Bethune Brothers

BETHUNE BROTHERS

Angus & Thomas

John Bethune married Elizabeth Horner in 1876 in Victoria. John was born on the Isle of Skye and Elizabeth was born in 1850, the daughter of Jacob Horner and Elizabeth, nee Kelley.

The couple are known to have had seven children, all born in Frankston, Victoria:

Thomas Henry born 1879; Alexander Kenneth born 1882; Elizabeth Mary J born 1883; Kenneth Farquar born 1885, died 1900 age 16; Angus William born 1886; John Angus born 1887 and James Charles born 1891.

John Bethune, the son of Angus Bethune and Rebecca (nee McSwain) died at Frankston in 1905 aged 69.

In 1909 the family were living at Frankston, Victoria where Elizabeth performed home duties, Alexander and John were Labourers, Elizabeth Mary was a Dressmaker, and Thomas was a farmer. Elizabeth Mary married Robert Stainforth in Victoria in 1913.

The 1914 Census records the family had moved to Malvern; Alexander, a Lineman, had married Elizabeth Hilda Germ in 1913 and the couple were living at 11 Stanhope Street; Elizabeth, Angus and Thomas, both Labourers, were at 15 Stanhope Street and Elizabeth Mary, still recorded as ‘Bethune’, at 23 Stanhope Street, still a dressmaker. Elizabeth Mary had married Robert Stainforth in 1913 in Victoria

SAPPER ANGUS WILLIAM BETHUNE

67 – 2nd Tunnelling Company

Angus William Bethune signed the ‘Attestation Paper of Persons Enlisted for Service Abroad’ on 2 November 1914 in Brisbane, Queensland. A medical examination on the same day recorded that he was 5ft 7¼ins tall, weighed 147 lbs, had a dark complexion, brown eyes and brown hair. He was of the Presbyterian faith. He signed the Oath to ‘well and truly serve’ on 3 November at Brisbane, Queensland. He named as his Next-of-Kin his mother, Mrs. E. Bethune of 15 Stanhope Street, Malvern, Victoria.

Telephone Line Repairer by trade, he was appointed to No.1 Australian General Hospital (1st AGH) on 20 November and embarked at Brisbane on 24 November on board Kyarra. Disembarking at Alexandria on 14 January 1915 he was at Heliopolis with 1st AGH on 21 January.

Angus left Suez, Egypt on 29 January 1916 on board H.M.T Suffolk for return to Australia. His Next-of Kin was advised that Suffolk was due in Melbourne about 5 March 1916. Angus disembarked in Brisbane. He reported to Enoggera Camp in Brisbane in April 1916.

He again embarked for overseas service on 16 August 1916 on board HMAT A42 Boorara with the Australian Medical Corps Reinforcements, disembarking at Plymouth England on 14 October. He reported to Bovington Camp on 15 October and on 20 October he was transferred to the Parkhouse Camp.

Angus was absent from Tattoo Roll Call on 19 October 1916 and was awarded 3 days Confined to Barracks (CB) and forfeiture of 3 days pay. On 14 November he was transferred to and taken on strength of the 10th Field Ambulance at the No.3 Camp, Larkhill. He proceeded overseas to France on 24 November 1916.

He was transferred to the 2nd Australian Tunnelling Company (2ATC) from 10th Field Ambulance on 6 April 1917 and was taken on strength the same day. He enjoyed some leave from 27 February until 16 March 1918.

On the 29th and 30th of September, 1918, elements of the 1st and 2nd Australian Tunnelling Companys, supporting the Infantry attack on the Hindenberg Line at Bellicourt and Bony, charged with the usual Engineer tasks of clearing enemy mines and booby traps from roads and dugouts following the attacking Infantry, clearing and maintaining the tactical roads, clearing wells and setting up water points.

When the attack stalled and became disorganized, the Sappers continued with their assigned tasks, assisted to re-organise the line, captured prisoners, carried messages for their own and other units, organized a party of American Infantry, helped feed an artillery battery with ammunition, assisted and carried wounded, all being achieved under heavy shell and machine gun fire and while their own sections suffered 50 and 75% casualties.

During the action on the Hindenberg Line on 29/30 September 1918, the 5th Pioneers lost 3 officers and 61 other ranks; 105th Regt lost 2 officers and 46 other ranks; 1st Aust. Tunnelling Coy lost 1 Officer and 2 other ranks and the 2nd Aust. Tunnelling Coy lost 1 other rank. The Australian Tunnelling Companies were awarded 10 Military Crosses, 2 Distinguished Conduct Medals and 12 Military Medals for their support of the Infantry attack that day.

