Private William Finlay FLEMING

On his enlistment into the A.I.F on the 4th of August 1915, at Seymour, William Finlay FLEMING was aged 22 years and 1 month.

*above photos used with permission from the owner at that time.

He was 5 foot 5 and a half inches tall and weighed 150 lbs.

His complexion was ruddy and eyes and hair brown. 

William's surname was spelt FLEMMING in some records.

Like his younger brother David Claude FLEMING, his religious denomination was Presbyterian.

William was the eldest son of Finlay FLEMING and Jessie nee SPLATT of King Valley.

Only 4 years before his enlistment he narrowly escaped severe injury in an accident that was reported in the local newspaper.

The North Eastern Despatch. 
Wednesday, March 22, 1911 - page 2
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A narrow escape - Wm Fleming aged 20, a son of Mrs. Finlay Fleming, King Valley, had a remarkably narrow escape from serious accident on Monday.  He was driving a draught horse attached by chains to a log, 8 feet long by about 2 feet in diameter, when the animal became fractious, and in an endeavour to regain control, Mr. Fleming fell.  The horse trod on his chest, but fortunately did not rest it's full weight on him.  As the animal moved away, the leg grazed the side of Mr. Fleming's body, making numerous bruises.  There was a good deal of internal bleeding and the sufferer was brought into D. Henderson, who found that his injuries were fortunately not serious.

further information at 

 8th Light Horse Regiment (Victoria) [3rd Light Horse Brigade]

William's unit the 8th Light Horse Regiment, 12th Reinforcement embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A11 Ascanius on 10 November 1915.

Troops on board HMAT Ascanius (A11), as it departs. A small boat is seen in the left foreground.

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

 This item is in the Public Domain

In December 1915 William reported for duty at Heliopolis. In February 1916 they marched out to Serapeum and some other places they were recorded at were Port Said, Abasan, Tripoli and later Moascar which was a hospital camp. 

I can't find any mention of why he was there.

At one stage at Port Said William was reported for being "Out of Bounds" and deprived of 28 days pay.

In August 1917 he trained as a Gunner and passed in the Hotchkiss gun course.

William returned to Australia per PT Sydney on the 5th of March 1919 and was discharged on the 21st of March 1919.

He died at the age of 80 years on the 24th of April 1974 at Wangaratta. It seems he didn't marry.

Tribute page for our Servicemen

52 Ancestors Week 23 - Wedding - Daisy Morgan and Archie Fleming 1932

My maternal grandparents were married on the 8th of October 1932.

A quiet but pretty wedding was celebrated at the home of the bride's parents "Willow Bank" Moyhu, on Saturday, October 8th, when Daisy Marion, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, became the wife of Mr. Archie W. F. (third son of Mrs. D. Fleming "Valley View", King Valley, and the late Mr. D. Fleming).

The Rev M.C. Day of Wangaratta officiated.  The charming bride, who was given away by her father, was tastefully gowned in ankle length white satin with a yoke of silk lace.  A fitting bodice and slender skirt with fullness given by inlet pleated flares.  Her beautiful veil of embroidered tulle (lent by her sister Mrs. D. Jones) was worn cap fashion, and held by a wreath of orange blossom.  She also wore a necklace of crystal beads, and carried a bouquet of semi-sheaf arum lilies, intermingled with maiden hair fern and white satin streamers.  The bride was attended by her sister Miss Mavis Morgan, whose pretty ankle-length frock of powder blue  satin, with puff sleeves, looked very attractive with her head band of satin and flowers.  Her pretty posy was of arum lilies, maiden hair fern and pink satin streamers.  Mr. H Fleming was best man.  Immediately after the ceremony satin horse shoes were placed on the arm of the bride by her little brother Bert, and little Graeme McLaren (nephew of the bridegroom) and Caroline Jones (neice of the bride).  After the ceremony a reception was held at the home of the bride's parents.  The tables looked charming, the central decoration being a tiered wedding cake.  The bride's travelling frock was of maroon crepe-de-chene with hat to tone.  The bride's gift to the bridegroom was a travelling rug and that of the bridegroom to the bride a xylonite toilet set and to the bridesmaid a xylonite clock.  Many beautiful presents were received, including many cheques.  The future home of Mr. and Mrs. Fleming will be at "Greenfields" King Valley.

