue eyes like his mother, brown hair and a ruddy complexion.1

Nhill Free Press (Vic. : 1914 - 1918),
Friday 4 October 1918, page 2
The same page also included memorials
 to two cousins

After his death the local paper reported "He was very popular amongst the young folk of Nhill, who deeply regret the passing of a sterling young comrade.........The flags in Nhill were flying at half mast on Tuesday as a tribute of respect for the gallant young soldier, who made the supreme sacrifice while fighting for his king, country, and those who stayed at home" 2

I cannot begin to imagine how his mother felt, when nearly 12 months later, she received a package containing her late son's belongings; 2 torches, a razor, brush, 2 maps, a book and a belt.1

Amy Weir remembering her son, Roy.
The brooch is his image.

Today, on this ANZAC Day3, nearly 100 years since the death of Roy Weir,  I remember my cousin, who would have seen unimaginable horrors at such a young age and who did not get the opportunity to have children or to live a full life.

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.

LEST WE FORGET

1 www.recordsearch.naa.gov.au - Series Number B2455 and Item Barcode Number 8380249
2  www.trove.nla.gov.au - Nhill Free Press (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), Friday 26 October 1917, page 2 
3 ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.  Australian and New Zealand soldiers became know as ANZACs during the war.  ANZAC day is the 25th April every year.  It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by the ANZACs in World War 1.

From my Grandfathers album - Mosque of Omar

Allan Scott enlistment photo
Source: www.naa.gov.au

My Grandfather, Allan Richard Scott, enrolled with the Australian Military Forces on 7th February 1942.  Within 7 months he was in the Middle East.  It seems that he had some time for seeing the sights as there are a number of photos from his time abroad.

While in the Middle East he visited many sites in Jerusalem, which I shall share with you over time,  including the Mosque of Omar, which is more commonly known as The Dome of the Rock and is a sacred site for Jews, Muslims and Christians. The old black and white photos do not do justice as the mosque is very colourful and intricately decorated.

You can read more about the mosque here and there are some wonderful colourful photos here.

From the Album of Allan Scott (1942 or 1943)
" Approach to Mosque"

From the album of Allan Scott (1942 - 1943)
"Mosque of Omar"

From the Album of Allan Scott (1942 or 1943)
"Holy Rock - Inside Mosque of Omar"

From the Album of Allan Scott (1942 or 1943)
"Holy Rock - Inside Mosque of Omar"

This post was prompted by Sepia Saturday.  Click to read more posts

 It was difficult to match this weeks prompt.  The dome of the mosque reminded me of the ball.

Cards from the Front

Card sent to Mabel, James, Eva & Lloyd Pilgrim
in 1916  from Melville Geyer (aka Mick)

My Grandmother, Eva Pilgrim, was a little girl when she received cards from her Uncles from the other side of the World.

"May 5th 1916

My Dear Sister Brother Eva Son (Lloyd)

My Letters are coming to ?? I received another letter from you today ?? to hear from you and to know that you are all well and trust that these few lines will find you all enjoying the best of Health as they leave me at present.  I am still in France having a good time.  I am glad to hear that you have plenty of hay this year. I am longing to see the Nips son must be a trick now. I think that it would be better if the Boys that are getting married came and answered their countrys call and helped their pals instead of hanging back. Ern is anxious to come isn’t he and would if Lloyd ever thinks of coming it’s not a bad job after all said and done.  Letter to follow. Love from your loving brother Mick"

Melville Geyer (known as Mick) was the first of the Geyer brothers to leave for World War 1.  You can read more about Mick here.

Ernest Geyer
1916

"23 . 9 . 1916

Dear Mabel,

Just a photo of myself, hoping you are quite well as I am at present.  There is no news at present so that is the reason of my short note.

Best of Love from Ern"

It is interesting to note that this short note was written on the same day that Ern was charged with "Disobeying in such away as to show wilful defiance of authority and lawful commands given personally by his superior officer"

You can read more about Ern here

To Eva With Love From Uncle Lloyd
Undated "silk" embroidered card

1917 card from Lloyd Geyer

France 18 July 17

"Dear Mabel & Jim

Just a few lines to let you know that I am quite well hoping you are all the same.  This Card is for Eva.  Well the other day we had a visit from the King, It was at our sports and he seemed quite pleased with the events.  We are living in another rotten Village now I don't know how long we will be here I hop it won't be to long.  If we want to buy anything we have to pay double the amount that the Tommies pay for them.  A lot of the Villages......."

