ANZAC Day - Fletcher Alderwin Brand

Fletcher Alderwin Brand

Today being ANZAC Day, I have decided to honour my great-grandfather, Fletcher Alderwin Brand, who served in World War I. Today Australia commemorates all the people who have served to allow our country to remain free.

Early Years

Fletcher was born on 16 December 1881 in Dongara, Western Australia, the seventh of ten children, to David Brand and Susanna Criddle.¹^,²^,³ Fletcher was one of the first generation of Brand’s to be born in Australia. His father, David, had moved to Western Australia from Larbert, Scotland, in 1859 with his siblings and mother to join their convict father, George Brand, who had been transported in 1855.⁴^,⁵

Marriage

Not much is known about Fletcher’s early childhood other than he grew up in a farming family in the Dongara region. On the 27 April 1909 he married Millicent Dolores “Lola” Bayliss at Guildford.⁶ The 1910 Western Australia Elector Roll has them farming a property, “Cooremia”, in Upper Swan, Western Australia.⁷ Their marriage was short-lived as Lola died on 2 March 1913 of Meningitis.^8,⁹

Military Service - Beginning

On 23 November 1915, Fletcher answered the call for World War 1 and volunteered to fight for his country.³ He was substantially older, at 33 years 11 months, than the Australian average age of 24.25 years upon enlistment.³^,¹⁰ I wonder if the death of his wife two years earlier played a role in this decision. I did try to ask my grandmother a couple of times but she refused to acknowledge his first marriage - I often wonder why. He enlisted in Geraldton and was issued service number 2164B.³ At the time of his enlistment, he was working as a farmer in Geraldton.³ He was a Methodist, stood 5 foot 5/8 inches, weighed 160 pounds, had blue eyes, dark brown hair, slightly balding, and a fresh complexion.³ He also sported a large appendix scar.³ Unsurprisingly, given his farming background, he was placed as a Private with the 10th Light Horse Regiment, 15th Reinforcements.³ He embarked on H.M.A.T. A38 “Ulysses” from Fremantle on 1 April 1916.³ Incidentally, I realised when reading Beneath Hill 60 by Will Davies last year, that Fletcher was on the same ship as Lieutenant Oliver Holmes Woodward who had embarked the “Ulysses” in Sydney on 20 February 1916.¹¹ Woodward was in the now infamous 1st Australian Tunnelling Company, as depicted by Brendan Cowell in the 2010 movie, Beneath Hill 60.¹²^,¹³

C.1915 - Fletcher Alderwin Brand, WWI Portrait, Western Australia^a

Military Service - Active Duty

Fletcher commenced his service with the 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment which was the only light horse contingent created in Western Australia.³^,² Upon arrival in Tel-el-Kabir, Egypt on 29 April 1916 he was taken on strength by the 3rd Light Horse Regiment, a South Australian regiment.^3,¹⁵ The Australian Light Horse holds a special place in the hearts of Australian's as many lived on farms and were avid riders. The 3rd Light Horse joined forces with the ANZAC Mounted Division and went on to defend the Suez Canal in May 1916.¹⁵

*WWI Members of the Australian Imperial Camel Corps preparing to mount*^b

On 6 July 1916, Fletcher was taken on strength by the 5th Double Squadron, which was formed using 3rd Light Horse reinforcements.^3,¹⁶ Fletcher and his comrades were transferred on 2 November 1916 to the newly formed 4th Camel Regiment in Abbassia when the Double Squadron was disbanded.^3,16 Fletcher spent the majority of his service in the Camel Corps, transferring to the 18th Company International Camel Corps on 8 February 1917.³ On 20 August 1918 he was transferred to the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) as a driver.³

