DIRECT DESCENDANTS
Gregor McGregor [G1A]
Family tradition has Gregor McGregor as having been born in 1754.This is consistent with (and may have been arrived at through) what records are known. For instance the 1841 (I believe it was taken on 7 June 1841) Census taken at Auchnerran has Gregor McGregor aged 87*. Therefore he would have been born around 1754/1755.
Parish records [citation needed here] have the following record: "MacGregor. John, Catholic, and Girsel (gaelic for Grace) Shaw, Protestant, Achaledar. a son, Grigor bap(tised) Achaledar. Godfather:- Duncan MacGregor, Godmother:- Lizy MacGregor."
The IGI (Church of Later Day Saints or Mormons) have record of the christening of a Grigor MacGrigor on 30 December 1754 at Saint Andrews R.C. Church, Braemar, Aberdeen to John MacGrigor and Girsel Shaw.** Note: Most baptisms were conducted as soon as possible (weather permitting) as infant mortality in this era was high. According to the Catholic faith the death of an unchristened baby was to be avoided.
The IGI record also has John McGregor of Fortioner, Braemar, Aberdeen and born about 1737 as well as Girsel Shaw of Fortioner, Breamar Aberdeen and born about 1741, both noted as spouses of each other.*** While these birthdates are shown as "about", if accurate, they would put John and Girsel as 17 and 13 respectively.
Bruce Davidson (see below) also has as possible parents for Gregor McGregor [G1A] a Gregor McGregor and an Ann Grant who were married on 24 April 1753. Nothing else is known of this couple so their relationship is speculative at this time.
Parish records [citation needed here] have the following record: "MacGregor. John, Catholic, and Girsel (gaelic for Grace) Shaw, Protestant, Achaledar. a son, Grigor bap(tised) Achaledar. Godfather:- Duncan MacGregor, Godmother:- Lizy MacGregor."
The IGI (Church of Later Day Saints or Mormons) have record of the christening of a Grigor MacGrigor on 30 December 1754 at Saint Andrews R.C. Church, Braemar, Aberdeen to John MacGrigor and Girsel Shaw.** Note: Most baptisms were conducted as soon as possible (weather permitting) as infant mortality in this era was high. According to the Catholic faith the death of an unchristened baby was to be avoided.
The IGI record also has John McGregor of Fortioner, Braemar, Aberdeen and born about 1737 as well as Girsel Shaw of Fortioner, Breamar Aberdeen and born about 1741, both noted as spouses of each other.*** While these birthdates are shown as "about", if accurate, they would put John and Girsel as 17 and 13 respectively.
Bruce Davidson (see below) also has as possible parents for Gregor McGregor [G1A] a Gregor McGregor and an Ann Grant who were married on 24 April 1753. Nothing else is known of this couple so their relationship is speculative at this time.
* This is according to research conducted by Bruce Davidson of 24 Yarraville Street Robina QLD 4226
** IGI Batch No. C100141 and Source Call No. 0873821 IT 7-8
*** IGI Film No. 538362 Page No.119 Ref No. 99690 and Film No. 538250 Page No.120 Ref No. 02238 respectively.
* IGI Batch No. C100141 and Source Call No. 0873821 IT 7-8
** This is according to research conducted by Bruce Davidson of 24 Yarraville Street Robina QLD 4226
*** IGI Film No. 538362 Page No.119 Ref No. 99690 and Film No. 538250 Page No.120 Ref No. 02238 respectively.
Margaret Cattanach [G1B]
Very little is known of Margaret Cattanach.
The IGI records the christening of a Margaret Catanach, daughter of John Catanach and Isabel MacDonald, on 20 April 1755 at St. Andrews RC Church, Braemar, Aberdeen.
Bruce Davidson (see note below) also has as possible parents for Margaret Cattanach [G1B] a George Cattanach and a Helen Gordon who were married on 5 July 1757. Nothing else is known of this couple so their relationship (if any) is again purely speculative.
What is known is that according to the Glenmuick Parish records on 10 July 1779 "Gregor McGregor and Margaret Catanack both in the parish of Glengaiden were matrimonially contracted and consigned pledges."
** This is according to research conducted by Bruce Davidson of 24 Yarraville Street Robina QLD 4226
William McGregor [G2.5A]
Fifth child and youngest son of Gregor McGregor [G1A] and Margaret Cattanach [G1B], William was born on 22 March 1802 and died 15 June 1891. Speculatively as the youngest son, William would not inherit any part of the Auchnerran property where he and his family lived with brother Lewis [G2.4A] and his family. It is probable that Auchnerran would not support more than a subsistence level of existence. Whatever the reason on 29 September 1852, William (aged 50) and wife Helen(34) together with family - Helen (12), James (10), John (7), William (5) and Elizabeth (1) as well as an Anne McGregor (19) a spinster (presumed to be a niece - and the daughter of brother Lewis [G2.4A] - and who later was to become Mrs J.R. Douglas) sailed from Aberdeen on the "Jane Geary" a 203 ton brig.
On the 20 January 1853, the “Jane Geary’s” master, James Joss, brought the vessel into
Port Phillip Bay , flying the yellow flag. This
meant that sickness was on board the ship. It hove to at Red Bluff, the first
Quarantine Station in the colony of Victoria Elizabeth
After 31/2 months
of the landing, on the 1 May 1853, the young Elizabeth cemetery of St. Andrews ’
church in Brighton .
William worked on the goldfields at Campbell's Creek (near Castlemaine) and later at Avoca (near Maryborough, Vic). In 1857 he bought 120 acres (at 4 pound an acre) at Green Hill via Kyneton, which was to be the McGregor home for some 66 years. Subsequently, 60 acres was transferred to Charles Grant, the brother of William's wife Helen [G2.5B].
Although a Roman Catholic, William [G2.5A] became identified with the local Presbyterian Church where he was treasurer for 27 years. William died at Green Hill and was buried in the Kyneton Cemetery (Compartment E, Section 9, Grave No. 4).
Helen Grant [G2.5B]
Born December 1819 and died 1 pm on 1 January 1910, Helen was the daughter of John Grant (a farmer) and Ann McPherson. She arrived with her husband William McGregor [G2.5A] and family on the "Jane Geary".
Towards the later years of her life she spent time in a cottage at "Tourello Lodge", Clunes, the home of her son-in-law George Troup who had married Helen [G3.5.1] elder daughter of the McGregor family. It is believed that prior to this she lived for a time is a cottage in Kyneton. the final three + years of her life were spent on the Green Hill farm, cared for by her daughter-in-law Emma Frances (Douglas) [G3.5.4B], wife of William McGregor junior [G3.5.4A].
Helen knitted approximately 20 large quilts, including one for each grand-daughter', with the exception of the youngest, Marion Gairn McGregor [G4.5.4.4]. As at 1986 at least 3 of these were still in existence.
She was buried with her husband, William, on 3 January 1910 at Kyneton Cemetery (Compartment E, Section 9, Grave No. 4).
Towards the later years of her life she spent time in a cottage at "Tourello Lodge", Clunes, the home of her son-in-law George Troup who had married Helen [G3.5.1] elder daughter of the McGregor family. It is believed that prior to this she lived for a time is a cottage in Kyneton. the final three + years of her life were spent on the Green Hill farm, cared for by her daughter-in-law Emma Frances (Douglas) [G3.5.4B], wife of William McGregor junior [G3.5.4A].
Helen knitted approximately 20 large quilts, including one for each grand-daughter', with the exception of the youngest, Marion Gairn McGregor [G4.5.4.4]. As at 1986 at least 3 of these were still in existence.
She was buried with her husband, William, on 3 January 1910 at Kyneton Cemetery (Compartment E, Section 9, Grave No. 4).
William McGregor [G3.5.4A]
Born 13 August 1846 and died 3 or 5 March 1928, as the youngest son of William [G2.5A] and Helen [G2.5B], he married Emma Frances Douglas [G3.5.4B] on 23 May 1899 at Kyneton Victoria.
Father to Helen Heather Douglas [G4.5.4.1]; Athol Douglas Grant [G4.5.4.2]; Dallas Morven Campbell [G4.5.4.3]; Marion Gairn [G4.5.4.4]; and Ian Hallworth Clyde [G4.5.5.5A].
At age 5 he journeyed with family from Scotland aboard the “Jane Geary” and on arrival in Australia went to the gold diggings at Campbell's Creek and Avoca finally ending up at Green Hill in 1857.
When the Green Hill school opened in 1859, William then aged 13 (approx.) was given his first opportunity for formal schooling, which it is believed continued for some 4 years. He was on the Green Hill farm until 1923 except for an unknown duration of time in New Zealand. (Indications are that he was in New Zealand in 1871).
He was treasurer of the local Presbyterian Church from 1886 to 1923. Considered a good runner and draughts player, he was expert with the single furrow plough and as a horse-breaker. He was a sufferer of terrible migraine headaches.
In 1923 he sold the farm to Morgan Scannel, who also bought the adjoining acres, once the property of Charles Grant. Later these two properties were merged with the adjoining farm to the north, for years owned by the Trimble family.
He retired to Campbell's Creek and later to 7 Wimble Street, Castlemaine where he died on 5 March 1928 and was buried at Campbell's Creek Cemetery. In 1957, his widow, Emma Frances (Douglas) McGregor [G3.5.4B] was buried in the same grave.
Emma Frances Douglas [G3.5.4B]
At the age of 6 she started school at Green Hill. (The exact designation of the school at the time was unknown but in later years became known as S.S.277, Edgecombe). An earlier start to her education was delayed as her father was blind and she was of great help to her mother, struggling alone on her small farm, as a little errand girl. Her severance with her childhood Green Hill home was on the marriage of her brother, Robert, who lived there for almost his whole life.
In her youth her exact movements are unknown, but at various times she helped Aunt Hannah Green with her boarders in Fitzroy; Mrs Knight (blind) of Spring Hill via Kyneton; Mrs Andrew Thompson (almost blind, or quite so) of Kyneton; Dr (and later Sir) Stanley Argyle of Melbourne; and Dr Petsell of Kyneton being her last position before her marriage on 23 May 1899 to William McGregor [ ] at the Kyneton Manse which was officiated by Rev. Lithgow Tait.
To the outsider her life was not spectacular, but it was one of devotion to her family of five, struggling (with the later help of her son, Athol) to see three of them educated at Kyneton High School. She had an innate love of correct speech, grammar, wording etc and with opportunities given to folk in later years could well have become a journalist. (Leigh McGregor: "My father, Clyde McGregor [G4.5.4.5A], would often say that as a child he frequently saw his mother sitting up at nights just reading the dictionary by the light old an old kerosene lamp. Her command of the English language and vocabulary was extraordinary.")
