Volume 5 - An Affinity For Wood - Steve Green's History of the Alchin Family

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1 ~~ John Alchorn or Alchin

John was born at an unknown date, and given his surname his birthplace was probably in Sussex – there are two John Alchornes who were baptised at Isfield (a few miles south-east of Uckfield), one in 1762 and the other in 1764. John married Sarah; she was born in Kent in 1765. John and Sarah had at least one child – Charles (1786).

John died in December 1786 and he was buried at Sutton Valence on 2nd January 1787. For both his burial and his son’s baptism their surname is given as Alchorn rather than Alchin. Sarah had two illegitimate children after her husband’s death – Elizabeth (1789) and William (1792).

The 1841 census records that Sarah was a ‘pricker’ and she was living with her son Charles and his family at Smith’s Cottages, Chart next Sutton.

1.1 ~~ Charles Alchin

Charles was born at Sutton Valence, Kent in 1786 and he was baptised at Sutton Valence on 12th March 1786. Charles married Mary Cogger at St Michael’s church, Chart next Sutton on 21st April 1814 (Mary’s illegitimate daughter Elizabeth was baptised there on the same day).

Mary Cogger was a servant at the Chart next Sutton Vicarage at the time of her marriage. The ceremony was performed by Rev’d J.E. Gambier and the witnesses were Thomas Lewin and Thomas Foster Barham. Mary was born at Maidstone in about 1785.

Charles and Mary had five children besides Elizabeth – Eleanor (1816), Lucy (1819), Lewis (1821), Charles (1823) and Thomas (1827). The parish register records that Charles was a labourer of Chart. The 1841 census records that Charles was an agricultural labourer and he and his wife and four of their children were living at Smith’s Cottage, Chart next Sutton. His elderly mother Sarah was also living with them.

The 1851 census records that Charles was employed as a farm bailiff and he and his wife and their youngest son (who migrated to Victoria in the 1850’s) were living at Sutton Valence. Mary may have died in 1857 aged 72 years (Hollingbourne 1857 September qtr Volume 2a Page 296).

The 1861 census records that Charles was a widowed agricultural labourer and he was living with his son in law and daughter (Benjamin and Eleanor Warham) at Bearsted Street, Bearsted. Charles probably died in 1866 aged 82 years (Hollingbourne 1866 June qtr Volume 2a Page 347).

1.1.1 ~~ Elizabeth Mary Ann Cogger (Alchin)

Elizabeth was born at Chart next Sutton in 1814 and she was baptised at St Michael’s church, Chart next Sutton on 21st April 1814 – on the same day that her mother married Charles Alchin. It is unknown of course whether Charles was her father but it does seem likely.

Elizabeth married George Brooker of Boughton Monchelsea at St Michael’s church, Chart next Sutton on 26th November 1832. The ceremony was performed by Rev’d J. Gambier and the witnesses were W.A. Gambier and Eleanor Alchin. George Brooker was born at Boughton Monchelsea in 1812.

George and Elizabeth had at least nine children – Elizabeth (1833), George (1835), Charles (1837), Mary (1840), John (1842), Ann (1845), Ellen (1849), Emily (1852) and Thomas (1855). The parish register in 1833 records that George was a labourer of Chart. The 1841 census records that George was an agricultural labourer and he and his wife and their four surviving children were living at Cook Street, Boughton Monchelsea.

The 1851 census records that George was an agricultural labourer and he and his wife and six of their children were living at Wiverton Street, Boughton Monchelsea. The 1861 census records that George was an agricultural labourer and he and his wife and three of their children were living at Minster Street, Boughton Monchelsea.

The 1871 census records that George was an agricultural labourer and he and his wife and their youngest son were living at Wiverton Street, Boughton Monchelsea. The 1881 census records that George was still an agricultural labourer. He and his wife and their two youngest daughters were living at 11 East Hall Road, Boughton Monchelsea.

