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.
HOBLER, Minnie
Minnie Hobler was born in 1875 in Rockhampton, Queensland. She was the ninth of the eleven children of Francis Helvetius Hobler (1825-1889) and his wife Jessie Ann (nee Learmonth) (1838-1910).
- 4220 reads
HOCKING, Leighton Rowe
Leighton Rowe Hocking appears to have been the only child of his parents, Edward Rowe Hocking, a tailor, and his wife, Ada Graves, nee Little. Leighton was born on 11 May, 1895 and was 21 years and 4 months old when he enlisted at Ballarat on 13 October, 1916.
- 1845 reads
HODGETTS, William Booth
William Booth Hodgetts was born on 27 may, 1895, to Booth Hodgetts and his wife, Helen Margurita, nee Strong. His mother died in 1898 and this may have been what prompted his father to emigrate to Australia. He must have married again, because William had two half sisters, Lilian Helen Hodgetts, born 1901, and Joan Patricia Hodgetts, born 1916.
- 1913 reads
HODGSON, James Percy
James Percy Hodgson was born in Clifton Hill in 1897 to Joseph Hodgson (an engineer) and Alice Hodgson (nee Lyman). There were 3 brothers, one (Joseph Lyman) who also enlisted for WWI, and 2 sisters. James was working as a junior carpet salesman when he enlisted, aged 18 years on 15 September 1915. He was senior cadet at school for 4 years.
- 2530 reads
HODGSON, Joseph Lyman
Joseph Lyman Hodgson was born in Fitzroy in 1893 to Joseph Hodgson (an engineer) and Alice Hodgson (nee Lyman). There were 3 brothers, one (James Percy) who also enlisted for WWI, and 2 sisters. Joseph was working as a telegraphist assistant when he enlisted on 6 May, 1915, aged 24 years. A cadet at school for 8 years, he reached the rank of Col.
- 2705 reads
HOLDEN, Edwin
Edwin Holden was born in Darwen, Lancashire, England, but in 1915 was living at 116 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne. He was at that time, 27 years old, single and working as a Meat Inspector, the trade to which he would return after the war.
- 1636 reads
HOLMES, Francis Samuel
Francis Samuel Holmes was the fourth of eight children born to Samuel Lambert Holmes, a bootmaker, and Frances Spencer. He was born at Steglitz or Stiglitz, outside Geeelong. When he enlisted on 3 August, 1915, he was nineteen years old and living with his father at 60 Jolimont Rd., Jolimont. The house number may be wrong, as his father, post-war, corrected the entry to 50 Jolimont Rd..
- 1689 reads
HOLMES, Leonard Spencer
Leonard Spencer Holmes was one of the eight children of Samuel Lambert Holmes and his wife, Frances nee Spencer. He was born in Ballarat, but enlisted at Geelong on 20 October 1916, following the lead of his elder brother Francis Samuel Holmes. Both young men were bootmakers, following on from their father's trade, single, and, by religion, Methodist.
- 1844 reads
HONEYBONE, Charles
Charles Honeybone enlisted on 16 July,1915, and was accepted into the army on 3 August, 1915.
- 1583 reads
HONMAN, Andrew Victor
Andrew Victor Honman was born in Williamstown on 26 February 1891 to Dr. Andrew Holman and Wilhemina Clara Mahlenbach. His father Andrew was born in St Andrew's, Scotland where he studied medicine, then worked in Egypt in 1880 assisting with the management of an epidemic of cholera.
- 2645 reads
HOPE, Alfred Thomas
Alfred Thomas Hope was the son of Thomas Ebenezar Hope and his wife Elizabeth Agnes, nee Dowker.He was 19 years and 11 months old when he enlisted on 20 August, 1914, a storeman by occupation. He was tall for this time, 5'10", with a dark complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair. He gave his religion as Church of England.
- 1672 reads
HORNE, Alfred Meakin
Alfred Meakins Horne was born in April, 1881, at Torcester, Northhamptonshire, England. He was one of six children born to William Charzles Horne and his wifer Eliza, nee Meakins. She may well have been related to the famous Meakins Pottery family. In 1891, Alfred was living at Whittlebury in Northamptonshire and in 1901, was a servant at Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire.
