People of East Melbourne

This is a list of biographies of residents of East Melbourne.

This project started to commemorate the soldiers and nurses who went to Europe to serve in World War 1. But it has grown from there to cover biographies of any and all residents of note.

Along with many of their fellow Australians people from East Melbourne flocked to enlist. Many were heroes. Many lost their lives or suffered horrific physical or mental injuries. At home family and friends worked, endured and suffered consequences that were sometimes terrible and persisted long after the war.

Major-General Michael O'Brien gave us a starting point with a list of East Melbourne people who served in WW1. He spoke to the Society in April 2013 to give us some context to the period and to help the EMHS prepare for its own commemorations of this most devastating period in our history.

Everyone can participate by gathering or documenting information:

  • Photos, memorabilia and family records
  • Stories in books, newspapers and on-line
  • Memorial plaques in churches and public places
  • War memorial, church, national and state archives

You can refine the list by applying the various filter criteria and go to a particular detailed biography by click on the title.

BLACK, Herbert

Date of birth: 
1888
Biographical notes: 

Herbert Black was an architect and a widower when he enlisted on 19 February, 1917.

  • 2374 reads

BLAIR, William Allison

Date of birth: 
1889
Biographical notes: 

William Allison Blair as a Stock and Station Agent, aged 27 when he enlisted on 27 July, 1916.

  • 2905 reads

BLATCHFORD, Herbert Albert

Date of birth: 
1894
Biographical notes: 

Herbert Albert Blatchford had no real connection with East Melbourne, save that his sister, Clara Blatchford, lived at Clivedon Mansions, on the corner of Wellington Parade and Clarendon St, East M

Record Page with reference to desertion
  • 2717 reads

BLUNDELL, Madeline Patricia Petrie

Date of birth: 
1880
Biographical notes: 

Patricia Blundell was one of five surviving children (four daughters, one son) born to Martin Petrie Blundell and his wife Emily (nee Lineker) between 1871 and 1890.

Patricia Blundell (Table Talk 27.5.1915)
Madeline Blundell's sister, Beatrice Emily who married George Stoving 2 Feb 1914
SS Mooltan leaving Sydney 16 May 1915. Patrica Blundell on board.
Australian sisters outside their quarters on Lemnos late 1915
Australian sisters on Lemnos 1915
Australian sisters on board SS Mooltan May 1915
First contingent of Australian sisters arriving at Lemnos 1915
Australian sisters ready to leave Lemnos early 1916
Australian General Hospital on Lemnos October 1915
Patricia Blundell on a hospital train, Egypt, 1916 (Blundell Papers, SLV)
Patricia Blundell's medals (Blundell Papers, SLV)
  • 6696 reads

BODEN, Samuel

Date of birth: 
1887
Biographical notes: 

Samuel Boden was born in Birmingham, England, but had lived in both India and Ceylon before he came to Australia.

Bikenar Camel Corps 1915-16
Bikaner Camel Corps, 1915-16
  • 2573 reads

BOLTON, Francis Basil

Date of birth: 
1889
Biographical notes: 

Francis Bolton was the younger brother of Reginald Bolton, and like him, lived with his mother and younger brother, Tom, at 'Verona', corner of Clarendon and Gipps Sts., East Melbourne.He was educa

  • 2729 reads

BOLTON, Reginald Henry

Date of birth: 
1887
Biographical notes: 

Reginald Henry Bolton was a Company Manager, aged 29 and had been married to Doris (nee Fairland) for just over a year , when he enlisted on 3 November, 1916.

Reginald Bolton, first left, middle row, at Neuve Eglise, Belgium, 1918
  • 3544 reads

BONE, Kenric Clifton

Date of birth: 
1899
Biographical notes: 

Kenric and Ronald Bone were the twin sons of Ada and George Bone of 'Cotswold', 40 Berry St., East Melbourne.

  • 2364 reads

BONE, Ronald Merton

Date of birth: 
1889
Biographical notes: 

Ronald Merton Bone was probably an identical twin to Kenric Bone: both 5' 2 1/2" in height, with fair complexions, grey eyes and blond hair.

  • 2502 reads

BONNICK, John William

Date of birth: 
1895
Biographical notes: 

John William Bonnick was born in East Melbourne in December, 1895, the son of James William Bonnick and his wife, Georgina Jane (Ross).

