Margaret Bennett Marshall

F, #22141, b. 1866, d. 1949
Married NameWragg. 
Birth*1866 Sebastian, VIC, Australia, #B10277/1866.1 
Marriage*1890 Spouse: John Davy Wragg. VIC, Australia, #M3843/1890.2
 
Land-UBeac*20 Feb 1894 PAK-40B (part) Lot 7. Transfer from John Skinner Box to Margaret Bennett Wragg. 11a 3r 38p.3 
Widow1945She became a widow upon the death of her husband John Davy Wragg.4 
Death*1949 Elsternwick, VIC, Australia, #D10522/1949 (Age 85) [par Alexander MARSHALL & Anne BENNETT].5 

Citations

  1. [S26] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Births) (online) "registration as par Alexander Unknown & Anne MARSHALL."
  2. [S27] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Marriages) (online).
  3. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1470-917 - Margaret Bennett Wragg wife of John Davy Wragg of Cochrane Street Elsternwick Importer.
  4. [S28] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Deaths) (online).
  5. [S28] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Deaths) (online) "born SEBASTIAN."
Last Edited2 May 2019

John Davy Wragg

M, #22142, d. 1945
Marriage*1890 Spouse: Margaret Bennett Marshall. VIC, Australia, #M3843/1890.1
 
Death*1945 Gardenvale, VIC, Australia, #D4152/1945 (Age 87) [par Joseph WRAGG & Mathilda DAVY].2 

Citations

  1. [S27] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Marriages) (online).
  2. [S28] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Deaths) (online).
Last Edited2 May 2019

Isaac Amos Wright

M, #22144, b. 1883
Birth*1883 Kata, VIC, Australia, #B24322/1883 [par Thomas WRIGHT & Alice LEVINGS].1
 
Marriage*1911 Spouse: Ethel Wenn. VIC, Australia, #M9437/1911.2
 
Land-UBeac*22 Oct 1921 PAK-40B (Lot 7) part. Transfer from George Frederick Tivendale to Isaac Amos Wright. 11a 1r 28p.3 
Land-UBeac*29 Aug 1929 PAK-40B (Lot 7) part, Church. Transfer from Isaac Amos Wright to James Hicks, Augustus Edward Stevens, George Frederick Tivendale, Thomas Clair Whiteside, George Edward Crook. To James Hicks, Augustus Edward Stevens, George Frederick Tivendale, Thomas Clair Whiteside, and George Edward Crook.4 
Land-UBeac*4 Sep 1947 PAK-40B (Lot 7) LP17732 (Lot 2), 435 Princes Highway. Transfer from Isaac Amos Wright to Greta May McCoubrie.5 
Land-UBeac20 Dec 1950 PAK-40B (Lot 7) part. Transfer from Isaac Amos Wright to David Alan Tivendale Alfred George McCoubrie. Transfer 2372021 - Alan Tivendale, Alfred George McCoubrie and Errol Gordon Robinson - C/T 7562-028.6 

Family

 Ethel Wenn b. 1881
Child 1.Greta May Wright+ b. 16 Jan 1916, d. 19 Sep 2006

Newspaper-Articles

  • 19 Dec 1951: New Officer Hall Committee
    THE FOLLOWING have been elected as the committee of the Officer Public Hall for the new term: Messrs. J. Cunningham (president), R. Tivendale (secretary), A. McCoubrie, I. Wright, M. Brownfield. P. C. Brown, J. Porter, T. C. Whiteside, E. G. Robinson and P. McMullen.
    The committee has decided to proceed with the lining of the supper room. Alfred George McCoubrie7

Citations

  1. [S26] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Births) (online).
  2. [S27] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Marriages) (online).
  3. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1470-917 - C/T 4503-431 - Isaac Amos Wright of Officer Farmer.
  4. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 4503-431 - James Hicks Brickmaker, Augustus Edward Stevens Farmer, George Frederick Tivendale Storekeeper, Thomas Clair Whiteside and George Edward Crook Orchardists, all of Officer - joint proprietors - C/T 5611-150.
  5. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 4503-431 - Greta May McCoubrie of Princes Highway Officer Married Woman - C/T 7067-230.
  6. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 4503-431 - Alan Tivendale Farmer, Alfred George McCoubrie Shop Assistant and Errol Gordon Robinson Storekeeper - C/T 7562-028.
  7. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 19 Dec 1951, p18
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222356413
Last Edited2 May 2019