*Soldier form 5th Light Horse Regiment at Port Said*^c

A couple of times through his service, Fletcher was sent to hospital. On 2 May 2017 he was admitted to the 26th Italy Hospital with bronchitis, and discharged to duty on 13 May 2017, returning to the Camel Corps in Abbassia.³ On 4 November 1918 he was admitted to the 21st General Hospital in Alexia and upon his discharge on 4 December 1918 he was sent to the Port Said Rest Camp.³ In 1917 it had been decided that the men should be given the opportunity for a break to rest from the rigours of war and a rest camp was established at Port Said on 11 October 1917.¹⁷ Fletcher was in hospital when hostilities ceased on 11 November 1918 - I wonder how he felt not being with his comrades at this milestone. Men would spend a couple of weeks at the rest camp to recuperate by the sea after being discharged from hospital prior to being returned to their units.¹⁷ However, since the war was over, Fletcher, remained in the Rest Camp. On 26 July 1919, after having served for nearly 4 years, Fletcher, embarked the HT "Burma" in Suez, Egypt to return home to Australia.³ He disembarked on 22 August 1919 and was formally discharged on 15 October 1919, to return to life on the farm.³ He received the 1914/15 Star, the British War Medal (No.9916), and the Victory Medal (No.9832).³

Post-War Years

Wedding of Fletcher Alderwin Brand and Gladys Gwendoline Matheson^d

Less than a year after his discharge, he married for the second time at 38 years of age.¹⁸ Fletcher married Gladys Gwendoline Matheson on 10 June 1920 in Victoria Park, Western Australia.¹⁸^,² Gladys was the youngest child of Robert Matheson and Edith Ford, originally from Bathurst, New South Wales, having moved to Victoria Park in the years following Gladys’ birth.^2,^19,²⁰ On 6 August 1921 they welcomed their first child, Alywin “Al” Robert David Brand in Victoria Park, Western Australia.²^,²¹ He was followed by Hilton Dudley Brand (known as Dudley) on 7 August 1923.²^,²² He was named after Gladys’ brother Robert Hilton Matheson who was Killed in Action in Somme, France on 23 May 1918.²³ My grandma, Marjorey “Marj” June Brand followed and was born on 5 June 1925 in Pinjarra, Western Australia.²⁴ On 5 July 1928 Donald “Don” Raymond Brand joined their expanding family followed by their youngest child, Gweneth “Gwen” Margaret Brand on 7 February 1932.²^,²⁵^,²⁶ In 1925, when Marj was born, Fletcher was a farmer in Pinjarra, Western Australia.²⁴ In the Electoral Rolls for the years 1931, 1936, and 1937 the family lived Muchea, Western Australia where Fletcher was a dairy farmer.^27,^28,²⁹ By 1939 they were living in Pitchford Avenue, Maddington and Fletcher was employed as a labourer.³⁰ By the 1943 Electoral roll the family was living in Sawyers Valley but Fletcher has no occupation listed.³¹ On the 5 June 1943, when Marjorey married, Fletcher was a War Pensioner living in Deal Street, Mt Helena.³²

1944 - A Year of Tragedy

1944 was a hard year for many Australians as they waited for news of their sons fighting in WWII - for the Brand’s it was no different. Al was in the AIF and the family were hoping that he would return safely home. Little did they know that 1944 would be more tragic for them than many others.

C.1943 Hilton Dudley Brand^e

On 19th June 1944 20-year-old Hilton Dudley Brand was killed instantly when he fell from a motor truck near the 27-mile peg on the Great Eastern-highway. The twin rear wheels of the truck passed over his head".³³ Dudley had been discharged from the Army on 24 April 1943 and was working near his home when the accident occurred.³⁴ He was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery.³⁵

