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Kensington State School

Page history last edited by Lenore Frost 1 month, 3 weeks ago

Volunteers of Essendon and Flemington, 1914-1918

Organisations

 

Kensington State School, McCracken Street, Kensington.  Photo: Lenore Frost 2011.

 

See also Kensington State School Cadets  

and  http://timetravellers.pbworks.com/w/page/102787249/Kensington-State-School

"Kensington School No 2374.  The Play Pavilions are a Memorial to the Old Scholars who fought

in the Great War 1914-1919 and to Mrs A Thaw, School Correspondent.  1-1-23".

(Photo:  Lenore Frost, 2010)  This plaque is now located in the entrance foyer of the school.

 

The honour board for Kensington State School has been removed, whereabouts not known.  No photo has yet turned up, but if anyone can help with that, please get in touch.

 

Volunteers known to have attended Kensington State School

 

Aitken C R Pte 1113

Aspinall A Pte 759

Bulman H Pte 1122

Busch F J Pte 2592

Danks-B-W-Pte-2810

Danks-J-Gunner-11830

Day H W Pte 925

Fiddes D Pte 1659

Grainger J H Pte 1068

Grainger W P Pte 2587

Hearle E R Pte 2599

Liston W F Pte 1923

Marshall R W Driver 3079

McJunkin J W Pte 1396

McPherson D Cpl 644

Pitman-E-J-G-Pte-61507

Rochester-M-G-Sapper-17790

Stelling G Pte 1960

Information about E R Hearle, and J and B W Danks courtesy of Stewart Brook.

Further information from Stewart Brook has added Aspinall, Bulman, Day, Fiddes, 

and W P Grainger added on 23/7/2014.

 

GRAND CONCERT

KENSINGTON STATE SCHOOL.  

 

One of the finest children's concerts held in the district took place at the Kensington Town Hall, on 16th December, it being the annual concert of the Kensington State School. There was a large attendance, and the programme was so full of variety that it it reflected great credit on the organiser of the function, Mrs. Thaw (the energetic secretary of the State school committee), and the teachers of the 2nd and 5th grades, who must have been very pleased at the reception of  their items, all the children going through their parts in such good style. The little mites in the infant class also scored a marked success in their little "bird" and "flag" songs, going "in and out of the window" greatly amusing the little members of the audience. Little Elva Powne (a mite of three years old) pleased everyone with her items, especially "Your King and Country Need You," and she also danced very prettily, and well deserved her "lollies and flowers." Roars of laughter greeted the "Ten Little Dolls," especially when the "Military Bridegroom" tripped out (Willie Ridsdale) and all "the dolls" followed in a wedding procession. The patriotic number "Call Us and We'll Soon be There" was very prettily sung, and the "Scouts' Chorus" was enjoyed by everyone present. One of the prettiest numbers was "The Christmas Sketch," Miss O. Lowe singing the solo part very nicely. "Fan Drill" was well rendered by about 50 girls, and though the number is old, still it is always pretty to hear and see. The club swinging, by Miss Hazel Ramage, was a splendid item; so also was the dancing by Mr. Williamson's pupils. Little Maudie Wigley sang "One of the Boys," and danced in her usual pretty style, receiving a floral tribute. The last item, "What We can do for Our Soldiers" was a number thoroughly enjoyed by all, every child doing her or his part splendidly. During the interval, Mr. Warde, M.L.A., presented the gold dux medals presented by Mr. A. W. Vale, to Master Ray Freeman (dux of the boys) and Miss Effie Dickson (dux of the girls) also a gold medal presented by Mr. Johnston, of Macaulay road, to the dux of the seventh grade, Master Willie Stocks.

 

After the presentations had been made, the scouts and cadets filled the platform, and Mr. Morrison, the head master, with Mr. Nutt, mounted the platform, and performed the ceremony of unveiling the roll of honour for the school. After this, Mr. Warde, M.L.A,, and Mr. Fenton, M.H.R., addressed the audience, also Mr. Morrison and Mr. Nutt; after which the scouts and cadets on the platform stood. It was next announced that a former pupil of the school, Master Vincent Mirls, had obtained the dux medal at Zercho's College, the announcement being received with cheers. The programme was then continued without any hitch to the end, everyone remarking on the ability and behaviour of the children, between two or three hundred children taking part. Mr. Fenton took the chair for the evening, and performed his part in a capable manner.

