by Sheila Byard

There is a plaque in the foyer of the Kensington State School placed on the new shelter sheds at the school in 1923 paying tribute to Mrs Thaw for fund raising during World War One. She had been official Correspondent for school during World War 1 in relation to war work and fund raising for army benefits. 

An enthusiastic, public demonstration was held on  Saturday evening in the Town Hall, Kensington, for the purpose of forming a branch of the Red  Cross Society in the district. Councillor C Davidson occupied the chair. A musical programme was given. A strong committee was elected, and addresses were delivered by the Revs Stirling (Presbyterian), Mudford (Church of Christ), Bottoms (Methodist), Wade (Church of England), and "Adjutant" Elliott (Salvation Army). The Vice-regal Brass Band headed a torchlight procession with the Essendon Bugle Band, and a grand procession of  scouts and Senior Cadets marched through the principal streets. Councillor Davidson was elected president and Mrs Thaw and Mr Dalglish, hon secretaries. Mr Best, of Arnold, Best and Co, conducted a sale by auction of goods, and realised the sum of £21.

The Argus,  Monday 9 August 1915

Mrs Thaw who died on Dec 12, 1921, was the wife of William Thaw, book-keeper, and mother of  1001 Corporal  Arnee Jack Thaw of 57 Gower Street, Kensington. From a review of his NAA file it can be determined that Arnee Jack Thaw had been in the Senior Cadets for two years before enlisting, holding the rank of a Lieutenant. In Gallipoli he was wounded in the right knee at Cape Helles May 8, 1915, and later suffered a gun shot wound to the nose and mouth. He was in hospital in Malta and Mudros before proceeding to France. He transferred from 6th Infantry Battalion to the 58th Infantry Battalion. He was promoted rapidly to Corporal, then Lance Corporal, reaching WO II Company Sergeant Major within a year of leaving Australia. He returned to Melbourne in January 1919.

Thaw had insurance cover through the Australian Natives Association, and obtained a certificate as the days on which he had been hospitalised from the Army in 1919 with a view to making a claim upon the lodge for sickness benefit. By 1923 army records show that his address was 26 Beaver Street, Essendon.  He became president of the Aberfeldie Progress Association, and was active in local organizations including ex-service, sporting, theatrical and Masonic activities.

He became General Manager of the AUSTRALIAN MONT DE PIETE LOAN AND DEPOSIT COMPANY LIMITED, 330 Little Collins street, Melbourne, and Vice President of the Victorian Financiers Association. He gave evidence at a commission of inquiry into alleged bribery in relation to the Money Lenders Bill in December 1939.  In 1946 A. J. Thaw was living with his family at 1 Hillsyde pde, Strathmore.

The Argus, Saturday 7 December 1946

Essendon Gazette 8 July 1915

Letter sent to Mr. Thaw, Kensington,
from his son, Corporal Arnee Thaw, serving at the front;
Neating Malta,
17th May, 1915.

I am alive and kicking (kicking with one leg at present. Long before this, you have read of the doing of our boys at Gallipoli, and you will hear a good bit more before we are finished. Though we  say it ourselves, landing was a great achievement, and we are all proud of it. One has to view the place where we landed to realise the job we had in  hand. The "Tommies" have nicknamed us "The White Ghurkas." It is certainly a compliment to our gamenense. We have all seen and experienced things that we will never forget, especially on my first and last day in action. I had an experience the day after we landed, which I will not forget in a hurry. Our brigade made an attack on a ridge  about two miles from our position, but, owing to the odds against us being too strong, we had to retire for a short distance. In tearing down a hill, I had a nasty fall over at log, and was paralysed for the time being. It was pretty awkward, for our boys were retiring, and the Turks were advancing. I crawled into an old trench of theirs, and awaited events. They went right over the top of me, and when I came to light, l found myself in between their firing line and artillery. I squirmed through the undergrowth, to their left flank I could get no further, as they were too thick, so l got into a bush about 5 p.m. and could not move a muscle until 3.30 am next morning. I can tell you it was a strain on my nerves. 10½ hours in a bush, with them running all round and even getting down against the bush where I was hidden. I waited until the moon got down; then the big guns began to boom, when I took a  mad leap out of the bush and across two hundred yards of open space, with rifles cracking after me; then up the hill on the other side, with the bullets still whining round my head. But my troubles were not over then, for when I got over the rise and was thanking my lucky stars that I had escaped, crack went a rifle right at my elbow (in a bush was one of the snipers). The bullet just grazed my neck. I swung round, put my rifle right into the bush and pulled. That sniper will not trouble the boys any more. In one way, I hope they drop us at Malta, for the sooner I get back with  the boys the better I will like it, for the shot and shell has a great attraction for some, when once they have been under it.

