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. The vast majority of Australian casualties occurred on the Western Front between 1916 and 1918. [ 1 ]
At the end of the war, many schools, town councils, 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 Roll boards. 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.
At the end of the war, many schools, town councils, 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 Roll boards. 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.
Doncaster State School was one of the schools which participated in this important undertaking and in 1923 unveiled an honor roll board as a tribute to the memory of the soldiers of the district.
Doncaster State School No. 197 Honor Roll Board – Photo by DTHS June 2025
The unveiling ceremony took place on Empire Day on 24 May 1923 with the unveiling of the board at the school performed by Brigadier-General Foott who was a senior Australian army officer who had served as Chief Engineer of the Australian Corps in the war. Empire Day was significant as it was the celebration of Queen Victoria's birthday on May 24 and which after her death in 1901 had been renamed Empire Day in 1903. It was celebrated throughout the British Empire and in Australia was also to celebrate ties to Britain and the British Empire.
The Reporter (Box Hill) newspaper of 18 May 1923 advertised the upcoming ceremony:
Doncaster State School, 197. Honor Board. All past scholars and friends are cordially invited to be present at the unveiling ceremony by Brigadier-General Foott, and the official opening of the remodelled school, on Empire Day, Thursday, May 24, at 2.30 p.m. Ladies are kindly asked to provide a basket. R. L. Thomas, Correspondent. [ 2 ]
On the 1 June 1923, The Reporter newspaper reported on the ceremony:
Doncaster School - The Official Opening. Honor Roll Unveiled. Empire Day, 1923, is a day long to be remembered by the scholars at Doncaster School. In the morning addresses were given by Mr. Taylor, chairman of the school committee, and Mr. Lang, Church of Christ evangelist, and a programme of essays, recitations, and choruses rendered by the scholars. The King and Queen's messages were read, and the flag saluted. In the afternoon every inch of available room was occupied, and some had to content themselves with an outside view when Chief Inspector Betheras performed the official opening of the remodelled school, and gave an interesting address on the changes and progress in methods of education, touching lightly on the much discussed Dalton method and dwelling at some lengths on the latest field of enterprise, "The Correspondence Baby," by which means the children of the sparsely settled parts were reached and helped forward to good citizenship. Prizes won in swimming contests by W. Tolley, C. Lloyd, Clara Lloyd and Lauris Thomas were presented by Mr. A. O. Thiele, a former head teacher. The ceremony of unveiling the honor roll was performed by Brigadier-General Foott, who in a short address illustrated by incidents he had witnessed in his long campaign, how the Australian soldier always seemed to find the humorous side of events that stay-at-homes would consider rather hair-raising, and made light of conditions that were most appalling. During the service Kipling's Recessional and "O God Our Help" were sung. Mr. R. and Greta Noakes and the Misses Thomas played duets. Master. Tom Edgoose recited the stirring poem, "The Australian," and the Last Post was sounded by R. Roche. The honor board, with cabinet for honor books for soldiers’ records, is a splendid piece of work in polished blackwood, executed by Mr. Poppins, who was present at the expressed wish of the school committee. It stands a thing of beauty as a wall decoration, and an inspiration to present and future scholars. At the conclusion refreshments were served by a hard-worked band of volunteers to scholars and visitors, who included soldiers, shire councillors, clergy, and members of the East Doncaster School Committee. [ 3 ]
The honor roll board was originally located in the Doncaster state school building on Doncaster Road. When the school moved to its new location at Council Street Doncaster, the honor roll board was relocated to the reception foyer of the new building where it continues to be proudly on display.
The board measures approximately 1,100(w) x 1,500(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. At the bottom of the board is a small decorated opening with a stained-glass door for a war record book.
The board displays a total of 48 soldiers’ names listed in two large columns on either side of the board and in a smaller central column headed “IN MEMORIAM” that has the names of five of the men who tragically lost their lives in the war.
