Thursday, October 22, 2015

Reverend Richard Johnson - Australia's First Clergyman

Rev Richard Johnson
Source: Christian History Reserach

Introduction

Reverend Richard Johnson was appointed to accompany the First Fleet to New South Wales to become the first clergyman in Australia. He is honoured by a monument in Richard Johnson Square in the centre of Sydney.

His story illustrates the significant difficulties he experienced in establishing religious services and building a church in the infant Colony.

Material on this topic has been drawn from Volumes one to four of the Historical Records of Australia [published by the Library Committee of the Commonwealth Parliament].

Overview

On 24 October 1784, Richard Johnson received a Royal Warrant that appointed him ‘Chaplain to the settlement of New South Wales’. He took up his appointment with the First Fleet at Portsmouth. As Chaplain to New South Wales he was required to be the guardian of public morality.

He held the first recorded religious service on shipboard in Australian waters at Botany Bay on 20 January 1788.

On 3 February 1788, he conducted the first religious service in the Colony under trees at Sydney Cove. He continued to hold regular services on a Sunday, weather permitting, prior to the construction of a wooden building five years later that was used for church services.

Apart from some assistance after 1791 from James Bain, Chaplain to the New South Wales Corps, Johnson undertook all the religious duties in Sydney for six years, until the arrival of the Reverend Samuel Marsden on the William on 10 March 1794.

On 10 June 1793, Johnson commenced construction of a temporary church in Sydney town, which he funded from his own finances. The first service was held the new building on 25 August 1793.The construction of the temporary church cost Johnson over sixty seven pounds.

The position of the temporary church was near the present ‘Richard Johnson Square, on the corner of Hunter and Castlereagh streets in Sydney. It was built of strong posts, wattles, and plaster, and was covered with a roof of thatch. A monument now stands in Richard Johnson Square on the approximate site of the temporary church.

Monument in Richard Johnson Square, Sydney
Wording on Richard Johnson Monument
The church stood for five years, and was also used as a school, in which 150 to 200 children were educated.

When Governor Phillip was replaced by Lieutenant-Governor Francis Grose, Johnson’s troubles began.

During 1793, Johnson was embroiled in a number of controversies with Grose. Grose considered Johnson to be a ‘very troublesome, discontented character’. In January 1793, Grose disapproved of the action of Johnson in making a complaint about the method ordered by Grose of conducting divine service in the Colony.

During August and September 1793, following the completion of the temporary church, Johnson’s requests to be reimbursed for the construction cost were not supported by Grose. About the same time, Johnson made a request to have two men appointed to his service, one as a grave-digger and a second as a Sexton to ring the church bell and to keep the church clean. Grose refused the requests and this subsequently lead to bitterness between the two gentlemen.

In November 1793, Grose ordered eight of the ten convict servants provided Johnson to be taken away without notice. Communication between the two gentlemen practically ceased after then. Grose also terminated Johnson’s appointment as a Magistrate, following his previous appointment by Governor Phillip.

When Samuel Marsden arrived as the second Chaplain in 1794 he found Grose and Johnson still in dispute.

The next Governor, John Hunter, had a better relationship with Johnson. Hunter reinstated Johnson as a civil Magistrate. Following representations by Hunter, the repayment to Reverend Johnson of the expenses incurred in the building of the temporary church was authorised by the Duke of Portland in England in his Despatch to Governor Hunter, dated 31 January 1797.

On the evening of 1 October 1798 Johnson’s temporary church was burnt down. A new store shed was subsequently fitted out under instructions by Governor Hunter to accommodate religious services.

In August 1800 Lieutenant-Governor Philip Gidley King appointed Johnson as Treasurer of a Committee to conduct an Orphan Institution in Sydney.

Apart from his duties as a Chaplain, Johnson was considered one of the best farmers in the Colony.
Johnson left the Colony, with Governor John Hunter, in the Buffalo in October 1800. In 1812 Johnson gave evidence in England before the Select Committee of the House of Commons on Transportation. He died on 13 March 1827 in England.