- 1570 reads
HOUSTON, Peter Calder Bryce
Peter Calder Bryce Houston was the son of William Houston (1838-1895) and his wife, Agnes Sarah Bryce (1844-1900). When he enlisted on 4 July, 1914, Peter Houston was a month away from his thirtieth birthday and married to Lavinia Elizabeth Mills.They had met and married in Brisbane and had a son, John William Peter Houston, born on 7 November, 1910.
- 1677 reads
HOYES, Ormond James
Ormond James Hoyes enlisted on 18 August, 1914 and was attached to the 6th Battalion, H company. He was 28 years and 3 months old, a clerk by occupation, married in 1913 to Mabel, nee Brigham, and living at 6 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne.
- 1799 reads
HUGHES, Wilfrid Selwyn Kent
Wilfrid Kent Hughes, known as Billy, was born in East Melbourne on 12 June 1895. Members of his extended family had achieved, or would later achieve, some prominence in various aspects of public life. He attended Trinity Grammar School in Kew till he was aged 13, at which point he won a scholarship to Melbourne Grammar School.
- 3349 reads
HUMMERSTON, Reginald Arthur
Reginald Arthur Hummerston was born on 7 August 1888 in Waverley, New South Wales, the son of Sophia, nee Wilson and Arthur Hummerston. He was baptised at St. Matthias Anglican Church, Centennial Park, NSW, and became the eldest of four brothers, Albert, Stanley and Cecil.
- 1721 reads
HUMPHREYS, Alfred Ernest
Alf Humphreys was born in Greenoch, Scotland and emigrated with his parents to Australia. The Humphreys had seven children, of whom two boys stayed behind. In 1914 when he enlisted, he was living with his mother and sister, Annie in Simpson Street, East Melbourne and working as a traveller. He was one of the earliest men to enlist, signing up on 18 August, 1914.
- 1994 reads
HUNT, Matthew Francis
Matthew was the son of Albert and Anne Hunt and was born c.1892. In about 1905 the family moved to 42 Grey Street, East Melbourne, when its original owner, James Peel Browne died the same year as his son, also James Peel Brown, leaving the son's wife, Catherine as the beneficiary.
- 1876 reads
HUSSEY, William Richard
William Hussey was born on 3 July, 1895 at Strathmerton. He spent 3 years as a cadet whilst at school. On 16 September, 1915 he enlisted with the AIF at Broadmedows, however was discharged 3 days later as medically unfit - bunions. On 1 July, 1917 he renlisted again aged 23 years.
- 1731 reads
HUTCHISON, George
George Hutchison enlisted on 19 June, 1916. He was a married man, having wed Elizabeth May Lott, known as May, in 1916. He gave their addrees on his enlistment form as 131 Powlett St., East Melbourne. Their son, Darken Charles Hutchison was born the following year in 1917, while his father was away at war.
- 1561 reads
HYLAND, Francis William
Frank Hyland was onle a boy when he joined up, eighteen years and five months old. He was a junior telephone mechanic, in training with the Electrical Engineers Branch of the PMG, and living at 18 Berry St., East Melbourne.
- 1665 reads
IPSEN, Carl Frederick Hendrik
Carl Frederick Hendrik Ipsen was the son of Danish born Carl Hendrik Ipsen and English born Bessie Jemima, nee Westmore. He was born in Abbotsford in 1892.
- 2692 reads
JACK, Robert Duncan
Killed in action at Armentieres in 1916. Robert Duncan Jack was the son of Robert Hunter and Julia Jack. He was born in Caulfield in 1893.
- 2359 reads
JACOBSON, William
When William Jacobson was born on 20 April 1879 in Launceston, Tasmania, his father, Charles (1835-1904), was 43 and his mother, Margaret, nee Carswell, was 34 . William was the eldest of four children, Janet (b. 1881), Arthur (b.1884) and Ada (b.1886).
- 1870 reads
JACOMB, Robert Arthur
Robert Arthur Jacomb came from a well established East Melbourne family. Robert Elwall Jacomb and his wife, Anne, had first lived in Victoria Parade and then, as their family grew, at 53 Powlett St from the 1860s. Robert Arthur Jacomb was born to their son, Robert Ker Jacomb, and his wife, Louisa, in January, 1886, at Brighton Beach.