Lines composed and written by the above soldier when lying on his back in hospital at Malta.

The Argus  Friday 9 July 1915

SOLDIERS' LETTERS. 

IN THE ENEMY'S LINES. 

ENCOUNTER WITH SNIPER. 

Corporal A J Thaw, of the 6th Battalion , formerly a clerk in the office of Henry Berry and Company Proprietary Limited, 16 of whose employees are in the Expeditionary Force, has sent an account of an exciting adventure which befell him in the fighting at the Dardanelles He writes -

"Though wounded I am doing well, and hope to be back in the trenches before long. I was hit on the knee with a shrapnel shell, and it caused synovitis. You should have seen me when I came off the field.  I had not had a shave or a wash for 18 days, out of which I had been in the thick of the fighting for 14. I am sure I would have created a good impression on the girls.

"I had a nasty experience the day after we landed. Our brigade made an attack on a hill about a mile from our position but ran up against extra heavy odds, and had to retire a short distance to a better position from which to return fire. In running down a hill I came a cropper over a log, and was sort of paralysed for the time being. Things were desperate, I can tell you. The enemy was overtaking me, so I crawled into an old trench, and waited events. When I came out, I found the enemy had advanced past me, and I was in between then firing line and artillery in, among their supports and reserves. I squirmed along through the undergrowth to their left flank (about three quarters of a mile), hoping to get round, but found they were too thick so had to hide in a bush. I got into the bush at 5pm Monday, and could not move a limb until 3.10 am Tuesday (when the moon went down).

“The beggars were all around me thick, even sitting up against the bush. Anyhow, I kept my head fortunately for myself, and when the moon went right down waited for one of the big guns to boom and then I made a mad leap out of the bush, and went hell for leather across an open space of about 200 yards and up the hill, with the crowd of them potting at me, and the bullets whistling round my ears like bees round a beehive I got over the top with out being hit and was just thanking my lucky stars, when 'ping' went a rifle in a bush right at my elbow (a sniper). The bullet just grazed my neck, and I swung round jammed my rifle into the bush, and pulled. That sniper won't be any more trouble. I will never forget that 16 hours in that bush if I live to be a hundred”.

Essendon Gazette 14 Oct 1915

OUR SOLDIERS

Letter written by Lance-Corporal A. J. Thaw to his parents at Kensington:

Gallipoli, 12/8/15.

From the above address you will notice that I am back in the old spot dodging the bullets, bombs and shells. I find "the boys" cheerful and confident, and though we have been through some tough and fierce encounters, we have never flinched, and don't intend to. Things have been pretty lively lately, and the Turks have been getting some "hurry up." They are perfect pests. In the middle of the last paragraph, a shell burst overhead and knocked a slice of parapet on top of me, so I had to knock off writing and straighten things up a bit. The flies over here are something terrible. I really do not know which are the bigger pests, they or the Turks. Certainly the latter give you a spell occasionally, but the former very seldom. Fancy poor old Stan Goulding killed. I was so very sorry to read of his death. At last, I have succeeded in getting news of poor old Jock Angus, and the news came as a great blow. A corporal of his company told me yesterday that he was shot through the head just after he had landed on the first day. The same corporal told me poor old George Greig was killed the same night that I was wounded, and I read in the papers of Monty (Les) Williamson's death. Well, it is very sad for all, and their people will be naturally very cut up at first, but afterwards can be consoled with the fact that their boys could not have died a nobler death than that of fighting for freedom and righteousness against an unscrupulous foe, who, if victorious, would be a menace to woman and mankind.