The 1891 census records that George (at the age of 80 years) was a gamekeeper and he and his wife their spinster daughter Emily were living at Wiverton Street, Boughton Monchelsea. Elizabeth died in 1891 aged 77 years (Maidstone 1891 September qtr Volume 2a Page 359). George died in 1897 aged 86 years (Maidstone 1897 June qtr Volume 2a Page 389).

1.1.1.1 ~~ Elizabeth Mary Brooker

Elizabeth was baptised at St Michael’s church, Chart next Sutton on 24th March 1833. The 1841 census records that Elizabeth was living with her family at Cook Street, Boughton Monchelsea. The 1851 census records that Elizabeth was unmarried and she was living with her parents at Wiverton Street, Boughton Monchelsea.

Elizabeth married Edward Whitley in 1867 (Maidstone 1867 September qtr Volume 2a Page 877).

1.1.1.2 ~~ George Brooker

George was born at Boughton Monchelsea in 1835. The 1841 census records that he was living with his family at Cook Street, Boughton Monchelsea. The 1851 census records that George was an agricultural labourer and he was living with his parents at Wiverton Street, Boughton Monchelsea.

1.1.1.3 ~~ Charles Brooker

Charles was born at Boughton Monchelsea in 1837. The 1841 census records that the young boy was living with his family at Cook Street, Boughton Monchelsea. He was not recorded with the rest of his family in the 1851 census.

Charles married Sarah; she was born at Staplehurst in 1837. Charles and Sarah had at least five children – Mary (1859), Kate (1861), Thomas (1863), Emily (1865) and Alice (1867). Charles and his family spent a few years in London where their three eldest children were born.

The 1861 census records that Charles was a carman and he and his wife and their two infant daughters were living at 4 Stephens Mews (off Tottenham Court Road), St Pancras. The 1871 census records that Charles was a farmer and he and his wife and their five children were living at Southend, Eltham.

The 1881 census records that Charles was a farmer of 18 acres. He and his wife and their five unmarried children were living at Southend Road, Eltham. The 1891 census records that Charles was still a farmer and he and his wife and their three unmarried children were still living at Southend Road, Eltham.

1.1.1.3.1 ~~ Mary Jane Brooker

Mary, later known as Jane, was born at St James, London in 1859. The 1861 census records that the toddler was living with her family at 4 Stephens Mews, St Pancras. The 1871 census records that the school girl was living with her family at Southend, Eltham.

The 1881 census records that Jane was unmarried and she was living with her parents at 3 Southend Road, Eltham. The 1891 census records that Mary was a spinster and she was still living with her parents at Southend Road, Eltham.

1.1.1.3.2 ~~ Kate Brooker

Kate was born at St James, London in January 1861. The 1861 census records that the 3 month old infant was living with her family at 4 Stephens Mews, St Pancras. The 1871 census records that the school girl was living with her family at Southend, Eltham. The 1881 census records that Kate was unmarried and she was living with her parents at 3 Southend Road, Eltham.

1.1.1.3.3 ~~ Thomas Brooker

Thomas was born at St Pancras in London in 1863. The 1871 census records that the school boy was living with his family at Southend, Eltham. The 1881 census records no occupation for him. He was unmarried and he was living with his parents at 3 Southend Road, Eltham.

The 1891 census records that Thomas was an unmarried farmer and he was still living with his parents at Southend Road, Eltham.

1.1.1.3.4 ~~ Emily Brooker

Emily was born at Eltham in 1865. The 1871 census records that the school girl was living with her family at Southend, Eltham. The 1881 census records that Emily was a teacher (probably a pupil-teacher) and she was living with her parents at 3 Southend Road, Eltham.

The 1891 census records that Emily was unmarried and she was still living with her parents at Southend Road, Eltham. The 1901 census records that Emily was a clerk and she was living with her uncle Thomas Brooker at 23 Douglas Road, Maidstone.

