« July 2009 »
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31
You are not logged in. Log in


Search the site:


powered by FreeFind
Volunteer with us.

Entries by Topic All topics  
A Latest Site News
A - Using the Site
AAA Volunteers
AAB-Education Centre
AAC-Film Clips
AAC-Photo Albums
AIF & MEF & EEF
AIF - Lighthorse
AIF - ALH - A to Z
AIF - DMC
AIF - DMC - Or Bat
AIF - DMC - Anzac MD
AIF - DMC - Aus MD
AIF - DMC - British
AIF - DMC - BWI
AIF - DMC - French
AIF - DMC - Indian
AIF - DMC - Italian
AIF - DMC - Medical
AIF - DMC - Remounts
AIF - DMC - Scouts
AIF - DMC - Sigs
AIF - DMC - Sigs AirlnS
AIF - DMC - 1 Sig Sqn
AIF - DMC - 2 Sig Sqn
AIF - DMC - Eng
AIF - DMC - Eng 1FSE
AIF - DMC - Eng 2FSE
AIF - DMC - GSR
AIF - 1B - 1 LHB
AIF - 1B - 6 MVS
AIF - 1B - 1 LHMGS
AIF - 1B - 1 Sig Trp
AIF - 1B - 1 LHFA
AIF - 1B - 1 LHR
AIF - 1B - 2 LHR
AIF - 1B - 3 LHR
AIF - 2B - 2 LHB
AIF - 2B - 7 MVS
AIF - 2B - 2 LHFA
AIF - 2B - 2 LHMGS
AIF - 2B - 2 Sig Trp
AIF - 2B - 5 LHR
AIF - 2B - 6 LHR
AIF - 2B - 7 LHR
AIF - 3B - 3 LHB
AIF - 3B - 8 MVS
AIF - 3B - 3 LHB Sigs
AIF - 3B - 3 LHFA
AIF - 3B - 3 LHMGS
AIF - 3B - 3 Sig Trp
AIF - 3B - 8 LHR
AIF - 3B - 9 LHR
AIF - 3B - 10 LHR
AIF - 4B - 4 LHB
AIF - 4B - 4 Sig Trp
AIF - 4B - 9 MVS
AIF - 4B - 4 LHFA
AIF - 4B - 4 LHMGS
AIF - 4B - 4 LHR
AIF - 4B - 11 LHR
AIF - 4B - 12 LHR
AIF - 5B - 5 LHB
AIF - 5B - 10 MVS
AIF - 5B - 5 LHFA
AIF - 5B - 5 Sig Trp
AIF - 5B - ICC
AIF - 5B - 14 LHR
AIF - 5B - 15 LHR
AIF - 5B - 1er Regt
AIF - 5B - 2 NZMGS
AIF - AASC
AIF - Aboriginal LH
AIF - Badges
AIF - Cars
AIF - Chinese LH
AIF - Double Sqns
AIF - Engineers
AIF - Fr - 22 Corps
AIF - Fr - 13 LHR
AIF - Honour Roll
AIF - HQ - 3rd Echelon
AIF - Marching Songs
AIF - Misc Topics
AIF - NZMRB
AIF - NZMRB - AMR
AIF - NZMRB - CMR
AIF - NZMRB - EFT
AIF - NZMRB - NZMFA
AIF - NZMRB - NZMGS
AIF - NZMRB - OMR
AIF - NZMRB - Sig-Trp
AIF - NZMRB - WMR
AIF - Ships
AIF - Ships - Encountr
AIF - Ships - Una
AIF - WFF
AIF - Wireless Sqn
Battles
BatzA - Australia
BatzA - Broken Hill
BatzA - Liverpool
BatzA - Merivale
BatzB - Boer War
BatzB - Bakenlaagte
BatzB - Belmont
BatzB - Bothaville
BatzB - Buffels Hoek
BatzB - Coetzees Drift
BatzB - Diamond Hill
BatzB - Driefontein
BatzB - Elands
BatzB - Graspan
BatzB - Grobelaar
BatzB - Grootvallier
BatzB - Hartebestfontn
BatzB - Houtnek
BatzB - Karee Siding
BatzB - Kimberley
BatzB - Koster River
BatzB - Leeuw Kop
BatzB - Mafeking
