Recently I have received a couple of interesting emails relating to Tun Coy enlistments with Australian connections. Both have provided information about Australian community Honours Boards recording the name of a NZ Tunneller. 4th Tunnelling Company Reinforcement Robert Douglas Lindsay HAMILTON is buried in Waihi, but his roots are in Hill End, New South Wales. Lindsay, as he was known in his hometown, is remembered on the Hill End Public School Honour Board. Members from the Hill End and Tambaroora Gathering group are working on a book about servicemen and women from their area. Hamilton’s story and information of his time in the NZ Tunnelling Company will be included in this book. Hill End has a rich gold mining heritage and at least one other Tunneller is known to have come from here. Main Body George Thomas WHITE’s surname was Vere, up until the time he left Hill End for NZ goldfields. Like Hamilton, he would spend time in Waihi. Other Main Body and 1st Reinforcement Tunnellers who left NZ shores with White and who were also born on the Victoria goldfields include 4/1447 MARTIN, Michael aka Richard Lawrence MARTIN, Bendigo 4/1476 TIPPETT, Robert James, Bendigo 4/1319 WADSWORTH, Ernest, Ballarat 4/1565 CULLEN, John Eugene, Ararat Victoria 4/1259 EDWARDS, Thomas, Queenstown Victoria 4/1475 TREDINNICK, Stanley Gordon, Allendale Victoria From Launceston in Tasmania came news of another Roll of Honour, one recording Tunneller Samuel Arthur CARROLL. Family member, Lance Carroll, tells us that Sam left his Bridgenorth hometown in 1913 and never returned to Tasmania. However, his name was recorded on the Bridgenorth Roll of Honour along with his brother Daniel who served with his fellow Australians. Although the Roll of Honour originally hung in the Bridgenorth Hall, today it hangs in the Exeter R.S.L Club. Amongst men born in Australia who first enlisted in the Tunnelling Company along with Sam, were a further seven whose records have been digitised and show they were born in Tasmania. Two provide names of specific Tasmanian communities. 4/1363 MARR aka MAHER, Andrew, Forth Tasmania 4/1636 SHEA, James, Bushy Park Tasmania It would be of interest to know of other Australian Rolls Of Honours or Memorials which record the name of NZ Tunnellers and contact with these communities is welcomed. Thanks to Helen Wood, Hill End and Tambaroora Gathering group for use of the photos showing the Hill End Public School Honour Board and information supplied. Thanks to Stuart Park for the photo showing the carving Hamilton left on the Arras cavern walls. Hamiltons enlistment number is placed in an outline of a shield. Thanks to Lance Carroll for information supplied and use of the photos below of the Bridgenorth RoH and his Great Uncle, Sam Carroll.
Posted on: Tue, 27 May 2014 21:55:57 +0000
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