Lieutenant-Commander Charles Bingham Elwell MiD RN
Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force
by Robert Simpson
Charles Bingham Elwell was born in Albrighton in Shropshire England on 13th September 1882, a son to Paul Bedford Elwell and Elizabeth Jane Louisa Thorne. Paul and Elizabeth had been married in St Stephens’ Church in Twickenham on 9th October 1879. Paul was listed as a manufacturer, a bachelor, living at Evelith Manor, Shifnal and his father Paul, was a Gentleman. Elizabeth was living at 4 Princess Villas Twickenham and her father William was deceased. In the 1871 census, the family was living at Evelith in Shifnal, where Paul, Bedford and another son were all listed as Australian Merchants. By the 1881 census, Paul and Elizabeth were living at The Cottage, Ryton in Shropshire, where Paul was listed as a “manager of works etc. 100 hands manufacturer of nails etc.” They were there with their first son, Paul Leonard Elwell who was 8 months, being born on 12th September 1880 in Albrighton. The Lichfield Mercury of 1881 had an article about a traction engine that Paul was using on a road being impounded because he did not have a licence (which he was unaware of). It went to court, where he was given a fine and the matter was dropped. The Volunteer Service Gazette of February 1883 has an entry for Paul Bedford Elwell Esquire to be Captain in the 1st Staffordshire from 14th February 1883. Another newspaper of the same year has an entry saying he was to be Captain in the 2nd Volunteer Battalion (the Royal Warwickshire Regiment). An article was published in The Age in Melbourne, on Friday 30th November 1883 in page 3 – under “Public Notices” for a patent for “Improvements in Preparing the Sheet Lead Electrode of Secondary Batteries, with a View to their Rapid Formation. By THOMAS PARKER and PAUL BEDFORD ELWELL, both of Wolverhampton, England, Electrical Engineers” and a French electrician. His name also appeared in various Queensland and Victoria Government Gazettes in the 1880’s. On 26th August 1884, their youngest son, Laurence Bedford Elwell, was born in Albrighton. Ester Violet Elwell was born in the April quarter of 1887 in Shifnal, Shropshire. The last family member, Marguerite Elwell was born in 1899 in France. Tragedy struck the family, when Elizabeth passed away on 7th October 1889 in France according to the Wellington Journal of 19th October 1889, a newspaper in Wellington, Shropshire, England. Another newspaper said she died at Deauville, near Trouville. Paul seemed to be a bit of an inventor as this newspaper attests- Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser of Saturday 26 April 1890 on page 920 under Patents Office Transactions- “Applications for certificates of provisional protection and letters patent lodged from April 14 to 19 (inclusive) Paul Bedford Elwell, of Chalfont, Double Bay, near Sydney, New South Wales, for improvements in sheepshears and portable reciprocating electric motors, specially applicable for drivin sheepshears.” Another article in the same newspaper on Saturday 17th January 1891 on page 142, under “Patents Office Transactions. LETTERS PATENT. Paul Bedford Elwell, of Sydney, New South Wales, for an improved electrical accumulator or secondary battery.”
It appears that the family moved to Australia around 1890, but no shipping record can be found. Paul is in the 1891 NSW census at William Street, Chalfont, Woollahra. In 1895, there is a record of Paul going from Le Havre to New York on the La Touraine. The Australian Town and Country Journal of Saturday 13th February 1897 in page 8, gave some indication of what the family would face in the future, as under “News of the Churches” was an article- “Mr. P. Bedford Elwell, a licensed lay reader of the Church of England for the parish of Seven Hills, has been compelled recently to submit to the amputation of the left leg, above the knee, but since the operation he is progressing favorably.” Mr C B Elwell RN arrived in Sydney on the Omrah on 20th March 1899, according to an incoming passenger list to Sydney. In 1903, Sub-Lieutenant C B Elwell left London, bound for Zanzibar on the Peninsular.
The family was further rocked when Paul passed away on 10th September 1899 in Sydney. The Daily Telegraph of Monday 11th September 1899 on page 5 had the following article- “DEATH OF MR. P. B. ELLWELL. Early yesterday morning the death occurred at his residence, Hulverstone, William-street, Double Bay, of Mr. Paul Bedford Elwell, the well-known electrician. Mr. Elwell, was well known in scientific circles, both In England and the colonies. It is 10 years since he arrived In Sydney, and shortly after settling down here he was appointed consulting electrician for the Railway Department. His undoubted ability was duly recognised, and he next became Electrical Engineer for Railways, which position he has since held. Some months ago Mr. Elwell became ill, and gradually became worse, until he died yesterday, in the prime of his days— he was only 42 years of age. He was a widower, and leaves a family of five children. The funeral will take place on Tuesday afternoon.” The Evening News of the same date on page 4 gave some more details- “Mr. Paul Bedford Elwell, electrical engineer for railways, died yesterday at his residence, Hulverstone, William-street, Double Bay. The deceased, who was 45 years of age, at the time of his demise, came to this colony about ten years ago, and was appointed consulting electrical engineer to the Railway Department. He was next appointed electrical engineer, and under his supervision the engineering work of the railways was extended very materially. The presence of a disease known as sarcoma about three years ago necessitated an operation, and Mr. Elwell had to submit to the amputation of his left leg. Some three months ago Mr. Elwell became ill, but he persevered in the performance of his duties until 2 weeks ago, when he had to remain in his room. The best medical skill was unavailing, and Mr. Elwell passed away early yesterday. The funeral takes place tomorrow.” The Sydney Morning Herald of the same date on page 6 gave other details- “DEATH OF Mr. PAUL BEDFORD ELWELL -The death is announced of Mr Paul Bedford Elwell, electrical engineer under the Railway Commissioners, which event took place yesterday morning at his late residence, Hulverstone, William-street, Double Bay, at the age of 45. The deceased gentleman was the senior member of the firm of Elwell and Parker, electrical engineers, of London, which firm is technically in existence by reason of the number of patents it holds in the electrical engineering world. Some 10 years ago Mr Elwell came to this colony on a trip, and at the time there being a vacancy as electrical engineer to the railways he was appointed first as consulting engineer, and finally as electrical engineer. Mr Elwell proved himself to be a man in the front rank of the profession which he followed, and under his care the electrical engineering work of our railways was considerably extended, chiefly in the direction of the safe working and staff system. Some three years ago Mr. Elwell, through a disease that manifested itself known as sarcoma, a twin disease to cancer, was compelled to undergo the operation of having his left leg amputated. Although he recovered from this operation, it was the primary cause of the fatal illness which manifested itself some three months ago. Mr Elwell was, however able to attend to his duties up to about a fortnight ago when he was compelled to keep to his room. He was attended by Dr Leo E. F. Neill as his medical adviser, and towards the last Drs. McCormack and Scot-Skirving were called in for consultation purposes, but their combined efforts were unavailing. The deceased was a widower, but has left three sons and two daughters. The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon at Waverley.” It also carried his death notice – “ELWELL.—September 10, at Hulverstone, Double Bay, Paul Bedford Elwell, Electrical Engineer for Railways, youngest son of the late Paul Elwell, of Evelith, Salop, England, in his 48th year.”
