A Family Tribute in Memory of Norman and George Johnston ......Figure1. ^Ellinthorpe Tenterfield for sale. Brisbane Courier 9 December 1898 p. 1 1 Tweed Daily 30 April 1920 p. 2; The

1

A Family Tribute in Memory of Norman and George Johnston First AIF

Robert William Norman Johnston (Norman) SERN 2759

1886-1915 Private 15th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement

Brooklet/Tenterfield

George Johnston SERN 93 1888-1966

Private 26th Battalion, A Company Brooklet/Tenterfield/Tabulam

“Sunnyside” Brooklet circa 1900. Children of David and Margaret Johnston. Photo: Johnston Family.

2

Acknowledgements and Resources With very little family documentation, the information in this tribute has been obtained from many sources. The National Library of Australia’s Trove website digitised copies of newspapers have been the source of much of the information - especially copies of the Northern Star (Lismore), the Methodist (Sydney), the Sydney Morning Herald, the Tenterfield Courier and District Advocate and the Richmond River Herald and Northern Districts Advertiser (Coraki). In particular, the Northern Star's reporting of local events and social minutiae over the decades has been very useful. Other papers likely to contain relevant information are not available or are not yet scanned - digitised copies of the Tenterfield Star at Tenterfield Library are currently not accessible (although microfilm copies are held by the State Library of NSW); Bangalow Herald copies have not yet been scanned (copies may no longer exist as the Herald offices were destroyed by fires in 1920 and in 19311) and the premises of the Ballina Pilot/North Coast Beacon were also destroyed by fire in 19382 (however microfilm copies from 1899 to 1906 are held by the State Library of NSW). Thanks to Ron and Colleen Morris at www.users.on.net/~ron.morris/ralph_johnston_1893.html, Audrey at www.theycametheystayed.com, and Ross Wilson for his book The Johnston Family Tree. All of these have been very helpful in locating information about the family, not only confirming or establishing dates of events such as births, deaths and marriages, but also providing information on where individuals lived, and the relationship between individuals from a time when families were very large, people were commonly called by their second or other names, and often there were two members of the extended families with the same names. Thanks to those family members who looked for photos or provided assistance (especially Sybil Johnston); to Warwick Roden for digital restoration work on the “Sunnyside” photo and also to the Tenterfield Historical Society. The Australian Archives and the UNSW Canberra AIF Project websites provided the details of the war service of Norman, George and others while the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website provided information on Mudros. Other sources used include the Australian War Memorial and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The Historic Parish Maps on the NSW Land and Property website were very useful in identifying parcels of land (http://www.lpi.nsw.gov.au/mapping_and_imagery/parish_maps). Perhaps the availability of this information in this tribute may lead to the location of photos or personal effects of George and Norman or their parents and siblings - especially any wedding photos of Amy and Samuel at Tenterfield in 1905, Thomas and Tina at Brooklet in 1911 or Jack and Ella at Newrybar in 1912. David Johnston 1/1-9 Shirley Street Carlingford 2118 [email protected] 0439 633042 December 2015

Figure1. “Ellinthorpe” Tenterfield for sale. Brisbane Courier 9 December 1898 p. 1 1 Tweed Daily 30 April 1920 p. 2; The Sydney Morning Herald 10 January 1931 p. 10

2 Queensland Times 6 September 1938 p. 2.

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A Family Tribute to Norman and George Johnston First AIF Brooklet / Tenterfield NSW

On 14 November 2015 it was one hundred years since the death of Private Norman Johnston, who died at Mudros on the Greek island of Lemnos on his way to Gallipoli. His younger brother George had arrived at Gallipoli several months earlier, and was himself later wounded and evacuated to Mudros in early December. They were the sixth and seventh children (out of nine in total) of David and Margaret Johnston of Gerringong/Brooklet/Tenterfield. Apart from two faded photos of Norman and George and their siblings outside "Sunnyside" at Brooklet in about 1900, no definite photos of Norman or George or any of their personal effects, medals or Norman's war letters returned by the Army have been located. Neither have any personal papers or effects of the rest of the family been located, although a few early photos of some members of the family have been found. As a result the information about Norman and George and their parents and siblings and events at Brooklet/Tenterfield/Tabulam comes from other sources, notably the files of newspapers digitised on the National Library of Australia Trove website. The Australian Archives and the AIF Project websites provided the details of the war service of Norman, George and others. David and Margaret Johnston and family David was born in County Fermanagh Ireland in 1846 and arrived in Australia with his parents in 1860, living in turn at Wildes Meadow, Jamberoo and Robertson before moving to Gerringong in 18723 4 5. Although his obituary reports that he came when he was 11, i.e. in 1857, this seems to be incorrect, as 1857 is the year when his older brothers Robert6 and Edward7 arrived. Margaret Black was born at Fairy Meadow in 1854, and moved to Omega Retreat near Gerringong when she was four8. David and Margaret married in 1875. They were dairy farmers and while at Omega Retreat/Gerringong had two daughters - Alice Maude May (Maude) and Gertrude Florence ("Amy"), and three sons John Crawford (J.C. or "Jack"), Thomas ("Tom") and David Cyril ("Dick"). In 1885 the family moved to Brooklet on the Richmond River to select and clear the land for a new dairy farm in the subtropical rainforest of the "Big Scrub". They built a new home, "Sunnyside" on Friday Hut Road, in the upper catchment of Emigrant Creek, where timber cutters had been removing red cedar, teak, rosewood (woodgee, binna burra, ringa ringa9 in the local Bundjalung language) and other valuable timber for the previous four decades10 or so. Four more sons were born at Brooklet - Robert William Norman (Norman), George, Ralph Richmond and James Victor (Victor). In 1900, seeking a change in climate and an improvement in health, David and Margaret and some of the family, including Norman and George moved to “Ellinthorpe” at Tenterfield. A farewell for the family was held at Brooklet Protestant Hall, at which David was presented with an illuminated address (now lost)11. Although a two day auction of stock and household effects was held in March 1900 (“The Sale of the Century”!12), the property remained in the family, with the Blow family from Gerringong taking over under a share farming arrangement13. 3 Wilson 1978 p. 18; Wilson 1984 p. 100 (photo)

