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.

WILKINSON, Archer Stalham

Date of birth: 
1895
Biographical notes: 

Archer Stalham Wilkinson was born on 15 January, 1895 at Bright, Victoria. His father John Wilkinson, after graduating as a doctor from the University of Melbourne in 1886, had moved to Bright to become a General Practitioner. John married Celia Eileen Harmer on 20 September 1887 at Bundoora. Archer was the third son of John and Celia.

  • 3423 reads

WILLIAMS, Arthur James

Date of birth: 
1898
Biographical notes: 

Arthur James Williams was born c Dec 1898 at Menzies, Western Australia.  He was the son of Percy James and Mary Ellen Williams.

  • 3614 reads

WILLIAMS, Mark Alfred

Date of birth: 
1887
Biographical notes: 

Mark Alfred Williams was born in Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales.  He enlisted on 19 August 1914 at Eastern Hill. At the time he was living at 539 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne, a boarding house, just a few doors from Nicholson Street.

  • 3354 reads

WILLIAMS, Richard

Date of birth: 
1890
Biographical notes: 

As the first military pilot trained in Australia, Richard Williams went on to achieve an illustrious career with the Air Force, including the establisment of the RAAF in 1922. Born on 3 August 1890 at Moonta Mines. South Australia. he was the eldest son of Richard Williams, a copper miner from Cornwall and wife Emily.

  • 3950 reads

WILLMOTT, Maxwell Thomas

born East Melbourne

Biographical notes: 

born East Melbourne

WILLOUGHBY, Arthur Howard Wilton

Date of birth: 
1874
Biographical notes: 

Arthur Howard Wilton Willoughby was the only surviving son of Howard Willoughby and his wife, Emily Frances (nee Jones). He was born at Harborne House in Jolimont Road, Jolimont, the house that Howard had built in 1868 two years before his marriage. It was named for the town near Birmingham, England, where he was born.

  • 3273 reads

WILMS, Leopold Henry

Date of birth: 
1886
Biographical notes: 

Leopold Wilms was born in East Melbourne around 1886. At 30 years old he enlisted on 5 April, 1916. At this time he had married Mildred Maud Taylor in 1912 in Victoria. Working as a grazier in the Lilydale area, he lived at Brushy Park, Croydon.

  • 2745 reads

WILSON, David Guthrie

Date of birth: 
1898
Biographical notes: 

David Guthrie Draver (known as Guthrie) Wilson was born in 1898 in Kew.  He was the son of Arthur George Wilson and his wife, Emily, nee Spence.  In 1902 the family moved to 130 Grey Street, East Melbourne, the middle of three terrace houses.  Arthur, a clerk, died shortly after.  Emily was a boarding house keeper and managed both 130 and 128 Grey Street as boarding houses.

  • 3645 reads

WILSON, Frank Costella

Date of birth: 
1889
Biographical notes: 

Son of Francis Wilson (d. 30 Jan. 1908), bank officer with the London Bank and Lavinia (nee Stevens) (d.10 Mar 1902). Born city of Melbourne on 21 January 1889.  Enlisted at Melbourne 26 July 1915.  Age 26 years 7 months.  5ft 6.25ins.  Complexion medium, eyes light blue, hair brown.  Occupation clerk.

  • 3328 reads

WILSON, George Thomas

Biographical notes: 

Bootmaker.  George Thomas Wilson enlisted using a false name and false age, which he gave as 21.  His true name was George Gregory Cronin whose real age was 16 years and 6 months.  Embarked 16 July 1915; returned from Suez for discharge 19 Sept 1915; discharged under age without parental consent.

Letter from Sam Cronin advising that his son is underage
  • 3445 reads

WILSON, John David

Date of birth: 
1892
Biographical notes: 

John Wilson was born in Bendigo in 1892. At the time of enlistment, 29 February, 1916, his father was deceased and widowed mother was Elizabeth Wilson. His occupation is listed as farmer. On 4 April 1916, after 2 months training at Seymour, embarked for the UK on the HMAT Euripides A14.

  • 2871 reads

WILSON, Robert

Date of birth: 
1887
  • 2682 reads

WILTON, Gerald Langford D'Auverne

Date of birth: 
1880
Biographical notes: 

Gerald Langford d’Auverne Wilton was born in Sunderland, England c.1880.  At the time of his enlistment on 19 February 1916 he was working as a motor driver/chauffeur.  He was married to Emily Mary Wilton and was living at 55 Agnes Street, Jolimont.  He was appointed to the 23rd Battalion and sent to Royal Park for training.  He was then transferred to the 10

  • 3401 reads

WILTSHIRE, Herbert

Date of birth: 
1893
Biographical notes: 

Herbert Ralph Wiltshire was born in Walthamstowe, England.  When he enlisted at Melbourne on 20 August 1914 he gave his age as 24, however in a Statutory Declaration he made in 1938 he gave his birthdate as 18 August 1893, making him three years younger than his original stated age.  He named his wife, Emily, as his next of kin with an address in Ilford, England.  His occupation

  • 3144 reads

WINDSOR, Michael George

Date of birth: 
1893
Biographical notes: 

Michael George Windsor was born in 1893 in Caulfield.  He was the son of Arthur Windsor, who, at the time of Michael’s enlistment on 17 August 1914, was living at 272 High Street, St. Kilda.  Michael gave his occupation as labourer and his next of kin as Miss Costain, Wellington Street, Jolimont.  Minnie Costain was Michael's aunt.

  • 3608 reads

WINTERBOTTOM, Bertie Dallas

Date of birth: 
1893
Biographical notes: 

Bertie Dallas Winterbottom was the son of William Henry Winterbottom and Jean Mathieson Winterbottom.  He was born 1893 at Koondrook in Victoria, between Swan Hill and Echuca.  His father had been a selector in the area.

  • 3568 reads

WITHALL, Latham

Date of birth: 
1884
Biographical notes: 

Enlisted  on 3 December 1917 at Melbourne.   Prior to his enlistment he wrote to The Manager, Department of Defence, Woollen Cloth Factory, Geelong to apply for leave of absence.  On enlistment gave his occupation as Defence Department employee (civil servant).  His next of kin was his wife, Mabel, of Shenstone, Jolimont Street, Jolimont.  This address wa

  • 3611 reads