Ethel Wenn

F, #22145, b. 1881
Father*John George Wenn
Mother*Jane Ridgway
Married NameWright.1 
Birth*1881 Berwick, VIC, Australia, #B7248/1881 [par John George WENN & Jane RIDGEWAY].2 
Marriage*1911 Spouse: Isaac Amos Wright. VIC, Australia, #M9437/1911.1
 

Family

 Isaac Amos Wright b. 1883
Child 1.Greta May Wright+ b. 16 Jan 1916, d. 19 Sep 2006

Citations

  1. [S27] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Marriages) (online).
  2. [S26] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Births) (online).
Last Edited30 May 2021

Greta May Wright

F, #22146, b. 16 Jan 1916, d. 19 Sep 2006
Father*Isaac Amos Wright b. 1883
Mother*Ethel Wenn b. 1881
Married NameMcCoubrie. 
Birth*16 Jan 1916 Berwick, VIC, Australia, #B900/1916.1 
Marriage*4 Jul 1942 Spouse: Alfred George McCoubrie. Methodist Church, Dandenong, VIC, Australia, #M18466/1942.2
 
Land-UBeac*4 Sep 1947 PAK-40B (Lot 7) LP17732 (Lot 2), 435 Princes Highway. Transfer from Isaac Amos Wright to Greta May McCoubrie.3 
WidowAug 1956She became a widow upon the death of her husband Alfred George McCoubrie. 
Death*19 Sep 2006 VIC, Australia. 
Death-Notice*21 Sep 2006 McCOUBRIE (Wright). - Greta May 16-1-1916 to 19-9-2006 Loved wife of Alf (dec.) Loving and loved mother and mother-in-law of Judy, Robin and Fay. Adored Grandma of Gary and Marion, Craig and Lisa, Andrew and Jeanette and Marita and Gareth. Great grandmother of Connor, Will and Brandon. Sadly missed but forever in our hearts.4 

Grave

  • 5-384-B, Berwick Cemetery, Berwick, VIC, Australia, McCoubrie Alfred George - 1956 Age 49 hus/ Greta, son/ George Alex & Flora Helen
    McCoubrie Greta May - 2006 Age 90 wife/ Alfred George5

Newspaper-Articles

  • 8 Jul 1942: Bride & Bridegroom From Officer
    Pinning a shoulder spray of pink carnations, forget-me-nots and fern to a smart blue ensemble, worn with navy accessories, Miss Greta Wright, elder daughter, of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Wright, of “Carinya,” Officer, made a pretty picture last Saturday when she was married to Mr. Alfred McCoubrie, eldest son of Mrs. and the late Mr. G. McCoubrie, of Officer.
    The ceremony was performed by Rev. B. R. Toi at the Methodist, Dandenong, at 11 a.m. last Saturday. The bride was given away by her father. A reception was afterwards held at the Kia-Ora, Dandenong, members of both families being present. The guests were received by the bride’s mother.
    Mr. and Mrs. McCoubrie are making their home at Moonee Ponds. Alfred George McCoubrie6

Citations

  1. [S26] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Births) (online).
  2. [S27] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Marriages) (online).
  3. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 4503-431 - Greta May McCoubrie of Princes Highway Officer Married Woman - C/T 7067-230.
  4. [S13] Newspaper - The Herald-Sun (Melbourne, Vic.), 21 Sep 2006 - viewed online Jun 2019.
  5. [S44] Index of burials in the cemetery of Berwick,
    5-384-B McCoubrie Alfred George M 49 13/08/1956 1373
    5-384-B McCoubrie Greta May F 90 27/09/2006 3505
    Photo bw1180.
  6. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 8 Jul 1942, p4
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/215709542
Last Edited7 Dec 2020

Alfred George McCoubrie

M, #22150, b. Nov 1906, d. Aug 1956
Father*George Alexander McCoubrie b. 1875, d. 12 Apr 1928
Mother*Flora Helen May Green b. 1880, d. 7 Jul 1971
Birth*Nov 1906 VIC, Australia. 
Marriage*4 Jul 1942 Spouse: Greta May Wright. Methodist Church, Dandenong, VIC, Australia, #M18466/1942.1
 
