aboriginalsoldiers

Anzac Day 2018: Family of Gus Davies left waiting for land 96 years after World War I For 96 years, the late Private Augustus Hodgkinson Davies and his descendants have lived on one property in suburban Brisbane — yet they have never held freehold title of the land. The return of soldiers after World War I saw Private Davies — or 'Gus' as he was known — offered a 99-year-lease as part of the Soldiers Settlement Scheme. Initially, the scheme allowed honorably discharged members of the naval or military forces — once returned from war — to be offered land in across parts of Australia. For Private Davies, who returned from WWI in 1918, was offered the lease in Bald Hills in south-east Queensland. Granddaughter of Private Davies, Aunty Paula Williamson-Babarovich is a Kuku Kulunggur elder and has been battling to get freehold title for the family for decades. "He lived down Deep Water Bend since he came back from the First World War," Aunty Paula said. "It was a soldier settlement right on the river. "Originally it was 52 acres, and this was in — as far as I've been able to research it — from 1922." Aunty Paula said there was a possibility that more documentation was yet to be recovered. "I honestly believe there's an earlier one than that but I haven't been able to find it," she said. "We have been paying rent on that land since 1922 and have still not been able to freehold it." The Legacy of Gus Davies "He signed up for both wars, he served his country well. He was finally discharged for having flat feet and he got an honourable discharge," Aunty Paula said. Private Davies left an impact on the community by having a park named after him in Bald Hills. He was well known in Brisbane, where he eventually married his wife Easter Evelyn Smith in 1912, had seven children and many grandchildren before passing away in 1956. Aunty Paula said her grandfather's legacy was important to honour having given his service in two wars for Australia. "Grandad was the gentlest person … he wouldn't hurt a fly," she said. "He was a true gentleman. He never drank, he never smoked, he just got on with his business. "All the old people in Bald Hills always say what a gentleman he was. "He'd wear a suit and tie, but no shoes … he never ever wore shoes." Source: www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-20/anzac-wwi-veteran-gus-davi...

Indigenous Australian, Driver Walter COOCHY (aka Couchey), 7th, 23rd & 9th Field Artillery Brigades. Walter COOCHY was born in Gayndah, Qld. in 1893 and was working as a Horse Breaker when he enlisted 10 November 1915. Initially allotted to the Light Horse Regiment, on arrival in Egypt, he was transferred to the Artillery. These units sailed for England in May 1916 and trained at the Australian Army Training Depot, Parkhouse before embarking for France. Walter Couchy was first assigned to the 9th Field Artillery Brigade, then the 23rd, and finally in January 1917, the 7th. He was mustered to be a driver and served in the Western Front until being returned home at the end of the war, May 1919. His brother Edmund Coochy was not accepted to serve when he enlisted in July 1917 on the grounds of ‘no white parentage’. + Their surname is variously spelled – Coochy, Coochey, Couchy Source: ttps://centenary184.rssing.com/chan-39477427/all_p12.html

Charles Baird His birth year was indicated to be 1889 having given his age as 26 years when he enlisted for Military Service in Cooktown on 5 May 1915. He also gave his Next of Kin as Norman Baird (his brother) and his occupation as a Miner. His Service No. was 1234A. Charles was one of many, including Norman, from the Cooktown area who enlisted and served overseas in World War One. He was awarded The 1914-1915 Star, The British War Medal and The Victory Medal. In 1913 and 1915, Charles Baird had been on the Electoral Roll at Bloomfield River in the Subdistrict of Cooktown, giving his occupation as a MIner. In 1916 and 1919, Charles and Norman were both on the same Electoral Rolls at Bloomfield River giving their occupations as Miners. Noel Pearson referred to Norman and Charles as "TWO of my maternal grandfathers, each of whom I would call Ngaji in our Kuku Yalanji language, and great-uncle in English, served ... in World War I" [6]. This article also gives Charles as "Charlie (1890-1966)" for a probable death year about 1966. Source: www.wikitree.com/wiki/Baird-4931