Sunday's Obituary - Donald Fleming

Wangaratta Chronicle, Saturday December 24th, 1921                                                                                                                                     Mr. Donald Fleming died suddenly on Thursday afternoon, Thursday 22nd December, 1921, at his home in King Valley.  He appeared to be in his normal state of health that day but about 4 o'clock he collapsed and died.  The occurrence was reported to Constable Harry, of  Whitfield, and an inquiry was held by J.J. Stephens, J.P. of Whitfield when a verdict of death from natural causes was recorded.

The late Mr. Fleming was a son of Mr. and Mrs W.F. Fleming of Edi and 62 years of age.  Born at Castlemaine and after some years residence in the Goulburn Valley district he settled at King Valley about 30 years ago, and there with Mrs. Fleming and members of his family carried on mixed farming, dairying receiving most of his attention.

Mr. Fleming took an interest in many district movements and was an active worker towards their success. He was a member of the King Valley school committee and a trustee of the cemetery. He was well respected in the district and the news of his sudden death was heard of with deep regret by the residents.

Mr. Fleming, who was married at Echuca to Margaret Hart is survived by his wife and grown up family of 10 children. Members of the family are:- Messrs Alf (Melbourne), who was the 14th man to enlist in the A.I.F. rising to the rank of lieutenant: Donald; Archie; and Harold Fleming (King Valley)
Mesdames H. Crockett; Black; and Routledge (of Albury); Mrs A Barry (Myrtleford) and Misses Nellie and Myrtle Fleming (King Valley)

Brothers and sisters of the deceased are:- J.K. Fleming (Wangaratta); W.J. Fleming (Northcote) and M. Fleming (Wyalong NSW) Mesdames Tuckett (Kensington); Worrall (Brunswick); and Thompson (Nth Melbourne)

Interred at King Valley ? (Edi) cemetery yesterday. G.V. Steele in charge of arrangements.

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My great grandfather, Donald Fleming, was born on the 16th of December, 1860 at Spring Hill.  The third child of eleven and second son of William Finlay Fleming and Ann Jane nee Knight who settled at Kotupna, Northern Victoria in the 1870s and in 1901 moved to the King Valley in the North East.

Trove Tuesday - more on Sgt Major Albert Henry Percival Fleming

For the  Trove Tuesday theme by Amy Houston from Branches, Leaves & Pollen 

I was searching for further news articles to include in my post about my Mum's Uncle  Sgt Major Albert Henry Percival Fleming  

I found an article that was not yet available so I registered for an email to be sent to notify me when it was ready.  

The email came through last Wednesday and this is the article 

Sunday's Obituary - Margaret Fleming nee Hart

My great grandma Fleming was born Margaret Hart on the 23rd of July 1869 at Eglinton, Clunes, Victoria.  She was the eldest daughter of Peter Hart and Agnes nee Mason.

Margaret Fleming nee Hart (seated) with two of her daughters, Maggie and Nellie.

Margaret married Donald Fleming on the 13th of November 1889 and they had eleven children who all lived  well into middle and old age.  Margaret died on the 24th of August 1960 at King Valley.  She was 91 years of age.

OBITUARY FOR MRS MARGARET FLEMING

from Wangaratta Chronicle-Despatch Wed 31st Aug. 1960.

The funeral of one of the first pioneers of the King Valley district was held on Friday 26th August 1960.
Mrs Margaret Fleming, aged 91 years, who with her late husband, was the first to take up a selection of the Hyem estate more than 63 years ago.
The Rev. C.L. Oliver, warden of St Columbs Hall officiated at home and at the graveside.
Coffin Bearers:-
D and H Fleming (sons) H. Rutledge and D McLaren (sons in law)
Pall Bearers:-
R. Vines (son in law); S. Fleming (nephew); J. Ball (son in law); A Crockett; K. Vines; F Fleming and H Black (grandsons) and J Ball ( brother in law) .
Mrs Fleming is survived by the following members of her family:-
May (Mrs Crockett of Albury); Donald (Edi); Essie (Mrs. Black of Bacchus Marsh); Millie (Mrs Rutledge of Echuca); Margaret (Mrs Ball of Myrrhee); Nellie (Mrs Vines of Myrtleford); Myrtle ( Mrs McLaren of Shepparton); Archie (Shepparton) and
Harold (King Valley).  One son Albert predeceased his mother.
George Handley in charge of funeral arrangements.

