Person Page - 547

     Edwin Francis Greathead was born on 10 August 1861 in Butts Napp, Camm, Shaftesbury, Dorset, England.¹ He was the son of Francis Tiddy Greathead and Mary Wythe Collins. In the census of 2 April 1871 in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, he was listed as the son of Francis Tiddy Greathead.^2,3 In the census of 10 June 1880 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, he was listed as a boarder in the boarding house with his father run by Catherine Cheeseman. He was a printer.⁴ Edwin was naturalised in the US on 27 February1882.⁵ He married Catherine Elizabeth Beam on 25 August 1884 in Union Methodist Episcopal, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, The register gives Edwin as E Frank Greathead and he was a printer.^5,6 Edwin was listed as the head of the family of on the census of 1 June 1900 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, Edwin was a printer.⁷ Edwin was listed as the head of the family on the census of 20 April 1910 in Delaware, Pennsylvania, USA, Edwin was a printer.⁸ Edwin was listed as the head of the family on the census of 5 January 1920 in Norwood, Delaware, Pennsylvania, USA, Edwin was a printer contractor.⁹ Edwin and Catherine sailed on 11 November 1925 from Southampton on board the Majestic bound for New York.¹⁰ Edwin was listed as the head of the family of on the census of 2 April 1930 in 229 Winnea Avenue, Norwood, Delaware, Pennsylvania, USA, Edwin was a printer in a printing company.¹¹ Edwin died on 4 December 1934 in Pennsylvania, USA, aged 73 from sarconia of the right lung.^5,12,13 Edwin was buried on 7 December 1934 in Arlington Cemetery, Drexel Hill, Delaware, Pennsylvania, USA.^12,13

     Catherine Elizabeth Beam was born on 3 April 1861 in Pennsylvania, USA, Both Catherine's parents were born in Pennsylvania.^2,3 She married Edwin Francis Greathead, son of Francis Tiddy Greathead and Mary Wythe Collins, on 25 August 1884 in Union Methodist Episcopal, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, The register gives Edwin as E Frank Greathead and he was a printer.^2,4 In the census of 1 June 1900 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, she was listed as the wife of Edwin Francis Greathead.⁵ In the census of 20 April 1910 in Delaware, Pennsylvania, USA, she was listed as the wife of Edwin Francis Greathead.⁶ In the census of 5 January 1920 in Norwood, Delaware, Pennsylvania, USA, she was listed as the wife of Edwin Francis Greathead.⁷ Edwin and Catherine sailed on 11 November 1925 from Southampton on board the Majestic bound for New York.³ In the census of 2 April 1930 in 229 Winnea Avenue, Norwood, Delaware, Pennsylvania, USA, she was listed as the wife of Edwin Francis Greathead.⁸ Her husband Edwin died on 4 December 1934 in Pennsylvania, USA, aged 73 from sarconia of the right lung.^2,9,1 Catherine was listed as the head of the family of on the census of 1 April 1940 in Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, Catherine was living with two of her daughters Catherine and Louise.¹⁰ Catherine died on 25 January 1941 in 2601 Parkway, Pennsylvania, USA, aged 79 there was an inquest after her death.^9,1 Catherine was buried on 29 January 1941 in Arlington Cemetery, Drexel Hill, Delaware, Pennsylvania, USA.^9,1

     Kathryn Greathead was also known by the name of Kitty Greathead.¹ She was born on 4 September 1889 in Pennsylvania, USA.^1,2 She was the daughter of Edwin Francis Greathead and Catherine Elizabeth Beam. In the census of 1 June 1900 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, she was listed as the daughter of Edwin Francis Greathead Kitty was at school.³ In the census of 20 April 1910 in Delaware, Pennsylvania, USA, she was listed as the daughter of Edwin Francis Greathead.⁴ In the census of 5 January 1920 in Norwood, Delaware, Pennsylvania, USA, she was listed as the daughter of Edwin Francis Greathead.⁵ She was baptised on 8 August 1925 Kathryn left Bologne sur Mer on 8 August 1925 on board SS Minnekahda bound for New York. She arrived on 17 August 1925 and gave the address she was going to stay at as 1700 Pine Street, Philadelphia.² In the census of 2 April 1930 in 229 Winnea Avenue, Norwood, Delaware, Pennsylvania, USA, she was listed as the daughter of Edwin Francis Greathead.⁶ In the census of 1 April 1940 in Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, she was listed as the daughter of Catherine Elizabeth Beam Catherine was working in the Commercial world.⁷