The lettering on the board reads:
HONOR ROLL DONCASTER STATE SCHOOL 1914 – 1919
LEST WE FORGET - IN GOD KING & COUNTRY IN MEMORIUM
WAR RECORD BOOK
HONOR ROLL DONCASTER STATE SCHOOL 1914 – 1919
LEST WE FORGET - IN GOD KING & COUNTRY IN MEMORIUM
WAR RECORD BOOK
The soldiers’ names on the board are:
- Left side column: Aspinall, C. | Bloom, H. | Bevis, W. | Cameron F.W. | Crouch, T. | Crouch, S. | Crouch, E. | Crossman, N. | Crawford. H. | Dent, J. | French, C. | French, E. | French, V. | Graham, K. | Hardidge, J. | Hardidge, A. | Kent, T. | Miller, A. | McDowell, G. |
- Right side column: Neal, S. | Neher, R. | Petty, T.H. | Rettich, A. | Ross, L. | Ross, H. | Smith, J. | Schultz, C. | Simpson, H. | Thiele, F. | Toogood, F. | Townsend, A. | Veitch, J. | Watts, W. | Watts, C. | Whitten, H. | Williams, J. | Williams, P. | Williams T. | Williamson, H. |
- Central “In Memoriam” column: Bloom, R. | Clay, H. | Cassidy, P. | Hillman, E. | Rust, W. | Simpson, J. | Tainton, P. | Williamson, A. |
It is not known if all the names were just those pupils who had attended Doncaster state school but may have also included the names of fathers of some of the pupils, or others from the wider Doncaster community that were in some way associated with the school and who also served.
It is also not known if the war record book was ever prepared or whether it went missing at some time in the past as it is not in the location for it on the board.
It is also not known if the war record book was ever prepared or whether it went missing at some time in the past as it is not in the location for it on the board.
The Australian War Memorial (AWM) war records collection contains details of members of the Australian armed forces who have died during or as a result of war service. In addition, families of the men who died often put tribute or memoriam notices in newspapers. These records and notices can provide service and family information relating to the men and on the grief that families were suffering. Some details relating to the death of those names on the “In Memoriam” listing of the Doncaster state school board have been taken from these sources and are listed as follows.
BLOOM, R.
- AWM: Rupert Bloom, born in Lilydale, of Main Road Doncaster, service No. 4362, enlisted 26 March 1915 Lance Corporal, 23rd Australian Infantry Battalion AIF Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A38 Ulysses on 10 May 1915, war service Egypt and Western Front died 23 September 1917, aged 24, Ypres Belgium, buried Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Flanders, Belgium. [ 4 ]
- Tribute: BLOOM.- Killed in action, in France, on 23rd September, Rupert Otto, dearly beloved son of Otto and Louisa Bloom, of Doncaster; loved brother of Emmie, Gladys, Henry (on active service), and Albert, aged 24 years 5 months. Another Australian hero. Fond memory clings. [ 5 ]
CLAY, H.
CASSIDY, P.
- AWM: Richard Harold Clay, orchardist Doncaster, service No. 2957, enlisted 6 July 1915 at age 21 Sergeant, 14th Field Artillery Brigade Australian Field Artillery, Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board SS Makarinion 15 September 1915, died of wounds 04 August 1917, Belgium, aged 23, buried Brandhoek New Military Cemetery, Flanders, Belgium. [ 6 ]
- Tribute: CLAY. - Died of wounds on 4th August, at 32nd Clearing Station, France, Sergeant Harold Richard, dearly loved youngest son of Richard and the late Mary Ann Clay, Doncaster, and loved fiancé of Adrienne Thiele, aged 23 years. Egypt, Gallipoli, France. Mother and son reunited. [ 7 ]
- Tribute: The sad news that Sergeant Harold Clay had been killed fighting in France cast quite a gloom over the district where he had been so well known and always held in highest esteem. His life seemed full of promise of useful activities. Just before enlisting he was appointed secretary to the Athenaeum. His fine manly bass voice was always great assistance to the church choir, while on the tennis court his skill and activity were watched by his eager desires to give everyone a good time. The flag at his old school was flying half-mast on Monday as a mark of respect. Deep sympathy is felt for all the bereaved ones. [ 8 ]
