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.

HINES, William George

Biographical notes: 

Next of Kin: Rita Vivian Hines (Wife)

  • 1533 reads

HOBLER, Minnie

Date of birth: 
1875
Biographical notes: 

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).

Minnie Hobler (left), Egypt 1915 (Egypt album)
Minnie Hobler (head of the table), mess in Egypt 1915 (Egypt album)
Minnie Hobler sightseeing (Egypt album)
Minnie Hobler with patients
Minnie Hobler's AANS trunk (recovered in Queensland in 2015)
Detail from Minnie Hobler's AANS trunk (recovered in Queensland in 2015)
  • 3887 reads

HOCKING, Leighton Rowe

Date of birth: 
1895
Biographical notes: 

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.

  • 1671 reads

HODGETTS, William Booth

Date of birth: 
1895
Biographical notes: 

William Booth Hodgetts was born on 27 may, 1895, to Booth Hodgetts and his wife, Helen Margurita, nee Strong.

  • 1721 reads

HODGSON, James Percy

Date of birth: 
1897
Biographical notes: 

James Percy Hodgson was born in Clifton Hill in 1897 to Joseph Hodgson (an engineer) and Alice Hodgson (nee Lyman).

  • 2241 reads

HODGSON, Joseph Lyman

Biographical notes: 

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.

  • 2399 reads

HOLDEN, Edwin

Date of birth: 
1889
Biographical notes: 

Edwin Holden was born in Darwen, Lancashire, England, but in 1915 was living at 116 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne.

  • 1496 reads

HOLMES, Francis Samuel

Date of birth: 
1896
Biographical notes: 

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.

  • 1513 reads

HOLMES, Leonard Spencer

Date of birth: 
1893
Biographical notes: 

Leonard Spencer Holmes was one of the eight children of Samuel Lambert Holmes and his wife, Frances nee Spencer.

  • 1668 reads

HONEYBONE, Charles

Date of birth: 
1896
Biographical notes: 

Charles Honeybone enlisted on 16 July,1915, and was accepted into the army on 3 August, 1915.

  • 1415 reads

HONMAN, Andrew Victor

Date of birth: 
1891
Biographical notes: 

Andrew Victor Honman was born in Williamstown on 26 February 1891 to Dr. Andrew Holman and Wilhemina Clara Mahlenbach.

Major Andrew Victor HONMAN
  • 2352 reads

HOPE, Alfred Thomas

Date of birth: 
1894
Biographical notes: 

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.

  • 1468 reads

HORNE, Alfred Meakin

Date of birth: 
1882
Biographical notes: 

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.

  • 1414 reads

HOUSTON, Peter Calder Bryce

Date of birth: 
1886
Biographical notes: 

Peter Calder Bryce Houston was the son of William Houston (1838-1895) and his wife, Agnes Sarah Bryce (1844-1900).

  • 1492 reads

HOYES, Ormond James

Date of birth: 
1886
Biographical notes: 

Ormond James Hoyes enlisted on 18 August, 1914 and was attached to the 6th Battalion, H company.

  • 1644 reads

HUGHES, Wilfrid Selwyn Kent

Date of birth: 
1895
Biographical notes: 

Wilfrid Kent Hughes, known as Billy, was born in East Melbourne on 12 June 1895.

Portrait of Major Wilfrid Kent Hughes MC, of the Australian Light Horse
  • 3093 reads

HUMMERSTON, Reginald Arthur

Date of birth: 
1888
Biographical notes: 

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.

  • 1574 reads

HUMPHREYS, Alfred Ernest

Date of birth: 
1877
Biographical notes: 

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.

  • 1802 reads

HUNT, Matthew Francis

Biographical notes: 

Matthew was the son of Albert and Anne Hunt and was born c.1892.

  • 1716 reads

HUSSEY, William Richard

Date of birth: 
1895
Biographical notes: 

William Hussey was born on 3 July, 1895 at Strathmerton. He spent 3 years as a cadet whilst at school.

  • 1583 reads

HUTCHISON, George

Biographical notes: 

George Hutchison enlisted on 19 June, 1916. He was a married man, having wed Elizabeth May Lott, known as May, in 1916.

  • 1425 reads

HYLAND, Francis William

Date of birth: 
1897
Biographical notes: 

Frank Hyland was onle a boy when he joined up, eighteen years and five months old.

  • 1503 reads

IPSEN, Carl Frederick Hendrik

Date of birth: 
1892
Biographical notes: 

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.

Departure of Barambah on 27 June 1916
Wellwishers cheering the troops aboard the Barambah
Ipsen with unit at Bray
Ipsen as teacher at Geelong College
Ipsen with unit at Bray. He is the one looking up
  • 2450 reads

JACK, Robert Duncan

Date of birth: 
1893
Biographical notes: 

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.