The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser of Saturday 16th September 1899 on page 674 also had – “Mr. Paul Bedford Elwell, electrical engineer to the Railway Commissioners, died on Sunday, aged 45. He was senior partner in the London firm of Elwell and Parker, still technically in existence as the holder of numerous patents. Mr. Elwell had to have his left leg amputated about three years ago for sarcoma, and though he recovered from the operation it was the primary cause of his fatal illness, which began three months ago. He attended to his duties up to a fortnight before his death.” The Australian Star of Monday 11th September 1899 on page 4 also discussed some aspects of his life- “All officers in the Railway Department, and every man of a philosophic bent in the community, will hear with deep regret of the death of Mr. Paul Bedford Elwell, electrical engineer of our railways. Mr. Elwell had a very well based European reputation before his arrival in this Colony; indeed, it may tie said that the position he occupied was thrust upon him. The work he did here must not, however, be regarded as any gauge of his capacity; since initiative and constructive capacity, such as he possessed, do not obtain a very free hand in our Railway Department. His death was exceedingly painful and pathetic. The disease, sarcoma, scarcely less fatal than cancer, attacked him, or made itself manifest in him, some four years ago, and though he sought to purchase his life by the sacrifice of a leg it was unavailing. The insidious thing crept on, and, yesterday morning, made an end. Mr. Elwell was but forty-five, all too young. It will be felt, to leave a world in which he was capable of rendering so much good service.” He is buried in Waverley Cemetery in section 6 Vaults North, plot number 813, and his inscription reads: “M.I.C.E. M.I.E.E. Erected by bro Officers & friends in his memory. Late Electrical Engr. N.S.W. Govt. Rail & Tram. Died Sydney”. Paul owned some shares in the Great Western Railway.
Charles appears in many Naval Lists from October 1897 to April 1914. In September 1897, he was a Naval Cadet at HMS Britannia and was transferred from there after passing out. He was then listed in September 1898 as a Naval Cadet on HMS Mars 306, a twin screw 1st Class Armoured Battleship. In the February 1900 list, he was a Midshipman on HMS Royal Arthur, a 1st Class Cruiser. He was also there in January 1901 list. By May 1902, he was on HMS Nautilus, a sailing brig. Also in 1902, he was promoted to Sub-Lieutenant and he was sent to HMS Salmon, a torpedo-boat Destroyer and tender to HMS Audacious. Charles was promoted to Lieutenant by October 1902 and had different classes of certificates in seamanship, navigating and other tasks. In 1905 and 1906, he was on HMS Majestic as a Lieutenant. Between 1908 and 1911, he was on HMS Challenger, a 1st Class Cruiser. He also passed a language (French) in April 1907, which allowed him to be paid as an interpreter, while being an Officer on a ship. From 1908 to 1911, he was on HMS Challenger, a protected 2nd Class Cruiser. The Challenger had been commissioned in Singapore in 1902 and was ordered to recommission at Sydney on arrival of a new crew. Charles was one of the officers that had been appointed to her in addition to the list of her crew. In 1912, he was a Lieutenant on HMS Vanguard, a Battleship in the First Battle Squadron. He was on HMS Pioneer, a Light Cruiser, which was lent for duty to the Australian Government, by the October 1913 list. The April 1914 list shows that on 30th June 1912 he was to be a Lieutenant-Commander and was serving on HMS Pioneer which was lent from the RN. On 1st February 1914, he was at RAN College, which was temporarily situated at Osborne House in North Geelong.
Some of the ships he was on-
Majestic Class Battleships- HMS Mars underway c. 1898
HMS Royal Arthur was a first-class cruiser of the Edgar class, previously named Centaur, but renamed in 1890 prior to launching. She served on the Australia Station served as the flagship from 1897 to 1904, and briefly on the North America and West Indies Station before returning to the Home Fleet in 1906. She was paid off after the First World War.
HMS Majestic, sunk in 1915 in the Dardanelles.
HMS Challenger was a second-class protected cruiser of the Challenger-class of the Royal Navy. She was commissioned on 30 May 1904, and commenced duty on the Australia Station. She was paid off into reserve on 10 October 1912 before recommissioning during the First World War.
Royal Australian Navy light cruiser HMAS Pioneer which had been built in the 19th century and served with the British Navy Imperial Squadron on the Australia Station. On 29 November 1912, she was transferred to the Australian Navy and commissioned as a tender. Later becoming a patrol ship, she was eventually paid off on 22nd October 1916 and served as an accommodation ship at Garden Island until 1922. (Donor A. Jose) Australian War Memorial P01585.009
In 1910, Lieutenant C B Elwell embarked at Launceston, bound for Melbourne on Rotomahana. Charles is recorded in the 1913 NSW electoral roll as residing at “HMAS Pioneer” and his occupation as RAN. The Darlinghurst NSW roll of the same year has him living at Wylde Street as a Lieutenant in the RN. The Evening News of Sydney on Thursday 6th February 1913 in page 2 recorded the following- “R.A.N. APPOINTMENTS. The following are appointed to the Royal Australian navy for a period of 3 years — Lieutenant Charles Bingham Elwell. R.N.” His RAN service record reads that Lieutenant Charles Bingham Elwell RN was appointed to the Permanent Naval Force from 1st October 1912. It was gazetted in No 6 on 1st February 1913 on page 156. He had seniority of 30th June 1904. In red pen was written “Killed in action at New Guinea”. His Record of Service (Officers) form shows that Charles Bingham Elwell was born on 13th September 1882 at St. Cuthbert’s, Albrighton, Shropshire. His next of kin was listed as his brother, Paul Bedford Elwell, but the address is faded with just Queensland legible. Again, it shows he joined the RAN on 1/10/12, lent from the RN for a period of 3 years with the rank of Lieutenant and seniority in the RN at 30/06/04. Throughout his career in the RAN, he was given special allowances, including senior allowances, Command money and a field allowance on 11th September 1914 of 5 pounds. A payment for gratuity was done in July 1920 of £15 and extra pay for war service in the Royal Australian Navy was paid on 11/12/19 for £45. A list of where he was attached for duty gives a list of ships or establishments and the dates as follows: London Depot 1.10.12 to 17.1.13, Melbourne 18.1.13 to 20.4.13, Pioneer 21.4.13 to 17.12.13, RAN College 18.12.13 to 16.8.14 and N E Force 17.8.14 to 11.9.14.
At the beginning of WW1, Australia was asked to seize German wireless stations and territories in the south-west Pacific. Colonel William Holmes raised a force in August 1914, the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (AN&MEF). Charles, who was stationed as the gunnery instructor at RAN College in Geelong was, at his own request, attached to the Expeditionary Force. On 11th September 1914, the AN&MEF convoy approached Blanche Bay and sent a naval party to Kabakaul with orders to capture the radio station at Bitapaka. Moving along a narrow inland road, they were shot at by some Germans and New Guineans. After capturing the group, a map of defences was found, so Lieutenant R G Bowen RAN sent for reinforcements while pushing on. Nearing the first trench Able Seaman W G V Williams was shot and after attending him, Captain Brian Pockley was also wounded. Both were taken back to the ship and later died. As the reinforcements arrived, Lieutenant Bowen was wounded. Due to a well defended trench, a runner was sent back to the Berrima asking for more help. After a few hours, Lieutenant-Commander Charles Elwell RN was also landed, taking command of half of No: 3 Company and pushed ahead at best possible speed. He arrived with 50 men after a previous brief skirmish, where he lost some men. He moved them to the flank, slowly led his men forward until they were less than eighty yards from the German positions and then he initiated a bayonet charge. Running forward at the enemy with his sword in hand, he was shot through the heart, according to the Australian War Memorial. The Germans surrendered soon afterwards, and the wireless station was taken. This was the first bayonet charge against the Germans within their own territory and Charles was the first Naval Officer to die in WW1. The charge was also the only one recorded in the history of the Royal Australian Navy.