BatzB - Magersfontein
BatzB - Modder River
BatzB - Onverwacht
BatzB - Paardeberg
BatzB - Palmietfontein
BatzB - Pink Hill
BatzB - Poplar Grove
BatzB - Rhenoster
BatzB - Sannahs Post
BatzB - Slingersfontn
BatzB - Stinkhoutbm
BatzB - Sunnyside
BatzB - Wilmansrust
BatzB - Wolvekuil
BatzB - Zand River
BatzG - Gallipoli
BatzG - Anzac
BatzG - Aug 1915
BatzG - Baby 700
BatzG - Evacuation
BatzG - Hill 60
BatzG - Hill 971
BatzG - Krithia
BatzG - Lone Pine
BatzG - Nek
BatzJ - Jordan Valley
BatzJ - 1st Amman
BatzJ - 2nd Amman
BatzJ - Abu Tellul
BatzJ - Es Salt
BatzJ - JV Maps
BatzJ - Ziza
BatzM - Mespot
BatzM - Baghdad
BatzM - Ctesiphon
BatzM - Daur
BatzM - Kurna
BatzM - Kut el Amara
BatzM - Ramadi
BatzN - Naval
BatzN - AE1
BatzN - Cocos Is
BatzN - Heligoland
BatzN - Marmara
BatzN - Zeebrugge
BatzN - Zeppelin L43
BatzNG - Bitapaka
BatzO - Other
BatzO - Baku
BatzO - Egypt 1919
BatzO - Emptsa
BatzO - Karawaran
BatzO - Peitang
BatzO - Wassa
BatzP - Palestine
BatzP - 1st Gaza
BatzP - 2nd Gaza
BatzP - 3rd Gaza
BatzP - Aleppo
BatzP - Amwas
BatzP - Ayun Kara
BatzP - Bald Hill
BatzP - Balin
BatzP - Beersheba
BatzP - Berkusieh
BatzP - Damascus
BatzP - El Auja
BatzP - El Buggar
BatzP - El Burj
BatzP - Haifa
BatzP - Huj
BatzP - JB Yakub
BatzP - Kaukab
BatzP - Khan Kusseir
BatzP - Khuweilfe
BatzP - Kuneitra
BatzP - Megiddo
BatzP - Nablus
BatzP - Rafa
BatzP - Sasa
BatzP - Semakh
BatzP - Sheria
BatzP - Surafend
BatzP - Wadi Fara
BatzS - Sinai
BatzS - Bir el Abd
BatzS - El Arish
BatzS - El Mazar
BatzS - El Qatiya
BatzS - Jifjafa
BatzS - Magdhaba
BatzS - Maghara
BatzS - Romani
BatzS - Suez 1915
BatzSe - Senussi
BatzWF - Westn Front
BW - Boer War
BW - NSW
BW - NSW - 1ACH
BW - NSW - 1NSWMR
BW - NSW - 2NSWMR
BW - NSW - 3ACH
BW - NSW - 3NSWIB
BW - NSW - 3NSWMR
BW - NSW - 5ACH
BW - NSW - A Bty RAA
BW - NSW - AAMC
BW - NSW - Aust H
BW - NSW - Lancers
BW - NSW - NSW Inf
BW - NSW - NSWCBC
BW - NSW - NSWIB
BW - NSW - NSWMR_A
BW - NZ
BW - Qld
BW - Qld - 1ACH
BW - Qld - 1QMI
BW - Qld - 2QMI
BW - Qld - 3ACH
BW - Qld - 3QMI
BW - Qld - 4QIB
BW - Qld - 5QIB
BW - Qld - 6QIB
BW - Qld - 7ACH
BW - QLD - AAMC
BW - SA
BW - SA - 1SAMR
BW - SA - 2ACH
BW - SA - 2SAMR
BW - SA - 3SACB
BW - SA - 4ACH
BW - SA - 4SAIB
BW - SA - 5SAIB
BW - SA - 6SAIB
BW - SA - 8ACH
BW - SA - AAMC
BW - Tas
BW - Tas - 1ACH
BW - Tas - 1TIB
BW - Tas - 1TMI
BW - Tas - 2TB
BW - Tas - 2TIB
BW - Tas - 3ACH
BW - Tas - 8ACH
BW - Vic