Unfortunately, I do not have the second part of the note but I know from the handwriting that the card was written by Lloyd as the initial words and writing are identical to those written here.

1918 card from Lloyd Geyer

"France 18/10/18

Dear Mabel Jim and Kiddies
This Card for Eva, XXXXXXX
Just a few cards to let you know that I am quite well hoping these few lines finds you all the same I also received a very welcom letter from you dated 18/7/18 and was very pleased to hear from you.  I have not got that stripe yet but I suppose it will come through some
day.  It is hard luck getting the codlin moth in the apples.  What Church was it that got knocked about you did not tell me.  Tell Jim from one who knows that he is better off where he is, it is not bond over here.  It gets
me down at times.  I have sent the buckle home so you can write to Mother for it, I sent it this week so it will be home by xmas.  We are having very funny weather over here rain one day, and sunshine the next.  I met
Charlie Paterson over here, his father had the....."

Totally off topic this week as Anzac Day
 - Click to see more Sepia Saturday Posts

The Power of Google!

The following two photos were in my grandfather, Allan Scott's, photo album.  My grandmother had written "Not sure of these.  In with  Middle East Snaps".

The hat of the standing soldier indicated that it was an Australian soldier. The palm trees could indicate that it was taken overseas?  But no, there is a Gum tree on the left of the memorial so the photo was likely taken in Australia.

Firstly I tried a Google Image Search without any luck.  To search images, go to www.images.google.com and download the image that you want to search.  

A google image search located many monuments but not the one I was searching for.

   Then, I tried to zoom in on the writing on the monument to determine if any details were visible;

No luck in identifying any writing on the top portion of the monument.

Can you read any words?

I thought that I could read a few words

This Foundation Stone

.....Duke......York

Royal (Guessed Highnesses)

.......Duchess Cornwall [something] York

.......19?1

A further Google search of  Foundation Stone Duchess Cornwall York soon revealed that the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York visited Australia in May 1901 to open the first Commonwealth Parliament of Australia and Edmund Barton was sworn in as the first Prime Minister of Australia.

The Duke of Cornwall and York was later known as King George V.

Federation Celebrations May 1901
Source: www.nla.gov.au

This then led to a further Google Search;

I found it!!!!

Kings Park Perth, Western Ausralia
Boer War Memorial
"The plaque lists all those men from the West Australian contingent who died in service in South Africa"
Source:  www.airminded.org

I know that my Grandfather visited Western Australia on his return from World War II as he wrote about his home coming, which I have written about here. 

Therefore, as my Grandmother did not know the details of the photos and as they were with my Grandfather's World War II photos of Egypt, I would hypothesise that my Grandfather took the photos on his return to Australia in March or April 1943.

Mystery solved thanks to Google!

This post was prompted by Sepia Saturday.
Did you pick the connection?
Click for more posts

Winiam State School Roll of Honour

Source:
Canadian Wallpaper Online

Can you imagine how it must feel to have sons fighting in a war on the other side of the world?  Or the feeling of relief  and happiness when the war finished and your son would be returning home soon?  Or how about the feeling of sadness that your son would not be coming home, but feeling proud of his courage?

I cannot even begin to imagine.

About a week after the official end of World War 1, the following appeared in the Nhill Free Press on 19th November 1918;

"In accordance with the declaration by His Excellency the Governor (Sir Arthur Stanley) Sunday was observed in the local Methodist Church as a day of thanksgiving for the victory that has [crowned] Allied arms in the war, and a day of remembrance of those who gave their lives in the great cause of righteousness, justice, truth and freedom.

Mr W Barber officiated at the morning service, and Rev. W.M. Cannam in the evening.  The sacred edifice was crowded in the evening, and a large assemblage of country members and adherents was in evidence.  The honor roll, on which are the names of our gallant heroes, was entwined with the Union Jack, and there was an excellent display of red, white, and blue in the front portion of the church.  Thanks was offered to God for His Majesty the King and his statesmen, together with Kings and Presidents of Allied nations; for our gallant dead; for our doctors, nurses, chaplains, and other workers; prayers for the enemy.