In 1923 she was at Campbell's Creek and then in 1926 moved to Castlemaine where she did much quiet work visiting the Old Folks Home etc.. Husband, William [G3.5.4A] died in 1928 and she spent approximately 4 years at the home address of 7 Wimble Street Castlemaine with son Clyde [G4.5.4.5A] and from 1934 until her sudden death at aged 90 on 4 December 1957, she lived there with daughter Marion [G4.5.4.4] who was a teacher. She was buried with her husband in grave 222 A.G at Campbell's Creek Cemetery, now known as Castlemaine Cemetery.
Helen Heather Douglas McGregor [G4.5.4.1]
Born at Green Hill via Kyneton on 10 March 1900 and died at the Queen Victoria Hospital, Melbourne on 7 July 1958. Known to all in the family as Heather, she received her primary education at S.S. 277 Edgecombe (poorly named as it was the centre of the limited Green Hill activities - School, Church, Post Office) under William Baker. She became a well-known Highland dancer, winning prizes at various gatherings including the then famous Maryborough Highland Sports. She wore the McKenzie kilt for most of her dancing days. Later she had the McGregor kilt, but when she started high school she elected to give up her dancing activities.
Heather started at the Kyneton High School in 1912, thus being a foundation member. She won an internal scholarship. At aged 15 she had the necessary qualifications and started her Junior Teachership at Newham via Woodend in 1915. From there to be Head Teacher at the very remote Deptford via Bairnsdale, (Mail and passengers per "coach" once weekly to Bairnsdale over 20 miles away), and was there for 1918 and 1919. Years 1920 - 1922 were spent as Head Teacher at Yinnar South. In that dairying district she ran a "Calf Club" at the school. Yinnar State School was impressed with the idea and formed the first Young Farmers Club, with various activities. So grew the far-reaching Y.F.C. (other schools intimate that they had pig-clubs etc, but through the Yinnar adoption of the idea, the real Y.F.C. started. A plaque at the Yinnar school indicates the same).
From Yinnar to "The Creek" via Glenrowan in 1923, but within a few months she resigned from the Education Department to conduct the business side of "Academy House" 472 Lonsdale Street Melbourne, run by her cousin Ethel (Douglas) Burnell, letting rooms to music teachers. Many well known Melbourne teachers of pianoforte, violin and singing etc had studios there. At that time she was in contact with and learning elocution from Lorna Forbes and her mother. Through them she was invited to join the Alan Wilkie Shakespearean Players, a then famous group, however she declined the offer.
Later she was with a cousin, Wallace Douglas, in a sandwich and small-goods business. From there to Golden Square (Bendigo) to keep house for uncle John Hallworth Douglas. There her Christian influence with the young was extensive.
In 1934 she went to Box Hill Grammer School as a teacher. While there, through a business college, she studied and passed brilliantly in commercial work, leading her to take an important position at the Northcote Business College from 1938 to 1948. In that year she felt the call to join "the Family" at Crestonby in Armadale, where Christian help was given to those seeking settlement of their problems.
In 1955 she underwent an operation but when the cancer recurred in 1958 her death at the Queen Victoria Hospital soon followed.
Heather left no descendants.
Athol Douglas Grant McGregor [G4.5.4.2]
Born at Green Hill via Kyneton on 10 April 1902 and died at Healesville, Victoria 24 October 1979.
Earliest primary education was under William Baker at S.S. 277 Edgecombe (Green Hill). Then 3 years with uncle James McGregor at Kaarimba. Again back at Edgecombe under Albert Lester Cecil.
On leaving school helped with the up-keep of the home with local harvesting, woodcutting/carting at our Barford property and working for Mr Charles Kennedy of Green Hill. With that contract he went to another Kennedy property at Tara via Dalby, Queensland. Athol became an excellent horseman.
In 1919, when thrown from a buggy on to a sharp bridge timber, he received a severe injury to his left eye-lid causing a lifelong extreme weakness in his sight.
Home again, then following the sale of the Green Hill and Barford properties the family went to Campbell's Creek 1923. From there he went to work for Mr Joe Manson in the Riverina. While there his conversion in April 1924 convinced him of his call to the Ministry. Returning to Campbell's Creek, his natural leaning was to the Methodist Church under Rev. J Tyson (There being no Presbyterian Church there). Local preaching then in 1925 he went to "Otira", the Methodist Training College.
His first posting was to Noojee early in 1926. In six weeks he was in the heart of the disastrous bush-fires there when on 14 February some 33 lives were lost. One Phyllis Unita McLeod visited her friend there who was helping with the relief efforts. Athol and Unita met there and became engaged on 15 October 1926.
As the Methodists then opened up Northern and Central Australia, Athol took an appointment in Queensland (Normanton?); then almost immediately to Katherine NT, where the rail-head offered the main scope for his work. In the dry season, there as extensive travel involved over an area of 500,00 square miles. 1928 saw Unita joining him at Katherine and they were married in Darwin on 14 April 1928 by Rev, Mr Jarvis. His Ministry continued in Katherine (a break for Unita when son John Maxwell was born in Melbourne on 29 January 1929) until 1931. In 1928, his protestations over the shooting of many aborigines at Coniston* brought about an enquiry (nicely white-washed) at Alice Springs. A full account of that as written by A.D.G. McGregor is in the hands of his son John Maxwell, at one time a resident of Sydney.
*This is now referred to as "The Coniston Massacre" (Note: In 1984 a book by author John Cribbin entitled "The Killing Times" was published [Fontana/Collins press] and tells the story of the massacre referred to by aborigines as "The Killing Times".
The following are Athol's Victorian appointments: Cavendish 1931 - 1934 (during which daughter Ruth was born 7 March 1933), ordained 1934, Port Fairy 1934 - 1938, Avoca 1938 - 1941, Murtoa 1941 - 1945, Drouin 1945 - 1949, South Preston 1949 - 1954,
South Essendon 1954 - 1957, Punt Road, South Yarra 1957 - 1963 and Werribee 1963 - 1967. Then retirement to Healesville in December 1967.
During these various sojourns Athol showed great interest in gardening, at times specialising in daffodils, iris, gladioli, roses, dahlias, delphiniums, orchids and at Healesville grew hundreds of native plants.
After 18 months of comparative good health, sickness struck both Athol and Unita. By 1977 Unita's health had vastly improved but after some 8 years of heart trouble Athol died on 24 October 1979 at Healesville. Unita died 7 August 1987 at Healesville.
Athol and Unita had the following descendants:
John Maxwell (B. 29 Jan 1929 & D. 4 Jan 2016) Married Valerie June FOX (B. ????)
Their children are:
Gavin Douglas (B. 9 May 1954) (M. ?) Ling ???? (B. ????)
Their children are:
Meiling Kathleen (B. ????)
Yiling (B. ????)
Merrill June (B. 16 August 1955) (M. ?) Geoffrey Robert PATTON (B. ????)
Their children are:
Alastair John (B. 7 Mar 1983)
Douglas (B. ????) (M.?) Nicole ????? (B. ????)
Their children are:
Lorelei (B. ????)
Enola (B. ????)
Heather (B. ????)
Margaret Ruth (B. 7 Mar 1933) (M. 16 Mar 1959) Vincas John SAMATAUSKAS (B. 13 Jul 1926 & D. 3 Nov 1989)
Their children are:
Zuvele Elena (B. 26 Dec 1960) (M. 13 Mar 1982) Jonathan LESCHEN (B. ????)
Their children are:
Nikolai (B. 29 Apr 1994)
Vitaly (B. 2 Sep 1996)
Juanita Alenka (B. 30 Jun 1963) (M. ????) Ray SHAW (B. ????)
Their children are:
Casey (B. ????)
Lachlan (B. ????) (M. ????) Rosie ?????? (B. ????)
Their children are:
?Unknown? (B. ????)
?Unknown? (B. ????)
Kimberley (B. ?? ?? ????)
Michele (B. ????)
William (B. ??? /)
Gabrielle (B. 7 Feb 1965) (M. ????) David PLUNKETT (B. ????)
Their children are:
Vincas "Vinnie" (B. ????)
Jack (B. ????)
Carly (B. 27 Jul 1998)
Dallas Morven Campbell McGregor [G4.5.4.3]
Born at Green Hill via Kyneton on 1 August 1904 and died 29 July 1996.
(The name "Morven" comes from the mountain near Glengairn Scotland, his father's birthplace.) He was referred to as "Morven" by the family but as "Dallas" to others.
Throughout his Schooling, starting at primary education was under William Baker and Albert Lester Cecil at S.S. 277 Edgecombe (Green Hill), he showed his brilliance. Qualifying Certificate passed at 10 years of age and Merit Certificate at 11 (Usually two years between these achievements.) Then at Kyneton High School (for 2 years travelling the return trip of 14 miles daily - bicycle, pony or jinker each year). Dux of his form and in the special year, 1920 was Dux of the school. In December 1919, won a scholarship and at the time only 40 were awarded for the whole of Victoria. Morven entered the Victorian Education Department and passed any needful examinations with ease. However he did not have ambitions towards noted promotions. Except for his initial training and his final 18 months of his working life, he was a teaching Headmaster, having a great influence on the characters of the country children he loved and reciprocated the feeling.
Most appointments were in Gippsland and this suited his love of bush sport. As a splendid gun-man he was responsible for a tally of 526 foxes. either shot by him or decoyed for mates to shoot. Farmers called him in for this work to save their flocks. Freshwater angling was his chief recreation, catching fish where the locals said there were none or none could be caught. Totals of over 4,000 trout were recorded with details of each catch in 109 different waters. Not surprisingly he won many trophies, the most prized being the Gippsland Angling Clubs Association cup, open annually to any Gippsland club - so therefore open to many thousands of anglers. This 1941-1942 cup was won with a 9 lb (4.1 kg) trout. During the war, Morven held the position of Secretary to the Gippsland Angling Clubs Association representing anglers from Omeo to Dandenong. He was also a keen ornithologist.
His Education appointments were:
Hesket:- 13 February 1922 to Easter 1924.
West Melbourne:- Easter 1924 to August 1924 (This ended his training period).
South Hazelwood:- September 1924 to end of 1927. (There he met Susan Reidy, his future wife, also a teacher.
Warncoort:- 1928 to May 1934 (Married on 28 June 1928 and daughter Jean born).
Middle Tarwin:- May 1934 to Sept 1934.
Yannathan:- Sept 1934 to May 1937 (Son Donald was born).
Jamieson:- May 1937 to Sept 1939 (Experienced bush-fire here).
Wurruk:- Sept 1939 to June 1942 (His wife then conducted the school at Wurruk while he biked 8 + 8 miles daily to Cobains).
Cobains:- June 1942 to September 1949.
Toora:- October 1949 to end of 1958.
Lucknow:- 1959 to end of 1962.
Toora:- 1963 to end of 1966.
Sale:- 1967 to August 1968 (As assistant Headmaster and then out of teaching on account of poor eye-sight).
Sick-leave carried him through to official retirement on 1 August 1969, at which time he received a highly laudatory letter from the Education Department.
Morven died on 29 July 1996 aged (almost) 92 and was buried at Sale Lawn Cemetery (Sect D Lot 15) along side his wife, Susan Margaret REIDY who died on 5 January 1982.