BW - Vic - 1VMI
BW - Vic - 2ACH
BW - Vic - 2VMR
BW - Vic - 3VB
BW - Vic - 4ACH
BW - Vic - 4VIB
BW - Vic - 5VMR
BW - Vic - 6ACH
BW - Vic - AAMC
BW - Vic - Scot H
BW - WA
BW - WA - 1WAMI
BW - WA - 2ACH
BW - WA - 2WAMI
BW - WA - 3WAB
BW - WA - 4ACH
BW - WA - 4WAMI
BW - WA - 5WAMI
BW - WA - 6WAMI
BW - WA - 8ACH
BW Gen - Campaign
BW Gen - Soldiers
BW General
Cavalry - General
Diary - Schramm
Egypt - Heliopolis
Egypt - Mena
Gen - Ataturk Pk, CNB
Gen - Australia
Gen - Legends
Gen - Query Club
Gen - St - NSW
Gen - St - Qld
Gen - St - SA
Gen - St - Tas
Gen - St - Vic
Gen - St - WA
Gm - German Items
Gm - Bk - 605 MGC
GW - 11 Nov 1918
GW - Atrocities
GW - August 1914
GW - Biographies
GW - Propaganda
GW - Spies
GW - We forgot
Militia 1899-1920
Militia - Area Officers
Militia - Inf - Infantry
Militia - Inf - 1IB
Militia - Inf - 2IB
Militia - Inf - 3IB
Militia - Inf - NSW
Militia - Inf - Qld
Militia - Inf - SA
Militia - Inf - Tas
Militia - Inf - Vic
Militia - Inf - WA
Militia - K.E.Horse
Militia - LH
Militia - LH - Regts
Militia - LH - 1LHB
Militia - LH - 2LHB
Militia - LH - 3LHB
Militia - LH - 4LHB
Militia - LH - 5LHB
Militia - LH - 6LHB
Militia - LHN - NSW
Militia - LHN - 1/7/1
Militia - LHN - 2/9/6
Militia - LHN - 3/11/7
Militia - LHN - 4/6/16
Militia - LHN - 5/4/15
Militia - LHN - 6/5/12
Militia - LHN - 28
Militia - LHQ - Qld
Militia - LHQ - 13/2
Militia - LHQ - 14/3/11
Militia - LHQ - 15/1/5
Militia - LHQ - 27/14
Militia - LHS - SA
Militia - LHS - 16/22/3
Militia - LHS - 17/23/18
Militia - LHS - 24/9
Militia - LHT - Tas
Militia - LHT - 12/26
Militia - LHV - Vic
Militia - LHV - 7/15/20
Militia - LHV - 8/16/8
Militia - LHV - 9/19
Militia - LHV - 10/13
Militia - LHV - 11/20/4
Militia - LHV - 19/17
Militia - LHV - 29
Militia - LHW - WA
Militia - LHW-18/25/10
Militia - Military Orders
Militia - Misc
MilitiaRC - Rifle Clubs
MilitiaRC - NSW
MilitiaRC - NT
MilitiaRC - Qld
MilitiaRC - SA
MilitiaRC - Tas
MilitiaRC - Vic
MilitiaRC - WA
Militiaz - New Zealand
Tk - Turkish Items
Tk - Army
Tk - Bks - Books
Tk - Bks - 1/33IR
Tk - Bks - 27th IR
Tk - Bks - Air Force
Tk - Bks - Yildirim
Tk - POWs
Wp - Weapons
Wp - Hotchkiss Cav
Wp - Hotchkiss PMG
Blog Tools
Edit your Blog
Build a Blog
RSS Feed
View Profile
Open Community
Post to this Blog
Site Index
Education Centre
LH Militia
Boer War
Transport Ships
LH Battles
ALH - Units
ALH - General
Aboriginal Light H
Weapons
Ottoman Sources