A book has been written about the AN&MEF. Australia’s Real Baptism Of Fire Heroes Known Only To A Few ‘ by Greg Raffin. In a Foreword, General (Retd) Peter Cosgrove comments that, “I realised that while it was so significant to Australians then and now, very few people today knew anything about it:”
An illustration showing the location of German and local troops as the AN&MEF; advanced from Kabakaul, German New Guinea.
The British service record of Charles Bingham Elwell reads that he was born on 13th September 1882 and entered service on 18th May 1897. He had seniority as a Sub-lieutenant from 15th April 1902, as Lieutenant from 30th June 1904 and his record has a stamp for Lieutenant-Commander, but no date was entered. He had Certificates of Passing- Seamanship 1, Navigation 3, Pilotage 2, Gunnery 3 and Torpedo 3. His full list of ships reads:
Britannia as Naval Cadet from 15th May 1897 to 14th September 1898 Mars as Naval Cadet from 15th September 1898 to 14th January 1899 Royal Arthur as Midshipman from 15th January 1899 to 15th April 1901 Duke of Wellington as Midshipman from 16th April 1901 to 14th August 1901 Impregnable from 15th August 1901 to 31st October 1901 Hyacinth (Pilot) as Midshipman from 1st November 1901 to 6th April 1902 Impregnable as Midshipman from 7th April 1902 to 14th April 1902 College etc as Acting Sub-Lieutenant from 29th April 1902 to 13th March 1903 Chatham Destroyer as Sub-Lieutenant from 27th March 1903 Forte as Sub-Lieutenant from 24th June 1903 to 13th May 1904 Forte as temporary Lieutenant until actually promoted from 30th June 1904 to July 1904 Majestic as Lieutenant from 26th January 1905 to 1st October 1906 Victory as Lieutenant with time for study in France from 20th October 1906 to March 1907 Andromeda as Lieutenant (Interpreter in French) from April 1907 Encounter as Lieutenant, with a comments receiving at Colombo and no dates entered Challenger (on recommissioning) as Lieutenant (Interpreter in French) from 1st October 1908 to October 1910 Vanguard as Lieutenant from 24th April 1911 and as Interpreter in French on recommendation from 28th March 1912 to 30th September 1912 Melbourne (Pembroke) from 30th September 1912
Some of the comments in the remark column were slow, physically strong, sights completed May 1904, watch keeping certificate June 1904, passed French preliminary with view to studying abroad in October 1905, he was zealous but very slow in May 1906, all very good including physical qualities and was recommended for command of a destroyer in October 1906, from October 1906 to April 1907 he was granted leave to remain in France on H.P. to date of exam for Interpreter, in December 1907 he was an Interpreter in French (highest grade), very hardworking on December 1910, speaks French carried out W/K duties satisfactorily good sight taker, good judge of character September 1911, he was recommended for duties on a small ship on January 1912, rather slow but hardworking on March 1912.
Charles applied for Royal Flying Corps which was noted on 16th August 1912 in his RN record. He was also ADC to the Governor of Queensland in 1913. His record finishes off with a description of him being killed in action in New Guinea and being Mentioned.
His death was recorded in numerous newspapers. A few examples follow-
The Brisbane Courier of Thursday 17th September 1914 on page 7
“LATE COMMANDER ELWELL
Lieutenant-Commander Charles Bingham Elwell, who fell in the expedition to New Britain, was a son of the late Mr. P. B. Elwell, formerly electrical engineer to the New South Wales Railway and Tramway Department. He was born in 1883, and entered the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1896. After serving the usual period in the training ship he went to sea in September, 1898, on the Mars, Captain Francis Powell, with the Channel Fleet. In January, 1901, he joined the Royal Arthur, Captain C. C. Dicken, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H. L. Pearson, Commander-in-Chief in Australia, and, later, the flagship of Rear-Admiral L. A. Beaumont. After a two years’ stay in Commonwealth waters he returned to England, and was appointed to the pilot sailing brig, engaged in the training service. He subsequently completed his time as a midshipman on the Hyacinth, Captain R. K. McAlpine, in the Channel Squadron, passing for sub-lieutenant in April, 1902. In June, 1903, he was appointed to the Forte, Captain Peyton Hoskyns, C.M.G., on the Cape of Good Hope and West Coast of Africa station, where he remained until promoted lieutenant in 1904. On returning to England he went to the Naval College at Greenwich, and there qualified as an interpreter, the language in which he passed being French. The next year saw Lieut. Elwell appointed to the Majestic, battle-ship, Captain C. E. Kingsmill in the Atlantic Squadron. His next ship was the Andromeda first-class cruiser, Captain Morgan Singer, in the Home Fleet, where he remained until the following year, when he returned to Australia, to join the Encounter, Captain H. A. S. Fyler. He was presently transferred to the Challenger, Captain Guy Gaunt, finishing the commission in that ship, and returning to England in the Gibraltar, in 1911, under the command of Captain P. G. Grant. On the Melbourne being commissioned for her maiden voyage to Australia, Lieutenant Elwell decided to apply for an appointment to the Royal Australian Navy, and was sent by the Admiralty, and appointed to her as first lieutenant, under Captain M. Silver. In December of last year Lieut. Elwell was sent to the Royal Australian Naval College at Geelong, where he remained until the outbreak of war, when he was appointed to the chartered steamer Berrima, with the Australian Expeditionary Force. He was an “old ‘boy” of The King’s School, Parramatta, where he was a day boy in the early nineties.”
The Sydney Morning Herald of Monday 14th September 1914 on page 8-
“THE LATE LIEUTENANT-COMMANDER ELWELL.
Lieutenant-Commander Charles Bingham Elwell was a son of the late Mr. P. B. Elwell, formerly electrical engineer to the New South Wales Railway and Tramway Department. The deceased officer was lent to the Royal Australian navy by the Imperial authorities, and returned to the Commonwealth as first lieutenant of the cruiser Melbourne last year. He afterwards joined the gunnery tender Pioneer, and at the beginning of 1914 was attached to the Royal Naval College at Geelong as skilled instructor. He then became Lieutenant-Commander. When the mixed force was lately sent away from Sydney Lieutenant-Commander Elwell was appointed to the command of the Royal Naval Reservists who went with it. He was an officer who was intensely popular with the cadets at Geelong and with his brother officers. He had a great charm of manner, and though quiet in speech was full of energy in action-in work and games. The college boat’s crew owes its efficiency to his coaching.”
Cropped photo of him taken from newspaper article.
