Shepherd Family History

My parents Brian Bede Coman and Catherine Mary Shepherd were married at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, New Farm on April 3rd 1961. Mum and Dad were both sent to Catholic School’s in Brisbane for their education. Dad attended St Columban’s Albion in the post World War Two era when returned servicemen were also finishing the education that had been interrupted by war. My mother was sent to board at All Hallows Catholic Boarding School at the age of twelve and found life quite different to her carefree years in Barcaldine where she rode goats and ate mangoes (her favourite) in an old mango tree out West.

i am the oldest and have a sister Clare Eileen and brother Damien Bede. My mothers parents were Eileen O’Doherty and Frederick William Shepherd. Fred and his two sisters migrated to Australia from England just before war broke out.

Frederick Shepherd was to become a Magistrate, traveling with his family on the Western circuit to Queensland’s country towns such as, Barcaldine, Charters Towers and Maryborough where my mother was born. He would eventually become the Senior Magistrate Brisbane. Fred and Eileen had seven children: Dennis, Vince, Catherine, Estelle, Michael, James and Peter. My uncle Vince was a physician and his son is now also a doctor. My uncle Peter, a solicitor, as is my cousin and now my eldest daughter is also studying law. Our families have a rich history in law enforcement with the Queensland Police and the study of law.

The Coman family with Sylvester Bede as an Acting Sergeant and Frederick Shepherd as Magistrate served in a number of the same towns, but not at the same time. It resonates with the stories of James Gavin’s family and Deinis Gavin’s family with both having farms in the same district, both having sons in the Queensland Police and many working in the Railways. Generations to follow would follow in the families footsteps of law enforcement, Queensland Rail, law and my cousins still have properties in the Toowoomba area. We also have a tradition of teaching in the Coman and Shepherd families. My aunts, cousins and extended cousins, as well as myself are or were trained as teachers. I have taught from Prep to Year 12, all subjects and all years but am currently teaching History and Literacy at secondary school.

Frederick William Shepherd as a baby, with his sisters and parents.

Fred and Eillens’s wedding photo.

Vince, Catherine and Dennis Shepherd.

Catherine Shepherd and Brian Coman: Wedding 3rd April 1961.

 

 

James Gavin Service No: 482 31st Battalion AIF

James Augustus Gavin was born in Jondaryan in 1886. He was working as a stationhand when he enlisted in the Great War on the 9th July 1915 after Mr. Ashmead-Bartlett, the war correspondent of the Daily Telegraph who was on board a warship with 500 Australians forming part of the covering troops for the landing at Gaba Tepe on the Aegean side of the Gallipoli Peninsula, stated:
“It required splendid skill, organisation, and leadership. The huge armada got under way from Mudros Bay, on the Island of Lemnos, without accident. The warships and transports were divided into five divisions. Never before has an attempt been made to land so large a force in the face of a well-prepared enemy.” ANZAC Landing at Gallipoli as reported in the Hobart Mercury 12th May 1915.

Was this the call to arms James answered as he left the family farm to fight for King and Country? His brother George, nine years his junior, was to enlist less than a month later on the 6th August 1915. James joined the 31st Battalion/ B company and George was to be assigned to the 12/5 th Light Horse Regiment. Already the war was taking it’s toll on the Gavin family.

James was 29 years and 3 months at enlistment, 5 feet 11inches tall with a dark complexion, grey eyes and dark hair. His portrait shows a handsome young Private Gavin in uniform. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 29th April 1916. The war on The Somme was where the new recruits would be sent with limited field experience. The first ANZAC Day had been commemorated and little did our Diggers know what was to come.

James disembarked from the H.M.T. Wandilla on the 7th December 1915 in Suez. He then embarked to join the B.E.F per HMAS Hororata at Alexandria, named after Alexander the Great, on the 16th June 1916 to disembark at Marseilles on the 23rd June 1916. James’s 31st Battalion would join the 32nd Battalion as part of the 8th Brigade. The German line was in close proximity to that of the newly arrived and inexperienced 31st, only 300 metres at some points. The 8th Brigade were to suffer heavy casualties from not only the enemy but also it’s own artillery. The lack of communication left the 31st Battalion exposed and the unanticipated loss of men, the wounded and dead stranded in No Man’s Land that was by then an inferno, isolated and without support. Colonel F.W. Toll was the commanding officer of the 31st the battle was a complete disaster, with the remnants of his Battalion retreating back to their original trench
by the next morning. The Germans were back in control, there were 5533 casualties, one of these being James Gavin, the battle was over.

