Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society: Templestowe State School No. 1395

In World War 1 (the Great War) and from a population of around 4.9 million, 416,800 Australian men and women enlisted, with over 60,000 killed and 156,000 wounded, gassed, or taken prisoner during the war. The vast majority of Australian casualties occurred on the Western Front between 1916 and 1918. [1]
Many of Templestowe’s residents were among those who enrolled to serve their country and many of them lost their lives in the war.
At the end of the war, many schools, town councils, communities, churches, sporting clubs, government agencies such as post offices and railways, etc. decided to undertake the preparation and public display of Honor Roll boards and accompanying Roll of Honor books. These were to place on record and pay a tribute to the memory of the soldiers of their districts who had who had served in the Great War, including those who had made the supreme sacrifice through loss of their life in the war.
Templestowe State School was one of the schools which participated in this important undertaking. At a meeting of the school council on 26 August 1919, it was agreed to procure an honor board and an honor book for the school in order to recognise those associated with the school who took place in the Great War. It was also agreed that the district be canvassed by the children for subscriptions, and that the arrangements for the book be left in the hands of the headmaster Mr. Searby. The 23 September meeting recorded that as of that date, £13/12/2 had been collected. [2]
Minutes of the school committee meeting of 2 October 1919 recorded that it was agreed that “advertisements be put in ‘The Age’ and ‘The Argus’ newspapers for old boys or their relatives which took place in the great war so as to have their name put in the Honor book”. Advertisements were subsequently placed in the 18 October edition of the papers. The advertisement from The Argus is below. [3]

Request for names advertisement in ‘The Argus’ newspaper 18 Oct 1919 p.13

At the school committee meeting of 25 November 1919, it was agreed that a design for the board by a Mr. Reid Robertson for the board be accepted. Mr. M. Reid Robertson had a showroom for a bedroom furniture and carpet business in Queen’s Walk (note: where the former City Square was located) opposite the Melbourne Town Hall and earlier in 1919 had advertised in newspapers “Honour Boards designed and executed”. It was also agreed that the school president Mr. C Aumann and Mr. Searby go in and select the honor board.

The minutes of the school’s 15 April 1920 committee meeting recorded that it was agreed that the Board be unveiled on 23 April 1920 at 3:00 o’clock. The minutes also recorded that the cost of the board was £25/17/-.
On 23 April 1920, the school unveiled the honor roll board with 31 names, including the names of 9 men who lost their lives, as a tribute to the memory of the soldiers of the district.

100 - Templestowe State School No 1395 Honor Roll Board – Photo by DTHS

The Reporter (Box Hill) newspaper of 30 April 1920 reported on the unveiling ceremony at the school. [4]

TEMPLESTOWE - Unveiling of Honor Roll.
(From Our Correspondent.) The unveiling of the Honor Roll in State School No. 1395, Templestowe was performed on Friday, 23rd inst., in the presence of a very large assemblage of returned soldiers, parents, and residents. The building was tastefully decorated. Red and white dahlias, in vases, linked with festoons of blue, and the flags of the Allies, being conspicuous. The flag was saluted by the children in the school ground. Proceedings in the building were opened by singing the National Anthem. Mr. Searby, who presided, said that many notable gatherings no doubt had been held in the schoolroom in the past, but it could fairly be claimed that this day's meeting to do honor to the old scholars who volunteered for active service was the most important event that had ever taken place in the building, and he trusted that the Honor Roll when unveiled would meet with the approval of the old scholars and residents.
In welcoming the returned soldiers, the chairman expressed his pleasure at their safe return and appreciation of their services. Thirty per cent made the supreme sacrifice and 95 per cent, became casualties. Nurse Betheras was specially referred to. Whatever distinctions the returned soldiers had obtained in the past, or whatever honors they may attain in the future, none would equal the simple fact of their names being recorded on the Honor Roll of their old school.
The president of the shire, Cr. J. Tully, expressed his pleasure at being present to do honor to the returned soldiers, and complimented the residents on the fine spirit displayed in erecting an Honor Roll to perpetuate the memory of those who were former pupils of the school. After "Men of Anzac" had been sung by the scholars, Cr. McNamara endorsed what had been said by the chairman and president, and said that it gave him much pleasure to be present at the unveiling. In conclusion, he recited some appropriate verses by Alfred Noyes.
Mr. C. Aumann, president of the school committee, thanked the residents for their generosity, and on behalf of the ladies presented Nurse Betheras with a beautiful basket of flowers. "The Recessional" was rendered, and Mr. Betheras, assistant chief inspector, a former teacher of the school, on being requested to unveil the Honor Roll, returned thanks for the compliment paid by Mr. Aumann to his daughter, Nurse Betheras, and expressed his pleasure at being invited to perform the ceremony, and to meet some of his former pupils. When the war broke out, he was in Fiji. On hearing the news, the Fijians said, "We're in it" and that feeling permeated the whole empire. He specially referred to the war work of the Victorian State schools, and the wonderful deeds of the Australian soldiers, the fine thing about them being their kindness to women and children. Much merriment was caused by his description of Australian methods of disciplining some whose ideas of manliness differ from ours. All speakers expressed sympathy with the relatives of the fallen.
The Honor Roll, of blackwood, is a beautiful example of the cabinet maker's art, and contains 31 names. The singing of the National Anthem concluded the programme. Afternoon tea was provided by the ladies for the visitors and returned soldiers. Cr. Tully and Mr. T. Petty thanked the ladies for their kindness.

The school was located at the corner of Anderson Street and Parker Street, Templestowe and was closed at the end of 1993. The board however still remains in the now heritage listed 1874 original brick school house building that has since been retained and restored by the Manningham City Council. The building is now being used by the Woodcraft Manningham Wood Working Club.

