Tag: Family History

• Hawker and the old Heneker home

  Posted at 9:53 am by heneker52, on January 13, 2018

   

   

  Photograph taken by Vicki Heneker in September 2017

  Dad’s old house at Hawker, at one stage about 8 people lived in this place, corrugated iron….no verandahs, (not sure if they ever existed). Walking down a driveway next door I peeked through a small dirty window, and could make out a fairly long room, full of old junk furniture and bits and pieces. How I would have loved to go in there. I presume, perhaps wrongly, that it might have been divided off at one stage, when it was the family home. I also think of how hot a corrugated iron dwelling would have been in the middle of a hot Hawker summer, no air conditioner, no fan?

  This is the house in Elder Street, Hawker, South Australia in which my dad and his brothers and sisters grew up in, before they moved to Port Augusta. Visiting it in 2017, after many years, I was shocked to see how small it was, and how I hadn’t remember it that way. I had last seen it when I was a teenager, and dad was with me. It apparently was used as a second hand shop at one time, (according to the cafe owner a few houses away, and the inside seems to have a fair bit of junk in it. It was also last used as a gem shop she told me. 

  Elder Terrace is now a fairly busy area, with the Hawker Hotel on one corner, a busy cafe, and many travellers with caravans and 4WDs parked along the street, often taking time on the lawns of the AW ‘Blue Burt’ Memorial Park, the Hawker Playground and under trees, and seats to drink their cold liquids and eat some lunch. Further north but in walking distance is the Old Hawker Railway Station where the original Ghan train passed through Hawker until 1956.

  Posted in Neville Heneker, Uncategorized | 2 Comments | Tagged Family History, Hawker South Australia

• John (Jack) Edward Heneker

  Posted at 10:41 pm by heneker52, on March 9, 2016

  2nd from the left is “Jack John Edward Heneker” at work on the East-West Railway Line.

  

  Born July 25, 1889, at Beltana, South Australia, John Edward Heneker was the son of Joseph and Christina Heneker.

  “Jack” was one of eleven children, and spent much of his life in the far north of South Australia. In 1913 he married Edith May Grimwood on 23 July 1913, at Hawker, South Australia, in the residence of Edith’s father James Grimwood.

  The couple had 8 children in 18 years, Jack Grimwood Heneker (b. 22/05/1914), Harold Claude Heneker (born 10/12/16), Ivy Lucy Christina Heneker (b. 9/6/1919), Mavis Ethel Pearl Heneker (b. 23/7/1921), Elva Florence Lily Heneker (b 28/9/1923), Allan James Heneker (b. 12/4/1925), Mabel Edith Gladys Heneker (b. 23/10/1926) and Lyle Arnold Heneker (b. 16/11/1932).

  Whilst not a huge amount of information is known about John (Jack) Edward Heneker (at least not to me personally!), I do have some wonderful photographs that have been forwarded to me by a cousin Mr Peter Chapman, and other sources. Research has shown that Jack did get himself into a small amount of trouble in 1934 in Hawker, South Austalia where he was living. According to the “South Australia, Australia, Police Gazettes, 1927-1947 for John Edward Heneker 1934”, John Edward Heneker on complaint, charged with a breach of the Licensing Act, Section 205, at the Royal Hotel, Hawker; fined 5 pounds (reduced to 1 pound) and costs 25 shillings. Evidence obtained by M.C. Ross. Tried at Hawker on 1/10/1934 (C. 7498). [So far I haven’t been able to find out what this section 205 of the act is about so I am not sure of his crime, although it appears to not have been too serious).

  Following are a series of photographs of Jack John Edward and Elsie May Heneker. I found these particulars photographs quite fascinating.

  

  John Edward Heneker – aged 20 years

  

  Edith May (nee Grimwood) and Jack John Edward Heneker with 1st born Johnny Jack Grimwood Heneker in 1914.

  

  Edith May (nee Grimwood) Heneker 1913.

  

  Jack John Edward (aged 52) and May (Elsie) (49) Heneker at home in Hawker, South Australia

  

  Edith May (nee Grimwood) Heneker and son Allan Heneker

  “More photographs to follow: all photographs from my private collection [Vicki Lovell (nee Heneker) 1916”

   

   

  Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged Allan Heneker, Allan James Heneker, Beltana South Australia, East-West Railway, Edith May Grimwood, Elva Florence Lily Heneker, Family History, Genealogy, Harold Claude Heneker, Hawker South Australia, Ivy Lucy Christina Heneker, Jack Grimwood Heneker, John "Jack" Edward Heneker, Lyle Arnold Heneker, Mabel Edith Gladys Heneker, Mavis Ethel Pearl Heneker, Peter Chapman, Royal Hotel Hawker SA

• Friday Faces – Which James Heneker is this?

  Posted at 2:37 pm by heneker52, on February 5, 2016

  My first post for “Friday Faces” is a photograph of, I believe, James Heneker, but which James Heneker, father or son???