The Daily Telegraph of Sydney on Monday 14th September 191 in page 6-
“NEW GUINEA FIGHT. THOSE WHO FELL. LIEUT.-COMMANDER ELWELL.
Lieutenant-Commander Charles Bingham Elwell, who was killed in the brush with the Germans in New Britain ……. His parents were then living near Parramatta. His father was the first electrical engineer for railways in the State.”
The Sydney Morning Herald of Tuesday 15th September 1914 on page 10
A BRAVE OFFICER KILLED IN BATTLE.
LIEUT. COMMANDER C. B. ELWELL.
“Lieutenant-Commander Charles Bingham Elwell, who was one of those killed in the action in New Britain, was 31 years of age, and was a son of the late Mr. P. B. Elwell, the Chief Electrical Engineer for Railways in New South Wales, and predecessor of Mr. Brain. The deceased officer leaves two brothers and two sisters. One brother is a doctor in practice at Stanthorpe, in Queensland, and the other is “on the land” near Stanthorpe. One of his sisters is married to Commander Sussman, – R.N., now with H.M.S. Triumph, on the Hongkong station, and the other, a talented musician, is in England. Lieut-Commander Elwell was educated at the King’s School, Parramatta, and the old school now adds another to the distinguished list of heroes on its records who have fought and died for the Empire. He was in command of the naval section of the First Australian Expeditionary Force.”
The Mail of Adelaide on Wednesday 18th November 1914 on page 2
“OFFICER AVENGED.
GIPPSLAND YOUTH’S BULLET ENDS CAREER OF SLAYER. NEW GUINEA FIGHT RECALLED.
How one of his men avenged the death of Lieutenant-Commander Charles Bingham Elwell, who lost his life by a German bayonet when the Australians captured German New Guinea on September 12, is briefly told in a letter from Signaller Bert Reed, whose shot exacted retribution. Signaller Reed is the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Reed, of Drouin, and is on board H.M.A.S. Australia, from which vessel the party landed which captured the German possessions. In a letter written at sea, just received by his parents, Signaller Reed says: — ‘You may have read in the papers that Lieutenant-Commander Elwell was run through with a bayonet. Well, I am very pleased to know that I shot the man who killed him. I was the signalman of No. 2 Company, and was with Lieutenant-Commander Elwell at the time. I used my rifle and pistol a lot, but how many others I killed or wounded I do not know.’ Lieutenant-Commander Elwell was lent to the Australian Navy by the Imperial authorities, and came to the Commonwealth in 1913 as first lieutenant of the cruiser Melbourne. He afterwards joined the gunnery tender, Pioneer, and after acting as gunnery instructor at the Royal Naval College, Geelong, he became a lieutenant-commander. — Melbourne ‘Herald.’” A photo of Bert is included in the article. Whether this story is true or not, is open to speculation, it certainly does not match the AWM story of his death, or the report below. Another site online gives his name as Signaller Alfred “Bert” Reed, he is probably Alfred William Reed, born in 1894, who was an Ordinary Signaller on the Australia at the time of the Expedition, with the service number 2383.
His death is also mentioned in various British newspapers and has an entry in Queenslanders Who Fought in the Great War on page 267.
Charles was originally buried at Herbertshohe, then reinterred in another cemetery at Herbertshohe around 1915-1916 and in 1919, he and others were reinterred in the Rabaul Military Cemetery with full military ceremony. After WW2, his remains were transferred to Rabaul (Bita Paka) War Cemetery, where he now rests, in AA, A, 11.
A report from Vice-Admiral Patey on HMAS Australia at Rabaul included Charles, who was “shot dead through the chest and probably through the heart, whilst leading on his men – buried near where he fell. Grave has been marked. Service read by Commander Cumberlege. “Acted in a very gallant manner” – Official despatch.”
Charles was awarded a Mention in Despatches, which was promulgated in the London Gazette on 11th January 1916 on page 449 at position 6, being commended for services in action during that operation.
Charles is also listed in the Navy List for April 1915, under the heading “Officers & Men Killed in Action” as Lieutenant-Commander C B Elwell. From the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette of 6th March 1915, under the heading of List of Members of Commonwealth Naval Forces Killed on Active Service or Drowned on Duty is an entry for Charles showing his date and place of birth, when he was killed action with the Naval Expeditionary Force and that his brother Paul was the next of kin, with his address as Carpentaria Downs Station, North Queensland, which is what is probably written on Charles’ service record.
The Supreme Court in Victoria had to establish probate jurisdiction for the estate of Charles Bingham Elwell. His address was stated as late of Royal Australian Naval College, Geelong. The form was dated 11th June 1915 and stated Charles died intestate. A search and produced no will and there was application for his estate anywhere in Victoria. The Naval Clerk informed them that he died on 11th September 1914, intestate, he was a bachelor and he was owed 39 pounds 10 shillings as Naval pay due. After enquiries, they established that his only next of kin were his brothers, “L Bedford Elwell, of Stanthorpe, Queensland; and P. L. Elwell, at present with expeditionary forces, and formerly residing in Queensland.”
Charles is also mentioned in the book, Queenslanders Who Fought in the Great War: “Elwell, Charles Bingham. Lieut. Commander R.N. Born at Shropshire, England, and educated at King’s School, Parramatta, N.S.W. The son of the late Paul Bedford and the late Elizabeth Ewell. Prior to enlisting he was second in command of the new cruiser “Melbourne”, and later appointed second in command at Naval College, then at Geelong, Victoria. At the outbreak of war, he applied for immediate service and was in charge of the R.N. men in the expedition against German New Guinea. Was killed on the 11th September, 1914, at Rabaul, leading the attack on the trenches before the wireless station. He was the first and only combatant officer killed in action during the war in Australian waters.”
In Kokopo, you will find Pockley and Elwell Streets in memory of those who fell in WWI.
According to RN medal records, his trio was sent to a brother, which one is not specified.
With his brothers and sisters-
Paul Leonard Elwell joined the 2nd Regiment, New South Wales Rifles as Private 1001. They left Sydney on two ships on 15th March 1901 and arrived at Port Elizabeth on 17th April. They fought in Transvaal, travelling through much of that state. They did a lot of fighting and hard work and were involved in lots of marches. Paul was wounded at Klerksdorp on 7th September 1901. The regiment returned to Australia, leaving Cape Town on 4th May 1902 and disembarked at Sydney on 4th June. He was entitled to the Queens South Africa Medal with Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal and South Africa 1901 clasps, issued at Klerksdorp. (The 1901 clasp was issued at Sydney on 20th April 1903.) There is a note on the medal roll that the medal was returned on 22nd July 1913.
