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.

WATSON, Eileen Marriott

Date of birth: 
1887
Biographical notes: 

Eileen Marriott Watson was the youngest of the five daughters and one son born to the Reverend James Marriott Watson (1842-1903) and his wife Marianna (nee Dunning) (1846-1908). 

2 Australian Stationary Hospital, Mudros West, Sept 1915 (AWM C02097)
Australian Matron and nurses, Colaba War Hospital 1917 (AWM PO4046.001)
  • 6966 reads

WATSON, John Edwin

  • 2607 reads

WATSON, Leslie Gottreux

Date of birth: 
1898
Biographical notes: 

Leslie Gottreux/Gottruex Watson was born in 1898 at Casa de Maria, 123 Gipps Street, East Melbourne.  He was the son of Edward J and Edith Watson.  At the time of his enlistment at Moonee Ponds on 22 November 1917 he gave his occupation as warehouseman.  He gave his father as his next of kin, address unknown.  His mother had died in 1913 when the family was living at Hampton

  • 3180 reads

WATT, James Erskine

  • 2662 reads

WATTS, John David Herbert

born East Melbourne, Sportsmen's 1000, discharged in Aust

Biographical notes: 

born East Melbourne, Sportsmen's 1000, discharged in Aust

WATTS, Stanley Keevil

Date of birth: 
1896
Biographical notes: 
(Alfred) Stanley Keevil Watts was born in 1896 in Armadale.  He was the son on Walter Keevil Watts and his wife, Charlotte (Lottie) nee Watson.  Charlotte died in 1902 and Walter married divorcee, Jessica Keast, nee Bowes.  They moved with their children to 130 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne.
  • 3712 reads

WEBSTER, John Laing

  • 2944 reads

WHAMOND, Frederick Charles

Date of birth: 
1900
Biographical notes: 

When Frederick Charles Whamond enlisted on 24 June 1915 he claimed that he was 18 years of age and born in Windsor, Victoria.  In fact he was born at South Yarra on 10 July 1900 and was only 15. This unfortunately was just the beginning of a career of deceit.  His mother possibly thought the army might do him good as she signed her agreement to his enlistment.

Service record of Frederick Charles Whamond
  • 3369 reads

WHARTON, John Lynne

  • 2898 reads

WHINFIELD, Myles William

Date of birth: 
1886
Biographical notes: 

Myles William Whinfield was born in 1886 in Echuca, Victoria. He was the son of James Chapman Whinfield and Mary Jane (nee Watt). His father, a farmer and sheep-breeder of Bamawm, near Echuca, died in 1895 when a dray he was driving hit a tree and overturned. Only two years later his mother, a well known equestrienne, died after a fall from her horse.

Myles William Whinfield and wife, Effie Tilley Whinfield
Myles William Whinfield
Myles William Whinfield, second from left
Glenlyon School Honor Board includes name of E. Kidd, nurse
  • 4119 reads

WHITE, Jessie McHardie

Date of birth: 
1870
Biographical notes: 

Notes by Janet Scarfe additional to material below.

Jessie McHardie White
  • 5029 reads

WHITE, Newport Benjamin

Date of birth: 
1893
Biographical notes: 

One of three children and only son of Rev. Benjamin Newport White, M.A., vicar of Holy Trinity, East Melbourne 1905-1928, and his wife, Sarah Ann; born 27 February 1893 at St. Peter's Vicarage, Mornington. He moved to East Melbourne with his family in 1905 where they lived at the vicarage on the corner of Clarendon and George Streets (now demolished).

  • 3369 reads

WHITE, Rupert William

Date of birth: 
1897
Biographical notes: 

Rupert William White was the son of Harry White and his wife, Emily Nutting, nee Gardner.  The couple had married in Maffra and had had children there, but Rupert was born in East Melbourne.  Later the family moved to Maldon.  Both Harry and Emily were hotel licensees.  Emily died in 1909 at Maldon.

  • 3281 reads

WHITE, Thomas Wilson

Biographical notes: 

photo of his bugle, at AWM

  • 2611 reads

WHITE, Thomas Wilson

Date of birth: 
1888
Biographical notes: 

Private Thomas Wilson White, 5 Machine Gun Battalion AIF. White, a 27 year old dredge hand, born 3 November 1888 at Forbes, NSW, was living at 61 Powlett Street, East Melbourne when he enlisted on 9 July 1915. He embarked for overseas service aboard the transport Port Lincoln, which left Melbourne on 4 May 1916.

  • 3247 reads

WHITEFORD, Robert

  • 2464 reads

WHITEHEAD, Herbert

born East Melbourne

Biographical notes: 

born East Melbourne