THEY SAY you can find anything you want on the internet! Nonsense, unless somebody has put it there.

Everyone loves to claim a share of heroes and it might surprise Flinders oldtimers to discover that 90%, or more, of mentions of Flinders State School on trove involve a school at Rosedale on the west side of Port Phillip Bay. Many of those on the Dromana R.S.L. roll of honour were residents of Rosebud, Flinders and other parts of the district. The Hobleys were also recalled by the residents of Rosebud and a tiny settlement in Gippland.

This morning, I found a photo of the memorial seat at Flinders and cropped it to the actual huge plaque, but when enlarged the inscriptions were too blurry to read. Nowhere could I find a list of the names so I decided to drive there from Rosebud to undertake a transcription of the names. Funny, places seem farther apart in reality than they do on parish maps. I couldn't see the creeks but the steep winding descents and climbs on each side of them made their locations pretty obvious and reminded me of Vin Burnham's anecdote. The Rosebud Football Club was established in 1929.

"The senior football team would travel in Len Dunk’s low-sided open Rio truck to away matches. One day when going to Flinders via Boneo Rd, he couldn’t take the first bend in the serpentine bend down to the Main Creek, so had to continue over the bracken, dodging the trees, down the quite steep slope and re-joined the road past the last bend, jolting and bouncing about. No one “abandoned ship” and we all arrived unharmed, physically at least."

By the time I'd finished my transcription, I was peckish but took time to look at the terrific history boards in the park showing the locations of guest houses and the state school and early photos of the golf course and the Bullock* store which stood on the park. That reminded me of two tragic deaths caused by the clearing of land.
*FIERY ENDS FOR THOMAS BULLOCK AND EDWARD GRAY

The current shops reminded me that Flinders is outdoing Portsea in attracting the millionaires but I did find a reasonably priced snack at the general store!

L.Wilding might mean nothing to current Flinders residents but to me Leonard Wilding is a hero in more than one way. Not only did he sacrifice his life in W.W.1; HE ALSO WROTE THE EARLIEST HISTORY OF THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA THAT I HAVE FOUND SO FAR.
MR.Leonard WILDING OF FLINDERS, VIC., AUST., EARLY MORNINGTON PENINSULA HISTORIAN and hero

NAMES ON THE SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL SEAT.
THE GREAT WAR 1914-1919. THOSE WHO SERVED.
ALLAT A.*; BARKER D.V.; BARR W.; BEARD H.; BUCHANAN R.; BYRNE M.E.; CALLANAN C.F.L.; CALLANAN E.J.; CALLAGNAN J.F.M.; CALLANAN J.W.; CALLAGNAN V.J., CRAWFORD A.; CAIRNS A.; CAIRNS C.E.J.; CAIRNS E.; CLARK W.; CLEAVE A.B.; CLEAVE C.H.; COOKE C.S.W.; COOKE W.L.; CROCKER N.; DARLEY W.J.; DELANEY T.T.; FORD V.H.; FOX W.; GRANT L.A.; HADFIELD W.; HARRIS T.; HEWETT I.F.S.; HOLLAND H.D.; HOLLAND T.S.; HOPCRAFT H.; HOSKINS H.F.; HUMPHREY E.J.; IRVINE J.B.; JACKSON H.; JOHANSEN H.J.; KENNEDY E.; KNOX W.; LUCAS C.J.; LUCAS S.T.; MEEHAN R.; PIDDINGTON G.; RITCHIE G.A.; RITCHIE I.M., RIGBY G.; SCOTT C.J.; SPROULE J.St.G.; SPROULE W.St.G.; SYMONDS J.C.; TRAILL J.C.M.; TREW W.M.; VARLEY E.W.; WARD T.; WILLIS H.G.; WILSON R.J.; WOODBRIDGE A.G.
NURSES: NORTHCOTE D.; SPROULE F.St.G.
V.A.D. (Victorian ambulance Division?) COOKE L.
THE HONOURED DEAD: BALL W.; BEARD F.; BRENT R.; CLEAVE E.T.; FARR T.; KENNEDY H.; KNOX R.; McCLURE R.J.; PEARCE S.; SHARP H.; SINGLETON J.; TUCK H.T.; TUCK J.W.; TUCK W.; WILDING L; WILSON B.F.