 

GRAND CONCERT. (1916, January 6). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 1 Edition: Morning.. Retrieved July 4, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74591431

 

KENSINGTON STATE SCHOOL.

 

A very large crowd of people assembled in the playground of the Kensington State school and took great interest in the proceedings, which took place to commemorate the landing of our brave men at Gallipoli. The head master introduced Mr. Fenton, M.H.R., who delivered a speech to the children, who listened attentively to an inspiring address worthy of the occasion. The next to speak was Sergeant Don McPherson, an old pupil of the school, who naturally received quite an ovation and was warmly cheered at the termination of his much appreciated address. Sergeant Connell, of Broadmeadows Camp, spoke next, and when he told the children that he was "proud of being the son of a soldier" he received a hearty cheer. After his address the "too modest Anzacs" - six in number- mounted the table, and one spoke for the remainder of the men present, and naturally they were cheered warmly by the large crowd present. Fourteen of the returned Anzacs were present, and as each man arrived the secretary of the school committee, on behalf of that body, in the absence of the president, Mr. Vale, presented to them an Anzac medal, with the best wishes of the committee. The children of the school contributed the musical portion of the programme, under the able conductorship of Mr. Walshe. The pupils stood to attention silently with bowed heads, while "The Last Post" was played by Bugler Connell and three buglers from Royal Park Camp, who had kindly come across to take part in the proceedings. At the conclusion of the ceremony, "the Anzacs" and their friends were entertained at afternoon tea by the president of the school committee, Mr Vale, after which an hour was spent in the singing of patriotic songs by  "the boys," the company dispersing about five o'clock, after a very impressive afternoon, never to be forgotten by those present.

 

KENSINGTON STATE SCHOOL. (1916, April 27). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 1 Edition: Morning.. Retrieved January 29, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74592745

 

WELCOME TO RETURNED SOLDIERS BY KENSINGTON SCHOOL CHILDREN, KENSINGTON TOWN HALL, WEDNESDAY, 26th NOVEMBER. Photo by Allan Studios, Collingwood.   Punch 27 Dec 1917, p. 22. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article121084047

 

A SOLDIER'S THANKS.

 

Minnie Webster, aged 10, a pupil in the 6th Grade at Kensington State school, received by last mail, from a soldier in France, unknown to her, a pretty silk souvenir and letter of thanks. The soldier, having seen an account in the "Essendon Gazette" that the little girl, instead of holding her usual birthday party, had, instead, a bazaar, raising £5 for the soldiers' fund, wrote, on behalf of his company, conveying best thanks to little Minnie and to all school children doing "their bit" to help win the war.

 

A SOLDIER'S THANKS. (1918, May 2). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 5 Edition: Morning. Retrieved June 10, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74605778

 

A RETURNED HERO.

 

In October, 1915, the 6th Grade (then the 2nd) at Kensington State school, sent a billy-can to a soldier at the front. Sgt.-Major Fleming, D.C.M., whilst lying wounded in hospital at Lemnos, after the evacuation of Gallipoli, received this billy filled with gifts, good wishes and little messages of love from the children, which he answered, thus beginning a correspondence lasting 2½ years, between the scholars and their soldier brother. Each mail brought and took letters, parcels, comforts, papers, etc. to and from the school children, to the battle fields of Egypt, France, Belgium and later to hospitals in England, each child being eager to write to "Brother Tom" (and equally as eager for an answer, which always came) resulted in some hundreds of letters passing between this Anzac and his little Australian brothers and sisters, who treasured very much the interesting and cheery letters from their adopted soldier-brother. Following the usual custom, the contents off the parcels were divided amongst the men with the Sgt.-Major, and many thanks were sent to "Fleming's Kids," as the children were called by the soldiers.

