ATHLETICS ST. THOMAS HARRIERS.

By "Scribo."

The above club, with 14 visitors from St. James, Ivanhoe (formed by Rev. S. L. Buckley, late of St. Thomas), had a delightful outing last Saturday. The run started from the rooms on Mr. W. Fagg's property, and there were two packs - the fasts being under the guidance of C. Seccombe (St. T.) pace, and J. Bowtell (St. T.) whip; and the slows had F. Bryant (St. J.) and G. Davey (St. J.) to pilot them. The hares--H. Crapp (St.T.) and N. Winter (St. J.) -laid the trail over 8 miles of good "cross country," along Maribyrnong river, via Horseshoe Bend, across to Spring Creek (where the hares were sighted); along the creek until Keilor road was reached. From there the hares made way to Buckley Park and finished near Hudson's paddock. At the top of the hills near Horseshoe Bend, as mentioned above, the packs sighted the hares making along Spring Creek, and the trail layers got such a shock that they "shot their bolts" and got stranded. After finding each other, they started to chase the packs: rather an unusual thing in cross-country running. At the top of Buckley street, St. Thomas lined up for their half-mile "fix up." Harry Manners started off like a Belgian lancer, and the "enemy" could not sight him. He won very easily and is in good form at present. C. Seccombe came next closely followed by A. Robertson and G. Davis. At the conclusion of the run, the ladies of St. James, Moonee Ponds, under the supervision of Mrs. W. Fagg, very kindly supplied afternoon tea. At the end of the "bust up" Mr. Buckley, seconded by Mr. Ramshaw, heartily thanked the ladies for their kindness and support.

ATHLETICS. (1914, August 20). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 3 Edition: Morning.. Retrieved April 21, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74494095

ATHLETICS

ST. THOMAS HARRIERS.

(By One of Them.)

The fourth annual meeting of the above club was held in the schoolroom on Tuesday evening, 30th March, when Rev. W. E. Ramshaw, the president, presided over a fair attendance of members.......

It may be interesting to know that the club has fought its way from 28th to 7th position in the four years it has been established. The club, as most of the other athletic bodies, was not without its losses, for during the season the outbreak of war on the Continent found several of our prominent men rallying to the colours to fight for the cause of freedom and the Empire, and the club has placed on record the following names of members who have volunteered, and been accepted for active service abroad, viz.:-Messrs. H. L. Barker, J. Bowtell-Harris, P. Hutton, R. J. Jacobson, P. Jacobson, S. Bowman, A. King, W. R. Langford, E. Moore, L. Fynmore, H. Manners, Mr P. Gatliff, R. Ransome, N. Wheatley and A. Austin. While regretting the loss of these members, we can only give them our best wishes for a safe and quick return.

ATHLETICS. (1915, April 8). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 5 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74588414

Essendon Gazette 13 May 1915

PATRIOTIC
ST. THOMAS HARRIERS

The committee of St. Thomas harriers met at Mr Manners' residence, South street, Ascot Vale, and on Thursday evening last, to say au revoir to Messrs. Harry  Manners and Les Fynmore, who are leaving for the front.

During the evening, musical items were rendered by Misses Manners and Messrs H Crapp, Harry Manners and Mr.  Manners, sen.   Mr. T. Cook, vice-president, who made the  presentation, eulogised the good qualities of  the guests.  In responding the recipients expressed their appreciation of the kindness shown to them, and said they hoped to give a good account of themselves. It is gratifying to know that sixteen members of the club have joined the expeditionary forces, and several of them were now in the fighting line against the Turks.