- Tribute: The following letter has been received by Cr. John Tully, of Doncaster, from Sergeant Eric Hearnshaw, in connection with the death on active service of Sergeant Harold Clay: - "It is with deep sympathy that I, a complete stranger, have dared to address you. It was in the second week of January that a portion of our battery joined the 60th battery, and with them Corporal Clay. It was not long before Clay broke down all barriers of reserve or aloofness, by his clean living, upright character, and close attention to duty. Quite early in our association with this battery, the sergeant- major said to me, 'If ever you want anything done go to Corporal Clay.' From this you will gather that in his work he was absolutely reliable, and his bravery was on many occasions proven. In March he was promoted to the office of sergeant. As for our personal association, let me say Harold was a true comrade. Knowing that his father was a fruitgrower, we nicknamed him 'Cherry.' This alone caused a great deal of fun and amusement. On his last morning (July 31) he was with us firing his gun for 2¼ hours after the commencement of the artillery action. Whilst rushing into this advanced post one of his horses fell, but Harold, nothing daunted, as he stopped to get his horse up, had a smile and a jest for us as we passed. He soon overtook us and brought his gun into action with the rest of the battery. About 8.30 a.m. a wretched shell dropped in the rear of his gun, instantly killing his officer, Lieut. Baron, wounding three others, and he was hit in the back of the neck and the right thigh. With the assistance of one of the men, he was able to walk to a shelter close in the rear, where he was dressed and passed straight to the ambulance. In spite of all his pain as he was being carried away, he waved his arm to us who were still in action, and smilingly bade us 'Good luck.' The next we heard of him was from the hospital that on August 4 he had died from his wounds. Thus closed in the supreme sacrifice a career which had been devoted to duty full of gallantry, uprightness, honor and truthfulness - an example to us all, and a credit to the battery, a treasured memory of those of us who, through having known him for only so short a time, had learned to call him friend and comrade. With deep sympathy of all the officers, N.C.O.'s and men of the battery for all his friends and relatives." [ 9 ]
CASSIDY, P.
- AWM: Patrick Cassidy, Templestowe, labourer, enlisted 2 February 1916 service No. 1638, Private, 58th Australian Infantry Battalion, Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A17 Port Lincoln on 4 May 1916, killed in action 19 January 1917, France, buried Guards Cemetery, Lesboeufs, Peronne, Picardie, France. [ 10 ]
- Tribute: Private P. Cassidy, loving brother of Madge, Maude, Matt and Hughie; also loving cousin of Charlie, Annie and Nellie Cassidy, Doncaster; and nephew of P. Cassidy, Richmond, aged 26 years. R.I.P. [ 11 ]
HILLMAN, E.
- AWM: Eric Hillman, born Doncaster, service No. 896, Private, 37th Australian Infantry Battalion, AIF, Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A34 Persic on 3 June 1916 aged 18. died 04 October 1917, Belgium, aged 19, buried Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendaele, Flanders, Belgium. [ 12 ]
- Tribute: HILLMAN. - In sad and loving memory of my dear brother, Signaller Eric (Barney) Hillman, killed in action on 4th October, aged 19½ years. Worthy of true respect was he, From those he left behind; A better brother could not be, Nor one so true and kind. We shall meet again. - Inserted by his loving sister, Olive Hillman, Doncaster. [ 13 ]
- AWM: William Henry Rust, born Warrnambool lived at Main Road Doncaster, service No. 3227A, Private, 59th Australian Infantry Battalion AIF, enlisted 10 july 1915, Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A73 Commonwealth on 26 November 1915 aged 19. War service: Egypt, Western Front. Killed in Action 26 September 1917 Belgium, aged 22, Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Flanders, Belgium. [ 14 ]
- Tribute: RUST-GRAHAM. - Officially reported killed in action on September 26, 1917, Private Willie Rust, the only son of M. E. and the late W. H. Rust, beloved stepson of the late Corporal Harry Graham, late of Doncaster, only grandson of the late Mr. Bob Rust, of Warrnambool; dearly loved brother of Myrtle, Muriel, and Gladys, and stepbrother of Gracie and Ewan, aged 22 years. We pictured his safe return, But God's will alters all. -(Inserted by his loving mother, M. E. Graham, No. 16 Benson Street, Surrey Hills.) [ 15 ]
- AWM: Jack Simpson, Abbotsford, service No. 2660, Lance Corporal, 2nd Australian Machine Gun Company AIF, Served in the 48th Infantry, Citizen Military Forces; still serving at time of AIF enlistment. Enlisted 12 June 1915, Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A68 Anchiseson 26 August 1915, died 21 September 1917, Belgium, buried Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Flanders, Belgium. [ 16 ]