The board measures approximately 1,200(w) x 1,200(h) mm in size and is made of blackwood timber with ornate carved timber decoration, stained a golden-brown colour with wording in gold lettering. The board displays 31 names listed in three columns.

The lettering on the board reads: "Honor Roll Templestowe State School Mo 1395 - 1914 The Great War 1919". The central column is also designed as an openable hinged door and headed “IN MEMORIAM” with nine names listed of those men who tragically lost their lives in the war. At the bottom of the central column door, the words “HONOR BOOK” are written with the name “R.W. Searby - Head Teacher” underneath.

The Roll of Honor book was originally placed in a cabinet behind the door, and contained the service details of many of the men who served in the AIF. The book includes a proforma service record page for most of the names on the board. The service records appear to have been filled out by Mr Searby and are in detail for some persons, and only the person’s name for others. The book is no longer with the board but at some stage became part of the Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society (DTHS) archival collection. Details and photographs of the pages of the book are provided later in this article.

The names on the honor roll board are:

Left side column: Adams, A. | Beale, J. | Betheras, Alice (Nurse) | Chivers, H.G. | Chivers, S. | Chivers, A. | Cole, R. | Crouch, W. | Gaff, J. | Glynn, H. | Glynn, F. |
Right side column: Kent, T. | Lawson, T. | Ling, T. | Mahoney, A. | Read, R. | Schuhkraft, E. | Sheahan, J.M. | Sheahan, E.P. | Smith, A.R. | Townsend, A. | Wright, A |
Centre (In Memoriam) column: Aumann, C.F. | Chivers, C. | Johnston, A. | Osborne, E. | Richardson, E. | Richardson, F. | Scragg, A. | Svanborg, F. |

It is not fully known if the names on the board were just those of pupils who had attended the school but may have also included the names of parents, teachers, relatives, others that had an association with the school, or were from the wider Templestowe community and who had also served.

The honor board and honor book may also not show all persons associated with the school who enlisted and fought in the AIF. With honor boards and rolls, a call was generally made to the soldiers or parents or relatives of soldiers to provide details of service for inclusion. Not all may have been aware of or responded to the call, or may not have wanted to be included.

The National Archives of Australia (NAA) collection includes the war service records of those who served in WW1. The UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy has undertaken the preparation of “The AIF Project database of Australian Anzacs in The Great War 1914-1918” which contains a summary of details of all members of the AIF who served. The Australian War Memorial (AWM) war records collection also contains details of members of the Australian armed forces who died during or as a result of war service. In addition, families of the men who served and died often put tribute or memoriam notices in daily newspapers. These records and notices can provide service and family information relating to the men and on the grief that families were suffering. The records also show that many of those Templestowe men who served were severely wounded in action which may have affected them in life after the war.

Details relating to names on the Templestowe state school honor board have been taken from these sources and are listed as follows:

Templestowe State School No. 1395 Honour Roll Board - Soldier Service Details

Adams, Arthur. Service No. 5027. Private, 59th battalion
Arthur Adams was born Templestowe in 1872. On his enlistment in the AIF on 14 January 1916 at age 43½, his occupation was given as a labourer, married, and living at Tyne Street, Box Hill, Victoria. He trained at the Royal Park depot and embarked from Melbourne on board the HMAT A23 Suffolk on 1 April 1916. He fought in France and returned to Australia on the ship HMAT Euripedes on 23 Mar 1918.
Beale, Joseph. Service No. 750 / 55508. Private, 8th Battalion G Company / 6th General (Victorian) reinforcements Corporal
Joseph Beale was born in Templestowe in 1887 and at the time of his enlistment on 24 August 1914 at the age of 26 years 11 months years, his occupation was an orchardist. He embarked from Melbourne on board the ship A24 Benalla on 19 October 1914 as part of the G company of the 8th battalion. He was wounded with a gunshot wound to the head in August 1915 Gallipoli. He later returned to Australia and subsequently reenlisted in the AIF on 30 May 1918 at age 30. He reembarked from Sydney on board HMAT A30 Bordaon on 17 July 1918 and later returned to Australia on 19 August 1919.
Betheras, Alice. (Nurse) Service No. – No service No. Nurse, 1st Australian Generali Hospital AIF
Alice Margaret Betheras was born in Castlemaine in 1887 and at the age of 27 years, enlisted on 5 November 1915 in the AIF. At the time she was a senior nurse at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. She embarked from Melbourne onboard HMAT A67 Orsova on 12 November 1915. She served as a staff nurse with the Australian Army Nursing Service serving in Egypt and France. Most of her service was in Egypt but in early 1917 she embarked for France to work at the 5th General Hospital. Her medical record shows that she had a number of stays in hospital while overseas including on one occasion, mumps, and finally a gastric ulcer. In August 1917 she returned to England and then returned to Australia on 30 December 1917. Alice was discharged as medically unfit on 27 June 1918.
Alice was a former pupil at the school and her father Mr. John Betheras was a former head teacher at the school from 1895-1899 and later chief inspector of schools for the Education Department of Victoria.
Chivers, Henry Gardner. Service No. 3051 Lance Corporal, 22nd Battalion, 7th reinforcements
Henry Chivers was born in 1881 in Heidelberg and was an orchardist at Main Road Templestowe when he enlisted in July 1915 at 34 years of age. He embarked for overseas on the ship HMAT A73 Commonwealth in 26 November 1915. He was wounded in action in France in July 1916 with gunshot wounds to the legs, shoulder and head and was transferred to hospital in England. He returned to Melbourne on 24 September 1917 on the hospital ship HMAT A71 Nestor.
Chivers, Stanley Rutter. Service No. 4340 Corporal, 6th Battalion
Stanley Chivers was born in Richmond in 1897. He was unmarried with occupation as a brass finisher and was serving in the Citizen Military Forces, Melbourne when he enlisted in the AIF at Broadmeadows on 14 July 1915 at the age of 18. He trained at the Broadmeadows camp and embarked Melbourne HMAT A64 Demosthenes to Egypt. He suffered a knee cartilage injury in Cairo 25 March 1916 and was subsequently returned to Melbourne on 25 June 1916 on the ship Armadale. On 23 Aug 1916 he was discharged as medically unfit.
Chivers, Albert William. Service No. 4769. Sergeant Major, 46th Battalion AIF
Albert Chivers was born in Templestowe in 1895 and attended school at Templestowe. His occupation was given as a clerk when he enlisted 18 August 1915. He trained at the camp at Broadmeadows and embarked for overseas 14 March 1916 on the vessel A68 Anchises. He was engaged in battles at Fleux Bay, Poziers, Mouquet Farm, Flers, Gueudecourt Ridge. He was slightly wounded at Poziers and severely wounded at Gueudecourt Ridge in February 1917 with bomb wounds to the legs. He returned from the war on 10 January 1918 on the vessel Karoola and was discharged 9 July 1918. He went on to become a bank officer.
Cole, Robert. Service No. Not able to determine details as numerous R. Cole names are on the NAA service records.
Crouch, Wilfred. Service No. 4160 Sergeant, 6th Battalion AIF
Wilfred Crouch was born in Doncaster in 1884 and attended schools at Templestowe and Doncaster. At the time of his enlistment in the AIF on 14 June 1915 at 30 years of age, he was an orchardist at Doncaster and married to Mrs H E Crouch. He trained at the Broadmeadows camp and embarked 30 Dec 1915 on the vessel Demosthenes. He was engaged in battles at Poziers, Bullecourt, Passchendaele, Strazeele, Rosieres, Harbonieres, Chignoles-Bray, Bellicourt. He returned from war in July 1919 and was discharged 30 August 1919.
He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (which was later altered to the Military Medal). The Commonwealth Gazette No. 135 of 11 December 1919 included the following commendation: “Military Medal - For gallantry in action and devotion to duty. His work has been at all times characterized by an utter disregard of danger, and devotion to duty. On the 21st September, 1918, near Bellecourt, when acting as Company Intelligence N.C.O., his work was of special value. On that occasion, although twice buried by 5.9 shells, he stuck to his work of observing the village of Bellecourt until ordered to the rear, thereby gaining valuable information of and guarding against enemy concentration.”
Gaff, James Caithness. Service No. 217. Corporal, 2nd Siege Artillery Brigade AIF
James Gaff was born in Templestowe in 1893 and attended schools at Templestowe and Queenscliff. He was a soldier at Artillery Barracks, Queenscliff, Victoria when he enlisted in the AIF on 4 June 1915. He trained at the Domain camp in Melbourne and embarked overseas 7 July 1915 on the vessel HMAT A67 Orosova. He was engaged in battles at the Somme, Arras, Messines, Passchendaele and Cambrai in France. He returned from war on the 8 June 1919 on the troopship SS Sardinia and was discharged 8 August 1919 and became a baker at Queenscliff.