The National Archives Record of James’ Field Service star that he was killed on the 19th July 1916, in the Field in France. He was buried at Eaton Hill Cemetery, near Rue Petillon, 2 1/2 miles E. of Laventle, 4 1/2 miles, S.S.W. of Armentieres. Reference to map, sheet 36, square M. E.b.5.2. The Chaplain attending was Reverend J. Green whom was attached to the 14th Brigade.

L/CPL James Gavin’s War Rrave is in the Rue Petillon Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix in France, but his actual burial place is still Eaton Hill as stated in correspondence with his father James on the 10th October 1925. Mat McLachlan researched this for me and gave the following information:

Eaton Hall (not Hill) was a headquarters and dressing station next to the site of the present-day Rue Petillon Cemetery. During the war the cemetery consisted of a number of small burial grounds, which were amalgamated after the war to form Rue Petillon Military Cemetery. Isolated burials from the surrounding battlefields were also brought in. My guess is that L/Cpl Gavin died at the dressing station at Eaton Hall and was buried in a small plot beside it, which was known at the time as Eaton Hall Cemetery (or Burial Ground). After the war this was one of the small plots that collectively became known as Rue Petillon Military Cemetery. Visit Mat McLachlan Battlefields Tours site.

He was 30 years old when he was killed n the Battle of Fromelles on the 19th July, 1916. The information on his commemoration and the Commonwealth War Grave (CWGC) at Rue Petillon can be obtained on this link:  Commonwealth War Graves

 

Emily Treacy: My daughter is the great-great niece of James Gavin and made the pilgrimage to his grave at Rue Petillon Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix July, 2011

The death of James was conveyed by Telegram. We cannot imagine the outpouring of grief for a son lost so far from home. How long before his brothers heard of the battle. I have known of the Battle of Fromelles since my youth and have read extensively on this day in time. However, with the courageous work of a history teacher, Lambis Englezos, some of the missing Diggers from the fateful night have been found and some families have at last been able to bury and honour a generation of Australians who never came home. It took many years and changes in policy for these men, mates, cobbers- to be given the burial they deserved. Personally, I believe the tireless efforts of this humble hero should have been rewarded in whatever award, military or civilian that could be bestowed upon him. What value can we put on reconnecting families?

The return of personal letters and mementos would be all that a family could hope to receive in these tragic times. Mary Gavin sent a letter to Melbourne, advising she had received a parcel from France of letters and personal effects of her son James. She writes..” a mother is always anxious to find any little token that reminds them of the lost one. I feel sure you will see if you can trace this for me. Apologizing for troubling you as I have not received this yet.” NAA Records, Canberra.  All she received of her son were: an identity disc, wallet, photo, metal wristwatch and strap and religious book.

The CWGC had a limit of 66 letters on the inscription on each headstone. The first draft sent by my great grandparents, but due to the limit their moving tribute to a loved son was rejected.
” A sorrowing people cried aloud, that they were of their hero proud. He helped to build his country’s name, and died in bringing her to fame.” the family were advised to consider another text that contained fewer letters! On the 14th July 1925 the suggested alternative was sent
” Though nothing can the loss replace, a dear one taken from our side, Rest In Peace”, unfortunately the R.I.P had to be omitted.

The 26th June 1930 a letter was received by the Department of Defence ( NAA Record of James Gavin, p 17 of 42) the Gavin’s distress was still continuing as they had still not received the medals for James Gavin’s service in a war that had now been over for the rest of the world since 1918, but this family and the rest of the Crow’s Nest community were still adjusting to life without their sons who were killed and the men, who and left as boys, who could no longer work on a farm after the horror, deprivation and hardship of war. It would be on the 4th August 1930 that Mary Gavin would be killed in a car accident and be laid to rest in Toowoomba with her beloved son James name being placed on her headstone.