  

   This photograph was passed onto me, and someone had written James Heneker on it,(in a digital format) and I believe, they attributed it to James Heneker senior born 1826 – 1917. (Born in Westwell,  Kent, UK in 1826, died Beltana, South Australia in 1917)

   

  

  The black and white photograph above, is scanned from a newspaper obituary for James Heneker Jnr who died in 1926. Although it isn’t terribly clear it may be that someone out there can see any similarities in the top photograph. I believe I can see a likeness, but then again, he may just have looked like his father, and therefore the top photograph could be the original James Heneker.!

  I feel it may be James Heneker Jnr born 1850 – 1926. My main reason for thinking this is that there does not appear to be (so far!!!) any photographs of the senior James Heneker or any of his family members taken in earlier years. There are photographs of James senior, and of him with his wife Mary Ann, in their senior years. As they lived most of their lives (and especially in their later years) in the far north of South Australia, in a very remote location, I tend to think the younger James Heneker may have been more likely to have had a photograph taken of him at some stage.

  James Heneker Jnr, like his father, had many jobs, from carting supplies to miner, and in later life moved to the city of Adelaide to live. As the years went on, it seems to me there was probably more chance of James Jnr having a chance of being photographed.

  The clothing doesn’t really help me, although I could probably find someone who may be able to place the date by the clothing. Not having the original photograph, there is nothing written anywhere that could help me. If anyone has any idea’s I would love to hear them. No matter what, I love this photograph and it would be wonderful if it was James Heneker senior. To see him as a younger man would make my day. James senior was portrayed in later photographs with a beard.

  Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments | Tagged Family History, Genealogy, James Heneker 1826-1916, James Heneker jnr 1850-1926, Photographs

• The search for James Heneker Jnr grave at West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide South Australia

  Posted at 1:18 pm by heneker52, on February 5, 2016

  Today, Friday the 5th February 2016 I drove the 10 minutes into the city (from my house), to try to find the grave of James Heneker Jnr who was interred there on 20 June 1926 at the age of 77 years.

  The cemetery (the largest urban (and very historic) cemetery on West Terrace, in the city of Adelaide, South Australia is beautifully kept with wonderful native flora, and as a treat to me, whilst wandering through the graves and lawns, there were numerous Lorikeets the beautiful green, blue red parrots that sit on the lawns pecking away, or making their raucous sounds up in the gum trees. Other birds sat on top of head stones, blissfully unconcerned by my presence. This was especially touching to me, as my father was a lover and breeder of these wonderful birds. It made me think of him, even though his ashes are scattered up in Parachilna Gorge, in the north, however it seemed appropriate that there were ancestors of the Heneker family lying at rest here in this blissful spot.

  A fair bit of driving around (as this is a very large cemetery),and with directions from their website I finally found Section: Eyre South, Path Number 7S, E/W : W, site number 6.

  Sadly there was no head stone. I think I found site number 6 (although there is no numbering for each individual grave). I took a photograph of the area, which was all I could do. The lovely thing about it was that of all the places it could have been, it was next to the Caroline Clark Memorial Garden. See the photograph below with some information on a plaque.

  

  Photograph taken by Vicki Lovell (nee Heneker) at West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide, South Australia 05/02/16

  The photograph below, is Eyre South, Path Number: 7S, West. I believe the grave (which was site 6) may be one of the unmarked graves on the right between marked graves.

  

  Photograph taken by Vicki Lovell (nee Heneker) at West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide South Australia, on 05/02/2016

  Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged Adelaide, Family History, Genealogy, Graves, James Heneker Jnr, Lorikeets, South Australia, Thomas Henniker 1799 - 1867, West Terrace Cemetery

• James Heneker Jnr.

  Posted at 11:14 pm by heneker52, on February 4, 2016

  The first born child of James and Mary Ann Heneker was James Heneker (Jnr). James was born on the 21 February 1850 at Mount Barker, South Australia. James and Mary Ann were living in the Mount Barker area at this time, well before they later moved to the far North of South Australia. James had arrived in South Australia in 1839 and had married Mary Ann Spencer in 1849.

  James Heneker Jnr appears to have followed in his father’s footsteps, being a man who did many jobs in his lifetime, many similar to those of his father, and probably worked alongside his father.

  James died on 18 June 1926 in Cumberland, South Australia. The Chronicle newspaper on Saturday 26 June 1926 gave the following Obituary:

  “James Heneker, whose death was announced on Saturday, was the eldest son of Mr. James Heneker, of Beltana. He had been in the northern districts for over 60 years. He assisted in erecting he overland telegraph line, as was one of the scouts appointed to prevent the blacks stealing the materials during the building of the Oodnadatta railway. He was known by almost all people north of Hawker, and during his career had been drover, shearer, fencer, teamster, surveyor and miner, both in Queensland and the Territory. he leaves a widow, three children – Mr Robert James Heneker(Cumberland), who was a soldier in the late war, Mrs. Kendle (Kensington), and Mrs Morris (St Peters).