Glynn, Hubert Patrick. Service No. 667 Private, 29th Battalion, B Company AIF
Hubert Glynn was born in Kew in 1893. His occupation was a driver living at Kew when he enlisted on 16 July 1915 at age 22 years. He embarked overseas in 10 November 1915 on the vessel HMAT A11 Ascanius. He fought in France and was wounded by a severe gunshot wound to the arm in May 1918 and returned from the war in December 1918.
Glynn, Frank Peter. Service No. 2122 Private, 8th LH Regiment 15th Reinforcements
Frank Glynn was born in Kew in 1891. His occupation was a grocer when he enlisted 17 July 1915 at age 24½ years. He embarked overseas from Melbourne on 7 April 1916 on board HMAT A43 Barunga. He fought in the Middle East and while there contacted the disease malaria. He returned to Australia on the vessel HMAS Dunice Castle in August 1919 and continued to suffer from the disease.
Kent, Thomas Isidore. Service No. 2520 Private, 59th Battalion, 5th Reinforcements
Thomas Kent was born in Sale in 1894 and attended Templestowe and Doncaster east state schools. He enlisted at Sale on 28 April 1916 at age 22 years 9 months and at the time was a state school teacher at Berrys Creek No.2925 near Leongatha. He embarked on the ship HMAT A9 Shropshire on 25 September 1916 and fought in France. He was wounded in action with a gunshot wound to the left foot in September 1918. He returned from the war in February 1919 and was discharged April 1919.
Lawson, Thomas. Service No. 3392 Private, 7th Battalion 11th reinforcements AIF
Thomas Lawson was born in Warrandyte and was living at Templestowe when he enlisted on 17th July 1915 at age 27½. He embarked for overseas from Melbourne on 11 October 1915 on board HMAT A71 Nestor. He fought in the Middle East and in France where he was wounded in May 1918 and returned to Australia in May 1919.
Ling, Thomas John. Service No. 716 Company Quartermaster Sergeant, 5th Battalion AIF
Thomas Ling was born in Clifton Hill in 1895 and attended schools at Clifton Hill, Abbotsford and Templestowe. He was living at Abbotsford when he enlisted on 17 August 1914 and trained at the Broadmeadows depot. He embarked overseas 21 October 1914 on the vessel HMAT A3 Orvieto and was engaged in battles at Gallipoli in Turkey at Pozieres, Ypres, Messines, St. Quentin, and Amiens in France. He was wounded with shrapnel in the left lung and returned to Australia 24 December 1918 and discharged February 1919. After the war he became a commercial traveller was the champion amateur cyclist of Victoria in 1921.
Mahoney, Albert Bartholomew. Service No. 3334 Private, 38th Battalion, 8 Reinforcement
Albert Mahoney was born at Templestowe in 1892. He was living at Doncaster when he enlisted at Doncaster on 25 Oct 1917 aged 25 years. He embarked overseas on 22 December on 1917 on HMAT A38 Ulysses. He was engaged in battles in France where he received gunshot wounds to the thigh and hand in September 1918. He left England in January 1919 on the hospital ship HMAT A64 Demosthenes arriving in Melbourne in March 1919.
Read, Robert. Service No. 61462 Private, 14th Battalion AIF
Robert Read attended schools at Doncaster, Clifton Hill and Templestowe. He was living at Serpells Road Templestowe when he enlisted with occupation as a fruit grower and was married. He embarked overseas on 31 August 1918 on the vessel HMAT A37 Barabah and returned from service on 11 October 1919 on the vessel HMAT A31 Ajana. He was discharged from service 26 October 1919 and returned to being an orchardist.
Schuhkraft, Everard Oswald. Service No. 13009. Lance Corporal, 15th Field Ambulance AIF
Everard Schuhkraft was born in Templestowe in 1892 and enlisted 11 October 1915 aged 23½ at Dubbo where his parents lived. His occupation was a stock and station agent. He embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A74 Marathon on 4 May 1916 where he saw action in France. He returned to Melbourne on 5 January 1919 on the troopship HMAT Port Lyttleton and after the war he resided in NSW.
Sheahan, James Michael. Service No. 3267 Private, 24th Battalion, 7th reinforcement
James Sheahan was a farmer who was born Templestowe in 1883. He enlisted in 12 July 1915 age 34 years. He embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A73 Commonwealth on 26 November 1915 and saw action in France. He suffered a gunshot wound to back and arm in June 1916 and returned to Australia in April 1918.
Sheahan, Edward Patrick. Service No. 39703 Gunner, Field Artillery Brigade 12th Field Artillery Brigade
Edward Sheahan was born in Templestowe in 1890. He enlisted 13 February 1917 at age 26½ years. He embarked from Sydney on board HMAT SS Port Darwin on 30 April 1918 and fought in France returning to Australia in August 1919. In 1921 he became a councillor for the Templestowe Riding of the Shire of Doncaster and later became a JP in 1927.
Smith, Alan Robert. Service No. 5497 Private, 17th reinforcements 6th battalion,
Alan Smith was born Lysterfield in 1896 and was living at Templestowe when he enlisted on 30 July 1915 aged 19. He embarked from Melbourne on board HMAT A14 Euripides on 4 April 1916. In November 1916 he became dangerously ill with spinal meningitis with his war service being restricted to duties in England. In April 1917 while serving overseas he married English woman Florence Drew. He returned to Australia 24 August 1918 and was medically discharged in November 1918.
Townsend, Arthur Gould. Service No. 2514 Private, 5th reinforcements 58th Battalion,
Arthur Townsend was born Doncaster in 1899. He was and orchardist when he enlisted on 27 May 1916 aged 18 years. He embarked on HMAT A9 Shropshire on 25 Sep 1916 and saw service in France. He was hospitalised with shell shock in September 1917, wounded in January 1918, April 1918, and on a 3rd occasion July 1918 with gunshot wounds to the shoulder and hand. He returned to Melbourne board ship HT Karmala on 15 Feb 1919 and was discharged 25 March 1919.
Wright, A. Service No.
Not able to determine details as numerous A. Wright names are on the NAA service records.