This is a copy of a post on Facebook-
“‘A SOLDIER’S STORY OF 1901’…..This is a story about Captain Paul Leonard Elwell (affectionately known as ‘Cappy’) who was associated with my family in the early 1900’s. He was born on the 12th of September 1880 in Albrighton, Shropshire, England. From what we know ‘Cappy’ enlisted for the Boer War 1901 to 1902 as a trooper in the ‘New South Wales Mounted Rifles’. He was wounded on the 7th of September 1901 and returned to Australia in 1902. He enlisted again in the A.I.F. ‘Second Light horse Regiment’ (9th reinforcement) in 1914 at the age of 34 as Second Lieutenant and embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board the H.M.A.T. A33 ‘Ayrshire’ on the 1st of September 1915 and then was promoted abroad to full Lieutenant. He was assigned temporary Captain whilst he was overseas, but on some of these records he was stated as Captain. His Brother, Dr. Laurence Bedford Elwell, came out of the A.I.F. as a Major (Medical Corps) and was assigned to the ‘Stanthorpe Hospital’. We assume ‘Cappy’ then came to Stanthorpe after returning to Australia…The Jolly’s often took in boarders of which ‘Cappy’ was one. ‘Farnworth’ the Jolly’s property, was selected by my Great Grandfather Thomas Jolly in 1898 at The Summit, Southern Queensland, Australia. My Great Grandfather was a Stone Mason by trade and built a stone homestead on the property which we still live in today. I am actually writing this in what was the bedroom of ‘Cappy’ which is currently used as the study. ‘Cappy’ owned a property not far from ‘Farnworth’ towards Applethorpe, he would put on his boots and march there every day. At times he would even march to Stanthorpe where he would stay overnight. ‘Cappy’ always got dressed formally for dinner every night. He would present himself at the homestead’s dinner table well dressed with his breath faintly tainted from a nip of rum he had taken from his wicker clad flagon he kept in his room. He was a reasonably tall man (5’11”) with grey/green eyes and well-groomed brown hair and he was well known for his eccentricities. ‘Cappy’ was good with his pen and wrote a book, that we believed to have been published, that had an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ style theme about slipping down a tree root to another land utilising local children (including the Jolly Kids) as the book’s characters. ‘Cappy’ became part of the furniture at ‘Farnworth’ for a number of years. During this time he delighted the children he came in contact with, with his storytelling. His and Farnworth’s social lives were enhanced with the visits from the Chauvels (as in Charles Chauvel, Australia’s first renown movie maker) and Frank Horatio Nelson being a direct relative of Horatio Nelson (re- ‘Trafalgar’ fame), Frank married into the Jolly Family and his descendants up until recently owned ‘Trafalgar House’ at Buderim in Queensland. ‘Cappy’s’ Brother Dr. Elwell and his Wife Clara also visited along with other dignitaries of the local Stanthorpe area. (I think they wore out a lot of cards on card nights)……The above information was told to me by my Great Aunt Nell and Jean Chauvel before they died….One little anecdote that came to light ~ was that ‘Cappy’ got my Great Grandfather Thomas Jolly extremely drunk on one occasion which caused great consternation with my Great Grandmother Eliza Jane who was against hard liquor. ‘Cappy’ was also known by his A.I.F. records to have lived around Maryborough in Queensland in the 1950’s. He was known to have worked as a ‘Station Manager’ throughout Queensland…. ‘Cappy’ will always be fondly remembered as one of the many characters who graced the halls of ‘Farnworth Lodge’.”
The Commonwealth of Australia Gazette of 27th February 1915 had an entry under Commonwealth Military Cadet Corps in the 1st Military District for Senior Cadets, that appointments were made for Paul Leonard Elwell and others to be Lieutenants (provisionally) from 15th February. In the 1913 census, Paul was an overseer at Carpentaria Downs Station. He was listed in the 1915 roll as a Station Manager at Stanthorpe.
Paul enlisted in the 2nd Light Horse on 8th April 1915. He embarked on HMAT Ayrshire A33 on 1st September 1915 with reinforcements for the 2nd Light Horse as a Lieutenant at Sydney. He was a single 34-year-old from Stanthorpe. His religion was Church of England and he was being paid 15 shillings a day. Dr Laurence Bedford Elwell of Stanthorpe was his next of kin. On his application form, he stated that he had served in South Africa for 15 months with E Squadron as Trooper, was invalided with wounds. He had previously been rejected for his teeth (he also had a few dental issues during his service). His physical description on enlistment was age 34 years and 6 months, height 5 foot 11 inches, weight 160 pounds, chest measurement 36 inches, and he had a ruddy complexion with grey-green eyes and brown hair. His Religious denomination was Church of England. He gave his address and next of kin as Dr Bedford Elwell of Stanthorpe and noted that his brother Lieutenant-Commander Elwell had been killed in action. He signed the form 28th November 1914. Laurence filled in the medical certificate on the form, recording the same height, but weight of 10 stone 13½ pounds, chest measurement 34 to 37 inches and his eyesight was normal. Later, the form was filled in with a recommendation for him to be a 2nd Lieutenant in the 9th Reinforcements of 2nd Light Horse, with the District Commandant signing the form on 7th October 1915. In his Application for a Commission in the AIF form, Paul stated he had been educated at The King’s School Parramatta and had passed the junior Exam when he was 15 with ABBBB. They embarked from Sydney on HMAT Ayrshire on 11th October 1915. Paul had mumps on 5th December 1915.
He was appointed 2nd Lieutenant 24th August 1915, Lieutenant on 11th September 1916 and (temporary) Captain 25th October 1918, while he was appointed as Courts Martial Officer for Australia & New Zealand Training Corps and Details Camp at Moascar.
Paul was Troop officer for 1st Light Horse Regiment at Headquarters from September 1916 until he had appendicitis and was admitted to hospital on 27th March 1917. He was operated on 7th April 1917 with good recovery. He had just over a month of leave without pay from 13th September 1919 on Cyprus. As a Temporary Captain, he returned to Australia on Konigen Luise on 30th December 1919. On discharge, his medical report said no disability, no illnesses now. Laurence signed for Paul’s Form of Commission as a “temporary 2nd Lieutenant in the Regular forces of the British Army” on 13th October 1919.
His appointment in the AIF was terminated on 3rd March 1920 and he was placed on the Reserve of Officers list as a Lieutenant on 1st July 1920. In his service records his address is noted as Urstholine Stanthorpe in 1930. On 12th May 1939, J M Arnott Colonel (retired) wrote to Base Records, asking if they would supply him with details of Paul’s service as a temporary Captain at Moascar while at the ANZ Training Centre there late in the war. Their reply was that his records were confidential. The Department of Social Services in Bundaberg wrote to Records in Brisbane on 27th October 1954, asking them for his date and place of birth and asked for confirmation of Boer War Service and date of birth from that. Their reply confirmed date and place of birth and his Boer War service. On 18th December 1941, he was placed on the Retired List.
Paul was still at Stanthorpe in the 1930 electoral roll and also the 1943 roll. By the 1949 electoral roll, he had moved to Maryborough, and was living at Bells Vue Hotel as a bookkeeper. He was still there in the 1954 roll, but had no occupation. Paul passed away on 30th June 1956 in Maryborough and was buried in the Maryborough cemetery in Monumental Section O, plot 37 on 2nd July 1956 by J Kirk and Sons. In the “supposed cause of death” column it just says “Coroner’s Certificate for Burial”. He was listed in the burial register as a 75-year-old Tutor from England, living at Bells Vue Hotel and the officiating minister was Reverend A E Taylor. His medals are Queens South Africa medal with Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal and South Africa 1901 clasps, 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory Medals.
Laurence Bedford Elwell, aged 15, was in the list of Candidates for Confirmation in 1889 in Darling Point St Mark’s Church.