"At a mile distant their thousand hooves were stuttering thunder, coming at a rate that frightened a man - they were an awe inspiring sight, galloping through the red haze - knee to knee and horse to horse - the dying sun glinting on bayonet points..." Trooper Ion Idriess

The Australian Light Horse Studies Centre aims to present an accurate history as chroniclers of early Australian military developments from 1899 to 1920.

The Australian Light Horse Studies Centre site holds over 12,000 entries and is growing daily.

Contact: Australian Light Horse Studies Centre

Let us hear your story: You can tell your story, make a comment or ask for help on our Australian Light Horse Studies Centre Forum called:

Desert Column Forum

WARNING: This site contains: names, information and images of deceased people; and, language which may be considered inappropriate today.

Wednesday, 15 July 2009
The Volunteer Movement in Western Australia, 1st Infantry Regiment
Topic: Militia - LHW - WA

Western Australian Militia

1st Infantry Regiment

 

The following is an extract from the book written in 1962 by George F. Wieck called The Volunteer Movement in Western Australia 1861-1903, p. 56:

 
1st Infantry Regiment
For the purpose of providing facilities for higher forms of training in operations and administration the Perth, Fremantle, and Guildford Infantry corps were, on 10 June 1874, grouped to form the 1st Battalion W.A. Volunteers. No new troops were raised, the arrangement being in the nature of an expedient. The corps concerned retained their administrative independence. Perth provided two Companies, Fremantle and Guildford one each, with the Military Commandant as Battalion Commander.

This organization continued until 1899 when, on more troops becoming available, the three component corps were permanently incorporated in what was gazetted on 1 July 1899 as the 1st Infantry Regiment, under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel S Gardiner.

The Regiment was organized as follows:

Perth:

Headquarters, Band, "A" Company, "B" Company, and later "G" Company.

Fremantle:

"C" Company, "D" Company, and later "F" Company.

Guildford:

"E" Company.

It was a big step in the right direction. It now became possible for senior officers to practise higher forms of leadership, and for junior officers to study co-operation and mutual support in a practical way.

The 1st Infantry Regiment was automatically dissolved when the W.A. Infantry Brigade came into being on 8 October 1900. See: W.A. Infantry Brigade; 1st Battalion, W.A. Infantry Brigade; 2nd Battalion, W.A. Infantry Brigade; and, 3rd Battalion, W.A. Infantry Brigade.

 

 

Previous:  York Infantry

Next: Metropolitan Civil Service Battalion 

 

Further Reading:

Western Australian Militia, Light Horse

Western Australian Militia, Infantry

 


Citation: The Volunteer Movement in Western Australia, 1st Infantry Regiment

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT
Updated: Friday, 4 September 2009 9:09 PM EADT
Report by Major Tunbridge about Elands River, 15 September 1900, page 7
Topic: BatzB - Elands

The Battle of Elands River, 4 August 1900

Report by Major Tunbridge, 15 September 1900, Page 7

 

 Report by Major Tunbridge about Elands River, 15 September 1900, page 7.

 

 

On 15 September 1900, Major Tunbridge wrote a report of the action at Elands River for the NSW General Staff of which page 7 is transcribed below.

 

(7)

The casualties were very heavy on the first day (among whom were 5 deaths) and nearly all being from fragments of shells were very bad wounds. Several men were hit a second time in hospital.

Surgeon Captain Duka and his staff - one of them, Trooper W Hunt - of your Colony - were untiring in their work, which was all done under shell fire, Captain Duka did splendid work the whole time and had his hands very full.

I have taken the liberty of cabling and reporting to you as the whole of the Australian details at Elands River were placed under my command.

I have the honor

Sir

Your Obedient Servant
W. Howard Tunbridge Major
O.C.
2nd Regiment R.F.F.