I have received a letter from Rob. Hunter. He tells me Dave is coming away. Fred. Glide and Jim McCallum also are coming over, I hear. Good luck to them all, the more the merrier; they will find it not too bad at times, though it is "pretty willing" at times also. The second morning I was in the trenches, I was standing talking to Alick Caldwell*, and five others, when "a big fellow" burst above, and buried us. It killed one, three were sent away with shock, poor old Alick got his left leg smashed, and unfortunately may have to lose his leg. Thanks for the bunch of wattle blossom. It is strung up out side my "dug-out," and is admired by everybody who sees it. We are very short of writing paper, and as soon as I can catch some, will write to everyone. Please give my kindest regards to all up at the old school. Tell them as soon as I am able I will send them a line; want of paper and lack of opportunity prevent me at the present time.

I received the little war stamp photo. of E-- all right; it is placed beside M-- in my pocket book-two of the best girls in the world. I also received a large box of cigarettes from England, which the boys and myself highly appreciated. Give my kindest regards to any of the boys you run across, and as news is "mafeesh," I must draw to a close. P.S.--Cheer up; "the boys" will come on top in the end.

OUR SOLDIERS. (1915, October 14). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 4 Edition: Morning. Retrieved January 16, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74590395

*  Probably 917 Alexander Frederick Caldwell, 6 Inf Bn of Nathalia

The Argus Thursday 16 December 1915

CHEERFUL SOLDIER.
Makes Light of Wounds.
"Merry England:"

Few more interesting letters from Gallipoli heroes has been received, and certainly none more cheerful in tone, than the one appended. The writer is Corporal J Heany, and the letter was received by Mr W Thaw, Kensington. The writer's breezy recital of the fighting and of the manner of his wounding, will be appreciated, and it is particularly interesting to read the Australian's impressions of England and the
English. The letter is as follows:

New End Military Hospital,  Hampstead, London, October 10 [1916]

"I wanted to be in a position to tell you just how Jack was when I did write. Unfortunately I lost trace of good old Jack on May 8 and have not succeeded in finding out anything of him since. I have asked every man I've met from his company, but they each and all appear to be just as anxious as myself about Jack. No doubt you know more than I do. I sincerely trust that he is all right. The last I saw of him was when we were preparing to enter into the very hottest job we struck on the Peninsula. You may have heard how our old brigadier volunteered to take us (2nd Infantry Brigade) down to Cape Hellas to block 20,000 Turks, who were marching on a thin line of "Tommies" down there. We quietly slipped away from Anzac Cove about midnight per fleet sweepers, arriving at Cape Hellas about daylight next morning. After a spell in rest camp for a few hours we did a break in artillery formation (one of the most beautiful bits of infantry work done on the peninsula).  Several of the old heads in the Imperial army were astounded. They said that after that they were prepared to give the lie direct to any fool who opined that the Australian soldier lacked discipline or the  Australian officers lacked tact or organisation ability.

Our boys moved like solid blocks working on underground cables. In that order we reached our temporary base - a creek bed - and dug in. Just as we had finished digging in the enemy got our position and range, owing to their faultless methods of observation. Their first shell blew the head off one and wounded three or four of our bonny boys. The Brigadier immediately decided to deploy and "get into holts" with the invisable Abdul. As we commenced to move out we were met by a shower of machine-gun and rifle fire that was the more bewildering since we could not see whence it came, and we knew that the thin line of Tommies were located somewhere in juxta position. The shower of  lead was so thick that some of the boys in front became inclined to give it a chance to blow over. The officers in the rear got impatient, and began saying some things! I happened to have my section well in hand, and close behind the front company. I asked the boys to follow me and shove through that block. They sprang to it like the true Australian men they were. Just then I heard some one call  out my name, wishing me good luck. I looked back and saw Jack with his section, following up at the double. Well, we got out and deployed on the bank and commenced to advance in rushes of about 100 yards at a time. 

The lead was awful. The boys were falling like a.... being mown down. I don't know what the total cost of that advance was. Our battalion went into it 750 strong, and arrived at a position about 1,000 yards past the  Tommies' trench 340 strong. The job was done - overdone, in fact - but it is just one of the many things that happen in war of which one cannot help. I have never seen or heard of Jack since he wished me good luck that day. I do hope he is safe and sound somewhere.