     Venetta Charlotte Mary Taylor was born on 29 December 1911 in Hartlepool, Durham, England.^1,2 She married Harry Hutton Ryan, son of William Thomas Ryan and Jane Turner, in 1943 in West Hartlepool, Durham, England.³ Her husband Harry died on 12 October 1951 in Hartlepool, Durham, England, aged 72.^4,5 She married Stanley Trotter in 1953 in West Hartlepool, Durham, England.⁶ Venetta died in July 1995 in Durham, England, aged 83.⁷

     Mary Jane Alderson was born about 1868.³ She married John Greathead, son of John Greathead and Jane Johnson, in 1890 in Auckland, Durham, England.⁴ Her husband John died on 8 March 1924 in Waratah, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, John's occupation was listed as a fruiterer.⁵ Mary died on 23 August 1946 in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.⁶ Mary was buried in Sandgate C of E Old Section, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, her husband John and son Norman were mentioned on her card.⁶

     Harry Greathead was born in 1892 in Wallsend, New South Wales, Australia.^1,2,3 He was the son of John Greathead and Mary Jane Alderson.¹ Harry was a salesman who followed the Church of England religion, and gave his address as Stockton, Newcastle, New South Wales and his Mum as the next of kin from the same address.

He enlisted on 20 July 1916 as a Corporal in 3rd Pioneer Battalion, regimental number 64 Headquarters (although the nominal roll states it was 6 March 1916 and as a Private in 3rd Divisional Ammunition Column)

His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria under Roll Number 14/15/1 on board HMAT A62 Wandilla on 6 June 1916. He returned to Australia on 3 March 1919.^1,2 He married Sylvia Evelyn Lenore MacMullen in 1932 in Paddington, New South Wales, Australia.⁴ Harry died on 31 December 1942 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.^5,6,7,8 The will of Harry was proved on 10 June 1943 Administration of the Estate was granted to his widow Sylvia Evelyn Eleanor Greathead. The estate was valued at £3,325 19s 9d nett.⁷

     George Robson Fuller Greathead was born on 6 September 1862 in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia.^3,4,5,6 He was the son of Robert Greathead and Sarah Ann Bright. Robert and his son George used to make a tonic called Greatheads mixture that was sold in Australia as a cure for fevers of all kinds. George was a herbalist. They applied for the patent in 1875, Robert gave his address as 33 Chetwynd St Hotham, Victoria.^7,8 He married Annie Reed, daughter of William Reed and Mary Ann Collar, in 1885 in Maryborough, Queensland, Australia, Sadly of their ten children only three lived beyond childhood.^9,2,3,10,11 On 19 October 1905 George was sentenced to twelve months hard labour for obtaining property by false pretences in Darlinghurst jail, New South Wales. His hair was described as brown to grey, his eyes were brown and he had lost three teeth in his top jaw and two on the bottom. He had two flesh moles outside left upper arm, two small scars on his left forearm. He also had a flesh mole in the bend of his right arm, round scar outside his right forearm, a scar on his left temple and left cheek. Barb scars on right side of neck, a felsh mole below his left nipple and one on left side of back.¹² George died before 1916 in Australia When William Gordon enlisted in 1916 he signed to say his father was deceased and his mother Annie was his next of kin. Was his father dead or was he in prison? He had spent the greater part since January 1912 in prison convicted for false pretences.¹³