 

Previous: Report page 6 

Next: Report on Casualties, page 8

 

Further Reading:

Elands River

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

 


Citation: Report by Major Tunbridge about Elands River, 15 September 1900, page 7

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT
Updated: Sunday, 26 July 2009 11:39 PM EADT
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
General Victorian Society Items, Contents
Topic: Gen - St - Vic

General Victorian Society Items

Contents

 

Items

The Family

The Fay Family of Creighton's Creek, Elizabeth Fay

 

Regional Responses

Richmond Goes to War: 1914-1918 

March Past, Melbourne, 24 September 1914

 

Broadmeadows

Broadmeadows 1909  

Broadmeadows Camp, Inducting Recruits, September 1914 

 

Entertainment

The Beast of Berlin

 

Further Reading:

General Victorian Society Items

 


Citation: General Victorian Society Items, Contents

Posted by Project Leader at 11:35 PM EADT
Updated: Tuesday, 14 July 2009 11:36 PM EADT
The Fay Family of Creighton's Creek, Elizabeth Fay
Topic: Gen - St - Vic

The Fay Family of Creighton's Creek

Elizabeth Fay

 

Elizabeth Fay wearing a silk shirt, the material for which was sent from Egypt.

 

The Fays Early Selectors at Creighton's Creek

George Fay, senr., and his wife Frances (nee Wakeford) took up land near the Creighton's Creek in the very early days of selection activities. The couple died when their children were young.

They had three children - George, Frances and John (Jack).

George married Elizabeth Sharp, of Longwood, and they reared six children, namely Reginald, Bernard, Harold, Laura, Edward and George. They built a home and lived on the Creighton's Creek property.

George was a member of the Rifle Club, the range being in one of his paddocks. He was a member of the Light Horse and served in World War 1. He attained the rank of captain and was killed in action. (I have seen a pair of cuff links sent from. Cairo to Joe Fay by his uncle, Captain George Fay).

Jack Fay married Edith Sharp, of Longwood, in 1908. They also built a house on their property at Creighton's Creek. They had four children - Martha, Veronica, Joseph and Frances. He was also a member of the Light Horse (known earlier as the Mounted Rifles) and enlisted with the forces which went to the South African War. (1 have been shown a South African war medal bearing the following words: South Africa - Transvaal, Orange Free State, Cape Colony and also a likeness of Queen Victoria; also a South African War medal presented to Jack Fay in appreciation of his war services by the residents of Longwood).

Jack was a keen rifle shot and won many prizes and trophies. He was a good runner and high jumper and won numerous events at district picnics. He was a member of the school committee for several years and he and his wife helped in all district organisations. Edith helped with knitting, etc., during two World Wars.

Jack and Edith carried on the farming activities until advancing age made it necessary for them to retire to Euroa.

Frances Fay married Robert Gray, of Rochester. They farmed a property on the Campaspe River which is still being run by their son and daughter. They had the following children - Edith, Betty, Francis and Robert.

 

Captain George Fay, Second Lieutenant, 16th (Indi) Australian Light Horse.




The senior Fay couple, George and Frances, died when Jack was eight years of age. The property was then put into the hands of trustees until Jack was 21 years of age.

George and Jack then farmed the property as partners. In the early days there was a lot of clearing to be done. The partnership continued until George was killed in action. The partnership was then dissolved and George's wife, Elizabeth, sold her share to Lawrence and Nellie Barns. She then lived in Euroa in order to obtain employment for her children.

This property was later bought by Joe Fay who also acquired Jack's share. It is all still retained by Joe's widow, Thelma and son Gary who live on the properties at Creighton's Creek. Other members of Joe and Thelma's family are Joseph and Denyce.
 

Captain George Fay (left) and Tom Sharp in Egypt.

 

The above article was extracted from the Euroa Gazette, p. 62.

 

Creighton's Creek Tennis Club, 1906

 

Reminiscences about Elizabeth Fay

 

Elizabeth Jane Fay (neé Sharpe)

Born at Longwood, Victoria, in 16/9/1881

Eldest of thirteen children. 

Married George Fay, at Longwood, Victoria, 13 May 1903

Elizabeth (Babs) had 6 children, five sons and one daughter and subsequently 20 grandchildren.

Widowed, 1 December 1917

Moved to Euroa, 1918

Died aged 86 years, Melbourne, 22 November 1967.

