Aboriginal Anzacs of the Budawang tribe

Caution: Do not read this story if you are troubled by names or photos of deceased persons.

Recently an elderly neighbour approached me and asked me to research her family tree. My neighbour was brought up on Coomaditchie Reserve, her father being William Henry Evans Nicholson of the Miryyal-Budawang Tribe of Milton-Ulladulla. This tribal group has been researched by Ulladulla historian Cathy Dunn, who gave me a tremendous amount of information.

It is fortunate for family historians that the Budawang people were taken under the wing of various churches which carefully recorded marriages, baptisms and deaths in their records from 1848. In those days, registration of Aboriginal births and deaths was not compulsory and was probably even discouraged, so these church records are an historical treasure trove. These residents of the Ulladulla region were also educated in church schools, and as a result, were generally better educated than most of the white people on the South Coast.

Having completed my neighbour's family tree I became very interested in the Budawang men and women who enlisted during World War 1. All of these soldiers were ancestors of my neighbour and mostly the grandsons and great grandsons of Jane Brown, whose husbands were Charles Nicholson, Francis Butler and William Licey. The documents available on the National Archives illustrate what fine people they were. Interestingly, I have not seen any indication on these records that these soldiers were paid any less than their white counterparts, as has been claimed elsewhere.

Walter Andrews

Walter Ernest Andrews was born in 1889 in Milton. He enlisted on 20th May 1916 in Lismore N.S.W. His occupation was stated as Labourer. He was five feet six inches and his religion was stated as C. of E. Sadly, his wife Maud had died five years after their marriage, and he had one daughter, Dulcie Maud, aged six, who was being taken care of by a relative in Lismore. Walter was sent to France, where he became ill with influenza. While recovering, he went AWOL, like any typical Aussie larrikin soldier worth his salt, met a girl, Winifred Beatrice Gaunt, of Rawreth, Essex, and remarried. His records show he was docked a couple of days' pay for going AWOL. Winifred was 19 and a farmer's daughter. Walter eventually returned safely to Australia after being wounded in action twice in France, where he spent the best part of two years. He died in 1951 in Casino.

Sister Charlotte Evans

Charlotte Elizabeth Evans was born in Narrawallee in 1888. She enlisted in the Army as a nurse in 1917. Her first overseas posting was to the military hospital in Egypt where her rank was recorded as Staff Nurse. Later in the war she was posted to England, where this picture was taken. Sister Evans is third from the left. Sister Charlotte was awarded the 1914-1918 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

The Bindoffs of Petersham

Three of the Bindoff brothers as well as their father enlisted during World War 1. Alfred Bindoff had been born in Middlesex, England. He came to Australia and married Budawang girl Phoebe Butler in 1892. Alfred worked as a tramway signalman. He served in Abb-a-saia and was then transferred to England with the Anzac Police. He then had the job of trying to return all AWOL soldiers to their barracks.

Edgar Bindoff enlisted in 1915. His occupation was Dairyman and he was 20 years old. He was sent with the 1st Battalion, 4th Reinforcements to Gallipoli, where he died on 13th September at Lone Pine. The list of his effects, returned home, were a knife, diary and pipe.

David Bindoff enlisted in 1915 aged 18. His occupation was stated as Labourer. The National Archives records the items with which he was issued:

1 Boots

1 Dungarees w. Hat

3 Socks

2 Pr Pants

2 Singlets

2 Flannells

4 Blankets

1 Ground Sheet

Tinware and Cutlery

He was killed in action on 5th August 1915 at Pozieres, France. Alice Bindoff, his mother, was sent a package containing a whip, pipe, Red Cross badge and safety razor.

Harold Bindoff was a Locomotive Fireman who served in France with the 4/19th Battalion. He was wounded in action but returned to Australia after the war, blinded in one eye due to a shell explosion. His record on the National Archives website is very colourful. He forfeited 56 days' pay following some very larrikin excursions in France and a court martial. Harold was allegedly in an inebriated state, partying with some French girls. This also resulted in a trip to hospital.