4 The Northern Star 7 Jan 1937 p. 10

5 The Methodist 30 January 1937 p. 13

6 The Northern Star 2 July 1920 p. 3; The Northern Star 29 July 1920 p. 2

7 The Northern Star 18 June 1920 p. 4; The Northern Star 29 July 1920 p. 2

8 The Methodist 4 June 1932 p. 20; Ross Wilson (1978) p.18. 20

9 The Sydney Mail and NSW Advertiser 7 January 1903 p. 2

10 The Richmond River Herald and Northern Districts Advertiser 5 June 1931 p. 7

11 The Northern Star 14 April 1900 p. 5

12 The Richmond River Herald and Northern Districts Advertiser 16 March 1900 p. 5

13 The Kiama Independent and Shoalhaven Advertiser 3 May 1900 p. 2

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Figure 2. “Sunnyside” Brooklet circa 1985. Photo: Johnston family

Figure 3. Friday Hut Road Brooklet, looking south towards “Sunnyside” –

behind trees on RHS bottom of hill. Photo: Johnston family 2011 "Ellinthorpe" (or “Ellinthorp” as it was originally), built in 189114 for Charles Clark15 and his second wife Amy and fourteen children, was a large home on a small but well-endowed estate. Charles had helped establish the Ellinthorp Steam Flour Mill at Warwick, and later with his brother George bought Old Talgai station on the Darling Downs. In the years soon after 1900, the three older brothers continued dairying on various properties at Brooklet or nearby Knockrow; Amy married16; Maude continued with domestic duties and Sunday school teaching17 while Margaret continued with domestic duties and her involvement with the Methodist Church18.

14

The Brisbane Courier 9 December 1898 p.1 15

Warwick Argus 19 September 1896 p. 2 16

The Richmond River Express and Casino Kyogle Advertiser 3 January 1905 p. 2 17

The Methodist 14 April 1928 p. 15 18

The Methodist 4 June 1932 p. 20

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Figure 4. Auction Sale of stock and household goods “Sunnyside” 1900. Richmond River Herald and

Northern Districts Advertiser 9 March 1900 p. 5

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Figure 5. “Ellinthorpe” Tenterfield. Photo: Rodger Johnston 2011

"Gungel" at Tenterfield was purchased and dairying19 (including the establishment of an AIS dairy cattle stud which was run for over 30 years20) and mixed farming2122 commenced there, while at "Ellinthorpe"23 David used the stables and smaller acreage for award winning horse breeding2425. Presumably after finishing any schooling, the four younger boys assisted at "Gungel" and "Ellinthorpe". Margaret and David celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at “Ellinthorpe” in 192526. They were committed and involved members of the Methodist Church at Gerringong, Brooklet and Tenterfield. Margaret died in 1932 and David in 1936 - both are buried in Tenterfield. In his will David bequeathed “Ellinthorpe” and its 72 acres to Maude27. One of David's much older brothers, Robert, his wife Margaret and one year old son William Robert arrived in Australia three years earlier than David in 185728, and settled on the south coast. Later they moved to the Richmond River district where Robert selected 640 acres at Newrybar in 1880, while William selected 640 acres in 188129 at what was to become Brooklet. William donated the land high on the ridge near the crossroads where the Protestant Hall was erected in 189330, with views to the Pacific Ocean and border ranges; a source of pride for the local Protestants31-“there was one hill in NSW where …a Protestant Hall stood”. The hall played a central part in the religious and social lives of the locals, including Norman. It is possible that Norman, as the first born at their new home, was named after his uncle and cousin in recognition of the help and shelter they provided to the new arrivals.

19

The Land 28 May 1937 p. 9 20

Glen Innes Examiner 4 February 1933 p. 4 21

The Sydney Morning Herald 27 May 1937 p. 7 22

The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser 14 June 1935 p. 4; 23

Wilson 1984 p. 100 (photo) 24

The Tenterfield Courier and District Advocate 11 May 1914 p. 3; The Sydney Morning Herald 3 March 1909 p. 11 25

The Tenterfield Intercolonial Courier and Fairfield and Wallangarra Advocate 17 Sept. 1909 p. 8; Wilson 1984 p.32 (photo) 26

The Tenterfield Star 11 May 1925; Wilson (1984) p. 32 27

State Records Authority of NSW. NSW Will Books 1800-1952 on www.findmypast.com.au Will number 220253 28

Ross Wilson The Johnston Family Tree p .2; The Northern Star 14 July 1920 p. 8; The Northern Star 29 July 1920 p. 2 29

Ross Wilson The Johnston Family Tree p. 4 30

The Northern Star 13 August 1920 p. 4 31

The Northern Star 12 July 1912 p. 4;

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Figure 6. David and Margaret, with daughter Maude and grandson Victor (James Victor’s son) at

“Ellinthorpe’, circa 1930. Photo: Ron and Colleen Morris, identification Ross Wilson32

Figure 7. Advertisement for Stallion “Challenge” bred at “Ellinthorpe” - Tenterfield Intercolonial Courier

