Hamel Street

Hamel Street

Following the end of the First World War, the Australian government built thousands of new homes for returning soldiers and their families. In Hampton, 67 acres of farmland was carved off the Castlefield Estate to create a neighbourhood of close to 300 Californian Bungalow houses – one of the largest war service home developments in Victoria.

 

In streets named after battlefields on the Eastern and Western Fronts, veterans and war widows set down new roots, raised families and helped to build our Hampton community.

 

Hamel Street: On 4 July 1918, Australian and American troops overwhelmed German forces to capture the village of Le Hamel, near the River Somme. The victory was credited to the meticulous planning and tactical mind of the newly appointed commander of the Australian Corps, Lieutenant General Sir John Monash.

 

The battle was over in just 93 minutes, matching Monash’s calculations almost to the second – a textbook success.

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George Bell (1921), Dawn at Hamel, 4 July 1918. Oil on canvas. Depicts Hamel in the wake of the Allies’ victory. Soldiers bring back German prisoners and tend to the wounded, while smoke lingers above. [AWM ART03590]
A. Henry Fullwood (4 July 1918), Attack on Hamel-Vaire. Watercolour and gouache with charcoal on paper. A view of the battle as captured on the scene by a war artist. [AWM ART02493]
Australian and American stretcher bearers working together during the Battle of Hamel, 4 July 1918. [AWM E02691]
Australian and American troops dug in together during the Battle of Hamel, 4 July 1918. [AWM E02690]

Lists of the original settlers.

HAMEL St

 

***Atkins, Edwin Leonard                       10 Hamel St Hampton. He was born 1888 at Coburg, Vic., the son of Henry Atkins and Phoebe (nee Higgett) In 1921 he married Agnes Ethel Benett, daughter of Michael Bennett and Elizabeth (nee Maloney) Issue: Dorothy b 1924 who enrolled at Hampton State School 27.1.1930. He enlisted aged 32yrs on 18.1.1916 Pte No 5033 7th Battalion, 16 Reinforcement. Next of Kin: Mother: Mrs P Atkins, Newlyn P.O., Newlyn, Vic. Unit embarked HMAT A23 Suffolk on 1.4.1916. Rank and Unit from Nominal Roll: Pte 57th Battalion. RTA ? A mill-hand he died at Sale 1958 aged 71yrs. His wife died at Fitzroy 1977, aged 78yrs.            

 

***Bennett, Edward                                 10 Hamel St Hampton. 1927 Sands & McD. Living at 32 Orlando St Hampton on 1931 Electoral Roll. Enlisted (see file?) In 1906 he married Jane Ann Pascoe, daughter of Nicholas Pascoe and Elizabeth (nee Boase) Issue: Mary b 1907, Marshall b 1910, Alfred b 1911, Horace b c1910, Ruby b 1917 and enrolled at Hampton State School in May 1930.

Brice, Clement Chibnall                           15 Hamel St Hampton. Occupation: Commercial Traveller. Wife Violet Georgia: Daughter Evelyn b 1926 enrolled at Hampton State School 25.1.1932.            

 

Buckley, Jonathan Yarnall                         12 Hamel St Hampton. Lot 91 5 W and garage. Owner/Occupier War Service Home. Population 3 = 1935 Rates. In 1915 he married Mabel Victoria Hutcheson, daughter of James Hutcheson and Elizabeth (nee Atkinson) Issue: ? He died at Sandringham 1965 aged 82yrs, the son of Benjamin Buckley and Mary (nee Moore). His wife died at Hampton 1968, aged 81yrs.         

Burrows, Edmund Ronald                        15 Hamel St Hampton. Tenant in 1935 Ratebook. Wife Annie Evelyn Ingram, daughter of James H Ingram and Christina Wil.. (nee Krause). Issue: Evelyn b c 1913, Keith b 1922 died 1924. Annie Burrows died at Emer.. 1970 aged 86yrs.

 

***Canavan, Charles Peter                       6 Hamel St Hampton. Lot 88 5 W ‘Halcyon’ = 1925 Ratebook. 1925 Electoral Roll – 1957 Sands & McD. Charles Canavan was born 1893 at Richmond, Vic., the son of Peter Canavan and Mary Ellen (nee Bruce) A clerk in the Lands Dept, he married 1925 Julia Poppe, parents unknown. He enlisted 12.7.1915 AIF Pte 3169 12th Battalion, 10th Reinforcement. Next of Kin: P Canavan, 235 Clarendon St, South Melbourne. Unit embarked HMAT A17 Port Lincoln 16.10.1915. Rank and Unit from Nominal Roll: Pte 52nd Battalion. RTA 21.7.1917. He died at Hampton 1954 aged 61yrs. His wife died at Brighton 1956 aged 65yrs. They are buried together at New Cheltenham Cemetery 33’274’N. 