(Transfer to) Land-UBeac20 Dec 1950 PAK-40B (Lot 7) part. Transfer from Isaac Amos Wright to David Alan Tivendale Alfred George McCoubrie. Transfer 2372021 - Alan Tivendale, Alfred George McCoubrie and Errol Gordon Robinson - C/T 7562-028.2 
Death*Aug 1956 
Land-UBeac*8 Dec 1977 PAK-40B (Lot 7) part. Transfer from Alfred George McCoubrie to David Alan Tivendale. Alan Tivendale and Errol Gordon Robinson are now the surviving proprietors.3 

Grave

  • 5-384-B, Berwick Cemetery, Berwick, VIC, Australia, McCoubrie Alfred George - 1956 Age 49 hus/ Greta, son/ George Alex & Flora Helen
    McCoubrie Greta May - 2006 Age 90 wife/ Alfred George4

Newspaper-Articles

  • 8 Jul 1942: Bride & Bridegroom From Officer
    Pinning a shoulder spray of pink carnations, forget-me-nots and fern to a smart blue ensemble, worn with navy accessories, Miss Greta Wright, elder daughter, of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Wright, of “Carinya,” Officer, made a pretty picture last Saturday when she was married to Mr. Alfred McCoubrie, eldest son of Mrs. and the late Mr. G. McCoubrie, of Officer.
    The ceremony was performed by Rev. B. R. Toi at the Methodist, Dandenong, at 11 a.m. last Saturday. The bride was given away by her father. A reception was afterwards held at the Kia-Ora, Dandenong, members of both families being present. The guests were received by the bride’s mother.
    Mr. and Mrs. McCoubrie are making their home at Moonee Ponds. Greta May Wright5
  • 19 Dec 1951: New Officer Hall Committee
    THE FOLLOWING have been elected as the committee of the Officer Public Hall for the new term: Messrs. J. Cunningham (president), R. Tivendale (secretary), A. McCoubrie, I. Wright, M. Brownfield. P. C. Brown, J. Porter, T. C. Whiteside, E. G. Robinson and P. McMullen.
    The committee has decided to proceed with the lining of the supper room. Isaac Amos Wright6

Citations

  1. [S27] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Marriages) (online).
  2. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 4503-431 - Alan Tivendale Farmer, Alfred George McCoubrie Shop Assistant and Errol Gordon Robinson Storekeeper - C/T 7562-028.
  3. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 7562-028 - Alan Tivendale and Errol Gordon Robinson are now the surviving proprietors.
  4. [S44] Index of burials in the cemetery of Berwick,
    5-384-B McCoubrie Alfred George M 49 13/08/1956 1373
    5-384-B McCoubrie Greta May F 90 27/09/2006 3505
    Photo bw1180.
  5. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 8 Jul 1942, p4
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/215709542
  6. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 19 Dec 1951, p18
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222356413
Last Edited7 Dec 2020

Lorna Rae Brown

F, #22152, b. 1929, d. 1988
Father*Percy Charles Brown b. 1893, d. 12 May 1966
Mother*Doris Peake b. 1900, d. 1984
Married NameTivendale. 
Birth*1929 Berwick, VIC, Australia. 
Marriage-Notice*6 Nov 1946 ENGAGEMENTS. Brown-Tivendale. —Lorna Rae, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. C. Brown, “Wistaston,” Officer, to David Alan, youngest son of Mr. and the late Mrs. G. P. Tivendale, Officer.1 
Marriage*Nov 1948 Spouse: David Alan Tivendale. Officer, VIC, Australia, #M15843/1948.2
Death*1988 Pakenham, VIC, Australia, #D18508/1988 (Age 59) (par Percy Charles BROWN & Doris PEAKE) - as Lorna Rae TIVENDALE, born Berwick. Death registered at Pakenham, Australia.3 