1.1.1.3.5 ~~ Alice Brooker

Alice was born at Eltham in 1867. The 1871 census records that the young girl was living with her family at Southend, Eltham. The 1881 census records that she was living with her parents at 3 Southend Road, Eltham.

1.1.1.4 ~~ Mary Brooker

Mary was born at Boughton Monchelsea in 1840. The 1841 census records that the infant was living with her family at Cook Street, Boughton Monchelsea. The 1851 census records that the young girl was living with her family at Wiverton Street, Boughton Monchelsea.

1.1.1.5 ~~ John Brooker

Alfred was born at Boughton Monchelsea in 1842. The 1851 census records that the young boy was living with his family at Wiverton Street, Boughton Monchelsea.

1.1.1.6 ~~ Ann Brooker

Ann was born at Boughton Monchelsea in 1845. The 1851 census records that the young girl was living with her family at Wiverton Street, Boughton Monchelsea.

1.1.1.7 ~~ Ellen Brooker

Ellen was born at Boughton Monchelsea in 1849 (Maidstone 1849 June qtr Volume 5 Page 338). The 1851 census records that the infant was living with her family at Wiverton Street, Boughton Monchelsea. The 1861 census records that the school girl was living with her family at Minster Street, Boughton Monchelsea.

The 1881 census records that Ellen was an unemployed domestic servant. She was unmarried and she was living with her parents at 11 East Hall Road, Boughton Monchelsea.

1.1.1.8 ~~ Emily Brooker

Emily was born at Boughton Monchelsea in 1852. The 1861 census records that the school girl was living with her family at Minster Street, Boughton Monchelsea.

The 1881 census records that Emily was unmarried (no occupation is recorded) and she was living with her elderly parents at 11 East Hall Road, Boughton Monchelsea. The 1891 census records that Emily was a spinster and she was living with her elderly parents at Wiverton Street, Boughton Monchelsea.

1.1.1.9 ~~ Thomas Brooker

Thomas was born at Boughton Monchelsea in 1855. The 1861 census records that the school boy was living with his family at Minster Street, Boughton Monchelsea. The 1871 census records that Thomas was a groom and he was living with his parents at Wiverton Street, Boughton Monchelsea.

Thomas married Lydia S,; she was born at Ashford in 1860. The couple do not appear to have had any surviving children. The 1891 census records that Thomas was a married carpenter and he was living at 18 Victoria Street, Maidstone. There is no sign of his wife who must have been away at the time.

The 1901 census records that Thomas was a commission agent and he and his wife were living at 23 Douglas Road, Maidstone. Their niece Emily Brooker was living with them at the time.

1.1.2 ~~ Eleanor Alchin

Eleanor was baptised at St Michael’s church, Chart next Sutton on 31st March 1816. She was a witness at the wedding of her elder sister (half-sister?) in 1832. The 1841 census records that Eleanor was an unmarried straw maker and she was living with her parents at Smith’s Cottage, Chart next Sutton.

Eleanor married Benjamin Warham; he was born at Hollingbourne in 1816. Benjamin and Eleanor had at least three children – Harriett (1842), Thomas (1847) and Helen (1855). The 1861 census records that Benjamin was a bricklayer and he and his wife and their three children were living at Bearsted Street, Bearsted.

1.1.2.1 ~~ Harriett M. Warham

Harriett was born at Hollingbourne in 1842. The 1861 census records that Harriett was unmarried and she was living with her parents at Bearsted Street, Bearsted.

1.1.2.2 ~~ Thomas H. Warham

Thomas was born at Thurnham in 1847. The 1861 census records that Thomas was living with his parents at Bearsted Street, Bearsted.

1.1.2.3 ~~ Helen B. Warham

Helen was born at Bearsted in 1855. The 1861 census records that the school girl was living with her family at Bearsted Street, Bearsted.

1.1.3 ~~ Lucy Amelia Alchin

Lucy was baptised at St Michael’s church, Chart next Sutton on 23rd May 1819. The 1841 census records that Lucy was an unmarried straw maker and she was living with her parents at Smith’s Cottage, Chart next Sutton.