Mary and Ede Gavin at ANZAC Day c.1920.

Mary and her beloved Son James. together again.

The loss of James, his medals, his personal possessions, tokens that a mother would have teasured and an inscription for a beloved son that would never return. How much did this mother, the mothers of the other boys from Crow’s Nest, Queensland and homes all over Australia, carry on with life.

The following text is part of the Poem Soul ANZAC Poetry

Shall Australia mourn for the sons she has lost-
Should Australians weep? Nay! Great though the cost,
Joy mingles with grief, and pride mingles with pain,
For our boys died like heroes, and died not in vain.
And the ‘Soul of Australia’, new-born on that day
When her sons died at ANZAC, shall never decay.

J.H.M.
The Brisbane Courier, 25 April 1916

 

William Esmond COMAN Service No: 2644 6/25th Battalion AIF

William Esmond (Es) Coman was a farmer at Hampton, Crow’s Nest Line, Queensland. He was single, 27 and enlisted on the 23rd July 1915. He joined the 25th battalion 6th Reinforcements and embarked from Brisbane on board HMAT A48 Seang Bee on the 21st October 1915. His AWM Embarkation Roll Number was 23/42/2 and he was on the Nominal Roll for the 9th Battalion. He attained the rank of Corporal before returning to Australia on the 27th August 1917.
The history of the 25th Battalion can be found on the AWM website.25th Battalion

Es was to be joined by his brother Adrian in serving his country. The Coman family also had sons exempt from serving as they were in the Police Force.

25th Battalion AIF Regimental Patch.

 

Denis Adrian COMAN Service No: 4174 13/9th Battalion AIF

Denis Adrian Coman was also single when he enlisted in the 9th battalion 13th Reinforcements on the 6th September 1915, only a few short weeks after his brotherv William Esmond (Es) Coman. They would both be a part of the 9th Battalion. His Embarkation Roll Number was 23/26/4 and he embarked from Brisbane, Queensland on board HMAT A55 Kyarra on the 3rd January 1916.

Adrian returned to Australia on the 2nd January 1919.

9th Battalion Regimental Patch.

 

Patrick Joseph GAVIN Service No: 3261 26/5th Light Horse

Patrick Joseph (Joe) Gavin was born in Toowoomba and listed his occupation as a Cleaner. He also stated his age as 19, his year of birth with Queensland Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages is in 1899. The boys departure was recorded in local newspapers and The Brisbane Courier, so their parents were aware of their collusion after Stephen’s initial discharge, then re-enlistment 4 weeks later at the age of 16! He was listed as being 5 feet 6 and 3/4 inches tall, 126 lbs and was also to join the 5th Light Horse. He embarked with his brother on the HMAT A42 Boorara on the 10th May 1917.

The 5th Light Horse Regiment was raised in Brisbane in September 1914 entirely from men who had enlisted in Queensland. They were to become part of the 2nd Light Horse Brigade. Sailing from Sydney on 21 December 1914, the regiment disembarked in Egypt on 1 February 1915.

The light horse were considered unsuitable for the initial operations at Gallipoli but were subsequently deployed without their horses to reinforce the infantry. The 2nd Light Horse Brigade landed in late May 1915 and was attached to the 1st Australian Division. The 5th Light Horse played a defensive role for most of the campaign but was involved in several minor attacks before eventually the peninsula on 20 December 1915.

In Egypt,  the 2nd Light Horse Brigade became part of the ANZAC Mounted Division and in February of 1916 joined the forces defending the Suez Canal from a Turkish advance across the Sinai Desert. The 5th Light Horse’s main activity in the Sinai was long-range patrolling, but it was also involved in several small engagements during August. The Turks however retreated after their defeat at Romani.

The ANZAC Mounted Division advanced into Palestine in late December 1916. The 5th Light Horse’s role predominantly implemented  patrols and raids until the advance stalled before the Turkish bastion of Gaza. The regiment participated in all three battles aimed at capturing the town, most notably the first abortive attempt on the 27 March 1917 (my birthday is also the 27th March- coincidence, I think not!).  On this occasion the 5th Light Horse attacked Gaza from the rear and was fighting its way through streets and gardens when they were ordered to  withdraw.

Photo of 5th Light Horseman and his walers.