Morven and Susan had the following descendants:
Jean (B. 1928-1934) who married John BOYCE (B. ???? & D. 8 Dec 1977)
Their children are:
Kathleen (B. 12 Jul 1955) (M. ????) B. KOLBER (B. ????)
Their child/children is/are:
Anthony Edward (B. ????)
Kerry (B. 3 Nov. 1957)
Christine (B. 4 Feb 1960) (M. ????) T. NOLAN (B. ????)
Their child/children is/are:
Jessica Mary (B. ?????)
John Dallas (B. 19 Aug 1969)
Michael (B. 12 Feb 1973)
*Jean (RM. 12 Jul 1980) Gavin Johnston (B. ????)
Donald (B. 1934-1937) (M. ????) Gwenda May Pocklington (B. ????)
Their children are:
Andrew (B. 23 Dec 1963)
Darren (B. 15 Nov 1966)
Throughout his Schooling, starting at primary education was under William Baker and Albert Lester Cecil at S.S. 277 Edgecombe (Green Hill), he showed his brilliance. Qualifying Certificate passed at 10 years of age and Merit Certificate at 11 (Usually two years between these achievements.) Then at Kyneton High School (for 2 years travelling the return trip of 14 miles daily - bicycle, pony or jinker each year). Dux of his form and in the special year, 1920 was Dux of the school. In December 1919, won a scholarship and at the time only 40 were awarded for the whole of Victoria. Morven entered the Victorian Education Department and passed any needful examinations with ease. However he did not have ambitions towards noted promotions. Except for his initial training and his final 18 months of his working life, he was a teaching Headmaster, having a great influence on the characters of the country children he loved and reciprocated the feeling.
Most appointments were in Gippsland and this suited his love of bush sport. As a splendid gun-man he was responsible for a tally of 526 foxes. either shot by him or decoyed for mates to shoot. Farmers called him in for this work to save their flocks. Freshwater angling was his chief recreation, catching fish where the locals said there were none or none could be caught. Totals of over 4,000 trout were recorded with details of each catch in 109 different waters. Not surprisingly he won many trophies, the most prized being the Gippsland Angling Clubs Association cup, open annually to any Gippsland club - so therefore open to many thousands of anglers. This 1941-1942 cup was won with a 9 lb (4.1 kg) trout. During the war, Morven held the position of Secretary to the Gippsland Angling Clubs Association representing anglers from Omeo to Dandenong. He was also a keen ornithologist.
His Education appointments were:
Hesket:- 13 February 1922 to Easter 1924.
West Melbourne:- Easter 1924 to August 1924 (This ended his training period).
South Hazelwood:- September 1924 to end of 1927. (There he met Susan Reidy, his future wife, also a teacher.
Warncoort:- 1928 to May 1934 (Married on 28 June 1928 and daughter Jean born).
Middle Tarwin:- May 1934 to Sept 1934.
Yannathan:- Sept 1934 to May 1937 (Son Donald was born).
Jamieson:- May 1937 to Sept 1939 (Experienced bush-fire here).
Wurruk:- Sept 1939 to June 1942 (His wife then conducted the school at Wurruk while he biked 8 + 8 miles daily to Cobains).
Cobains:- June 1942 to September 1949.
Toora:- October 1949 to end of 1958.
Lucknow:- 1959 to end of 1962.
Toora:- 1963 to end of 1966.
Sale:- 1967 to August 1968 (As assistant Headmaster and then out of teaching on account of poor eye-sight).
Sick-leave carried him through to official retirement on 1 August 1969, at which time he received a highly laudatory letter from the Education Department.
Morven died on 29 July 1996 aged (almost) 92 and was buried at Sale Lawn Cemetery (Sect D Lot 15) along side his wife, Susan Margaret REIDY who died on 5 January 1982.
Morven and Susan had the following descendants:
Jean (B. 1928-1934) who married John BOYCE (B. ???? & D. 8 Dec 1977)
Their children are:
Kathleen (B. 12 Jul 1955) (M. ????) B. KOLBER (B. ????)
Their child/children is/are:
Anthony Edward (B. ????)
Kerry (B. 3 Nov. 1957)
Christine (B. 4 Feb 1960) (M. ????) T. NOLAN (B. ????)
Their child/children is/are:
Jessica Mary (B. ?????)
John Dallas (B. 19 Aug 1969)
Michael (B. 12 Feb 1973)
*Jean (RM. 12 Jul 1980) Gavin Johnston (B. ????)
Donald (B. 1934-1937) (M. ????) Gwenda May Pocklington (B. ????)
Their children are:
Andrew (B. 23 Dec 1963)
Darren (B. 15 Nov 1966)
Marion Gairn McGregor [G4.5.4.4]
Born at Green Hill via Kyneton on 8 October 1906 and died 3 July 1987. (The name "Gairn" comes from the river that gives its name to Glengairn Scotland, home of the McGregor ancestors.
Primary education was for a short time under William Baker and then under Albert Lester Cecil at S.S.277 Edgecombe (Green Hill). In 1920 started at Kyneton High School, completing the 4 year course in 3 years. Marion commenced teaching as a junior at Baybrook in 1923 and then for 4 years, for the period 1926 to 1930, as Head Teacher at Denison via Hayfield. One year (1930-1931) was spent at Clunes before an appointment to Portarlington 1931 through 1933.
Primary education was for a short time under William Baker and then under Albert Lester Cecil at S.S.277 Edgecombe (Green Hill). In 1920 started at Kyneton High School, completing the 4 year course in 3 years. Marion commenced teaching as a junior at Baybrook in 1923 and then for 4 years, for the period 1926 to 1930, as Head Teacher at Denison via Hayfield. One year (1930-1931) was spent at Clunes before an appointment to Portarlington 1931 through 1933.
In 1934 she was appointed to S.S. 2051 Castlemaine North, within a few blocks of the family home at 7 Wimble Street. Here she remained with her widowed mother, foregoing any promotion (She did not consider this important as promotion would almost certainly involve teaching infants - definitely a situation not congenial to her). Having a leaning towards art, she attended Castlemaine Technical School at night, passing the advanced certificates, but declined an invitation to teach there.
In 1957 her mother, Emma Frances McGregor (nee Douglas), died and in 1961 Marion took a promotion to Harcourt, driving there daily. During this period Marion was known to assist on a pro-bono basis, young students struggling with learning difficulties and older men with limited education how to read and write (a problem that largely goes unrecognised in society). Never having been really well, she sought early retirement with superannuation and the application was successful in 1967. 1969 saw the sale of the Castlemaine home and the move to"Jane-Geary" the home she had built at Healesville - a neighbouring property to Athol & Unita McGregor. (Note Jane Geary was the name of the sailing ship that had brought the McGregor ancestors to Australia).
Now, in high school days, one Owen Frederick Lloyd, son of Frederick and Cecelia (Murray) Lloyd was attracted to the fair-haired Marion McGregor. No conversation then was allowed between the genders at high school and they went their separate ways, meeting only for a brief 5 minutes in 1940. Both Marion and Owen remained single. News seeped slowly through to Marion that Owen had had a leg amputated in 1966 and she wrote to him in 1970. Their meeting led to a happy marriage (10 August 1970) of 4 years. Owen, very limited in movement, died suddenly at Camberwell on 7 October 1974. He was a brilliant pharmacist having had his initial training under Alex Richardson of Kyneton. At Pharmacy College he was the top student in Victoria and post graduation was for a time at a medical centre in Bendigo. In 1930 he started his own pharmacy business at 521 Burke Road Camberwell and from 1966 onward it was necessary to have a manager. Following his marriage, he spent about 3 weeks per month at Healesville and at the turn of the month he and Marion went to Camberwell to work on the accounts. In 1975 the pharmacy closed and the building sold.
As a lad and young man, Owen was an outstanding cricketer, as a boy playing in the Senior Kyneton District team. In one game he achieved 7 wickets for 6 in the first innings and 6 wickets for 7 in the next. He concentrated on batting after his fast left-hand bowling was ended by a shoulder injury. he was invited to play at the M.C.C. when possible, but the need for his full attention towards his business during the Depression years ended a cricket career which may have been truly outstanding. He recalled one amusing incident when the ball passed through his stumps without dislodging the bails. Not Out! Tests showed that could only happen in one spot!
Owen was a foundation member at Galen Masonic Lodge.
Between them, Marion and Owen left no descendants.
In 1957 her mother, Emma Frances McGregor (nee Douglas), died and in 1961 Marion took a promotion to Harcourt, driving there daily. During this period Marion was known to assist on a pro-bono basis, young students struggling with learning difficulties and older men with limited education how to read and write (a problem that largely goes unrecognised in society). Never having been really well, she sought early retirement with superannuation and the application was successful in 1967. 1969 saw the sale of the Castlemaine home and the move to"Jane-Geary" the home she had built at Healesville - a neighbouring property to Athol & Unita McGregor. (Note Jane Geary was the name of the sailing ship that had brought the McGregor ancestors to Australia).
Now, in high school days, one Owen Frederick Lloyd, son of Frederick and Cecelia (Murray) Lloyd was attracted to the fair-haired Marion McGregor. No conversation then was allowed between the genders at high school and they went their separate ways, meeting only for a brief 5 minutes in 1940. Both Marion and Owen remained single. News seeped slowly through to Marion that Owen had had a leg amputated in 1966 and she wrote to him in 1970. Their meeting led to a happy marriage (10 August 1970) of 4 years. Owen, very limited in movement, died suddenly at Camberwell on 7 October 1974. He was a brilliant pharmacist having had his initial training under Alex Richardson of Kyneton. At Pharmacy College he was the top student in Victoria and post graduation was for a time at a medical centre in Bendigo. In 1930 he started his own pharmacy business at 521 Burke Road Camberwell and from 1966 onward it was necessary to have a manager. Following his marriage, he spent about 3 weeks per month at Healesville and at the turn of the month he and Marion went to Camberwell to work on the accounts. In 1975 the pharmacy closed and the building sold.
As a lad and young man, Owen was an outstanding cricketer, as a boy playing in the Senior Kyneton District team. In one game he achieved 7 wickets for 6 in the first innings and 6 wickets for 7 in the next. He concentrated on batting after his fast left-hand bowling was ended by a shoulder injury. he was invited to play at the M.C.C. when possible, but the need for his full attention towards his business during the Depression years ended a cricket career which may have been truly outstanding. He recalled one amusing incident when the ball passed through his stumps without dislodging the bails. Not Out! Tests showed that could only happen in one spot!
Owen was a foundation member at Galen Masonic Lodge.
Between them, Marion and Owen left no descendants.
Ian Hallworth Clyde McGregor [G4.5.4.5A]
Born in Kyneton Victoria on 15 October 1910 and died in Cooroy Hospital Queensland on 10 March 1982.