and Fairfield and Wallangarra Advocate 17 September 1909 p. 8

32

Wilson (1984) p. 114

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Robert William Norman Johnston (known as Norman) Norman was born at Brooklet in 1886, the year after the family arrived. Like many WW1 soldiers, he was not married and has no direct descendants. Almost all of Norman's thirty three nephews and nieces have now died, and those few still alive33 were born after his death. He has an estimated 150-200 great nephews and nieces many of whom may not be aware of his name or even his existence. He attended Brooklet Public School and after the move to Tenterfield finished his education at Tenterfield Superior Public School, the forerunner of today's Sir Henry Parkes Memorial Public School. The school at Brooklet had first opened in 1887 as Friday Hut Provisional School34, not becoming Brooklet Public School until 1892 when the existing brick building was erected. Maude was the first pupil35. He returned to Brooklet sometime after finishing school and formed a partnership in a firm36 with his brother Jack (J.C.) who had remained at Brooklet. They were very successful, not only providing prize money for cattle at the 1912 Alstonville Show37, but winning prizes in 14 categories for cattle in the 1911 show, including Champion Bull, "Captain", and reserve grand champion female animal of the show38. He was obviously popular with his siblings and friends, being groomsman (with Jack as well) at his sister Amy's marriage 39to Samuel Staines in Tenterfield in 1905, best man at his brother Thomas's marriage40 to Tina Bruce at the Brooklet Protestant Hall in 1911 and groomsman at William Walsh’s marriage to Letitia Alcorn at Newrybar (Knockrow) Methodist Church in 190541. Because of his very close relationship with Jack, it is probable that he was also in the wedding party at Jack’s marriage to Ella Stephens at Newrybar in 191242. Norman was a member of the Brooklet Loyal Orange Lodge (L.O.L.) 255 "Advance to Freedom" which met at the Protestant Hall every month on the “Thursday before (the) full moon”43. 1913 he was a member of the celebration committee44 organising the very well attended annual 12 July celebrations at the hall to commemorate the Battle of the Boyne and victory over the Roman Catholics so far away and so long ago. In several of the pre-war years, evangelical missions were held mid-year at the Protestant Hall, conducted by the superintendents of the big Sydney missions - these were obviously successful as they were repeated45. In Norman’s In Memoriam46 notice, it was reported that Norman was converted four years earlier at such a mission run by Rev. G. H. Hewitt, Superintendent of the South Sydney Mission, but in fact the 1911 July service and celebrations were conducted by the leading Methodist churchman Rev. Woolls Rutledge47 not Rev. Hewitt. In 191248 Rev. Hewitt did hold a mission from 28 June to

33

Victor Johnston (see Figure 6) died at Tenterfield on 16 October 2015, just as this publication was being finalised 34

Status Quo, MCMMLIX 1959 NSW Department of Education Lismore 35

The Northern Star 17 August 1955 p. 1 36

The Northern Star 25 November 1915 p. 2 37

The Northern Star 25 September 1911 p. 2 38

The Sydney Morning Herald 10 February 1911 p. 4 39

The Richmond River Express and Casino Kyogle Advertiser 3 January 1906 p. 8, Report from Tenterfield Courier; The Tenterfield Intercolonial Courier and Fairfield and Wallangarra Advocate 22 December 1905 p. 2 40

The Northern Star 24 January 1911 p. 2 41

The Northern Star 16 July 1905 p. 4 42

The Richmond River Herald and Northern Districts Advocate 5 January 1912 p. 4 43

The Watchman 4 June 1914 p. 6 44

The Northern Star 12 July 1913 p. 6 45

The Northern Star 6 September 1909 p. 2 46

The Northern Star 23December 1915 p. 5 47

The Watchman 17 August 1911 p. 4; http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/rutledge-william-woolls-8308 48

The Methodist 10 August 1912 p. 11

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Thursday 4 July, so perhaps it was 1912, not 1911. During this mission about twelve young people and adults, presumably including Norman "made the full and glad surrender... (and)...accepted Christ as their Saviour". It seems as if prior to this, although his family had a long and involved connection with the Methodist Church, perhaps Norman's own observance and conviction were not so strong. After the mission Norman became a member of the Methodist Church and the Christian Endeavour Society. Enthusiasm for Empire, King and Country and the war effort reached a peak in the district by mid-1915, with towns and localities holding patriotic events. The Bangalow Patriotic Carnival49, organised by the Bangalow Patriotic League, was held on the King’s Birthday on 7 June, only six weeks after the Gallipoli landings. The idea was to raise £1000 to be divided between the Belgian Relief Fund and the Patriotic Fund. Even by such an early date, one of the young men from Bangalow had already been killed in action there. Dr Charles Corlis, the Bangalow doctor who in 1897 had sent Maude to Sydney50 for a “Rontgen light” examination, i.e. X-ray, to locate a needle that had penetrated her knee, had already joined the Army in February 1915. Three thousand attended the carnival and a special train was put on to bring people from Lismore. A street parade was held including the Town Band, the police, Knockrow school children, the Light Horse, the Rifle Club, the Billinudgel Fire Brigade, Newrybar L.O.L (sic Brooklet L.O.L - there was no Newrybar L.O.L), IOGT temperance lodges from Newrybar and Bangalow, cadets and citizens militia, the Oddfellows, the Protestant Alliance, the Hibernian Society and Mr Ferguson, the Bangalow auctioneer, drove his motor car decorated in patriotic colours. This was followed by a side show and competitions, sporting, equestrian and military events and displays (such as “Cleave the Turk’s head!”) held at the Showground. Included were a shooting gallery, “guess the weight of the very fat boar” competition, amateur boxing contests, lots of lotteries, married and single ladies’ races, school children’s races, an old man’s race ( for those over 50!), novelty races and cadet events. The prize for the 100 yards Patriotic Handicap was £10. The Military Events were under the command of Lieut. Charles Graham, the commanding officer of the Bangalow Light Horse – from Binna Burra near Brooklet, and who like Norman, was a dairy farmer, born in 1886, a member of the Brooklet L.O.L and a fellow Methodist. Figure 8. Cover of Souvenir Brochure of Bangalow Patriotic Carnival. Photo: Copyright State of NSW - State Records Authority of NSW. A very large Union Jack was spread out for people to "Honour the Flag", and any "in danger of passing by without noticing the appeal were quickly saved from such misfortune by Rev. Merchant and Mr Armstrong". At the sideshow one of the attractions was an Aunt Sally ("coconut shy") where patriotic citizens could try their skills at hitting the Kaiser, Crown Prince, Admiral von Tirpitz and the Sultan. The organizing committee had representatives from all the surrounding localities, including Brooklet. A similar Patriotic Carnival had already been held in Lismore on 24 May,51 with 25,000 people watching the two mile long street parade, and 15,000 participating in the sporting events. On Thursday 22 July 1915, as part of the annual L.O.L. Battle of the Boyne celebrations, a second Patriotic Social52 organised by the Brooklet Patriotic Fund was held at the Protestant Hall, with all the usual accompanying anti-Catholic rhetoric, calling into question the patriotism of the Roman Catholics and stating that such a patriotic event would only be held by Orangemen (Protestants) never by Hibernians (Catholics). 49