Lucy married Edward Edmed at Folkestone on 19th April 1847 (Elham 1847 June qtr Volume 5 Page 233); he was born at Sutton Valence in 1822 and he was the son of Thomas Edmed a farmer. The wedding ceremony was performed by Rev’d Thomas Pearce and the witnesses were James Pond and Sophia Goode.

Edward and Lucy had at least six children – Louisa (1847), Ella (1849), Ellen (1851), George (1853), Harriett (1856) and Mary (1859). None of the family are recorded in the 1851 English census. The 1861 census records that Edward was a brewer’s drayman and Lucy was a dressmaker. The couple and their six children were living at 6 Prospect Place, Bexley.

There is no trace of any member of this family in any subsequent English census which indicates that they probably emigrated in the 1860’s.

1.1.3.1 ~~ Louisa Amelia Edmed

Louisa was born at Sutton Valence in 1847 (Hollingbourn 1847 September qtr Volume 5 Page 259). The 1861 census records that the school girl was living with her family at 6 Prospect Place, Bexley.

1.1.3.2 ~~ Ella M. Edmed

Ella was born at Sutton Valence in 1849. The 1861 census records that the school girl was living with her family at 6 Prospect Place, Bexley.

1.1.3.3 ~~ Ellen Sophia Edmed

Ellen was born at Maidstone in 1851 (Maidstone 1851 September qtr Volume 5 Page 366). The 1861 census records that the school girl was living with her family at 6 Prospect Place, Bexley.

1.1.3.4 ~~ George W. Edmed

George was born at Gravesend in 1853. The 1861 census records that the school boy was living with his family at 6 Prospect Place, Bexley.

1.1.3.5 ~~ Harriett Elizabeth Edmed

Harriett was born at Bexley in 1856 (Dartford 1856 June qtr Volume 2a Page 219). The 1861 census records that the school girl was living with her family at 6 Prospect Place, Bexley.

1.1.3.6 ~~ Mary Jane Edmed

Mary was born at Bexley in 1859 (Dartford 1859 September qtr Volume 2a Page 271). The 1861 census records that the young girl was living with her family at 6 Prospect Place, Bexley.

1.1.4 ~~ Lewis Alchin

Lewis was baptised at St Michael’s church, Chart next Sutton on 22nd July 1821.

1.1.5 ~~ Charles Alchin

Charles was born at Chart Sutton in 1823 and he was baptised at St Michael’s church, Chart next Sutton on 26th October 1823. The 1841 census records that he was an agricultural labourer and he was living with his parents at Smith’s Cottage, Chart next Sutton.

Charles married Mary Couchman at Sutton Valence on 28th October 1846 (Hollingbourn 1846 December qtr Volume 5 Page 413); she was born at Leeds, Kent in 1822 the daughter of John Couchman a labourer. The wedding ceremony was performed by Rev’d C. Wray Goodchild and the witnesses were Thomas and Mary Farrance.

The 1881 census records that Charles was a former commission agent. He and his wife were living at 50 Brewer Street, Maidstone. Also living with them was their nephew, 21 year old Charles Stuart of London. The 1891 census records that Charles and Mary were still living at the same address in Maidstone. Also living with them was their 20 year old niece Ellen Butler of Sutton Valence.

It seems likely that Charles and Mary did not have any surviving children. Mary died in 1892 aged 70 years (Maidstone 1892 December qtr Volume 2a Page 512). Charles died in 1906 aged 82 years (Maidstone 1906 September qtr Volume 2a Page 512).

1.1.6 ~~ Thomas Cogger Alchin

Thomas was born at Chart and he was baptised at St Michael’s church, Chart next Sutton on 15th July 1827. The 1841 census records that the 10 year old was already working as an agricultural labourer and he was living with his parents at Smith’s Cottage, Chart next Sutton. The 1851 census records that Thomas was an unmarried carpenter and he was living with his elderly parents at Sutton Valence.