Elizabeth was a tall, slim woman, with a carriage described as stately. She never wore make-up, her hair was worn simply, in a tidy bun, her clothes were always clean and neat.  A quite and unassuming woman who had a profound effect on all who met her; a remarkable woman.

Elizabeth was an industrious woman as one would need to have been, being the eldest of 13 children growing up on a farm.  Her early responsibilities and training throughout those years of caring for her mother and siblings, carried her steadfastly through the lives of so many people, until she died at the age of 86 years.

A warm, caring woman, with a great inner strength, not to be a leader, but to be there by someone’s side; to see what needed to be done; what problem needed to be resolved.  Capable always, she created order out of chaos, briskly yet quietly; her pace never seemed to falter.

As a young woman she had a strong ambition to train as a nurse, but her family would not allow her to do so; their reasons are now unknown.  Perhaps, the loss of such a capable young woman to the growing family would have been too great.  Her cleaning, nursing and cooking skills would have been a great loss to her mother.  At the age of eleven she was cooking not only for the expanding family but also the harvesters or whoever else came to the farm. Whatever the reason for their denial of her aspirations, she carried the disappointment throughout her life, although this was rarely mentioned.

She was 22 years of age when she married George Fay at Longwood, Victoria.

 

George Fay and Elizabeth Sharp on their wedding day, 13 May 1903.

 

Her husband was the son of a soldier of the same name, who had been returning to Ireland from army duty in India.  George Snr., and his friend (who’s sister he later married) visited Australia on their way home and had decided to stay.  Later, he and his wife (Frances Wakeford) took up land at Creighton’s Creek in the early days of Soldier’s selection land, coming available.

When Elizabeth and George married they built a home on his family’s property ‘Cluny Farm’  Creighton’s Creek, 10 miles out of Euroa, which is situated 160 kilometres from Melbourne via the Hume Highway.

Elizabeth, with a husband and eventually, six children to wash and iron for, had a lean-to down near the creek from which she carried water to boil for washing.  She had to build a fire to boil the clothes.  All washing was rubbed on a board to clean it, then rinsed and in those days blued and starched. She used to throw a fishing line into the creek while she was there and keep watch on the younger children.  Getting so much wet washing back to the farm would have been quite a feat. (How would she have managed that?  Perhaps she took a horse and cart.)

 

Cluny Farm’ Cookhouse, Creighton's Creek


Her cooking skills were renowned, her flaky pastry to dream of, and her scones always took first place in shows. She was an excellent needle woman, a good horse woman and excellent driver. (Horse and Jig)  In other words:  A capable country woman.

The local rifle range was situated on their property, where her husband and others trained. When World War 1 started he went to Melbourne to train the young men signing up.  Perhaps it was, sending 16 & 17 year olds off to war with little experience, which eventually saw him make the difficult decision to leave, with his horse, for Egypt to join the 8th Australian Light horse.

 

(Left to right) Elizabeth ("Bab"),  Bernard, Harold, George Jnr (seated), and Edward between George Snr's legs.

 

Navigating by the stars, he led his men through the inhospitable deserts of Africa, beneath which he was destined to remain, forever, with other fallen sons and fathers.

Elizabeth, with six children, the youngest newly born, had taken over the running of the farm, from which she also operated the local post office.

She received constant flow of letters from a loving husband, a man with whom she always claimed, she had never had a cross word.

 

Elizabeth ("Bab") with five children, (left to right) Bernard, Harold, Laura, Edward, and George.

 

Her husband was with the Light horse at El Burj Hills in Egypt, when she knew without any doubt, that he had died.  She waited some time before the knock on the door came with conformation, and the day of his death, was as she knew it, 1 December 1917.

Over time, so many of his men wrote to her, and others travelled great distances to see her and to talk of what he meant to them.  It was well established that he was wounded, but refused to leave his men while he could still sit a horse, for which he paid the ultimate price. 

Did knowing this comfort her?  We never thought to asked her, but knowing her, we do know, she would never have asked him to do otherwise.

 


 Fay family pension details

 

She continued, through the following 50 years to feel his presence close to her, supporting and loving her. This feeling was very real to her.  She would not consider having another partner.