Newspaper-Articles

  • 10 Nov 1948: THE CUTTING OF THE CAKE
    WITH A HAPPY SMILE the bride, formerly Miss Lorna Rae Brown, of Officer, cuts the cake after her marriage to Mr. David Allen Tivendale, also a well-known Officer resident. Looking on are the two bridesmaids, Marie Dalziel and the bride's sister Lynette.
    —Photo, by Bert Luke, Beaconsfield. David Alan Tivendale4
  • 10 Jan 1951: MR and MRS. ALAN TIVENDALE (nee Lorna Brown) had a very pleasing Christmas Box this year—a bonny daughter. Diane Ruth arrived on Boxing Day. David Alan Tivendale5
  • 8 Oct 1952: MR. AND MRS. ALAN TIVENDALE (nee Lorna Brown) are also rejoicing at a happy event—the safe arrival of a second daughter (Gwenda Rae) at the Berwick Bush Nursing Hospital on September 30th. David Alan Tivendale6

Citations

  1. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 6 Nov 1946, p4
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214796357
  2. [S27] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Marriages) (online).
  3. [S28] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Deaths) (online) "#D18508/1988 (Age 59) (par Percy Charles BROWN & Doris PEAKE) - as Lorna Rae TIVENDALE, born Berwick. Death registered at Pakenham, Australia."
  4. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 10 Nov 1948, p1
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214584113
  5. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 10 Jan 1951, p9
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222349916
  6. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 8 Oct 1952, p7
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222361977
Last Edited2 Jan 2024

Irene Victoria Clarissa Steen

F, #22155, b. 1912
Father*Leopold James George Steen
Mother*Albertha Victoria Salmon
Married NameHorsfall. 
Birth*1912 Carlton North, VIC, Australia, #B18846/1912.1 
Marriage*1940 Spouse: Henry Graham Horsfall. VIC, Australia, #M21762/1940.2
 

Citations

  1. [S26] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Births) (online).
  2. [S27] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Marriages) (online).
Last Edited2 May 2019

Henry Graham Horsfall

M, #22156, b. 1913
Birth*1913 Ballarat, VIC, Australia, #B18518/1913 [par Herbert Conrad HORSFALL & Elsie May SUMMERSCALE].1 
Marriage*1940 Spouse: Irene Victoria Clarissa Steen. VIC, Australia, #M21762/1940.2
 

Citations

  1. [S26] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Births) (online).
  2. [S27] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Marriages) (online).
Last Edited2 May 2019

Augustus Edward Stevens

M, #22157, d. 6 Jul 1933
Marriage*1896 Spouse: Rebecca Brunt. #M2002/1896, Rebecca BRUNT & Aug Edw STEVENS.1
 
(Transfer to) Land-UBeac29 Aug 1929 PAK-40B (Lot 7) part, Church. Transfer from Isaac Amos Wright to James Hicks, Augustus Edward Stevens, George Frederick Tivendale, Thomas Clair Whiteside, George Edward Crook. To James Hicks, Augustus Edward Stevens, George Frederick Tivendale, Thomas Clair Whiteside, and George Edward Crook.2 
Death*6 Jul 1933 

Grave

  • 4-649-B, Berwick Cemetery, Berwick, VIC, Australia, In loving memory of Gus Stevens, died 6th July 1933
    also
    Rebecca Stevens, died 29th October 19513

Citations

  1. [S27] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Marriages) (online) "#M2002/1896, Rebecca BRUNT & Aug Edw STEVENS."
  2. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 4503-431 - James Hicks Brickmaker, Augustus Edward Stevens Farmer, George Frederick Tivendale Storekeeper, Thomas Clair Whiteside and George Edward Crook Orchardists, all of Officer - joint proprietors - C/T 5611-150.
  3. [S44] Index of burials in the cemetery of Berwick,
    4-649-B Stevens     Augustus E. M 66 1/07/1933 891
    4-649-B Stevens     Rebecca F 80 31/10/1951 1285.
Last Edited12 Dec 2024

