Paddy Gorman

BIRTH & BAPTISM First name(s) Henry Evered Last name Gorman Sex Male Birth year 1897 Birth place Thorpdale Father's name James Mother's name Rose Mother's last name Diver Registration number 23247 State Victoria Country Australia [Note Paddy might be recorded as Evered/Everard or Edward]

I can now confirm, after finding a note from a conversation with Jean Gorman, that Paddy was named after an old and particular friend of his father, James, Henry Evered, a friend from Prahran where he was a road making contractor and landlord. Henry Evered's daughter Florence Grace, married Charles Husband Pitchforth, also from Prahran. Son Athel Gorman is perhaps named for Mr Pitchforth's son, Athol born Prahran circa 1886. This information originated with Aunty Nell (Tilgner). Henry Evered was a wealthy man who migrated from Suffolk, England, and Charles Pitchforth migrated from Ripon, Yorkshire where his father was a woolen draper merchant. It seems very probable that James began work with Henry Evered shortly after his arrival in Melbourne and learned about road making, skills he then utilised as a road maker in Childers district. James also likely met the Diver family in High St Prahran in this period from 1877 - 1880 because he seems to have moved with them to Childers circa 1880, worked as a contractor with Sampson and his son Jabez Edwin Diver, and in 1990 married Rose Hannah Diver.

Jean and Len Gorman, now both sadly deceased, collected what they could of family photos and records. Many of them are in Paddy's docs and media, including photographs and letters. Much of the information re the Gormans, apart from historical research, is thanks to Jean and Len, children of Paddy's brother Athel/Athol.
I also have had access to a copy of Jim Tigner's "Thorpdale Narracan Childers A Journey into Yesterday 1876-1976" which has a small section for Childers, the Gormans, Divers and Tilgners.

1st AIF First name(s) Henry Everard Last name Gorman Service number 416 Rank Private Unit or regiment 24Th Battalion Enlistment year 1915 Enlistment date 22 Mar 1915 Non-effect date 31 Oct 1917 Fate Returned to Australia Country Australia Record set Australian Imperial Force Nominal Roll 1914-1918 No. 416, Henry Evered Gorman (recorded as Henry Edward) enlisted in the AIF as a Private and was enrolled in the 24th Infantry Battalion. He embarked on HMAT Euripides, from Melbourne, for Egypt on May 10th 1915.

First name(s) Henry Edward [Paddy's name was Henry Evered] Last name Gorman Service number 416 Rank Private Birth year 1897 Marital status Single Occupation Labourer Religion Methodist Age at Embarkation 18 Embarkation year 1915 Embarkation date 10 May 1915 Embarkation regiment/unit 6Th Infantry Brigade Unit information 24th Infantry Battalion Unit information 2 "B" Company Departure port Melbourne, Victoria Ship name Hmat A14, Euripides Enlistment date 22 Mar 1915 Address Childers City Gippsland State Victoria Country Australia Next of kin's first name(s) Rose Next of kin's last name Gorman Next of kin title Mrs Relationship Mother Next of kin address Childers Next of kin city Gippsland Next of kin state VICTORIA Next of kin country - Record set Australian Imperial Force Embarkation Roll 1914-1918

The 24th Battalion was raised in May 1915 at Broadmeadows Camp in Victoria, as a unit of the all-volunteer Australian Imperial Force (AIF). Along with the 21st, 22nd and 23rd Battalion, the 24th formed part of the 6th Brigade, which was assigned to the 2nd Division. It had originally been planned that the battalion would be raised from personnel drawn from outside of Victoria and it was designated as an "outer states" battalion meaning that it would draw its recruits from the less populous states of Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia; however, due to the large number of recruits that had arrived at Broadmeadows at the time it was decided to raise the battalion there, from Victorian volunteers. As a result of the hasty decision to raise the battalion very little training was carried out before the battalion sailed from Melbourne just a week after being formed.

Organised into four rifle companies, designated 'A' through to 'D', (Paddy was in "B" Company) with a machine gun section in support, the battalion had an authorised strength of 1,023 men of all ranks. After arriving in Egypt, the 24th completed its training during July and August before being sent to Gallipoli in early September as reinforcements for the forces that had landed there in April. Arriving on the peninsula on 4 September, the 24th served in the Lone Pine sector, taking over responsibility for the front line on the 12 September. The position was very close to the Turkish trenches and was hotly contested. The position was so tenuous, that the troops holding it had to be rotated regularly, and as a result the 24th spent the remainder of the campaign rotating with the 23rd Battalion to hold the position against determined Turkish mining operations. The battalion remained at Gallipoli for three months until the evacuation of Allied troops took place in December 1915. Following this they returned to Egypt where they took part in the defence of the Suez Canal. In early 1916, the AIF was reorganised and expanded, to prepare it for further operations. In March 1916, the AIF's infantry divisions began transferring to France and Belgium to serve in the trenches of the Western Front. Their first major action in France came at Pozières and Mouquet Farm in July and August 1916, after which over the next two-and-a-half years the 24th Battalion took part in many of the major battles undertaken by the Australians in Europe. In 1917, after the Germans shortened their lines and withdrew to the Hindenburg Line, in May the 24th took part in the Second Battle of Bullecourt where the battalion suffered over 80 per cent casualties, before later in the year attacking around Broodseinde. (From Wikipedia)