C.1944 Donald Raymond Brand^f

Still reeling over the death of Dudley, the family were eagerly awaiting the birth of Marj’s first child when tragedy struck again. On 6th December 1944, their youngest boy 16-year-old Donald Raymond Brand died on the family farm. Donald was cutting wood with his dad when the circular saw he was using broke, and a piece struck him on the head. He sustained a fractured skull."³⁶ He was buried with his brother, Dudley, at Karrakatta on 8 December 1944.³⁷ The family was now increasingly worried about Al. The shock of Donald's death sent my grandmother, Marj, into premature labour with my mum, who was born just over a week later. Grandma would regularly tell me about travelling to the hospital to visit my mum with expressed milk. Thankfully Al arrived home safely from the war in 1945 but was devastated at the loss of his brothers. The irony of them dying whilst being “safe” at home was never lost on him. The extended family were reeling from the toll, not just of Dudley and Donald’s deaths but of cousins Kenneth Norman Hilton Butler and Kenneth “Stan” Stanley Lance. Kenneth Butler had been aboard the ill-fated HMAS Sydney that was lost on 20 November 1941.³⁸ Stan Lance was Missing in Action, presumed dead, after no contact had been received from him, however, he returned after war after spending time as a Prisoner of War in Thailand.³⁹

Death

Grave of Fletcher in the foreground, with Donald and Dudley behind^g

The toll of his war service and sons dying, saw Fletcher admitted to Fremantle Hospital where he died on 23 August 1947.^2,⁴⁰ He was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery on 25 August 1947 with the service conducted by Reverend Claude Butler, father of Kenneth Butler, and Reverend A Hawkins - both husbands of Gladys’ sisters.^41,⁴² He was aged 65 years old and was buried across the walkway from Dudley and Donald.⁴⁰ His legacy lives on with 5 children, 8 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren.

Lest We Forget

Please pause for a moment today and take time to remember the sacrifice of these brave men and women of all conflicts.

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.”

Do you have any ancestors who served in WWI or WWII? Search for them today at Findmypast. I would also love to hear about them - please comment below.