Source: www. trove.nla.gov.au
Nhill Free Press (Vic.:1914-1918)
Friday 3rd May - page 3

The names of our fallen heroes which appear on the Methodist honor roll in this circuit were then read, and are as follows:- Privates A.R. and L. Anderson*, C Day, A.H. Dean,

H. Hales, H. Muller, T Stevens, F Argall, C.C. Collins, L Parker, E Taylor, - Baker, T. Dickinson, A. Munro, A.G. Warner*, G.J. Blythman, J.W Gniel*, A.J. and F.W. Weir*, Lance-Corporal F.E. Clark, and Sargeant L.J.G. Clark, after which the Dead March was played, the congregation standing with bowed heads.  Miss Davis officiated at the organ."1

Many of the above boys (marked *) also attended Winiam State School, who remembered the valiant efforts of their prior students by unveiling a Roll of Honour on Anzac Day (25th April) 1918.

Several of the young men listed are related to me.  All of them would have been well known to family members in the small farming community of Winiam.

I have previously paid tribute to the following relatives listed on the Honour Roll;

Roy Weir

Ern Geyer

Albert George (Bertie) Warner

As we commemorate 100 years since Australia's involvement in World War 1 , please join me in the following weeks and months when I shall remember each of those listed on the Winiam State School Roll of Honour.

"They shall not grow 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"

Lest We Forget

Sources
1 Trove - Nhill Free Press, Tuesday 19 November 1918, page 3

Side note: This post was written in advance and scheduled for automatic uploading @ 11am on Remembrance Day, 11th November 2014.  We will be on a cruise (refer prior post) and will be in Turkey on Remembrance Day but will still stop for a minute of silence to remember those who lost their lives and fought for their country.

ANZAC Day Blog Challenge 2014: Introduction - A Mother's Love

Nothing compares to a mother's love. 

Can you imagine the prospect of losing your children?  Not once, not twice, but three times?

My Great Grandmother, Edith Geyer, was a very strong lady with great intestinal fortitude!

Edith Geyer during better times
Horsham c 1924

One month after the death of her husband to typhoid fever in May 1899, Edith (who was pregnant) was faced with the prospect of the family being torn apart as she did not have the means to support them.  However, with great strength of character and the aid of the local community of Nhill, she was able to keep the family together.  You can read more about Edith here.

Source: trove.nla.gov.au
The Horsham Times, Tuesday 13th June 1899, page 3

In 1901 , "being in poor circumstances", Edith decided to move the family to Mildura, "having heard that any child however small who could pick fruit off a tree, could earn 4/ or 5/ a day".  We cannot imagine the voyage.  The family were only hours from perishing. You can read about their amazing journey and tale of survival  here.  Did you notice that history was repeating itself?  In more ways than one!

Times were improving - Edith Geyer, her children and first grandchild
1911
Back: Arthur, Melville, Lloyd and Ernest
Front: Sophie, Edith Geyer (nee Bound)  Lil and  Mabel holding Eva Pilgrim

Then as things had started to improve and life was looking up for Edith and her family, World War 1 threatened to break her family apart again.  Her three youngest boys Lloyd, Melville and Ernest would all fight on the Western Front in France and Belgium.

We cannot begin to imagine how Edith must have felt.  She had no control.  She had struggled through adversity since she was born.  She had nearly lost her children twice before.  Through her perseverance and hard work, times were improving.  But would her world be ripped apart?

You can read more about Edith's three ANZACs by clicking on each of their names;
 Lloyd Morris Geyer
Melville Geyer
Ernest Theodore Geyer

You can read more Anzac Day Blogs here

ANZAC Day Blog Challenge 2014: Part 1 - The First of Three sons to embark

Melville Geyer was a handsome young man with blue eyes, brown hair and a fair complexion, when he enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on Monday 5th July 1915. Service Number: 2370.

Melville, also known as Mel or Mick, was 21 years old and would have been very strong, being a Blacksmith's striker. My grandmother always referred to him as "Uncle Mick" so I will call him Mick also.

He was the first of Edith Geyer's boys to leave the shores of Australia, bound for the War, firstly in Egypt then in France.

Source: http://trove.nla.gov.au/
The Horsham Times, Friday 9th July 1915, page 4

Within days, Mick had left Horsham, where he lived with his mother and siblings, Soph, Lloyd, Ern and Lily, to commence training at Seymour.

Melville Geyer was born at his parents home at Rockley Street, in nearby Nhill on 8th February 1895.  He was the 5th of 7 children of Edith Geyer and Edward Ernest Edmund Geyer.  He was four years old when his father died from typhoid in 1899.

