From Austinmer beach to the Western Front, World War I
Uncle Jack goes to war
A brief account of the life of John 'Jack' Speirs (Spiers), former captain of Austinmer Surf Club who served with the 9th Field Company of Engineers, Australian Imperial Force (AIF), in France, 1916-1919
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| Driver Jack Speirs, Australian Infantry Forces, circa 1917. |
Looking for a soldier....
During 2006 my son was faced with a high school assignment requiring him to write about a family member who went to war. He was stumped, and initially I could not help him, despite the fact that during the 1980s I had carried out detailed studies of the Organ family genealogy in connection with the colonial and convict periods of Australian history (Organ 1984). It appeared that none of our direct ancestors from the Organ line were involved in either Word War I (the Great War) 1914-18 or World War II (1939-45). My father Keith Organ (1930-2002), and grandfather Albert Eric Organ (1901-1979), were both too young to participate. However, upon inquiry, I found that on the side of my mother Roma Crutchley (1930-2019) the story was different. Her uncle John "Jack" Speirs (1898-c.1980) served in World War I, and her three older brothers Jack, Bill and Terry served during World War II. So in 2006 I used my three uncle's for my son's project. However, I was keen to follow up on the story of Uncle Jack as I had met him on a couple of occasions during my youth when we travelled from Wollongong to Stockton to visit him and his wife, Aunty Biddie. Jack and Biddie were my mother's uncle and aunt, and I always knew them by those titles. In 2013 I again broached the subject of ancestral involvement in the war, spurred on by the imminent centenary of the Gallipoli landings in April 1915. This time my mother said something I am sure she had mentioned back in 2006, but was passed over at the time, namely that "Uncle Jack went to Gallipoli." This rather off-hand remark immediately pricked my interest. Who was Uncle Jack and what were the precise details of his war service? Did he actually serve at Gallipoli? I needed to find out. I subsequently created a webpage on Uncle Jack to aid in my research. Anything I found went up on the webpage, and I was also able to use that to inform other members of the family about the search for information. That process is ongoing, with the current blog and update of the original webpage.
Uncle Jack & Aunty Biddie
As a child during the early 1960s I vaguely remembered visiting Jack and Biddy at their house in Stockton, located on Australia's east coast just to the north of Newcastle. I recall that Jack was a tall man, strong and hardy. I also remember the couple's two dachshund show dogs, and catching the harbour ferry over to Stockton from Newcastle. I think I visited them twice, and was between eight and ten at the time, which would place it around 1964-66. This was all that came to mind in regards to Uncle Jack. My mother's memory was richer, however, as she had fond memories of Jack and Biddy, having visited them with her own mother - who was Biddy's sister Catherine - during her youth. She had also maintained contact with members of their family over the years. This included Jack and Biddy's daughter Nancy, who at one time was a dancer at the Tivoli theatre in Sydney and went on to marry a visiting American entertainer. She subsequently resided in Florida and passed away in May 2019. In July of that year the present author was contacted by her son Adam, an American. At the time he revealed the existence of a photograph of Jack taken at the time of his war service and a number of other photographs, some of which are posted here. There was also contact with Jack and Biddie's daughter-in-law Val who, aged 89 at the time of initially preparing this article in 2014, was full of stories and information. In August of that year I was also contacted by Paul Speirs, a grandson of Jack and himself a son of Jack. What was gleaned from these and other sources is outlined below.
It should be noted that in regard to Uncle Jack some historic references in newspapers make use of the spelling 'Spiers', whilst the family uses the spelling Speirs, as do official documents of the time, including Jack's war service record. Both appear below. Jack is also referred to as John - his actual Christian name - or Jock.
John 'Jack' Speirs (Spiers) of Newcastle and Austinmer
John 'Jack' Melling Speirs was born in West Wallsend (or the maternity hospital at Wickham), Newcastle, New South Wales, on 26 October 1898. He passed away sometime around 1980, at Newcastle. The circumstances of his birth and early childhood are shrouded in mystery. According to Jack's niece (my mother) Roma Crutchley, Jack's mother was Mary Ann Melling. Due to her circumstances she was forced to give her baby away and he became a foster child. As a result, nothing is known of Jack's paternal line (his father). He later found out that his mother bore a number of other children and there were hitherto unknown brothers and sisters.