Known to the family as Clyde he was educated to Grade 6 standard at S.S. 277 Edgecombe (Green Hill). With the closure of that school in 1920 (more probably 1921), at the beginning of the following year he went to live with his Uncle John Hallworth Douglas at Golden Square (Bendigo) where he attended the primary school until early 1923 after which he rejoined the family at Campbell's Creek. He attended primary school there and then later Technical School. Employed for a short time in the works area of the Castlemaine Foundry, then into the office as an apprentice draughtsman.
In 1931 with the Great Depression, his apprenticeship ended, likewise ended his employment at the Foundry. After one year as unemployed he was for a time at the nearby town of Tylden as nurse/farm help for a Mr Maxwell and then on to work for his cousin's husband, Walter Williams, an orchardist at Shepparton. Later he was to manage various bars for "Tarax" (a brewed soft-drink popular at the time). With his cousin, Alan Burnell, he established a modestly successful business "Wallboards" in Flinders Street, Melbourne.
At the outbreak of World War II both Clyde and Alan enlisted. (Alan enlisted in the A.I.F. and was sent to Singapore where he was taken POW by the Japanese. He subsequently died as a POW one week before the end of hostilities in August 1945). Clyde enlisted in the R.A.A.F. where he progressed from AC1 to the commissioned rank of Flight Officer and was stationed in various Australian mainland airbases, the most responsible being at Pearce in Western Australia.
Clyde contracted Dengue Fever while stationed in northern Australia and spent time convalescing on Magnetic Island off Townsville.
At about the time that he enlisted he met (with the classic pick-up line: " haven't we met somewhere before?") Alwyne Belle Grenfell [G4.5.4.5B] and the two married on 28 September 1940.
After demobilisation he spent a number of years with the Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works (M.M.B.W.) before transferring to the Victorian Public Works Dept. as draughtsman, remaining there until retirement in 1970. Then in 1971 with wife, Alwyne and son, Leigh, he moved to Tewantin Queensland. A year later was joined by son, Kenneth. Alwyne died on 27 September 1977 after many years of ill-health during which Clyde cared lovingly for her.
Clyde was a man who turned his hand to many pastimes; during the Depression years he earned some money with bone carvings (some splendid examples of which are still in the possession of son, Kenneth), wood carvings and some oil paintings in later life. He was an avid gardener, keen freshwater fisherman, competent carpenter and talented ventriloquist. He had some success in water divining for people in the Sunshine Coast area with all proceeds being donated to the local ambulance service.
While he remained quite fit and healthy, after a lifetime of cigarette smoking Clyde died at the Cooroy Public Hospital on 10 March 1982 from complications due to lung cancer. Clyde is buried at the Tewantin Lawn Cemetery Grave No. 73
Known to the family as Clyde he was educated to Grade 6 standard at S.S. 277 Edgecombe (Green Hill). With the closure of that school in 1920 (more probably 1921), at the beginning of the following year he went to live with his Uncle John Hallworth Douglas at Golden Square (Bendigo) where he attended the primary school until early 1923 after which he rejoined the family at Campbell's Creek. He attended primary school there and then later Technical School. Employed for a short time in the works area of the Castlemaine Foundry, then into the office as an apprentice draughtsman.
In 1931 with the Great Depression, his apprenticeship ended, likewise ended his employment at the Foundry. After one year as unemployed he was for a time at the nearby town of Tylden as nurse/farm help for a Mr Maxwell and then on to work for his cousin's husband, Walter Williams, an orchardist at Shepparton. Later he was to manage various bars for "Tarax" (a brewed soft-drink popular at the time). With his cousin, Alan Burnell, he established a modestly successful business "Wallboards" in Flinders Street, Melbourne.
At the outbreak of World War II both Clyde and Alan enlisted. (Alan enlisted in the A.I.F. and was sent to Singapore where he was taken POW by the Japanese. He subsequently died as a POW one week before the end of hostilities in August 1945). Clyde enlisted in the R.A.A.F. where he progressed from AC1 to the commissioned rank of Flight Officer and was stationed in various Australian mainland airbases, the most responsible being at Pearce in Western Australia.
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| IHC "Clyde" McGREGOR with members of RAAF 36th Squadron |
Clyde contracted Dengue Fever while stationed in northern Australia and spent time convalescing on Magnetic Island off Townsville.
At about the time that he enlisted he met (with the classic pick-up line: " haven't we met somewhere before?") Alwyne Belle Grenfell [G4.5.4.5B] and the two married on 28 September 1940.
After demobilisation he spent a number of years with the Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works (M.M.B.W.) before transferring to the Victorian Public Works Dept. as draughtsman, remaining there until retirement in 1970. Then in 1971 with wife, Alwyne and son, Leigh, he moved to Tewantin Queensland. A year later was joined by son, Kenneth. Alwyne died on 27 September 1977 after many years of ill-health during which Clyde cared lovingly for her.
Clyde was a man who turned his hand to many pastimes; during the Depression years he earned some money with bone carvings (some splendid examples of which are still in the possession of son, Kenneth), wood carvings and some oil paintings in later life. He was an avid gardener, keen freshwater fisherman, competent carpenter and talented ventriloquist. He had some success in water divining for people in the Sunshine Coast area with all proceeds being donated to the local ambulance service.
While he remained quite fit and healthy, after a lifetime of cigarette smoking Clyde died at the Cooroy Public Hospital on 10 March 1982 from complications due to lung cancer. Clyde is buried at the Tewantin Lawn Cemetery Grave No. 73
Clyde and Alwyne (see below) have the following descendants:
Kenneth Alan (B. 27 Sep 1947)
Leigh Dallas (B. 30 Aug 1954)
Refer to biographies below and to Chapter entitled "Ancestral Lines"
Alwyne Belle Grenfell [G4.5.4.5B]
Born on 9 April 1915 Alwyne Belle Grenfell was the only child of Norman Percival Grenfell and Rose Brough. Born Glenferrie in Melbourne according to the Certificate of Marriage of Alwyne & Clyde.
As a child she was very ill at times and was frequently absent from school.
She had a love of music and passed a number of piano certificates.
Worked for a time at Nicholas Pty Ltd a pharmaceutical company and manufacturer of "Aspro" painkillers.
During World War II was a volunteer for one of the women's auxiliary services (WAAAF?) as a motor transport driver.
Following the war Alwyne spent her most of her time in domestic duties.
At one time she and husband, Clyde, managed a cinema at Elsternwick.
Initially living with her parents, Norman and Rose Grenfell at 44 Shoobra Road Elsternwick, Alwyne and Clyde purchased land and subsequently built a home at 5 Walnut Street Ormond, which remained the family home until 1971.
Worked for a time at Nicholas Pty Ltd a pharmaceutical company and manufacturer of "Aspro" painkillers.
During World War II was a volunteer for one of the women's auxiliary services (WAAAF?) as a motor transport driver.
Following the war Alwyne spent her most of her time in domestic duties.
At one time she and husband, Clyde, managed a cinema at Elsternwick.
Initially living with her parents, Norman and Rose Grenfell at 44 Shoobra Road Elsternwick, Alwyne and Clyde purchased land and subsequently built a home at 5 Walnut Street Ormond, which remained the family home until 1971.
During the early to mid 1960's was diagnosed with cancer and spend some time in the Peter McCallum hospital undergoing treatment which included a hysterectomy. About this time Clyde and Alwyne purchased a seaside property at St. Leonards a popular Port Phillip Bay township with a view to retirement. However pollen from the local tea tree played havoc with Alwyne's asthma so it was decided to look elsewhere for a place of retirement. A trip to Queensland in the latter part of the 1960's convinced the couple that this area was ideal for them. The warmer climate and Queensland's (then) free hospital system no doubt figured heavily in this decision.
As a result the move to 3 Lakeview Drive Tewantin occurred in November 1971 and this was the family home until the death of Alwyne on 27 September 1977 and that of Clyde who died on 10 March 1982.
The last part of Alwyne's life was spent suffering from a fairly rare form of cancer known a pseudomyxoma peritonei which required periodic surgery to alleviate the abdominal pain. This surgery became more frequent as the cancer spread and the resultant stress on the body's recuperating systems eventually wore her down.
Alwyne is buried at the Tewantin Lawn Cemetery Grave No. 72
As a result the move to 3 Lakeview Drive Tewantin occurred in November 1971 and this was the family home until the death of Alwyne on 27 September 1977 and that of Clyde who died on 10 March 1982.
The last part of Alwyne's life was spent suffering from a fairly rare form of cancer known a pseudomyxoma peritonei which required periodic surgery to alleviate the abdominal pain. This surgery became more frequent as the cancer spread and the resultant stress on the body's recuperating systems eventually wore her down.
Alwyne is buried at the Tewantin Lawn Cemetery Grave No. 72
Kenneth Alan McGregor [G5.5.4.5.1A]
Born in Elsternwick a Melbourne suburb on 27 September 1947.He was named after Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Grenfell, his mother's favourite cousin who as a Lancaster bomber pilot during WWII was shot down over Holland in 1943 and Corporal Alan Burnell his father's favourite cousin who died as a POW in 1945.
He went to school at Ormond East Primary School (which was directly across the road from the family home of 5 Walnut Street Ormond) and then to Oakleigh Technical School where he completed 9th Form 1963.
After a short apprenticeship as a trainee hairdresser, he decided that this career was not for him so became a store-man for Automotive Component Services and then Repco Auto Parts.
Around the mid 1960's he became interested in a local Scottish Pipe band (Moorabbin City Pipe Band) and as a bagpipe player became quite proficient at the instrument. Ken's son Eric was named after his pipe tutor, Eric Alexander Christie.
In 1973, a little over a year after the rest of his family had moved to Queensland, Ken relocated to Queensland where he lived in Brisbane and worked for his previous employer, Repco. Following a redundancy due to the prevailing economic downturn, he became a courier driver. At this time he met and married Ann Adlem [G5.5.4.5.1B] who then worked for the Premier's Dept. of the Qld State Government performing office duties.
1975 saw the birth of their daughter, Helen Heather [G6.5.4.5.1.1A] (named after Ken's aunt Heather [G4.5.4.1] on 12 March (coincidentally Ann Adlem's birth date). Shortly after Kenneth and family moved to Tewantin and Ken developed this own lawn-mowing and landscaping business. Following the birth of his son, Eric [G6.5.4.5.1.2] Ken sought and obtained employment with the Noosa Shire Council as a gardener and landscaper in their Parks and Gardens Dept. spending the next 34+ years there prior to retirement
Following the death of father, Clyde, Ken and family moved into the family home at 3 Lakeview Drive Tewantin.
Ken has had many interests over the years and has shown great enthusiasm and talent in anything that piques his interest. He at times has been a keen propagator of firstly, carnivorous plants and then (and still) orchids, being able to identify, name and pronounce the many varieties and species. Gem hunting and fossicking using metal detectors as well as "black powder" (flintlock) shooting have become hobbies over the past decade or two and playing the bagpipes still has an interest for him.
