A Melba Protégé – ‘Anzac Artist’ Frank Williams

A Melba Protégé -  'Anzac Artist' Frank Williams

In 1918 Nellie Melba provided the boost to the career of artist Frank Williams that he had always dreamed of. The Adelaide born Williams had been wounded at Gallipoli, and was discharged in 1916 suffering from paralysis and severe shellshock. Back in Adelaide he slowly regained his

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DOCTOR STEWART PART II- LOVE AND WAR

DOCTOR STEWART PART II- LOVE AND WAR

A BRIEF RECAP.  In 1912, highly respected Dr John Stewart  shocked everyone by deserting his wife and family in Perth, W.A.  He bought a practice in  Bangalow, N.S.W.  and for two and a half years lived there  quietly  with his mistress, Muriel Meallin.  Muriel was known to

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Dr and ‘Mrs’ Stewart of Bangalow; Love Changes Everything!

Dr and 'Mrs' Stewart of Bangalow; Love Changes Everything!

On May 30 1912, The Northern Star newspaper announced that Dr Bracken of Bangalow had sold his practice to Scottish born Dr J.M.Y Stewart, late of Sydney and Melbourne.  Dr and Mrs Stewart moved into the departing Dr Bracken’s old home. The couple settled in and were

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THE REDEMPTION OF ROBERT COOMBES

THE REDEMPTION OF ROBERT COOMBES

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED BY THE CIVIL POWER? Australian residents enlisting in World War I were required to answer a series of personal questions. At the time, military authorities had no idea what lay behind  recruit Robert Coombes’ answer to No. 6, regarding apprenticeships;  ‘Mr Pike,

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Captain Blakney – a hero of WWI

HAPPY TO SERVE Cyril Blakney  enlisted in the 12th Infantry Battalion as soon as war was declared in 1914.  He was a compositor from Hobart, and also an accomplished  musician and amateur actor. Such a fine looking young man. After the Gallipoli campaign Cyril  served on the Western

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SOLDIERS’ MEMORIAL PARK, BLACKHEATH

SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL PARK, BLACKHEATH

During World War One, seventy seven  men from  the small Blue Mountains community  of Blackheath, NSW   volunteered to serve.  Their names are engraved on the local war memorial. Six were killed in action; H. CULLEN, R. MURRAY, J. SKEEN, D. SPRAGUE, J. STEENSON, & R. THOMPSON.

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The Mystery of the Lone Pine Medal

The Mystery of the Lone Pine Medal

Private Arthur Singleton (Service No. 301) was one  of the first young Australians to volunteer in WWI.  He was a farmer’s son, from South Road, Ulverstone.  Aged 20, he joined the Tasmanian 12th Battalion, sailing off  to Egypt aboard the troopship Geelong on October 20 1914. He

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