On the 29th September 1915, Mick was one of 1106^ young men to board the RMS Osterley at Melbourne.   Another young man on the same voyage was my paternal Grand Uncle, Robert John Jones, who I have written about previously.   Mick was my Great Grand Uncle on my mothers side of the family.  I can't help but wonder if these two young men crossed paths while on the journey?  They would have had no idea that in about 100 years time,  their grand niece would be writing about them!

RMS Osterley
My maternal Great Grand Uncle, Melville Geyer, and my paternal Grand Uncle,
Robert Jones, both left Melbourne on the 29th September 1915, arriving in Egypt.

Mick and two of his three sisters, Soph & Lily Geyer
1915

Within 12 months of leaving Australia, Mick sustained injuries on 23rd August 1916 in France, "Gun shot wounds to his right arm and right knee severe".  He was immediately moved to a "Gas Clearance Station" for the initial operation^^^ and then transferred to England (several different hospitals).   

His defense records show that Mick was arrested 31st July 1917, fined "forfeiture of 70 days pay" and sentenced to "undergo detention for 60 days".  His crime was "Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline" as he falsified leave records (and then denied it).  I believe that there is more to this story than is written in the records.   Mick's younger brother, Ernest, was "gassed" in Belgium in June 1917 and it seems that Mick may have exaggerated (or maybe he was unaware of) the seriousness of his brother's injuries, as he wanted to go and check up on him.   Or did he know what was about to happen to his younger brother?

Mick was enlisted to the 23rd Battalion, 5th Reinforcement. The 23rd Battalion lost 686 soldiers and 2317 were injured^^.  The Battalion lost 90% of the original members at the battle of Mouqet Farm (maybe this is where Mick was injured?).  However, Mick was one of the lucky ones.  Private Melville Geyer returned to Australia on the 17th February 1919 aboard the HMAT A35 Berrima and was discharged as medically unfit (bad knee) on 11th April 1919.

Mick Geyer
1915

Source: http://www.flotilla-australia.com/
HMAT A35 Berrima

He was the first of Edith's boys to leave for war and the first to return.  Perhaps the pioneering overland journey that he and his family took when he was a child, and he wrote about years later,assisted to prepare him for survival?  

You can read more about the family by clicking on the links;

Mother:  Edith Geyer

Brother:  Lloyd Geyer

Brother:  Ernest Geyer

The Pangs of Thirst by M Geyer (A family's remarkable journey overland from Nhill to Mildura in 1901)

^ According to Embarkation rolls on Australian War Memorial website http://www.awm.gov.au/

^^  Source: Australian War Memorial website http://www.awm.gov.au/

^^^ Source: www. firstworldwar.com - "It was found that the sepsis and gas gangrene of wounds could be avoided if effective operation was performed within thirty-six hours of their infliction and all dead an injured tissue removed, in spite of the extensive mutilation incurred."

You can read more Anzac Day blogs here

ANZAC Day Blog Challenge 2014: Part 2 - Greeting from Across the Sea

Lloyd was the eldest of three brothers to serve in World War 1, but he was the last of the brothers to enlist. He was 22 when he took the Oath on 18th July 1916;

Source: National Archives of Australia
www.naa.gov.au

The youngest brother, Ern, had embarked for overseas service two months prior and another brother, Melville (aka Mick), had enlisted 12 months earlier.  A further brother, Art, who was the eldest of the four brothers, remained at home to assist their mother and sisters.  He had wanted to enlist too but was medically unfit.    His mother, Nurse Edith Geyer, must have been very thankful that he remained at home!

Lloyd Morris Geyer (spelling according to his birth certificate) was born on the 9th November 1893 at his parents home at Rockley Street, Nhill.  He was 5 years old when his father died.

Children of Edward Ernest Edmund Geyer and Edith Geyer (nee Bound)

Lloyd Geyer embarked for overseas service aboard the HMAT A71 Nestor,
from Melbourne, on the 2nd October 1916.
Source http://alh-research.tripod.com/ships_lh.htm

Lloyd Geyer (undated)
I am not sure if this was taken during his time in the Senior Cadets
(as he looks so young) or prior to leaving to go overseas in 1916.

A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Across the Sea 1916
Silver Leaves (appear to be Silver Leaf Protea from Africa)
Christmas Greeting from Lloyd Geyer to his sister Mabel Pilgrim (nee Geyer).