  

  (Above photograph was included in the Obituary printed in the Chronicle)

  Chronicle (Adelaide SA : 1895-1954) Saturday 26 June 1926 pg 59

  Note: the article mentions that James was a scout appointed to prevent the blacks from stealing materials……..today this of course would be unheard of to be printed, or even mentioned. Having Aboriginal family also makes this quite an embarrassment, however that was the times. My understanding, from discussions with my father many years ago before he passed away, was that he had many Aboriginal friends, as I believe his distant relatives did as well. Many of the people they would be referring to, would have been Aboriginal people living in very remote area’s of South Australia, and may have had little contact with the white settlers. However I am sure they were interested in acquiring anything that may have made their lives easier, and in those early days of colonisation, it would have been seen to the Aboriginal people of the land, that if there was something interesting lying around, it was there to be used. One can’t blame them for that.!!!!

  James had a very large family after marrying Christina Graham on 15 November 1888.

  • 1890 – birth of son Robert James Heneker
  • 1893 – birth of son William Heneker
  • 1895 – birth of daughter Jane Heneker at Kensington, South Australia
  • 1899 – birth of daughter Violet Heneker at Walkerville, South Australia
  • 1902-1903 – birth of son Edward William Heneker at Kensington, who sadly died in 1903
  • 1904 – birth of daughter Hilda Grace Heneker
  • 1907 – birth of son Edward William Heneker
  • 1913 – birth of son Harold Keith Heneker.

  It appears that after spending much of his life of his life in the far north of South Australia, James moved to the city of Adelaide in about 1895 where his daughter Jane was born at Kensington, which is a suburb in the Eastern suburbs of Adelaide. Many of the homes in these area’s were and are large stately homes, however I have no knowledge of the type of home the Heneker family lived in and what James was doing once he moved to the city, especially after living such a country life.

  James Heneker was buried at the West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide.

  **As James also led a very interesting and full life, I plan to do more research and try to create a timeline that will fill out the information that is available. I do wonder though how James would have felt being laid to rest at a city cemetery, where so many of his family rest in remote cemeteries in the land they obviously loved.

   

   

   

  Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments | Tagged Christina Graham, Cumberland South Australia, Family History, Genealogy, James Heneker jnr 1850-1926

• A weekend trip to Beltana, South Australia : Part 1 Hawker

  Posted at 6:05 pm by heneker52, on February 3, 2016

  

  [Family home of Neville Laurence Heneker (dad) who was born here on 19 April 1929. This corrugated iron building at Elder Terrace, Hawker, South Australia, held 6 children and 2 adults. (photographed by Vicki Lovell (nee Heneker) on 12 September 2015. Hawker South Australia]

  On the weekend of September 12-13th 2015, I made a trip to the far north of South Australia with my brother from Western Australia and his children. We met up at Port Augusta, me flying up from Adelaide, and they driving over from Coolgardie, Western Australia. We made our way to Hawker, 106 km from Port Augusta, on a good road, in my brothers 4WD. My father, Neville Laurence Heneker was born in Hawker in 1929, so it seemed a good place to start our journey. Although I had been this way in the past, many times with my darling dad whilst he was still alive, it was many years ago. I always remember my dad’s yarns, about his boyhood adventures with mates, many of them young Aboriginal boys. Back then, when you lived in this remote area, there didn’t seem to be a stigma, as there was in the city of being friends with whoever came along. Finding dad’s old house, all shut up, but still looking how I remember was sentimental and amazing at the same time. A long corrugated iron building, with hardly any windows, and with very little viewing opportunity was disappointing. I talked to someone in the local hotel, a few doors down, who said that the people who lived next door were away, and they I believe were the owners. Becoming rather brave, or criminal by trespassing, I opened their gate and knocked on their door. No answer. So I took the opportunity to look through a very old, very dirty paned glass window, into a very dark building. Mainly it seemed filled with bits of wood, a very old wheelchair and other bits and pieces scattered all over. Standing back out on the street, and looking through gaps in the front door, I could just make out the length of the building, with what seemed to be flimsy bits of partition acting as semi-walls. There seemed to be one long corridor running down the right hand side, which was formed by where the partitioning ended. Was the house always like this?? Apparently the building had been used for some years as a “gem” shop. A very old sign could be seen on the side of the house, very faded, announcing it’s use as a gem shop. So it was hard to tell if the interior of the building had been pulled down and reorganised to make it into a shop of sorts. It still seemed unbelievable that a family of 6 children and 2 adults could have lived comfortably in this very hot place. No air conditioning back then! The house was built on a road which faced the main highway that continued on further north to Beltana and beyond. In fact, I wondered if in those early years it may have been the main road. Close by and basically at the end of the town was the old historic railway station. Sadly this has now been made into a resturant, which is a shame as visitors can no longer look further at this building.

  [A side view of the house with it’s very dirty window and locked but rickety side door.]