Bibliography

1. Ancestry.com. Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010, Fletcher Alderwin Brand, 1881/22568, Western Australia, Accessed 15 May 2015.
2. Marjorey June Brand, The Friendship Birthday Book, original in author’s possession.
3. National Archives of Australia, 'Service Record of Fletcher Alderwin Brand', NAA: B2455, Brand F A, Accessed 20 September 2016.
4. Ancestry.com. Western Australia, Australia, Crew and Passenger Lists, 1852-1930 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Source Citation: SRO of Western Australia; Albany Passenger list of Assisted Emigrants showing names of emigrants and from which countries selected; Accession: 115; Roll: 214. Accessed 5 June 2016.
5. Ancestry.com. Australian Convict Transportation Registers – Other Fleets & Ships, 1791-1868 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data: Home Office: Convict Transportation Registers; (The National Archives Microfilm Publication HO11); The National Archives of the UK (TNA), Kew, Surrey, England.
6. Findmypast, Marriage Index, Australia, Marriages, 1810-1980, Fletcher Alderwin Brand and Millicent Dolores Bayliss, 19/1909, Swan, Western Australia, Accessed 7 March 2015.
7. Electoral Roll, 1910 Division: Swan, Subdivision: Swan, Western Australia Electoral Rolls.
8. Death Index, Millicent D. Brand, 23/1913, Swan, Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, Western Australia, Accessed 4 April 2015.
9. Family Notices, ‘Death Notice’, The West Australian (Perth, WA: 1879-1954) 5 March 1913, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26868409, Accessed 4 April 2015.
10. MacQuarie University, ‘WWI Age at Enlistment’, https://mq.edu.au/on_campus/museums_and_collections/australian_history_museum/online_exhibitions/oua_anzac_unit/wwi_age_at_enlistment/, Accessed 16 March 2018.
11. Australian War Memorial, ‘Lieutenant Oliver Holmes Woodward’, https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P10338235, Accessed 15 March 2018.
12. Australian Dictionary of Biography, ‘Woodward, Oliver Holmes’, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/woodward-oliver-holmes-9185, Accessed 15 March 2018.
13. IMDB, ‘Beneath Hill 60’, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1418646/, Accessed 15 March 2018.
14. The Australian War Memorial '10th Australian Light Horse Regiment',https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51044, Accessed 28 March 2018.
15. The Australian War Memorial, '3rd Australian Light Horse Regiment, https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51037, Accessed 28 March 2018.
16. Australian Military History of the 20th Century, 'Light Horse', http://alh-research.tripod.com/Light_Horse/index.blog?topic_id=1106543, Accessed 28 March 2018.
17. Establishment of a Base Depot Camp at Port Said', http://alh-research.tripod.com/desert_column_forum_pix/index.album/pestablishment-of-a-base-depot-camp-at-port-said-11-october-1917?i=354, Accessed 18 April 2018.
18. Marriage Index, Fletcher Alderwin Brand and Gladys Gwendoline Matheson, 1920/673, Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, Western Australia.>
19. Findmypast, Birth Index Gladys Gwendoline Matheson, 5859/1894, Bathurst, New South Wales Births, Accessed 10 May 2014.
20. Electoral Roll, Robert, Edith, Marion Matheson, 1903 Division: Fremantle, Subdivision: Victoria Park, p.6, Western Australia Electoral Rolls.
21. Birth Index, Alywin Robert David Brand, 2051/1921, Victoria Park, Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, Western Australia.
22. Birth Index, Dudley Hilton Brand, 353/1923, Wellington, Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, Western Australia.
23. National Archives of Australia, 'Service Record of Robert Hilton Matheson', NAA: B2455, Matheson R H, Accessed 2 September 2016.
24. Birth Certificate of Marjorey June Brand, No.39/25, Murray District, Western Australia, Original in author's possession.
25. Birth Index, Donald Raymond Brand, 1971/1928, Perth, Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, Western Australia.
26. Birth Index, Gweneth Margaret Brand, 397/1932, Perth, Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, Western Australia.
27. Electoral Roll, Fletcher Alderwin and Gladys Gwendoline Brand, 1931, Division: Swan, Subdivision: Swan, Western Australia Electoral Rolls.
28. Electoral Roll, Fletcher Alderwin and Gladys Gwendoline Brand, 1936, Division: Swan, Subdivision: Swan, Western Australia Electoral Rolls.
29. Electoral Roll, Fletcher Alderwin and Gladys Gwendoline Brand, 1937, Division: Swan, Subdivision: Swan, Western Australia Electoral Rolls.
30. Electoral Roll, Fletcher Alderwin and Gladys Gwendoline Brand, 1939, Subdivision: Swan, Western Australia Electoral Rolls.
31. Electoral Roll, Fletcher Alderwin and Gladys Gwendoline Brand, 1943, Division: Swan, Subdivision: Swan, Western Australia Electoral Rolls.
32. Marriage Certificate of Marjorey June Brand and Albert James Newman, Married 5 June 1943, Western Australia.
33. 1944 'Killed Instantly', The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), 20 June, p. 5. https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article44813329, Accessed 22 October 2017.
34. Department of Veteran Affairs, Hilton Dudley Brand - WW2 Roll, W23142, Australian Army.

35. Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, Western Australia, Burial of Dudley Hilton Brand, Application Number: KB00074897, http://www2.mcb.wa.gov.au/NameSearch/details.php?id=KB00074897, Accessed 18 April 2018.
36. 1945 ‘Saw Breaks, Kills Boy’, The Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 – 1950), 17 January, p. 5. (City Final), http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article78769107, Accessed 11 October 2016.
37. Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, Western Australia, Burial of Donald Raymond Brand, Application Number: KB00076139, http://www2.mcb.wa.gov.au/NameSearch/details.php?id=KB00076139, Accessed 18 April 2018.
38. Australian War Memorial, Kenneth Norman Hilton Butler, Roll of Honour, R1690166, https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1690166, Accessed 28 March 2018.
39. Australian War Memorial, K S Lance, Service Number: WX15951, Prisoner of War Record, https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1452422, Accessed 20 April 2016.
40. Ancestry.com. Australia, Death Index, 1787-1985 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010., Death Index Fletcher Alderwin Brand, Accessed 17 October 2014.
41. Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, Western Australia, Burial of Fletcher Alderwin Brand, Application Number: KB00083089, http://www2.mcb.wa.gov.au/NameSearch/details.php?id=KB00083089, Accessed 4 April 2015.
42. 1947 'Obituary', South Western Advertiser (Perth, WA : 1910-1954), 5 September, p. 8. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article148652164, Accessed 4 April 2015.

