Australian and New Zealand service Personnel search WW1, How to

Australian and New Zealand service Personnel search WW1

Many people would be searching for their family members who served in many of the wars or in peacekeeping throughout the world. One of the most easiest files to research is that of the WW1 service people. I will be looking at both the Australian and New Zealand searches, although most of the information and links would be Australian.

When researching your service personnel usually from the First World war in Australia or New Zealand. Both search areas are different, but you can do a basic search either through the National archives in Australia or in New Zealand archives. Both service records are usually available digitally from the websites. There would be plenty of other places to look for information, but I am only providing the basic information.

Australia

Basic search for the records

Australian National archives

http://www.naa.gov.au/

When looking for your service personnel or any other record you might be looking for. Some are available online, but others are not. All you need to do is have some dates and a name when you search the collection. The Records for WWII are available, but it seems you have to purchase the files and go from there after ordering them.

If you are wanting to go further to learn more information about your service ancestor. The Australian War Memorial provides plenty of information. I will provide the links to several parts of the website as examples and a short explanation.

Australian War Memorial

http://www.awm.gov.au/

The War memorial has plenty of information about the Australian side of conflicts from WW1 to current conflicts involving Australia.

Units

http://www.awm.gov.au/units/

This part of the website provides you with a list of all units that have served in wars and peacekeeping operations. Not only does the page provides you with information on the unit, but hopefully the unit patch as well. The page will help to explain what happened and their location.

War Diaries

http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/war-diaries/

The war diaries provide an account on what was happening within the unit battalion during the wars. They are used to record their activities. Some of the information provided can include maps and reports.

Red Cross

http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/redcross/?query=redcross

For WWI the Red Cross files help provide information on missing and wounded personnel. The link will take you to the WW1 search though this page contains details for POWs in WWII.

Roll of Honour Circulars

http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/roh/circulars/?query=roll+of+honour

They are a list of names that go on the war graves and the memorial roll of honour. They are from WWI and are completed by the next of kin of those who had died during the war.

There are other pages you can search on the Australian War Memorial website like the Embarkation rolls. I am leaving you to search the rest of the links on the website as there are quite a few there that can provide you with information. By hunting down someone’s service it is like a jigsaw puzzle.

New Zealand

In New Zealand there are several locations that you can visit for the searching of New Zealand military records. I don’t know them all, but I know several of the locations to visit. The first I am going to provide is the link to the first stop in the journey and that is the New Zealand Archives

New Zealand Archives

http://archives.govt.nz/

This is where the archives are held and you can order the records for the Boar and WW1 service personnel. To start searching you go through Archway. A list of results appear once you type in your request. Some records are online digitally.

Ordering World War II records

http://archives.govt.nz/research/ordering-archives/our-research-services/war-service-records

The records for the WWII soldiers and onwards are located elsewhere and you have to use the link provided to search for the information and send off a request.

New Zealand army museum

http://www.armymuseum.co.nz/research/family-history/

Provides information on how to search for records for family history purposes and provides links to other sites about ordering service medals.

Auckland Museum Cenoteph

http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/cenotaph/locations.aspx

The Cenoteph is a search engine that gives you information about those who have served and also provides links to other information about the person and their service. The museum itself does have books about some of the service personnel’s battalions. One book I tried to find out if you could buy, but it is online.

Other sources of Information.

Cameron, David W. Gallipoli – The Final Battles and Evacuation of ANZAC, Big Sky Publishing Pty Ltd, Newport, 2011.

Carlyon, Les Gallipoli, Pan Macmillan, Sydney, 2002.

Clark, Chris The encyclopaedia of Australia’s battles, Allen and Unwin, Crows Nest, 2010.

Fewster, Kevin Bean’s Gallipoli: The diaries of Australia’s Official War Correspondent, 3rd edn, Allen and Unwin, Crows Nest, 2009.

Gentry, Kynan McGibbon, Ian McLean, Gavin The Penguin book of New Zealanders at War, Penguin Group, Rosedale, 2009.

Palenski, Ron Kiwi Battlefields, Hachette, Auckland, 2011.

Pattison, Barnie (director), Australia at War 1914 – 1918 (video recording), Film Australia, Lindfield, 1967.

Tyquin, Michael B. Gallipoli: The medical War, New South Wales University Press, Kensington, 1993.