  

  

  Other side of the house, note the very tiny window up high

  

  [Interesting detail? Ventilation?]

  [Below – A back door taken from over a back fence on the Telephone Exchange property. ]
  

  We spent a few hours here, trying to view through the house. I wish I had asked my dad more about how they lived when he was alive. I remember many stories he told me about the things he got up to as a boy, but never much about the house and how they lived. I think from dad’s stories that he spent more time out camping in the bush with his mates, than at home. It was almost certainly cooler outside, even on the hottest day, than inside this place that was really no more than a shed. I remember dad pointing it out to me on our trips further north, in the summer holidays, when we went camping up at Parachilna Gorge, (where we later scattered dad’s ashes).

  Hawker is a lovely town. Of course there are now some newer homes, but basically it retains the older stone houses of the times, with many residents planting out large native gardens. It is a quiet a peaceful place, especially away from the service station, which caters mainly to the many tourists who now spend their time driving up through the north, in their very large 4 WD’s. I remember dad driving us up there in an old Vauxhall with a water bag on the front. Now people have their caravans, filled with electric refrigerators, radio’s mobile phones, basically home away from home. I sometimes wonder though how much of the outback experience they really gain. My grandfather when he came with us, would have a rock as a pillow and lay out on the sandy soil, stating it was “too hot” to sleep inside the tent. Even our tent was basic, just a large inverted v shape, with no door to zip us in. Those were the days, especially when pa told of us the stories of the lonely graves where men died after falling off their horses, or being bitten by a brown snake.  On this 2015 weekend trip we, on the other hand, spent the night in a pleasant motel, with modern bathroom and comfy beds. However it did have a lovely view from the window of Wilpena Pound, late that day, and early the next morning the pound still gave off the blue misty appearance, which was always to be seen. This comes from the vapour rising from the eucalyptus trees. Next morning, we were on our way again, to Parachilna, Parachilna Gorge and then Beltana. The further north we headed the hotter it became. After a very cold Adelaide winter, with hardly any sun, and with spring starting on the 1st September, we were lucky to have a warm weekend, 29 C in Adelaide, (almost unheard of at that time of the year) and by the time we were heading towards Beltana it was well over 30 C. With dust and wirly winds, reminding us we were heading towards the uninhabited north. How did our Kentish ancestors cope with this weather, after coming from lush green and cold England? Quite well it seems.!!

  Link to town map of Hawker   Town map of Hawker, South Australia

   

   

  Posted in Family History, Flinder's Ranges, Neville Heneker, South Australia, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged Family History, Hawker S.A., Neville Heneker, Port Augusta

• James Heneker and bureaucracy!!!!!

  Posted at 12:49 am by heneker52, on May 9, 2015

  Whilst searching Trove, the National Library of Australia’s free website containing digitised records of Australian Newspapers, I came across an article I had not seen before. This article about old James Heneker made my hackles rise. I felt for my great great grandfather, and wished I could reach out in time and give him a hug.

  The article, published in 1903,  (13 years before James’ death) shows that even back then bureaucracy was at work, trying to get every cent out of the ordinary man. For the things that dear James had done in his long life in South Australia, I could hardly believe the courts had even bothered to take on his case. Thankfully he had an understanding Magistrate, however I felt his humiliation yet strength in telling the court what he thought. The story is as follows:

  Magistrates Court    Beltana, Thursday February 5

  James Heneker, snr., an old man, was charged by Crown Lands Ranger Birt with having removed timber from off leased lands of the Crown without first obtaining a licence, contrary to clause 185 of the Crown Lands Act, 1888. Defendant pleaded guilty. He considered the Government had not treated him fairly, as he had applied and paid for a dray licence, but the Surveyor General would not grant it unless a cutting licence was also taken out. Being an aged man in poor circumstances he could not afford to pay the 10 shillings now demanded for the cutting licence (the fee was formerly 5 shillings), as the wood he was carting was merely firewood picked up in creeks. The Bench considered the Government should have refunded the fees paid or have granted a dray licence, so in the circumstances would fine the defendant 40 shillings but reduce the amount to 5 shillings without costs.

  “Adelaide Observer (SA: 1843-1904) Saturday 21 February 1903 page 4”

  The more I read this article, the more I wonder at why James was even charged by Ranger Birt? Although Beltana was a much larger and busier town than it is today (basically it is known as a ghost town, with some homes being restored mainly by ancestors), it was in a remote outback area of South Australia. James had lived for many years in the town, and was well known by most people in the north of the state. Also, it was interesting that the fee for the licence required had increased from 5 shillings to 10 shillings, which seems a huge jump. The fact that James even had to plead guilty and be in this situation upsets me greatly. I think that even if he wasn’t my great great grandfather, my heart would go out to him after reading this. It seems such a petty thing to try to bring down this strong and hardworking man, to such a position!!!