Jack's foster parents were Mary Jane Rodham and her husband Hugh Frew Speirs. For most of his life Jack thought he was adopted and only found out that he was a foster child following the death of his foster mother on Christmas Day, 1943. Hugh had died in 1916. Mary's death was followed by the dispersal of her estate to other members of the family, exclusive of Jack. The news came as a bitter blow, following on years of close and loving relationships as a member of the Speirs family. It was a very upsetting experience for the older Jack to be disowned and disinherited by the family of his foster parents.
At some stage during the early 1900s the Hugh and Mary Speirs family moved from Lithgow, west of Sydney, to Brownsville, near Dapto, just south of Wollongong. They subsequently resided at Kennedy's Road, Austinmer, in Wollongong's northern suburbs. Jack's foster father Hugh was a coal miner who worked variously at Redhead (Newcastle), Lithgow, Wide Bay and then in the Illawarra, moving at some stage from Dapto to Austinmer. The family are also listed as residing on Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul, in the immediate town to the south of Austinmer, though the two addresses - Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul, and Kennedy's Road, Austinmer - may have been the same locality, as the modern-day Kennedy's Hill marks the southern boundary of Austinmer and is abutted on the east by Lawrence Hargrave Drive.
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| Austinmer coastline and road, looking south towards Kennedy's Hill, circa 1900. |
Infantry Cadet and Coal Miner
It was in Wollongong's northern suburbs, by the beach, that Jack Speirs grew up and spent his teenage years. He most likely attended the nearby Austinmer Public School. In 1912 - then aged 15 - he participated in the local 37th Infantry Regiment cadet program. The cadets regularly caught the train from Austinmer, south past Thirroul, and on to Bulli railway station, from whence they marched to the park at Park Road, adjacent to the Catholic Church and primary school, and fronting on to the beach and a nearby rifle range. Within the park a set of colonial-era canon were mounted on a small hill and the cadets trained with them. Jack had been a member of the cadets for 4 years at the time of his enlistment in 1916. He had also learnt to ride a horse.
Prior to 1916 Jack found employment locally as a coal miner, most likely with assistance from his foster father Hugh. This was a common occupation at the time due to the numerous coal mines dotting the escarpment from Dapto north to Helensburgh. John Simpson, later famous for his humanitarian work at Anzac Cove with the aid of a donkey, had also worked in Illawarra coal mines, at Mount Kembla, Corrimal and Coledale, just north of Austinmer, prior to serving at Gallipoli. It is possible that Jack worked in the Coledale mine, though the Excelsior mine at Thirroul was also operating during this period. He may have gone into the mine immediately upon leaving school.
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| Thirroul Surf Club carnival, 12 April 1909. Austinmer beach is behind the first headland in the distance. |
Lifesaver
Jack an active member of the Austinmer Surf Lifesaving Club through until 1921. We do not know when he first jointed the club, however it was likely before the commencement of the war in 1914. Jack was obviously a keen beach goer and keen supporter of the club and its activities, such that in February 1915, at the age of 18, he was made club captain. This followed the departure for war of the previous incumbent, Eric Ferguson. Reports on Jack's activities in association with the surf club can be gleaned from a number of local newspaper reports reproduced below. They reveal the initial impact of the war in Europe on the local community. It should also be noted that during this period - the 1910s - attendance at the beach was booming, with thousands of people, both local and tourists from surrounding areas, visited the northern Illawarra beaches throughout the year, and especially during the summer months. Austinmer was a popular destination because its railway station was just a ten minute walk from the beach and related facilities such as shops, kiosk and accommodation. These visitations remained apace during the war years 1914-1918. Newspaper accounts of the time give an idea of how the local community both dealt with the harsh realities of the war and went about their normal life.
South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, Friday 19 February 1915
AUSTINMER
(Our Correspondent.)
Austinmer residents and visitors are to make an effort on Saturday, February 20th, to forward to our boys at the front as many cases as possible of blackberry jam made from the berries they intend to pick for that purpose. The Peacock Jam Co. has offered to manufacture, tin, and pack and forward, through the Chamber of Commerce Food Fund, any amount up to a ton; Austinmer to provide berries and sugar. To this end all who can pick are asked to do so, and those who cannot to subscribe to the fund for the sugar. This movement, it is feared, is somewhat belated, but still it has been decided to do what is possible, with the certain knowledge that it will be appreciated, whatever the quantity may be.