The Northern Star 8 June 1915 p. 12 50

The Richmond River Herald and Northern District Advertiser 16 April 1897 p. 8 51

Clarence and Richmond Examiner 25 May 1915 p.5; Sydney Mail 2 June 1915 p. 7 52

The Northern Star 24 July 1915 p. 2; The first one was held in Sept 2014 (Northern Star 9 Sept. p. 5);

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On Thursday 5 August 1915 Norman and Jack appeared as joint defendants in a case at Lismore District Court53 brought against them by Joseph and Jesse Hawkins, who had been share farmers for them at Brooklet for 11 months from about May 1914. Joseph and Jesse claimed £150 for breach of the share farming agreement, and £75 for work and labour done. The plaintiffs had been turned off the farm by Norman and Jack in April 1915, but claimed they had not been given proper notice, or wanted compensation for being turned off the property. During the trial the particulars of the agreement and the types of animals farmed and crops grown were revealed, and witnesses gave evidence that the plaintiffs' management of the farm was good – J. N. Ferguson and Norman’s friend William Prior (his fellow lodge member) testified at the trial. However, Norman claimed he had received a letter from Joseph stating that he was a teetotaller prior to employing him in 1914, but Joseph had been seen drunk by witnesses at a Bangalow hotel, including the manager of the Bank of NSW and Jack. Joseph was warned that if he did not keep sober, he would be turned off the farm straight away. At the end of April 1915 Joseph went to the Casino Show and stayed away for five days. Jesse Hawkins went to the Bank of NSW in Bangalow, concerned about whether her husband had paid a certain cheque into their joint account (which he had done), as she was anxious about the money, having heard that he was drinking in Lismore. On hearing this, the manager told her that it was his duty to inform Jack. After Joseph returned from Lismore, Jack (Norman was in Queensland - perhaps saying goodbye to Amy and Dick), came to see them and to tell them to be off the farm by the next Monday. When Jack turned up, Joseph pointed to the barn which had burned down saying "That's what did it". Jack denied this, saying "Two wrongs don't make a right". Jesse wrote to Norman, requesting either proper notice or compensation, but Norman did not reply, instead turning up on Saturday and confirming they had to be out by Monday. On Monday Norman and another man returned and turned them off the farm. Just before midnight on Thursday 5 August, the jury returned a verdict of £12 8s 8d in favour of the Hawkins. Four days later, on Monday 9 August 1915 Norman signed his will54, naming his brother Thomas as executor. On the same day he left for Brisbane, aged 28 and single and enlisted in the AIF (SERN 2759) 15th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement55, at Fraser's Hill (Enoggera) camp near Brisbane on 11 August 1915. In his attestation (enlistment) papers he is described as 5' 10" tall, 154 lbs in weight, grey eyes, fair wavy hair and fair complexion. Errors in filling out or filing of attestation papers (there were three different copies of this document in his war service records), resulted in his occupation being recorded as fireman, and his address given as Oxley, west of Brisbane - however, this information is incorrect - only days before he had appeared in court and declared that he was a farmer from Brooklet. The incorrect copy has now been removed from his file after a century, but the error has been perpetuated in other places, such as the embarkation roll, and media releases of the dead and wounded in 1915 where is he listed as being from Queensland56. Apparently travelling with him from Brooklet and also enlisting was William Parkinson (SERN 2841), a farm labourer and fellow Methodist with no known family – he gave as his next of kin William Preston, a friend and one of the neighbours. They embarked from Sydney on board HMAT Ayrshire A33 on 1 September, arriving at Suez on 11 October, the day before Norman’s 29th birthday57, and Norman then proceeded to Zeitoun base as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. On 4 November he embarked from Alexandria on board HMT Minnewaska to Gallipoli, hoping to join his brother George already at Gallipoli. However Norman did not complete the trip, as on 9 November he was admitted to the 15th Stationary Hospital at Mudros on the Greek island of Lemnos, off the Turkish coast near Gallipoli, suffering from pneumonia. His condition worsened and he died aged 29 on 14 November, only 3 months after enlisting.

53

The Northern Star 6 August 1915 p, 8 54

State Records Authority of NSW NSW Will Books 1800-1952 on www.findmypast.com.au Will number 80283 55

Australian Archives WW1 Service Records 56

The Mercury 26 November 1915 p. 5 57

The Northern Star 27 November 1915 p.2

11

There was confusion and distress in communication with his parents, as Norman had listed himself as his own next of kin in his attestation papers. He is buried in East Mudros Military Cemetery. Norman was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

. Figure 9. HMT Minnewaska at Alexandria 1916. Photo: Australian War Memorial.

On Sunday 12 December 1915 a memorial service58 was held at Brooklet Protestant Hall for Norman, conducted by the Rev. Arthur Crapp, the Methodist minister. The hall was packed to the doors, the rostrum was draped with the Union Jack and the Australian flags, and members of the Brooklet L.O.L. were present in regalia. Norman was apparently prepared for any eventuality having said to his friends on leaving "If anything happens to me, know that all is well. I am Christ's and He is mine".

Figure 10. Grave of Norman Johnston East Mudros Military Cemetery. Photo: The War Graves

Photographic Project, with permission. Norman was actually 29 when he died.