We returned to Anzac as soon as "Tommy" reinforcements arrived to take over the firing line we had established at such a cost. Our strength was too weak to take our turn in the trenches for a week or so. We were employed at road-making gun hauling &c, in the meantime. Our losses while at that work were just as heavy as if we had been in the firing line. There was no protection from shot or shell - even in our dugouts we were blown to pieces. Eventually we were reinforced a little, and took our turn in the firing line just in turn to receive a warm welcome from a Goeben 11.2in. high explosive gun. The Abduls had fixed it up in a splendid position to enfilade our trenches. It was their rule to call us at 6 am with a shower of ....in., and say good night about 6 pm. with another shower. Those shells blew our trenches to the four winds. Each shell buried a bunch of fine fellows Sometimes we managed to dig a few out alive. If they were not buried they were smashed up. I had about 14 days of that. Then I was .... to stop the progress of one of the 11.2's while it was angry. There were ....23  of us in a sap. I was issuing the midday biscuits and "bully beef" to my sap sentry squad when Mr 11.2 came in our front door which was only about five yards from where I stood. I remember it said "thud" in a very loud voice.

When I woke up I was sitting on my own neck, with my feet nicely folded on my chest. and a good mouthful of shell and grit. There were only two of the others left. I got the other two out and then discovered that my left leg, was playing fountains. The good red gore was spouting out through puttees and pants in two places. I managed to reach the dressing station about a dozen strides behind the trench then I went to by-by again. The only trouble was that my left left calf was blown away and a new sap was opened up above the left knee. I have been nearly 13 weeks growing a new calf and finding enough filling to satisfy the other sap. About 12 weeks in bed. I am fooling round on sticks a bit now and after a few more weeks in hospital  and a fortnight's furlough, which I hope to spend in Scotland and Ireland, I shall be fit to renew the argument with Abdul or some of that ilk.

The greatest honour that can fall upon any man nowadays is to be allowed to fight beside the peerless Australians.They are just splendid. Their courage and dash and fortitude are qualities that are incomparable. I have yet to meet the Australian who will grumble about his wounds. He might growl like fury about his food supply but never forgets himself so far as to let his wounds bother him. Death is apparently nothing compared with having to stand up to words of  praise from a high official. I saw hundreds of our lads pass out, and never saw the sign of a cloud on their faces. They just keep on smiling to the last. Their splendid pride and courage seem to remain imprinted upon their faces even after death. One almost imagines the proud though cold lips saying, "I did all that was possible, and if my death has been part of the price of the good win the boys are sure to have, I'm delighted to die".

I've seen enough of merry England to make me want a lot more. What a picture the good old place is. Worth fighting a lifetime for. Everything is so solid and so wholesome to the eye. The people are a surprise packet, too. I had always a sort of idea that England was populated by a useless class of rich or non-producing folk who trampled a few poor folk under their feet. I find the upper class - whether rich or only supposed to be rich - are not anything of the kind. They certainly live on the best that money or credit can procure, but they are brimful of the milk of human kindness. They have risen to the occasion since the war commenced in a manner that must astound the upper crust of other nations".

 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1586063

Corporal John Heaney, no 91, 6th Inf Bn was wounded on Gallipoli on 14 July 1915, with a shrapnel wound to the left thigh and left leg.  He was later transferred to a hospital at Hampstead. Heaney was a 36 year old accountant, living in East Melbourne at the time of his enlistment, but previously of Bendigo.

Jack Thaw's service record shows that he was wounded on 8 May 1915 and evacuated to a hospital in Malta.

"WIN THE WAR"  

One of the prettiest features of the "Win the War" procession was a large motor van kindly lent by Mr. Cox, of Kensington, to Mrs. Thaw, who organised a party of two dozen children (each one having a representative at the front), who sang recruiting choruses on the march. Each child had a basket of tiny bouquets, with a little slip tied on with the regimental colours of the unit to which his or her relative was attached, and bearing the following words: "Have you done your duty?" and' "Will you fight for us little ones?" These they threw out to all the eligible men they saw in passing along.

The van was prettily decorated, having a huge canopy on top, bearing the flags of all nations, and the children represented "England and her Allies," Miss Jean Mcllroy taking the part of England, with Ireland, Scotland, France, Russia, and Belgium in front. Miss Cecil Thaw,  with six little girls dressed in white, with wattle blooms, represented "Australia" at the back of the van. At the sides of the van the children stood and sang the choruses, each child representing one of "the Allies," and throwing out bunches of flowers as they passed along.