It is a matter of history that five of the Tunnellers who embarked on Anchises were transferred to the 5th Pioneer Battalion. All were from South Australia. 7614 Spr James Thomas Dixey and 7622 Spr William Edward May were killed in action on 29 September, as were 7280 Spr Francis William McDonell, originally a Tunneller transferred to the 3rd Pioneer Battalion, and 1395 Spr Thomas Arthur Vernon of 2ATC.

Angus was treated at the 132nd Field Ambulance. He was transferred to 20th Casualty Clearing Station the same day and was admitted before being transferred by Ambulance Train 4 to the 5th General Hospital at Rouen on 1 October and was invalided to England on board Hospital Ship Panama on 4 October and on 6 October 1918 Angus was admitted to the Lord Derby War Hospital at Warrington with a shell wound to his right hand. On 17 October his Next-of-Kin was advised that he had been admitted to hospital in England suffering a gunshot wound to the right hand.

In November his sister Elizabeth advised Base Records that his mother (Next-of-Kin) had moved from 15 Stanhope Street to 18 Barkly Avenue, Malvern.

On 23 January 1919 he was transferred to the 1st AGH at Sutton Veny and was discharged to furlough on 29 January, to report to No.2 Command Depot, Weymouth on 13 February on completion of his furlough. He was granted an extension of his furlough until 15 February.

He returned to Australia as Nursing Staff, leaving London on 23 March 1919 on board Cluny Castle and disembarking in Melbourne on 21 May 1919. He was discharged from the A.I.F. on 27 July 1919, entitled to wear the Military Medal, the 1914/15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

In January 1920 his Military Medal was sent to the Commandant 3rd Command (Victoria). He received his 1914/15 Star on 20 September 1920, his British War Medal on 16 May 1921 and his Victory Medal on 10 July 1922.

Angus married Wilhelmina Frances Horner, daughter of Thomas Horner and Esther Ann, nee Payne. Wilhelmina was born in 1891 at Poowong-Jeetho, Victoria.

In 1924, Angus was a Dairy Superintendent living at Paris Road, Croydon, Victoria, with his wife Wilhemina.

His mother, Elizabeth Bethune, died in 1926 at Malvern, aged 76.

Between 1931 and 1942 the Census records Angus and Wilhelmina living at 1 Ryot Street, Warrnambool, where Angus is employed as an Inspector of Stock.

Angus’ brother, John Angus died in 1941 at Ouyen, Victoria, aged 63.

In 1949 the couple are at the same address and Angus is still an Inspector of Stock. Two sons; Angus, an armature winder, and John Thomas, a hairdresser, are living with them. In August 1952 his military medical documents were forwarded to the Repatriation Commission, Melbourne.

By 1954, the family has moved to 25 Wilmot Street, Malvern East. Angus is a Labourer. Son Angus is now an electrician and a third son, Ivan, is now living with them and is a plumber by trade. John Thomas has apparently moved on. By 1968, the children have all moved out and Angus, labourer, and Wilhelmina are still at 25 Wilmot Street.

Wilhelmina died at Warrnambool in 1973 aged 81 years.

Angus, still labouring, and living alone at 25 Wilmot Street in 1972. Late in 1972 he is living with Barbara Grace Bethune (head of house) and his son John Thomas Bethune at 29 Thomson Street, Terang.

Angus William Bethune died in Victoria in 1978.

SAPPER THOMAS HENRY BETHUNE

4015 – 2nd Tunnelling Company

Thomas signed the ‘Attestation Paper’ and the Oath on 18 March 1916. A medical examination on the same day recorded that he was 36 years and 5 months of age, stood 5ft 4¼inns tall, weighed 146 lbs, had a dark complexion, hazel eyes and black hair. As with his brother, he was of the Presbyterian faith. He also named his mother as his Next-of-Kin.

The examination found him to be ‘fit for active service’ and he was appointed to No.5 Tunnelling Company on 3 April at Broadmeadows. Thomas embarked for the European theatre on board Warilda in May 1916 with No.5 Tunnelling Company.

Two Sections of the Northern recruits to form the No.4 Company had embarked from Brisbane, Queensland early in May, 1916 aboard HMAT A69 Warilda for Sydney, New South Wales (NSW). Six officers and 152 other ranks together with the 1st Reinforcements of fifteen other ranks made up the two sections.