I APOLOGISE FOR PRESENTING A RED HERRING (ARTHUR ALLATT d. 1930, WHOSE WAR SERVICE WAS PROBABLY BEFORE HE EMIGRATED TO AUSTRALIA)BUT THE TRUTH HAS FINALLY BEEN ARRIVED AT.
A.ALLATT, the first named on the memorial seat, should have been the first entry in THE HONOURED DEAD.

On the reverse side of the seat is a general description of the effect of the war, statistics etc. but also information specific to Flinders such as the womenfolk forming one of the first Red Cross branches and farmers needing to band together for harvesting because of the absent manpower.

ABOUT 7 METRES SOUTH OF THE SEAT.
FLINDERS & DISTRICT. WORLD WAR 2.
M.BROWN; R. BURTON; H.BURTON; K. BUCHANAN; S. BARTEL; G.BUSHBY; REV. D.BROUGHTON; J.COOK; M.CAIRNS; H.CAIRNS, A. CAIRNS, J.DRAPER; A.DOWLING; R.ELLIS; F.ELLIS; W.EVERET; A.HOPPEN; C. HIMMERMAN; J.HIMMERMAN; J.HADDOW; C.HOLLAND; I.HOLLAND; C.JOHNSTONE*; A.KING; R.KING; K.KEYS; E.LUCAS; I.LUKAS; J.MANNIX; I.MANNIX; R. McKILLOP; I. REDPATH; J.STACEY; R.TUCK; A.TUCK; G.TUCK; A HOLLAND T.HOLLAND.
KILLED IN ACTION- K.BROWN; J.BURTON; C.HOPPEN; R.HALL; C.WRIGHT.

* CHRISTIE JOHNSTONE

COMMENTS.
I was about to say that the service records of those who served in W.W.1 should be easy to find on the A.I.F. PROJECT website, and use A.Allat as an example. There was no service record. Either the inscription was wrong or I did not copy the surname correctly. A trove search for "Allat" luckily took me to Arthur Allatt who was probably the first listed on the memorial seat list.

ALLATT.—On the 5th December, 1930 (after a long and painful illness due to war service), at his residence, 17 Norwood street, Sandringham, Arthur, the dearly beloved husband of Lottie, and loving father of Artie and Colin. —A patient sufferer at rest. (P.13, Argus, 6-12-1930.)

This man had attended St Agnes School at Black Rock and was on the Sandringham Roll of Honour.
The only Arthur Allatt recorded in the A.I.F. PROJECT was killed in action on 26-8-1916.
I was hoping to find that the Sandringham man had been born at Flinders but the birth occurred in Timor.

EventBirth Event registration number20647 Registration year1873
Personal information
Family nameALLATT Given namesArthur SexUnknown Father's nameJohn Mother's nameRobina (Peat) Place of birthTIMOR

There is no mention of Allatt on trove in connection with Flinders. Perhaps he had married a Flinders girl.

EventMarriage Event registration number3709 Registration year1901
Personal information
Family nameALLATT Given namesArth SexUnknown Spouse's family nameEDWARDS Spouse's given namesCharl Jane

Charlotte of course was LOTTIE, as she was called in Arthur's death notice. The birth records of the two sons show no connection with Flinders, either does the death record of Lottie who married again in 1945 and died in 1960.

EventDeath Event registration number35337 Registration year1960
Personal information
Family nameWILLIAMS Given namesCharlotte Jane SexFemale Father's nameEDWARDS Edward Mother's nameIsobella (Peat) Place of birthROCKHAMPTON QUEENSLAND Place of deathCAULFIELD Age85

EDWARDS was a name associated with Flinders.
Mr T.Delaney has sold Post Boy,who won a double at Dromana on St.Patrick's Day, to Mr Edwards, of Flinders. The price, it is stated, was £22. (P.3, Mornington Standard, 4-4-1908.)