 

***Church, Thomas Ernest                       10 Hamel St Hampton. 1941 Electoral Roll – 1963 Sands & McD. Occupation: Baker. In 1930 he married Violet Ann Williams. Issue: Reginald b 1931 who attended Hampton State School 20.4.1939. He enlisted 15.10.1917 Pte No 55592 7th General (Victorian) Reinforcements. Unit embarked HMAT A74 Marathon on 23.7.1918. Previous military service in 73rd Infantry. RTA 12.6.1919. He died at Echuca 1970 ?? the son of Albert Ernest Church and Elizabeth (nee Price) ??   

                                                                 

 

***Cochrane, William John                     11 Hamel St Hampton. Lot 75 4 W ‘Tuillyn’ Owner/Occupier War Service Home Population 3 = 1925 Rate Book. 1927 -1963 Sands & McD. In 1917 he married Eva Frances Morgan Mullock, daughter of James Mullock and Annie (nee Strickland). Issue: Audrey b 1922 who attended Hampton State School 28.9.1927. He enlisted aged 28y on 9.5.1917 Pte No 19537 Army Medical Corps, October 1917 Reinforcements. Next of Kin: Mrs E F Cochrane, 21 Normanby St, Windsor, Vic. Unit embarked from Sydney NSW RMS Orontes on 5.6.1918. Rank and Unit from Nominal Roll: Pte 6th Battalion. RTA?He died in 1979, buried 23.6.1979 at New Cheltenham Cemetery 9’CE1’N. His wife predeceased him, dying at Caulfield in 1970 and is buried with her husband.          

 

***Cochrane, William John                     5 Hamel St Hampton. Lot 78 5 W Owner/Occupier 1925 -1936 Electoral Rolls. Living at 11 Hamel St Hampton 1941 Electoral Roll. He was born at Prahran, Vic in 1888. He married 1917 Eva Francis Morgan Mullock, the daughter of James Mullock and Annie (nee Strickland) He enlisted 9.5.1917 Pte No 19537 Army Medical Corps, October 1917 Reinforcements. Next of Kin: Wife, Mrs E F Cochrane, 21 Normanby St Windsor, Vic. Unit embarked RMS Orontes on 5.6.1918. Rank and Unit from Nominal Roll: Pte 6th Battalion. RTA ? He died at Blac.. (Black Rock ?) 1979, the son of John Cochrane and Annie McIntosh (nee Mathers). His wife died at Caulfield 1970 aged 80yrs.          

 

***Cunningham, Mervyn Walter              10 Hamel St Hampton. Lot 90 5 W Owner/Occupier War Service Home = 1925 Rates. 1925- 1928 Electoral Rolls. Occupation: Soldier/Civil Servant. He enlisted aged 30yrs 16.2.1917 as Sgt No 3374 60th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement Unit embarked from Sydney NSW on HMAT A16 Port Melbourne on 16.7.1917. Next of Kin: Mother: Mrs Harriet Abelina Cunningham, 47 Patterson St Middle Park, Vic. (Wife, Helen May ? address unknown) RTA 3.1.1919. 1935 Rates have John Francis Woodruff, as tenant. Pop. 6.        

Dixon, Mrs E (Emily ?)                            17 Hamel St Hampton. 1927 Sands & McD. Living at Ludstone St – 1936 Electoral Roll.         

 

 

***Emonson, Marcus Leonard                 5 Hamel St Hampton. (1938) He was born 1893 at Donald, Victoria to Charles William Emonson and Annie Elizabeth (nee Canard). In 1921 he married Isabelle Griffiths, the daughter of Evan Griffiths and Julia (nee Wright) who died in 1948 aged 49yrs. Issue: Bryan b 1926 who attended Hampton State School. He married 2 Alice May Reidy in 1940. He enlisted 7.7.1915 Pte No 2819 5th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement. Next of Kin: Father, C W Emonson, Litchfield, via Donald, Vic. Unit embarked HMAT A16 Star of Victoria on 10.9.1915. Rank and Unit from Nominal Roll: L/Sgt 5th Battalion. RTA 2.3.1919. Marcus Emonson died at St Kilda 1945 aged 50yrs.     