     Annie Reed was born in 1865 in Kensington, Victoria, Australia.^2,3 She was the daughter of William Reed and Mary Ann Collar.² She married George Robson Fuller Greathead, son of Robert Greathead and Sarah Ann Bright, in 1885 in Maryborough, Queensland, Australia, Sadly of their ten children only three lived beyond childhood.^4,2,3,5,6 Here is a photograph believed to be of Annie and her two surviving daughters Alice and Ella.⁷ Annie and her daughter Alice appeared on the 1909 Australian electoral rolls as living at 85 McConnell Street, Kensington, Newmarket,Victoria. Alice was a coatmaker.⁸ Her husband George died on before 1916 in Australia When William Gordon enlisted in 1916 he signed to say his father was deceased and his mother Annie was his next of kin. Was his father dead or was he in prison? He had spent the greater part since January 1912 in prison convicted for false pretences.⁹ Annie was living in 74 Bellair Street, Kensington, Victoria in 1916 when her son William enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force.¹⁰ Annie and her children William, Alice and Ella appeared on the Australian electoral rolls in 1919 for 74 Bellair Street, Kensington, Newmarket, Melbourne, Victoria. Annie was listed as home duties, William was a sadler, Alice a tyre hand and Ella a tailoress.⁸ Annie and her children Alice and William appeared on the Australian electoral rolls in 1924 for 74 Bellair Street, Kensington, Newmarket, Melbourne, Victoria. Annie was listed as home duties, Alice a tyre hand and William a grcer.⁸ Annie and her daughter Alice appeared in the 1931 and 1936 Australian electoral rolls for 74 Bellair Street, Kensington, Newmarket, Melbourne, Victoria. Annie was described as home duties and Alice as a tyre hand.⁸ Annie died on 23 April 1945 in Kensington, Victoria, Australia.^2,3,11,12 The Argus newspaper carried the message about Annie's death saying she was loved mother of Alice, Will, Ella Schofield (Oakleigh), grandma of Jean. Cliff, Dorothy.¹²

     William Gordon Greathead was born in 1894 in East Hotham, Victoria, Australia.^1,2,3,4,5 He was the son of George Robson Fuller Greathead and Annie Reed.¹ William was a saddler. He had been apprenticed to Guthridge and Cofor four years. He followed the Church of England religion.

He served for one year in Senior Cadets Area 61A 1911-1912. Another year in Citizen Forces 64th Battalion 1912-13, and a further two and a half years in Army Service Corps 16th Battalion 1913-16.

He enlisted on 6 March 1916 as a Private number 1664 into 60th Battilion, 2nd Reinforcement giving his mother as next of kin and living at 74 Bellair Street, Kensington, Victoria. William was at this time 21 years nine months. He was registered as being five feet 5¼ inches. He weighed eight stone seven pounds. His chest measured 31-33½ inches. He had a medium complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He had a vacination mark on his left fore arm and moles on the back of his neck, left shoulderblade and on the right of hs mouth.

His unit was embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A17 Port Lincoln on 4 May 1916 and returned to Australia on 2 June 1919. During which time he spent some time in hospital in France in 1917 following an injury sustained in a trench during his service in France and England.^1,6 Annie and her children William, Alice and Ella appeared on the Australian electoral rolls in 1919 for 74 Bellair Street, Kensington, Newmarket, Melbourne, Victoria. Annie was listed as home duties, William was a sadler, Alice a tyre hand and Ella a tailoress.⁷ Annie and her children Alice and William appeared on the Australian electoral rolls in 1924 for 74 Bellair Street, Kensington, Newmarket, Melbourne, Victoria. Annie was listed as home duties, Alice a tyre hand and William a grcer.⁷ He married Myrtle Elizabeth Gladys Lock, daughter of Alfred Sam Lock and Mary Ann ..., in 1924 in Victoria, Australia.^2,8 William and Myrtle appeared in the 1931 and 1936 Australian electoral rolls for 55 McConnell Street, Kensington, Newmarket, Melbourne, Victoria. William was a fireman and Myrtle had home duties.⁷ William died in 1971 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.^2,9,10

     Alfred Athol Spencer Greethead was born on 31 October 1896 in Mosman, New South Wales, Australia, Alfred is listed on the New South Wales birth index as being born to Annie, no fathers name is recorded.^1,2,3 He was the son of Henry Frederick Greethead and Alice Maria Gibbins.¹ Alfred was an orchardist and followed the Church of England religion.

