The Argus Wednesday 8 September 1915

COURAGEOUS CHAPLAIN.

The Late Rev. A. Gillison.  

The following extract from a letter from Lance Corporal J E Austin Signaller, 14th  Battalion to a friend in Essendon, will be read with interest in view of the death of  Mr Gillison at the front -

Today is Sunday, and although we are on the battle-field or rather at the rear of it we had a church parade. The Rev A. Gillison of St Kilda was the preacher and his sermon, though brief was very forcible. He is a Presbyterian by the way, and the  best man I have ever struck. Unlike some of them he has a broad mind, and Catholic or Protestant no matter what denomination you may be, he takes the same interest in you - not in an off hand sort of way, but a real and fatherly sort of way.

Again, although a man of God and peace, the following incident will serve to show you that he is a man of action also.  This I can vouch for as I was sitting about a yard away when it was said. The Turks had exploded a mine and had also sapped towards our position and had struck into our communication trench. Through this hole they were shooting our chaps in the legs, the only part of them they could see. There were some wounded beyond the hole who had to be removed. The problem was how to get rid of the sniper in that tunnel. It was decided to bomb him out, and here is what Mr Gillison said to an officer,  There is a sniper in a tunnel in our communication trench.  I think the best way to get rid of him would be to bomb him out "If you will give me a bomb I'll go and do it"

Q.M.S. A. H. Gott. and Corporal J Austin, of Moonee Ponds, and   Private M. Hoy, of Kensington, are reported to be in hospital in London.

WITH THE COLOURS. (1915, September 16). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 5 Edition: Morning.. Retrieved January 15, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74590062

All-Australia Memorial: Australia's Fighting Families, p 57.

"AUSTIN, J. E, L.-Cpl., 141th Batt. (Hqrs. Sgr.); s. of E. H. Austin, London, England: p.a., 57 Hoddle-st., Essendon; b. at Clapham, London. Sept. 6, 1893: educ. West Hill S. and United Kingdom Colleges, England; clerk; enl. Melb., Sept. 8, 1914. War service: Egypt; Gallipoli (April 26- July 4, 1915; dis. med . unfit, Feb. 25, 1916). L.-Cpl. J. E. Austin, with three others, made their way on the night of April 27, 1915, from Courtney's Post through Shrapnel Gully to the beach, to guide the first "tucker party" back to the fighting line". 

MILITARY WEDDING AUSTIN-BAYFIELD.

A very pretty and interesting wedding was celebrated at St. Thomas' Church on Saturday afternoon, March 25th, the contracting parties being Lance-Cpl. J. E. Austin (late of the 14th Battalion. Headquarters' Signallers), son of Mr. H. E. Austin, art painter of London, and Miss Frances (Vic.) Bayfield, daughter of Mrs. and the late Mr. M. Bayfield, of Essendon. The bridesmaids were Miss A. Barton, of Essendon, and Miss E. Berndt, of Brunswick, friends of the bride. Pte. S. S. Wright and Pte. C. J. Batchelor (both of the 14th Battalion) were best man, and groomsman respectively. It may be interesting to note here that the bridegroom, best man and groomsman left Australia together were at Anzac together, and returned to Australia together. The bride, who was given away by Mr. L. W. Coates, of Ascot Vale, was attired in cream silk, with a smart basque coatee of heavy lace. She also wore the customary wreath, and veil, and carried a handsome bouquet--a present from the bridegroom. The bridesmaids looked dainty in white voile, with tulle caps. They wore aquamarine brooches, and carried bouquets of blue delphiniums, with streamers of blue and gold (the 14th Battalion colours) -presents from the bridegroom. After the ceremony, a reception and wedding breakfast was held at the Moonee Ponds Town Hall, where Mr. Franklin Murray, secretary to the Returned Soldiers' Association, officiated as chairman.

The following toasts were proposed and responded to with musical honours:--"The King," proposed by Mr. F. Murray; "The Bride and Bridegroom," proposed by Mr. Coates and responded to by the bride groom, who, contrary to precedent, after acknowledging the toast, gave the toast "Our Boys at the Front," which was responded to by Mr. F. Murray, who stated that at all the functions he had been present at where returned soldiers gathered together for anything in the way of amusement, they always remembered the boys they had left fighting. The toast "The Bridesmaids," was proposed by' the bridegroom, and acknowledged by Pte. Wright.   A dance and musical programme was provided after the breakfast, the musical and, elocutionary part being, carried out by Miss B. Edgerton, Miss Barton, Miss Wood, Mrs. Anthony, Miss Carroll, Mr. Murray and Bugler Phillips. The latter has a phenomenal throat, and his imitations of birds were miraculously true to life. An other feature of Bugler Phillips' entertainment, which was much appreciated was his splendid imitation of a mandoline, performed on an ordinary mouth organ. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, of Coburg, kindly placed their bungalow at Aspendale at the disposal of the newly married couple, the bride travelling in a cream cloth costume and a smart golden brown straw hat, simply trimmed with brown and gold ribbon and gold rose. 

The following presents were received:

Case of cutlery -Notes Branch, Treasury    

Copper hot-water, kettle- Pte. Wright and Gunner Patterson  

Dinner set, cut glass sweets, dishes and hand-painted tea set-Sergeant Bentley

Hand-painted panel-Miss Thorpe and Sgt. Barrett    

Case soup spoons--Miss. Thompson and. Cpl. Drew

Brass jardiniere - Girls, Notes Branch, Treasury

Vase-Miss Dawson  

Table linen-Miss Kettle

Water set--Mrs. and Mr. J. Madden

Afternoon tea-set-Miss Barton

Biscuit barrel-Miss Berndt and Mr. Bowler  

Case afternoon -ten spoons-Miss Rodwell and Gunner Ross

Pair -vases-Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Coates

Hand-painted fruit set-Misses L. and A. Maxwell

Jardiniere and palm-Mrs. and Mr. J. Pickford    

Egg cruet-Miss B. Simpson

Case egg spoons-Cpl. R. Callander

Hand-worked tray cloth-Miss I. Cole

Serviette rings-Mrs. Cole

Water set--Miss A. Mason and Mr. E. Rodwell

Butter dish and knife-: Mr: F. Murray    

Table linen-Mrs. Payne

Copper crumb tray and brush-Miss B Edgerton

Jam dish and spoon-Miss J. Morgan

Jewel case-Bugler Phillips -

Serviette rings--Miss H. Pullar

Case afternoon tea spoons--Mr. and Mrs. J. Potts  

Pair vases-Pte. G. Martin

Cutlery - Mrs E. Cutcliffe

Jardiniere-Mr. J. Robinson

MILITARY WEDDING. (1916, April 6). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 5 Edition: Morning.. Retrieved January 28, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74592549