Hopefully more evidence can be found to explain the inclusion of A.Allat(t)on the roll of honour. There is a similar problem with W.Barr. Not so with some of those also included on the Dromana roll of honour:
e.g. David Vincent BARKER
Regimental number 35841
Place of birth Melbourne, Victoria
Religion Methodist
Occupation Orchardist
Address Flinders, Victoria
Marital status Single
Age at embarkation 25
Height 6' 1"
Weight 178 lbs
Next of kin Father, William Edward Barker, Flinders, Victoria
Enlistment date 2 February 1917
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll 19 February 1917
Place of enlistment Melbourne, Victoria
Rank on enlistment Gunner
Unit name Field Artillery Brigade, Reinforcement 28

AWM Embarkation Roll number 13/128/2
Embarkation details Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A15 Port Sydney on 9 November 1917
Rank from Nominal Roll Gunner
Unit from Nominal Roll 10th Field Artillery Brigade
Fate Returned to Australia 20 October 1919
Discharge date 19 November 1919
Other details Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

DAVID’S BIRTH RECORD.
EventBirth
Event registration number31948
Registration year1891
Personal information
Family nameBARKER
Given namesDavid Vincent
SexMale
Father's nameWm Edwd
Mother's nameAnnie (Shand)
Place of birthCOLLINGWOOD


CLEAVE

Private A.B.Cleave, 30th Battalion.
C.Cleave, Gunner, 29th Battery A.I.F.
T.E.Cleave, Gunner, 29th Battery, Killed June 2nd 1917.
CLEAVE. — In loving memory of our dear brother,
Gunner Theo. Cleave, who died of wounds in France
on 2nd June. 1017.
Far from the land of wattle,
He answered his country's call,
And he died an Australian hero,
The grandest death of .all.
— Inserted by his loving brothers, Charlie and Albert,
and sister-in-law, Jennie Cleave, Flinders.
(P. 1, The Age, 3-6-1919.)

In 1919-20, Albert B. Cleave was assessed in the central riding of the Shire on Flinders on 143 acres and buildings, part c/a 21B, Wannaeue. This meant ALL of c/a 21B in section B Wannaeue as 21B consisted of just under 143 acres. Its frontage to the west side of Mornington-Flinders Rd extended north 4060 links (812 metres) from the Roberts Rd corner to a point opposite the original Tucks Rd corner (410 links or 82 metres south of the present corner.) Its depth was 3770 links (754 metres) except that near its northern boundary it extended only 2143 links (429 metres) to adjoin 21A.

Albert Bertram CLEAVE
Regimental number 19620
Place of birth Gunbower, Victoria
Religion Church of England
Occupation Farmer
Address Flinders, Victoria
Marital status Married
Age at embarkation 27
Next of kin Wife, Mrs J Cleave, Flinders, Victoria
Enlistment date 19 January 1916
Rank on enlistment Gunner
Unit name Field Artillery Brigade 8, Battery 29

AWM Embarkation Roll number 13/36/1
Embarkation details Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A7 Medic on20 May 1916
Rank from Nominal Roll Bombardier
Unit from Nominal Roll 8th Field Artillery Brigade
Fate Returned to Australia 5 January 1919

ALBERT’S DEATH RECORD.
EventDeath
Event registration number6895
Registration year1929
Personal information
Family nameCLEAVE
Given namesAlbert Bertram
SexMale
Father's nameCLEAVE William Walter
Mother's nameMary (Ritchie)
Place of birth
Place of deathPRAHRAN
Age41


Charles Harper CLEAVE
Regimental number 19783
Place of birth Gowbower, Victoria
Religion Church of England
Occupation Grocer's driver
Address Red Hill, via Mornington, Victoria
Marital status Single
Age at embarkation 21
Height 5' 10.5"
Weight 146 lbs
Next of kin Father, W W Cleave, Red Hill, via Mornington, Victoria
Previous military service Member for 2 years, Shoreham Rifle Club.
Enlistment date 26 July 1915
Place of enlistment Melbourne, Victoria
Rank on enlistment Gunner
Unit name Field Artillery Brigade 8, Battery 30

AWM Embarkation Roll number 13/36/1
Embarkation details Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A7 Medicon 20 May 1916
Rank from Nominal Roll Gunner
Unit from Nominal Roll 8th Field Artillery Brigade
Fate Returned to Australia 12 March 1920
Miscellaneous details (Nominal Roll) No details of fate entered on Nominal Roll.
Discharge date 5 August 1920
Family/military connections Brother: 19782 Gunner Theodore Ernest CLEAVE, 8th Field Artillery Brigade, died of wounds, 2 June 1917.
Other details War service: Western Front
Married Ethel HULFORD, spinster, aged 27, Camden Town Anglican Parish Church, 7 April 1919.
Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Ceramic', 12 March 1920; disembarked Melbourne, 6 May 1920; discharged (termination of period of enlistment), Melbourne, 5 August 1920.
Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Sources NAA: B2455, CLEAVE Charles Harper