  

  At their home at Beltana – James and Mary Ann       Heneker

  Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment | Tagged Beltana South Australia, Crown Lands Act 1888, Family History, Genealogy, James Heneker 1826-1916, Magistrate's Court, Mary Ann Spencer

• Lest We Forget….Anzac Day 2015 -100th year of the Gallipoli Landing

  Posted at 11:01 pm by heneker52, on April 14, 2015

  Quite a few of the Heneker boys went away to war, however at this stage I have only been able to find one World War 1 soldier, he being Robert James Heneker, 1890 – 1964. Robert James was the son of James Heneker (jnr) 1850-1926, son of James Heneker, 1826-1917.

  Robert James married Doris Ethel Reeves on 16 November 1912 at Norwood, South Australia

  On the 7 August 1916 Robert James enlisted into the Australian Imperial Forces.

  

  32nd Australian Infantry Battalion

  The 32nd Battalion was raised as part of the 8th Brigade at Mitcham, on the outskirts of Adelaide, on 9 August 1915. Only two companies were raised from South Australian enlistees – another two were formed in Western Australia and joined the battalion at the end of September. The battalion sailed from Adelaide on 18 November 1915.

  The 8th Brigade joined the newly raised 5th Australian Division in Egypt, and proceeded to France, destined for the Western Front, in June 1916. The 32nd Battalion fought its first major battle at Fromelles on 19 July 1916, having only entered the front-line trenches 3 days previously. The attack was a disastrous introduction to battle for the 32nd -‘ it suffered 718 casualties, almost 75 per cent of the battalion’s total strength, but closer to 90 per cent of its actual fighting strength. Although it still spent periods in the front line, the 32nd played no major offensive role for the rest of the year.

  In early 1917, the German Army withdrew to the Hindenburg Line allowing the British front to be advanced and the 32nd Battalion participated in the follow-up operations. The battalion subsequently missed the heavy fighting to breach the Hindenburg Line during the second battle of Bullecourt as the 8th Brigade was deployed to protect the division’s flank. The only large battle in 1917 in which the 32nd Battalion played a major role was Polygon Wood, fought in the Ypres sector in Belgium on 26 September.

  Unlike some AIF battalions, the 32nd had a relatively quiet time during the German Spring Offensive of 1918 as the 5th Division was largely kept in reserve. The Allies launched their own offensive with the battle of Amiens on 8 August, in which the 32nd Battalion participated. It was subsequently involved in the operations that continued to press the retreating Germans through August and into September. The 32nd fought its last major action of the war between 29 September and 1 October when the 5th and 3rd Australian Divisions and two American divisions attacked the Hindenburg Line across the top of the 6-kilometre-long St Quentin Canal tunnel; the canal was a major obstacle in the German defensive scheme.

  The 32nd was resting and retraining out of the line when the war ended on 11 November 1918. On 8 March 1919, after the gradual repatriation of men to Australia, the remnants of the 32nd Battalion were merged with the 30th Battalion.

  https://www.awm.gov.au/unit/U51472/ – Australian War Memorial

  Robert had 2 children listed on his Enlistment form of 7 August 1916.

  Robert James and Doris Ethel were parents to Jean and Robert Reginald James at the time he went to war.

  

  Robert James Heneker came back from the war and lived on until he was 74 years of age, passing away on 13 September 1964.

  World War II

  Henry Tremelling Heneker

  Born on the 23 June 1920 in Hawker, South Australia Henry enlisted at Wayville, South Australia on the 5 July 1943. Henry’s parents were Joseph Charles Heneker and Maureen Sharam. Joseph Charles Heneker was the son of Joseph Heneker, son of James Heneker, therefore Henry was a great grandson of James Heneker 1826-1917.

  Henry married Maureen Sharam of Port Augusta on 21 February 1947 at Port Augusta.

  At the time of Henry’s enlistment in 1943 he was aged 23 years old.

  A photograph of Henry about this time although there is no date.

  

  The South Australian Commonwealth Electoral Rolls, 1939-1943 list Henry as being a Station Hand at Kingooyna. His mother was listed at the same place as “home duties” and his father as a “fettler”.

  Henry Tremelling Heneker : Service Number – SX19927

  Enlistment date: 5 July 1943

  Last Rank: Private

  Last Unit: 2nd/43rd Infantry Battalion

  Henry died on 14th April 2001 at Port Augusta, South Australia.

  ---

  2nd/43 Infantry Battalion

  The 2nd/43rd Infantry Battalion was formed on 17 July 1940 at Woodside camp, in the Adelaide Hills in South Australia. The battalion was initially raised as part of the 8th Division’s 24th Brigade.

  The 24th Brigade was transferred to the newly formed 9th Division in December. The 2nd/43rd left South Australia at the end of December and moved to Melbourne, where it embarked for the Middle East.

  The battalion arrived at Egypt at the end of January 1941. The 24th Brigade disembarked at Suez and entrained for Palestine. The 2nd/43rd went into camp at Khassa, north of Gaza.