In Memoriam Column of Names - Soldier Service Details

Aumann, Charles Frederick. Service No. 1878 Private, 3rd Reinforcements, 21st Australian Infantry Battalion
Charles Aumann was born at Templestowe in 1886 and attended the Templestowe school. After leaving school he worked on his father’s orchard. He enlisted 9 June 1915 and embarked for the war on 26 August 1915 on the vessel HMAT A68 Anchises. He was engaged in battles at Gallipoli and at Poziers in France where he was badly wounded on 30 July 1916 and died 1 August 1916. He is buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Boulogne, Nord Pas de Calais, France.
Newspaper tribute - Died on field of battle on 1st August, 1916, fighting for King and country, Private C. F. Aumann, eldest beloved son of C. and A. Aumann, of Templestowe. Source: The Argus, 15 August 1916, p1 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1615217
Chivers, Charles Frederick. Service No. 3297 Private, 11th Australian Infantry Battalion, A.D. Company, 3 Infantry Brigade A.I.T.
Charles Chivers was born in Templestowe in 1883 and attended Templestowe state school. He enlisted 6 August 1915 and embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia on board HMAT A38 Ulysses on 2 November 1915. He was engaged in battles in Fleurbaix and Poziers in France. He was killed in action on 25 July 1916 in France, aged 32 and is buried at Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France.
Newspaper tribute - Killed in action, in France, 25th July, Charlie F. (Dick), seventh son of T. R. and E. J. Chivers, Templestowe, brother of Tom, Will, Alf, Walter, Art, Harry (wounded), Sid, Bert, Alice, and Ruby, in his 33rd year. A good lad. Esteemed by all who knew him. Source: The Australasian, 2 September 1916, p61 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140697675
Johnston, Albert. Service No. 3524 Private, 59th Australian Infantry Battalion
Albert Johnston was born in Templestowe in 1890 and attended Templestowe state school. On enlistment on 15 July 1915, he was married and living at Lara Lake Victoria. He embarked from Melbourne on 11 October 1915 for overseas on board HMAT A71 Nestor. He served in Egypt and the Western Front and was engaged in a battle at Fleurbaix France where he was killed on 19 July 1916 aged 26. He is buried Rue-Du-Bois Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, Bethune, Nord Pas de Calais, France.
Newspaper tribute - Albert (Bert) Johnston, Private. Killed in action, in France, on the 19th July 1916. Dearly loved husband of Mabel M. Johnston, loved son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Johnston, Templestowe, loved brother of Mrs. Read, Stanley, Myrtle, Doris, and Winnie, and loved son-in-law of P. Moore, Berrybank. Thy will be done (his parting words) We will meet in Heaven. Source: The Argus, 1 September 1916, p1 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1631157
Osborne, Eric Claude. Service No. Private, not assigned a unit
Eric Osborne attended schools at Northcote and Templestowe and enlisted in June 1915 and was training at a camp at Seymour Depot Victoria when on 20 July 1915, he died at the depot from meningitis before being assigned into an AIF unit. He is buried at Warringal Cemetery, Heidelberg, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Newspaper tribute - Eric Claude Osborne, of Lower Templestowe, Private. Died at Seymour Camp on 20 July 1915 had failed to pass the medical test on account of a malformed toe on each foot. He immediately underwent an operation in the hospital, and had the toes removed. He was then passed, and went into camp a fortnight ago. He was suddenly attacked with meningitis, and died within 24 hours. Eldest son of William James and Emily Ada Osborne, brother of Mrs. N Read, Brunswick; and Roy, Ida, Edith, Keith, Ivo, Joyce, and Douglas. Aged 20 years 5 months. Source: The Argus, 24 July 1915, p11 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1541017
Richardson, Eric James. Service No. 624 3rd Australian Field Artillery Brigade
Eric Richardson was a bushman living in Bendigo when he enlisted in August 1914 at Bendigo. He embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A8 Argyllshire on 18 October 1914. He was engaged in battles at Lone Pine in Turkey and in Corbie where he died 19 July 1918 aged 25. He is buried Querrieu British Cemetery, Querrieu, Picardie, France.
Born in Templestowe in 1892, he attended schools at Templestowe, Marden, Ballarat and Bendigo. He was the brother of Francis Richardson who was also killed in the war. Their father William Leona Richardson was a teacher/headmaster who moved between schools and was the headmaster at the Templestowe state school for 4 years between 1891 to 1895
Newspaper tribute - RICHARDSON - Killed in action, in France, after a service of 4 years, Bombardier Eric James Barclay Richardson, 103rd Howitzer Battery, AIF, dearly loved youngest son of Mr. W. L. and Mrs. Richardson, Malvern Road, E. Malvern, aged 25 years. An Anzac. Source: The Argus, 8 August 1918, p1 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1408707
Richardson, Francis Weir Lawrence. Service No. 127 Corporal, 49th Battery 13th Brigade Australian Field Artillery
Francis Richardson was living at Malvern when he enlisted in the AIF on 6 June 1915. He embarked from Melbourne on board A39 Port Macquarie on 4 June 1915 aged 28. He fought in battles in Sulva Bay on the Gallipoli Peninsula where he was wounded and at Bonnay in the Somme region of France where he died in battle on 24 April 1918 aged 30. He is buried Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, Daours, Picardie, France
Born in Ullina in 1889 he attended schools at Ullina, Templestowe, Outtrim and Marden. He was the brother of Eric Richardson who also died in the war. Their father William Leona Richardson was a teacher/headmaster who moved between schools and was the headmaster at the Templestowe state school for 4 years between 1891 to 1895
Newspaper tribute - RICHARDSON, son of Mr. W. L. Richardson, Malvern Road, East Malvern, was killed in in France on 24th April. He was wounded at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli, but recovered and returned to the firing line, and has been on active services ever since. A brother, Eric Richardson, enlisted on 14th August, 1914, and is still on active service. Source: The Age, 14 May 1918, p6 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155093343
Scragg, Arthur Russell. Service No. 2305 Sapper, 2nd Field Company, Australian Engineers,
Arthur Scragg was born in 1896 in NSW and attended Doncaster state school. He embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A72 Beltana on 9 November 1915. He died in battle on 2 November 1916 in France aged 23 and is buried at the AIF Burial Ground, Flers, Picardie, France.
Newspaper tribute - SCRAGG - Killed in France on November 2, Arthur Russell Scragg, second son of the late Alfred and Mary Scragg, of Orange, N.S.W. Held in loving remembrance by his cousins, Temple (France), Enid, Frances, Clifton Crouch, Doncaster, Melbourne. Source: The Sydney Morning Herald, 23 December 1916, p10 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15674094
Svanborg, Frank Augustas. Service No. 2311. Sapper 13th Field Company, Australian Engineers.
Frank Svanborg born in Doncaster in 1891 and attended Templestowe state school. He was a fruit grower when he enlisted 12 July 1915 aged 24 years and embarked overseas 27 September 1915 on the vessel HMAT A20 Hororata. He fought in France where in February 1917 he received gunshot wounds to his back and abdomen and subsequently died of his wounds on the 4 February 1917 at the 1st South Midland Casualty Clearing Station in England aged 25. He is buried Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Dernancourt, Picardie, France.
Newspaper tribute - SVANBORG - In loving memory of our dear son, Sapper Frank Svanborg, 13th Field Company Engineers, died of wounds on the 4th February, 1917, 1st South Midland Casualty Clearing Station. Our boy. Just one year ago you left us, How we miss your loving face; How you left us to remember None on earth can fill your place. Your photo hangs upon the wall, dear Frank, that face we love to see; But in the hearts of those you loved It ever dear shall be. - Inserted by his loving mother and father, Templestowe. Source: The Age, 2 February 1918, p5 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155101832