58

The Methodist 25 December 1915 p. 6

12

Figure 11. East Mudros Military Cemetery – Norman’s grave is in one of the rows in the far right

foreground. Photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission, with permission. A report of the Church of England service on the same day at Brooklet, conducted by the Rev. E. J. Merchant gives a different view of Norman's denominational affiliation59. Rev. Merchant, who knew Norman, stated he had recently received news of Norman's death from the Defence Department, with a request to convey the same to the relatives at Brooklet. This was the fourth occasion on which Rev. Merchant had been requested to convey similar sad news to the relatives of former residents of the parish. Rev. Merchant reported that Norman was an active member of the Church of England, a member of the parochial council, and one of the most regular attendees at the services of his church. At first sight this appears to be a case of misreporting, but there may not be a conflict of information here - it is quite possible that Norman was a member of the Church of England as well as the Methodist Church. At the new Newrybar Presbyterian Church in 1912, Jack, his brother, business partner and close friend, had married Ella Stephens, the daughter of Rev. Benjamin Stephens, who was the ex-Church of England minister from Ballina, but had moved to live at Brooklet. Rev. Merchant conducted the service, assisted by Rev. Stephens60. Jack and Norman’s firm of J. C. and N. Johnston contributed £10 to the Grafton Bishopric Fund in 1913 during Bishop Druitt's tour of the district61. There was a lot of interaction between the members and clergy of the local Protestant denominations, much of it centred on the Protestant Hall and the L.O.L., and in Margaret's obituary62 it is recorded that she and David held open house at Brooklet for ministers of all denominations. The Methodist63, Presbyterian and Church of England64 denominations all held regular Sunday services at the hall in the early 1900’s, and so it was quite possible to attend a Methodist service in the morning and a Church of England service in the evening at the hall on the one day. In Norman's Australian Archives war service records, one completed attestation form lists his denomination as Methodist; the other incomplete one lists it as Church of England. A mention in The Methodist in October 1915 records that Norman and others had left the Ballina circuit to enlist65.

59

He Northern Star 16 December 1915 p. 3 60

The Richmond River Herald and Northern Districts Advertiser 5 January 1912 p. 4; Northern Star 16 February 1951 p. 6 61

The Byron Bay Record 7 December 1912 p. 8 62

The Methodist 4 June 1932 p. 20 63

The Northern Star 12 May 1916 p. 3 64

The Byron Bay Record 15 January 1910 p. 8 65

The Methodist 16 October 1915 p. 7

13

Norman was a "son" of both Brooklet and Tenterfield, having attended school at both places, and grown up in both places in his teenage years. He was obviously close to his brother Jack, who was 6 years older, and returned to Brooklet sometime before 1909 to join him in the partnership. Brooklet and Tenterfield claimed him as one of their own, both before and after his death. A Tenterfield media report in July 1914 stated that he was "home from the rivers on a visit to his parents at ‘Ellinthorpe’"66. At the memorial service67 at Brooklet Rev. Crapp said "He was born here, and four years ago had been converted under Mr Hewitt's mission, and was loved and esteemed by all." Also at the service "The lessons were read from Psalm 90 and John 15, the text being taken from verse 13 of the latter ‘Greater love hath no man, than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends’". These words, said the speaker, "formed the most appropriate passage on which to base the service held in memory of one, who though not permitted to reach the firing line, willingly laid down his life for his country." The In Memoriam68 notice recounted the events and feelings of the Memorial Service at the hall, the course of the war, Norman's conversion and character and explained how Norman had "answered the call from the Dardanelles". Rev. Westbrook, the previous Methodist minister at Newrybar testified to the integrity and nobility of Christian character of Norman. During the service "Nearer my God to Thee" was sung by Miss Prince, accompanied by Miss Jarrett and at the conclusion Handel's Dead March from Saul was played by Miss Gill on the organ. In his will69 he named his six brothers as beneficiaries, firstly allowing for two hundred pounds for Jack, his business partner, and one hundred pounds for Thomas, as executor; secondly the settlement of any debt owed by him to Jack, and any debt of his and Jack's to David Cyril; thirdly equal shares of anything left to his three younger brothers. His sisters Maude and Amy were not beneficiaries. One of the witnesses was Mr F. N. Ferguson, of the decorated car, a witness in the court case, and who had conducted the clearing out sale70 at "Sunnyside" in 1900 before the move to Tenterfield. The value of his estate when probate was granted in June 1917 was £6596 - equivalent to about $600,000 in 2014. Norman is commemorated on the Newrybar School of Arts Newrybar/Knockrow/Brooklet WW1 Roll of Honor; the Tenterfield and District Soldiers Memorial Roll of Honor Infantry Deceased; the Tenterfield Sir Henry Parkes Memorial School of Arts “Heroes from Tenterfield” Honour Board (for members or sons of members who served) at the Memorial Entrance to the hall, and the Alstonville Showground Memorial Gates (now relocated to Elizabeth Ann Brown Park). Two more memorials commemorating Norman were later destroyed in fires. In 1919 an Honor Board for the Brooklet Protestant Hall71 was made in Ballina out of a special piece of red cedar, cut from the Big Scrub fifty years before and donated by Mr. C. Hamilton. On it were the names of fifteen members of the Brooklet L.O.L. 255 Advance to Freedom who had served in WW1, including two who had died - Norman Johnston in 1915 and William Prior in 1918, his fellow Methodist, member of the Christian Endeavour Society, witness at the court case and apparent close friend72. When the hall burnt down in 194373 the lovingly made old red cedar Honor Board went up in flames, erasing any local record of the service of the members of the L.O.L. 255 Advance to Freedom, and any record of Norman’s service at his birthplace. In 1928 the old wooden Tenterfield Methodist Church burnt down during a storm, apparently struck by lightning. The recently installed beautiful Memorial pipe organ to the fallen soldiers of the church was destroyed in the blaze74.

66

The Tenterfield Courier and District Advocate 13 July 1914 p. 2 67

The Methodist 25 December 1915 p. 5 68

The Northern Star 23 December 1915 p. 5 69

State Records Authority of NSW .NSW Will Books 1800-1952 on www.findmypast.com.au. Will number 80283 70 Richmond River Herald and Northern Districts Advertiser 9 March 1900 p. 5 71

The Northern Star 22 October 1919 p. 4 72

The Northern Star 12 August 1918 p. 2 73

The Northern Star 27September 1943 p. 4 74

The Sydney Morning Herald 4 October 1928 p. 14

14

Figure 12. Newrybar School of Arts Newrybar, Knockrow & Brooklet WW1 Roll of Honor.