For the sake of those I dearly love,
And in the cause of Liberty,
I've left my southern sunny home,
And crossed the wide and trackless sea.

Heaven guard and bless you, dearest one,
Whilst I in foreign lands may roam;
Though I am absent in the flesh,
My tenderest thoughts are of my home.

Good luck to you whilst I'm away;
I know the parting cost you pain;
My earnest prayer from day to day is
GOD BE WITH YOU TILL WE MEET AGAIN.

France

13/12/18

Dear Mabel, 

     Just a few lines to let you know that I am quite well 

hoping these few lines find you all the same.

This is one of our Bat'n cards and the names on the inside is where we have been boxing on their is more to add to it yet.  I am miles away from no where at present.

Well I must close now with the best Love from your loving brother

Lloyd xxxx




The 57th Battalion fought at Sinai, Messines, Fromelles, Corbie, Somme, Ville sur Ancre, Lagnicourt, Villers Brettoneux, Bullecourt, Polygon Wood, Peronne and Harbonnieres.
505 were killed and 1253 wounded.

Lloyd Geyer
Source:  The Geier Family
 History Book  2005

Lloyd's service record (Service Number 2652) is shorter than those of his siblings as he did not suffer any serious injuries or commit any misdemeanors.

He left England on 24th July 1919 aboard the HMAT A41 Bakara, which arrived in Melbourne on Saturday the 27th of September 1919.

He was back at work as a blacksmith assistant in Horsham  prior to his discharge on 11th November 1919, one year after the war had ended.

Source: http://trove.nla.gov.au/
The Horsham Times, Tuesday 30 September 1919, page 5

The War was over and two of the three brothers had returned home to Horsham but there was still no word about the youngest brother, Ernest.   Not knowing would have been terrible for the family.

You can read more about the family by clicking on the links below;

Mother:  Edith Geyer

Brother:  Lloyd Geyer

Brother:  Ernest Geyer

The Pangs of Thirst by M Geyer (A family's remarkable journey overland from Nhill to Mildura in 1901)

You can read more Anzac Day blogs here

ANZAC Day Blog Challenge 2014: Part 3 - He was keen to go to War....but what changed?

Of the three brothers to go to World War 1, Ernest Geyer intrigued me the most.  I still don't know his story and probably never will, which is probably why I remain curious. 

Ernest Geyer was born 22 November 1897 at Nhill, Victoria.  He was the youngest son of Edward Ernest Edmund Geyer and Edith Geyer.  His father died before he turned two years of age.   He was only four years old when the family took a dangerous wagon journey from Nhill to Mildura.  In addition to nearly dying of dehydration, he also nearly drowned (that's one extreme to another!).  You can read more about the journey here.

Ern atttended Winiam State School for a time as he is remembered on their World War 1 board of honour, while his brothers are not. 

Ern Geyer (Number: 1293) is pictured in the bottom right corner.

The Geyer family did not live in Winiam but in nearby Nhill.  However, Ern's big sister Mabel Geyer married James Pilgrim in 1907 and lived at Winiam.  Ern would have been 10 years old.  Therefore it is probable that he lived with his sister and brother in law (my Great Grandparents) and attended Winiam State School.

Source;http://trove.nla.gov.au/
The Horsham Times, Friday 28 October 1910, page 6

Source:http://trove.nla.gov.au/ 
Nhill Free Press, Friday 5th May 1916 , page 2 

In 1910, he fell from a horse and badly injured his knee.  In September 1915, Ern was in a critical condition with seven perforations of the bowel as a result of a shooting accident where a friend shot him at close range with a pea rifle.

It was felt that his injuries could have prevented him from enlisting but he  "put in 8 months of wheat lumping to give it a test, and decided that it was all right, so (I) went and enlisted straight away".  He was 18. He had previous experience with the military in the Victorian Rangers, 73rd Infantry.

Source: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ 
Nhill Free Press, Tuesday 3 July 1917,  page 2

Ern embarked aboard the HMAT Ascanius A11 from Melbourne on the 27th May 1916 as part of 39th Battalion (D Company).   On the 7th June 1917 he was wounded in action in France (gassed).   He was then in and out of hospital and wrote to his mother, an extract of the letter was published in The Horsham Times on Friday 21 December 1917, page 7 and is repeated below;

GASSED, BUT CHEERFUL. 