Since retiring in 2010 he continues to live at the home in Tewantin and pursue his favourite pastimes.
Leigh Dallas McGregor [G5.5.4.5.2A]
Born at the Moorabbin Community Hospital, 1 Anne Street, McKinnon, a Melbourne suburb at 11:55 pm on Monday 30 August 1954 and weighed 6 lb 4 oz (about 2.85 kg). Leigh was born approximately 4 weeks premature.
Commenced primary school in 1960 at Ormond East State School which was across the road from the family home at 5 Walnut Street Ormond. Not a spectacularly gifted student and managed to get through this period with the usual cuts, bruises and a broken collar bone.
In 1967 started secondary school at Oakleigh Technical School and while the education curriculum was generalised academically it was specifically structured towards trade occupations. During the 1967 - 1971 period Leigh's scholastic endeavours were up and down but overall average.
During this time, along with brother Kenneth, he joined the Moorabbin City Pipe Band learning the side drum, but did not have much aptitude. For a time he was stand-in Drum Major for the band.
When his parents retired to Tewantin in Queensland in 1971, Leigh went with them and in 1972 studied Senior level at Noosa District High School at Cooroy. Again his performance was poor to average.
In 1972 he applied for employment with Mercantile Mutual Insurance Co. Ltd in Brisbane and was accepted, commencing on 7 December 1972 as a Claims Clerk. During the almost 15 years spent at Mercantile Mutual, Leigh held various positions including as clerk for Renewals and Underwriting, Manager for Endorsement , Customer Service and Fire Claims and Broker Claims Departments. In August 1982 he was appointed Assistant Branch Manager for the Toowoomba Branch and was responsible for settling up and the successful operation of claims for the Qld Graingrowers Association Insurance Scheme. Following his return to Brisbane he took up roles as the Administration Manager for the Qld Broker Department and as a Broker Service Officer.
April 1987 saw a move to AMP Fire and General Ins. Co as a Broker Service Officer and as Broker Development Manager. June 1993 brought a move to FAI Insurance Group as the Broker Underwriting Manager and to the position of Queensland State Underwriting Manager from May 1994 to September 1999. FAI was taken over by HIH Insurance Ltd in May of 1999 and Leigh accepted the position of Underwriting Manager for Motor Dealer House Accounts and Retail Products, a position he held during the acquisition of HIH by Allianz Aust. Ltd and until retirement in October 2011. Following retirement Leigh engaged as a contractor for Jardine Lloyd Thompson P/L, an International Broker, working along with the Queensland State and Local Governments on their motor fleet insurance portfolios. He also returned to Allianz for a 3 month contract specifically to redesign their suite of Motor Dealer insurance coverage's.
While working at Mercantile Mutual, Leigh married Janet Leslie Cartwright on 3 August 1976, the marriage lasting until divorce on 14 April 1981. A subsequent marriage to Sheryl May Gothe 1 October 1983 produced a son, Ian Dallas McGregor born 7 August 1985 and a daughter, Ashleigh Jade McGregor born 30 May 1988. Leigh and Sheryl separated in late 1989.
Leigh met Jennifer Margaret Winner in 1990 and a relationship blossomed soon thereafter. They have a daughter, Janey Ellen McGregor, born 14 September 1993.
Complete retirement of Leigh in 2012, and then of Jenny in 2017 has enabled them to devote more time to their loves of travel, camping, caravan touring and bush-walking.
Commenced primary school in 1960 at Ormond East State School which was across the road from the family home at 5 Walnut Street Ormond. Not a spectacularly gifted student and managed to get through this period with the usual cuts, bruises and a broken collar bone.
In 1967 started secondary school at Oakleigh Technical School and while the education curriculum was generalised academically it was specifically structured towards trade occupations. During the 1967 - 1971 period Leigh's scholastic endeavours were up and down but overall average.
During this time, along with brother Kenneth, he joined the Moorabbin City Pipe Band learning the side drum, but did not have much aptitude. For a time he was stand-in Drum Major for the band.
When his parents retired to Tewantin in Queensland in 1971, Leigh went with them and in 1972 studied Senior level at Noosa District High School at Cooroy. Again his performance was poor to average.
In 1972 he applied for employment with Mercantile Mutual Insurance Co. Ltd in Brisbane and was accepted, commencing on 7 December 1972 as a Claims Clerk. During the almost 15 years spent at Mercantile Mutual, Leigh held various positions including as clerk for Renewals and Underwriting, Manager for Endorsement , Customer Service and Fire Claims and Broker Claims Departments. In August 1982 he was appointed Assistant Branch Manager for the Toowoomba Branch and was responsible for settling up and the successful operation of claims for the Qld Graingrowers Association Insurance Scheme. Following his return to Brisbane he took up roles as the Administration Manager for the Qld Broker Department and as a Broker Service Officer.
April 1987 saw a move to AMP Fire and General Ins. Co as a Broker Service Officer and as Broker Development Manager. June 1993 brought a move to FAI Insurance Group as the Broker Underwriting Manager and to the position of Queensland State Underwriting Manager from May 1994 to September 1999. FAI was taken over by HIH Insurance Ltd in May of 1999 and Leigh accepted the position of Underwriting Manager for Motor Dealer House Accounts and Retail Products, a position he held during the acquisition of HIH by Allianz Aust. Ltd and until retirement in October 2011. Following retirement Leigh engaged as a contractor for Jardine Lloyd Thompson P/L, an International Broker, working along with the Queensland State and Local Governments on their motor fleet insurance portfolios. He also returned to Allianz for a 3 month contract specifically to redesign their suite of Motor Dealer insurance coverage's.
While working at Mercantile Mutual, Leigh married Janet Leslie Cartwright on 3 August 1976, the marriage lasting until divorce on 14 April 1981. A subsequent marriage to Sheryl May Gothe 1 October 1983 produced a son, Ian Dallas McGregor born 7 August 1985 and a daughter, Ashleigh Jade McGregor born 30 May 1988. Leigh and Sheryl separated in late 1989.
Leigh met Jennifer Margaret Winner in 1990 and a relationship blossomed soon thereafter. They have a daughter, Janey Ellen McGregor, born 14 September 1993.
Complete retirement of Leigh in 2012, and then of Jenny in 2017 has enabled them to devote more time to their loves of travel, camping, caravan touring and bush-walking.
OTHER INDIVIDUALS OF INTEREST
William Hodge MCGREGOR
Born in 1876 in Gisborne Victoria, from the
records available William Hodge McGregor while noted as a farmer, was the
eldest son of John Grant McGregor (B. 18 Jul 1844 & D. 19 Oct 1912) and Margaret
Hodge (B. 1852 & D. 1933/8?).
He enlisted in the Sixth
Battalion Australian
Commonwealth Horse (Vic.) and was
posted to South Africa
The battalion embarked on 19 May 1902 on the
transport ship Manchester Merchant, arriving at Durban on 13 June and proceeding at once to Newcastle , Natal Australia Melbourne
Following this William returned to farming, is noted in the 1912 Census as having this occupation and residing with his wife Edith Emily Baldwin (B. 1887 & D. 1969) at New Gisborne. William and Emily had the following children:
Gilbert Alyene (B. 1907 & D. 1974).
William James (B & D 1910).
Margaret (B. 1913 & D. 2002.
William was killed in a burst of shellfire on 5 June 1915.
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| The headstone of Trooper W.H. McGregor - Shrapnel Valley Cemetery, Gallipoli |
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| Shrapnel Valley Cemetery, Gallipoli |
Diary of Trooper William Hodge McGregor - No.154
New Gisborne, Victoria. Australia.
A Squadron, C Troop, 4th Light Horse Regiment, 1st Australian Expeditionary Force.
A Squadron, C Troop, 4th Light Horse Regiment, 1st Australian Expeditionary Force.
"1914
Went into camp at Broadmeadows on August
18th and left camp to embark on Sunday October 15th. Sailed in S.S. Wiltshire
for England on Monday 19th
at 8:00 am, reaching Albany Albany
On Monday November 9th the cruiser Sydney
sighted the German cruiser Emden Sydney
Arrived at Colombo
in Ceylon
Monday 23rd November abreast of Socotra Island
On Thursday 26th November we entered the Red Sea about 5:00 pm. Land is visible on both sides but
appears to be nothing but sandy desert.
Saturday 28th November we were informed
there was a probability of us landing in Egypt
and staying at Cairo
Passed Mt Sinai at 2 o'clock on Tuesday
morning. On both sides as you near Suez Suez
The canal itself is a magnificent piece of
work. Nearly one hundred miles long. We reached Port Said
During the time we were in the canal at Port Said
Another custom which to us appeared
strange was that the people seemed to walk on the centre of the street even
more than the footpath.
We left our anchorage on Saturday December
5th at 8 o'clock for Alexandria
Disembarked and sent on the horses on
Friday the 11th of December. Remained behind with about twenty others and left
the vessel for Cairo on Sunday evening 13th
December at 6:00 pm, arriving at Cairo
Climbed pyramids on Saturday 19th December
and had a splendid view from the top. Also went to the top of the largest
pyramid on Christmas day."
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
A
post card from Trooper William McGregor is amongst the Australian War
Museum
"Mena Camp Cairo Egypt
28/1/1915
Dear Allen, I am sending you this box of
chocolates, which I had issued to me. I hope you have been a good boy since
last I saw you. Be sure and give some to your little sister and also to your
cousins if you see them. From your Dad
P.S. Be sure and keep the tin."
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
1st February 1915 - Monday: Squadron Drill
2nd February - Tuesday: A severe sandstorm. C Troop were all off
duty on this date, it being the commencement of a system whereby two troops
from each squadron had each a whole holiday every week.
3rd February - Wednesday: Regimental drill. Also heard a report that
the Turks had driven back our cavalry on [the] Suez canal .
4th February - Thursday: Regimental drills and firing in Troops and
Sections at disc targets at unknown distances.
5th February - Friday: Competitions between troops of three
Squadrons at iron plates at unknown distances. Also section firing in which C
Troop A Squad tied with a troop in another Squadron for first place.
6th February - Saturday: A so-called holiday in which two troops
mind all the horses and feed and water them whilst the other two have a
holiday.
7th February - Sunday: The usual church parade in the morning and
after church parade there was a louse hunt throughout the Regiment, but none
were discovered.
8th February - Monday: Firing by troops at heads and shoulder
targets at unknown distance.
9th February - Tuesday: A holiday so took the opportunity in
company of two comrades to visit the pyramids and Sphinx, also some of the
tombs in which were found some of the mummies that are now exhibited in some of
the museums.
4th May - Tuesday: We left Mena Camp which is situated at the
foot of the pyramids and Sphinx, for Heliopolis Heliopolis being a beautiful suburb of Cairo Victoria
5th May - Wednesday: Spent the day settling down and cleaning up
generally. The water for the camp is supplied by an artesian bore which
discharges into a large iron tank.