The Fall of Gaza on the 7 November 1917, the Turkish position in southern Palestine collapsed. The 5th was involved in the pursuit that followed, and then spent much of the first half of 1918 holding the west bank of the Jordan River. During this time the 5th were involved in the raids on Amman on the 24th to the 27th  February and Es Salt on the 30th  April to the 4th May. The raids, both of which were tactical failures, fortunately helped to convince the Turks that the next offensive would be launched across the Jordan.

It is unclear whether the gavin brothers were at the same place and time due to correspondence with the National Archives of Australia confirming the loss of records for George’s time in Egypt and Palestine. However the story of George being shot and left for dead outside a dressing station and a brother persuading the doctor (reportedly with conviction) to assist him with a bullet wound that injured George and killed his horse, are attested to by relatives. past and present.

However, an offensive was launched along the coast in September  of 1918, with the 5th Light Horse taking part in a subsidiary effort east of the Jordan River. They attacked at Amman on the 25th September and on the 29th September  approximately 4,500 Turks surrendered to just two squadrons from the regiment at the town of Ziza. Turkey surrendered on the 31st October 1918, prior to the Armistice being signed on the 11th November 1918.Tthe 5th Light Horse were then employed for the last time to assist in putting down the Egyptian revolt of early 1919. 

The war weary 5th Light Horse  then sailed for home on 28 June 1919. Joe was discharged on the 29th September 1919.

Joe and workmates from Sawmill after the war.

 

Stephen Gavin Service No: 3262 26/5th Light Horse

Stephen Gavin was reportedly 18 when he enlisted in the AIF for the first time in 1916. He was discharged after his father sent a letter to Enoggera Barracks in Brisbane requesting his return.
His year of birth is stated as 1901 in the Register of Queensland Births Deaths and Marriages.
His brother Patrick Joseph is listed in registration of 1899.

He the enlisted again on the 19th February 1917 and received a consecutive enlistment number to his brother Patrick Joseph (Joe) Gavin. Stephen was 5 feet 7 inches tall, 127 lbs and listed his position as a shop assistant. He joined the 26th Reinforcements of the 5th Light Horse, that his brothers George (12th Reinforcements) and Jack had joined in 1915. His unit embarked from Melbourne on board thje HMAT A42 Boorara on the 10th may 1917. He was to be a part of the Australian Mounted Divisioanl Train.Fifth Light Horse

He returned to Australia on the 10th July 1919 and was discharged on the 17th September 1919.

Stephen was to marry and have a son James, named after his fallen brother. He was working at RAAF Amberley during World War 2 when he was tragically killed in a jeep accident.

Stephen Gavin: Fifth Light Horse

Stephen’s only son Jim ( named after his brother James) middle, with Uncle Barry on left and my father Brian Coman on right at Wakefield Street, Sandgate.

James Gavin as a young man.

 

Alicia Mary Coman (née Gavin)

Alicia Mary Gavin was born 1st June 1896, the youngest daughter of James and Mary Gavin of Pechey, Queensland. Alicia grew up on the family farm and learnt all that was required of young ladies of that era. I was fortunate to have spent many Saturday’s sitting at the kitchen table in Verney Street, Sandgate, as Nanna made delicious desserts and sandwiches for afternoon tea.
I have always been interested in family history, encouraged by a wonderful history teacher Sr Vivienne in my senior years at St Rita’s College, Clayfield. It is perhaps fate that I now find myself teaching History at a secondary college in Clayfield thirty years later. My interest has always focussed on the military history of Australia, in particular the year 1916. I can recall Nanna speaking of her brothers and how much they were missed on the farm during her teenage years. How different life was in the war years in a small country town, compared to our bustling metropolis’ of today. We can only imagine the daily routine of preparing all meals from the basics without electricity or modern electrical appliances to just start the day with breakfast!

Alicia Gavin was taught the skills required of a farming family, to cook for a large family was integral to her role as a female in the early 1900′s. She told me of her embroidery and sewing fir the family. Music lessons that were an asset to a family isolated by distance and work commitments, yet also able to come together to enjoy the different personalities and attributes of each unique individual of the Gavin family. Alicia also played tennis and a photograph she gave me shows a young woman in a splendid tennis dress ready to socialize within her Crow’s Nest community. The community would be tested in the war years as her sons left the farms, businesses and safety of their homes. Many would leave in anticipation of travel, excitement and adventure but only to face the tragedy, horror and devastation of war. Many families sent all their sons to war, the Gavin family sent five.