Thomas Clair Whiteside

M, #22158, b. 1894, d. 1959
Father*Rev William Sherlock Whiteside b. 1860, d. 6 Dec 1916
Mother*Sarah (Sally) McCullagh b. 1853, d. 7 Feb 1939
Note* An article about the life of Thomas Clair Whiteside.
Sergeant Thomas Clair Whiteside, 59th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force. He was known as Clair amongst the Beaconsfield/Officer and Berwick communities.
Clair was born in California and at the age of 15, he emigrated to Australia with his parents, William and Sarah (Sally) and 13 year old sister, Mary. In 1909, the family purchased a 33 acre property on a road which divided the township of Officer and Beaconsfield. The road is now known as Whiteside Road.
Clair worked on the family’s property and by the age of 16 he planted a 15 acre apple orchard.
On 4th August, 1914, war was declared between Germany and France. The German army was entering Belgium. Britain joined with France to try to stop the German forces before they invaded Belgium and turned on Russia and the British Empire.
The Allies quickly rallied to assist and support Britain’s decision to fight for freedom and the right of self government. The Australian offer to the Allies of an Australian expeditionary force was accepted and on 6th August the Australian Commonwealth Government called for volunteers for the Australian Imperial Force. Volunteers came forth in numbers.
By early December, thousands of men had sailed from Australia and New Zealand and were training in the sands of Egypt where they remained until the Dardanelles campaign. Months of training and the gruelling work in the hot sandy conditions made the troops fit for the ordeal that lay before them and made their part in the historic landing on Gallipoli possible.
It was the long and bitter struggle of the Gallipoli campaign and the resulting huge and tragic loss of life that brought home to the Australian people the seriousness of the situation. Events on the Western Front were causing great concern to the Allies who realised that an all-out effort had to be made to combat the aggressors.
A recruiting campaign in Victoria, and all other states quickly brought forth many volunteers. One of those was Clair Whiteside.
On 17th July, 1915, at the age of 21 years and nine months Clair enlisted.
On 25th July, Clair went into camp at Seymour. He was with the 6th Reinforcement/22nd Battalion.
At the time, Seymour was the largest encampment in Victoria holding about 18,000 men. Many came from a wide area throughout Gippsland, quite a number already known to Clair. He enjoyed the comradeship. There were local boys from Beaconsfield, Upper Beaconsfield, Officer, Berwick, Harkaway, Narre Warren, Cranbourne and Emerald.
Training soon began in earnest. Clair survived serious outbreaks of influenza, meningitis, measles and colds.
In October 1915, Clair set sail on the ship Ulysses for the Middle East. Over the next few months, Clair underwent further training until he was sent to France in June 1916.
On 19th July, 1916, Clair was thrown into one of the fiercest battles of the war at Fromelles in which 1,917 Australian soldiers died, 3,146 Australian soldiers were wounded and 470 taken prisoner in just one night. Clair was one of only 78 out of 1,000 men in his battalion, (the 59th) to return to their lines.
Clair was shot in the head and was transferred to the 3rd Southern General Hospital in Oxford, England.
Clair Whiteside wrote over 200 letters to his parents and sister during his service.
Clair spent a day in a field hospital where he was transferred to a hospital ship en route to Dover and finally received treatment at Southern General Hospital in Oxford.
Once recovered from his wounds, he was eventually sent back to the fighting in France but was wounded a second time at Bullecourt in April 1917. This time Clair was hit by shrapnel from an Allied shell.
Clair was also involved in the Harbonnieres campaign in France in 1918.
He was involved in further heavy fighting around Peronne before the war came to an end three months later. He was one of the lucky ones given a quick passage home and he arrived back in Melbourne on 15th January, 1919.
Clair married Kathleen Cunningham on 19th July, 1923. This was a significant date as it was on the 7th anniversary of the “Battle of Fromelles”.
Clair and Kathleen had 6 children.
Clair went onto be a councillor and Shire President for the Shire of Berwick.
Amongst a long list of achievements, Clair was instrumental in the construction of the Officer Memorial Gates which was erected at the entrance of the Officer Recreational Reserve on the 11th of November, 1951. The gates were in honour of the men from the Officer District who had lost their lives in the two World Wars.
Clair died in 1959.

This article was written by Cr Brett Owen and edited by Jennifer Grbic.1 
Birth*1894 California, USA. 
(Migrant) Migration/Travel19 Mar 1903 Sailing with Rev William Sherlock Whiteside, Sarah (Sally) Whiteside, Mary Ione Whiteside to Cape Town, South Africa. Ship SS Medic sailing from Liverpool
Age 9.2 
(Migrant) Migration/Travel30 Jul 1903 Sailing with Rev William Sherlock Whiteside, Sarah (Sally) Whiteside, Mary Ione Whiteside to Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Ship Persic sailing from Cape Town
Age 9.3 
Marriage*19 Jul 1923 Spouse: Amy Kathleen Cunningham. VIC, Australia, #M8081/1923.4
 