The Templestowe State School No.1395 - World War 1 Roll of Honor Book

At the end of World War 1 (the Great War), many schools, town councils, communities, churches, sporting clubs, government agencies such as post offices and railways, etc decided to undertake the preparation and public display of Honor Books and erect Honor Boards to place on record and pay a tribute to the memory of the soldiers of their districts who had who had served in the Great War, including those who had made the supreme sacrifice through loss of their life in the war.
The Victorian Education Department encouraged schools to participate in this undertaking and in many of monthly editions of the “Victoria Education Gazette and Teachers’ Aid” magazine for the war and following years, teachers were provided with information on what should be sought and included, and the type of honor book that should be produced. The magazines also reported on progress of the undertaking and problems various schools had in obtaining information.
A book containing the details of 29 men was subsequently prepared by the Templestowe State School No.1395 and was put together by Mr. R.W. Searby who was the school’s head teacher from 1914-1928. The book was a leather hardcover bound book around 8’ x 10” (200 x 300mm) in size with proforma pages for writing details directly on the pages. The book contains a page with details of the school’s war efforts and separate pages for those who served with details of their service. A number of the pages contain just the name of the person serving with no accompanying service information. The book may also not show all persons associated with the school who enlisted and fought in the AIF. A call was generally made to soldiers or parents or relatives of soldiers to provide details of service for inclusion and not all may have been aware of or responded to the call or may not have wanted to provide details. The book also has many blank pages after the last entry for additional names.
The original book is now located in the Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society’s historical records collection and is stored in its document archives. [5]

101 - Cover - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School

102 - Frontispiece page - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School

Many schools also contributed to the war effort by the collection and donation of money to war effort groups, and by schools making articles for sending off to the soldiers serving overseas. Children were encouraged to participate in fundraising activities to support the war effort. This included collecting money, knitting clothing items like socks and scarves (often referred to as "trench comforts"), and organizing events to raise funds for soldiers and their families. The honor book has a page listing out the Templestowe school’s contribution.

103 - Schools Record of War Efforts - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School

SCHOOLS’ RECORD OF WAR EFFORTS.
School’s contributions £ 121..11..4
Purchase of material £ 21..10..0
£ 143..1..4
War Savings Group £ 47..0..0
Young Workers’ Guild £ 19..5..11
Flower Days £ 24..19..5
British Red Cross £ 35..18..9
Three contributions Soldiers’ comforts sent to Montaque Depot.
Articles made: - Shirts 37, cholera belts 32, scarves 18, mittens 9 pairs,
socks 279 pairs, kit bags 10, handkerchiefs 60, towels 58, face washers 47.
Scholars also assisted the local Red Cross Society in its patriotic work.
R. W. Searby H.T.

Of the men, a number tragically lost their lives in the war. A number of the men who survived the war returned back to Doncaster and Templestowe to work in the orchard industry.
The photographs and transcription of details of each of the pages in the book are as follows:

104 - Charles Frederick Aumann - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Aumann, Charles Frederick
Number... 1878
Rank... 3rd Reinforcements 21st Bn.
Schools attended... Templestowe
Enlisted... June 9th 1915
Camp... Seymour & Broadmeadows
Unit in A.I.F.… 3rd Reinforcements 21st Battalion
Date of Embarkation... Aug 26th 1915
Vessel... Anchises
Battles engaged in… Gallipoli, Poziers
Other war service...
Wounds... Mortally wounded at Poziers 30.7.16
Date of Return...
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career...
Remarks...

105 - Charles Frederick Chivers - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Chivers, Charles Frederick
Number... 3297
Rank... Private
Schools attended... Templestowe No.1395
Enlisted... July 1915
Camp... Blackboy W.A.
Unit in A.I.F.... 11th Battalion, A.D. Company, 3 Infantry Brigade A.I.T.
Date of Embarkation... Nov 2nd 1915
Vessel...
Battles engaged in… Fleurbaix, Poziers
Other war service...
Wounds... Killed at Poziers, July 25th 1916
Date of Return...
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career...
Remarks...

106 - John Henry Chivers - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Chivers, John Henry
Number... 2144
Rank... Private
Schools attended... Templestowe No 1395
Enlisted... March 27th 1916
Camp... Seymour, Castlemaine, Broadmeadows
Unit in A.I.F.... 15th Inf, 57th 59th Battalion
Date of Embarkation... Aug 1st 1916
Vessel... Orsava
Battles engaged in… Ligny, Bapaume, Boursies, Dernicourt, Runcourt, Hindcourt, Narcuil, Lagnicourt, Bullecourt, Messines, Passchendale, Villers Bretonneux
Other war service...
Wounds... Killed at Villers Bretonneux 24 Apr 1918
Date of Return...
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career...
Remarks...

107 - Albert Johnston - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Johnston, Albert
Number... 3524
Rank... Private
Schools attended... Templestowe No 1395
Enlisted... July 15th 1915
Camp... Flemington, Broadmeadows
Unit in A.I.F.... 59th Battalion
Date of Embarkation... Oct 11th 1915
Vessel... Nestor
Battles engaged in… Fleurbaix
Other war service...
Wounds... Killed at Fleurbaix July 19th 1916
Date of Return...
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career...
Remarks...

108 - Eric Claude Osborne - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Osborne, Eric Claude
Number...
Rank... Private
Schools attended... Northcote & Templestowe
Enlisted... June 1915
Camp... Seymour
Unit in A.I.F.... none allotted
Date of Embarkation...
Vessel...
Battles engaged in…
Other war service...
Wounds... Died Seymour from meningitis on July 20th 1915
Date of Return...
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career...
Remarks...

109 - Eric James Richardson - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Richardson, Eric James
Number... 624
Rank...
Schools attended... Templestowe, Marden, Ballarat, Bendigo
Enlisted... Aug 1914
Camp... Sydney NSW
Unit in A.I.F.... 103 Howitzer Battery
Date of Embarkation... Sept 25th 1914
Vessel...
Battles engaged in… Lone Pine, Corbie
Other war service...
Wounds... Lone Pine, Killed Corbie 19 July 1918
Date of Return...
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career...
Remarks...