CHARLES’ DEATH RECORD.
EventDeath
Event registration number16606
Registration year1948
Personal information
Family nameCLEAVE
Given namesCharles Harper
SexMale
Father's nameCLEAVE Walter
Mother's nameMary Harper (Ritchie)
Place of birthWEE WEE RUP
Place of deathDROUIN
Age53


Theodore Ernest CLEAVE
Regimental number 19782
Place of birth Taralgon, Victoria
School Balmarring, Flinders and Main Creek, Victoria
Religion Church of England
Occupation Butcher
Address Red Hill, via Mornington, Victoria
Marital status Single
Age at embarkation 19
Next of kin Father, W W Cleave, Red Hill, via Mornington, Victoria
Previous military service Nil
Enlistment date 30 July 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll 30 November 1915
Rank on enlistment Gunner
Unit name Field Artillery Brigade 8, Battery 30

AWM Embarkation Roll number 13/36/1
Embarkation details Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A7 Medicon 20 May 1916
Rank from Nominal Roll Gunner
Unit from Nominal Roll 8th Field Artillery Brigade
Fate Died of wounds 2 June 1917
Place of death or wounding Ploegsteert, Messines, Belgium
Age at death 21
Family/military connections Brother: 19783 Gunner Charles harper CLEAVE, 8th Field Artillery Brigade, .............
Other details War service: Western Front
Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

THEO’S BIRTH RECORD.
Record information
EventBirth
Event registration number15563
Registration year1896
Personal information
Family nameCLEAVE
Given namesErnt Theodore
SexMale
Father's nameWm Walt
Mother's nameMary Harper (Richey)
Place of birthTRARALGON

The father of the above.
EventDeath
Event registration number5138
Registration year1932
Personal information
Family nameCLEAVE
Given namesWalter William
SexMale
Father's nameCLEAVE William Walter
Mother's nameUnknown (Unknown)
Place of birth
Place of deathCOBRAM
Age78

Obituary.
MR. WILLIAM W. CLEAVE-
It is with regret that we record through our columns the passing of a real and fine old gentleman in
the person of William Walter Cleave, at the age of 78 years, and which occurred through heart
failure on Sunday. Deceased, who had resided in the Cobram District for the past fourteen years, was a native of Kyneton, and those who have had the privilege of knowing him realised what a fine type of a man he was, being fair in his opinion and tolerant in his regard towards his fellow men. The deceased gentleman was apparently hale and hearty, but while at Tocumwal during the week end was suddenly seized wiih a heart attack and passed away as above stated at Koonoomoo.

The remains were interred in the Cobram Cemetery on Monday afternoon, Rev. Blake reading the burial service at the graveside in the presence of a number of mourners and friends, who had assembled to pay their last tribute of respect. Mr Cleave leaves a grown up family of four sons, comprising William (Shoreham), Andrew (Black Rock), Charles (Warragul), and Victor (Cobram) ; Messrs Jas. and John Cleave, of Koonoomoo, are nephews. Mr J. T. McFarlane carried out the mortuary arrangements.(P2, Cobram Courier, 19-5-1932.)

THEIR MOTHER.
EventDeath
Event registration number11790
Registration year1943
Personal information
Family nameCLEAVE
Given namesMary Harper
SexFemale
Father's nameRICHEY Andrew
Mother's nameCatherine (Boal)
Place of birthCARLSRUHE
Place of deathBLACK ROCK
Age87

CLEAVE.—On November 6, at 23 Iona street, Black Rock, Mary Harper, relict of the late William, and loving mother of William, Andrew, Charles, and Victor, and Ida (Mrs. Walton), Emma, Eva (Mrs. Tuck). Albert (A.I.F.), and Theodore (A.I.F.), all deceased, aged 87 years.
(P.2, Argus, 8-11-1943.)




Many of the family names on the war memorials will be found in these 1902 articles.
AROUND FLINDERS PART 1
AROUND FLINDERS PART 2


DUE TO CAPACITY LIMITS, ONLY W.W.1 SURNAMES ARE INCLUDED IN THE SURNAMES LIST.