Land-Berwick*10 Dec 1924 BER-Subn-11. Transfer from William Wilson, Llewelyn David Beaumont, James Richardson to Thomas Clair Whiteside. 7a 0r 21p - ownership now Beaumont, Richardson and Whiteside.5 
(Transfer to) Land-UBeac29 Aug 1929 PAK-40B (Lot 7) part, Church. Transfer from Isaac Amos Wright to James Hicks, Augustus Edward Stevens, George Frederick Tivendale, Thomas Clair Whiteside, George Edward Crook. To James Hicks, Augustus Edward Stevens, George Frederick Tivendale, Thomas Clair Whiteside, and George Edward Crook.6 
(Transfer to) Land-Berwick5 Sep 1930 BER-Crown-17.18 (Soldiers Memorial Hall), 106 High Street. Transfer from Berwick District Soldiers Memorial Hall Association of Berwick to Robert Elsmere Haysey, Thomas Clair Whiteside, Sydney Alexander Greaves, Ernest Edward Gardiner, Alexander Hugh McNabb, Norman Edward Beaumont, Thomas Edward Roberts. C/T 5691-099. This may be the transfer to the Freemasons.7 
Land-Berwick*21 Feb 1941 BER-Subn-11. Transfer from Thomas Clair Whiteside, James Richardson, Llewelyn David Beaumont to Evan Clarence Henry, Austin Jeffries Spencer, Leslie Wilson Anderson. 7a 0r 21p - ownership now Spencer, Henry and Anderson.8 
Widower1948Thomas Clair Whiteside became a widower upon the death of his wife Amy Kathleen Cunningham.9 
Death*1959 Berwick, VIC, Australia, #D27225/1959 (Age 66) [par WHITESIDE & Sarah McCULLAGH].10 