  • 2373 reads

BORWICK, Henry Barton

Date of birth: 
1895
Biographical notes: 

Henry Barton Borwick was the younger brother of Thomas Faulkner Borwick.

  • 2874 reads

BORWICK, Thomas Faulkner

Date of birth: 
1890
Biographical notes: 

Thomas Faulkner Borwick was the elder brother of Henry Barton Borwick.

Thomas Faulkner Borwick
6th Bat. Company lunching in the Wilderness of Sin, Sinai Peninsular, Egypt
Three surviving officers of 6th Bat. Xmas Day 2015. Thomas Borwick centre.
Major Borwick on Lemnos
Engagement of Elsa De Ambrosis and Maj Thomas Borwick, Oct 9, 1916
Picnic at Bagnolo, Italy Oct 15, 1916
Thomas Borwick family album - record 1916-1917
Thomas Borwick family album - record 1917-1918
Wedding invitation - Thomas Borwick and Elsa De Ambrosis, 15 Oct 1918
Thomas Faulkner Borwick - AWM photo
Thomas Faulkner Borwick - Medals
Borwick family coat of arms
  • 4935 reads

BOWEN, Idris

Biographical notes: 

Idris Bowen, like his older brother, Enos, was a hairdresser, living in East Melbourne with his mother, Mary Elizabeth Bowen and his sister, Agnes.

  • 2426 reads

BOWEN, John James Enos

Biographical notes: 

John James Enis Bowen was born at Eaglehawk, Victoria, but enlisted at Port Hedland, Western Australia, where he was working as a hairdresser.

  • 2462 reads

BRADLEY, Duncan

Date of birth: 
1888
Biographical notes: 

Duncan was born at Wangaratta on the 15 November 1888. His full name is Raphael Duncan Bradley.

Rue Petillon Cemetery, France
Rue Petillon Cemetery
  • 2704 reads

BRAGG, Arthur Robert

Date of birth: 
1876
Biographical notes: 

From Susan Lawrence:

Arthur Robert BRAGG was the publican of the Central Hotel, Beaconsfield,Victoria.

Arthur Robert Bragg - 1915
Letter from Emily - 7 April 1918
Reply from Victoria Barracks - 26 April 1918
Emily Bragg, in centre, with her family
Memorial Scroll sent to Emily Bragg
Arthur Bragg's Medals
  • 5078 reads

BRAIN, Thomas William

Date of birth: 
1880
Biographical notes: 

Thomas William Brain originally trained as a bootmaker, but in 1914, with his wife Effie and mother, Maria Constance Brain, nee Murnane, was working as a hotel keeper in the Western District.

  • 2524 reads

BRAYSHAW, Albert

Date of birth: 
1896
Biographical notes: 

Albert enlisted in the AIF on the 17 June 1916. He was married to Ivy Violet. A small man 5'3'' tall and occupation  listed as Plasterer.

  • 2037 reads

BRIDE, Benjamin William

Date of birth: 
1875
Biographical notes: 

In 1915, when he enlisted on 27 July, 1915,  William Bride, as he signed himself, was forty years old, born in 1874.

  • 2495 reads

BRIESE, Arthur Oswald

Date of birth: 
1897
Biographical notes: 

Arthur Oswald Briese's story is an interesting one: he was the grandson of Johann Ludwig Briese, born in Posen, Prussia, who migrated to South Australia in 1855 as part of a group of German far

Arthur Oswald Bries as a child
Theodor Ernest (Edward) Briese & Pauline Anna Schmidt wedding photograph
  • 3037 reads

BROBERG, Carl Albert

Date of birth: 
1896
Biographical notes: 

Carl Albert Broberg was born in Richmond, Victoria on 2nd November to Carl Niels Johann Broberg and Eda Margaret Broberg (nee Frees).

  • 3036 reads

BROOKS, Chassie Winton

Date of birth: 
1884
Biographical notes: 

Chassie Winton Brooks was born in 1884 at Williamstown, Victoria. He was the brother of Constance Jessie Brooks.

