World War 1 had been declared a few months previously in August 1914 and two weeks after my brother was born my Father enlisted. I was just seventeen months. My Mother was left with virtually two babies to care for and she was devastated. Three of her brothers also enlisted — Leslie, Thomas, and Lyle. They were not married. All these young men believed they were responding to the call to fight for king and country and defend the empire. They sailed away in troopships in a spirit of adventure not knowing what horror and hardship lay ahead.

Source: Wellington Pat, 'Memories 1913-1954', Clifton Press, Kensington, Victoria, 2007, page 1

Southlands - page 6

My father was wounded in action in Belgium, at Ypres, receiving a bullet in the lung and it remained there for the rest of his life. He was sent to England for convalescence in one of the stately homes used for this purpose and was very proud of the fact that he and other patients received a visit from Princess Mary. He later was sent to Sandhurst Military College for further training and promotion to Captain. At the end of the French campaign he was awarded the Military Cross for his services at Ypres. [Ibid page 6/8]

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This page was created by Richard Crompton and maintained by Chris Glass	Version A.2 Updated 01 December 2009