We can only imagine the pressures on the family left behind to work and live without the young men who were the lifeblood of these small country towns. Alicia’s father wrote to the Enoggera Army Barracks Commander, through the principal at Pechey State School, to request the return of Stephen Gavin. The letter requests that the age of the boy is 16 not 18 and that his elderly parents need him to return to assist on the farm. The letter also states that they have lost one son, James Gavin in France, so require the return of Stephen. How difficult would this letter have been to write in a time when the father was the leader and patriarch of a large family that worked, lived and followed without question their parents wishes. It is here we wonder what Alicia knew of her two younger brother’s plans to enlist on their “Boys Own Adventure”? Was Alicia privy to conversations on what they imagined the war would be? Did she try and dissuade them from leaving her behind to assume the duties of her brothers, one already dead in a foreign land?

Alicia and Sylvester would grow up in the same Crow’s Nest community and the two families would be connected through the service of their sons to both the AIF and Queensland Police.
Alicia would eventually meet and marry on the 14th October 1926, the 6 feet 2 inch farmer Sylvester Coman, after he had joined the Queensland Police. They would travel to Barcaldine, Ipswich, Quilpie, Miles and Roma before settling in the Sandgate area. Her brothers Denis and William were also in the Queensland Police, both six footers and huge men upholding the law.

My afternoon teas did not include talk of hardship, loss or regrets, only those of a loving family that enjoyed each others company. I was fortunate to have met my great uncles George and Joe Gavin. Uncle George was always a quiet man and looked much like Alicia. We would drive Nanna the short distance from Sandgate to Deagon to visit or he would arrive at Veney St Sandgate. I don’t remember the Wakefield Street, Sandgate home of Alicia and Sylvester Coman, but have photographs of their time there. I do remember that war was never spoken of by anyone. The silence about the topic undoubtedly screams of the suffering and pain of the loss of their brother, the time lost that they could never retrieve and the illness and wounds, both physical and mental, they would carry with them all of their lives.

Alicia was endearingly called Tot as she was so little, standing at just 5 feet tall. However, what she lacked in height she more than compensated with a zest for life. The leisurely walk into Sandgate, as she never drove but she was adept at horse and sulky, was done at breakneck pace! We would then always buy our lucky tickets in the hope of winning a treasure trove of prizes off the trailer (I think it was the RSL). Alicia knew many ladies around Sandgate from her time in the Brighton Bowls Club, Queensland Catholic Women’s Association and Sacred Heart Catholic Parish. These outings were always a special treat for us. We were also fortunate to have our cousins in close proximity in age and would sometimes venture down to the Beach Cinema at Sandgate. I have fond memories of canvas chairs and Jaffas after the walk from Verney St to Flinders Parade on a Saturday afternoon to see “The Great Race” with Tony Curtis. It is still a movie I love due to the fun we had with my cousins.

Alicia and Sylvester had four sons. The oldest boy,Gavin James,was born 22nd November 1928 at Toowoomba. He married Dorothy Solway on 1st October 1955 and they have there children Sue Maree, Tracey Leanne and Gregory James. Alicia the gave birth tom twins Brian Bede and Kerry, born prematurely on 23rd June 1932, but tragically Kerry passed away on 26th June 1932, just 3 days later. Denis Barry was 28th November 1934. Barry married Fay Mabel Wostrek in 1962. My cousins are Leigh Anne, Peter and Roslyn Jane.

Alicia Gavin c 1914

Wedding of Alicia and Sylvester Coman 14th October 1926

Alicia and Barry shopping in Queen Street, Brisbane.

A portrait of Alicia Mary Gavin c. 1920

Family portrait of the three boys (L-R) Barry, Brian and Gavin.

Alicia’s young me: (L-R) Brian, Gavin and Barry Coman.

Alicia Coman on a visit to Brisbane.

Nan and Pop Coman c.1960.