  By early 1941 the British advance in the Western Desert had reached El Agheila. In March the 9th Division was brought to Libya, to garrison the area east of Tobruk. The division did not have enough vehicles to bring all its units forward towards Benghazi. Consequently, the 24th Brigade (comprising the 2nd/43rd, 2nd/28th, and 2nd/32nd Battalions) consolidated and stayed in Tobruk.

  The situation quickly changed in April. The German Afrika Korps, leading the Axis counter-attack, pushed the British from El Agheila and the rest of the 9th Division withdrew back into the Garrison of Tobruk. The 9th Division and the 18th Brigade (including the 10th Battalion) defended the “fortress” for the next six months, becoming famous as the “Rats of Tobruk” in the process.

  The 2nd/43rd evacuated Tobruk in the early hours of 17 October, as part of the general extraction of the Australian forces.  They sailed to Alexandria, from where they were transferred to a camp in Palestine and later to Syria and Lebanon for rest, training, and garrison duties.

  By July 1942 the war in North Africa had become critical for the British forces. The Germans and Italians had reached El Alamein in Egypt, about seventy miles from Alexandra. Consequently, the 9th Division was rushed to reinforce the Alamein “box” where they held the northern sector for almost four months as the 8th Army reinforced and re-grouped for a new offensive.

  The 2nd/43rd reached the Alamein front on 5 July and two days later conducted a highly successful night raid. The 9th Division attacked on the 15th. On 17 July the 2nd/43rd and 2nd/32nd (comprising the 24th Brigade) moved inland, fighting to Ruin Ridge. The 2nd/32nd led the attack, advancing to the Qattara Track. The 2nd/43rd then followed towards Ruin Ridge, which was later briefly captured by the ill-fated 2/28th later that month. The 2/28th was overrrun at Ruin Ridge by German armour, with many killed or captured.

  During the general Allied offensive from 23 October to 4 November, the 24th Brigade was in reserve. Its task was to deceive the Axis forces by carrying out a diversionary operation. The 2nd/43rd and 2nd/28th raided enemy positions, while the 2nd/32nd directed a smokescreen and created dummy positions in no man’s land. The 24th Brigade did not take part in the main fighting until the night of 31 October, when it relieved the 26th Brigade and moved up to the ‘Blockhouse’ . On 1 November the 2nd/43rd suffered over a hundred casualties in just one day, its worst day to that point.

  Alamein was a triumph for the Allies although at great cost.  By 6 November Axis forces were retreating, further compromised by failing logistics. But by then it had been decided that the 9th Division was to return to Australia. In December the 2nd/43rd went to Gaza, participating in the 9th Division parade on 22 December reviewed by General Alexander. In January 1943 the Division left for the Suez Canal and boarded troopships for Australia. The battalion reached Sydney on 27 February.

  Alfred Clifton Heneker – Born: 5 September 1914 in Quorn, South Australia

  Parents: Alfred James and Florence Minnie (nee Rogers) Heneker. Father to Alfred James was Thomas Heneker 1860-1942). Alfred was the great grandson of James Heneker 1826-1917

  Service Number:  S31395 Last Rank: 1941: Last Rank: Corporal:

   

   

   

   

   

  Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments | Tagged 32nd Australian Infantary Battalion, Anzac Day 2015, Australian Imerpial Forces, Australian War Memorial, Doris Ethel Reeves, Family History, Genealogy, James Heneker 1826-1916, James Heneker jnr 1850-1926, Jean Heneker, Robert James Heneker, Robert Reginald James Heneker, WW1

• The James Heneker’s at Beltana in 1883

  Posted at 7:10 pm by heneker52, on April 12, 2015

  In 1883 the South Australian Almanac and Directory 1883 by Josiah Boothy was published.

  The 1883 Almanac lists the following information for the township of Beltana, South Australia.

  County: Frome, Electoral Distric of Flinders; 398 miles N. Population: 391; Houses, 70 Post, Telegraph, and Money Order Offices – Postmaster, T. Bee. Local Court– J.P. Buttfield, S.M.; Clerk, H.L. Bullen; Bailiff, John Dann. Full and limited jurisdiction last Thursday in every alternate month. Hotel – Beltana (Samuel Gason); Royal Victoria (George Gates). Communication with Adelaide – Train every alternate day.