He completed his early education at Sydney Grammar School and at The King’s School, NSW. The Australian Star of Thursday 19th July 1900 on page 5, under “THE JUNIOR EXAMINATION. Prize Winners and Medallists. The list of successful candidates in the Junior University Examination has been published”, had an entry under Greek- Medals, Laurence Bedford Elwell, Sydney Grammar School. It also showed he passed 7 subjects with an A or B rating. He entered Sydney University in November 1902 in the Faculty of Medicine. The Sydney Morning Herald of Tuesday 4th February 1908 in page 9, under “UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY” had “The Chancellor reported that on January 3, in terms of his authority, he had conferred the degree of Bachelor of Medicine upon the following:— The following degrees were conferred In absentia:— Laurence Bedford Elwell. CH.M. – Master of Surgery”. It was at the conferring of degrees in the town hall. He was awarded a Bachelor of Medicine in 1908 and a Bachelor of Surgery in 1909 at Sydney University.
In 1910, he is listed in the Queensland Government Gazette in the list of Medical Practitioners living in Queensland, as living at Stanthorpe. He was registered on 5th March 1908 and his qualification was MB 1908 University of Sydney. He was listed in the Australasian Medical Directory of 1911, noting he had a Master of Surgery in graduating from Sydney University, but it has a date of 1890? In the same reference is a list of NSW doctors, which includes Laurence Bedford Elwell, Number 2859, 14th July 1909, MBBS 1908 University of Sydney. The Telegraph in Brisbane on Thursday 28th August 1913 in page 2 had under “OFFICIAL NOTIFICATIONS. Transfers and Appointments. The Executive Council has approved of the following appointments Dr. Laurence Bedford Elwell, M.B., University, Sydney, to be medical officer at Stanthorpe.”
On 30th December 1913, he married Clara Ann Lancaster at All Saints Kempsey by the Reverend G H Frewin. Clara had been born on 20th October 1864 in Macleay River. In the 1890 NSW Government Gazette, she was listed as having an ordinary licence for the keeping and sale of explosives at Frederickton. In the 1913 electoral roll, she is listed as living at Stanthorpe as a nurse. They had been engaged in October 1913, while she was matron of The Pines Hospital.
On 7th September 1915, Laurence applied for a Commission in the Australian Imperial Force at Brisbane. His educational qualification was Mb ChM (Sydney), and he had no previous military service. His civilian employment was as a Medical Practitioner. He was 31 years old, being born on 26th August 1884, and was a married British Subject. He had to fill out a statutory declaration stating that was the day he was born in Albrighton Shropshire. Francis Hill was stated as his address, with a note in red saying “address of soldier Stanthorpe Queensland”. His next of kin was his wife, c/o Mrs Christian of South West Rocks NSW. The medical certificate stated he was 5 foot 8 inches tall, chest measurement of 31 to 33 inches, weighed 124 pounds and his eyesight was “up to standard”. His pay book number was 68255. Laurence was recommended to be appointed as a Captain in the 1st AGH AIF on 8th August and this was considered suitable by the District Commandant on the 27th. Another form said his professional standing was good and he was working in general practice. He had held a position at Brisbane General Hospital for 1 year as Resident Medical Officer. “Indifferently” was his reply to whether he could ride. He was recommended for general duty. His attestation paper for service in the AIF had Doctor (crossed out and replaced with Major) Laurence Bedford Elwell (MC in red) was a medical Officer with the 1st Australian General Hospital 12th Field Ambulance. He embarked on 17th September 1915 on HMAT Hymettus A1. In his AIF record under personal section, it lists his next of kin has his wife Clara Ann Elwell with the address c/o Royal Bank of Queensland 31 Budge Row, Cannon Street London. He was 2 months as Camp Medical Officer, 3 months MO No 1 AGH, 10 months RMO 45th Battalion, 9 months 13th Field Ambulance, 8 months 2nd ACCS and then with 13th Australian Field Ambulance from May 1918.
The Daily Examiner of Grafton on Saturday 26th January 1918 on page 7 had – “The many friends of Dr. Elwell, of Stanthorpe, Queensland, and well-known on the Northern Rivers, will be pleased to hear of that gallant officer’s splendid work in the firing line. The. doctor went to the front in 1915, soon after the war broke out, and has been in the thick of it ever since. Lieutenant-Commander Elwell, who was killed at Rabaul, in the early stages of the war, was a brother. Mrs. Elwell, who is a sister of Doctor and Councillor Lancaster, of Kempsey, has also done her share. In Egypt and London she held a high position on the nursing staff of the military hospitals until her health broke down. The following letter was this week received from England: — : “His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to confer the Military Cross on Captain Laurence Bedford Elwell in recognition of his gallantry and devotion and duty on the field. He personally organised, with great ability and entire disregard of his own safety, the evacuation of wounded along a route which was .under direct enemy observation and subjected to heavy machine-gun and rifle fire. On another occasion, he twice visited an aid-post under intense hostile barrage, to assist the officer in charge, displaying, as on all other occasions, the utmost fearlessness and devotion to duty.””
A Divisional Mention and Congratulatory Card was presented to him by Major-General Sir H V Cox on 27th August 1916. From 22nd September 1916 to 4th October 1916, he was absent from the field “with leave”. The original recommendation for the Military Cross was by Lieutenant-Colonel N B Politt, the commanding Officer of the 4th Australian Field Ambulance. On 12th June 1917, Captain L B Elwell was with Bearer Division 13th Australian Field Ambulance, attached to 4th Australian Field Ambulance was commended for the recent operations around Messines on the nights of 8/9th and 9/10th June 1917, where he had charge of the evacuation of the wounded from the left sector of Divisional front, to the North East of Messines. He personally organised with great ability and entire disregard of his own safety the entire evacuation from three Regimental Aid Posts to the East of Messines, the route to which was under direct enemy observation and subject to heavy rifle and machine gun fire. During the night 8/9th June the enemy placed an intense barrage behind a Regimental Aid Post in 0 21 d (Sheet 28 S.W. 1/20000); notwithstanding this, Captain Elwell twice visited the RAP in order to render assistance to the Medical Officer there. Undoubtedly the fearlessness and devotion to duty which this Officer displayed were the means of saving the lives of many wounded men. The form was signed my Major-General William Holmes Commanding the 4th Australian Division. He was promoted to Major on 28th January 1918.
Laurence received congratulations from the Divisional Commander for having “obtained satisfactory reports at Aust Corps Gas School” from 29/7/18 to 3/8/18. He signed a medical report on an invalid that was filled out about himself that stated “Has not been a day off duty since leaving Australia & feels quite well now.” He had no instability. Major L B Elwell returned to Sydney on the Kenilworth Castle on 26th April 1919, after departing from Liverpool. His appointment was terminated on 25th June 1919 in Queensland. In a letter in reply to a Base Records letter on 29th August 1919, that was asking his wife for his permanent address; he stated it was Stanthorpe Queensland, where he was practicing his profession. They had sent the letter to the NSW address on his service record and were asking about arrangements to present his Military Cross to him. His form of Commission was sent to him on 1st November 1923, and he sent the receipt back on 10th December 1923. In 1925, The Daily Mail reported they had been staying at Montpelier and were returning to Stanthorpe.