 

Great was the joy when the scholars' learnt that their soldier had won the D.C.M., but great was the sorrow when they learnt that he had been badly wounded, and would be in hospital for months. Even when suffering fearful pain, he managed to write a few words to the class, telling them not to worry about him, but to ask that he might be spared to see them. The children brought their pennies to school, and a cablegram of sympathy was sent to the hospital in England. The English nurses were so touched by this action that they had the message pasted up in the ward, and when ever the Australian mail arrived they would say: "Here's more love and messages from your 60 brothers and sisters." Just before Easter the long-expected news came that the soldier-brother was to be sent home, and eagerly was each list of returning men read over, to find the name of the one expected, and soon after he came from his home in New South Wales especially to see his little friends. One needed to be present on that occasion to realise the pride and love Australian children have for "Our Boys."

 

Speaking of his escort to the school by the children, the Sgt. Major remarked that it was the finest escort he had ever had or wished to have. After making friends with his little brothers and sisters, the whole party, at the invitation of their big brother, went for a picnic to North Essendon, and spent such a happy time that the day with "Brother Tom" will be remembered for many years. Besides serving his king and country in Africa, Sgt.-Major Fleming has had 3½ years' active service in this war, and he considered that he had been brought back safely, though much battered, to Sunny Australia and his dear home-folk by the love and prayers of the little ones, who asked every morning, before starting the day's lessons, that God would bless and take care of their soldier-brother.

 

A RETURNED HERO. (1918, May 2). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 5 Edition: Morning. Retrieved June 11, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74605775

 

Brother Tom seems to have been 1762 Sergeant-Major Thomas William Fleming.

There are further details about Sgt Major Fleming on The Empire Called blog

 

The chalkboard reads "Kensington 2374 P[rep] Grade A 1913".  This group of children would have

been in Grade 1 in 1915 when a Grade 2 from this school dispatched a billy which ended up on

Lemnos Island just before Christmas, and was opened by Sgt-Major Tom Fleming. 

 

OBITUARY.

Lieut-Colonel T. S. Marshall.

 

Lieut-Colonel T. S. Marshall, who was for 32 years chief officer of the Country   Fire Brigades Board, and was conspicuous in the sporting world, died at his home in Tennyson street, St Kilda, on Wednesday night. He was aged 91 years. Lieut.-Colonel Marshall was born in Greenock, Scotland. He came to Australia as a young man, and entered the service of the Victorian Education department. In 1867 he was attracted to New Zealand by a gold-rush, and spent some time mining at Charlston, in the South Island. On his return to Victoria he rejoined the Education department, and took a school at Chiltern, where he married.

 

Later he was  transferred to Kensington, where he became interested in the volunteer cadet movement, and received a commission. He coached the cadets for the Sargood Shield rifle shooting competition and the Kensington school team eventually won the competition three times, thus gaining possession of the shield. One of his sons was in each of the winning teams. Later he was   placed on the retired list with the rank of lieut.-colonel. He was secretary of   the Victorian Rifle Association and captain and manager of the Victorian rifle team which competed at Bisley in 1897 for the Kolapore Cup. In 1901 he was appointed captain and manager of the Commonwealth Bisley team.

 

Upon his retirement from the education department in 1894 he was appointed chief officer of the Country Fire Brigades Board, a position which he held until 1926. Under his leadership, and largely owing to his remarkable organising ability, the number of country brigades increased from about 30 to 103. He wrote the "Memoirs of the Victorian Country Fire Service." Lieut.-Colonel Marshall was also closely associated with the development of the Australian game of football in Victoria. He was once captain of the Carlton Football Club, and he was secretary of the Victorian Football Association for 20 years. His period in office ended when the League broke away from the Association. He was a close friend of the "father of Australian football," Mr. H. C. A. Harrison, and with him Lieut.-Colonel Marshall helped to procure the codified laws of the game.

 

Lieut.-Colonel Marshall is survived by a widow, three daughters, and two sons. A private funeral was held yesterday at the Melbourne General Cemetery. The Rev. S. L. McKenzie, of St. George's Presbyterian Church, St. Kilda, conducted    the service. The monthly practice of the Geelong City Fire Brigade was postponed last evening as a mark of respect to the memory of Lieut.-Colonel Marshall. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Apps and Sons, St. Kilda.

 

OBITUARY. (1933, January 6). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 6. Retrieved March 3, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4518010

 

 

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