  Residents

  Bee, T., post and telegraph master,   Hantke, T.J.C. , storekeeper,  Pearce, T., storekeeper,  Bralla, C. Lineman (telegraph) Hantke, V., storekeeper, Phillipson, N.E. manager Beltana station, Bullen, H.L., clerk local court ,  Heneker, J. gardener, Heneker, J., jun., miner, Powell, J.H., medical practitioner,  Charlton, Geo., miner, Rogers, W., mining captain,  Dann, J., sergeant police,  Hill, W., miner,  Rooney, R., butcher,  Doig, J.J. blacksmith, James, H., fruiterer,  Rowe, W., blacksmith,  Eisfelder, W., saddler, Johnston, W., teamster , Slade, H., teamster, Gason, Saml., Beltana Hotel, Key, Alfred, teamster, Turner, H., Govt. school teacher,  Gates, G., Royal Victoria Hotel, Klisser, C.L., storekeeper,  Windmill, W.H. telegraph operator,  Glynn, Mrs J.,  McDermott, J., mining prospector, Witherley, A.E., overseer Beltana station,  Gunter, W., butcher,  Morgan, W.H., mining prospector, O’Brien, T., railway inspector

  As can be seen by the entry in the directory for 1883, James Heneker is noted as a gardener. This may seem strange considering that James has always been reported in the media of the day as a Bullock Cart Driver and other roles. However by 1883 James was 57 years of age, and perhaps he had slowed down some? It was told to me via family that James had a love of gardening, as I believe did his father Thomas Heneker. So it may be that this was his main occupation at the time. I am sure that at 57, James still had many good years in him, as he did not die until 1971 at the age of 91. However he had already lived a harsh life, albeit a very active and pioneering life. His son, James Heneker is listed as a miner. James was born in 1850, being 33 years of age in 1883. Some interesting points to consider are as shown in the list of the residents of the town, P. Doig, (Peter Doig) the town’s blacksmith and fellow helper in trying to save members of the Johnson family from the terrible fire that occurred on 15 December 1881. Also mentioned as a resident is W Johnson, a teamster whose family suffered in that tragic event. As well as being neighbours, I wonder if Mr Johnson and James Heneker worked together, both being teamsters. And of course they would have both known Peter Doig the Blacksmith well, when visiting him to care for his horses. The details shown in this almanac help us today to see how such a small township would have been affected by any tragedy that occurred. (see “The Terrible Fire” posted on 18 April 2014)

  • This directory was initially published from 1872-1878 as Boothby’s Directory. from 1879-1883 it was published as Boothby’s South Australian Directory. It later became known as Sands and McDougall’s South Australian Directory, which was well known by many South Australian’s.
  • It’s full title I believe was: The Adelaide almanac and directory for South Australia together with official, ecclesiastical, legal, banking and mercantile directory /​ by Josiah Boothby, Esq. It was published by J Williams, Stationer, 1872-1883, Adelaide.
  • These days, for people wishing to search this valuable tool, it is available from a number of sources usually on CD.It is available on CD from Gould Genealogy at  http://www.gould.com.au/. They also have a shop at Shop 1, 1257 North East Road, Ridgehaven, S.A. Ph: 82632055
  • It is also available for viewing within it’s various publication years at http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/17226056?selectedversion=NBD14501677 (only available to view at the National Library of Australia.
  • It is also available on microfiche at the State Libary of South Australia and can be searched online at
  • http://encore.slsa.sa.gov.au/iii/encore/record/C__Rb1915814__Ssouth%20australian%20almanac%20and%20directory__Orightresult__X5;jsessionid=1C8B4447A57F1838910CF16FD292755A?lang=eng&suite=c
  • Some commercial genealogy sites such as Vital Records, and Find My Past have digitised versions of the directory and are a fee paying service.

  

  J. Heneker, gardener
  J. Heneker jun., miner

  South Australian Almanac and Directory, by Josiah Boothby, 1883, page 139

  

  James Heneker, unknown date.

  I am adding the above photograph of James Heneker, which has an unknown date, as I am hoping someone who reads this may know whether it is James Heneker senior born 1826, or James Heneker Junior, born 1850. I have looked for some time to try to date the clothing, however, it is difficult to find much detail. I am tending towards it being James Heneker Junior, only because of the clothing, and that the man looks in his 30’s to me, perhaps even younger? and I tend to think James would have been older by the time a photographer took any photographs. Considering the only photograph’s that exists of James Heneker senior are of both him and Mary Ann Heneker in their elderly years, it again leads me to believe this could be his son James Heneker. I would appreciate any feedback if any reader out there has any idea.

  -30.809722
  138.403243
  Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged Almanacs and directories, Beltana, Family History, Genealogy, Gould Genealogy & History, James Heneker 1826-1916, James Heneker jnr 1850-1926, Josiah Boothby 1837-1916, Peter Doig, State Library of South Australia, W Johnson

• James and Mary Ann Heneker at their Beltana, South Australia home 1897

  Posted at 5:34 am by heneker52, on April 9, 2015

  I have been meaning to post this photograph for some time. I came across it quite a few years ago now, whilst searching the State Library of South Australia photographic collection online. The interesting thing is that I used to work at the State Library, and at the time, in what was the Archives. The State Archives has now been relocated to an outer suburban area, but I wonder if this photograph was there all the time. It is part of a collection by a photographer called Robert Mitchell, who took a series of photographs of the Beltana area, and included some amazing photographs of the Afgan cameelers, who lived in the area and worked with camels, used at the time due to their ability to withstand the heat and lack of water. I will write a further post about their role in the building of the north of South Australia. Back to the photograph of James and Mary Ann. I ordered this to be printed and when I collected it, there was a beautiful A4 size black and white photograph, with so much detail, and the first real photograph I had seen of my great great grandparents that showed me who they were and how they had lived. Having been to Beltana a number of times, with my father, and when I was younger, my memories of that hot barren landscape swept over me, and once again I wondered, how did these people from the green country areas of England manage to not only exist, but flourish, and live long healthy lives in our harsh environment.