In the 1926 electoral roll, they were living at Stanthorpe at High Street and he was a Medical Practitioner and Clara was doing home duties.
The Queenslander on Thursday 7th November 1929 in page 51 had the following article-
“Farewell to Mrs. Bedford-Elwell.
MRS. E. BEDFORD-ELWELL, who has been one of the moving spirits in the C.W.A. since its inception, has left with her husband, Dr. Bedford-Elwell, for a trip abroad. During last month she was farewelled by C.W.A. members of the various branches in her division. The Stanthorpe branch), of which she has been president since it was formed by her over seven years ago, presented her with a travelling clock, together with a wallet of notes in which gift the members of the Cottonvale and Dalveen branches joined. In making the presentation the secretary (Miss Hancox) expressed the wish that every hour the clock measured would be a happy one. Mrs. Elwell was also given an autograph book containing the names of the members. Mrs. Harslett, on behalf, or the Amiens branch, presented an attaché writing case in appreciation of what Mrs. Elwell had done for the branch. Mrs. Lowe, on behalf of the members, handed to Dr. Elwell a pair of brass book ends, and assured him of their gratitude for his generosity and sympathetic help at all times. He had been “part and parcel” of the whole work. Both Dr. and Mrs. Elwell conveyed their thanks for the gifts that had been bestowed upon them, and reminded members that their friendship for them would always be a very real thing. The work at the C.W.A. had always been very dear to them, and when they returned they hoped to find an opportunity to continue to help the association in its big undertakings. In order that Mrs. Elwell may still be in active touch with the branch. Miss Hancox proposed that Mrs. Elwell should be made patroness on the expiry of her term as president. This was seconded by Mrs. Luke, and carried by acclamation. After singing the C.W.A. song, the members took the opportunity of bidding farewell individually to Dr. and Mrs. Elwell, wishing them a delightful voyage and a well-earned rest. Mrs. Elwell, who was born in Kempsey, New South Wales, is the daughter of one of the pioneers of that State. Her ability in all branches of women’s work has been appreciated for a great number of years. During the Great War she formed the first Red Cross branch out-side Brisbane, and one which accomplished much useful work. She carried out V.A.D. work for six months in Egypt, and she was for one year and eight months doing voluntary work in the Red Cross hospitals in Clithero, Lancashire, England. Afterwards she went to France and worked in the British Army and Navy League Club in Parts. It was while carrying out V.A.D. work in Paris that the Croix de Guerre was conferred upon her and all the other workers who remained to carry out nursing duties. This honour was bestowed on these women workers collectively. It may be said that Mrs. Elwell has not wasted a minute of her time. She has given of her best always in time and money, and both she and Dr. Elwell will be greatly missed during their sojourn abroad, which will extend over a considerable period.”
The Telegraph on Thursday 25th February 1932 (p.12) had under:
“Woman’s Sphere
SPLENDID WORK FOR AUSTRALIA – Talented Woman Meets Adventure Abroad
INTERVIEW WITH MRS L.B. ELWELL
She knows how to live, this charming lady – how to find joy in endless work, rest in the old things of history, and interest in all humanity. Adventure has always been in wait for her, the great adventure of moulding the future. This she has done to the best of her very fine abilities, for Australia, and for the world of womenkind in general.
With her husband, Dr L.B. Elwell, she has just returned from a tour of the United Kingdom, Europe, and America after an absence of 2½ years. Whilst Dr Elwell pursued his scientific studies and added to his degrees in various world centres, his wife carried out work of international political importance, despite the fact that her health was causing continual anxiety.
When it is remembered that she has worked for the Queensland Country Women’s Association and various Australian women’s organisations for many years, and that she was nursing in France during the terrible time of the Great War, in fact, that her life has been an unbroken succession of intense activity, it is not to be wondered at that a physical breakdown threatened her in London.
A “REST” CURE
This was happily averted, and on her return to Brisbane she is looking exceptionally well, although rest is prescribed for some time to come. How she will observe the instruction remains to be seen. In Europe her idea of “rest” was to act on the committee of the Women’s Guild of Empire, take part in the efforts for the retaining of nationality by women who marry out of their own country (a reform recently achieved at the Geneva Conference), attend the conference of World Women’s Organisations in Europe, assist the international activities of the Rural Women’s Organisation of the World, attend the British Guild of Empire Conference in Wales, give lectures to the United Irish Women’s Association in Ireland, take an active interest in the Anzac Fellowship of Women in England, address various organisations on the subject of Empire Buying, and advance the interests of Queensland and Australian industries by means of lectures, exhibitions of pictures, and personal conversations with women of England and other countries.
CHARM OF ENGLAND
Mrs Elwell loves England and the English people,” …. And continues on with later-
“RAMBLINGS IN EUROPE
In France they paid some visits of a different kind. Mrs Elwell visited the scene of her husband’s activities as a war surgeon at Villers Bretonneux and Pozieres, and also met old associations of her own wartime work from Paris, Egypt, and the famous Clithero Hospital.”
The article concludes with: “The first three weeks after their arrival were spent in Dr and Mrs Elwell’s home town of Stanthorpe, and they arrived in Brisbane this week for the first time since their return. They intend to make their future home in Brisbane.”
On 7th July 1934, the RSSILA branch in Sydney wrote to Base Records, asking them if they could send them the official citations for a list of MC and MM recipients as they wanted to put the details in their publication of Reveille. Base Records replied with a list of the individual citations which included the MC to Major L B Elwell AAMC as recorded above.
Laurence is in a list of names, possibly staff, doctors, nurses and patients, who may have been associated with the Kyoomba Military Sanatorium during the period 1917 to 1935. From the RSL research site – http://kyoombarslproject.com/ – “Kyoomba was established for those service personnel who suffered from Tuberculosis (TB) and those who developed lung damage due to the effects of the German gas they encountered whilst serving in the trenches on the front line of combat.” It was 3 kilometres outside of Stanthorpe. He is listed in Wises Directory of 1930 under Medical Profession, but no address was listed. He is listed in the Queensland Police Gazette Index between 1930 and 1939, but unfortunately the actual Gazette listing is not online.
In WW2, he served as Q119285 in the Army Citizen Military Forces, with Clara as his next of kin. Unfortunately, the records are not online or yet examined. He enlisted on 9th September 1941 in Brisbane, with his locality on enlistment as Wickham Terrace. He was discharged on 3rd January 1943 as a Major with the 1st Motor Ambulance Convoy. In the 1943 electoral roll, they were living in Brisbane at Eaton Hotel, Wharf Street, and he was listed as a physician with Clara doing home duties. His Officer’s Record of Service shows he was born on 26.8.84. It has an address of 193 Wickham Terrace written, but no indication why. The Military Appointments he held read as: AIF Captain AMC from 17th September 1915, Major from 28th January 1918, with his appointment terminated on 28th June 1919. On 28th January 1918, he was to be Honorary Major in the Reserve of Officers (temporary) and he was to be a Major in the Reserve of Officers from 1st July 1920. He was in the AAMC Reserve from 1st July 1925. On 9th August 1941, he was appointed from Reserve of Officers to AAMC with regimental seniority next after Major N W Markwell, and was appointed OC 1MAC. On 28th March 1942, he appointed to command 8MAC as officer in charge. His active service was listed as The War of 1914-18 with operations in Egypt 21.10.15 to 18.3.16, with EEF 19 March to 2.6.16, in France and Belgium 8.6.16 to 11.11.18. His medals were listed as Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals.