The late secretary to the Progress Association, Mr. Eric Ferguson, is the latest recruit from here. At present he is not definitely detailed to any particular corps, but is willing to join any that may find immediate need for him. Mr. Ferguson's place in the district will not be easily filled; besides his connection with the Progress Association he has been the captain of the Surf Club since it was resuscitated, and it was due to his efforts mainly that that body of young men have made such rapid strides towards efficiency. Mr. J. Spiers takes his place at the head of Surf Club matters, and Mr. H.J. Falconer in the Progress Association. These, although they have yet something to gain in experience, have undoubted talent for their respective positions, and are assured of the loyal support of fellow-officials.
During this week a narrow escape from drowning occurred. A young lady, herself an expert swimmer, was carried out, when the ocean was practically devoid of anyone who was able to be of any assistance. Luckily, she was washed back, but not before many onlookers were thrilled with the knowledge of their own incapacity on an occasion like that. The local Progress Association have for the last two months defrayed the expense of a lifesaver, but his services were not available, as, on the completion of his term, he had been called on to spend a few weeks training in camp. During his engagement many had been helped before anything as serious as this had occurred. One but can look forward to the time when a lifesaver may be employed for the whole season, but, with the utterly inadequate support the Surf Clubs get from the Shire Council this does not seem possible in the immediate future.
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This report was written at the end of the 1914-15 summer season and highlighted the important role of the Austinmer surf club - of which Jack was now captain - in providing a lifesaver service. Austinmer was a popular tourist spot and its small beach became crowded during the summer months due to the close proximity to the railway station. The need for a lifesaver patrol was therefore paramount. As noted in the above report, even expert swimmers could get into difficulties due to the local surf conditions, with dangerously strong rips prevalent. This was a period when surfboard riders were not common in the water to assist people in need, as was the case from the 1950s onward. The role of the local amateur lifesavers was therefore of prime importance, with Jack obtaining his bronze medallion certificate from the Royal Lifesaving Association around this time. During this period lifesavers used a line and reel to assist in the rescue of those needing assistance in the water. Council also needed to address the issue.
South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, Friday 9 April 1915
AUSTINMER
(Our Correspondent.)
The copious 'downfalls' of rain, however much needed all over the country, had a disastrous effect on the Easter holidays here. Although intermittently visitors were gladdened with sunshine, on the whole, except for the few days before Easter Monday, all were kept in their cottages. The visitors, contrary to the usual custom, were mostly grown-ups and as a criterion of the numbers, that can be crowded into a relatively small space, one has only to give the statement of the railway officials that over two thousand tickets were collected at the local station. This far exceeds any total reached previously, and shows that Austinmer is becoming increasingly popular as a resort. The excellent service of the tradespeople, the up-to-date dressing accommodation, and the energetic work of the local Surf Club, has a good deal to do with this.
We are glad to see, through the example of Mr. W. A. Clark, of international tennis fame, who has taken such an interest in local affairs during his stay this season, both of the Progress Association and the Surf Club, that many of the Surf Club will, it is expected, before the end of the season have qualified for their bronze medallions. In the Royal Lifesavers' Association Mr. Clark and Mr. J. Spiers, the new captain of the Surf Club, last week passed their examination for this. His Hon. Judge Edmunds and Mr. Vidler, President of the Progress Association and Surf Club, have offered each to pay the expenses of the examination of four other members who will undertake the necessary drill under the direction of Mr. Clark to obtain the medallions. Steps are to be taken very shortly to lay in the valve for the swimming pool, for which fifteen pounds were lately granted to the Progress Association through the Shire Council by the Government as their share towards the expense of this popular improvement.
One of the Surf Club members who got into difficulties on Monday realised that assistance was needed, the patient being known as a strong swimmer. The current, which was running very strongly inshore, had taken him a good way towards the rocks on the northern end of the beach before the line reached him. Fortunately, he was easily brought round.
The first monthly count of the Austinmer Belgian Fund (continuous payment), realised £4 14s 3d. The organisation of the collection of this fund has been undertaken by Miss Wade, who, with the assistance of Misses Coffey and Carey, will augment this amount, it is confidently expected when they have really got to work at it. Austinmer can and will do better than that.