Richard Johnson Memorial, Sydney

SOURCES
(1)     Concerns Raised by Reverend Johnson with the English Authorities
[Extract of Letter from Reverend Johnson to the Honourable Henry Dundas in England – Dated 3/9/1793]

“As Chaplain to this distant Colony, I humbly leg leave to state to you these following circumstances, viz: That from my first arrival in this country, which was at the first formation of the settlement, I trust I have at all times endeavoured to discharge the various duties of my sacred function with fidelity and diligence.

That in doing this I have hitherto met with many and great inconveniences:
·        That public works of different kinds have been, and still continue to be, so urgent that no place of any kind has yet been erected for the purpose of performing divine service.
·        That my own health has been greatly exposed and at times not a little injured, by this means.
·        That, for the same reasons (I mention it with sincere concern), there has been too general and repeated neglect shown to public worship.
·        That on these and suchlike considerations, I have at length deemed it advisable, and even expedient, on my own accord and account, to run up a temporary shelter which may serve the above important purpose until a better can be provided.
·        That I began this building on the 10 June 1793 and have just at this time got it finished.
·        That the building which I have erected will seat about five hundred people, and hold one hundred more when necessary.
·        That I have given in an estimate of the whole expense to his Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, the real amount of which has been upwards of sixty-seven Pounds, sixty Pounds of which I have paid in Spanish Dollars, and the remained in provisions, at or under prime cost.

I humbly trust, Sir, that what I have done will meet with your approbation, that it will be a means of rendering my own situation somewhat more comfortable that it hitherto has been, and also of inducing these unhappy people, whose reformation I do so ardently wish to see, to attend more willingly, and consequently more regularly, upon the solemn and public worship of God”.

(2)     Criticism of Reverend Johnson by Lieutenant-Governor Grose
[Extract of Letter of Lieutenant-Governor Grose to the Right Honourable Henry Dundas in response to the above letter – Dated 4/9/1793]

“I cannot pass over this business [request for re-imbursement for building a church] without observing that Mr. Johnston, who is one of the people called Methodists, is a very troublesome, discontented character. His charge for this church is infinitely more than it ought to have cost, and his attempt to make a charge of it at all surprises me exceedingly; for, on his applications to myself for a variety of little articles with which he has been furnished from the Stores, he has invariably stated that as he was building his church at his own expense he hoped to be obliged, and on this account generally was accommodated with whatever he came to ask. In compliance with his request, I have enclosed the estimate of his expenses, but I beg not to be understood as at all meaning to countenance his application”.

(3) Renewed Attempt by Reverend Johnson to Receive Financial Compensation
[Extract from Letter by Reverend Johnson to Governor Hunter – Dated 10/12/1795]

“I beg leave to state to you the following circumstances, viz: That after having made repeated applications, first to Governor Phillip, and afterwards to Major Grose, for a place of worship to be erected, and there being no prospect of my application being complied with, I was at length (after being in the Colony for about five year and a half) induced and resolved to erect a temporary place for the purpose.

That when I had completed this undertaking I laid before the Lieutenant-Governor Grose an estimate of the expenses requesting that he would transmit the same to the Honourable Mr. Dundas, not doubting but these expenses would be refunded.
But from letters which I have lately received from some respectable friends, some doubts have arisen in my mind whether the application and request which I have made will be complied with”.

(4)     Support by Governor Hunter for Johnson’s Request
[Extract of Letter from Governor Hunter to the Duke of Portland in England – Dated 21/12/1795]

“In justice to Mr. Johnson I have thought it right to comply with his request (to forward on his letter), and to say, that I believe his entering upon the business stated in his letter proceeded from his having no place or building of any kind appropriated for the performance of divine service, and from his great zeal in the duties of his function”.