- Tribute: SIMPSON. - Killed in action in France on the 21st September, Lance-Corporal Jack Simpson, aged 22 years, beloved son of Henry and Ann Simpson, 15 Nicholson-street, Abbotsford, brother of Henry (Adelaide), Mrs. T. Main, George, Mrs. A. Pump, Mrs. H. R. Chipperfied, Victor (Fremantle), Richard, Harold (on active service), Nellie and Otto. He hath done what he could. [ 17 ]
- Tribute: SIMPSON. - Killed in action on the 21st September, in France, Lance-Corporal Jack Simpson, beloved brother of George and Rose Simpson, of Doncaster; Lizzie and August Pump, of Doncaster; also beloved nephew of John Hudson, of Doncaster, aged 22 years and 3 months. Enlisted from Doncaster. On active service 2 years and 4 months. Egypt. Gallipoli, France. Died for his King and country. [ 18 ]
- AWM: Percy William Tainton, born Collingwood, orchardist Doncaster ss, service No. 7568, 7th Australian Infantry Battalion, Private, enlisted 21 May 1917. Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A32 Themistocles on 4 August 1917 aged 37, died 16 September 1918, France, aged 38, buried Hesbecourt Communal Cemetery, Hesbecourt, Picardie, France. [ 19 ]
- Tribute: TAINTON — CROUCH. — In memory of my beloved son Percy, who was killed in France on 10th September 1918; also my dear nephew, Jock Lowen late of Doncaster, who died of wounds in France on 20th September, 1918. Our dear soldiers. Oh for the touch of a vanished hand, And the sound of a voice that is still. [ 20 ]
- AWM: Archibald David Williamson, b Doncaster, service No. 6606, enlisted 10 May 1916, Private, 5th Australian Infantry Battalion, AIF, Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A71 Nestor on 2 October 1916 aged 19 ,killed in action France, aged 20, buried Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France. [ 21 ]
- Tribute: WILLIAMSON. - Officially reported killed in action (previously reported wounded and missing), on 20th September, 1917, Private Archie D. Williamson, dearly loved eldest son of John and Isabella Williamson, Williamson's road, Doncaster, aged 20 years and 10 months. Also, on same date, his cousin and comrade, Stanley Williamson. [ 22 ]
Primary Sources of Information:
Soldier service records (search by name and service No.):
• Australian War Memorial people search - https://www.awm.gov.au
• National Archives of Australia (NAA) name search - https://www.naa.gov.au
• UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy - The AIF Project - https://aif.adfa.edu.au/index.html
Newspaper reports
• National Archives of Australia (NAA) digital newspaper archive Trove - http://trove.nla.gov.au
Sources:
[ 1 ] Australian War Memorial - https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/atwar/first-world-war
[ 2 ] The Reporter (Box Hill) 18 May 1923 p4 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article257200262
[ 3 ] The Reporter (Box Hill) 1 June 1923, p5 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article257200361
The Men Who Lost Their Lives:
BLOOM, R.
[ 4 ] AWM - https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1665287
[ 5 ] The Argus, 13 October 1917, p13 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1655828
CLAY, H.
[ 6 ] AWM - https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1712424
[ 7 ] The Argus, 17 August 1917, p1 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1643389
[ 8 ] The Reporter, 24 August 1917, p3 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75168222
[ 9 ] The Reporter, 9 November 1917, p7 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75168645
CASSIDY, P.
[ 10 ] AWM - https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1676377
[ 11 ] The Age, 17 Feb 1917, p5 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155187526
HILLMAN, E.
[ 12 ] AWM - https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1630798
[ 13 ] The Age, 5 November 1917, p1 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155174926
RUST, W.
[ 14 ] AWM - https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1663884
[ 15 ] The Argus, 24 October 1917, p1 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1658156
SIMPSON, J.
[ 16 ] AWM - https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1661220
[ 17 ] The Age, 13 October 1917, p13 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1655828
[ 18 ] The Age, 13 October 1917, p5 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155172687
TAINTON, P.
[ 19 ] AWM - https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1672379
[ 20 ] The Age, 16 Sept 1919, p1 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article202438328
WILLIAMSON, A.
[ 21 ] AWM - https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1680044
[ 22 ] The Argus, 8 January 1918, p1 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1631953
By: Ian Schafter DTHS – September 2025
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