110 - Frank Lawrence Weir Richardson - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Richardson, Frank Lawrence Weir
Number... 137
Rank… Corporal
Schools attended... Ullina, Templestowe, Outtrim, Marden
Enlisted...
Camp...
Unit in A.I.F.... June 6th 1915
Date of Embarkation...
Vessel...
Battles engaged in…
Other war service...
Wounds... Sulva Bay, Killed Bonnay Apr 1918
Date of Return...
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career...
Remarks...

111 - A Scragg - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Scragg, A
Number...
Rank...
Schools attended...
Enlisted...
Camp...
Unit in A.I.F....
Date of Embarkation...
Vessel...
Battles engaged in…
Other war service...
Wounds...
Date of Return...
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career...
Remarks...

112 - Frank Svanborg - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Svanborg, Frank
Number...
Rank...
Schools attended... Doncaster, Templestowe
Enlisted... July 12th 1915
Camp... Ballarat
Unit in A.I.F....
Date of Embarkation... Sept 27th 1915
Vessel... Hororata
Battles engaged in…
Other war service...
Wounds... Died Casualty Clearing Station, Albert
Date of Return...
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career...
Remarks...

113 - A Adams - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Adams, A
Number...
Rank...
Schools attended...
Enlisted...
Camp...
Unit in A.I.F....
Date of Embarkation...
Vessel...
Battles engaged in…
Other war service...
Wounds...
Date of Return...
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career...
Remarks...

114 - Joseph Beale - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School

Name... Beale, Joseph
Number...
Rank...
Schools attended...
Enlisted...
Camp...
Unit in A.I.F....
Date of Embarkation...
Vessel...
Battles engaged in…
Other war service...
Wounds...
Date of Return...
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career...
Remarks...

115 - Alice Betheras - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Betherus, Alice, (nurse)
Number...
Rank...
Schools attended...
Enlisted...
Camp...
Unit in A.I.F....
Date of Embarkation...
Vessel...
Battles engaged in...
Other war service...
Wounds...
Date of Return...
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career...
Remarks...

116 - Henry Chivers - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Chivers, Henry
Number...
Rank...
Schools attended...
Enlisted...
Camp...
Unit in A.I.F....
Date of Embarkation...
Vessel...
Battles engaged in…
Other war service...
Wounds...
Date of Return...
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career...
Remarks...

117 - Stanley Chivers - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Chivers, Stanley
Number...
Rank...
Schools attended...
Enlisted...
Camp...
Unit in A.I.F....
Date of Embarkation...
Vessel...
Battles engaged in…
Other war service...
Wounds...
Date of Return...
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career...
Remarks...

118 - Albert William Chivers- Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Chivers, Albert William
Number... 769
Rank... Sergeant W.O.
Schools attended... Templestowe
Enlisted... July 18th 1915
Camp... Broadmeadows
Unit in A.I.F.... 46th Battalion
Date of Embarkation... Mar 14th 1916
Vessel... Anchises
Battles engaged in... Fleux Bay, Poziers, Mouquet Farm, Flers, Gueudecourt Ridge
Other war service...
Wounds... Slight at Poziers, Severe at Gueudecourt Ridge
Date of Return... 10th Jan 1918
Vessel... Karoola
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career... Bank official
Remarks... Torpedoed on Hospital Ship “Glenant Castle”

119 - Robert Cole - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Cole, Robert
Number...
Rank...
Schools attended...
Enlisted...
Camp...
Unit in A.I.F....
Date of Embarkation...
Vessel...
Battles engaged in…
Other war service...
Wounds...
Date of Return...
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career...
Remarks...

120 - Wilfred Crouch - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Crouch, Wilfred
Number... 4160
Rank... Sergeant
Schools attended... Templestowe & Doncaster
Enlisted... June 14th 1915
Camp... Broadmeadows
Unit in A.I.F.... 6th Battalion
Date of Embarkation... Dec 30th 1915
Vessel... Demosthenes
Battles engaged in… Poziers, Bullicourt, Pachendale, Strazeele, Rosieres, Harbonieres, Chignoles-Bray, Bellicourt
Other war service...
Wounds...
Date of Return... July 1919
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge... Aug 30th 1919
Subsequent career... Orchardist
Remarks... Awarded Military Medal

121 - James Caithness Gaff - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Gaff, James Caithness
Number... 217
Rank... Corporal
Schools attended... Templestowe, Queenscliff
Enlisted... June 4th 1915
Camp... Domain
Unit in A.I.F.... 2nd Siege Brigade
Date of Embarkation... July 7th 1915
Vessel... Orosova
Battles engaged in… Somme, Arras, Messines, Passchendale, Cambrai
Other war service...
Wounds...
Date of Return... June 8th 1919
Vessel... Sardinia
Date of disembarking... June 8th 1919
Date of discharge... Aug 8th 1919
Subsequent career... Baker, Queenscliff
Remarks...

122 - H Glynn - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Glynn, H
Number...
Rank...
Schools attended...
Enlisted...
Camp...
Unit in A.I.F....
Date of Embarkation...
Vessel...
Battles engaged in…
Other war service...
Wounds...
Date of Return...
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career...
Remarks...

123 - F Glynn - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Glynn, F
Number...
Rank...
Schools attended...
Enlisted...
Camp...
Unit in A.I.F....
Date of Embarkation...
Vessel...
Battles engaged in…
Other war service...
Wounds...
Date of Return...
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career...
Remarks...

124 - Thomas Kent - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Kent, Thomas
Number...
Rank...
Schools attended...
Enlisted...
Camp...
Unit in A.I.F....
Date of Embarkation...
Vessel...
Battles engaged in…
Other war service...
Wounds...
Date of Return...
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career...
Remarks...