ST. THOMAS' HARRIERS. (1915, June 17). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 4 (Morning). Retrieved October 27, 2016, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74589133

ST. THOMAS HARRIERS:

The members of St. Thomas Harriers met at Mr. Cook's residence, Ardmillan road, Moonee Ponds, on Saturday evening, to say au revoir to Messrs. H. McNeil, L. Porter and R. Terry, who are leaving for the front. Mr. R. Terry, who is in camp at Castlemaine, was unable to attend. During the evening, musical items were rendered by Misses Manners and Barker and Messrs. R. McTaggart and Missen. Mr. T. Cook, vice-president, who made the presentations, eulogised the good qualities of the guests. In responding, the recipients expressed their appreciation of the kindness shown to them, and said they hoped to give a good account of themselves. It is pleasing to know that 28 members of the club have joined the expeditionary forces, and several of them are now in the fighting line against the Turks. Several of the members have already shown great bravery against the enemy, especially Harold Barker, the late treasurer of the club, who has gained the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and has been promoted to the position of Lieutenant for his gallantry. Corporal Harry Manners has been on the sick list, but he hopes to be back in the fighting line shortly. So far, the only member who has been killed is Noel Wheatley, which is very much regretted by the club. The members desire to thank Mr. Fricke for the assistance he has been to the club.

ST. THOMAS HARRIERS. (1915, November 11). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 5 Edition: Morning.. Retrieved January 18, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74590798

St Thomas' Parish Magazine January 1916.

ST THOMAS' HARRIERS
A Roll of Honor has been prepared  by one of the members, and is at present on exhibition in the window of Mr Fricke's stationery shop, Puckle Street.  It is proposed to present it to the Vestry, with a request that it be hung in the Sunday School.

The following is a description of a dugout, given by a lieutenant, which may be interesting to readers of the "Parish magazine";  "My dugout, which is, by the way, a little larger than most others in the battalion, is dug under the ground about eight feet, with a mound of loose earth, about two feet high, and all around it, except at the doorway, which is a passage about ten feet long and two feet wide.  My mansion has an iron roof on it, with a foot of earth on top.  It is about nine feet long and seven feet broad, with two beds in it.  The beds consist of the ground covered by a couple of waterproof sheets.  The floor is dug in the middle of the dugout, about 18 inches deeper than the beds.  So that you see I can sit on the bed with my feet on the floor, and be quite comfortable". - By one of St Thomas' Harriers.

It is very gratifying to know that 28 members of St Thomas' Harriers have joined the Expeditionary Forces to fight for their King and country, several of them have already distinguished themselves in the firing line.  One, especially has done well, namely Harold A Barker, an old Sunday School scholar, who has been promoted to the position of first lieutenant, and also gaining the distinguished conduct medal for bravery. 

The following is an extract from his last letter:  "We made up a party of St Thomas' Harriers, and went for a stroll - the first official ramble - during which we read this year's syllabus - fancy that! - and Pen Gatliff* produced a St Thomas' badge, which had been right through the scrap.  I forgot to mention the names of the members - Lieutenant Bowlett-Harris (sic), Pen Gatliff, Harry Manners, Stanley Bowman and self.  I took a snap of the party, and hope to get it developed some day.  Harold Prunty is in England, and is, I hear, convalescent, and on the right road to a speedy and thorough recovery.  I met Leslie Fynmore in Egypt, and he looked very well and said he was having a good time.  At present he is at the front.  Stanley Bowman is doing well, and is a corporal."  A post card was received from Corporal Manners by the last mail, in which he says that he is well.**

* 784 Pte Michael Penrose Gatliffe, aged 19, salesman, of 26 Riversdale Rd, Camberwell.

**  This was originally published in the Essendon Gazette, 2 Dec 1915, page 3

AU REVOIR ST. THOMAS' HARRIERS.

The members of St. Thomas' harriers met at Mr. Rider's residence, Tennyson street, Essendon, on Monday evening, to say au revoir to Mr. H. Crapp, who is leaving for the front. During the evening, musical items were rendered by Misses Barker and Rider and Messrs. E. Glanfield, H. Crapp and G. Small. Mr. T. Cook. vice-president, who made the presentation, eulogised the good qualities of the guest. In responding, the recipient expressed his appreciation of the kindness, to him and said he hoped to give a good account of himself. It is pleasing to know that over 30 members of the club have joined the expeditionary forces and several of them have already shown great bravery against the enemy. Amongst those who have earned distinction are: Harold A. Barker, lieutenant and distinguished conduct medal; J. Bowtell-Harris, Lieutenant; Sam Bowman (sic), lieutenant; and R. Ransom, corporal; all belonging to the famous 7th Battalion. Private Harry Manners, who has again been laid aside through sickness, is now convalescent, and hopes to be back in the fighting line shortly. The club desires to express its appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. Rider for their kindness in allowing the function to take place at their home.