New Zealand cemetery trail part two

New Zealand cemetery trail part two

The second part to the cemetery trails that I took while in New Zealand in November of 2012

Queenstown Cemetery

Located on Cemetery Road in Queenstown before you get to the Gondola. The cemetery had its first burial around 1866, although the Frankston cemetery in Frankston was preferred, where those took place in 1863. There are some interesting graves especially headstones for those from The First World War like Gallipoli and through the Gold Rush in the area as well. Several of the people had worked in the coal and Gold mines of the West Coast and also the Klondyke. There are some beautiful headstones. The view from the cemetery can be spectacular especially when you can see the snow in the mountains.

Arrowtown cemetery

The town was a gold mining town and the home of many Chinese who came for the gold. Many were buried within the cemetery and then their bones were transported back to China. The earliest burial was recorded in February 1864. The War Memorial is just up the hill across the road from the cemetery. There are some interesting headstones like Edward Thompson who has on his headstone. Pioneer – Publican – Snob. Many of the headstones tell you where the people originated from including the ship. When visiting the museum the staff will direct you towards the cemetery as a point of interest along with several other locations including the Chinese settlement area.

Frankston Cemetery

The original cemetery in the Queenstown district. It doesn’t seem to have too many graves as it seems to be a small cemetery within a very busy area. The government favoured the Frankston area and was the same reason the hospital was built there as well. The earliest burial was in 1863.

Northern cemetery, Dunedin

The cemetery was founded in 1872 and serviced the Dunedin area. One of the historic cemeteries for the area. I visited the cemetery as I had been there the day before and found the crypt of William Larnach with security cameras watching the gravesite. This was because his skull had once been stolen. The cemetery is also home to many notable people within the city and New Zealand.

Thomas Bracken – Author of the New Zealand National Anthem

Charles Speight one of the people involved with Speights Brewery

Eliza Sargison – Her headstone is actually the only wooden marker left in the cemetery

Paihia cemetery

Located at the church in Paihia. The church is known as St Paul’s Anglican church. The cemetery is only a small one. Agnes Busby is buried here. Her husband, James Busby is of the Waitangi treaty fame and missionary. Several soldiers from The Manchester 96^th Regiment are buried here as well. I am not sure of the age to the small churchyard cemetery.

Russell Cemetery, Christ Church.

The church is the oldest building in New Zealand still being used for its original purpose. The building still has musket holes in the side and inside there are cushions with pictures of shipping and local sights embroidered or sewn onto them.

There are several notable graves in the cemetery. Tamati Waka Nene (a Ngapuhi chief largely responsible for the Maori’s acceptance of the Treaty of Waitangi and who fought for the settlers against Hone Heke), A monument to the men from HMS Hazard who died. The second European child born in the country and even the country’s first resident surgeon. Outside of the gates is a stone commemorating the battle of Kororareka in 1845. Both times I have been to this cemetery it has been raining.

Parua Bay cemetery, Whangarei.

Located near Parua Bay on the side of a hill. The cemetery is still in use and some of the lost graves have wooden markers as to who the family members are. They only provide the names without any other details. There would be information within the local historical groups. I was with a family member who knew several people who were in the cemetery. One was his first employer and another a doctor who had died suddenly. The family significance was on one side of the family with the Faulkners. There are several large headstones that were starting to fall over. I don’t know the history of the cemetery.

Kaurihohore (Kauri )cemetery Whangarei

Located near Kaurihohore  school. I went there with two family members to visit an aunty that had passed away quite some time ago. There are many graves in the cemetery ranging from historic headstones to modern burials. Some headstones have fallen over. Within the cemetery there is a monument to the Bus disaster in 1930 at McLeods crossing in Hikurangi. Apparently a train had hit the bus, but I need to do more search. The cemetery does contain a services area for burials.

Manau cemetery, Whangarei

My great grandparents are both buried here and another family member somewhere else in this immense cemetery. There are many different sections to where people are buried. I am unsure if there are any noteworthy people that would have others interested in visiting. Given time and more searching something could be found within the  cemetery.

Pakanae Cemetery near Opononi

Near Pakanae Marae on Pakanae cemetery road. The cemetery is a mixture of old and new graves. Most of the burials within the cemetery from the looks are Maori. There are a few unique headstones including one, which is a lighthouse. Another headstone actually has the family tree printed to the back of the stone. I do find something like this to be impressive. It does look like a well looked after place. The locals do ask you what your business at the cemetery is if they are in the area.

St Marks Anglican church cemetery, Paparoa

St Marks Church is part of the Parish of Paparoa, founded in 1881, and has a long and established history in the area. Combining the fellowships of three churches, two reverends take responsibility for the ministry and worship of each.