Laurence had to deal with the following, as recorded in The Courier-Mail of Brisbane on Thursday 9th September 1948 on page 4- “Mrs. Clara Bedford Elwell, wife of Dr. Laurence Bedford Elwell, died on Tuesday night. Mrs. Elwell was on active service overseas with the Australian Army Nursing Service in the 1914-1918 war. She was a foundation member and for some years a vice-president of the Queensland Country Women’s Association. For 12 years she was president of the Queensland Housewives’ Association”. She died on 7th September 1948 in Brisbane and was cremated at Mt Thompson Crematorium. Clara has a memorial in Area 14, Section: Bed 4. The memorial has her age as 79, but it should be 83. The reference to her serving with the AANS above is wrong also.
The Brisbane Telegraph of 8th September 1948 had the following:
“PHILANTHROPIC WORKER DIES
One of Brisbane’s best known philanthropic workers, Mrs Bedford Elwell, wife of Dr Bedford Elwell, died last night. For about 12 years Mrs Elwell was president of the Queensland Housewives Association. She was a council member of the Victoria League, a past president of the Creche and Kindergarten and Bush Nursing Associations, foundation member and divisional vice-president of the Q.C.W.A., and a member of the United Nations Association and the Queensland Health Education Council. At the outbreak of World War 1, Mrs Elwell formed the first branch in Queensland of the Red Cross Society at Stanthorpe. Later she left for overseas as a nurse and served in Egypt. From there she went to England, where she was matron of a Red Cross Hospital at Clitheroe, Lancashire.”
Laurence was still living at Eaton Hotel, 59 Wharf Street in the 1958 electoral roll and was still there in the 1963 roll, still listed as a physician. He passed away on 3rd April 1964, in Brisbane.
The Book of Remembrance entry for him at Sydney University reads: “M.C., M.B., Ch.M.; M.R.C.P. (Lond. and Edin.) : Major, A.A.M.C., A.I.F., Egypt and France. Enlisting in August, 1915, and sailing 17th September, was posted to 1st Australian General Hospital, Heliopolis, in October and became R.M.O. 45th Battn. on formation at Tel-el-Kebir, 3rd March, 1916. Transferred to 13th Australian Field Ambulance in December, to 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station 20th July, 1917, and back to ambulance 14th May, 1918, returning in April 1919 as S.M.O. transport “Kenilworth Castle”. Promoted major, 28th January, 1918. Awarded M.C.* and Mentioned in Despatches. Early education at The King”s and Sydney Grammar Schools. * “He personally organized, with great ability and entire disregard for his own safety, the evacuation of wounded along the entire route which was under direct observation and subjected to heavy rifle and machine-gun fire. On another occasion he twice visited an aid post under intense hostile barrage, to assist the officer in charge, displaying, as on all other occasions, the utmost fearlessness and devotion to duty.”— London Gazette, 25th August, 1917.”
A stained-glass window commemorates Dr Laurence Elwell who was a churchwarden and benefactor of St John`s Cathedral in Brisbane. Front Inscription: Cloth the naked unto one. Plaque: The window depicting the Christian work of clothing the naked has been given by the Cathedral Chapter in respectful memory of Dr Laurence Bedford Elwell, a churchwarden and benefactor of this cathedral, who died on 3rd April, 1964. He is also remembered in the Anglican archives with an entry in Vol LXIV No. 885 May 1964, Laurence Bedford Elwell – a “Beloved Physician” on page 6 which was a panegyric delivered by the Dean of Brisbane in St John’s Cathedral.
A photo of him is in the NSW archives under – https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/item/384972 , with a date of 1905 on it, but unfortunately it is not online.
His WW1 medals are Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. It is not known what medals he received for WW2.
Ester Violet Elwell married Albert Siegmund Sussman in Ireland in the July quarter of 1911. She seems to be known as Essie, as most records have this name. Albert, as part of his family, had moved from Germany and became a naturalised British citizen in 1881. His father was a shipping merchant. Albert joined the Royal Navy and was a Midshipman with precedence from 15th January 1894. In the 1901 census, he was on Royal Sovereign as a Lieutenant and was entitled to the Coronation Medal in 1902 as a Lieutenant. By the 1914 Naval List, he was a Lieutenant-Commander (from 28th August 1913) and Gunnery Officer on the battleship HMS Triumph. It looks like he stayed in Hong Kong and was not on the Triumph when she was sunk in the Dardanelles. The 1915 Navy List has him an acting Commander in charge of the naval Establishments at Hong Kong. They had a son, Lawrence Paul Sussman, born on 6th February 1912 in Ireland. What happens to them after that is a bit strange, but it appears they may have changed their surname to Elwell-Sutton. He appears in navy lists from 1916 on as Elwell-Sutton. Albert was Mentioned in Despatches as Lieutenant-Commodore Albert Siegmund Elwell-Sutton for services in Mesopotamia and the Persian Gulf on 7th August 1918 in the London Gazette. He was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory Medals and two oak leaves were issued. He retired in 1949 as a Lieutenant-Commander. Albert died on 25th October 1961. Their son, Laurence (as his name seems to have changed to) was a professor and is mentioned in this Wikipedia page – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurence_Paul_Elwell-Sutton . In 1962, Essie travelled to Australia by herself, giving an address in Brisbane she was staying at. Essie died on 5th December 1972 in Shortlands, Bromley in Kent. Laurence died on 2nd September 1984.
Marguerite Elwell was born in France, but a date is not known. Her birth may have led to her mother’s demise. In the 1891 England census, she is listed with her Aunt, Elinor Elwell, who was living by her own means at 46 West Street Congleton, Cheshire. She is in a list of candidates for confirmation in 1906 in the Darling Point Anglican Church register, aged 17. The only other possible record for Marguerite is a shipping record for Afric which left Sydney on 20th January 1910, bound for England; with the passenger list including a Miss Elwell aged 52, Miss E V Elwell 22 and Miss M Elwell aged 20. This could be Marguerite, Ester and their Aunt returning to England. After that, no records for her can be found, apart from what is mentioned above in the newspaper article about her brother’s death. The Sydney Morning Herald of Saturday 21st August 1937 on page 16 had under the heading “Deaths” the following, which gives an explanation of what happened to her: “ELWELL.-August 14, at Castelveccana, Lake Maggiore, Italy. Marguerite, younger daughter of the late Paul Bedford Elwell. Chief Electrical Engineer for N.S.W. Railways and Tramways.”
The picture depicts the landing at Kabakaul in September 1914 and is with the items the museum has for Charles. On the back is a short note on “Australia’s First Sea Fight” which details the battle of the Sydney and the Emden.
Charles was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal with oak leaf. The museum just has Charles’ Memorial Plaque.
ANZAC Biographies
On our website you will find the biographical details of ANZAC (as well as British) servicemen & women
whose medals or other memorabilia form part of the collection on display at the
Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum,
Maryborough, Queensland, Australia.