Chassis Winton Brooks 1917
Edith Mary Rawlinson, wife of Chassie Brooks 1915
SS Leicestershire, returned to Melbourne ex UK, 9 December, 1918
  • 3371 reads

BROOKS, Constance Jessie

Date of birth: 
1888
Biographical notes: 

Constance Jessie Brooks (1888–1966), who served with the Australian Army Nursing Service in India from 1917 to 1919, was the daughter of Yates and Emma Brooks (nee Mullen).

Constance Brooks, Bombay 1918 (private collection)
Rawalpindi where Brooks was stationed in 1917 (AWM P00562.079)
Brooks in AANS uniform for India (private collection)
Constance Brooks (right), Sisters Club, Bombay 1917
Brooks (top right) on leave in Egypt c1918 (private collection)
Constance (front right), John Clerici (front left) Basrah (private collection)
Constance Clerici and Chassie Brooks (left) (private collection)
  • 5337 reads

BROWNLEE, Robert

Date of birth: 
1886
Biographical notes: 

Robert Brownlee was born in Glasgow in 1886. He was an apprentice at Harvey Engineering in Glasgow for five years, listed as an Engineer. He left the UK on SS Dorset fr

Citation for MSM
Citation and details of award MSM
Enquiry about award of Rumanian Medal
Notification of Rumanian Award
Pump built at Harvey Engineering in 1907 when Robert Brownlee was working there
SS Miltiades brought Robert Brownlee back to Autralai
Medaille Barbatie si Credinta 1st Class (gold)
SS Aquetanius took Robert Brownlee to Egypt, 8 May 1915.
Robert Brownlee (top left) standing, Westport Coal Mine 1930
Report of Robert Brownlee killed in Mine Disaster 1939
  • 3510 reads

BRUNT, Archibald Andrew

Date of birth: 
1893
Biographical notes: 

Archie was born Parhran in 1894, son of William Brunt and Sarah Buckland nee Brunt

Enlisted on the 11 Jan 1915 in Melbourne, aged 21 and listed as a farmer

  • 2506 reads

BRUNTON, Arthur Alexander

Date of birth: 
1878
Biographical notes: 

Arthur Alexander Brunton was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in December 1878.

  • 2851 reads

BUDDON, Frederick Phillip

Date of birth: 
1878
Biographical notes: 

Frederick Buddon was 36 years old, 5' 9", 11 stone, 8 lbs., with fair hair and blue eyes when he enlisted on 27/1/1915.

  • 2228 reads

BURFORD, Lionel

Date of birth: 
1894
Biographical notes: 
Lionel de Vere Burford was born in Moonee Ponds on 25 June 1894,the second of two sons. His parents, Aubrey John Burford and Annie (nee Edwards) had married in 1892.  Annie had been mar
Harold and Lionel Burford. Courtesy Andrew Fock
Lionel's name scratched into the cave walls at Naours. Courtesy Gilles Prilaux
  • 2757 reads

BURKE, Patrick Thomas

Date of birth: 
1890
Biographical notes: 

Patrick Thomas Burke was born in Launceston, Tasmania, the son of Patrick Burke and his wife Ellen, nee Vaughan.

  • 2783 reads

BURLEY, Rexford

Date of birth: 
1900
Biographical notes: 

Rexford Burley or Burleigh was born in Stanley, Tasmania. He was the son of Louisa Agnes Burley. b.1881,but no father is listed on the certificate of birth.

Rexford Burley
Harriet Burley at 94 Vale Street
Lila Burley
Rexford Burley 1919 at 94 Vale Street
  • 2949 reads

BURLEY, Thomas Mathew

Date of birth: 
1883
Biographical notes: 

William Thomas Burley was born in Tasmania, but by 1914, his father had retired from farming and both parents were living in Warnambool, Victoria.

  • 2682 reads

BURN, Cecil George

Date of birth: 
1895
Biographical notes: 

The son of Richard George Burn and Eliza Jane Atkins, Cecil Burns was a 21 year old mechanic at the time he enlisted  on 21 January, 1916.

  • 2399 reads

BURNELL, Frederick Joseph

Date of birth: 
1888
Biographical notes: 

Frederick Burnell was a clerk, living in East Melbourne.