 

***Glover, Sydney Arthur Vernon           8 Hamel St Hampton. Lot 89 4 W Owner/Occupier War Service Home. 1925 Electoral Roll. 1917 Address: ‘Win Via’ Seaview Crescent, Black Rock. Living at 10 Ludstone St – 1936 Electoral Roll. Occupation: Steward/Caretaker. He was the son of Thomas Glover and his wife Amelia. He married (when ?) Margaret Ann Allinson, daughter of Peter Allinson and Mary (?) Issue: Amy b 1912, Madeline b 1914 who both attended Hampton State School. He enlisted 2.2.1916 aged 37yrs Pte 16711 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance, 23 Reinforcement. Unit embarked HMAT Anglo-Egyptian on 31.1.1917. Rank and Unit from Nominal Roll: Pte 14th Australian General Hospital. RTA 4.3.1919. He died at Caulfield 1940 and is buried at New Cheltenham Cemetery 4’114’N. His wife died at Brighton 1948

                                                                 

 

***Harding, Edgar                                    7 Hamel St Hampton. Lot 77 5 W 1927 Sands & McD – 1935 Ratebook. Tenant of James E Wilson living at 6 Symons St West Preston = 1935 Ratebook. He was born at Mooroopna, Vic in 1890, the son of James Harding and Hellen Amelia (nee Tainsh). In 1922 he married Elizabeth Mary Claxton, daughter of George Claxton and Jane (nee Rogerson). Issue: Jean b 1925, who attended Hampton State School. He enlisted AIF Driver No 13022 Auxiliary Mechanical Transport Company 1, Section 1. Next of Kin: Father, James Harding, Ardmona, Vic. Unit embarked HMAT A34 Persic on 22.12.1916. Rank and Unit from Nominal Roll: Driver 2nd Division MT Company. RTA 18.7.1919. He died at Caulfield 1963 aged 72yrs His wife died at Glen…. 1977 aged 86yrs.           

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***Hayman, Henry Clarence                    4 Hamel St Hampton. Lot 87 5 W 1927 – 1972 Sands & McD. He was the son of Charles Phillip Hayman and Flora (nee McKinnon). In 1923 he married Elsie Mary Ellen McDonald, the daughter of William McDonald and Isobel (nee ?) Issue: Ian b 1924, Donald b 1933 who both attended Hampton State School. He enlisted AIF 8.3.1915, occupation School teacher. Next of Kin: Charles P Hayman, 131 Gore St Fitzroy. Pte No 3257 MEDST.49.1SECTIONB Rank and Unit from Nominal Roll: Pte 1st Field Ambulance. RTA 23.3.1919. He died at Hampton 1947 aged 50yrs. His wife died 1984 at Sandringham aged 90yrs.         

 

***Holdsworth, Bertram Thomas            3 Hamel St Hampton. Lot 79 4 W Owner/Occupier War Service Home = 1925 Rate book. 1925 Electoral Roll – 1957 Sands & McD. He was born at Hotham, Vic in 1883, the son of Thomas Holdsworth and Elizabeth (nee Hobson ?) He married Matilda James/Lilian Matilda Keenan ? Issue: ? 1935 Ratebook has Horace Taylor as tenant with Bertram Holdsworth care of Nelson St Windsor. He enlisted AIF Cpl No 10771 3rd Divisional Train, 22nd Company, Army Service Corps. Next of Kin: Wife, Mrs M Holdsworth, 38 Epsom Rd Ascot Vale. Unit embarked HMAT A34 Persic on 3.6.1916. Rank and Unit from Nominal Roll: Lieut 35th Battalion, RTA 11.5.1919. He died at Heidelberg 1958 and was buried 3.10.1958 at New Cheltenham Cemetery 34’289’N.       

Holdsworth, George Hopson                    3 Hamel St Hampton. He was born at Prahran in 1887, the son of Thomas Holdsworth and Lydia Elizabeth (nee Baxter). In 1914 he married Marjorie May Catherine Crimston, the daughter of Alfred Crimston and Margaret (nee Cuthel). Issue: Lydia b 1914, Thomas b 1917, Nancy b 1918 who attended Hampton State School. There is no George and Marjorie Holdsworth on the 1925 Electoral Roll.     

Kime, William Majason                            15 Hamel St Hampton. Occupation: Bread Carter. In 1920 he married Violet Grace Lancaster, daughter of Edward & Emily. Issue: Nettelie b 1927 enrolled at Hampton State School 30.4.1934. Living at 59 Littlewood St Hampton on 1936 Electoral Roll. He died at Box Hill 1962 aged 72yrs. His wife died at Caulfield 1982 aged 90yrs.      