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If you are researching a convict ancestor, you are invited to go to the History Services NSW website at http://www.historyservices.com.au/

Blog prepared by Kevin McGuinness

Photos taken in January 2009 by Kevin McGuinness








Monday, July 13, 2015

Hunts Creek Reserve - A Waterfall and Some Local History

A bushwalk in Hunts Creek Reserve in the Carlingford/North Rocks area of northwestern Sydney is an experience in history, geography and the natural environment. The discovery of a scenic waterfall in the middle of suburbia is a bonus.

Hunts Creek Reserve is a designated "Wildlife Sanctuary" situated between between Jenkins Road in Carlingford and Statham Avenue in North Rocks. There are several entry points along the way eg, from Sun Valley Place and Karingal Avenue in Carlingford and Panaview Avenue in North Rocks..


Map showing the location of Hunt's Creek Reserve
The area is typically Hawkesbury sandstone with remnants of Wianamatta shale soils in the upper  reaches. It supports woodland and forest consisting of Blackbutt, Turpentine, Sydney Red Gum and Red Bloodwood trees. There is  a dense undergrowth rich in native plants such as wattle, banksias and the Mountain Devil. Some 246 native plant species and 52 native birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals that live in the reserve have been identified.[The Bushland of Hunts Creek Reserve and Seville Reserve - Baulkham Hills Shire Council publication 2007].

A greenhood  orchid and maidenhair fern that can be found growing in the Reserve when
rainfall and temperatures are right. [Photo taken from signage].

Hunts Creek rises near the corner of Parkland and Jenkins Roads at Carlingford in the stormwater catchment area bounded by the ridges of Pennant Hills and North Rocks Roads. It flows westward across the Reserve crossing the Kings School grounds and finding its way into Lake Parramatta. It was Hunts Creek that was dammed in 1856 to form this lake, which supplied Parramatta with water until 1909. The remnants of the creek flow into Darling Mills Creek and then into the Parramatta River.

Along the way are the Balaka Falls, a scenic waterfall which is an exciting find. The 2km Waterfall Trac Loop was completed by Baulkham Hills Council in 2003 as part of its conservation program. It takes about an hour to walk and is well worth the effort.

View of Balaka Falls in Hunts Creek Reserve

View of Balaka Falls in Hunts Creek Reserve
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While acknowledging the Darug people as the original inhabitants of this beautiful area, it is interesting to research the history of the early colonial settlers.

Being close to Parramatta, there were many early land grants in the area. 

Seville Reserve in North Rocks - officially named after Joseph Seville
 by Baulkham Hills Shire Council in 1993
Joseph Seville, after whom Seville Reserve in North Rocks is named, was once such landholder. He was the son of William Seville, a convict who had come to New South Wales on the ship Pitt on 14 February 1792.

In 1818, William Seville was 'granted fifty acres of land at Broken Back Ridge by Major General Lachlan Macquarie, bounded on the North by East to the Creek;by the Great Windsor Road on the South; on the North by vacant land of Seville's; by the south  in the rear by small attached farms' [State Records Authority of New South Wales: Registers of Land Grants and Leases 1792 -1867].

Following William's death in 1825, a dispute broke out regarding this land grant. Joseph  was eventually granted the land. He made a memorial grant of 25 acres to his sister,  Elizabeth Hunt (nee Seville) on 10th March 1833 with the consideration being "love  and affection." [State Records Authority of New South Wales: Registers of Land Grants and Leases 1792 -1867].

In April 1836, he made another memorial grant to his brother-in-law, Samuel Hunt with the consideration being "regrads and esteem".[State Records Authority of New South Wales: Registers of Land Grants and Leases 1792 -1867].

And so was born Hunt's Creek. It is believed that Seville named the creek after his brother-in-law.