Elizabeth sold the farm and bought a house in Euroa in 1918 to be close to schooling and work for the older boys.  Here she raised the children and worked with the local doctors, taking into her home women who needed to come into town when a birth was imminent.

These women and their babies, stayed with her to recuperate after birthing, or operations, until they were strong enough to travel back to their homes. For so many of these hard working country women, it was the only rest they ever had.

Elizabeth was a natural nurse and a woman with much common sense.  Perhaps, one secret for her success in nursing her patients, her children and grandchildren, was her lifetime conviction of the necessity for cleanliness. Tables tops and floors were scrubbed, linen boiled and utensils sterilised.

 

George, Edward, and Laura Fay

 

Fresh air, sunlight, clean water, fresh food and scrubbed hands for its preparation, were all considered essential to maintain good health.
As the childre grew up to adulthood, the need to find work for them all saw her shift the family unit to West Coburg on the outskirts of Melbourne. 

Two of her sons became policemen.  During the depression years, because she had two young sons working, she received no pension.  Despite this she saw that no one she knew went hungry, including neighbours deserted by fathers, who left in search of work, or because they couldn’t cope through those dreadful years.

Her home was always full of people, talking, laughing, eating.  No doubt it was her cooking abilities which enabled her to feed so many hungry people.  Certainly, living most of her life without access to shops would have resulted in her becoming quite resourceful.

With the coming of the second World War, two of her sons joined up. Edward joined the RAAF and her youngest the AIF.  George, named for his father, travelled and fought through the same areas of the Middle East as his father had, which appeared to his mother like an omen.  Her fear he would not come back either, was something she had to live with till the end of that war. Return he did, and with photo’s of his fathers grave at Ramleh Grove Military Cemetery, in Palestine. 

 

Elizabeth Fay in the 1960's.

 

Elizabeth was always available to support anyone in need, and one particular case was a young neighbour who was sent home with new born twins, her first children, having been told they could not survive.  Elizabeth nursed these babies, her faith never allowed her to be daunted when faced with the impossible, and survive they did, growing into strong healthy children.

She sewed and mended and turned sheets with an small Singer sewing machine which was worked by hand.  Her fingers flew, as they spun the handle on the side of that machine. She was always available when anyone was ill, work to be done, or when a whole family needed to move in with her.  Christmas Days at her home with the ever increasing numbers of people were just wonderful.  The old wood stove produced miracles and the gas stove needed to be used as well on those occasions.

We seldom saw Grandma without an apron on, as she kept herself busy and always had a smile and warm welcome for anyone who came to her door.

Her grandchildren’s most precious memories, are of the times when the old tan tin trunk was pulled out from under the bed, and one by one the feathers, materials, silk scarfs, presents and mementoes her husband had sent her from Egypt, were lifted out with much reverence. 

We knew the stories surrounding each one but waited, and were filled with awe as images of the mysterious East cast a spell.  As they were placed back into the safety of the old tin trunk it was all over....till next time, but those precious memories of Grandma Fay, sharing her treasures and memories will last with us all forever.

 

George Fay's Medal Trio.

 

Her deeds we learned from others, we wonder what she could have told us had she been so inclined. We found, when people spoke of her it was not only with great respect but coupled with a warmth of feeling.

Her step was firm and measured as she moved with great dignity through her life, and those of others.

A song sent to the family in 1920

 
A mother sat in silent grief
her head bowed in her hands
She thought of soldiers coming home
from far off foreign lands

A friend whose son would soon return
Had told the news with pride
The mother wiped her tear filled eyes
and to her friend replied

My bonny lads will not return
From far across the sea
One died on France’s Battlefield
and one on Gallipoli

The last on of all was blue eyed Jack
That fair haired babe of mine
He sleeps beneath a palm tree
Somewhere in Palestine.

 

Elizabeth Fay

 

 

Acknowledgement:

Nicolette Caggiati-Shortell for generously making available the Fay family records, including letters, photographs and newspaper clippings, and through her kind permission, these are published on this site.