Thomas migrated to Victoria in the early 1850s and he probably made his fortune on the goldfields – but it is unlikely that it was from digging for gold. He married Sarah Jagger in Victoria in 1857 (Vic 1857/1484); she was born in 1829 and she was the daughter of Jabez Jagger and Mary Wilson.

Thomas and Sarah had at least five children – Emma (1858), Thomas (1859), Thomas (1861), Ellen (1868) and Charles (1872). Their youngest child was drowned in the Pelican Reef disaster in 1892.

Thomas was a builder at Snapper Point on the Mornington Peninsular. He built a number of churches on the Mornington Peninsular but he is best remembered for Ballam Park Homestead which he built in the 1860s in the French Farmhouse style. This building is now owned by the National Trust.

Thomas died at Snapper Point on 17th November 1901 (Vic 1901/15475) aged 73 years. Probate records describe him as a storekeeper of Mornington. Sarah died at Mornington on 9th September 1918 (Vic 1918/10177) aged 89 years (Probate Vic 160/155).

1.1.6.1 ~~ Emma Amelia Alchin

Emma was born at Snapper Point in 1858 (Vic 1858/1804).

1.1.6.2 ~~ Thomas Alchin

Thomas was born at Snapper Point in 1859 (Vic 1859/18718). He died there soon afterwards (Vic 1858/8036).

1.1.6.3 ~~ Thomas Jagger Alchin

Thomas was born at Snapper Point in 1861 (Vic 1861/7222). He moved to Queensland where he married Bessie May on 16th March 1886 (QLD 1886/001460); she was the daughter of Harry and Elizabeth May and she was born in 1863.

Thomas and Bessie had at least nine children – Ella (1887), Ethel (1888), Sarah (1890), Emma (1893), Charles (1894), Cyril (1897), Edwin (1899), Dorothy (1902) and Ena (1905). The three eldest children were born in Queensland but Thomas returned his family to Victoria in the early 1890’s where the rest of the children were born.

Thomas died at Kew on 28th January 1942 (Vic 1942/1142) aged 81 years. Probate records describe him as a gentleman of Kew (Probate Vic 333/680). Bessie died at Kew on 26th January 1948 (Vic 1948/1060) aged 85 years (Probate Vic 399/973).

1.1.6.3.1 ~~ Ella May Alchin

Ella was born in Queensland on 7th January 1887 (QLD 1887/009251). She probably moved to Victoria with her family in the early 1890’s unless she had died and her death was not registered.

1.1.6.3.2 ~~ Ethel Alice Alchin

Ethel was born at Rockhampton in Queensland on 19th June 1888 (QLD 1888/010321). She moved to Victoria with her family in the early 1890’s. Ethel enlisted in the Indian Nursing Service on 5th November 1915. She was single, aged 27 years and a registered nurse. A week after enlisting Ethel was on board ship bound for Egypt.

Ethel arrived in Egypt safely and she reported for duty at the 1st Australian General Hospital on 9th December 1915. In January 1916 she returned to Australia with many of the wounded from Gallipoli aboard HMT “Ulysses”. After a months leave Ethel returned to Egypt aboard HMT “Shropshire” and she spent the next few months at 3rd Australian General Hospital, Abbassia.

In July 1916 Ethel took up an offer to work as a nurse in India for 6 months. Like many of the other nurses who served in India she would have found it very difficult as the nurses were treated very badly there. In January 1917 Ethel was posted to England and nursed at Queen Mary’s Hospital, Whalley in Lancashire. Later that year Ethel was posted to a number of Australian hospitals in southern England.

In January 1918 Ethel was moved to France and she was posted to the 1st Australian General Hospital which was then located at Rouen. In October 1918 she was promoted to Sister. Ethel returned to Australia in June / July 1919 and she was discharged from the Australian Army Nursing Service on 26th September 1919.

Ethel married Wallace Ernest Morley in 1921 (Vic 1921/5429). She served as a nurse again during World War II.