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According to the records of History Services NSW, Samuel Hunt was an English convict   who took part in the unsuccessful Pentrich Rebellion of 1817. As one of the rebels, he was tried and sentenced to be transported to the Colony of New South Wales for life. 
  • He arrived in the colony on 14 September September 1818 in the convict ship Isabella, aged 24 years;
  • He married Elizabeth Seville on 23 August 1819 at St Johns Church at Parramatta;
  • He was variously assigned as a Government servant  in 1822 to Mr Blaxland at Parramatta, and later to his wife at Bringelly;
  • He obtained his Ticket-of-Leave on 27 June 1827. In the Census of 1828, Samuel Hunt was listed as a hedger of Parramatta;
  • He obtained an Absolute Pardon on 11 August 1834.
  • In November 1841 he was sentenced in Adelaide for sheep stealing, and transported in the name of James Hunt to Sydney on the Emma, arriving on 18 January 1842;.
  • He was then sent to Norfolk Island and later to Hobart (Tasmania) in 1844;.
  • He received a Conditional Pardon in Tasmania in 1853; 
  • He died at Wellington, NSW on 5 August 1858 aged 84 years.
If you would like more detailed information on Samuel Hunt or are researching your own convict ancestor, you should go to the History Services NSW website at: 
http://www.historyservices.com.au/convicts.htm

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Blog prepared by Mary McGuinness

All photos taken June/July 2015

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Australian War Horses Remembered

At the intersection of Macquarie Street and Shakespeare Place opposite the New South Wales State Library, on the south-west external wall of the Royal Botanic Gardens, there is memorial to Horses of the Desert Mounted Corps that served in the Desert Campaign in World War I.

Memorial to the Horses of the Desert Mounted Corps.
 Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney.

Bronze wall plate depicting an Australian Light Horse trooper
with three horses and inscription.

It was erected by members of the Desert Mounted Corps and dedicated to the "Gallant Horses who carried them over the Sinai Desert into Palestine 1915-1918. They suffered  wounds, thirst, hunger and weariness almost beyond endurance. They did not come home. We will never forget them." [Inscription on plaque].
Commemoration stone unveiled on Anzac Day 1950
The memorial was unveiled on Anzac Day, April 25 1950, by Lady Chauvel, wife of General Sir Harry Chauvel who commanded the Desert Mounted Corps.

There are two further plaques, one unveiled on 4 July 2004 by the Governor General, Major General Michael Jeffery, to mark the 90th anniversary of the first AIF and the Australian Light Horse serving in World War I.


Memorial plaque unveiled 4 July 2004
The other, unveiled by NSW Governor Professor Marie Bashir on 31 October 2007 to mark the 90th anniversary of the Charge at Beersheba on 31 October 1917.


Memorial plaque unveiled 31 October 2007
                *******************************************************************************
The story of Australian war horses and indeed that of the Light Horse Brigade of World War I is not etched large in the Australian public's mind.

The  MagoFilms documentary The Waler: Australia's Great War Horse as shown recently on the ABC tells the story of the 130,000 horses who served with their riders in World War I. 

It is about the horses, their riders,veterinarians, farriers,and saddlers; their journey to and agistment in Egypt; the dismounting of several of the Light Horse regiments bound for Gallipoli; the later deployment of the Light Horse Brigade to the desert campaigns on the Sinai Peninsula and in Palestine as the ANZAC Mounted Division under General Harry Chauvel; and the gallant feats of both the horses and their riders. 

The hardest part of the story was at war's end when it was decided that the horses would not return to Australia.

In order to avoid sentimentality in this story, you need to keep a perspective that is is now history. But in so doing you come to the realisation the the horses were heroes too - such is the relationship between man and beast.

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Therei is exhibition at the Art Galley of NSW entitled Mad Through The Darkness  which commemorates the Anzac centenary.

One of the most striking of the exhibits is the painting by Septimus Power, The enemy in sight 1916.

The enemy in sight 1916 .
A work by Septimus Power
Power was commissioned as an official war artist in 1917 attached to 1st Division AIF. He  a great interest in horsemanship which was reflected in his work. He painted Australian soldiers tending their as well as taking them into action.