125 - Thomas Lawson - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Lawson, Thomas
Number... 3392
Rank... Private
Schools attended... Templestowe
Enlisted... July 17th 1915
Camp... Broadmeadows
Unit in A.I.F.... 7th Battalion
Date of Embarkation... Oct 11th 1915
Vessel... Nestor
Battles engaged in... Fleur Baix, Hill 60, Bullecourt, Menin Road, Villers Bretonneax
Other war service...
Wounds... Gassed
Date of Return... May 22nd 1919
Vessel... Tras Do Montes
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge... July 15th 1919
Subsequent career... Tramway gripman
Remarks...

126 - Thomas John Ling - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Ling, Thomas John
Number... 716
Rank... 2 m Sergeant
Schools attended... Clifton Hill, Abbotsford, Templestowe
Enlisted... Aug 17th 1914
Camp... Broadmeadows
Unit in A.I.F.... 5th Battalion
Date of Embarkation... Oct 1914
Vessel... Orvieto
Battles engaged in… Landing and evacuation of Gallipoli, Poizeres, Ypres, Messines St, Juentin, Amiens
Other war service...
Wounds... Shrapnel in left lung
Date of Return... Dec 24th 1918
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge... Feb 1919
Subsequent career... Commercial Traveller
Remarks... Champion Amateur Cyclist of Victoria 1921

127 - A Mahoney - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Mahoney, A
Number...
Rank...
Schools attended...
Enlisted...
Camp...
Unit in A.I.F....
Date of Embarkation...
Vessel...
Battles engaged in…
Other war service...
Wounds...
Date of Return...
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career...
Remarks...

128 - Robert Read - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Read, Robert
Number... 61462
Rank... Private
Schools attended... Doncaster, Clifton Hill, Templestowe
Enlisted...
Camp... Broadmeadows
Unit in A.I.F.... 14th Battalion
Date of Embarkation... Aug 31st 1918
Vessel... Barambah
Battles engaged in…
Other war service...
Wounds...
Date of Return... Oct 11th 1919
Vessel... Ajana
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge... Oct 26th 1919
Subsequent career... Orchardist
Remarks...

129 - E Schuhkraft - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Schuhkraft, E
Number...
Rank...
Schools attended...
Enlisted...
Camp...
Unit in A.I.F....
Date of Embarkation...
Vessel...
Battles engaged in…
Other war service...
Wounds...
Date of Return...
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career...
Remarks...

130 - James M Sheahan - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Sheahan, James M
Number...
Rank...
Schools attended...
Enlisted...
Camp...
Unit in A.I.F....
Date of Embarkation...
Vessel...
Battles engaged in…
Other war service...
Wounds...
Date of Return...
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career...
Remarks...

131 - Edward Patrick Sheahan - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Sheahan, Edward Patrick
Number...
Rank...
Schools attended...
Enlisted...
Camp...
Unit in A.I.F....
Date of Embarkation...
Vessel...
Battles engaged in…
Other war service...
Wounds...
Date of Return...
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career...
Remarks...

132 - A Smith - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Smith, A
Number...
Rank...
Schools attended...
Enlisted...
Camp...
Unit in A.I.F....
Date of Embarkation...
Vessel...
Battles engaged in…
Other war service...
Wounds...
Date of Return...
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career...
Remarks...

133 - A Townsend - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name... Townsend, A
Number...
Rank...
Schools attended...
Enlisted...
Camp...
Unit in A.I.F....
Date of Embarkation...
Vessel...
Battles engaged in…
Other war service...
Wounds...
Date of Return...
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career...
Remarks...

134 - Blank pages - Roll of Honor Book - Templestowe State School
Name...
Number...
Rank...
Schools attended...
Enlisted...
Camp...
Unit in A.I.F....
Date of Embarkation...
Vessel...
Battles engaged in…
Other war service...
Wounds...
Date of Return...
Vessel...
Date of disembarking...
Date of discharge...
Subsequent career...
Remarks...

LEST WE FORGET

Sources:

The service details of the men listed on the board have been taken from a number of sources. In some instances, the details have been difficult to read and there may be errors in ascertaining the relevant details. Every effort however has been made to correctly record their service.
Primary Sources of Information:
Soldier service records (search by name and service No.)
• UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy - The AIF Project - https://aif.adfa.edu.au/index.html
• Australian War Memorial (AWM) - https://www.awm.gov.au
• National Archives Australia (NAA) - Defence and War Service records - https://www.naa.gov.au/explore-collection/defence-and-war-service-records
Newspaper reports
• National Library of Australia (NLA) – Trove digitised newspapers - https://trove.nla.gov.au
School minutes
• Public Records Office Victoria (PROV) - https://prov.vic.gov.au
Referenced sources:
1. Australian War Memorial - https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/atwar/first-world-war
2. PROV VPRS 9864/P1 - Minutes - Board of Advice No.281, 1891 - 1910; Minutes - Templestowe Primary School No.1395, 1911 – 1924 - https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/2F3D0FE7-F6C2-11E9-AE98-5DF3019AF7A7
3. The Argus - Saturday 18 October 1919, page 13 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4670238
4. The Reporter (Box Hill) - Friday 30 April 1920, p4 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article257153891
5. Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society - Templestowe State School Roll of Honor Book - catalogue item No. DD12AF7

Article by: Ian Schafter DTHS – September 2025

Pages

Templestowe State School No. 1395 - World War 1 Honor Roll and Honor Book

Templestowe State School No. 1395 Honour Roll Board - Soldier Service Details

In Memoriam Column of Names - Soldier Service Details

The Templestowe State School No.1395 - World War 1 Roll of Honor Book

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