Ern Geyer

The following are extracts from a Ietter received from Signaller E. T. Geyer and sent to his mother and sisters :-"Somewhere in France." My unit is back in our old billet that we left for the line. When we were here before everyone was glad when word came that we were going away, but everybody was more than pleased when we arrived here. All the boys were tired out when we arrived. We came in motor lorries. We left our camp in the afternoon and marched in easy stages to the line, which was shell holes. Old Fritz started dumping his spare ammunition along our track as we were going up, and continued to do so while we were lying waiting for the magic words. "Over the top, boys."  As I was lying, in my shell hole waiting, and his shells were lobbing close around me, 1 thought, "You'll get paid back shortly, and with compound interest too" 

When our guns opened, and we hopped out, his guns seemed as though the gunners had left them. I looked back several times, and the sky-line was a blaze of light from our superb artillery, which was pounding men and pillboxes into pieces small enough to go into match boxes. Our boys are as good as our guns, for they wander along quite unconcernedly behind our barrage with cigarettes and pipes going. When I was at home, and used to see pictures of prisoners coming in with their hands up, I used to think that they were faked for the purpose, but after seeing some coming down to us with a Red Cross flag flying and their hands up, I can see it is no fake but reality! 

We dug a new front line in what had been Fritz's lines that morning, and made ourselves as much at home as circumstances would permit. We were relieved after some hours and were very glad to get out and get a spell. Our cooks were busy when we arrived dishing out a hot stew; soup, tea and cheese sandwiches, which were very acceptable. We were out for a spell when, in the afternoon, we got a move on for a camp nearer the line, where we stayed for a day and a night. We went up in the night, and Fritz started to dump his ammunition along our track. We didn't have so long to wait for our guns to open up on him. I was in reserve with the rest of the Sigs., and was in a --, which Fritz knew the range of to a yard, and he could dump his ammunition quite close enough to cover one in mud, but could not quite hit anyone. I had a little trench dug on to the end of another that some of the boys had dug, and shell explosions used to cause the mud to fall on to my back. Once when I put my hand into my overcoat to get a smoke , l pulled out a handful of mud.

We were relieved in small parties, and no one in my party knew the way out, with  the result that we got lost, and were wandering among the shell holes. In looking for the track I got into a bog, and sank to my hips, and was powerless to get out without the aid of the other lads. It was quite a common thing for the word to come forward to halt, as someone was bogged. 

When we got out our [cookers] we were going again with a good hot meal, which put fresh life in to one. The mud was coated half an inch thick on my clothing as high as the waist. I looked in a glass, and   discovered that my face had a thin coat of dirt mixed in with my beard.   Don't worry about my being gassed. I do not feel any ill effects of it, and my chest is as good as ever.

It is uncertain what happened but according to defense records, Ern disappeared 9th June 1918.  Letters were returned and communication with Ern ceased.  A court of enquiry found him illegally absent and he was discharged under desertion on 27 April 1920. Maybe the accident prone young man decided that four (or more) near death experiences were enough?  Or perhaps at 21 years of age, he was enticed by a young lady?  How did he get to America?  Or was it Canada as rumoured?  I would love to know!

The Horsham Times, 25 December 1923, p 5

Ern arrived home 5 years after the war ended.

His mother had not heard from him for  "6 years or more" until she inserted an advertisement in the Chicago Tribune. (What made her believe that her son was in Chicago?  Or did she put advertisements in papers around the world?).  She received a reply from a lady who knew Ern and she soon contacted him and as a result he returned to Australia. 

The Geier Family History book states that Ern"travelled to America, where he became a 'Fuller Brush' salesman, then worked for a construction firm, then for the Cadillac Motor company and finally joined the U.S. Army Air Force at Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  He served with 11th Bombardment Squadron, Langley Field, and attained the Rank of Sergeant" .

Other newspaper articles repeat this information and I can see that his mother wrote to him at Langley Field.  However, I have yet to confirm any other details.  I think that I may have located him living in Winnebago, Illinois in 1920 but cannot be certain it is him.

I feel that I must point out that Ern served in the 14 Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps during World War II.     

Christmas 1924 the entire family gathered together, including Edith's grandchildren.  What a wonderful gathering that would have been.  The questions that I would have!  If only time machines existed!

Edith Geyer with her Children - Christmas 1924 @ Horsham
Back:  Lily, Sophie, Mabel
Front:  believe it is Ern, Mick, Edith, Lloyd and Arthur

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