This particular work, painted before his commission, depicts Light Horsemen.The subject for one of the soldiers was Sergeant- Major B G Watts-Phillips of the 8th Light Horse Regiment, who was convalescing in London at the time.

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Blog prepared by Mary McGuinness

All photos taken April 2015

If you are interested in researching Australian history go to our website at :
http://www.historyservices.com.au/

Monday, April 13, 2015

Alfred Driscoll - A Hero of the Dardenelles

As the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign of 1915 approaches, we are being encouraged to listen to the personal stories of our ANZACS. This is so that we may be able to understand the sacrifices that they made in answering the call to serve their country, and to pay tribute to their fearlessness, mateship and courage that they displayed in battle.

My great-uncle, Alfred Driscoll (Alf), is our family ANZAC hero. Here is his story.

Alfred Driscoll c 1914
taken from a family photo album

Alfred Alphonsus Driscoll was born in 1882 at Copeland, New South Wales. He was the the fifth child and first son of John and Jane Mary Driscoll.

He was a very adventurous young man who would have a go at almost anything. 

At 17 years of age he went to sea on a sailing ship. His parents were not in favour of this because of the danger, but subsequently allowed him to go when the captain of the ship, a family friend, promised that his wife who was accompanying him would keep an eye on Alf. He joined the ship as a cabin boy. According to my grandmother, Ethel Burns (nee Driscoll), the ship's master said Alf was fearless and very brave. Evidence of Alf's sea journeys around the world survives in the form of several postcards from various places in America, that Alf posted to his sister, Ethel. The postcards were postmarked in both San Francisco and Washington State, over the period July 1905 to October 1906. Prior to this Alf had been in Mexico.

Alf also joined the Irish Rifles of NSW, for a period of 12 months service. The Irish rifles was a military volunteer movement active in New South Wales between 1895 and 1912.
        
Alf married Mary Madden in Sydney in 1910. Mary was a Tasmanian and was a little older than her husband. During their short married life, they did not have any children. They resided at 438 William Street, West Melbourne. 

Enlistment

With the outbreak of war, Alf lost no time in enlisting. He signed up on 27 October 1914, at the age of 32 years. He was allotted army number 614 and the rank of trooper in the 8th Light Horse Regiment from Victoria. He was a labourer in the Victorian Railways at the time of his enlistment.

Here below are copies of his enlistment papers which show Alf's personal details including his very definitive copperplate signature.

It is interesting to note that the form does not ask for a specific birthdate.

Alf Driscoll's Enlistment form -page 1.
 Source National Archives of Australia
Alf Driscoll's Enlistment form - page 2
Source National Archives of Australia

Alf Driscoll's Enlistment form - page 3
. Source National Archives of Australia
The 8th Light Horse Regiment was formed as part of the 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade, 3rd contingent and was attached to the Australian Division. It was made up of from  the 3rd Military District (Victoria), and was established at Broadmeadows Training  Camp to the north of Melbourne.

Alf embarked at Melbourne and sailed for the Midle East with the 2nd Reinforcements, 8th Light Horse Regiment, per H.M.A.T. "Armadale" on the 12th February 1915. 


The regiment sailed to Egypt via the ports of Fremantle, Colombo, Aden and Suez and disembarked in March 1915. According to Alf's service record, he went ashore at Colombo without permission (on 19 March) and was given seven days detention.

As the use of horses was not practical in the Gallipoli terrain, the Light Horse Brigade  was dismounted in Egypt and the troops were sent to Gallipoli to operate as infantry. The 8th Light Horse Regiment landed at Gallipoli on 20 May 1915. It was deployed primarily on defensive activities at Russell's Top and Rhododendron Spur.
[8th Light Horse Regiment AIF Outline]*.
  
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Gallipoli

Alf Driscoll was killed in action at Gallipoli in the early hours of Saturday 7 August 1915, in the battle of The Nek. 