The cemetery is small. An interesting little bit of info I had heard about this cemetery were that unbaptised babies couldn’t be buried on the church grounds. This did include the priest, when his own twins couldn’t be buried. I think they were buried outside the cemetery grounds. There is now a plaque providing respect for the unbaptised babies that were buried. The cemetery is where my uncle George Lissington is buried after he died when he was 10. The township itself is pretty small, but a nice area to visit.

Matakohe Cemetery, Matakohe

Located across the road from the Kauri museum.

Joseph Gordon Coates the ex prime minister is buried here. He had actually been born in the area and was I think the first New Zealand born PM. He did die during WWII while in office if memory serves me right. A memorial church had been built in his honour in the same cemetery. A few members of the Coates family are buried in the cemetery and also Coates appear on the war memorial across the road. It is a nice spread out cemetery. Within the area and part of the Kauri museum is the Pioneer church, where Gordon Coates supposedly attended.

 Link to the Cemetery trails part 1

Cemetery trails part 1

Family history books the essence of family research

Since I have started researching the family tree my collection of knowledge and records have grown since I have first started. I began with little information on all sides of the family. I have slowly gathered books that speak about the family or even talks about how people lived within the local area during the time family lived in that location. Since I began studying history in university I have learnt more about the social history than what I would have if I had not been studying and it has given me an appreciation for the work done by historians and the people themselves who lived in the many towns and cities around the world.

I seem to be suggested books about family members and the first book that I asked for a copy of was the Hartley / Gabolinscy book where upon receiving it I found the dates were somewhat out of order and incorrect, but I was happy to find the information myself to make sure everything was correct. It does take a while and the information I was correcting was the New Zealand stuff. It has given me plenty of information and I have seen other copies that were not photocopied and the pictures are so much clearer. Others have provided me with photographs in the past and I have some on my computer as well.

Within the last couple of days another family member asked me if I would like a book about the Hartley’s as the people in the book were related to the Hartley family of Kohukohu in the Hokianga region of New Zealand. I gladly said yes and after receiving the book found it had been a family branch that I had been researching, but finding that the surname of Jones is nearly impossible to research due to how common the name was. The book will help me piece together the information as it includes things I would never have found on my own. Something I will scan into my computer and put the book somewhere safe.

I have found a book at a local archive centre that was out of print and there was going to be no more print outs. This was in New Zealand several years ago and the funny part was I knew where to go for a copy that was still for sale as I had found the book, but thought for the price I would grab a cheaper one. Never worked out and I really do hope that it was the last copy anywhere. I guess it pays to keep eyes open to see what is around. Some of the older books in New Zealand on local history are helpful especially when they are being held in second hand bookstores.  My collection of New Zealand books will slowly grow and I will find where people have lived in the areas.

Another thing is as part of my own research I will write many of the stories from the records I have found. It is one reason why I keep blogs as I feel other family members would like to read them and I would have family find me. It seems so far that I have been found through my blogs and had messages sent to me asking me if I was the writer of the blogs and I have said I was. It does seem like this would be great as I am going to be blown away by what I collect from family who I have never met before. I do think it would be funny for people to realise that I am only in my early 30s and they might be expecting someone who is older and wiser. I just hope I don’t flood people with too much information and I do have to learn all about the oral history side eventually. The future is actually my oyster and I can go anywhere with that. I have already discovered old photos from another side of the family that I have bought over from New Zealand and were mentioned in another blog.

Australia and the fear of Japan before 1914

Australia fears of Japan before 1914

The colonies of Australia combined when Australia became a federation in 1901. During this time the Immigration restriction Act was enacted, which would be used to restrict the immigration of anyone who were not of white European stock especially when Australia wanted to keep Australia pure and untainted. The Act was also known by another name, the White Australia policy. Australia did not have its own navy to defend its shores as the young country relied on the British Empire’s Navy to support Australia and other dominions within the Pacific Ocean. Australia had large amounts of undefended coastline and trade relied upon open trading routes from the ocean. The ocean was the main source for supplies to ship to and from Australia. Not everything with the neighbours was cool calm and collected as Australia did worry about invasion from the Asian countries to the north especially Japan as it was closer to Australia than Europe. Japan did not like the Immigration act as they could not take the dictation test, which was in any European language. They complained to Britain and the rules did change in 1905 to include all languages.