At Rosebery Park, Sydney, NSW they joined their Headquarters and two sections (8 officers & 153 O.Rs.) plus 1st Reinforcements consisting of one officer and seventeen other ranks for final training.

The 7713 ton transport departed Sydney, NSW on May 22, 1916 and collected in Melbourne, Victoria the No 5 Company recruited from Victoria, South Australia & Tasmania consisting of a Headquarters and 2 Sections (8 officers & 173 men) (3 M.D.). 1 Section from Tasmania (3 officers & 76 O.Rs); also 1st Reinforcements for No 5 Company (17 men from Vic. & 8 men Tas.) The ship departed on May 25, 1916 for Adelaide, S.A. to collect one Section of 3 officers & 76 O.Rs with 1st Reinforcements of 8 O.Rs.

Docking at Fremantle, W.A. on June 1, 1916 No 6 Company recruited from W.A. of 14 officers and 325 O.Rs along with 1st Reinforcements of 1 Officer & 32 O.Rs embarked and Warilda departed the same day for the European theatre.

Durban, South Africa was reached on June 16, 1916 and Cape Town on June 21, 1916 while St Vincent completed the African ports of call on July 7, 1916. Discipline was fairly good except at intermediate ports where soldiers going Absent Without Leave caused concern. The fifty-eight day voyage experienced remarkable pleasant weather and terminated at Plymouth, England on July 18, 1916. Four, Five and Six Companies comprising of 1064 officers and other ranks were detrained to Amesbury and Tidworth to begin training for the front.

Thomas proceeded overseas to France on 28 August 1916 and marched in to the 2nd Australian Divisional Base Depot on 30 August. He marched out to the 2nd Australian Tunnelling Company (2ATC) on 25 September and was taken on strength of 2ATC on 29 September.

On 4 May 1917 he was charged with being absent from his billets without proper written authority and was awarded 3 days Field Punishment No.2 and fined 15 shillings. 28 July 1917 he was admitted at the 10th Lancashire Field Ambulance with P.U.O. (pyrexia of unknown origin). He was transferred to the 1st Canadian Casualty Clearing Station on 31 July. On 2 August he was transferred to the 14th General Hospital at Wimereaux.

He was evacuated to England on Hospital Ship St Denis with trench fever on 7 August and admitted to Ontaria Military Hospital at Orpington. He was transferred to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford on 17 August and was discharged to furlough on 18 August, to report to No.1 Command Depot. His Next-of-Kin was notified of his illness on 21 August.

He was admitted to the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital at Bulford on 2 September 1917 and was discharged to Conversion Training Depot, Parkhouse on 13 November. He marched out to No.1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny on 23 November.

He marched in to the Overseas Training Brigade at Longbridge-Deverill on 3 December and proceeded overseas to France on 29 December 1917. He marched in to the Australian General Base Depot (AGBD) at Rouelles on 30 December and rejoined his unit on 4 January 1918. He was due his Blue Chevrons denoting his years of service since enlisting.

Thomas reported sick on 21 May and was admitted to 5th Australian Field Ambulance. The next day he was transferred to the 5th Casualty Clearing Station and then by Ambulance Train to the 47th General Hospitl at Le Treport on 23 May.

He was invalided to England on 28 May and admitted to City of Middlesex War Hospital, Napsbury the same day with PUO. On 12 June he was transferred to the 1st Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield with trench fever. He was discharged to furlough on 14 June, top report to the 4th Conversion Depot on 28 June 1918.

Whilst on furlough he was admitted to King Georges Hospital, London on 16 June and was discharged back on to furlough on 18 June. He reported to No.1 Command Depot on 1 July and marched out to the Overseas Training Brigade on 24 July.

Thomas proceeded overseas to France on 17 August 1918 and marched in to the Australian General Base Depot (AGBD) at Rouelles on 18 August, rejoining his unit on 26 August 1918.

In 1918 Thomas was a No.2 Section representative on the 2ATC Sports Committee

On 10 May 1919, Thomas marched out of 2ATC for repatriation and demobilisation. He marched in to the Australian Base Depot at Havre on 16 May, embarked for England and marched in to No.2 Group at Sutton Veny on 17 May.

He left London on 7 July 1919 on board Chemnitz for return to Australia. His Next-of-Kin was advised of his impending return on 2 August and Thomas disembarked at Melbourne on 5 September 1919. He was discharged from the A.I.F. in Melbourne on 20 October 1919, entitled to wear the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Thomas received his British War Medal on 4 February 1922 and his Victory Medal on 17 February 1923.