6th May - Thursday: On Thursday we told off some eighty of us
as a picquet to proceed to Kasr El Nil [Qasr el-Nil] Barracks in Cairo
7th May - Friday: We just did our usual duties which
consisted of about four hours a day.
We had an opportunity of getting an idea as
to the extent of the operations against the Dardanelles
as train loads of wounded arrived every day. Also some Turkish prisoners.
8th May - Saturday: Nothing except running in a few soldiers
who overstaid [overstayed] their leave at night or were absent from camp
without any leave at all.
12th May - Wednesday: Heard that we were likely to go to Turkey dismounted, leaving our horses in Egypt
13th May - Thursday: Went back to camp at Heliopolis Turkey
14th May - Friday: Spent the day in cleaning saddles and
packing them in bags, after which they were returned to store. We were also
issued with putties [puttees - cloth strips wound from ankle to knee and used
as leggings] and knapsacks as we are going dismounted. Packed our leggings and
spurs in our kit bags.
15th May - Saturday: Observed today as a holiday as we are to
move off camp about midnight. About midnight we fell in and before marching off
to the railway station we were addressed by our colonel who told us that A
Squadron had the honour of going first out of the 4th Light Horse Regiment and
wished us the best of luck. He also said the other squadron would follow on as
soon as equipped.
16th May - Sunday: Reached the station about one o'clock this
morning where we entrained for Alexandria Alexandria
17th May - Monday: As we were told there was submarines
belonging to the enemy in the Mediterranean we
kept a look-out all day for periscopes. We were served with one hundred and
forty rounds of ammunition each and also ground our bayonets. Towards night we
came opposite two islands, one on each side of us.
18th May - Tuesday: During Monday night and early this morning
we passed numerous islands. We also passed several vessels. Kept look-out all
night for submarines but sighted none. The vessel we are on travelled with all
lights out. As we approached the shore we witnessed a fine sight. It was dusk
and the ridges were being shelled by a large number [of] warships. We could see
the flash of scores of shells as they burst along the ridge. The report of the
big guns making the air tremble.
19th May - Wednesday: All last night and this morning the
warships and forts kept up a heavy bombardment. The continuous flash of the big
guns at night looked nice indeed. Our aeroplanes also flew over the enemy's
positions and we eagerly watched the shells bursting as the pilot coolly took
his observations. Some of the shells appeared to burst almost on the aeroplane.
Before we moved in closer to the shore we bumped into another steamer and
carried away her anchor. She knocked several holes in our vessel also. Just as
we moved off for a place some eight miles along the coast a cruiser lying a few
lengths off us started to shell a place some miles inland. It was a treat to
see the shells bursting.
20th May - Thursday: All last night till daylight this morning
there was a continuous sound of thousands of rifle shots. They never ceased for
an instant and made a fearful din. Early this morning our warships proceeded to
shell a fort near the entrance and seemed to be firing at a rate of about two
shells a second. The Turks were also landing some shells into the sea about
three miles from where we were anchored. As the Turks held a high ridge near
our trenches the warships opened fire on it at night and shelled it for over an hour. At night the
Turks shelled our trenches near the shore and burst hundreds of shells along a
ridge a few hundred yards in extent. Our casualties appear to be heavy; a lot
of wounded coming over to us.
21st May - Friday: Opened with the warships as usual bombarding
the ridges and the Turks shelling the trenches. Three destroyers arrived from Cape Heles
22nd May - Saturday: We shifted our position and dug holes in
the side of another hill a little distance off. As one of our guns was placed
on the crest about twenty yards away we were close under shell fire, one shell
that did not explode burying itself in the earth about seven yards away from
where a few of us were standing. One of our corporals also had a bullet through
his cap as he came out of his dugout. As we were between the enemy's guns and
our own we had an opportunity of witnessing them bombarding each other,
although they could not locate some of our guns.
23rd May - Sunday (Whitsunday): Last night we stood by in order to
reinforce the men in the trenches as the Turks were expected to attack early
this morning. As no attack had been made we manned one of the trenches. The
enemy's trench is only a short distance from our own and as there is hundreds
of dead Turks between our lines and theirs that have been there for some days,
the smell is very bad. Their snipers are very good indeed and as soon as you
put up a periscope above the edge of the trench in order to get a look at
theirs, they either land a bullet right along side it or smash it altogether.
To put your head above the trench would mean having it drilled full of holes.
24th May - Monday: The leaders on both sides arranged a truce
to last from 7:30am till 5:00pm in order to allow both sides to bury their
dead. After stationing men with white flags midway between each other's
trenches both sides proceeded to collect the dead. The Turks buried all their
side of the white flags and we did likewise on our side. It was the most awful
sight anyone could witness. There must have been some thousands to bury and we
placed Turks and Australians in the same trenches and covered them in. Some had
been lying for three weeks and some for three days. In patches of about half an
acre they were almost touching.
25 May - Tuesday: All last night they swept our trench crests
with continuous rifle and machine gun fire, our sandbags being torn to pieces.
Today a duel between our artillery and theirs has been going on, some of the
shells landing quite close to us. The enemy torpedoed one of our battleships
today in full view of our trenches, but as she sank in about seven minutes I
myself did not see her go down, although several of my comrades did so. One of
our corporals, Corporal Moule exposed himself for a few seconds and received
two bullet wounds. As their trench is only one hundred yards from ours and some
of their marksmen are first class, they can hit anything.
26th May - Wednesday: The usual firing during the night but not
as heavy as other nights. Word was passed around that the Turks were expected
to attack during the night but they failed to do so. During the day both sides
did some and a good deal of rifle fire but the casualties were light
considering the amount of ammunition used. Two [things?] happening to A
Squadron. During the day a flying machine went over the Turkish positions and
dropped a few bombs, but we were unable to see if any damage was done.
27th May - Thursday: Beyond the usual rifle and artillery fire
very little happened. Our squadron had one or two wounded, one of them through
the shoulder. The enemy's sharpshooters are very good indeed and can put
bullets at will through our loopholes, although the loopholes are only a few
inches wide. In the trench in front they have been very busy all day throwing
out earth and putting up sand bags. During the day we heard that the enemy had
torpedoed another battleship, the Majestic.
28th May - Friday: Opened quiet after a night of rifle fire in
which they raked our trench tops all night making it very risky to look over to
observe the enemy's movement. As their trenches are only one hundred yards from
our own a keen lookout has to be kept as by making rush the Turks could be in
on top of you before all could stand to arms. As an indication of their daring
they will sometimes creep almost up to your trench at night and try to throw a
hand grenade into your trench.
29 May - Saturday: About three o'clock this morning the enemy
opened a heavy fire all along our trenches with artillery, machine guns and
rifle fire making a noise so great that it was almost impossible to hear anyone
calling out a few yards apart. The shells were bursting with an almost
continuous flash all along our trenches. We stood to arms expecting an attack
which the Turks did on our left, but were driven back with severe losses, our
casualties being less than two hundred.
30th May - Sunday: Today the Turks again attacked on our left
but were driven back. Our guns shelled their trenches afterwards for some time.
During the bombardment one of the enemy's shells landed in the muzzle of one of
our guns, splitting the barrel. They also put one of our machine guns out of
action but the Light Horse gun was hurried into the position to take its place
and poured about two thousand rounds into their trenches in a few minutes.
31st May - Monday: About three hours after daylight the
enemy's artillery shelled our trenches very heavily, the shells often tossing
the sand bags and earth on top of us as we stood to arms in the trench. After shelling us for nearly three hours they
ceased and continued with rifle fire. Beyond putting a few men and machine guns
out of action very little harm was done as shell fire is not very effective if
the men keep to the dugouts.
1st June - Tuesday: Beyond shelling us as usual and giving us
plenty of rifle fire the day passed much as usual. By the way the destroyers
and other shipping moved about - we came to the conclusion that submarines were
about. In fact we heard later such was the case. Our engineers have been
engaged for some time putting in a tunnel in the direction of the enemy's
trench in order to mine them and, during yesterday and today, our sappers
thought they could hear the enemy also sapping.
2nd June - Wednesday: The enemy were fairly quiet last night
except when some high explosive shells were thrown into their trenches when
they used to get very active with rifle fire. They do not pay so much attention
now to our aeroplanes and allow them to pass over their lines with, at times,
hardly a shell fired at them. In a charge the Turks made on our left a few days
ago they lost heavily and you can still see their dead lying between the two
lines of trenches.
3rd June - Thursday: Nothing out of the usual today, the morning
opening to the usual sound of field guns on both sides and the shells sailing
over our trenches. We in our trench escaped the attention of their gunners who
paid most of their attention to our guns. A French aeroplane sailed overhead
today and received considerable attention from the enemy, both shrapnel and
rifle fire being directed towards her, but she continued on her course unhurt.
Here
the diary ceases and the story is taken up through the extracts of a letter
sent by Miles McCabe, a comrade of William McGregor. It reads:-
"Things were fairly quiet till 5th June, when the Turks opened the
ball with a heavy bombardment of shrapnel and high explosive shells. In the
spot I was observing from we had had a machine gun a few days before, but the
Turks put it out of action. They evidently thought it was still there, for they
kept peppering away at our post with a fresh gun, and they had our range to a nicety.
I was kneeling up trying to locate it, so our guns could reply. My mate was
crouching down just behind me, when they put a shell through the parapet, and
it just touched me on the hip but killed poor Bill instantly. He never moved
again. When I turned to crawl away I hardly realised he was dead. I put my hand
out to stir him up to get away, and I saw he was done for. W. McGregor was his
name - number 154 - a splendid fellow, one of those good, honest sort you can
rely on always. He leaves a wife and two children at Gisborne."
 | |||||
|
In part of the diary Trooper William McGregor has reproduced
a poem by F.E. Westbrook entitled "To Our Critic". This was written
as an open letter to Australian war correspondent Charles Bean, a journalist
who reported (unfavourably) on the behaviour of the Australian troops stationed
in Cairo Australia
 |
TO OUR CRITIC - FROM AN AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER IN
Gnr. F.E.WESTBROOK, 4th
|
Harold James MCGREGOR
Harold's father had died in 1912 and his mother, Margaret, also lived at Pine Grove. Harold had some siblings, three brothers and two sisters, and his oldest brother had been killed in action at Gallipoli in 1915.
Private Roy Phelan served with the AIF inFrance
Harold served in the same battalion asRoy
There exists a real photo postcard that Roy had in an album; it is a photo of Harold McGregor. The reverse of the postcard gives the date that Harold was killed in action and the fact that it was the same day thatRoy was badly injured in battle ('knocked'). The words, in two different handwriting styles) "Harold McGregor killed France Roy 's wife, Annie, wrote the second sentence: "Same day Roy Roy 's brother but may refer to a different Gib.