Alf Driscoll's Service Record..Source National Archives of Australia

This battle was part of the Allied August offensive at Gallipoli which had as its aim the capturing of the high ground of the Sari Bair range and the linking the ANZAC front with a new landing to the north at Suvla Bay.

The Nek was a narrow ridge on the Gallipolli peninsula connecting the ANZAC trenches on Russell's Top to the knoll known as "Baby 700". Turkish defences had been entrenched across the Nek since April 1915.

The plan was for the 3rd Light Horse Brigade, made up of the 8th and 10th Light Horse  Regiments to attack the Nek in the early hours of 7 August, in four charges each of 150 men (as there was no room for more at one time) following each other at several minutes' interval. 

But the logistics of the battle went terribly wrong. Due to an error in timing and bad communication, a tragedy ensued at the Nek.


The official war historian, C.E.W. Bean, in his book entitled "Anzac To Amiens" **, described the battle of the Nek as seeing some of the most concentrated fire that the Australian infantry had to face in the War.

The first line of the 8th Light Horse Regiment went over the parapets at 4.30am. to be met iinstantly by a hail of Turkish machine gun and rifle fire. According to Bean, "The Australian line, now charging, was seen suddenly to grow limp, and then, sink to the earth as though (said an eye-witness) 'The men's limbs had become string'. " [Anzac to Amiens, Chapter X, p155].       


The second line of the 8th charged at 4.33am to be met with the same fate. Out of  the  total 300 men of the 8th Light Horse regiment, there were 234 casualities in a matter of minutes- 154 dead including 12 officers and 142 men; and 4 officers and 76 wounded.

The battle was eventually halted but not before the 10th Light Horse Regiment began their charge at 4.45am resulting in 138 causalities  - 80 dead including 7 officers and 73 men; and 2 officers and 56 men wounded.

Again to quote Bean:
"The flower of the youth of Victoria and Western Australia fell in that attempt." [Anzac to Amiens, Chapter X, p156]       
The story of the Battle of the Nek is also the subject of Peter Weir's 1982 film Gallipoli. 

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Tributes

In the aftermath of Alf's death came the poignant personal tributes and everyday matters that had to be attended to.

On 28 August 1915, Alf's father, John Driscoll had written to the Officer in Charge, Base Records, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne, seeking information about his son.


Letter of John Driscoll dated 28 August 1915,
Source National Archives of Australia
Letter of reply to John Driscoll, dated  5 September 1915
Source National Archives of Australia






























He received an official reply to his letter on 5th September 1915 confirming Alf's death.

In the meantime, both Alf's widow, Mary, who was now living in Tasmania, and John Driscoll had received telegrams on Monday 30 August informing them that Alf had been killed in action at Gallipoli on 7 August.

The following articles appeared in the Sydney and Tasmanian newspapers during the  next week. 

In the Sydney Morning Herald of Wednesday, 1 September 1915 under the heading "Heros of the Dardenelles" Alf's photo was published. [SMH Wednesday 1 September 1915 p7]


Photo of Alf Driscoll (fourth row, fourth form left).
The following notice appeared on page 12 under the heading "Men of the Dardenelles".

Trooper A.A. Driscoll
 "Mr. John Driscoll, of 116 Liverpool-street, Paddington, received a cable on Monday last, intimating that his eldest son, Alfred A Driscoll, was killed in action in the Dardenelles on August 7. Trooper   Driscoll was a native of Copeland, in the North Coast District, and 31 years of age. At the time of enlisting he was employed in the Victorian Railway service. He joined the 8th Victorian Light Horse, and left Melbourne with the Third Brigade in February last. His parents last heard from him in July last, when he stated he was in Heliopolis, and in perfect health. He leaves a widow, but no family."