 

***King, Percy                                         9 Hamel St Hampton. Lot 76 50’x 130′ 5 W War Service Home. Population 4 = 1935 Rate book. 1927 – 1957 Sands & McD. He was born 1881 at Clunes, Vic, the son of George King and Mary Matilda (nee Cook). In 1926 Percy King married Elizabeth Ellen Gallagher, daughter of Edward Gallagher and Henrietta (nee Carroll) Issue ?? He enlisted aged 36yrs on 17.4.1917 Pte No 6942a 22nd Battalion, 20 Reinforcement Next of Kin: Mother, Mrs M M King, 70 Grantham St Brunswick, Vic Unit embarked HMAT A71 Nestor on 21.11.1917. RTA 5.7.1919. He died at Hampton 1959 aged 78yrs, occupation Book-keeper. His wife died at Hampton 1953 aged 63yrs.         

McCoy, James Edward                             15 Hamel St Hampton. Lot 73 4 W ‘Belmont’ Owner/Occupier . 1925 Electoral Roll. James Edward McCoy , manufacturer died at Beau (Beaumaris?) 1959 aged 79yrs. He was the son of John McCoy and Ann Morin. Wife : Elizabeth. Issue ? AIF ??

O’Connor Gerald Cornelius D                  2 Hamel St Hampton. Lot 86 5 W ‘Leffnoll’ 1925 Electoral Roll – 1937 Sands & McD. Occupation: Secretary/Accountant. In 1917 he married Vera May Turriff. Issue Joan b 1920.     

 

***Perrin, Edwin Christopher                  13 Hamel St Hampton. Lot 74 4/5 W Owner/Occupier War Service Home. Population 3 = 1935 Rates. In 1919 he married Jean Marris Hughes (neePerry), daughter of George Perry and Esther (nee Baker). Issue: Gladys b c1908 who died at Sandringham 1960. Edwin Perrin enlisted aged 34yrs 12.7.1915 Pte No 3119 7th Battalion, 10th Reinforcement. Next of Kin: Father, E C Perrin, Black Rock, Vic. Unit embarked HMAT RMS Osterley on 29.9.1915. Rank and Unit from Nominal Roll: Pte 59th Battalion. RTA 21.1.1919. Edwin Perrin died at Cheltenham 1958 aged 76yrs. His wife predeceased him, dying at Hampton in 1940, aged 66yrs, and they are buried together in New Cheltenham Cemetery. 26’114’N.  

 

 

***Platts, Maurice Claude                        15 Hamel St Hampton. He enlisted 8.3.1915 Pte No 2107 8th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement. Next of Kin: C S Platts, 19 Washington St Essendon, Vic. Unit embarked HMAT A62 Wandilla on 17.6.1915. RTA 14.12.1918. Daughter Betty b 1923 enrolled at Hampton State School 16.6.1930. He died at Heidelberg 1966 aged 67yrs, the son of Claude Scott Platts and Edith (nee White)

 

***Pope, Alexander George                     8 Hamel St Hampton. 1927 – 1931 Sands & McD. He was born at Brunswick, Vic 1892, the son of Alexander Charles Pope and Fanny Elizabeth (nee Bond). In 1919 he married Phyllis Claudine Rice, daughter of Charles Ignatius Rice and Anna Irene (nee Madden). Issue: Phillip b 1922, Eric b 1925, Keith b 1925, all of whom attended Hampton State School. Occupation: Railway Employee. Alexander George Pope enlisted 2.2.1916 Pte No 5160 6th Battalion, 16 Reinforcement. Next of Kin: Mother, Mrs F Pope, Kidgell St Lilydale, Vic. Unit embarked HMAT A23 Suffolk on 1.4.1916. RTA 8.4.1918.  

 

 

***Rowson, William Bryan                     15 Hamel St Hampton. 1927 Sands & McD.. Lot 73 4 W 1935 Rate book = Wm B Rowson at 5 Keats St Canterbury. Wife: Isabel, daughter of William Bentley and Mary Hannan Cowie ?? . Issue Phyllis b 1910 enrolled at Hampton State School 2.2.1925. He enlisted AIF aged 30yrs Pte No 3442 6th Battalion, 11 Reinforcement. Next of Kin: Wife: Mrs I Rowson, 105 Page St South Melbourne, Vic Unit embarked HMAT A71 Nestor on 11.10.1915. Rank and Unit from Nominal Roll: Pte 10th Battalion. RTA 12.4.1919. He died at Caulfield 1938 aged 53yrs. His wife died at Heidelberg 1962 aged 75yrs.   