1.1.6.3.3 ~~ Sarah Alchin

Sarah was born in Queensland on 12th May 1890 (Vic 1890/010967). She probably moved to Victoria with her family in the early 1890’s unless she had died and her death was not registered.

1.1.6.3.4 ~~ Emma Winifred Alchin

Emma was born at Lauriston, Victoria in 1893 (Vic 1893/14349). She did not marry. Emma died at Box Hill in 1966 (Vic 1966/24178) aged 73 years. Probate records describe her as a retired publican of Mitchan (Probate Vic 651/152).

1.1.6.3.5 ~~ Charles Herbert Alchin

Charles was born at Lauriston on 12th November 1894 (Vic 1894/30681). During World War I he enlisted in the 1st A.I.F. on 7th July 1915. Charles was assigned to the 2nd Ammunition Transport Company with the rank of Private and regimental number 10297. He returned to Australia on 27th April 1919.

Charles married Venora May Tyers in 1927 (Vic 1927/10786); she was the daughter of Charles Tyers and Jane Fawthro Bennet and she was born in 1905. Charles re-enlisted in the Army at Beechworth on 25th March 1942 (V###). He was discharged with the rank of Private from the 22nd Volunteer Defence Corps on 30th August 1943.

Charles died at East Brighton on 9th May 1981 (Vic 1981/10037) aged 87 years (Probate Vic 11/180). Venora died at Mornington on 24th January 1967 (Vic 1967/2827) aged 62 years (Probate 653/799).

1.1.6.3.6 ~~ Cyril Ernest Alchin

Cyril was born at Lauriston on 24th February 1897 (Vic 1897/12321). He married Marion Houston in 1926 (Vic 1926/618) and they ran a poultry farm at Langwarrin. Cyril gave a false age when he enlisted in the Army at Caulfield on 6th June 1940 (VX23229). He was assigned as a Lance Corporal to the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion which was part of the ill-fated 8th Division.

Cyril was captured when Singapore fell in February 1942. With thousands of other prisoners of war and forced labourers he was sent to work on the Burma – Siam railway. Cyril died from a combination of illness, abuse and neglect on 21st December 1943 aged 46 years. After the war his widow was living at 86 Beach Street, Frankston.

1.1.6.3.7 ~~ Edwin Victor Alchin

Edwin was born at Lauriston on 24th May 1899 (Vic 1899/19954). After leaving school Edwin moved to Sydney. He married Margaret Harle at Redfern in 1927 (NSW 1927/15684). Edwin enlisted in the Army at Sydney on 19th January 1941. He was discharged with the rank of Private from 5 ARD on 3rd May 1944.

After the war Edwin worked as a labourer. He died at Mascot, NSW on 27th February 1967 aged 67 years. Although he died in NSW, Edwin’s estate was dealt with in Victoria (Probate Vic 667/518).

1.1.6.3.8 ~~ Dorothy Ellen Alchin

Dorothy was born at Lauriston in 1902 (Vic 1902/4077).

1.1.6.3.9 ~~ Ena Margery Alchin

Ena was born at Lauriston in 1905 (Vic 1905/11701).

1.1.6.4 ~~ Ellen Louisa Alchin

Ellen was born at Snapper Point in 1868 (Vic 1868/12393). She married William S. Cook at Mornington in 1895 (Vic 1895/6277).

1.1.6.5 ~~ Charles Ernest Alchin

Charles was born at Snapper Point in 1872 (Vic 1872/19752). Charles died with 15 of his friends on their way home from a football match in a drowning tragedy in the waters off the Mornington Peninsular in 1892. He was only 19 years of age.

Mornington Versus Mordialloc: The Fateful Football Match of 1892

Left: Memorial on the Mornington foreshore to the footballers who lost their lives in a drowning tragedy. Right: Carved wreath on the back of the memorial on the foreshore at Mornington.