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| Austinmer lifesavers, including Norman Strachan (centre) circa 1920. |
South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, Friday 7 May 1915
AUSTINMER
A very enjoyable evening was spent at Langdon's kiosk on Saturday evening last when the active members of the Surf Club entertained a few friends for the purpose of the presentation of badges and certificates, which had been won at the recent examination in Sydney for the bronze medallion. His Honor Judge Edmunds, it was hoped, would have been down to present them, but unfortunately, his duties took him to Newcastle, but he sent a wire of appreciation at their success. Mr. T. Vidler, the President of the Surf Club, was asked to take the chair, and after the toast of 'The King' had been honored, the toast of Mr. W.A. Clark was given. This gentleman having formed and made time to drill and work up for their exam, eight in all of the Surf Club, that they were each able to pass for the honor of the bronze medallion of the Royal Lifesavers Association — a very creditable performance in every way and one we are glad to see, which after a further examination for Mr. Clark, ended in his gaining, besides the bronze medallion, his hon. instructor's badge. In response, Mr. Clark, whilst depreciating what had been said by the chairman of his work (which was not taken seriously), complimented the successful members on their hard training and admitted that it appeared to him they were fully proficient to have passed a more stiff examination than the one they had. He drew attention to the fact that his Honor Judge Edmund, Mr. Vidler, and Mr. W. Whiddon (the two former who had donated the expenses, and the latter for his gifts to each of a silver medal engraved with their names), had made the idea possible. He enjoined all to still keep up their interest and go for further examinations, and his help they could rely upon when required. Mr. Vidler and Mr. Whiddon also expressed themselves willing to at all times do what they could for the club. The successful winners of the medallions were then presented by Mr. Vidler with the numerous badges and certificates. They were, Messrs J. Spiers, F. Todd, S. Bradbury, W. Cahill, Neil Strachan, J. Todd, Norm Strachan, and William Stewart. The club has nearly all its active members bronze medalists. In the future, it is to be hoped, more still will hold this honor. After the recipients had acknowledged the toast of their health, on the motion of Mr. Vidler, Mr. and Mrs. Langdon were thanked for the way the evening refreshments had been catered for, which brought the evening to a close.
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Off to war
Despite the attractions of life in coastal Austinmer, and his work at the coal mine, Jack, like thousands of other young men at the time, was drawn to enlisting as news of the severe nature of the conflict in Europe spread and as governments ramped up the various recruitment campaigns. On 9 January 1916 the ANZAC forces withdrew from the Gallipoli peninsula after a bloody campaign which began on 25 April 1915. By the time of the evacuation, some 100,000 men from both sides were dead, including 8,709 from Australia. The need for reinforcements was strong and a call went out to the countries of the British Empire. John 'Jack' Speirs was one of those who answered the call in light of the disastrous Gallipoli campaign and expansion of the Western Front.
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| John 'Jack' Speirs, sepia photograph, circa 1916. Inscribed: Your loving Jack. |
On 4th March 1916 John Speirs, miner of Thirroul, enlisted in the 9th Field Company of Engineers (FCE) at Victoria Barracks, Sydney. He gave his age as 18 years 5 months, though he was actually a year younger. He noted that his father was dead - though this did not occur until 5 months later - and his mother Mary Jane signed a piece of paper granting permission for his enlistment. It would seem that Hugh was very sick at the time and Mary and Jack decided to make this statement in order to facilitate Jack's enlistment. As can be seen from the recent Peter Jackson film They Shall Not Grow Old, the military authorities at the time were very accommodating in regards to accepting young men and boys for the battlefields (Jackson 2018).
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| Attestation Paper of John Speirs, 21 March 1916. Source: National Archives of Australia. |
At the time of enlistment, Jack was described as of fair complexion, with hazel eyes, brown hair, weight 162 pounds, height 5 feet 6 inches and religion Church of England. A scar under the left eye was also noted. Jack was allocated service number 9977 in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) and signed on for the period of "war & 4 months. "During April and May he undertook training at Rosebery Park, Sydney, and was designated a 'Driver' with the 9th FCE. Jack signed his attestation papers on 21st March with a clear, strong signature and stated that he was prepared to undergo inoculation against small-pox and enteric fever. The papers were counter-signed by Major J.R. Williams, Officer-in-charge.
On 5th July 1916 Jack and his comrades left Australia on board the Ajana. Following arrival at the port of Plymouth, England on the 31st August, the 9th FCE, after further training and fit out, departed Southampton for France three months later, on 22nd November. Jack's foster father Hugh Frew Speirs died on 25 August 1916 whilst he was at sea. A remembrance notice was insert in a local Wollongong paper one year later, by his wife and Jack.