6th Battalion, photographed at Broadmeadows, AWM DAX0914
  • 2533 reads

BURNS, Stanley Henry

Date of birth: 
1889
Biographical notes: 

1697 Henry Malache (Denny) Carroll
2031A Stanley Henry Burns alias Henry Malache Carroll alias Dennis Martin Carroll

  • 2567 reads

BUSH, Hubert Sheppard

Date of birth: 
1876
Biographical notes: 

Hubert was born in Sandhurst, Bendigo on 6 July 1876 to Albert Bush and Jane Dalton. He was the second youngest of 11 children. His early life was spent in Sandhurst where he attended St.

  • 3407 reads

CAMBRIDGE, Ernest George Henry

Date of birth: 
1898
Biographical notes: 

Ernest Cambridge enlisted in June, 1914. He was then just over 18 and an assistant in the Mail Branch of the Melbourne GPO.

  • 2300 reads

CAMERON, Henry Gervais Lovett

Date of birth: 
1880
Biographical notes: 

Henry Gervais Cameron was the son of Verney Lovett Cameron, a solicitor practising at 30 Collins St.East, Melbourne, and his wife, Margaret Elizabeth, nee Fraser.

Henry Gervais Lovett Cameron
Officers 60th Battalion H G Lovett Cameron, from row, third from right
  • 4317 reads

CAMERON, John

Date of birth: 
1883
Biographical notes: 

John Cameron was one of a family of eight boys and one girl, of whom three brothers had died before John Cameron.

Soldiers with Stokes Mortars, Western Front 1917
  • 2701 reads

CAMERON, Robert Ewen

Date of birth: 
1890
Biographical notes: 

ROBERT EWEN CAMERON

Born 27 October 1890 at Portarlington Victoria, the son of a Presbyterian Minister

Robert Ewen 'Stumpy' Cameron during his teaching years
Volume of Milton's poems purchased with inaugural R E Cameron Prize
  • 2930 reads

CAMPBELL, John

Date of birth: 
1897
Biographical notes: 

John Campbell origins would have remained a mystery, were it not for his descendents.

  • 2353 reads

CAMPBELL, John McNeil

Date of birth: 
1897
Biographical notes: 

John Campbell was born in Melbourne in 1897. His father was the Victorian Manager of the London Bank,  based at 90 Bourke Street, Melbourne, and John lived at this address.

  • 3441 reads

CANTWELL, Philip Sylvester

Date of birth: 
1882
Biographical notes: 

Philip Sylvester Cantwell was born at Ballan in country Victoria on the 15th January 1882. His father was Philip Cantwell and his mother was Alice Leahey.

  • 3100 reads

CARDWELL, James Pearson

Date of birth: 
1877
Biographical notes: 

James Cardwell was born at Blackpool on the 1st March 1877. He was living with his parents in Blackpool in 1891 according to the 1891 census.

  • 3579 reads

CARINE, John William

Date of birth: 
1888
Biographical notes: 

John William Carnie embarked from Melbourne in October 1917, however there is no service record available.

  • 2225 reads

CARMODY, John Patrick

Date of birth: 
1890
Biographical notes: 

John Patrick Carmody was born on 19 January, 1890 in Carlton to John Joseph Carmody and Elizabeth Culhane who was born in Limerick Ireland.

  • 2291 reads

CARROLL, Alphonso Bertram

Biographical notes: 

Service record is not available.

  • 2119 reads

CARROLL, William Edward

Date of birth: 
1892
Biographical notes: 

Mr William Carroll, 139 Simpson Street, East Melbourne (late of the Customs Department), has been notified that his only son, Sergeant William E.

  • 3064 reads

CARSON, Henry

Date of birth: 
1877
Biographical notes: 

Henry Carson was a surgical bootmaker, aged 27 years old when he enlisted on 12 July, 1915. He was a married man and he and his wife, Susan, lived at 23 George Street, East Melbourne.

  • 2374 reads

CARTER, Eric Charles

Date of birth: 
1893
Biographical notes: 

Eric Carter was born in Spotswood Victoria on the 15 March 1893. His father was Herbert James Carter and his mother was Louise Carter.

  • 2809 reads

CARVER, Henry Norman

Date of birth: 
1893
Biographical notes: 

Henry Norman Carver was born in 1893 in Yea, Victoria to Henry Garret Carver, a grazier in Flowerdale, and Florence (nee Johnstone).

  • 2159 reads