Private Roy Phelan served with the AIF in
Harold served in the same battalion as
There exists a real photo postcard that Roy had in an album; it is a photo of Harold McGregor. The reverse of the postcard gives the date that Harold was killed in action and the fact that it was the same day that
Harold enlisted and started his training at Broadmeadows near Melbourne Roy
 |
| Gisborne Gazette 22 Mar 1918 |
 |
| Troopship SS Nestor leaving Melbourne |
The following are extracts from Roy's letters that mention Harold:
On Pier 28/2/18
My Darling Annie,
We are getting a move on at last. We left Broady at 7 this morning and arrived here about 9. Now we are waiting to embark and expect to leave about 11. You love will be envying me the lovely trip that we are going to have. We don't know where we are off to but Annie dear you can guess as soon as we land you love will be one of the first to know of it. Altogether there are at least 1,500 of us and we had special trains. Very important aren't we….
We have drawn all our clothing and today finished up by getting water‑proof sheets. I am not sorry either for the more stuff we get the more we have to carry. Yesterday everybody had to put one bag out and it has been sent off already.
Harold McGregor was on one of the wagons so was speaking to him for a few minutes. He said he would be going very shortly now. If he does it will be very hard on his mother for she must be getting very frail now. This afternoon we were given leave from 2 o'clock and you should have seen the rush. Everything was overloaded and it was a wonder some reached their destination.
Harold is also mentioned in another letter written en route. The comment confirms the newspaper account of his hasty embarkation.
Nearly every day we have to get into life belts. Having to get into them makes one think that at some time or other we are going to get wet. I am not looking forward to it though. While promenading the deck the other night I ran into Harold McGregor. I did not know he was coming and don't think Harold did either. He has since told me he was only warned the night before. He could have refused to come as they must give a man at least two clear days warning. All the Mitty boys are aboard. Lew, Eddie, Harold and myself. We generally manage to get together of a night for a yarn.
Both Roy and Harold were in the Fourth Division of the AIF, in the 46th Battalion. After landing in England France , as Roy
Codford England 9th June 18
My Darling Annie
You can't guess who came into this camp Friday
Codford
Today I went along and saw Harold and we had a long chat about good old Mitty [presumably Mitiamo], and then decided to go over and see Lew. We got there alright but found him away in the hospital with the measles and we could not get any word of him. I don't know how we have escaped as now there are only 30 of us out of isolation. Harold has been up before the doctor and has been classed fit so am afraid he will have a job to get out of the infantry.
Codford England Sat 6-7-18
My Own Dearest Annie
At last the time for France
Harold and l went over to see Lew tonight and then we all went down the village and had tea and a jolly good tea it was. It will be the last we will have together for some time and Darling the next time we do, I trust it will be at Mitiamo. We next went to the pictures, the first time I have been since we came here, and they were good. I now wish I had gone more often. We went in to them a little after 7 and intended staying only an hour but it was 9 o'clock before we came out so we then had supper and got back home again. I have everything ready now Love although I am rather late so Sweetheart I am writing by candle light for I know you will not mind if I make a good many mistakes, blotches etc. Some of the boys are merry and are wandering about kicking up a row. One can hardly blame them though for perhaps it will be the last time we will meet under the same circumstances. Some are singing others dancing, and still others doing their best to wake all the sleepers up. It reminds me of the last night at Broadmeadows…
The next letter that mentions Harold was written from France so Roy
France 30/8/18
My Dearest Annie,
... I only had a little over the week at the con camp and then went back to the base. The morning after reaching it one of the first ones I saw was Harold, he had landed in with a number of others sometime during the night.On the Sunday they put a number of us through gas again. I think they must like seeing us with our masks on for lately we have been going through it every few weeks. We left the base Monday after‑noon and after a days train riding and a few miles marching we got back to the battalion again. I came back to my platoon while Harold although in a different platoon he is in my company so we will always be fairly close to each other.This time we are billeted in a village and I am on the top floor of a three storey house.
On the first day of the allied push, on the 18 September 1918, Roy was badly injured by shrapnel near Bellenglise and ended up in hospital in England
1st London Gen. Hospital
My Darling Annie,
.....It is some time now since I have heard from Harold & Lew and I have been wondering how they are getting on...
It was not until December that Roy heard, via Australia
My Dearest Annie,
Poor old Harold. Your letter Love was the first word I had of his being killed. No wonder I had never had any answers to my letters. It was only a couple of days before that we had been laughing and joking together. He was a good lad, one of the best. I never saw him that day Annie for he was in another platoon which was on our right and I suppose Harold would get a good way further on than I did. It would be a great blow to his Mother...
 |
| The Argus 24 Oct 1918 |
 |
| Gisborne Gazette 25 Oct 1918 |
 |
| The Argus 25 Oct 1918 |
One of the newspaper notices mentions that Harold's brother, Gilbert, was also an enlisted soldier but proof of this has not yet been found.
Several of Harold's soldier mates made statements to the Red Cross that they had seen him killed instantly by machine gun fire but several years after the war his mother was still writing to the army to see if they had any of his belongings because she hadn't received anything at all.
There is no headstone for Harold McGregor so it appears his body was never recovered. His name is on the wall of the memorial at Villers-Brettoneux, France. He and his brother are also mentioned on the war memorial at Mitiamo.
Nearly 100 years later, in November 2014, the Gisborne Gazette published an article about the two McGregor brothers who had been killed in action and it mentions a drinking water fountain that was erected in Gisborne in 1935 by their brother John in their memory. The McGregor Memorial Fountain still exists.
Nearly 100 years later, in November 2014, the Gisborne Gazette published an article about the two McGregor brothers who had been killed in action and it mentions a drinking water fountain that was erected in Gisborne in 1935 by their brother John in their memory. The McGregor Memorial Fountain still exists.
 |
| Villers-Bretonneux Memorial France |
 |
| Mitiamo War Memorial |
Kenneth Hugh GRENFELL
Not much information is available regarding the
early life of Kenneth Hugh Grenfell. What can be found reveals that he was born
on 23 May 1914 on 
460 Squadron was formed in 1941 as a RAAF unit
within RAF Bomber Command. Initially equipped with Wellingtons
and Halifax
Indicative of this attrition is the descriptive passage in the book by Peter Firkins, Strike and Return, which relates an incident that occurred during the 27 January 1942 night raid on
".....
However of the returning crews, it was Pilot Officer K.H. Grenfell's who had a
series of narrow escapes. On the outward journey they were twice conned by
searchlights over Geldon and simultaneously attacked by an Me. Eindhoven Me.
 |
| Officers & Air Crew of No 460 Squadron RAF Breighton England - March 1943 |
Kenneth married nursing sister Mabel Isabella
ELLISON of Durham England
The evening of 29/30
March 1943:
Avro Lancaster W4327
with the squadron designation UV-S (S for Sugar) of 460 Squadron RAAF left
Breighton at 2157 hours on 29 March 1943 on a raid from Breighton to Berlin Holland
Flight Lieutenant K.H. Grenfell's aircraft was shot down by Uffz. Christian Költringer and radio operator Uffz. Willi Voght, of 7/NJG1 but not before the tail gunner of the Lancaster, Flight Sergeant S.G.Webb had fired a deadly salvo on the Messerschmidt. The
Both planes crashed.There
were no survivors.
 |
| Avro Lancaster Mk1 similar to K.H. Grenfell's W4327 UV-S |
 |
| Messerschmidt Me110 Night-fighter |
The crew of
RAAF
403735 Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Hugh Grenfell, Captain (Pilot)
RAAF
403754 Flying Officer Stephen Falcon Scott McCullagh, (Navigator and born in Seattle , USA
RAF
Sergeant Ronald Cordingley, (Bomb Aimer)
RAAF
411010 Flight Sergeant Phillip "Pip" Wesley Dunn, (Wireless Operator
Air Gunner)
RAF
Sergeant George E. Lewis, (Flight Engineer)
RAAF
406680 Flight Sergeant Robert Lincoln Potter (Mid-Upper Air Gunner)
RAF
Sergeant Sidney G. Webb, (Rear Air Gunner)
All of the crew of
 |
| Uffz. Christian Költringer |
Richard Harold GRENFELL
Like his brother Kenneth, not much information
is available regarding the early life of Richard Harold Grenfell. What can be
found reveals that he was born on 18 June 1916 on Ocean
Island , then part of the Gilbert
Islands chain and now known as Banaba Island which forms part of the Republic of Kiribati
 |
| Harold with mother Gladys and brother Kenneth |
The 1930's has the family back in
In 1941 Harold married Joy Irene CARR (B. 1917). He enlisted in the Army on 5 April 1941 at
In 1941 the 2/15 Regiment was sent to Singapore, arriving there on 15 August 1941. The 2/15th was heavily involved in the Malaya Campaign assisting in artillery support for the fighting of rearguard actions against the Japanese and suffered numerous casualties.
With the fall of Singapore on 13 February 1942, Harold became a prisoner of war of the Japanese and ended up in Kuching POW camp in Sarawak Borneo for the remainder of the war. A total of 556 men of the 2/15 Regiment were captured, and of these, 294 men died in the 3 and a half years spent in Japanese captivity.
Kuching was liberated in September 1942 and Harold was repatriated back to Australia, being discharged from the army on 30 November 1945.
On return to civilian life, Harold seems to have spent some time with his wife living with his parents and returned to his occupation as an accountant. Sometime prior to 1949 he and Joy moved to 15 Livingstone Ave, Pymble NSW where they resided for many years.
Joy Irene GRENFELL (Died aged 87) on 3 April 2005.
Richard Harold GRENFELL (Died aged 90) on 5 June 2007. According to the death notice in the Sydney Morning Herald of 8 June 2007 he was "late ofBonnells
Bay
There is no record of any children from their marriage.
Richard Harold GRENFELL (Died aged 90) on 5 June 2007. According to the death notice in the Sydney Morning Herald of 8 June 2007 he was "late of
There is no record of any children from their marriage.
Alan Davis BURNELL
Sadly not much is now known about the early life of Alan Davis BURNELL as virtually all his relatives are now deceased. Alan was born in 1914 to John Davis BURNELL and Ethel DOUGLAS who were married in 1911 and lived at various locations in Central Melbourne City.
Alan was the cousin of Ian Hallworth Clyde McGregor [G4.5.4.5A] and by all accounts were great mates. Clyde and his cousin, Alan, established a modestly successful business "Wallboards" in Flinders Street, Melbourne. At the outbreak of World War II both Clyde and Alan enlisted, Alan enlisted in the A.I.F. and Clyde enlisted in the R.A.A.F.
The photo at right was his Victorian Paybook photograph, taken on enlistment, of VX31566 Corporal Alan Davis BURNELL, 2/10th Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers.
He was one of over 2000 Allied prisoners of war (POW) held in the Sandakan POW camp in north Borneo, having been transferred there from Singapore as a part of B Force. The 1494 POW's that made up B Force, were transported from Changi on 7 July 1942 on board the tramp ship Ubi Maru, arriving in Sandakan Harbour on 18 July 1942.
Corporal Alan BURNELL, aged 30, died as a prisoner of the Japanese on 17 July 1945. He was the son of John Davis BURNELL and Ethel BURNELL, of Thornbury, Vic.