It is possible that the photograph we have of a very fresh-faced young Jack in military uniform and hat (see above) was taken in Sydney prior to his departure from Australia. A later photograph also survives, with Jack seated, riding crop in hand and regaled with various military insignia and battlefield apparel. It was likely taken in England or France.
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| Driver 'Jock' Speirs, sepia photograph, circa 1917. |
This photograph is full of detail and was described as follows on the Great War Forum discussion during July 2019: He is dressed as a specialised horse transport ‘driver’. He wears collar badges that suggest Australian Army Service Corps (AASC). Together with his spurs he wears the famous gaiters with distinctive, spiral leather securing straps, known by the trade name ‘Stohwasser’. The Australian government had a contract with Stohwasser that must have been lucrative given that the company’s owners became very wealthy as a result of various orders (not just by Australia) made during WWI (Hall, 2019a).
The Forum also included close up images of some of the badges and insignia Jack was wearing on his collar at the time of the photograph, thereby identifying his as a Driver in the Transport Section of the 9th Field Company of Engineers.
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| Australian Engineer badges, similar to those worn by Jack Speirs. |
Jack Speirs' war service 1916 - 1919
Details of Jack's war service can be gleaned from the diaries of the 9th Field Company of Engineers, along with his Attestation Papers and the Casualty Active Service form which briefly records elements of his movements outside of Australia. These records are preserved in the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, and the National Archives of Australia. His Attestation Paper is reproduced above. Other records note, for example, that during July 1917 he was involved in the Battle of Messines, a major offensive designed to force the German enemy to withdraw from the main battlefront of Vimy Arras. By August 1917 the 9th FCE were at French localities such as La Boudrelle and Drionville in the Somme. Jack continued to serve in France through to the end of the war. A summary of his regiment's movements are included in the table below:
Year
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Month
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Location
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1916
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4 March
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Enlists at Victoria Barracks, Sydney
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April-May
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Training at Rosebery Park, Sydney
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5 July
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Departs Sydney on board the Ajana
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31 August
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Arrives in Plymouth, England
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22 November
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Departs Southampton for France
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1917
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July
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Battle of Messines
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August
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La Boudrelle, Drionville, Happe, Balleul, Wizernes
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September
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Happe, Wardrecques, Eecke, Wumigalo
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October
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Ypres, Merck St. Leivin, Clairmarais
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November
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Clairmarais, Weka Lines
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December
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Weka Lines, Watts Lines, Armentieres
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1918
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15-26 January
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Leave in England
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January
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Armentieres, Wacklands, Watts Lines
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February
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T.4.C.10.05
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March
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T.4.C.10.05, Liongueville, Colembert, Watou area, Racquinghem, Boulkus, Belincourt, Laboussoye, Corbie
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April
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I.5.a.3.6, M.2.d.5.2, Blangy Tronville, N.23 Central
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May
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Heilly-Ribemont, Rivery, Blangy Tronville, N.23 Central
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June
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N.23 Central, B.23 Central
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10-14 June
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Hospital in France
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29 June
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Re-joins unit
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July
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B.23 Central, J.19.c.6.4
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August
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J.19.c.6.4, J.32.d.3.2
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September
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I.21.c.8.8
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October
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E.16.c.3.2 - Guillacourt, Cappy, Wiry-au-Mont (Somme)
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November
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Wiry-au-Mont (Somme)
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December
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Wiry-au-Mont (Somme), Aigneville
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1919
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22 January - 14 February
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Leave in England
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11 May
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Departs England on board Borda
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28 June
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Arrives in Melbourne
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14 August
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Discharged in Sydney
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Detailed company diaries survive which record the activities in France of Jack's unit, though these records were subject to censorship at the time, as was correspondence by soldiers with their loved ones at home. No original war letters by Jack to Australia are known, though the two aforementioned portrait photographs survive, as do his service medals.
Whilst on active service, from 15 to the 26 January 1918 Jack was granted leave in England. Following return to service, on 10 June 1918 he entered hospital in France due to an unspecified illness, but was discharged back to his unit on the 14th, and re-joined them on the 29th. Upon the war's end in November 1918 he was once again granted leave in England from 22 January to 14 February 1919.