Mordialloc Football Club was formed in 1891 but its second season produced the event which was the club’s most memorable in over a century. In the 1890’s football at the outer suburban level was still largely a social game where teams arranged matches on a casual basis against neighbouring clubs. There was no official competition with a ladder and finals as we have now. So after a successful 1891 inaugural season Mordialloc club members, looking forward to the 1892 season, organised fixtures against Cheltenham and Mornington to begin the year’s football. The Cheltenham game was cancelled because the ground was under water after torrential rain. Mordialloc club selected a team to play Mornington on Saturday 21st May and included some well-known locals including Rennison and Rigg. No one could have known what a fatal fixture this match was to be.

The Mornington team agreed to play an away game and made arrangements to travel up to Mordialloc. The railways had just completed an extension of the line from Frankston to Mornington and this would have been the normal way of travelling to Mordialloc. However, Charles Hooper, a 35 year-old member of the team who was an experienced sailor and fisherman, offered an interesting alternative. He invited the team members to use his boat “Process” for a sea trip to the Mordialloc game. Hooper skippered the craft, known as a yawl, which was over nine metres long with a main mast of similar length. Hooper told the young men that he would use his racing sails for the trip, the ones which had won him regatta honours off Frankston and Mornington in the recent past. At a meeting prior to the match 12 out of the twenty players voted for the novelty of a boat trip, and so all but one of the team set out after lunch on that May Saturday which was to mark the greatest tragedy in the Peninsula’s sporting history, if not that of Victoria as a whole. Two of the original twenty dropped out so the 17 from the boat were joined at Mordialloc by Charles Allchin who came by train from his work in a city architect’s office. The fifteen mile trip across the bay had been uneventful, though one man who made the return journey by train said that William Coles had played a song "The Ship That Never Returned" among his medley of cornet tunes. His teammates, singing as they sailed, were not to know of the terrible irony that song promised.

The match at Mordialloc began about three in the afternoon and ended in near darkness at 5-30 p.m. The result was a draw, each team having scored two goals. In those days behinds did not count. The game was played on the original Mordialloc ground in the beach park, not far from the pier.

The Mornington team boarded their craft at Mordialloc pier around six o’clock with only a few locals to say farewell. Charles Hooper let it be known that he expected to reach Mornington between 8 and 9 p.m. Later, those who said goodbye at the pier gave evidence that the travellers were sober and in good spirits. Allchin joined the boat travellers but three men who had come by sea returned in the train. They were Coxhell, the baker, a lad called Shultz and Mr Short, the bank manager, who said he boarded the train because he knew his wife would be worried about the sea trip.

Off Frankston “Process” passed some fishermen who later said the men were singing and appeared to be travelling without any trouble. That was the last time any of them were seen or heard alive. No one knows exactly what happened next but a reconstruction of the tragedy gives this likely sequence of events. There was a stiff NW breeze that night and the boat in full sail had to be ‘ballasted’ by the whole team sitting on the windward side to stop the craft toppling. As the yawl reached Pelican Point, near Mt. Eliza, a sudden squall placed great strain on the wire halyard holding the sail. This snapped and the sail ran down causing the boat to lurch quickly with the weight of the men on one side. It capsized, throwing the occupants into the sea. In the darkness and with waves beating around them the men struggled to right the craft or climb on board. No one succeeded and one man got tangled in the rigging. One can only imagine the sheer terror in the minds of those unlucky footballers as they clawed and fought for a grip on the smooth underside of the vessel only to be washed off by the waves. Exhaustion soon ended their struggle. Any that tried to swim for the shore did not make it. All were drowned.