And in the Tasmanian press:

Killed in Action
"News was received by cable yesterday by Mrs. Driscoll (sister of Miss K Madden of Wynyard), that  her husband, Private Alfred Driscoll, had been killed in  action  at  the  Dardenelles. The message conveyed to Mrs.Driscoll the deepest regret and sympathy of Their Majesties the King and Queen and the Commonwealth Government, as well as the State Commandant, on the loss  sustained  by them and the army. Private Driscoll enlisted in Melbourne (Vic), and left for the front in February last. He had previously been in the Irish rifles, and was a native of Sydney, N.S.W. where his parents reside."
[North Western Advocate and the Emu Bay Times, Tuesday 31 August 1915, p3]

Family Notices
Death
"DRISCOLL - Killed in action at Gallipoli, on August 7, Alfred Alphonsus Driscoll, the  beloved husband of Mary Driscoll (nee Madden, of Wynyard), and eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Driscoll, of Paddington, Sydney, aged 35 years
                                           Greater love than this no Man hath.
                                                 May his soul rest in peace.

A SOLEMN REQUIEM MASS will be celebrated in the Catholic Church, Wynyard, on Friday, 
     at  9 o'clock, for the repose of the soul of
       PRIVATE ALFRED DRISCOLL
Who gave his life for his country at Gallipoli on August 7."

[North Western Advocate and the Emu Bay Times, Wednesday 1 September 1915 p2   

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Grave

Alf Driscoll has no known grave. It is likely that his remains are buried in The Nek Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery located near Suvla Bay on the Gallipoli Peninsula. This cemetery was constructed in 1919 on the site of the battle of the Nek, when the ground was still covered with the remains of the 8th and 10th Light Horse troopers. 

The Nek Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery at Gallipoli
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Commemoration 
Alf's name is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial at Gallipoli. Also his name is located at Panel 6 in the Commemorative Area of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra ACT; and in the daily Book of Remembrance at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Victoria.

Lone Pine Memorial Gallipoli Peninsula.
Photo taken by Brendan Smith, September 2014

Alf' Driscoll's name on the Lone Pine Memorial. 
Photo taken by Brendan Smith, September 2014

Alf Driscoll's name on the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, ACT


Alf Driscoll's name in the Book of Remembrance at the
Shrine of  Remembrance, Melbourne, Victoria.
 Photo taken September 1992
                ************************************************************************
Medals

Medals issued for Alf's war service are shown in the photo below. They are:

1914-15 Star - a campaign medal of the British Empire awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial forces who served in any theatre of war against the Central European Powers during 1914 and 1915.

1914-1915 Star


1914-15 Star inscribed
614
Pte. A Driscoll
8L./.H.Regt. A.I.F.


British War Medal a campaign medal of the British Empire awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial forces for service in World War I.

         



    Victory Medal - a World War I campaign medal of Britain and her then dominions (eg Canada, Australia, New Zealand)






    The medals were awarded as a threesome and not singly.

    Service medals in the First World War were inscribed with the recipient's name. This practice did not continue in the Second World War.

    Alf's 1914-1915 Star is inscribed on the back of the medal as shown in the above photo. His British War Medal and the Victory Medal have his name inscribed around the rim
                          ****************************************************************



    Memorial Plaque

    One further momento is an impressive Memorial Plaque presented to next-of-kin of all servicemen killed in action the First World War. 


     Vale Alf Driscoll

         At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember you. 
    Lest We Forget

                               
                     ******************************************************************************* 
    Sources:
    * Australian Light Studies Centre, 8th Light Horse Regiment AIF Outline, 11 October 2009

    **C E W Bean, Anzac to Amiens (1983 reprint). Chapter X. The Climax of Anzac 
    pp145-167.

    All documents are sourced from Service Records World War I  webpage of the National Archives of Australia


    All newspapers articles are source from Trove's  newspaper  collection  which  includes digitised historic and modern newspapers which are accessible on line, as well as newspapers in microform and paper formats. Go to the website:

                    *************************************************************
    Blog prepared and written by Kevin (grand nephew of Alf) and Mary McGuinness, 
    April 2015.

    If you are interested in researching Australian history go to our website at :
    http://www.historyservices.com.au/