Image Credits

a. C.1915 - Fletcher Alderwin Brand, WWI Portrait, Western Australia, Original in author's possession.
b. State Library Queensland, 'Blogs: Lance-Corporal John Carmody: Imperial Camel Corps', http://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/ww1/files/2015/11/Members-of-the-Australian-Imperial-Camel-Corps-preparing-to-mount.jpg, Accessed 18 April 2018.
c. Military, 'Soldier from the 5th Light Horse Regiment at the Armenian Camp in Port Said', http://military.wikia.com/wiki/File:Soldier_from_the_5th_Light_Horse_Regiment_at_the_Armenian_Camp_in_Port_Said,_World_War_I.jpg, Accessed 18 April 2018.
d. Wedding of Fletcher Alderwin Brand and Gladys Gwendoline Matheson, Original in author's possession.
e. C.1943 Hilton Dudley Brand, Original in author's possession.
f. C.1944 Donald Raymond Brand, Original in author's possession.
g. Grave of Fletcher Alderwin Brand in the foreground, with Donald and Dudley behind, Original in author's possession.

12 Comments

Melissa says:

2 May 2018 at 5:08 pm

Hi Megan, thank you for sharing this wonderful post about your family’s history to commemorate Anzac Day. Our Australian history is so fascinating isn’t it?
This piece is even more special because these are members of your family. The sadness of the brothers, Donald and Dudley, passing away in events unrelated to the war would have been very hard to take for the whole family. Megan, I love that you have so much history about your family. I’m going to visit some other pages on your site as I’m sure it will tell me how I can go about finding more of my own family history.
I know very little about my family. Although we do share something in common – we both had a grandma called Marj. Her brothers went to war. She was so proud of her brothers. My mum knows a little of their history, I really must ask her.
Thanks for your site. I will be visiting often.

1. Megan says:
  
  2 May 2018 at 6:11 pm
  
  Hi Melissa
  
  I am so glad you enjoyed reading about my great-grandfather. Genealogy is a very addictive but rewarding hobby. I have a number of posts on the site about how to go about your research and you may find Genealogy: An Introduction helpful to know where to start. I am always happy to answer any questions you may have so leave a comment or send me an email via the contact form in the footer. Look forward to hearing you genealogy journey.
  
  Regards,
  Megan
  
H Phomrong Maring says:

2 May 2018 at 4:37 pm

This is such a long line of family tree story going back as far as Mr Fletcher Alderwin your great grandfather who served in the First World War.
You’ve given a detailed treatment starting from his early years, marriage and military service till he breathed his last in the hospital.
I am sure that the spirit of your great grandfather will be smiling at you for showing your appreciation and gratitude this way and perhaps, he will be saying,”Thank you my great granddaughter.”

Yes, what we are today is the result of the blood handed down yesteryears by our fathers and forefathers. Indeed, we have every reason to honor them and remember them not only on occasions like ANZAC days but all the time possible.
You’ve instill a new energy to also remember our own grandfathers and great grandfathers.

Thanks for sharing this idea.

All the success ahead.

1. Megan says:
  
  2 May 2018 at 4:52 pm
  
  Hello
  
  Thank you for your kind words. I really hope my great-grandfather is proud of what I have achieved, not just with this post, but with my website. I have a deep respect for the military as not only did my great-grandfather serve but his wife’s brother Robert Hilton Matheson died serving our country in WWI. My paternal grandfather fought for England in WWI. My father served in the military and I grew up on bases around Australia. I had numerous other relatives serve and I seek to honour them on my site. I am so grateful you took the time to read and leave a comment – thank you.
  