AU REVOIR. (1916, May 18). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter, p. 1 Edition: Morning.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74592991

About 50 members and friends of St. Thomas' harriers assembled at Mr. Barker's residence, Waratah street, Ascot Vale, on Saturday evening, to say au revoir to Mr. Cecil Secombe, who is leaving for the front. Mr. T. Cook, vice-president, in making the presentation, eulogised the good qualities of the guest for the work he had done for the club since its inception. In responding, the recipient thanked the members for their kindness to him, and expressed the hope that he would be able to give a good account of him self. During the evening, two of our returned wounded boys, Ellis' Stones and Ernie Morse, attended, and were accorded a warm welcome and good wishes for their speedy recovery. Musical items and recitations were rendered by several of the members and friends, and altogether a very enjoyable evening was spent, everybody feeling they were greatly indebted to Mr. and Mrs. Barker for allowing the function to take place at their home, and also for supplying refreshments. The company, before leaving, sang Auld Lang Syne, giving three hearty cheers for Mr. and Mrs. Barker and family.

DEATH OF LIEUT. KEITH RAMSAY. (1916, May 25). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 5 Edition: Morning.. Retrieved January 30, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74593058

PRESENTATION

The members and friends of St. Thomas Harriers assembled at Mr. Smail's residence, Ormond road, Ascot Vale, on Monday evening, 24th July, to say au revoir to his son, George, who is leaving for the front. Mr. T. Cook, vice-president, in making the presentation, eulogised the good qualities of the guest. In responding, the recipient thanked the members for their kindness to him, and expressed the hope that he would be able to give a good account of himself. It is pleasing to know that 30 members of the club have joined the expeditionary forces, and several have already distinguished themselves in the fighting line. During the evening, musical items were rendered by the members and their friends, and altogether, a very enjoyable time was spent, everybody feeling greatly indebted to Mr. and Mrs. Smail for allowing the function to take place at their home, and also for supplying refreshments. The company, before leaving, sang Auld Lang Syne, giving three hearty cheers for Mr. and Mrs. Smail.

The roll of honour, which is to be hung up in the Sunday school, will be unveiled by Rev. Canon W. Hancock, M.A., on Saturday afternoon, 12th August, at 3.30 p.m., at which the parents and friends of the boys, who have given their services for King and Country, are earnestly requested to be present.

PRESENTATION. (1916, August 3). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 1 Edition: Morning. Retrieved February 4, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74593619

H. W. Clapp (sic) (St. Thomas' Harriers), writing from Larkhill Camp, in England, reported "all well," and that he had recently met a clubmate in J. Knight* and another well-known Victorian runner in Harold Pruntz [sic - should be Prunty] (Essendon).

ATHLETICS. (1916, December 2). Weekly Times (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 23. Retrieved January 17, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132718331

* Possibly Knight J V Pte 1161, a member of St Thomas' Church.

ATHLETES    

"Am afraid most of us will be has beens when we get back." This remark (writes Mr A. S. Howcroft), made in the  sporting sense of the phrase, is frequently given expression to by athletes in letters from the firing line. Time alone will show whether this proves to be the case or not, but as the great majority of soldiers are living under strenuous physical conditions, it may quite conceivably turn out that they are all the time much nearer the high standard of fitness that competition demands than their lengthy absence from the running track might lead them to believe.

In a letter dated January to to Mr T. Cook, Harry Manners, the well-known St. Thomas' harrier, used the phrase under mention, but promises hearty support for all club affairs. Manners continues:— "I can report all well with the boys I have seen lately — Harry Fynmore, Rupert Terry, Pen. Gatliff, Harry M'Neill,  Lieutenant Stan Bowman, and Captain Bowtell-Harris. All are 'in the pink.' Barker is in England. I met Paul Jacobsohn a week or so ago, also J. M. Stuart, of the Essendon Harriers. R. Ransom returned from furlough in England last week. It has been raining almost every day lately, and I can't see where the Sunny France part comes in at all."