Sunday's Obituary - Donald Fleming

My great grandfather, Donald Fleming.  (1860 - 1921)

Every time I look at his photo I see his son (my grandfather) Archie's smiling eyes.

Wangaratta Chronicle, Sat Dec 24th, 1921.

Mr. Donald Fleming died suddenly on Thursday afternoon, Thursday 22nd December, 1921, at his home in King Valley.  He appeared to be in his normal state of health that day but about 4 o'clock he collapsed and died.  The occurrence was reported to Constable Harry, of  Whitfield, and an inquiry was held by J.J. Stephens, J.P. of Whitfield when a verdict of death from natural causes was recorded.

The late Mr. Fleming was a son of Mr. and Mrs W.F. Fleming of Edi and 62 years of age.  Born at Castlemaine and after some years residence in the Goulburn Valley district he settled at King Valley about 30 years ago, and there with Mrs. Fleming and members of his family carried on mixed farming, dairying receiving most of his attention.

Mr. Fleming took an interest in many district movements and was an active worker towards their success.  He was a member of the King Valley school committee and a trustee of the cemetery.  He was well respected in the district and the news of his sudden death was heard of with deep regret by the residents.

Mr. Fleming, who was married at Echuca to Margaret Hart is survived by his wife and grown up family of 10 children.  Members of the family are:-  Messrs Alf (Melbourne), who was the 14th man to enlist in the A.I.F. rising to the rank of lieutenant.; Donald; Archie; and Harold Fleming (King Valley)

Mesdames H. Crockett; Black; and Routledge (of Albury); Mrs A Barry (Myrtleford) and Misses Nellie and Myrtle Fleming (King Valley)

Brothers and sisters of the deceased are:-  J.K. Fleming (Wangaratta); W.J. Fleming (Northcote) and M. Fleming (Wyalong NSW)

Mesdames Tuckett (Kensington); Worrall (Brunswick); and Thompson (Nth Melbourne)

Interred at King Valley ? (Edi) cemetery yesterday.  G.V. Steele in charge of arrangements.

Wedding Wednesday - Archie Fleming and Daisy Morgan

1932

A quiet but pretty wedding was celebrated at the home of the bride's parents "Willow Bank" Moyhu, on Saturday, October 8th, when Daisy Marion, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, became the wife of Mr. Archie W. F. (third son of Mrs. D. Fleming "Valley View", King Valley, and the late Mr. D. Fleming).
The Rev M.C. Day of Wangaratta officiated.  The charming bride, who was given away by her father, was tastefully gowned in ankle length white satin with a yoke of silk lace.  A fitting bodice and slender skirt with fullness given by inlet pleated flares.  Her beautiful veil of embroidered tulle (lent by her sister Mrs. D. Jones) was worn cap fashion, and held by a wreath of orange blossom.  She also wore a necklace of crystal beads, and carried a bouquet of semi-sheaf arum lilies, intermingled with maiden hair fern and white satin streamers.  The bride was attended by her sister Miss Mavis Morgan, whose pretty ankle-length frock of powder blue  satin, with puff sleeves, looked very attractive with her head band of satin and flowers.  Her pretty posy was of arum lilies, maiden hair fern and pink satin streamers.  Mr. H Fleming was best man.  Immediately after the ceremony satin horse shoes were placed on the arm of the bride by her little brother Bert, and little Graeme McLaren (nephew of the bridegroom) and Caroline Jones (neice of the bride).  After the ceremony a reception was held at the home of the bride's parents.  The tables looked charming, the central decoration being a tiered wedding cake.  The bride's travelling frock was of maroon crepe-de-chene with hat to tone.  The bride's gift to the bridegroom was a travelling rug and that of the bridegroom to the bride a xylonite toilet set and to the bridesmaid a xylonite clock.  Many beautiful presents were received, including many cheques.  The future home of Mr. and Mrs. Fleming will be at "Greenfields" King Valley.

Daisy Morgan and her sister Mavis is bridesmaid.

My maternal grandparents, Daisy Morgan and Archibald William Finlay Fleming were married for 45 devoted years.