By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
A BUNGLED plan by the Casey council to name a part of Clyde North in memory of a specific WWI Digger has unearthed an honour roll of worthy local soldiers.
Clyde historian Joan Vanderhorn said there is no link between the council’s initial chosen name, McPherson, after discovering the McPherson’s were actually from Clydesdale in northern Victoria.
Ms Vanderhorn, editor of the ‘A Clyde History’ website said after much research she’s chosen two much loved Diggers from Clyde to be reviewed for the renaming.
“I would love to see a part of Clyde North named Thomas or Churchill, both these men lost their lives at war at the same age and went to Clyde North Primary School,” Ms Vanderhorn said.
Hedley Howard Thomas was 24 when he was shot by a sniper in July 1918, while binding the wounds of a comrade.
Ms Vanderhorn said Mr Thomas was a stretcher bearer and came from a community-minded family.
“In Clyde he worked as a farm labourer with his family in Tuckers Road, his family was instrumental in starting the Methodist Church in Clyde in 1909, which is still standing today – it is now a private home,” she said.
Ms Vanderhorn, who grew up in Clyde, said her other pick from a long honour list of worthy soldiers is Corporal George Charles Churchill.
“George Churchill was killed in action in Mont St Quentin France after three years on active service in September 1918,” she said.
“He worked in Clyde as a chaff-cutter and lived in Clyde North – he was considered an outstanding student.
“When he signed up for the Australian Infantry Forces people said in the newspapers that he was sure to be awarded the Victoria Cross, because he was spoken so highly of in the community.”
George Churchill was the son of George and Martha Churchill (nee Ridgway), and grandson of Clyde pioneer, Anthony Ridgway.
Ms Vanderhorn has put the Casey council’s mistake down to poor research.
“They didn’t take the extra step, on the enlistment form for McPherson it states Clydesdale, not Clyde,” she said.
Peter Gillieron, from the Casey council, has advised that council has compiled a list of names of former soldiers who served in WWI and lived in the Clyde North area.
“Council has initiated discussions with both the Metropolitan Planning Authority and the Office of Geographic Names,” Mr Gillieron said.
“These discussions are ongoing and, once concluded, will be presented at a future meeting of Council for its consideration.”
Mr Gillieron also confirmed that the link between McPherson and the Clyde area was not strong enough to pursue the name into the future.
For more information on local Diggers visit: www.clydehistory.uphero.com