Newspaper-Articles

  • 12 Jan 1916: NEWS FROM EGYPT.
    The Rev. W. S. Whiteside has received the following interesting letter from his son, Private Clair Whiteside, who recently sailed for Egypt with the Expedition ary Forces :
    " We anchored off Suez on the 22nd, and disembarked yesterday morning, the 25th. A few other transports got in much the same time. Got local papers the last two mrornings. Not very much in them. Suez is a town just exstinig on aecount of the canal, and the need of a coaling and provisioning depot. The country round is completely barren of vegetation except for one patch of palm trees. When passing through Suez by train the natives gave us as good a reception as we got when going through Melbourne. The kiddies ran on to the line yelling and smiling (some for bakshee) but mostly to see the men from a long way off who were coming to fight as much for them as for their own country. Leaving Cairo the train follows the course of the canal for ten miles or more. The line also runs by a water channel which, I should think, was made when the line was being built. The stretch of palm trees at Suez owes its existence to it, and all along it some type of vegetation exists, making some food for donkeys, camels and men in the midst of a desert. The water probably comes from the Nile. The first station of any size that we came to was I think a junction of lines running from Port Said to Cairo and Suez to Cairo. Soon after leaving the junction town the train goes west. The stretches of irrigation land widen and widen. The ground also improves, and soon you are in as fine a country as there is in the world. Although the plows and the few farm implements used seem to be primitive, the people know how to get the best benefits from irrigation. Their means of irrigating is so thoroughly scientific, and every patch of land is used. There are no fences—little irrigation trenches are apparently the only marks that separate one home from another. Palm trees are dotted about everywhere. Maize is the chief product, and you see it in all stages, green and dry. At the junction town I referred to hundreds of natives of all descriptions, and in all kinds of attire you could think of, were at the train selling fruit, dates and oranges. They are great hands at bargaining. One chap would pay a shilling for four oranges, another would get 24 for a shilling. I got 14. Others again had no scruples about getting half a dozen for nothing. Native soldiers kept an eye on the proceedings, which were very good natured on both sides. The stations are very few even in the thickly populated parts. The carriages were third class, but they were airy enough, and the weather could not have been better for travelling in them. The next most important place was Zagzig, and the other stations of any size were in the suburbs of Cairo. The old Sunday school leaflet pictures, which seemed so over drawn, hit off the carriage of the donkey and its load admirably. The stately old men we saw, in their long robes and riding on camels, might easily have been the wise men from the east. The houses are made of mud and stone and the farmhouses have little else but a solid wall 8 or 10 feet high Rubbish of some kind is thrown over some of the places to make a roof to keep out the sun. Nearer Cairo the houses are mostly fine, substantial, cool buildings. Then there are a lot of low concrete buildings joined together in a heap, and out of these the kiddies pour as the train comes along. The women with their water-jugs were there. At cross roads near some of the towns Indian troops were on guard. As the train passed they stood at the present, as rigid as rocks, but the cheers from the train brought out smiles that showed up all their teeth and nade it easily seen that good humor was not lacking and that we were brothers on the same job. They were a fine type of men. The journey took from 11 o'clock until 5.30, and was as interesting a trip as I had ever had.
    I have only been here a short while but have met Vic. Luke and Jim Hehir already. We are about a mile and a half or two miles from the Heliopolis camp, and a ten minutes train journey from Cairo. I am going to Cairo to-night. Was at Heliopolis last night, but will leave experiences there to another letter. The camp we are in is called Zeitoun."11
  • 22 Sep 1948: Death Of Berwick Councillor’s Wife
    FRIENDS everywhere will sympathise deeply with Cr. Clair Whiteside, of Officer, in the death of his wife, the sad event occurring at her home yesterday.
    The late Mrs. Whiteside is survived by her husband and a family'bf six.
    A wide circle of friends will share their great sorrow in the loss of their loved one.12
  • 29 Sep 1948: Officer Pays Sorrow ful Tribute To Late Mrs. T.C. Whiteside
    THE PROFOUND sorrow felt by the Officer community over the death on September 21st, of Mrs. Kathleen Amy Whiteside, wife of Cr. T. C. Whiteside took outward form last Wednesday when her remains were laid to rest in the Berwick Cemetery, the funeral being one of the largest ever seen at Berwick.
    The lengthy cortege left her late home at Officer for the Presbyterian Church, Berwick, where Rev. J. J. W. Scott conducted a special service in the presence of a large congregation.
    At the cemetery the pall-bearers were Crs. M. Bourke, C. Greaves, D. Kinsella and R. Ure, and Messrs. C. A. Harris, H. K. Lamb, S. C. Robinson, P. C. Brown, W. A. Beaumont and J. Adamson.
    The late Mrs. Whiteside, who had been ill for the past 14 months, leaves a sorrowing husband, three sons, Bill, Ken and David, and three daughters, Betty, Kathleen and Mary to mourn the passing of a devoted and loving wife and mother. A Tasmanian by birth, she had lived in Victoria for 35 years and during her long residence at Officer her lovely nature had, endeared her to all. All in the district feel a deep sense of personal loss at her passing. W. J. Garnar and Son attended to the funeral arrangements.13

Citations

  1. [S50] Miscellaneous Source, https://beaconsfield.org.au/digitalmemorial/…
  2. [S65] Ancestry - various indices, UK and Ireland, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960.
  3. [S36] Inward & outward passenger lists to and from Victoria. Series: (VPRS 14; 7666; 7667; 7786); PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), Victoria, Australia, Assisted and Unassisted Passenger Lists, 1839-1923.
  4. [S27] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Marriages) (online).
  5. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 897-288 - Llewellyn David Beaumont of Mornington Gentleman, James Richardson the younger of Berwick Butcher and Thomas Clair Whiteside of Beaconsfield Orchardist - joint proprietors.
  6. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 4503-431 - James Hicks Brickmaker, Augustus Edward Stevens Farmer, George Frederick Tivendale Storekeeper, Thomas Clair Whiteside and George Edward Crook Orchardists, all of Officer - joint proprietors - C/T 5611-150.
  7. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 2070-846 - C/T 5691-099 - Robert Elsmere Haysey, Thomas Clair Whiteside, Sydney Alexander Greaves, Ernest Edward Gardiner, Alexander Hugh McNabb, Norman Edward Beaumont, and Thomas Edward Roberts.
  8. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 897-288 - Justin Jeffries Spencer of Berwick Farmer, Evan Clarence Henry of Berwick Grazier and Leslie Wilson Anderson of Berwick Farmer and Grazier are now joint proprietors of the within described estate under and by virtue of Section 23 of Act 1175.
  9. [S28] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Deaths) (online) "#D20181/1948 - born NEWTOWN TASMANIA."
  10. [S28] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Deaths) (online) "#D27225/1959 - born CALIFORNIA USA."
  11. [S19] Newspaper - Berwick Shire News and Pakenham and Cranbourne Gazette (Berwick, Vic.), Wed 12 Jan 1916, p3
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/92095368
  12. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 22 Sep 1948, p1
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214583347
  13. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), 29 Sep 1948, p12 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214583510
Last Edited17 Sep 2020

