DAYBORO DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC _ Est. 2004

• October 10, 2015
• Local Groups, News
• Editor

Private
John Henry Castree

Dayboro Remembers:  Private John Henry Castree:

John Henry Castree, known as Jack to his family and friends, was born at Blackall, Queensland on 2^nd November 1890, the third child and oldest son of John Edward Castree and Clara Nowland.  His father was employed as a store manager in Blackall and was also an Alderman on the Blackall Council from 1894 to 1898 when he resigned and moved to Jericho.  There were then five children in the family, another son William having died aged 1.  By 1901 the family was in Nanango and Jack’s father had been declared insolvent.  The family suffered yet another blow when their mother Clara died on 14^th January 1903.  Jack was 12 years old and the youngest child Madeline was only 6.

Clara Nowland’s sister Laura was married to Alfred Augustus Warland who was the Licensee of the Crown Hotel from 1904 to 1909.  On 9^th May 1904 Jack’s younger brother Claude Edward Castree was enrolled at Terrors Creek School, aged 11, and on 6^th February 1908 his younger sister Madeline Beatrice Castree was enrolled at Terrors Creek School, also aged 11.

John Henry (Jack) Castree appears on the State Electoral Roll at Terrors Creek on 15^th September 1913.  He enlisted at Brisbane on 24^th May 1915 and his occupation was given as a Wheelwright.  It is believed that he was employed by F. Schmidt & Sons, Coachbuilders.  He embarked on 16^th August 1915 arriving in Alexandria, Egypt on 19^th October 1915 where he joined the 15^th Infantry Battalion.  On 31^st October 1915 he embarked for Anzac Cove arriving on 2^nd November 1915.  His time at Gallipoli was at Hay Valley and the unit evacuated on 13^th December 1915 and returned to Egypt.  On 1^st June 1916 they left for Marseilles, France.  In August and September the Battalion was involved in the battle of Mouquet Farm, Pozieres.  Jack was reported missing on 1^st September 1915, the same day the Canadians relieved the 15^th Battalion.  A court of enquiry was advised that the Canadians had found his body near Mouquet Farm and had buried him.  He is remembered with honour at Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France.

Jack’s younger brother Claude joined the Queensland Police Force on 1^st February 1913.  He enlisted in Brisbane on 13^th August 1915 and embarked on 18^th September 1915.  He was with the 49^th Battalion and was wounded three times sadly dying of his wounds on the last occasion on 15^th August 1918 at the 13^th Australian Field Ambulance, Somme.  He was buried in the Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery.

Their father John Edward Castree did remarry on 19^th January 1917 to Hannah Elizabeth Donald Barr and the couple had two sons, Stafford born in 1919 and Edwin in 1921.  Sadly he died on 18^th June 1923, aged 61, leaving his widow to raise their young family.

The Castrees’ cousins Alfred Augustus (Gus) Warland and Arthur Irvine Warland both survived the war.

A memorium notice for Jack Castree in The Queenslander on 8^th September 1917 reads:

He gave his life, his best, his all,

In answer to his country’s call.

How Times Have Changed:

This is the title of the latest exhibition at the Pine Rivers Heritage Museum at Old Petrie Town, Dayboro Road, Whiteside which opened on 25^th September and will run until 22^nd November 2015.  The Pine Rivers area has a rich history that was captured in early photographic records of the region.  A recent comparative study has created a contemporary view of many locations and buildings that remain at the heart of our community.  How Times Have Changed tells a tale of transformation through this “then and now” photographic exhibition.  It is a joint project between the Pine Rivers Heritage Museum and the local historical societies throughout the former Pine Rivers Shire.  There have been 9 photographs selected to represent the Dayboro district.  I would urge you to attend this exhibition and hope that it is something that the Dayboro State School students will also be able to attend.

Carmel Bond, President –

Ph: 3425 1717 (h)

or 3425 2032 (Dayboro Cottage)

Email: carmel.bond@bigpond.com or ddhs4521@gmail.com

Web: www.dayborohistoricalsociety.com.au *