- 2228 reads
JAMES, Charles Frederick
Charles Frederick James was born on 17 March, 1885, and was baptised at St. Peter's Anglican Church, Eastern Hill. He was the son of Lewis James and his wife, Sophia, nee Friedlein. At the time of his enlistment, Charles James was 31 and 11 months old, working as a Public Servant and living at 53 Park St., Moonee Ponds with his wife, Alice Montgomery James.
- 1765 reads
JAMES, George Edwin
George Edwin James was born in Birmingham, England c.1886. He arrived in Melbourne shortly before the war broke out and took up residence in East Melbourne. At the time of his enlistment on 17 August 1914 he was living at 125 Gipps Street, where at that stage one could rent furnished or unfurnished rooms with breakfast optional.
- 2130 reads
JAMISON, Robert Gibton
Robert Gibton Jamison, known as 'Skipper', enlisted late in the war and never got to serve at any of the battle fronts. The son of John and Ellen, nee Eades, Jamison. Robert was a clerk, living at 8 Lisson Grove, Hawthorn. On 26 June, 1907, he had married Rita Pilbeam at the Rowe Crescent Congregational Church, Albert Park, and the couple had one child, born c.1913, James Pilbeam Jamison.
- 1643 reads
JENKYN, Frederick
Frederick Jenkyn had two lives as a volunteer and gave 874 days of service to Australia in World War 1. He first enlisted on 16 July, 1915, and gave his occupation as Hospital Assistant. He was at that time 30 years and eleven months old, single, with his next of kin his father, living in East Melbourne.
- 1564 reads
JOHANNSEN, Henry Niemen
- 2124 reads
JOHNSON, Bessie Shircliffe
Bessie Shircliffe Johnson was born on 2 July 1886, in the Fitzroy area of Melbourne to Webb Johnson (1863-1890) and his wife Kate (nee Ryan, no dates). Formally registered as Elizabeth at her birth, she was the sibling of Kate/Catherine Mary (born 1883) and Ryan (born 1889).
- 4101 reads
JOHNSON, Edwin Campbell
Edwin Campbell Johnson was the second son of Alexander Campbell Cusac Johnson and his wife, Ella May, nee Young. He was born on 13 May, 1892 in Adelaide and baptised at St. Mary Magdalene's, Adelaide. At the time he enlisted, on 1 May, 1916, he was 24 years and 4 months old, working as a clerk.
- 1714 reads
JOHNSON, Frederick
This is a story of two soldiers, not one, Frederick Johnson and his brother Ralph. They were the children of Hubert Thomas Coster Johnson and his wife, Alice Maud Mary Ivey. A third child, Alice, born 1893, died at the age of eight. The eldest child, Constance, born 1891, died in 1972. Frederick Johnson was born in 1897 and his younger brother, Ralph, in 1898.
- 1472 reads
JOHNSTON, David Robertson
David Robertson Johnston was the son of John Johnston and his wife, Margaret Bolton Johnston. He was one of eleven children and had served a four year apprenticeship as a draper in his birthplace, with J. Falconer of Aberdeen. By 1915, he was living in East Melbourne, at 49 George St. and working as a draper.
- 1617 reads
JOHNSTONE, Stanley Watson
Stanley Watson Johnston or Johnstone, was born in Dundee, Scotland in 1887, but little else is known of him. His father was Andrew Johnstone, but this is the only fact in his early life, other than that he served four years as an apprentice at Gourlay Brothers, presumably in Dundee. He was 27 years old in 1915 and gave as his next of kin his wife, Mary Frances, nee Hunt.
- 1823 reads
JONES, David
When David Jones was born on 19 April 1889 in Eaglehawk, Victoria, his father, Henry, was 34 and his mother, Jane, was 34. He was their fourth son and one of eight children. Henry Jones died in 1897, aged 43, when David was nine.
- 1560 reads
JONES, Francis Joseph Roy
Francis Joseph Roy Jones enlisted on 8 November, 1917. He was reasonably old for a new recruit, 40 years and 3 months. He was, by occupation, an Assistant Surveyor, 5' 8" tall and Roman Catholic by religion. Who his parents were is not known; he gave as his next of kin a friend, Mrs. Maggie Scheicowski, living at 159 George St., East Melbourne.