Photo: Christopher Grey on Register of War Memorials NSW with permission. Within two years, Jack and Ella suffered another family tragedy when their infant daughter died in August 1917 - she was named Kathleen Norma Johnston, possibly in memory of Norman75.

Figure 13. Tenterfield and Districts Soldiers Memorial Roll of Honor Infantry Deceased.

Photo: Monument Australia, Russell Byers, with permission

75

The Northern Star 6 August 1918 p. 3

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George Johnston George Johnston was born at Brooklet in 1888, two years after Norman. He attended Brooklet Public School, and while no mention can be found of his then attending Tenterfield Superior Public School has yet been found, it is presumed he also attended there, as he was only 12 or 13 in 1900. No information about any return to Brooklet later has been found. Sometime after moving to Tenterfield he purchased a property at Jackson's Flat Road on Bottle Creek, Tabulam. He enlisted in the first AIF in Lismore, (SERN 93) 26th Battalion, A Company76 on 8 March 1915, aged 26 and single, leaving his Tabulam property in the care of his brother-in-law Samuel Staines, Amy's husband. He is described as having a fair complexion, light brown hair, blue eyes, 10st 7lbs in weight and just over 6' tall. George embarked for Egypt on 24 May at Brisbane on HMAT Ascanius A11 and then left from Alexandria on 4 September with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force to Gallipoli. On 9 December, as the evacuation of Gallipoli was underway, he was wounded in the arms and thigh by shrapnel and admitted to the 7th Field Ambulance and then the 13th Casualty Clearing Station. He was evacuated by the hospital ship HS Grantully Castle to hospital at Mudros on 10 December, on the nearby Greek island of Lemnos, where Norman had died only a few weeks earlier. From Mudros he was transferred to the No 1 Auxiliary Hospital at Heliopolis in Egypt on 14 December. After recovering, on 5 February 1916 he was transferred to Zeitoun base and then later Moascar base. He embarked from Alexandria with the British Expeditionary Force for Marseilles on 15 March 1915, and went onto the Western Front in France where he was wounded again on 29 July 1916, just one month into the Battle of the Somme, with a severe fracture of the arm caused by a gunshot. He was admitted to the Ambulance train and taken to Etaples, the large "hospital city" and military base on the coast of northern France. Evacuation to England followed on 5 August from Calais on the HS Newhaven. After recovering he left Weymouth hospital on 23 November and was discharged for return to Australia on 14 January 1917. He returned to Australia on HS Kanowna arriving back in Sydney at Woolloomooloo wharf on Sunday 11 March 191777.

The sight of the disembarking soldiers was described with much feeling by the correspondent from the Farmer and Settler78 - "They were a cheery lot, these men from the front, many of them revealing grim evidences of the part they played on the French line. Some there were that limped on sticks, others were on crutches, a few were minus a leg or an arm, and the others again suffered from shell shock. Many pathetic scenes were witnessed. … A father, wild eyed, and excited, carried a photograph of his son, and asked each soldier if he had seen anyone answering of the description. When none recognized the photo he exclaimed: ‘He must be killed: oh, if I only knew his fate!’" 139 officers, nurses and men arrived for NSW, and 57 officers and men for Queensland. The men were given railway passes, leave passes and pay while still on board. The Liverpool headquarters band played "Home, Sweet Home" as the ship came in, and the returned men responded with cheers. The fit men, presumably including George, were given flowers and cigarettes and then carried by Red Cross cars to the Anzac Buffet in the Domain. George was finally discharged from the army on 30 March 1917 with a military pension. He returned to Tenterfield and his welcome home was reported on 2 April 1917.79 He is commemorated on the Tenterfield Sir Henry Parkes Memorial School of Arts “Heroes from Tenterfield” Honour Board . He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

76

Australian Archives War Service Records 77

The Sydney Morning Herald 12 March 1917 p.6 78

The Farmer and Settler 13 March 1917 p. 2 79

Glenn Innes Examiner 2 April 1917 p. 6

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Figure 14. HS Kanowna. George arrived back in Sydney on board HS Kanowna in March 1917

Photo: Australian War Memorial. In February 1916 while George was in Egypt, his fellow Tenterfield residents and neighbours at Tabulam, George (aged 27) and Joseph (aged 23) Petrie, used his vacant and neglected property as a place to keep 35 stolen cattle from Tabulam Station, holding the cattle in the crush to cut out the original brands, cutting off their ears and cruelly mutilating them, causing them much distress80. After a widely publicized committal hearing81 at Drake in July while George was at the Somme they were committed for trial. They were found guilty at Lismore in August 1916 (where the cattle were brought to court as evidence) and sentenced to four years (George) and five years (Joseph) penal servitude82. Samuel Staines (George’s brother-in-law) had power of attorney over the property for George and appeared in court in that capacity83. The Petrie brothers were in their mid-twenties like George, and there was likely little sympathy for those who did not enlist, but instead took advantage of those who did. That the cattle had been stolen from Tabulam Station, previously owned by the Chauvel family for forty years and the birth place of the Australian Light Horse and Colonel Harry Chauvel (later Lieutenant General Sir Harry Chauvel)84, would also not have been in their favour. The Light Horse regiments had fought at Gallipoli under Chauvel's command without their horses, which had been left in Egypt. The Tenterfield Star published an article which was widely reprinted in other regional papers, expressing the view that "... when it comes to stealing stock the property of a man (sic - the cattle did not actually belong to George) that has gone to fight for his country and the safety of those who remain at home, and often that are disloyal by their remarks, and in a far worse degree if they weren't afraid of their hide, it makes us think it is the work of Huns."85. 80

The Northern Star 19 August 1916 p. 3 81

The Northern Star 13 July 1916 pp 6,7 82

The Northern Star 19 August 1916 p. 3 83

The Northern Star 13 July 1916 pp.6,7 84

Perry (2009) pp. 15-18 85

The Northern Star 3 July 1916 p. 4

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Figure 15. “Heroes from Tenterfield” WW1 Honour Board (behind inscribed glass window)

Memorial Entrance Sir Henry Parkes Memorial School of Arts Tenterfield. Photo: Monument Australia. Russell Byers, with permission.