Before federation there was a naval agreement in 1887 between Britain, Australia and New Zealand to subsidise an Australasian fleet made completely of British vessels. This would mean there would be no real interest for the dominions to provide ships for their own protection in the early 1900s. The Act known as the Australasian Naval Agreement Act expired when Australia became a federation in 1901and the two countries had no interest

during the time to renew the act.  The British navy at the time was one of the dominant fleets in the Pacific, which was used both for diplomacy and a strategic force of deterrence. The debate during several Imperial Conferences was for the creation of an Australian navy, which would be independent of Britain. The first ships arrived in Australia in 1910, but the new Australian navy officially entered Sydney in 1913. Australia could now be considered to be independent of the British Empire.

Australia did consider Japan to be a threat to them, although they were part of an alliance with the British Empire known as the Anglo Japanese alliance. The alliance began in 1902, which was something that made Australia very wary. The purpose of the alliance was for Britain to slowly withdraw its fleets from the Pacific. The alliance was renewed in 1905 and again in 1911. Australia’s fear of Japan was not unfounded especially since the country had defeated Russia in 1905 in the Japan Russian war. Japan did visit Australian ports in 1903 and again in 1906. The media of the time did give mixed reactions to the visit, but people did flock down to where the ships were docked. Other navies did also visit Australia especially the Great White Fleet from America in 1908 on Australia’s invitation and Japan did see this as a threat especially when Britain had objected. Australia was looking for alliances that could help in case something happened in the future. Japan was not considered to be the only threat as Germany did also have their own plans for Australia well before World War One. They did know about the lack of resources when it came to defending its soil.

German navy ships did visit Australia and were well known in the ports. The German spies did know the coastal cities were undefended and that we had no navy of their own. Many newspapers did publish anti German views on occasion. The British withdrawal from the Pacific was due to the militarisation of Germany in Europe and Britain wanted their ships to counter the new vessels being built especially when new dreadnaughts were under construction and Britain feared there was going to be war in the future. An Australian senator did make the observation after visiting both Germany and Japan that Japan was the biggest threat.

At the beginning of World War 1 in 1914, Australia and Japan both did seize German occupied territory. Japan took the islands north of the equator such as the Marshall Islands and Australia claimed the islands south of the equator. Australia was under the impression that Britain would give the territory to Australia. Britain actually supported the islands occupied by Japan and didn’t consider them to be a threat at all. A conference with Britain was postponed indefinitely after the outbreak of war in Europe. Throughout the war there would be friction between Australia and Japan in regards to the islands. Japan did escort Australian troops being transported to Europe, which would have raised many different issues during the time. The issues between Australia and Japan would continue until after the war and would change Japan’s outlook on the world.

Sources

Author unknown, ‘The royal visit to Melbourne’, The Star, 16 May 1901, p. 1, http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=TS19010516.2.5, accessed 27 March 2014.

Author unknown, ‘Japanese Squadron visiting Australia’, Ashburton Guardian, 23 May 1906, p. 2. http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=AG19060523.2.24&cl=CL2.1906.05&e=-------10--1----0-all- , accessed 27 March 2014.

Beddie, B. D. ‘The Australian Navy and Imperial legislation’, War and Society, 5, 1987, pp. 73 – 85.

Bennett, Neville ‘Consultation or information?: Britain, the dominions and the renewal of the Anglo – Japanese alliance, 1911’, New Zealand Journal of History, IV, 1970, pp. 178 – 194.

Briggs, Mark ‘Genesis of a navy’, Journal of the Australian war memorial, 12, 1988, pp. 17 – 23.

Horner, D. M. ‘Australian estimates of the Japanese threat, 1905 – 1941’, Estimating foreign military power, ed Philip Towle, London, Croom Helm, 1982, pp. 139 – 171.

Meaney, Neville ‘No parallel in our history: The menace of Japan’, A history of Australian defence and foreign policy 1901 – 23, 2, Sydney, Sydney University Press, 2009, pp. 77 – 111.

Nish, I. H. ‘Australia and the Anglo – Japanese alliance, 1901 – 1911’, Australian Journal of politics and history, IX, 1963, pp. 201 – 212.

Overlack, Peter ‘Australian defence awareness and German naval planning in the pacific, 1900 – 19141900 – 1914’, War and Society, 10, 1992, pp. 37 – 51.

Overlack, Peter ‘German assessments of British – Australian relations, 1901 – 1914’, Australian Journal of Politics and history, 50, Brisbane, Blackwell, 2004, pp. 194 – 210.

Walker, David Robert ‘Pacific visitors’, Anxious nation: Australia and the rise of Asia 1850 – 1939, St Lucia, University of Queensland Press, 1999, pp. 85 – 97 & 247 - 249.

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