  Regards
  Megan
  
Vicki Court says:

27 April 2018 at 12:04 am

I have included your blog/s in INTERESTING BLOGS in FRIDAY FOSSICKING at

https://thatmomentintime-crissouli.blogspot.com/2018/04/friday-fossicking-27th-april-2018.html

Thank you, Chris

1. Megan says:
  
  28 April 2018 at 3:02 pm
  
  Thank you again Chris. I am always pleased and humbled to be put on your Friday Fossicking. Have a great day.
  Regards,
  Megan
  
Anne says:

26 April 2018 at 12:49 pm

That irony is very tragic, i know stories of people that live through hellish situations and lose their lives in freak accidents..it’s terrifying and the grief the family must feel from losing their loved ones in such ways…indescribable.
Still, it’s awesome how you know so much of your family!
And I think your great grandfather would be proud of the legacy that continues carrying his story!

1. Megan says:
  
  26 April 2018 at 7:58 pm
  
  Hi Anne
  Thank you for taking the time to read my post and leave me a comment – I love to receive comments! It was a tragic time for the family and I really hope that my great-grandfather is proud that I am allowing his legacy to live on for generations to come.
  Regards,
  Megan
  
Yvette Clayton says:

25 April 2018 at 12:59 pm

Megan, as usual, you give so many wonderful details about your family member. What a lovely gesture to honor your uncle for ANZAC Day. That is awesome! I have had a few family members serve our country and I am proud of them all.

I was sorry to read about the tragedies in your family. I can only imagine how your family members were feeling during that time of turmoil. To have so many lost during that time, was nothing short of devastating. It seems like you have a very close family – even back then – so for them to get through this tragic time together was wonderful.

You have such rich family history, have you considered building a tree?

Thanks, once again, for sharing your family with us.

Warm Regards,
Yvette

1. Megan says:
  
  26 April 2018 at 8:05 pm
  
  Hi Yvette
  Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment on my post – I love to receive comments from my readers! I am proud of all my military ancestors and the sacrifices they made in order that we live in a free country today. I have a massive family tree on my computer in my genealogy software program. I am yet to work out a way to share the full tree on my blog but I’m working on it! I do have a brief outline of my direct ancetors – grandparents, great-grandparents, 2x great-grandparents, 3x great-grandparents, 4x great-grandparents on the blog – My Tree – if you would like to have a look.
  Regards
  Megan
  
Madeleine says:

24 April 2018 at 10:26 pm

Megan, what an interesting story! I am interested in my family tree too but so much information was lost. I find it amazing how much information you have been able to glean from your family, going so far back. What a tragedy for your Great Grandparents, to lose two sons on the farm. My family ancestry goes back to the USSR, but my Great Grandparents would have had to flee the country due to the persecution they were receiving from the Russian people. Their people (Mennonites) went through horrors of rape, torture, murder, having their farms and property taken from them… the story is not pretty. However, those Great Grandparents immigrated to the very hamlet that my husband and I still live in, here in Canada. Their graves rest in a tiny cemetery within 1/2 mile from us. Have you ever had the opportunity to visit the farm or area where your Great Grandparents raised their family?

1. Megan says:
  
  26 April 2018 at 9:58 am
  
  Hi Madeleine
  
  What an interesting, although very sad and tragic, story of your great-grandparents. I enjoy hearing other people’s family histories. I haven’t actually visited the area my great-grandfather Fletcher was born, however, it is on my list of places to visit. I don’t believe the farm they owned in Mt Helena still exists and I must admit that I haven’t had a chance to see it on the times I have visited Perth. Definitely another site I want to see!
  
  Regards
  
  Megan

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ANZAC Day – Fletcher Alderwin Brand