He enlisted on 20 April 1915 as a Private 2139 as 2nd Battalion, 6th Reinforcement in Liverpool, New South Wales. He gave his father as next of kin living at Yarramolong, via Wyong, New South Wales.

His unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT Karoola on 16 June 1915. On 7 August 1915 he went to Gallipoli but was evacuated the following day due to diarrhoea. On 16 February 1916 he was transferred to 54th infantry Battalion on the raising of the 55th Battery, 14th Field Artillery Brigade where he became a driver. From 30 June 1916 to the end of the war he served on the Western Front. On 19 May he was wounded in action in the right shoulder and hospitalised for a day before returning to Australia on 21 March 1919. He was discharged on 9 July 1919 from the 2nd Military District and his service is commemorated on the Australian War Memorial.

The 2nd Battalion was among the first infantry units raised for the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) during the First World War. Like the 1st, 3rd and 4th Battalions it was recruited for New South Wales and, together with these battalions formed the 1st Brigade. The battalions were raised within a fortnight of the declaration of war in August 1914 and embarked just two months later. After a brief stop in Albany, Western Australia, the battalion proceeded to Egypt, arriving on 2 December. The battalion took part in the ANZAC landing on 25 April 1915 as part of the second and third waves, and was led by Lieutenant Colonel G F Braund, who was killed in action nine days later. On 6 August, the 1st Brigade led the charge at Lone Pine (Alfred first arrived at Gallipoli the following day). Among the dead was the commander of the 2nd Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel R Scobie, killed during a Turkish counter attack. The battalion served at ANZAC until the evacuation in December 1915. After the withdrawal from Gallipoli, the battalion returned to Egypt. In March 1916, it sailed for France and the Western Front.

The 54th Battalion was raised in Egypt on 16 February as part of the "doubling" of the AIF. half of its recruits were Gallipoli veterans from the 2nd Battalion, and the other half, fresh reinforcements from Australia. Reflecting the composition of the 2nd, the 54th was predominantly composed of men from New South Wales. The battalion became part of the 14th Brigade of the 5th Australian Division. Moving to France in June 1916, the 54th fought its first major battle on the Western Front at Fromelles, on 19 July. It was a disaster. The 54th was part of the initial assault and suffered casualties equivalent to 65% of its fighting strength. Luckily Alfred had transferred to the Artillery prior to his arrival in France. Casualty rates among the 5th Division were similarly high, but despite these losses it continued to man the front in the Fromelles sector for a further two months.^1,4,5 Alfred appeared in 1930 in the Australian electoral rolls as living in Merriwa, Robertson, New South Wales and working as a labourer.⁶ Alfred died on 6 May 1974 in District Hospital, Gosford, New South Wales, Australia, aged 77.^2,7

     William Arthur Greethead was born in August 1886 in St Leonards, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.^1,2 He was the son of Arthur Edward Greethead and Martha Gibbins.¹ He married Bessie Annie Hatton, daughter of Thomas Hatton and Elizabeth McGovern, in 1907 in Milton, New South Wales, Australia.^1,2,3 William was a carpenter and followed the Presbyterian religion.

He enlisted as Private 54198 on 12 April 1918 into New South Wales, Reinforcement 6. He gave his next of kin as his wife Mrs B A Greethead of "Shirley", Glenmore Street, Naremburn, New South Wales. She was living with his parents.

His unit 33rd Battalion embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board Fieldmarshall on 19 June 1918.¹ William enlisted on 29 April 1918 in Liverpool, New South Wales. On 19 June 1918 he embarked from Sydney aboard SS Field Marshal with 6th New South Wales reinforcements. His name appears on the Australian War Memorial panel 122.² He died on 16 October 1918 aged 32 of sickness.^1,2,4 William was commemorated on the War Memorial - Australian Forces Cemetery, Arnos Vale in Bristol although his name is spelt Private William Greathead.⁵ He was buried in October 1918 in Arno's Vale Cemetery, Bristol, Somerset, England, in Grave no 712.^1,2,6 The will of William was proved on 20 May 1919 letters of administration with will was granted to the Public Trustee. His estate was sworn at £671 17s 0d.⁴

     John Greathead married Elizabeth ...¹