 

***Sherer, Horace Thayer                        3 Hamel St Hampton. 1935 Rate Book. Living at 187 Hampton St Hampton in the 1931 Electoral Roll. He was born at Arma.. (Armadale ?) 1893, the son of Harry Clay Sherer and Mary Willcox. In 1920 he married Jessie Florence Campbell, daughter of Alfred Campbell and Hetta (nee ?) who died in 1932 aged 36yrs. He marr 2 Elsie Albina O’Neale, the daughter of Frederick O’Neale and Jane (nee Lynch) Issue ? He enlisted AIF (occupation, Engineer aged 24yrs) 7.1.1918 2nd Air Mechanic No 3554 in Australian Flying Corps, May 1918 Reinforcement. Next of Kin: Father, H C Sherer, Bella Vista, 4 Irene Place, Williams Rd, East Prahran, Vic. Unit embarked SS Zealandic on 5.10.1918. Rank and Unit from Nominal Roll: Pte Australian Flying Corps. RTA 2.6.1919. He died in Melbourne 1959 aged 65yrs. His wife died at Toor… 1964 aged 71yrs.       

 

***Startup, Rupert Walter                        5 Hamel St Hampton. Lot 78 8 W = 1925 Population 5 Owner/Occupier War Service Home = 1935 Ratebook. 1927 Sands & McD – 1941 Electoral Roll. (1928 Electoral Roll has Wm J Cochrane (at No 11) living here) Born 1896 in South Yarra, the son of Herbert Walter Startup and Catherine Olga (nee Damyon), he married 1925 Ida Olive Blanche Griffiths, the daughter of Evan Griffiths and Julia (nee Wright) Issue: Ian b 1925 who attended Hampton State School. A draftsman/designer by trade, he died at Hton (Hampton?) 1952 aged 55yrs. His wife died at Caulfield 1978 aged 86yrs.           

Tapson, Herbert Francis                            3 Hamel St Hampton. 1927 Sands & McD – 1931 Electoral Roll. His wife is listed as Minnie, the daughter of William Hobbs and Lizzie Stevens who died at Elsternwick 1938 aged 75yrs. Herbert Tapson died at Elsternwick 1941 aged 77yrs.      

 

                                                                 

 

 

***Wadsworth, William James                 1 Hamel St Hampton. Lot 80 4 W cnr Villeroy St War Service Home Population 5 = 1936 Rate book. 1925 Electoral Roll – 1963 Sands & McD. He was born at Arma..(Armadale ?) 1893, the son of William Wadsworth and Amy Maria (Ann) (nee Murphy). In 1915 he married Catherine Ellen Walmsley (born Flemington) the daughter of Thomas Walmsley and Sarah (nee Tulk) Issue: Audrey b 1919, Kelvin b 1923, Violet b 1929, who attended Hampton State School. Wm J Wadsworth enlisted 11.4.1916 Driver No 29795 Howitzer Brigade 119. Next of Kin: Wife, Mrs C E Wadsworth, 9 Westbourne Rd, Kensington, Vic. Unit embarked HMAT A60 Aeneas on 3.10.1916. Rank and Unit from Nominal Roll: Driver 4th Division Ammunition Column. RTA 3.7.1917. He died at Hampton 1966 aged 73yrs, his wife predeceasing him in 1964 aged 77yrs.    

 

 

***Wilson, James Edward/Edmund         7 Hamel St Hampton. Lot 77 5 W ‘Edgley’ Owner/Occupier War Service Home. 1925 Electoral Roll – 1947 Sands & McD. 1935 Rate book – has Edward Harding as tenant, owner James E Wilson at 6 Symons St West Preston. In 1920 he married Jennie Brewer, the daughter of Robert Brewer and Mary Jane (nee Richardson). Issue: Dorothy b 1925 who attended Hampton State School. He enlisted AIF Driver No 31540 Divisional Ammunition Column 3, Reinforcement 7 Unit embarked RMS Orontes on 23.12.1916. Previous military service with 46th Infantry. Rank and Unit from Nominal Roll: Driver 34d Field Artillery Brigade. RTA 11.12.1918. He and his wife both died at Cast …..in 1965.

Woodruff, John Francis                             10 Hamel St Hampton. 1936-1941 Electoral Roll. Occupation: Toolmaker. In 1925 he married Jessie Evelyn Searle, daughter of George J Searle and Jessie Evel (nee ?) Issue: Joan b 1926, Margaret b 1929 who both enrolled at Hampton State School. John Woodruff died at Caulfield 1982 aged 81yrs. His wife died at South Caulfield 1984 aged 83yrs.