Seated: Alfred Bindoff (father), Edgar, David and Harold.

The Brook Family

Charles Brook of Jamberoo married Elizabeth Evans in Milton in 1876. Two of their sons enlisted in the Army.

Frederick Brook was a telegraph linesman who enlisted aged 30 in 1916. He was wounded in action in France (19th Reinforcements, 3rd Battalion) and died after his foot was amputated. By the time Frederick died, his parents were separated. Although he nominated his mother as next of kin and sole beneficiary, his effects and medals were given to his father. His mother's sad appeals to the Army can be read on the Archives. The list of his effects reads: wallet, pipe, metal chain, metal ring, 6 badges, metal mirror, razor, razor strop, testament, metal cigarette case, letters, 3 coins, one German Mark note. He seems to have been a man who liked to collect things.

Herbert Lester Brook was a member of the 30th Battalion but there are no records on the Archives at this stage. He came home safely.

The Balcombes

James Balcombe married Annie Brook, great granddaughter of Mary Ann Stewart of the Budawang tribe of Narrawallee.

One of their sons enlisted for World War 1 and another son William in World War 2.

Thomas Henry, born in Mogo, occupation Farm Hand, joined the 14th Battalion in France at the age of 18 and was wounded in action several times. He was later injured severely in a gassing and suffered burns. He was very sick on a number of occasions while he was overseas, including with influenza.

Henry Cooley

Henry Cooley was the son of Harry Cooley and Elizabeth Licey. He was a Budawang man born in Narrawallee. The doctor who examined him at enlistment described his complexion as 'copper coloured'. He served in Gallipoli and France. He was fined for being in an estaminet (a French cafe) while AWOL. Being continually court martialled and fined and having their pay docked does not seem to have stopped any of the Aussie soldiers from having a great time in France. This is a letter Henry wrote to the Army after his discharge. It demonstrates the high level of education of the Budawang people.

William Cootes

William was born in 1897 in Bombala. His mother was Betsy Licey and his father was also a Budawang man. At 18 William joined the famous 55th Battalion, made up of country men from New South Wales. He was wounded in action in France, suffered trench fever and was gassed. He almost died in hospital in England.

George Evans

Private George Evans was the son of Charlotte Evans of Narrawallee. His occupation was Clerk when he joined up in 1918. He was in the Army for three months.

Ernest Licey

Ernest's name is spelt Lacey on the National Archives index. He was 23 and working as a labourer when he enlisted. He had previously spent 18 months in the 17th Battalion A.I.F. before war broke out. During training before embarkation to France, his C.O. wrote that he was unilkely to make an efficient soldier, but he nevertheless served with distinction and came home safe. His descendants now live at Wreck Bay.

Herbert Timbery

Herbert was born at Coomaditchie, where a lot of the Budawang people then lived. He was 18 when he joined up in 1918. His occupation was Fisherman. The examining doctor remarked "Half-caste, been associated with whites all his life." This is the first time I have seen reference to Aboriginality on service records, other than the remark 'complexion - dark'. One wonders whether this association was thought to be an advantage. There were doubts about Herbert's age, and a notification was received from the Births, Deaths and marriages office:

Herbert was discharged due to the end of the War after completing Recruit Training. Anyone who has ever done Recruit Training though, will tell you this is an achievement in itself.

The incredible records which are free to view on the National Archives Website demonstrate that these Budawang Aborigines were hard workers, well educated, courageous, adventurous larrikin soldiers of whom their descendants can be very proud.

National Archives

http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/recordsearch.aspx

(Search Now as Guest User - enter surname and first name of your relative and search 'phrase' for quicker results).

Cathy Dunn's historical pages:

http://www.ulladulla.info/history/budawang/records/welcome.html

Family Tree with some Budawang People

http://cobar.tribalpages.com/tribe/browse?userid=cobar&view=9&rand=89828365

Australian War Memorial: Aboriginal Servicemen

http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/aborigines/indigenous.htm