After the war George returned to his property on Jackson's Flat Road at Tabulam and in 1928 married Sarah (“Myrtle”) Wilson. They had two children, Lloyd and Patricia. George died in 1966.

Postscript

Under the compulsory Universal Military Training scheme for home defence introduced in January 1911, all males aged from 12 to 26 were required to register for training in the junior cadets (12 to 14 year olds), the senior cadets (14 to 18 year olds), and the home defence militia (Commonwealth Military Force) for 18-26 year olds. In 1911, all of the four younger brothers were between 15 and 26 years old and would have been required to register. Bangalow, about six miles from Brooklet was the closest centre for training to Norman, while the others would have been required to train in Tenterfield. The Bangalow parades were held at 10.30 am for the voluntary parade and 2.00 pm for the statutory parade on Saturdays, to avoid clashing with milking times, as most of the local boys and men were dairy farmers86. In their attestation forms, both Norman and George indicated that they had not served in the Militia, so perhaps, like many, they did not register, or had been granted exemption. Other local men from Brooklet were granted exemptions from the scheme, including Thomas’s brother-in-law Albert Bruce in 191687. Following Amy’s marriage to Samuel Staines in 1905, they moved to the Kingaroy district and had four children - David Victor, Samuel Milroy (Roy), Dorothea Maude and Norman George. Maude inherited “Ellinthorpe” on David’s death in 1936 aged 91. She became known as Maude Maher88 by 1943, apparently in recognition of her long time relationship with James Maher, her neighbour at Tenterfield, although

86

The Northern Star 26 October 1912 p. 10 87

The Northern Star 24 October 1916 p, 2 88

Email from Ron Morris 17 March 2015

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no marriage is recorded. She attended the Back to Brooklet celebrations at Brooklet Public School in 195589. Maude died in 1959 and is buried at Bangalow. Dick married Lillian Mildred Goodsell in Sydney in 1907 and moved to Biggenden near Monto in northern Queensland. They had eleven children - David Clarence Carlysle (Carl), Keith, George Crawford, Thomas Athol (Athol), Margaret Lillian, Winifred Mary (Win), Thelma Maude, Norman Bertram, Daphne Enid, Dulcie Audrey and John Raymond (Ray). Tom and Tina mostly remained in the Richmond area, living at North Creek and Knockrow, although for some time in the twenties or thirties they lived at “Ellinthorpe”. They had eight children - Claude Bruce, David Clifford (Cliff), Robert Arnold (Arnold), Margaret Sylvian, George Evan ("Joe"), Thomas Reginald (Reg), Stanley John (Stan) and Patricia Mary (Mary). Tom and Tina are buried at Bangalow. Jack and Ella moved to Federal, although apparently retaining ownership of property at Brooklet. They had four children who survived Ralph, Jack, Dorothy and Lila. Jack died in 1935 at “Ellinthorpe”. Ralph married Ruby Randall in 1918 at Uralla90 and lived at various places in NSW. They had two children - Myee and Ross. More information can be found at www.users.on.net/~ron.morris/ralph_johnston_1893.html. James Victor remained in Tenterfield, marrying Stella Moore in Camden in 192591. They had four children – David, Victor, Bruce and Margaret. After 1915, apart from Jack and Ella’s daughter who died, two other children were possibly named after Norman or George - Norman Bertram born to Dick and Mildred and Norman George born to Amy and Samuel.

William Johnston92 also lost a son, Walter (SERN 2800) in WW1 – four of his sons served. William married Margaret Crozier in 1879 and they had ten sons, including Walter and two daughters. After Margaret died he married his cousin Letitia Johnston (Edward’s daughter) and they had three sons. William later became an auctioneer and station agent in Lismore,93 trading as Hindmarsh and Johnston.

More information about Johnston family members can be found at www.theycametheystayed.com. Brooklet Public School closed in 1964, although the buildings still stand. In 1893 George Daniel was appointed teacher94 at Brooklet Public School and taught his own and most of the Johnston children, including Norman and George until 1900. His previous experience included ten years at Lismore Public School. In 1877 he married Mary Crofton whose brother George selected land at Brooklet in 188195, along the southern side of the Fernleigh Road. George took part in the debates96 organised at the Protestant Hall by the Debating and Mutual Improvement Society, and his family took part in the 1894 concert97 at the new hall. Ownership of 148 acres of George Crofton’s selection opposite the Brooklet Butter Factory was at some time transferred/sold to Daniel, who later leased it until it was sold in 191998. George and Mary’s sons Phillip Daniel (SERN Captain) and Frederick Crofton-Daniel (SERN 6239) served in WW1, Phillip serving as a doctor in the AAMC. George died at Turramurra aged 96 in 1950. “Gungel” is still in the Johnston family, owned by James Victor’s grandson Grant and his wife Dianne.

89

The Northern Star 17 August 1955 p. 1 90

Daily Observer 7 May 1918 p. 5 91

Camden News 16 July 1925 p. 1; The Methodist 1 August 1925 p. 14 92

Northern Star 14 July 1920 p. 8 93

Wilson (1984) p. 108 94

Government Gazette 24 May 1983 p .3; Status Quo, MCMMLIX 1959 NSW Department of Education Lismore 95