Back at Mornington, that Saturday night was to become the blackest ever in the town’s history. There was a gradual build-up of concern and then deep worry about the young men from the town. The first to be concerned was Mr Short, the manager of the Commercial Bank, whose train had reached Mornington at about 8 p.m. By about 9-30 p.m. he became worried that his young accountant and team mate, William Grover, had not called in to collect his duplicate set of bank keys as he had promised to do. Short went to Grover’s home where he informed Mr J Grover, the young accountant’s father. Grover senior became so worried that he set out by horse and buggy to reach Mordialloc and find out about the football team’s departure. Mr Short then went with a friend down to the Mornington pier to see if there was any sign of “Process” returning. The wait was fruitless. When midnight passed with no boat in sight it was clear that something was seriously wrong so Short went to Rev. Caldwell’s home to inform the minister of the concerns he had for the team which included Caldwell’s three sons.

The worry now became panic as Caldwell rushed to awaken Sergeant Murphy of Mornington police. He in turn roused the postmistress so that a telegraph message could be sent to Mordialloc. She could get no reply. Twenty-four-hour electronic communication was in the future. Telephones were not connected to Mornington at that time either. So Mornington people who had relatives and friends in the football team were visited and informed of the non-appearance of the boat. Doubtless, some had already begun to fear the worst. Many made dashes to the pier or the surrounding beaches to no avail. Mr Short and a friend, Mr McLellan, travelled by buggy towards Mordialloc only to meet Mr Grover coming back with the news that the team had left as planned the previous evening. It was now around four in the morning and the town could do little else but wait for the dawn.

Several boats searching the coast early that Sunday found the upturned “Process” lying in the sea on Pelican reef. There were bags and belongings strewn about the area as well. The upturned boat was towed back to Mornington and, when righted, the naked body of Alfred Lawrence was discovered tangled in the rigging. He had discarded his clothes, probably to make swimming easier. During that Sunday and for days after there were many vessels out searching for the rest of the team but no other bodies were discovered. This was despite the efforts of many sailors and the officers on the Customs launch. The Ports and Harbours Department vessel, Lady Loch, which had dragging equipment aboard was also sent to the area but none of the other men were found.

There was an inquest into the death of Albert Lawrence whose body was taken to his father’s main street shop. The verdict of accidental death shed little further light on what people knew to have happened. The town grieved openly at the funeral of young Lawrence when he was buried at the Mornington cemetery. The wider community was shocked as well, none so much as the people of Mordialloc who were the last to see the men on dry land. Telegrams and messages of condolence came from everywhere, one from the Governor of Victoria, Lord Hopetoun. A public meeting at Mornington established a committee for relief of the victims’ dependants. It included many politicians and professional men. Eventually, over sixteen hundred pounds was raised. Seventy-five pounds was used to erect a memorial at Mornington and the rest went to the families of those who died.

In retrospect it is hard to grasp the enormity of the sadness and hardship this event brought to the little town. The Rev. Caldwell of the Presbyterian Church lost three sons aged from seventeen to twenty one. Charles Hooper’s fourteen-year-old son died with him but he left a wife and three other children. Two other players had wives and children, while Grover lost his brother and son. And then there was the tragedy of Charles Allchin who came from work in the city by train, only to join the fated yawl at Mordialloc for the rest of the trip. Short and the two others who came home by train after spending the outward journey on the boat must have spent the rest of their lives wondering over that twist of fate. Mornington lost a large portion of its young men that night and was a grieving town for years after.

On the foreshore at Mornington a monument stands as a memorial to the fifteen men who died over a century ago. They were:

Charles Ernest Allchin, 19.
James Reid Caldwell, 21.
William Lindsay Caldwell, 19.
Hugh Caldwell,17.
William Coles, 23.
John Comber, 31.
James Firth, 17.

William Grover, 25.
William Grover, 17 (nephew of above).
Charles Hooper, 35.
Charles Hooper, 14 (son of above).
John Kenna, 18.
Albert Lawrence, 19.
George Milne, 38.
Charles Williams, 23.

Author

Leo Gamble

References

Allchin, C H., The Pelican Reef Disaster.

Cheltenham Leader.

Macnaughtan, John, The Red and Whites: A History of the Mordialloc Football Club, 1993.

Records of Mornington Historical Society.

South Bourke and Mornington Journal.

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