The 1924 Census for Malvern records:

Elizabeth Bethune, 18 Barkly Avenue, home duties

James Charles Bethune, 18 Barkly Avenue, labourer

Thomas Henry Bethune, 18 Barkly Avenue, labourer

In 1931 Thomas is a railway employee living at 11 Eileen Street, Armadale, with Emma Bessie Bethune (his wife?). From 1936 through to 1943 their address is recorded as 16 Eileen Street, Armadale, and from 1949 until1963 it is recorded as18 Eileen Street.

In September 1963 Thomas’ military medical documents were forward to the Repatriation Commission, Melbourne.

Thomas Henry Bethune died in 1963 at Armadale, Victoria, aged 83 years.

Emma Bessie Bethune died in 1973 at Caulfield, aged 85, the daughter of John Galland and Emily May nee Flintoff.

FARRIER/CORPORAL JAMES CHARLES BETHUNE

333 – 1st Australian Army Service Corps

James signed the Attestation Paper and the Oath at Melbourne on 20 August 1914. A medical examination the same day had found him to be ‘fit for active service’ and recorded that he was 22 years and 9 months of age, stood 5ft 6ins tall and had a dark complexion, grey eyes and dark hair and was also of the Presbyterian faith.

A farrier by trade, he had been apprenticed to H. Cameron of Frankston for 3 years. James also named his mother as his Next-of-Kin.

He was appointed to Headquarters Company, Divisional Train, Australian Army Service Corps on 20 August 1914.

His rank was established as Farrier on 5 September 1914. He embarked with No.1 Company from Melbourne as a ‘shoeing-smith’ on board HMAT A24 Benalla on 19 October 1914.

James proceeded to join the M.E.F. for Gallipoli on 5 April 1915 and took part in the landing on 25 April 1915.

He embarked on Norel Baho at Alexandria on 26 December 1915 and joined his unit at Matruh on 27 December 1915. On 25 March 1916 he embarked on HMT Manito for overseas, disembarking at Marseilles on 1 April to join the British Expeditionary Force. While at sea he was promoted to Corporal Farrier on 28 March 1916.

James was admitted to the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance on 7 June 1916 with broncho-catarrh. He was transferred to the 1st Field Ambulance Dressing Station on 8 June, rejoining his unit on 23 June.

He enjoyed some leave in England from 8 to 24 February 1917. He was again on leave from France between 3 to 17 February 1918, rejoining his unit on 18 February.

James embarked on Transport D31 for Australia for Special 1914 leave on 13 October 1918. As part of ‘B’ Draft, he disembarked at Southampton on 14 October 1918 and marched in to St Budeaux.

He disembarked form H.T. Durham in Melbourne on 23 December 1918 and was discharged in Melbourne on 21 February 1919, entitled to wear the 1914/15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

He received his 1914/15 Star on 4 January 1921 and his British War Medal on 30 May 1921. In July 1923 he asked that any medals awarded for service in the A.I.F. be forwarded to him at 18 Barkly Avenue, Malvern. He received his Victory Medal the same month.

The 1924 Census for Malvern records:

Elizabeth Bethune, 18 Barkly Avenue, home duties

James Charles Bethune, 18 Barkly Avenue, labourer

Thomas Henry Bethune, 18 Barkly Avenue, labourer

In 1931 James, a farmer, and his brother John Angus, a contractor are living at Boorongie, near Ouyen, Victoria. In 1936, the brothers are still at Boorongie and have been joined by Catherine Mary Bethune.

James and Catherine are still at Boorongie in 1942 & 1949 & 1954.

In November 1960 his military medical documents were forwarded to the Repatriation Commission, Melbourne.

The 1963 Census reords the family of James Charles, Catherine Mary, James Michael and Alexander John living at Harold Street, Ouyen where the boys are all farmers.

In April 1967 James applied for an Anzac Badge, citing his service at Gallipoli ‘running stores from Transports to the shore’.

Except for James Michael, the family are still at Harold Street in 1968.

James Charles Bethune died 5 August 1971 aged 79 and is buried in the Ouyen Cemetery.

Catherine and Alexander continued living at Harold Street in 1972. Catherine Mary Bethune, daughter of Michael and Anastasia (nee Kelly) O’Callaghan, died in Ouyen in 11 April 1973 aged 66 and is buried in the Ouyen Cemetery

© Donna Baldey 2013