Agricultural Leave WW1

[mmm45]

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/search-results.asp?searchtype=browserefine&query=last_name%3dbenest%7cscope%3dlieutenant&catid=10&pagenumber=1&querytype=1&mediaarray=*

Lt Benest could be one of these 4.There is also a Pte Benest listed on NA site with the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry.

Ady

[JerseyMo]

Hi Susie,

A chap called Ian Ronayne has just put an article in the local Jersey paper about 'Memories of Aussie troops' in the Island (Jersey) during WW!.

It gives his contact details: ironayne@gmail.com

or website: www.greatwarci.net

Hope this helps. I am trying to find similar info. myself, so goodluck with your research!

 Marianne

[Siouxsie]

Dear marianne,
Many thanks...........I have sent him an email.........hopefully I will get some information back.

Cheers
Susie

[Siouxsie]

I have heard back re the article in the Jersey paper....

"Regrettably, what appeared in the Jersey paper was not an article, but an appeal for information on the Australian troops in Jersey after the First World War. Hopefully, there will be an article in due course once I have gathered as many facts as possible.
 
I will certainly send you whatever I end up with on this subject."

.....now can't wait to see if he gets any information from his request!!!

Cheers
Siouxsie

[RobyH]

Hi - I am working on a project at the State Library in NSW - we have about 20 volunteers transcribing WWI diaries. They have recently done the diaries of John Thomas Hutton, who was from Carnsdale - it sounds like the same person - see http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8080/showPerson?pid=148501
He writes very evocatively about his experiences - if he is your grandfather I can email you the transcripts of his diaries.

[Siouxsie]

Hi RobyH,

Wow.....he sure is my grandfather and I would love a copy of the transcripts. He enlisted from Carnsdale which is where he was working for his sister's husband Jim Knight and he was living with Great Aunty Mary and Jim. i do have a copy of the diaries, but his handwriting isn't the easiest to read and the transcripts will be a wonderful addition to my family history.

I have sent my email details to you in a private message.

Again....many thanks,

Cheers
Siouxsie

As a PS.....the photo on the right is of John Thomas's daughter Rosary holding me.

[RobyH]

Hi - so he didn't name his first daughter Hope?! He thought of doing that in one of his diaries. He sounds like a very likeable person, the way he expresses himself is really amazing. What became of him after the war?                                     
The library catalogue record is here - http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemdetailpaged.aspx?itemid=422289
Images of the first diary are attached to the record (scanned from microfilm). Images of the other 2 diaries will also be online soon, and so will the transcripts.

[Siouxsie]

Dear RobyH,
No, he didn't name her Hope.......but Rosary, as she was a wee thing at birth and the nuns came and looked our for her as they had done for the whole family when his father relocated them to Corowa father his mother was admitted to the Psych Hosp. in Tasmania (although all three children died without knowing that).
The nuns were very kind to the family and Great Aunty Mary ended up teaching at the Catholic Convent. My grandfather named my mother Rosary to honour the nuns, but strangely remained a staunch C of E........and left my mother to explain her name to everyone who thought it should be Rosemary!
Many thanks for sending me the link......it will be wonderful to read the transcripts.

How wonderful that there is a dedicated group translating these diaries......and what fun to be able to play in the Mitchell.......as a Librarian, it is my favourite library!

Cheers
Siouxsie

[JerseyMo]

Hi Siouxsie,

I'm not sure if you are still actively searching more about his topic but I have just found this wonderful photo of Australian soldiers in Jersey at this link on TROVE:

http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/193459051?q=australian+soldiers+WW1+Jersey&c=picture&versionId=211877076

I am following this thread of conversation with interest.