Home Again
Jack left England on 11 May 1919 on board the Borda, returning to Australia on 28 June. He then travelled overland by train from Melbourne to his home at Austinmer, where he received a warm welcome from the local community. This was reported in the newspaper as follows:
South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, Friday 4 July 1919
AUSTINMER
HOME AGAIN. - Driver 'Jock' Spiers returned home from the front on Saturday night last. Notwithstanding the extreme cold night, there was quite a large gathering at the railway station to give the returned hero the welcome he so richly deserved. He was, after a formal welcome, escorted to his home along with his mother in a motor car. The home had been prettily decorated by a number of friends and the surf club boys. A splendid dinner was partaken of by the large assemblage, after which Cr. G. Wallace and Mr. G. Cram spoke in the highest of terms of Driver Spiers, the noble spirit that had actuated him going fourth to fight for his country. 'Jock,' who is noted for his splendid smile, was greeted with cheers on rising to respond. He said his home-coming, although very pleasant, was marred by the vacant chair in the home, the death of his father having occurred whilst he was away at the Front. Driver Spiers has had three years active service. Three cheers for the King, Driver Spiers and the soldiers concluded a most pleasant evening.
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Jack was officially discharged at the Domain in Sydney on 14 August 1919. As a result of his war service he received the Commonwealth of Australia 1914/18 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Apparently Jack, like so many other veterans, did not subsequently speak much about the war and his experiences therein. He was not obviously affected in any significant way, unlike many of his comrades. According to his daughter-in-law Val Speirs and her son Pete, Jack noted in regards to the war that "It was terrible ... the lice, the dirt, the filth." He also commented on his work in moving the guns up to the front as a 'driver' of the horses used for that task. Unfortunately these are the only personal anecdotes we have concerning his war service. It is likely that he returned to work in one of the local coal mines as soon as he was off the military payroll. Around 1919 he met Margaret "Biddie" Keevil and they were to have their first child the following year. There are a number of contemporary newspaper reports which describe the treatment of the veterans by the Austinmer community upon their return home and during the immediate post-war years. They also reveal Jack's continuing involvement with the Austinmer Surf Club, especially during the summers of 1919-20 and 1920-21.
South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, Friday 2 January 1920
Austinmer
WELCOME.
On Boxing night in the Club Hall, there was a large gathering of Austinmer residents and visitors, to officially welcome home the last of our soldier boys — 8 in number, Mr. D.M. Lett, who presided, referred to the number that had gone to the war from Austinmer, and was glad, that so many had returned, after the danger and hardships endured in defence of home and country. Councillor G. Wallace also gave an impressive address, speaking in eulogistic terms of the bravery of our boys, and paying a high tribute of praise to those parents who willingly gave their sons. He expressed deep sympathy with the parents of those who had made the supreme sacrifice. Cr. J. S. Kirton also expressed pleasure in being allowed privilege of adding his tribute of praise. The chairman then presented an enlarged photo to each of the following soldiers : Sapper Strachan, Gunner Cheadle, Driver Bradbury, Sergt. Todd, Pte. Owen, Sapper Rowe and Driver Spiers. Mr. Wallace presented a gold medal, suitably inscribed, to Sapper Bell.
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South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, Friday 23 January 1920
AUSTINMER
Visitors continue to sojourn here in strong force, and if the weather conditions improve there is likely to be a further influx. Mr. and Mrs. Neil Strachan and family are removing to Summer Hill, after residing at Austinmer for about twenty-five years. They have been estimable citizens, and their departure is generally regretted. The Messrs. Strachan junr. have officiated as lifesavers for years, and also as active members of the Surf Club. They have been responsible for saving many a life in the water…..
On Sunday last two young ladies, Miss Kelleher and Miss Collis, got into a channel in the surf, and were soon in difficulties. Messrs. Joe Todd and J. Spiers effected a timely rescue.
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| Women bathers at Austinmer beach, circa 1920. |
South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, Friday 28 January 1921
AUSTINMER.
The attraction at Austinmer on Saturday afternoon last was a surf carnival on the local beach, the proceeds from which are to be devoted to the beach improvement fund. With Rev. H Edgar Potter as president, and Mr. C. Ziems as secretary, the local arrangements left nothing to be desired, and from a financial viewpoint the fixture was satisfactory. But there were factors which militated against the public being satisfied. In the first place it was ascertained about the hour of starting that the carnival had to be conducted under the of the District Lifesaving Association, which permitted of only duly qualified members of the respective surf clubs competing in the various events. This, it is alleged, was a drawback, as there were others who were desirous of entering in at least some of the events. Then the onlookers were kept waiting too long after paying for admission, while the competitors held a meeting to discuss various conditions which should have been dealt with much earlier in the day. A number of the general public who were present stated that happenings of this character must be eliminated if the surf carnivals of the future are to be made sufficiently attractive to achieve the object aimed at, namely, to get the public to attend in strong force, and to keep them entertained while they are in attendance. It is admitted that probably there were extenuating circumstances in this case, but the public were not aware of them and, therefore, did not by any means appreciate the delay and the consequent monotony of waiting about they were subjected to. Subjoined is a list of the prize-winners:—
Grand March Past. — North Wollongong Surf Club.
