Tag: St Helena Warders

Colonial History, Moreton Bay history, St Helena Prisoners, St Helena Warders

World War 1 Soldier, St Helena Warder and St Helena Prisoner

Ludwig Leichardt Rowe was not the relative of Australia’s inland explorer Ludwig Leichardt, just his namesake. He was a St Helena and Boggo Road Prison Warder, a World War I soldier, a Policeman, a farmer, labourer and a driver, but he was dismissed from all his positions. He was a drifter. His wife called him a ‘rotter’ and a ‘cove who was always being sacked.’ … Continue reading World War 1 Soldier, St Helena Warder and St Helena Prisoner

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Colonial History, Moreton Bay history, St Helena Warders

St Helena Soldier, Warder and Husband

There weren’t many families living permanently on St Helena Island during the World War I years, so the Aebli family with their 3 daughters were an exception. For returning soldier Edmund Burr Durling Knight, St Helena Penal Establishment was the first place to provide an occupation as Warder once he returned back from 3 1/2 long years of war in 1919. It was possibly the … Continue reading St Helena Soldier, Warder and Husband

Belinda Daly5 Comments
Colonial History, Moreton Bay history, St Helena Warders

Warders of Queensland’s 9th Battalion

I’d be forgiven for thinking I have the whole 9th Battalion stationed on St Helena Island. Many of St Helena Penal Establishment’s Soldier / Warders  enlisted into the 9th Battalion, which was the first battalion recruited in Queensland for the A.I.F within weeks of the declaration of the First World War. St Helena’s warders – men like Octavius and Irwin Spreadborough and Frank ‘Trooper’ Hills, … Continue reading Warders of Queensland’s 9th Battalion

Belinda Daly4 Comments
Built environment, Colonial History, Moreton Bay history, St Helena Prisoners, St Helena Warders

‘Trooper’ Hills – one of the last men standing on St Helena Island

If people know you as ‘Trooper’ and not Frank, then your life’s work is already preceding you. There’s a fair few life-long soldiers in the ranks of the Soldier/Warders at St Helena Penal Establishment, with Frank ‘Trooper’ Hills being the prime example. Here’s a man who fought in both the Boer War and World War I and then came back to become one of the … Continue reading ‘Trooper’ Hills – one of the last men standing on St Helena Island

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Colonial History, Moreton Bay history, St Helena Warders

A family affair – the Spreadborough Brothers

Irwin Robert and Octavius Lomas Spreadborough. The Killarney based Spreadbrough brothers were remarkable for their unusual names. But they were also notable for being some of the earliest men to enlist and as a result, like a number of St Helena Warders, saw action at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli in 1914 and 1915.  Irwin and Octavius were farmers who had both served in the 14th Australian … Continue reading A family affair – the Spreadborough Brothers

Belinda Daly6 Comments
Colonial History, St Helena Warders

Remembrance Day 2018 – a tribute to the warder who did not make it home  

Not all soldiers return from war. In fact 62,000 Australian soldiers did not return home once the guns fell silent at 11am on the 11th November 1918. I’d like to lay tribute to Warder John Mitchell on Remembrance Day 2018. He is the only St Helena Island World War I Warder/ Soldier who did not come home. But his death – nowhere near a battlefield … Continue reading Remembrance Day 2018 – a tribute to the warder who did not make it home  

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Colonial History, St Helena Warders

St Helena’s World War I ‘Digger’ warders

“In the going down of the sun and in the morning… we will remember them.  Remembrance Day on November 11th 2018 marks the end of World War 1 in 1918. Trouble was, in 2014 my colleague Ranger Daley Donnelly and I had asked ourselves the question “What men?” when it came to remembering Warders in the St Helena Penal Establishment who were also soldiers of … Continue reading St Helena’s World War I ‘Digger’ warders

Belinda Daly4 Comments
Built environment, Colonial History, St Helena Warders

Has anyone seen John Howard?

John Howard is not to be found anywhere. In our current climate of removing and reshuffling Liberal politicians, you may be mistaken for thinking that I am referring to the ex-Prime Minister of Australia, who you may fear from this headline has gone missing along with supporters of Malcom Turnbull.   Fear not, as my John Howard is not one in the same – he’s … Continue reading Has anyone seen John Howard?

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What do you need to know about St Helena Island?

The count down is on until we grace the volcanic red soils of St Helena Island! Next week, we’re bringing a posse of people there to gather new and exciting images and information, that will provide the fodder for months’ worth of blogs. Lauren and I are ready to take lots of photos to go with the stories we have planned. My cousin Paula Peeters, … Continue reading What do you need to know about St Helena Island?

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Environmental History, St Helena Prisoners, St Helena Warders

St Helena’s Hungry Jacks

Last week, I mentioned the return of McDonald’s to the island, a significant and exciting time and we certainly got a response from you all! In an effort to not show bias towards any particular fast food chain, today’s story is about Hungry Jacks on St Helena Island. Hungry Jack was on the island in 1868. And he caused issues. The stories captured by this … Continue reading St Helena’s Hungry Jacks

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