Just as they passed Parliament House, a tiny tot of three years old sang "Your King and Country Need You," and received a round of applause from all those standing there. As the van neared the stand of motor cars occupied by the returned wounded soldiers, two boys dressed in khaki jumped off the van and presented boxes of cigarettes and tiny bunches of flowers tied on with red and purple colours, to some of the men, from the children who have "done their little bit" ever since the war started.

"WIN THE WAR". (1917, March 1). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 6 Edition: Morning.. Retrieved May 3, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74601821

Flemington-Kensington Church News, February 1917

Sergt-Major Arnee J Thaw, 58th Batt, was with 6th Batt at the Gallipoli landing, wounded at Cape Helles, has seen service in the West.  He has had many miraculous escapes; once out of a group of five men he alone escaped when a shell burst.  His friend and our friend Lieut George Watson* died in his arms when struck by a splinter of shell in a trench.  Not long ago Arnee had eight days leave in England, and shortly after his return to the front he was blown up by a shell and is now in a hospital in France.

*Lieut George Watson of the 58 Inf Bn,  was born in Kensington, Victoria.  He was a jeweller of Brighton Beach, aged 20 at the time of his death in August 1916.

The Argus Monday 10 August 1925

RAILWAY TO BULLA. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS.

Sir,—In your issue of to-day appears a   letter over the signature of Mr. C.H. Nelson, criticising the evidence regarding the railway to Bulla, given by the residents of the districts concerned, before the Railways Standing Committee. I would esteem it a favour if you would grant me space to repudiate some of the suggestions  and insinuations made by your correspondent.

In the first place, he suggests that the evidence was inspired by a small section of the farming community at Keilor.  There is not the slightest foundation for such an insinuation. As a fact, the evidence submitted was based on a report compiled by the City of Essendon Progress Association Railway League, which body has the support of members of both Houses of Parliament, the city and shire councils, progress associations, political organisations,  and practically all public bodies in the whole of the vast district extending from the southern boundary of Essendon as far north as Craigieburn. The report referred  to was submitted as evidence, and was of an extensive nature covering the whole route from Newmarket to Bulla, via Keilor, and, in advocating that route, vested interests were absolutely disregarded, the only consideration being the route, which, in the opinion of the league, would best serve the district.

Secondly, he states that the opposition was stifled, and the debate closed prematurely. These are not the methods employed either by the Railways Standing Committee or by the residents of this district. After the appointed speakers had finished an opportunity was given by the chairman for anyone present to speak for or against the proposal. Where was the strong opposition to which your correspondent refers? It was significantly silent, for the very reason that it was non-existent, with the exception of Mr. Nelson, who was evidently the sole occupant of the opposition benches. Why he did not speak is best known to himself, but possibly he realised that his vocation might have depreciated the value of the evidence which he was evidently so keen to submit. In conclusion, the very fact that your correspondent attempts at this juncture to raise an imaginary opposition, and precipitates a battle of the routes, is indicative of the fact that the welfare of this district is not his first consideration.—Yours, &c.,

A J THAW

Chairman, Railway League

The Argus Wednesday 26 April 1939

PILGRIMAGE HELD
The fourth pilgrimage to the 58th Battallon (AIF) memorial standing in the grounds of the drill hall of the 58th Battalion (AMF) Pascoe Vale road, Moonee Ponds was held yesterday morning. About 100 former members of the old war battalion were present. They formed up in front of the drill hall and marched to the tune 'Tipperary' played by the militia band to take their places round the memorial.  The service was conducted by Pastor A.G.E. Smith.

Among those present were the president of the 58th Battalion (AIF) Association (Mr N. J. Israel); Mr A. J. Thaw, a member of the old battalion, who was the speaker; the Mayor of Essendon (Councillor R. J. Gilbertson); the town clerk (Lieut Colonel N. Wellington), who relinquished the command of the 58th Battalion (A M F) recently; the present commanding officer (Lieut Colonel W. G. Cannon); and Lieutenant H. O. White, MLA.