Reel Relay Race. — L. Peatty and P. R. Parsons (North Wollongong).
Junior Surf Race. — E. J. Simpson (S. Wollongong) 1, L. Hallinan (North Wollongong) 2, E. Larkins (North Wollongong) 3.
Senior Alarm Reel Race — North Wollongong (H. Peterson, belt).
Senior Surf Race. — H. Peterson (N. Wollongong) 1, Bonnermati .(North (Wollongong) 2; A. Bevan (North Wollongong) 3; J. Spiers (Austinmer)
75 yards Beach Relay Race.— North Wollongong (Tregear, Bevan, Ryan and Peatty) 1; Woonona (Biddulph, Oldward, Jarrett, Gordon) 2.
Three-legged Race.— Newman Bros. (Woonona.) 1, Peatty and Tregear (N. (North Wollongong) 2.
Obstacle Race. — H. Newman (Woonona).
Pillow Fight.— Joe Todd (Austinmer).
A sale of work recently held in the Clubhouse, Austinmer, in aid of the Church of England funds, and organised by the Women's Guild, realised upwards of £70. Mrs. W. E. Shaw performed the opening ceremony. It is noticeable of late that many visitors to Austinmer travel by motor car from Sydney and bring their luggage with them to the particular house at which they intend staying. As a ....
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South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, Friday 8 April 1921
AUSTINMER
The large number of visitors, which sojourned here during the Easter holidays is rapidly thinning out, and a quiet period its anticipated for the next few months. A meeting of the Austinmer Progress Association was held on Friday evening last. Mr. G. Cram presided and there were also present: Messrs. Coffey, Cahill, Shaw, Clowes, Fancourt, Langdon, Spiers, Lett and Denham (hon. secretary)…..
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Jack's service in the war was recognised locally on 26th January 1922 when a monument in granite was unveiled in Austinmer. Its inscription read:
Austinmer War Memorial
Their name liveth for evermore
Erected by People of Austinmer in grateful memory of those who served in the Great War 1914 - 1918
Jack Speirs was one of the names inscribed on the memorial, though in the commonly misspelt form "Spiers, J." As he appears to have left Austinmer by this stage, he was perhaps not on hand to ensure a correct spelling, or that spelling was the one commonly used during his Austinmer days. The monument currently stands on Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Austinmer, next to the surf club and close to the beach where Jack spent so much of his youth.
Life after the war
After returning to Austinmer in July 1919 Jack met Margaret Eveline "Biddie" Keevil (b.1898). Biddie worked as a saleswoman in one of the large stores in Sydney at the time and may have met Jack at Austinmer beach during the summer season.
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| Margaret Keevil circa 1918. |
They hit it off, fell in love, married, and their first child John was born at Austinmer the following year. He was named John after his father, but also similarly known throughout his life as Jack. Margaret and Jack were married on 30 April 1921 in the Congregational church at Newtown. Jack subsequently found work with the New South Wales Railways in the foundry at Newcastle where rail track was made. He and Biddie lived in the Newcastle / Stockton area and went on to have four children:
- - John (Jack or Jackie) - born at Austinmer in 1920. Died in Stockton circa 1980
- - Lenny
- - Neville - died in 2005
- - Nancy - born in Sydney in 1935. Died in Tuscon, Arizona, May 2019
The fate of their children was mixed. The eldest John was tragically killed in a Cessnock coal mine one Anzac Day. He was a shot firerer. A workmate wanted to attend the Anzac Day ceremonies, so Jack took his shift. On that day he planted some explosive which failed to ignite. Upon approaching to check it, the material exploded and killed him. His wife Cath subsequently had a battle to receive any compensation, as John was not supposed to be working on that day. John and Cath had a boy Paul who has assisted the author in the compilation of this account. Jack and Biddie's second son Lenny served in the African desert during World War II but nothing further is known of him. His brother John was at Tobruk and received a number of medals for his service. Nothing further is known of Neville. As already noted, their youngest daughter Nancy was a singer and dancer who met a American entertainer in Sydney during the 1950s, married, and moved to the United States, where she passed away in 2019.