 

Further Reading:

Pip, Squeak and Wilfred - the Trio Medals 

8th LHR, AIF, Roll of Honour, George Fay

2601 Trooper George Redding

The Battle of El Burj, 1 December 1917

8th Light Horse Regiment, AIF

General Victorian Society Items 

 


Citation: The Fay Family of Creighton's Creek, Elizabeth Fay

Posted by Project Leader at 10:59 PM EADT
Updated: Thursday, 16 July 2009 4:22 PM EADT
The Volunteer Movement in Western Australia, Metropolitan Civil Service Battalion
Topic: Militia - LHW - WA

Western Australian Militia

Metropolitan Civil Service Battalion

 

The following is an extract from the book written in 1962 by George F. Wieck called The Volunteer Movement in Western Australia 1861-1903, p. 57:

 
Metropolitan Civil Service Battalion
Approval was given on 7 December 1899 to form the "Metropolitan Civil Service Battalion", with Headquarters at Perth. The Establishment of 240 all ranks provided for a Headquarters and four Companies. The first Commanding Officer, Captain HW Hunt was appointed on 1 July 1900.

In September 1900 the Battalion was drawn into the newly formed W.A. Infantry Brigade as its 4th Battalion. See: 4th Battalion, W.A. Infantry Brigade.


Officers of the Civil Service

Captain HW Hunt, 1 July 1900

Captain HWS Low, 1 July 1900

Second Lieutenant AJ Trotman, 1 July 1900

Captain H Pope, 1 July 1900

Lieutenant R Withers, 1 July 1900

Lieutenant CG Morris, 1 July 1900

Second Lieutenant JF Hawkins, 1 July 1900

Lieutenant N McQueen, 1 July 1900

Lieutenant WH Young, 1 July 1900

Second Lieutenant TJ Reardon, 1 July 1900

Second Lieutenant CJ Maroney, 1 July 1900

Second Lieutenant G Clifton, 17 September 1900

Lieutenant HN Hope, 1 December 1900

Second Lieutenant RJ Evans, 1 August 1901

Lieutenant R Hand, 1 August 1901

Captain R Peploe, 1 August 1901

Second Lieutenant GW Stead, 25 February 1901

Lieutenant RHD Sutherland, 25 February 1901

Lieutenant HAF Wilkinson, 25 February 1901

Second Lieutenant CA Piesse, 25 February 1901

Second Lieutenant EA Penny, 1 January 1903

Second Lieutenant AC Crawford, 2 February 1903

Second Lieutenant WJ McClemens, 2 February 1903

Second Lieutenant THW Shackleton, 2 February 1903

 

Previous:  1st Infantry Regiment

Next: West Australian Mounted Infantry

 

Further Reading:

Western Australian Militia, Light Horse

Western Australian Militia, Infantry

 


Citation: The Volunteer Movement in Western Australia, Metropolitan Civil Service Battalion

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT
Updated: Friday, 4 September 2009 9:05 PM EADT

Newer | Latest | Older

Full Site Index


powered by FreeFind
Let us hear your story: You can tell your story, make a comment or ask for help on our forum.

Desert Column Forum

A note on copyright

The Australian Light Horse Studies Centre is a not for profit and non profit group whose sole aim is to write the early history of the Australian Light Horse from 1900 - 1920. It is privately funded and the information is provided by the individuals within the group and while permission for the use of the material has been given for this site for these items by various donors, the residual and actual copyright for these items, should there be any, resides exclusively with the donors. The information on this site is freely available for private research use only and if used as such, should be appropriately acknowledged. To assist in this process, each item has a citation attached at the bottom for referencing purposes.

Please Note: No express or implied permission is given for commercial use of the information contained within this site.

A note to copyright holders

The Australian Light Horse Studies Centre has made every endeavour to contact copyright holders of material digitised for this blog and website and where appropriate, permission is still being sought for these items. Where replies were not received, or where the copyright owner has not been able to be traced, or where the permission is still being sought, the Australian Light Horse Studies Centre has decided, in good faith, to proceed with digitisation and publication. Australian Light Horse Studies Centre would be happy to hear from copyright owners at any time to discuss usage of this item.

Contact

Australian Light Horse Studies Centre

eXTReMe Tracker