Northern Star 29 September 1936 p. 11 96

Northern Star 23 November 1898 p. 5 97

Northern Star 28 November 1894 p. 3 98

Northern Star 11 August 1919 p. 5-6

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“Ellinthorpe” still stands at East Tenterfield. The last members of the Johnston family living at “Sunnyside” were Arnold and Margaret Johnston and their six children. Following Arnold’s death in 1984, the last part of the property was sold in 1987 when Margaret moved to Lismore. SS Kanowna was requisitioned by the Defence Dept. in 1914, and as HMAT Kanowna was involved in transporting soldiers to German New Guinea, although the civilian crew mutinied on the way. In June 1915, as HS Kanowna she commenced duty for four years bringing wounded soldiers home from Europe, or transporting them to Britain. In 1929, she sank off Wilson's Promontory, after hitting rocks at speed in fog99. The Captain was fined £50, with court costs. The wreck was not located until 2007. Dr C. Corlis (SERN MAJOR), Canadian by birth, survived the war and returned to Bangalow. He served with distinction on the Western Front, was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry under fire, and was promoted to Major. In 1922, together with two doctors from Lismore, he operated on Jack 100. His parents travelled from Tenterfield to visit him in Bangalow after the operation Lieut. Graham (SERN Lieutenant) was called up for active duty with the Australian Expeditionary Forces at Enoggera in September 1915101. He served with the 41st Battalion, fought and was wounded in France in July 1917 and sent to England. He went back to France on recovery, survived the war, returned home in June 1919102, and resumed command of the Bangalow Half Troop of the Light Horse 103. William Prior (or Pryor), (SERN 4120), Norman’s fellow Methodist, Christian Endeavour and L.O.L member, enlisted in June 1916. He died in France on 10 April 1918 and a Memorial Service104 for him was held at the Brooklet Protestant Hall in August 1918. Rev. Ellis Thomas conducted the service, Rev. Arthur Crapp spoke of the regard and esteem with which William was regarded and a letter of appreciation from J. N. Ferguson was read. William was English, with his parents living in Cornwall. He had worked for J. N. Ferguson, but before enlisting was working at Brooklet managing Jack Johnston's farm. William Parkinson (SERN 2841), after enrolling with Norman and sailing to Egypt with him, contracted mumps and did not go to Gallipoli. In 1916 he was sent to France, was wounded and admitted to hospital at Etaples. In 1917 he was sent to hospital in England suffering from trench fever. On both occasions, after recovering he was sent back to the front. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in 1918, and died shortly afterwards on May 2. His body was not found, but the Germans returned his identity disc. He has no known grave, and is an “untraceable”- with no family to notify of his death or mourn his loss, or to collect his medals or pay; no memorial service and no mention on any local honor board. His name is inscribed on the memorial to the missing at Villiers-Brettoneux. On Christmas Eve 1915 in nearby Lismore, a group of soldiers, ex-soldiers and civilians, watched by a crowd of several thousand, smashed up the business premises of four firms owned by people with German sounding names, and were charged with rioting105. They were incensed by reports that the part owner of the picture theatre had thrown out a wounded soldier, had made unpatriotic remarks, and did not allow soldiers to use the billiard room. At their trial in April 1916, although the judge described their actions as disgraceful, he directed the jury to find them not guilty, as the defence had proved that their actions did not constitute a riot as defined in law - to constitute a riot someone had to be put in fear, and there was no evidence of this. He also questioned why such a person as the theatre owner, if he had behaved in the disloyal way described by the police, should still be at liberty. One of the other business owners had been charged with trading with the enemy and had been interned.

99

Brisbane Courier 13 April 1929 p. 21 100

Tweed Daily 23 September 1922 p. 4 101

Daily Examiner 13 September 1915 p. 2. 102

The Northern Star 20 May 1919 p. 4 103

Tweed Daily 8 June 1921 p. 2 104

The Northern Star 12 August 1918 p. 2 105

The Northern Star 11 April 1916 p. 2

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No record was found of any anti-German activities directed at the German-Australian Bruce family at Brooklet – Tina’s parents and siblings. Her father John Frederick William Bruce was born in Berlin in 1863 but had been in

Australia since about 1876 and had become a naturalised British subject of NSW in 1900106. Her mother Wilhelmina was a second generation German Australian. The Bruce family was a well-respected local family involved in community and religious activities, being members of the Newrybar Presbyterian Church, and William was a director of the Brooklet Butter Factory and on the committee of the Brooklet Protestant Hall107.

Northern Star Wednesday 22 October 1919 p. 4; Brooklet Protestant Hall Honor Board

Ballina News: Tuesday. “The Brooklet honor board was exhibited in town to-day. It was made by Mr. H. Thomas and decorated by Mr. G. Denford to the order of the Brooklet Advance to Freedom L.O.L., No. 225 (sic), and is of cedar. The timber has a historic connection with the development of the North Coast, and was cut from the big scrub over 50 years ago. It has since been kept by Mr. C. Hamilton, who placed it at the disposal of the lodge, and the memento of their fathers' fortitude now bears the names of the boys who in fighting in defence of Christianity and freedom upheld the stout-hearted traditions of their forbears. The board is finely polished, and on the face two carved columns support an arch on which is written "The great war, 1914-1918," and beneath appear the Union Jack and Australian flag. The following names adorn the tablet, two of whom have paid the supreme sacrifice:- M. J. Newton, A. Crozier, N. W. Johnson (sic) (died from illness contracted on active service), R. A. Phillips, P. W. Phillips, C. G. Westbrook, Lieut. C. O. Grahame (sic), R. S. Payne, A. Semple, W. J. Prior (K.I.A.), W. T. Gay, J. R. Graham, R. S. Cowey, and W. A. Moffit. This worthy tribute from the lodge shows that a proportion of its members enlisted of which it can justly be proud.”

References

Barrett, John 1979. Falling In - Australians and ‘Boy Conscription’ 1911-1915. Sydney: Hale and Iremonger. Perry, Roland 2009. The Australian Light Horse. Sydney: Hachette Australia. Wilson, Ross 1978 The Johnston Family Tree. Cairns: Privately published. Wilson, Ross 1984. Pioneer Family Album: The pictorial history of an Australian family. Alstonville. Privately published.

Figure 16. LHS: J. N. Ferguson - Bangalow Auctioneer – witness to Norman’s will and auctioneer at the 1900 auction sale at “Sunnyside”. RHS: W.R. Johnston – Norman and George’s cousin who donated the land for the Protestant Hall. Photos: Russell, F. Farm Life on the Richmond and Tweed Rivers. John Sands Sydney 1906. eResource from NLA.

106

State Archives of NSW. NSW Certificate of Naturalization No. 351 107

The Northern Star 4 June 1908 p. 2