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.

SIMPSON, Arthur

  • 2533 reads

SINGLETON, Herbert Elliot

Date of birth: 
1878
Biographical notes: 

Herbert Elliot Singleton was a grand-son of John Singleton (1808-1891), the well known doctor, philanthropist and long-time resident of East Melbourne.  He was the second son of John Wesley and Mary Agnes (nee Addison) Singleton and was born at 1 Elizabeth Terrace, Simpson Street, East Melbourne on 21 February 1878.  Here John Wesley advertised in 1877:  'MAGNE

  • 3772 reads

SINGLETON, Percy William

Date of birth: 
1892
Biographical notes: 

Percy William Singleton was the son of James and Lucy (nee Buxton) Singleton of Coalville, Victoria. In 1914, he was workign as a 'letter carrier' at Sandringham, Victoria, but by 1917, he was an assistant telegraphist with the PMG Telegraph Branch, which necessitated getting a letter of release from his employer.

  • 2729 reads

SMAIL, Leslie Paterson

Date of birth: 
1895
Biographical notes: 

Leslie Paterson Smail was the son of John Paterson Smail and his wife Mary (nee Potter).  He was born on 10 June 1895 at St. Helen's, 11 George Street, East Melbourne.  The family remained at this address for about three years but at the time of Leslie's enlistment on 29 February 1916 he was living with his family in Auburn.  His occupation was clerk.

  • 3719 reads

SMITH, Harry Patterson

Date of birth: 
1890
Biographical notes: 

Harry Smith was an ideal recruit for the newly formed AIF in 1914. The son of Harry Lionel Smith and Meea Patterson Smith, he was one of three children, born to the Ballarat East couple.He was single, 25 years old, and had completed Senior Cadets training.

  • 2748 reads

SMITH, Philip Daniel

Biographical notes: 

Address at embarkation, East Melbourne.  Apparently temporary and no other link.

  • 2914 reads

SMITH, William James

born East Melbourne, wounded in action

Biographical notes: 

born East Melbourne, wounded in action

SOMMERS, John Archibald Douglas

Date of birth: 
1877
Biographical notes: 
  • Registration Number 538
  • Enlisted on 22nd August 1914 at Kensington, NSW, joining No 2 Company Australian Expeditionary Force aged 36 years and 10 months being 5 feet 7 1/2 ins tall with brown hair
  • Occupation - Artist
  • Next of kin was his wife Flora Vivienne who resided at Brunswick, Jolimont and Hawthorn during John's period of service
  • 3407 reads

SPOWERS, Edward Augustus

Date of birth: 
1875
Biographical notes: 

Edward Augustus Spowers was the youngest of the eleven children of James Spowers (1813-1879) and Fanny Clendon Howard (1837-1912).  At his death James was general manager and one of the proprietors of the Argus, and a partner in the firm of Ross & Spowers, merchants.   Edward was born on 6 January 1875 at South Yarra.

  • 3542 reads

ST CLAIR, Ernest

Date of birth: 
1892
Biographical notes: 

When he enlisted at Melbourne on 22 August 1914 Ernest St Clair stated that he was 22 years and 8 months old and that he was born in Melbourne.  However this cannot be confirmed in the official records.  He gave his address as 141 Napier Street, Fitzroy. His occupation was motor mechanic and he stated that he had been apprenticed to the Motor House Coy, St.

  • 3161 reads

STAINES, Albert Edward

born East Melbourne, discharged in Aust

Biographical notes: 

born East Melbourne, discharged in Aust

STARR, James Edward

  • 2509 reads