He is commemorated on the Labuan Memorial Panel 5. (Photograph copied from AWM232, items 4 and 5. Personal information from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database.)
The following is the text of the above letter
written by Alan Davis Burnell in 1941; by February 1942 Singapore Borneo some two weeks before the end of hostilities:
VX31566CPL A.D. BURNELL
2/10 FD COY, RAE
8 DIVISION, AIF
MALAYA
9 APRIL 41
Dear Mrs Grenfell,
Yours of 31 March to hand today. I am so glad that my poor literary effort conveyed something of what conditions are like here. As a matter of fact I consider that letter writing is the least of my accomplishments, and try as I may, I never am satisfied that my letters when finished, describe sufficiently well what I had in mind when I started to write them. However judging from your letter I must have succeeded more than a little on this occasion.
The climate here most certainly wouldn't be in your line if you favour cool weather, for believe me it is hot.
The nights do get cooler round about 12 - 2 o'clock, but I must confess that I am not often awake at that time to appreciate them. Every morning, without exception, I wake up absolutely tired out and this feeling exists until about 9 o'clock. However I believe, that this is the usual thing for Europeans who have lived here for quite some considerable time. But in spite of this, we can take it. These tropical countries seem to get a grip on one and I feel that I never want to leave here. I'll wager that, if I do come home after the war, I shall return here some day even if I have to work my way over.
Actually it is a most peculiar feeling for I want more than anything else to leave here - yet I dread the thought of the day when I will have to leave. Queer isn't it?
Quite recently, in the course of duty, I travelled for about 100 miles round the country. I can't tell you how this came about other than to say it was part of the job, but it gave me a wonderful opportunity to see quite a bit of the country. The country can be divided into three sections and they are as follows:-
(1) Jungle (4/5 of the country)
(2) Padi Fields (Rice fields)
(3) Rubber plantations.
The jungle is intensely heavy and very difficult to get through. There is no movement of air at all when once you get into it and the result is even more excessive perspiration. In many places there are swamps and jungle combined and consequently almost, if not impossible, for a man on foot to negotiate.
The inhabitants of these jungles are Tigers, Black Panthers (in several places but not right throughout), huge Pythons, snakes of all sizes, colours and types, including the deadly Cobra, Monkeys and crocodiles. Quite recently a tiger carried off a man on the outskirts of one of the big cities. He was an Indian, not one of our boys.
At the moment I am endeavouring to write a brief summary of the various customs and modes of living of the people representing the different nations who go to make up the population. When it is done I shall 10 or 12 copies run off and enclose one in the letters to the various friends to whom I write. I am being very careful in the compilation of it, so you can rest assured there shall be no blushes, for I can assure you that if I wrote it as an unabridged story I would probably be not as well off for friends as I am at the moment. However more of this later, so for the present I shall hoping that you are all enjoying the best of everything.
Your sincere friend and pal
Alan D. Burnell
Kindest regards to father and Val.
 |
| Labuan Cemetery Borneo |
Gregor
Cattanach
Gregor was born in "Remicross" (this
should read Remicras, which was a small hamlet in Glengairn and deep inside
Deeside McGregor territory), Aberdeenshire on 20 September 1820. Family legend has him as 1st
cousin to either William McGregor or William McGregor. (Refer to the provisional family pedigree chart below).
He was the son of James Cattanach of Glenmuick (B. 21 July 1779) and Annie McGregor of Morven (B. 1793). Gregor had 4 brothers; John (B. 1813), James (B. 1816), Charles (B. 1818) and William (B. 1826) as well as 4 sisters; Elizabeth (B.1815), Margaret (B. 18??), Anne (B. 1827 and Jean (B. 1828). (it was probably one of these sisters that married a man called Troup) - [more info required here or delete this]
At the age of 13, Gregor left Glenmuick and was apprenticed as a shipwright at Were (Weir?). Early life was spent in ship-yards and sailing ships (cousins, McGregors, were early ship-builders in
Gregor was a colourful character of outstanding integrity and ability. He came
to Australia in 1856,
working in Russell's Reef mine at Lauriston and had married Catherine Connon of
Aberdeen
Gregor settled in Drummond Vic.
His family consisted of:
- James Taylor Cattanach born
- John Taylor Cattanach born
- Margaret Taylor Cattanach born in
- Helen Ann McGregor Cattanach born Drummond,
E.W. Cole of "Coles Book Arcade "
fame was a great friend and together with his American Negress wife [Citation needed here - no substantiation], would often visit
Gregor at Drummond.
In the family Gregor is referred to as
"Gregor of Drummond" and is the name often used by his descendants.
Gregor died at Drummond Victoria
Ella Winner
Ella Winner was born on the 29th January 1929 in Dubbo base Hospital and was named Mary Ellen O’Brien. Her parents Bill and Ethel O'Brien wanted to call her Ellen Mary after her grandmother on the O’Brien side. Her other grandmother Nanna Whiteley said you should never put another name before Mary and so she became Mary Ellen, but was always called Ella.
Ella was the
first born of seven children, including Marn, Clem, Bess, Mick, Fon and John. She
grew up on the family farm ‘Firbank’ between Wongarbon and Geurie near Dubbo.
Firbank was a 640 acres mixed farm...sheep, wheat, pigs etc and of course
milking cows which Ella got the job of milking when she was of age; a morning
job before school. ‘Firbank’ also boasted a tennis court at the front of the house.
Ella would have been playing tennis from an early age.
In 1935 she
started school in Dubbo at the Catholic primary school and stayed with her grandparents
Pop and Nanna Whiteley. Then in 1936 Pop and Nanna Whiteley bought the farm
next to Firbank and Ella started school at
Ella first left
‘Firbank’ in 1941 to go to boarding school in
After boarding
school she returned to ‘Firbank’ for the years 1944, 1945, 1946, working at
home and helping care for her newborn baby brother, John as well as working at
Maddens store in Wongarbon. Ella also worked for a short time at the Ice Works
in Dubbo staying with her aunty Dolly. During these years Clem taught Ella to
drive. Her driving test was driving the local policeman to the pub for 6pm
closing which would have been all of one block.
In 1947 Ella
travelled to
Joe Winner
Joe Winner and his twin sister
Irene were born in
When Joe and Irene were two
they left
When Joe was aged five he
moved to ‘GumFlat’ Gungal into the old Clarke’s hut with Irene, together with his
father and mother, who was again out of hospital. This old home was a slab
style hut with dirt floor and hessian walls. It was reputed that Joe's mum kept
the cleanest and neatest house in the district even with a dirt floor. While
living there Joe became an excellent rabbit trapper getting up to 6d for a
large buck fur from Mr Booth who owned the Gungal general store. This was the
only period of Joe’s life when he went to school for a year possibly two - Joe
and Irene went to
In 1936 Joe’s uncle Darcey
Woodgate who lived on Yarraldool Station, near
Walgett arranged a job for Joe’s father on Yarraldool . So when Joe was aged
9 he left ‘Gum Flat” Gungal with his parents and Irene and travelled by steam
train to Cryon, the closest railway station to Yarraldool . Here at Yarraldool Joe spent the next five
years living with his family in one of the workers houses spread out over the station with the
his cousins the Woodgates living in another house. Joe and Irene did Correspondence School – Joe doing the maths for
Irene and Irene doing the English for Joe.
Joe had lots of fond memories
of his outback station days - the artisian bores, chasing emus until they dropped dead and collecting their eggs for his mother to use
when baking, huge mobs of kangaroo, willy-winds blowing kerosene tins metres into the air, the huge 20
stand shearing shed, to name a few. Other memories would include his house
burning down from a chimney fire and the time he picked up what he thought was
an unloaded rifle and fired it at the wall inside the house - the bullet went
through the wall and when it came out, it scraped the side of the water
tank.
In 1938 when Joe was aged 10
his mother died and he met his younger sister Nita for the first time.
When Joe was 12, he was the
house boy living at the main homestead. Some of his jobs included milking the
house cow each morning and gassing up the gas lights at night. It was also here
his candle caught fire to his mosquito net and he badly burnt his arm. At Yarradool Joe liked fetching tools for the
workers and they showed him how to use them. He always loved to use his hands. It would also have been
during this time the ‘Far West Scheme’ brought Joe and Irene to
When Joe was 14 he, Irene and his father moved to
His next job was a milkman
with a horse and cart delivering milk around Artarmon. In April 1944 Joe went back to Yarraldool to
visit Irene and his father, he then joined a shearing team as a rouseabout for
seven months travelling from shearing shed to shearing shed starting from the Nyngan-Bourke
area and travelling south through Dubbo, Wellington and on to Queanbeyan,
finishing in Bombala in October 1944. During
the war Joe got his truck licence at aged 16 (he continued to drive until
January 2020 year) - he had a licence and drove for 76 years. He then drove
trucks at
Joe then got work with David
Powell at Powell’s garage, Crowsnest. Joe
completed his time here becoming a motor mechanic. During this time with Powell he also drove
hire cars - Packards and Oldsmobiles. Joe also drove taxis’s - Dodges, Vanguards and Plymouths. Joe even had
Bea Miles (a notorious
Joe’s first car was a 1929 Chrysler,
two door with a dicky seat. Even though it was a small car, reliable sources
state that nine people could fit into it. In this car Joe would visit the
Woodgates at Thornly Street, Marrickville, and take his cousins, the O’Donahues,
and mates to the beach, on day trips and even on holiday to the
In 1949 Joe was taken to the
Things were serious between Ella
and Joe as she took him home to ‘Firbank’ to her family farm in Geurie. Ella
and Joe were soon engaged. When Ella’s parents, brothers and sisters were holidaying
in
The garage also became home to
daughter, Christine and son, Michael. In 1954 Joe and Ella then built a two bedroom
fibro home which was later extended as the family grew.
When first married Joe was
still working for Powell’s but soon he started driving trucks delivering butter
and papers, driving taxi’s and also doing car repairs from home on his days
off.
In 1958 Joe started his own
car repair business on the highway in Artarmon, then
Joe and Ella lived for about
twenty five years in
During Joe’s married life most
years were marked by some significant event like the birth of one of his five
children or the birth of one of his 15
grand children or 14 great grand children, weddings, family 21sts,
significant birthdays, wedding anniversaries, graduation ceremonies, and the
many, many Australian and overseas holidays Ella and Joe enjoyed.
Joe and Ella's 66 year
partnership was a wonderful example of marriage. The longer they were married
the closer they got. Joe was a good man, he had a simple but genuine faith, he
was an extremely hard worker, he had this great love of history (particularly
WW2), he was a very successful motor mechanic, loving husband, great father,
grandfather and great grandfather and a true friend to many.
Joe died on 31 May 2021. Appropriately
Joe’s funeral mass was celebrated in his parish church as he was a foundation
member of Frenchs Forest Parish having been an active parishioner since 1951.
He was buried with Ella at the