  • 2181 reads

JACOBSON, William

Date of birth: 
1879
Biographical notes: 

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 .

  • 1734 reads

JACOMB, Robert Arthur

Date of birth: 
1886
Biographical notes: 

Robert Arthur Jacomb came from a well established East Melbourne family.

Letter about Jacomb's family
  • 2058 reads

JAMES, Charles Frederick

Date of birth: 
1884
Biographical notes: 

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.

  • 1609 reads

JAMES, George Edwin

Date of birth: 
1886
Biographical notes: 

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.

  • 1944 reads

JAMISON, Robert Gibton

Date of birth: 
1865
Biographical notes: 

Robert Gibton Jamison, known as 'Skipper', enlisted late in the war and never got to serve at any of the battle fronts.

  • 1499 reads

JENKYN, Frederick

Date of birth: 
1884
Biographical notes: 

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.

  • 1408 reads

JOHANNSEN, Henry Niemen

Date of birth: 
1889
Biographical notes: 
Henry (Harry) Neimen Johannsen was the second son of John and Mary Anne Johannsen and one of a large family of eleven children.  He was born in Allendale in c. 1889.
  • 1915 reads

JOHNSON, Bessie Shircliffe

Date of birth: 
1886
Biographical notes: 

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).

Bessie Johnson (second from right) 14 AGH 1917 (AWM P00812.022)
London War Hospital Epsom c1916 (AWM AO1927)
Ward at 14 AGH (AWM P00228.062)
  • 3733 reads

JOHNSON, Edwin Campbell

Date of birth: 
1892
Biographical notes: 

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.

  • 1542 reads

JOHNSON, Frederick

Date of birth: 
1897
Biographical notes: 

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.

  • 1318 reads

JOHNSTON, David Robertson

Date of birth: 
1889
Biographical notes: 

David Robertson Johnston was the son of John Johnston and his wife, Margaret Bolton Johnston.

  • 1488 reads

JOHNSTONE, Stanley Watson

Date of birth: 
1887
Biographical notes: 

Stanley Watson Johnston or Johnstone, was born in Dundee, Scotland in 1887, but little else is known of him.

  • 1640 reads

JONES, David

Date of birth: 
1889
Biographical notes: 

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.

  • 1406 reads

JONES, Francis Joseph Roy

Date of birth: 
1875
Biographical notes: 

Francis Joseph Roy Jones enlisted on 8 November, 1917. He was reasonably old for a new recruit, 40 years and 3 months.

  • 1424 reads

JONES, George

Date of birth: 
1896
Biographical notes: 

George Jones, born on 18 October, 1896, was the youngest of five brothers, at least three of whom enlisted for the 1st World War.

  • 1359 reads

JONES, Norman Fletcher

Biographical notes: 

Norman Fletcher Jones enlisted at the age of 28 years and 10 months

Occupation at the time was as a Printer

He was Single

  • 1885 reads

JONES, Oliver

Date of birth: 
1891
Biographical notes: 

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,

  • 1910 reads

JONES, Robert

Date of birth: 
1885
Biographical notes: 

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.

Robert Jones
  • 1589 reads

JUNCK, George Fritz Augustus

Date of birth: 
1895
Biographical notes: 

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

  • 1640 reads

KAVANAGH, Michael Joseph

Biographical notes: 

Michael Joseph Kavangh enlisted as soon as war was declared on August 12, 1914.

  • 1592 reads

KEAST, Raymond Fairbairn

Date of birth: 
1897
Biographical notes: 
Raymond Fairbairn Keast stated that he was born in Ballarat on 21 March 1895.  He was the son of John Keast, accountant of Buningong, and his wife, Jessie, nee Bowes.
  • 2337 reads

KEEGAN, William Sydney

Date of birth: 
1872
Biographical notes: 

William Sydney Keegan was living with his mother, Margaret Keegan, in Princes St., Carlton, when he enlisted on 5 April, 1916.

  • 1479 reads

KELLAWAY, Frank Gerald

Date of birth: 
1895
Biographical notes: 

Frank was born on 7 January, 1895 in East Melbourne.

Frank G Kellaway Military Cross
  • 2850 reads

KELLY, Francis Hugh Patrick

Date of birth: 
1891
Biographical notes: 

Fracis Hugh Patrick Kelly was born in Richmond, Victoria in 1891, the son of Francis Kelly and his wife, Anne or Annie, nee Gellin.

  • 1535 reads

KELLY, Roger

Date of birth: 
1880
Biographical notes: 

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.

  • 1668 reads

KELLY, Thomas Ivon Ward

Date of birth: 
1895
Biographical notes: 

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 enli

Thomas Ivon Ward KELLY
Lt T.I.W. Kelly, No 4 Sqdn, AFC - in cockpit of Sopwith Snipe aircraft
  • 1528 reads