On 30 September 1958 Jack applied for a copy of his army discharge certificate as he was turning 60 the following month and wished to obtain a war service pension. He had submitted his original birth certificate and discharge certificate to the New South Wales Railways Department at the time of his employment with them, but they had not been returned, and now could not be found. Copies were eventually obtain and the pension secured. Jack and Biddie subsequently spent their retirement years at Stockton and enjoyed travelling around showing their dachshund dogs. Following the death of Biddie, Jack took the opportunity to visit Nancy and her family in the US during the latter part of the 1970s. He subsequently died in ?1980.
Jack Speirs circa late 1970s. Source: Adam Hall.
Those who served: Surf Lifesavers at War
In 2014 the New South Wales Surf Lifesaving Association commenced a project to identify and list all those life savers who fought in World War I. In July 2015 a book was published by the Association, authored by Stan Vesper, which detailed the results. Preliminary research had not revealed Jack Speirs as one of the Austinmer lifesavers. However, following some of the findings outlined above, which were brought to the attention of Vesper, he and a number of other local lifesavers were included in the final, published listing for Austinmer.
Stan Vesper, Those Who Served: Surf Lifesavers at War, Playright Publishing, 2015.
Other family members at war
As mentioned at the outset of this account, there were a number of members of Roma Crutchley's family who went to war apart from her Uncle Jack, specifically her three brothers and another uncle. Roma's eldest brother Jack Edgar Crutchley (VX81707) enlisted in the Australian army on 26 June 1942 and reached the rank of Sergeant with the 65>th Australian Infantry Battalion. He was discharged on 21 December 1948 after serving in the Pacific theatre and with the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces (BCOF) in Japan. His early death in 1961 from cancer was attributed to his service at Hiroshima and Nagasaki - one of many such Australian service personnel to suffer from the radiation. William Joseph Bill Crutchley (138945) enlisted on 28 December 1943 and served as a mechanic with the Royal Australian Air Force, reaching the rank of Leading Aircraftman. He was discharged at war's end, on 20th December 1945. Roma's youngest brother, Terence Robert Crutchley (NX152081) joined up on 22 February 1943. He served with the 20th Pioneer Battalion and subsequently saw service overseas with his brother Jack and with the BCOF in Japan. Terry was discharged on 10th October 1946.
Going back further in time, another of Roma's uncles - Cornelius "Sonny" Keevil - was a soldier during WWI. At the time of my son's assignment I carried out some preliminary investigations into Sonny's war experiences, with assistance from other family members. Unfortunately there were many dead ends in regards to his service record, and Sonny remains something of a mystery. Nevertheless, what I found at the time, and since then, is recorded on the webpage: Looking for Uncle Sonny - The Keevils, Rawnsleys & Crutchleys in World War I.
Acknowledgements
This account has been compiled with the assistance of Roma Organ, Val Speirs, Pete Speirs, Paul Speirs, Adam Hall and the online resources of the Australian War Memorial and the National Archives of Australia.
References
9th Field Company, Australian Engineers - War Diaries 1917-1919, Australian War Memorial [website]. URL:http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/records/awm4/subclass.asp?levelID=1620. Accessed: 6 June 2013. Record number - AWM4, Sub-class 14/28.
Antonello, Alessandro, Australian Engineers in the First World War, Australian War Memorial [website]. URL: http://www.awm.gov.au/blog/2009/01/21/australian-engineers-in-the-first-world-war/. Accessed: 6 June 2013.
Hall, Adam (a), Picture of Granddad, Great War Forum, 16 July 2019.
----- (b), Nancy Mary Hall - Photographs, Find a Grave [website], June 2019. Available URL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/199239095/nancy-mary-hall/photo.
Organ, Michael, The Family of Elias Organ, Wollongong, 1984.
-----, Interview with Roma Organ (nee Crutchley), 6 June 2013.
Service Records, World War II, National Archives of Australia, Canberra. Available URL: http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/explore/defence/service-records/. Accessed 10 June 2013.
Travers, Richard, Diggers in France: Australian Soldiers on the Western Front, ABC Books, Sydney, 2008, 406p.
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Michael Organ, Australia
Last updated: 23 November 2023
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