  James and Mary Ann Heneker of Beltana, South Australia

  Seen here outside their Beltana home in 1897. This was their main and last home after a long life in South Australia moving around to various locations. James was well known for driving bullock drays and in this photograph can be seen with a buggy and 2 horses. The home has some scraggly looking gum trees around it, and they would have been much welcomed in the scorching heat of the Northern outback of South Australia. As a comparison is a photograph of their home taken in 1951. The owner at that time is unknown to me, and to my knowledge very little now exists of the home, although when I last checked with the Lands Titles Office in Adelaide in 2009, the land had been bought for approx. $1500. If only I had know it was available for purchase I would have tried to buy it myself.

   

  
  James and Mary-Ann Heneker at Beltana, South Australia 1897, Robert Mitchell, Photographer, Pictorial Collection B 47483 ONLINE, State Library of South Australia, accessed by Vicki Lovell on 09 April 2015
  
  Unfortunately the above photograph doesn’t replicate as well when cut and pasted into this blog, however it hopefully still gives a good idea of the bare and isolated land that my great great grandparents emigrated to and thrived in.

  

  The same house in 1951 (photographer unknown). The trees sadly have gone, which must have made the property much hotter in the middle of a hot Australian summer.

  A story that was handed down to me, has been that James Heneker had a love of gardening. The story continued that in the creek that runs somewhere through or around Beltana, was a place where James planted a tree. And the tree became known as the Heneker Tree. I am not sure where he would have planted the tree, as outback creeks are prone to “flash floods”, and usually the way you can tell there is water around (when in the outback) is to look for a line of trees, as it will mean a creek bed. Whether there is water in the creek is another thing of course!

  -34.950151
  138.571257
  Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments | Tagged Afgan Cameleers, Beltana South Australia, Family History, Genealogy, James Heneker 1826-1916, Maryann Spencer, Robert Mitchell Photographer, State Library of South Australia

• Archives

  • December 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2020
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • April 2018
  • January 2018
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • May 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • July 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014

• Copyright

  • About this blog
  • Books to read, to learn, to love
  • Copyright
  • Useful websites

• Recent Posts

  • Family Secrets Reply 21/12/2022
  • Family Secrets 18/12/2022
  • Remembrances by Mary (Jemima) Henniker (nee Willis) and her early life with Thomas Henniker 06/01/2022
  • Joseph Spencer 01/01/2022
  • Thomas Henniker (1799-1867)…. the cottage and land at Kanmantoo in 1875. 21/12/2021
  • Elizabeth Ann Heneker & the Yandell family 19/12/2021
  • James Heneker (1826-1917) 21/11/2021
  • The William Henry Henneker x William Henry Henneker query! 19/11/2021
  • Does anyone know about this William Henry Henneker of Port Adelaide? 16/11/2021
  • Joseph Heneker saves the day..again! 01/11/2021

• Blogs I Follow

  • Heneker - a Pioneering family from Kent to South Australia
  • Chronically Batgirl Colours
  • Do As I'm Doing
  • starryblackness
  • OZLAP
  • pastsmith
  • taggerty
  • Western District Families
  • Family Fractals
  • London Traveller
  • Minimal Millennial
  • https://simplenotplain.com
  • Isle of Dogs Life
  • lazycoffees
  • Bound for Australia
  • Andrew's Archives
  • The Family Kalamazoo
  • Opening Doors in Brick Walls
  • thestreetnames
  • Pacific Paratrooper

• May 2023

  M	T	W	T	F	S	S
  1	2	3	4	5	6	7
  8	9	10	11	12	13	14
  15	16	17	18	19	20	21
  22	23	24	25	26	27	28
  29	30	31

• Topics

  Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy 1780-1854 clock maker Bishop Short Bremer Mine Chris Rogers Colin REED bike Cooper's Creek, Queensland Edward John Woods architect Emigration England Family History Flinder's Ranges Genealogy Heneker Hothfield Memories James Heneker Jane Heneker Kent - Henniker Early history of family Local history Marriages Mrs Johnson and family Neighbours Neville Heneker REED Family, Colin Oliver Reed, Thomas Hepburn Reed, Kenneth Fea Reed, WW1, Hawker, South Australia Sir John Henniker South Australia Surname Henniker The S A Chronicle Thomas Henniker birth Uncategorized Windorah, Qld

• Info

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com
• Search for:
• Follow Heneker – a Pioneering family from Kent to South Australia on WordPress.com

• Follow Blog via Email

  Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

  Email Address:

  Follow

  Join 21 other subscribers