MEMBERS OF OUR FAMILY IN ARMED FORCES WW1
These are the stories of our families that have served with the armed forces some in well know battles others in places rarely heard. The men and women who volunteered or were conscripted in times of war or peace to protect us and to fight the freedom we enjoy in Australia.
JOHN FRANCIS (FRANK) HEYWOOD (1892)
John Francis Heywood was born on 1892 the third child to Nellie and John Heywood and lived at Warrenbayne Victoria. He was always called Frank.
He was mortally wounded at Gallopoli and died on the 9th May 1915 on Lemnos Island.
CHARLES WILLIAM HEYWOOD (1889)
Charlie was born on the 22 February 1889 the first child to Nellie and John Heywood. John was a dairy farmer at Wonthaggi - Yarragon.
He died on 30 December 1980.
ALF HEYWOOD (1896)
Alf was born 5 August 1896 at Warrenbayne Victoria, the fifth child of Nellie and John Heywood.
He was the third son of this family to enlist. His parents would not give their permission so he had to wait until his 21st birthday and did so as on the 21 August 1918. Private number V79203 and discharged 24 December 1918.
He did not leave Australia as the First World War was just about finished.
Alf died 28 July 1968.
HENRY (HARRY) JOHN HEYWOOD (1893)
Henry John Heywood was born on the 14 September 1893 and lived at Baddaginnie Victoria. He was always called Harry. His parents were Elizabeth and George Heywood.
In 1914 the war situation became more serious. When Harry heard that
Lord Kitchener had been killed he immediately made up his mind to enlist.
He was a sergeant in the 24th Machine gun (Vickers) Company, 4th Division
A.I.F. and served in France and Belgium where he won the Military Medal at
Dernancourt.
Harry claims that the machine gun he was in charge of was responsible for bringing down German’s famous war ace Baron von Richthofen - the “Red Barron"
He was nicknamed. "Nugget” because of his great strength. At General Head Quarters in France, he won the N.C.O’s middleweight championship for the British Empire for wrestling – army navy rules.
He married Bertha Lucinda Cropley 24 January 1923 at Ellibank Victoria. They raised four children Glenda, Marjorie, Wesley and Murray. Harry died on 10 September 1983 and is buried At Warragul Victoria.
JOHN KISSICK(1891)
John was the son of Catherina and Ewan Kissack, brother of Mabel, Sarah, Martha, Catherine and Annie.
He died after action at Gallopoli.
MARTHA KISSICK(1879)
Martha was the daughter of Catherina and Ewan Kissack, sister of John, Mabel, Sarah, Catherine and Annie.
She served in the Middle East as a nurse.
From website AUSTRALIAN NURSES IN WORLD WAR 1
KISSACK, Martha
Staff Nurse
AANS
Born 1879 at Benalla, Vic
Daughter of Robert KISSACK and Martha nee WALKER
Address Nunn St, Benalla, Vic
Age 32 years
Training 3 years Colac Public Hospital
Enlisted 15 June 1917
Embarked 30 June 1917 in Melbourne per “Somali”
Service in Bombay
Returned to Australia per “Eastern” 13 April 1919
Appointment Terminated 20 August 1919
Did not marry
Died 22 June 1964
Buried Benalla Cemetery
