Silent Heroes Project - Australian Customs WW1 - Project Update

Those readers who have taken an interest in this project will recall the Introduction which listed the names of 27 employees of the Australian Customs Service who served in WW1.

Of those 27 names, 24 have been clearly identified. The stories of three of these men, Benjafield, Brain and Browning can be found within these pages. The remaining 21 names that have been identified are:

1. Burney, John Lindfield - Private 1523, 21 Btn. Enlisted Victoria, Australia, April 1915
   
2. Conly, David Roy - Private 69248. Enlisted Victoria, Australia, May 1918
   
3. Cowling, Clifford Roy - Lieutenant Army Pay Corp. Enlisted Victoria, Aust, Sept 1914
   
4. Cremor, William Edward - Private 55354 Aust. Field Art'y. Enlisted Victoria Dec. 1917
   
5. Duffy, William Gerald - Private 2854 Pioneers. Enlisted Victoria July 1916
   
6. Lacey, John Lipscombe - Lieutenant 4448. 1st Field Art'y. Enlisted Victoria, April 1915
   
7. Lear, Eric Nightingale † - Sgt 10966 3rd Division Train. Enlisted Victoria, August 1916
   
8. Lowe, James Rupert - Private 16364 5 Division Sigs. Enlisted Victoria, November 1916
   
9. MacNee, Thomas Roger † - Captain 36 Battalion. Enlisted NSW, September 1915
   
10. McArdle, Francis Patrick † - Private 2472 58 Battalion. Enlisted Victoria, Feb 1916
    
11. McColl, Charles Ronald - Gunner 78005 / 38053 Artillery. Enlisted Vic. March 1917
    
12. O'Loughlin, James Romaine Douglas - Pte 54966 59 Btn/AIF HQ. Enl. Vic Nov. 1917
    
13. Palethorpe, Henry Gordon - Able Seaman Driver 156, RAN. Enlisted Vic, March 1915
    
14. Parkes, William † - Lieutenant 3246 27 Btn/Aust. Flying Corps. Enl. Victoria Aug. 1915
    
15. Parkin, Arthur Francis - Industrial Chemist, Munitions volunteer.
    
16. Ridgway, Isaac Althorp † - Lieutenant 6 Battalion. Enlisted Victoria ,December 1914
    
17. Robertson, Duncan Glenerochie - Captain (Dr) AAMC. Enl. Vic May 1918
    
18. Storey, Charles - Private 6638 39 Btn. Enlisted Victoria June 1916
    
19. Thompson, Robert Wilfres - Private 79628 Clerk, Egypt. Enlisted Victoria Oct 1918
    
20. Trask, Arthur Neville - Captain Transport Officer. Enlisted Victoria December 1915
    
21. Wilson, Roy Vincent - Lieutenant 309 21 Btn/1 ANZAC HQ. Enl. Victoria Jan 1915

     Many of those named above may be of interest to family historians and I am more than happy to share information, on request.  Conversely, should any reader have further information regarding these people, I would be delighted and privileged to be allowed access.

     There remain three names which are proving very difficult to identify.  These are:

• E.H. MacDonald - It is known that MacDonald was a YMCA Representative who served in Egypt between 1916 and 1918.  It is possible that MacDonald was Victorian and that, before the war, served within one of the branches of the Customs Department (see Introduction).
• W. Jones - The Australian Archives ( www.naa.gov.au ) lists 2348 people called Jones as serving in the 1st World War, 456 of them with a "W" associated with their record.  None of them can be clearly identified as having been employees of customs, or its agencies. Again, it is likely this person was a Victorian, born around 1880, plus or minus 10 years. Prior to his enlistment he was an employee of Customs or one of its branches.
• T.A.C. Taylor - Archival records do not identify a person with these initials, or any reasonable combination, as having served in WW1.  Once again, it is likely this person was a Victorian, born around 1880, plus or minus 10 years. Prior to his enlistment he was an employee of Customs or one of its branches.

     Of course, it is always possible that I have simply missed something.  I hope that is the case.  However, in the meantime any help or advice would be welcome.