R. B. Cracknell, a native of 117 Vine street, Moonee Ponds, and a son of Mr. Frederick Cracknell, of the same address. The young soldier, who is employed by Messrs. Belyea and Dunnon, of Colac, was presented by the employees of the firm with a wristlet wratch. Mr. Cracknell has been for some years a member of the Naval Reserve.

WITH THE COLOURS. (1915, July 8). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter, p. 6 Edition: Morning.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74589361

Mrs. F. Cracknell, of Vine street, Moonee Ponds, has received, long letter from Egypt, from her son, Corporal R. B. W. Cracknell, from which the following extracts have been taken:-

6/3/16.

Dear Ones at Home,-

On 1st March I visited the Pyramids and Sphinx and all the other historic spots in vicinity of pyramids. Last Monday, a week ago to-day, we were inspected by General Birdwood, who commanded the Australians at Gallipoli and now is in command of all the Australians in Egypt.

A cigarette card of General Birdwood.

My word, he is a fine looking chap, and his very appearance impresses one. He is not a very big man, but what he lacks in size is made up in ability. He came round and inspected every man, and had a chat to many of us. He was very pleased to have so many naval men under his command, and talked to quite a number about their former naval experience. He was delighted with the whole turn-out, as evidenced by the fact that he gave us a half-holiday. Don't be surprised if in the near future letters cease to come, as there is a likelihood of letter-writing having to cease among the troops for certain reasons. Most likely we will only write cards. In any case you will get news of some sort.

Last week I saw big "Doolie" Dobson, Alf. Fitzgerald, and quite a number of Colac chaps I   know. I also met "Frosty" Lancaster from Moonee Ponds, and while in Cairo on Wednesday last, I met "Foger" Exell and his brother Bill,  with whom I went to school. Both are in the Light Horse.

My chum and I left camp about 7 o'clock on Wednesday morning for Cairo, and arrived about 9.40 o'clock. The railway runs through miles and miles of beautifully green country some of the most fertile country in the world; all irrigated, too. There is a regular network of irrigation channels here. All the land appears to be fertilised by that means. I am told that they get three crops a year off the land here. It would do your eyes good to see some of the crops. The clover grows very high and likewise the grain crops. They have the most primitive ways of pumping and forcing the water on to the land. The most common method is with the oxen walking round and round a ring, and raising the water. Another way very common is to have an affair erected like a pair of scales. On one end a heavy weight is fixed, on the other end a bucket. They lower the bucket into the irrigation channels and fill it. Then let the weight at the other end pull the full bucket up when it is emptied into the water race, and is led to whatever part of the garden or crop it is wanted. There are other methods--some very funny--but I shall have to leave them.

We had something to eat in Cairo, and then took the tram to pyramids. It is about an hour's ride in electric car, and only costs about 2½id (1 piastre) in English money. Arrived at pyramids about midday. Got a guide and went inside the first and biggest one, called Cheops. You have to take off your boots outside. The guide goes ahead with a candle as it is pitch dark in side. The passages along which you go are very low and narrow, and you have to crouch down with bent back all the time. The native guide is talking nearly all the time, but you don't need to take much notice of him. The stone work inside the pyramids is simply marvellous. You should see the lovely polished granite and marble. There are huge pieces, and how they were put into position is, perhaps, as great a problem as the pyramids are hundreds of feet high. They must have been wonderful builders, too, as the joints are very difficult to find, and yet no mortar of any kind has been used. Not even a thin knife could be pushed into the joints. The workmanship inside is faultless. These huge pieces of rock are all perfectly shaped corners, all exact squares. Nearly all stones appear to be inter locked. It doesn't matter what kind of stone there is, the guide says lime stone. I think that is all he has ever heard of. We went down and down along this passage, and at last came to a chamber known as the Queen's Chamber. The guide had some lime lights with him, and lit up to give us a good look. This chamber is about the size of an ordinary washhouse, and the mummy of the Queen was found here. From there we struck off along another narrow passage, and after a lot more crouching and climbing, we go to the King's Chamber, about half way up the inside of the pyramid. Another limelight was lit, and we had a good look. This chamber is very much bigger than the Queen's, and the remains of the huge stone coffin are there. One could not help thinking what wonderful people lived in the past ages. That is all to be seen inside. I wasn't sorry to get out, as it is very hot inside, and the place is anything but clean. Right in side,where the limelight was lit, we saw. bats flying about. We then went are ancient underground ruins. Great polished granite pillars and overhead construction. Everywhere round about ancient ruins of all sorts are to be seen.

After a good look round, we went and had some refreshments, and then took the train for the Zoological gardens. It is a fine Zoo, too. You should see all the giraffes, with several young ones too, I saw the kangaroos given, by the Australian Light Horse. Plenty of other Australian native game there, too. I saw a litter of lion cubs. They were just like little puppies. Only cost half a piastre to go into the Zoo. Got back into Cairo m time for tea. Went to Y.M.C.A., in Esbekia Gardens, and there were Australian ladies waiting on the soldiers. We had tomatoes and also fish sandwiches. I tell you they were real good, and just like home-made ones that I have been used to. Caught the train back from Cairo at quarter past 7 and arrived in camp about three hours later. It was a good day's outing, and one to be long remembered. We have been doing a lot of trench digging of late out on the desert. My word, it has been hot, too; the hottest weather we have yet had. Every day is hot now, and the nights, too, are occasionally beyond a joke.

OUR SOLDIERS. (1916, May 4). 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-article74592817

CASUALTIES

News was received on Saturday by Mr. F. Cracknell, of 117 Vine street, Moonee Ponds, that his third son, Lance-Sergeant Ralph Bertram Webb Cracknell, was killed in action in France on 20th July. The deceased left Victoria for the front some eight or nine months ago, and saw service in Egypt for six months before going to France. He was only 24 years of age, being born at 117 Vine street, and educated at the Ascot Vale State school. He occupied an important position with Mr. Dunnon, tailor, of Colac, and threw this up to help his country. He was a prominent member of the Colac branch of the A.N.A., and belonged to the local rifle club. The deceased was engaged to be married to Miss Olive Williams, of Colac, when he met his untimely end.

ROLL OF HONOR. (1916, August 17). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 5 Edition: Morning.. Retrieved February 4, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74593757

DUTY NOBLY DONE.

The following relates to the manner in which L.-Sgt. Bert. Cracknell, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Cracknell, of Moonee Ponds, met his death:

In the Field, France,

23/7/16.

Dear Mr and Mrs. Cracknell, On the 19th July our Battalion went into action, and it is with deepest sorrow that I have to inform you that, during the course of the engagement, your son (No. 1025) L.-Sgt. Ralph Bertram Webb Cracknell, met with his death. We had a most difficult task, that of connecting our own trench to the German trench by means of a sap, and while leading his section out to commence this work, bravely and cheerfully, amid a tornado of shell and machine gun fire your son fell fighting for the glorious cause-for country and for the right. Bert's death was instantaneous; he was hit on the head. He was a cheerful and willing worker, and one of the cleanest living men I ever knew, and may he be rewarded for that in the hereafter. We all join in your sorrow, and may God rest his soul.

Believe me,

yours sincerely,

SGT. E. H. RICHARDSON*

(Acting for Platoon Commander).

DUTY NOBLY DONE. (1916, October 19). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 3 Edition: Morning. Retrieved March 4, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74594467

*1029 Cpl Edward Henry Richardson, aged 22, school teacher from Northcote, embarked on the Beltana with Bert Cracknell.