George Edward Crook

M, #22159, b. 8 Nov 1874
Birth*8 Nov 1874 7 Asling Street, North Brighton, VIC, Australia.1 
(Transfer to) Land-UBeac29 Aug 1929 PAK-40B (Lot 7) part, Church. Transfer from Isaac Amos Wright to James Hicks, Augustus Edward Stevens, George Frederick Tivendale, Thomas Clair Whiteside, George Edward Crook. To James Hicks, Augustus Edward Stevens, George Frederick Tivendale, Thomas Clair Whiteside, and George Edward Crook.2 

Newspaper-Articles

  • 6 Nov 1974: Former Officer man's 100th birthday
    Next Friday will be a great occasion at 7 Asling Street, North Brighton for it marks the 100th birthday of Mr George Edward Crook, who was born in that house on November 8, 1874.
    Mr Crook lived for upwards of 25 years at Officer, but returned to his old home about 30 years ago. On the death of his wife, some ten years ago, he was joined there by his son and daughter in law, Mr and Mrs Jack Crook.
    Mrs Crook has a son, Jack, and daughter, Violet (Mrs Seers, of Bendigo), seven grand children and 19 great grand children; and it is planned to have all those present on Friday to mark the wonderful occasion.
    Notwithstanding his great age, Mr Crook still reads without glasses, goes down the street quite often to do shopping, enjoys work in the garden and takes a lively interest in all that is going on about him.
    Next Friday he will be recipient of congratulations and good wishes from many, many relatives and friends; but none will be more sincere than those we send on account of the many in the Officer - Pakenham area who well remember this fine old gentleman.1

Citations

  1. [S18] Newspaper - Pakenham Gazette (Vic.), 6 Nov 1974, p8.
  2. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 4503-431 - James Hicks Brickmaker, Augustus Edward Stevens Farmer, George Frederick Tivendale Storekeeper, Thomas Clair Whiteside and George Edward Crook Orchardists, all of Officer - joint proprietors - C/T 5611-150.
Last Edited18 Nov 2022

Mabel Kathleen Ismay

F, #22168, d. 14 Oct 1946
Married NameCurran. 
Marriage* Spouse: William Curran.
 
Land-UBeac*13 Nov 1924 PAK-38 (part) Lot 8. Transfer from Eliza Catherine Tivendale to Mabel Kathleen Curran. 9a 3r 31p.1 
Death*14 Oct 1946 Officer, VIC, Australia, #D22532/1946 (Age 65) [par Thomas ISMAY & Caroline WETHERLEY].2 
Land-Note*3 Jun 1949 PAK-38 (part) Lot 8. Mabel Kathleen Curran (herein called Kathleen Mabel Curran) died on 14th October 1946. Probate of her will has been granted to Keith Ismay Curran of 603 Gilbert Road West Preston Carrier and Caroline Margaret Grant of Beaconsfield Married Woman.3 

Family

 William Curran
Child 1.Caroline Margaret Maisie Curran b. 14 Jun 1908, d. 6 Aug 2005

Citations

  1. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1374-632 - Kathleen Mabel Curran of Officer Married Woman.
  2. [S28] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Deaths) (online) "born St Kilda."
  3. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1374-632 - Mabel Kathleen Curran (herein called Kathleen Mabel Curran) died on 14th October 1946. Probate of her will has been granted to Keith Ismay Curran of 603 Gilbert Road West Preston Carrier and Caroline Margaret Grant of Beaconsfield Married Woman.
Last Edited2 May 2019
 

NOTE

Some family sections show only the children who were associated with Upper Beaconsfield.

Some individuals may be featured because members of their family were associated with the Upper Beaconsfield area, even though they themselves never lived here.