- 1572 reads
JONES, George
George Jones, born on 18 October, 1896, was the youngest of five brothers, at least three of whom enlisted for the 1st World War. There was George Henry, born 1877; Henry Joseph and Samuel Albert, born 1878; David, born 1889. In 1887, a sister was born, Alice Catherine, followed by Emily Caroline in 1883 and Daisy Amelia in 1891.
- 1641 reads
JONES, Norman Fletcher
Norman Fletcher Jones enlisted at the age of 28 years and 10 months
Occupation at the time was as a Printer
He was Single
Next of Kin: Mother - Mary Jones who at one stage resided at 134 Powlett Street East Melbourne before moving to Western Australia
Enlisted 11 March 1916 being 5'6" blue eyed, brown hair
- 2050 reads
JONES, Oliver
Oliver Jones was born in Richmond in 1891. He was the son of John Jones and his wife, May Matilda. By 1909 the family had moved to East Melbourne, initially renting at 90 George Street, then moving to 1105 Hoddle Street, and then, in 1916, back to 88 George Street. The Jones later bought 88 George Street after the death of the owner and remained there until their own deaths: J
- 2075 reads
JONES, Robert
Robert Thomas Jones was the son of Henry Jones and his wife Jane, nee Smith. He was the fourth of five sons and three daughters, born in May, 1885: George Henry, b. 1877, Henry Joseph and Samuel Albert,b. 1878; Emily Caroline, b.1887; Alice Catherine, b.1887; David, b.1889; Daisy Amelia, b. 1891; George, b.1896. Three sons were to go to war and survive.
- 1747 reads
JUNCK, George Fritz Augustus
George Junck was born in East Melbourne to Otto Junck ,a German who came to Australia at 12 months old and subsequently became an Australian citizen, and Selina Mary Forrester, of Australian origin. George was unemployed when he enlisted for the AIF on 17 June, 1916.
- 1815 reads
KAVANAGH, Michael Joseph
Michael Joseph Kavangh enlisted as soon as war was declared on August 12, 1914. He was a young single man, aged 27 years and 5 months old, living in Melbourne, but with his family living in Perth. By trade, he declared himself a woodworker, coach builder and wheelwright.
- 1743 reads
KEAST, Raymond Fairbairn
- 2571 reads
KEEGAN, William Sydney
William Sydney Keegan was living with his mother, Margaret Keegan, in Princes St., Carlton, when he enlisted on 5 April, 1916. He was then 44 years and 6 months old, 5'5" tall, and working as a groom. In his later life, he did not marry, though he had a son, born in 1906, with Margaret Dunn, named Leslie Joseph Francis Hardy.
- 1674 reads
KELLAWAY, Frank Gerald
Frank was born on 7 January, 1895 in East Melbourne. His father the Reverend Alfred Charles Kellaway had emigrated to Australia from Swanage, Dorset arriving in Melbourne in 1863 on the 'Istamboul'. In 1886 he married Ann Carrick Halliley Roberts from Longford, Tasmania at St James Church, Longford. Frank had 4 siblings, an older and younger brother and two older sisters.
- 3120 reads
KELLY, Francis Hugh Patrick
Fracis Hugh Patrick Kelly was born in Richmond, Victoria in 1891, the son of Francis Kelly and his wife, Anne or Annie, nee Gellin. Francis Kelly Senior worked for the railways, giving his address on his son's Enlistment Form as Time Keepers' Office, Goods Shed, Spencer St.. Francis Hugh Kelly followed in his father's footsteps, giving his occupation as Motor Engineeer and Driver.
- 1681 reads
KELLY, Roger
Despite the best efforts, Roger Kelly remains a mystery man. He was born in Rutherglen, Victoria, in September, 1880, and was 33 years and 11 months when he enlisted on 21 August, 1914. He gave his occupation as 'Horse Breaker' and his next of kin as his brother, Patrick William Kelly, of Rutherglen.
- 1912 reads
KELLY, Thomas Ivon Ward
Thomas Ivon Ward Kelly was one of five children,the eldest child, followed by Reginald John Kelly, born in 1899, but only survived two months,Olive, Violet and Rose Julia Kelly, b.1903.When he enlisted on 15 February, 1917, Tim Kelly was just off 22 years old, single, and working as a technical teacher.
- 1751 reads