Paddy was at Gallipoli when his older brother Maurice was killed, and was at his burial near the beach of Anzac Cove.

204th Casualty List, Sept 1916 WOUNDED Private H. E. Gorman, Childers.

The Bendigo Independent 2 June 1917 AUSTRALIAN CASUALTIES 306TH LIST. Wounded Pte. Henry Evered Gorman, Childers

In 1917, while on injury leave from the Western Front, Paddy visited cousin Cissie (Margaret), daughter of Ellen Gorman/Morgan, in Leicester where she was a teacher. According to Jean Gorman, Cissie told him stories about his father, James before he came to Australia.

416 Pte GORMAN Henry Evered, 24th Battalion, enlisted 22 March 1915, RTA 31 October 1917? badly wounded several times. [Paddy was still having WW1 shrapnel removed when he died]

Yarragon, Trafalgar and More Settlement News 24 Jan 1918 DISTRICT NEWS. FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS CHILDERS. Private H. Gorman, who was invalided home recently after nearly three years service, was the guest of the residents of the district on Friday evening, 11th January, at a complimentary social. The hall was prettily decorated with miniature flags. In the absence of Mr W. Pearce, Mr A. Cooper occupied the chair. The proceedings opened with the National Anthem and three cheers for the guest, after which came the following songs and recitations:— Home Sweet Home, Violet Lumsden and Minnie Cooper; duet, Mrs F. Wells and Miss Lobb; recitation, Miss May Cooper; song, Rath Wells, God bless our Soldiers; song, Mr R. Mayo; recitation, Miss F. Pearce. A number of games, jolly miller, musical chairs, poisoned handkerchief, etc, were played. The chairman, after a humorous speech which evoked much merriment, on behalf of the citizens of Childers presented Private Gorman with a gold medal suitably inscribed, and called on Mr Wright, 'Church of England reader, of Thorpdale, to address the meeting Mr Wright spoke of the heroism of those who have gone to defend their country and the claim they have on those who stay at home, and expressed the hope, that there would be many more welcomed home shortly. Mr Walker, Mr H. Taylor, and Mr W. Wells also, spoke. Private German, who was accorded an ovation, briefly thanked those present for their kindness and good wishes. After partaking of the good things provided by the ladies, a dance was held, the music being supplied by Miss Diver, Mr R. Mayo acting as M.C, Owing to the social having been arranged somewhat suddenly the attendance was not as large as it would have been had. everyone known about it. This, however, did not interfere with the harmony of the gathering, which was marked by great cordiality.

From JIM TILGNER
"....on their return from active service, Paddy Gorman and Perc Bromfield formed a milling enterprise which was well known during the 1920's and early 30's. They supplied scantlings rg rafters to the building trade, packing cases to industry and untold thousands of packing cases to orchardists."

I have put a picture of Paddy's saw mill in media.

" It was said by their contemporaries that the tree hadn't grown that Dolph Tilgner and Paddy Gorman couldn't springboard their way to the top."

DITTO 17 June 1920 [Gorman and Diver partnerships continue – probably Paddy]

Diver and Gorman £10, Removal of Office, &c. £12 6s 3d, 

DITTO 13 May 1920 [Must be Paddy and William Jabez] W.J. Diver and H. Gorman, for road-making and scrub-cutting through Hooper's land and boundary, £10.-To be paid for next meeting.

Morwell Advertiser 15 Jan 1932 WEDDING. MURRAY—BAILLIE. A tastefully decorated church formed an appropriate setting for the marriage of Mr Reginald Murray to Miss A. Baillie, which took place on Saturday afternoon, in the Morwell Methodist Church. A large gathering was present at the ceremony and Rev. \V. C Edwards officiated. The bride attired in white satin, carrying a bouquet composed of white roses, pin cushions, snapdragons and fern, was given away by her father. Miss G. Baillie, a sister; was in attendance upon the bride and wore blue crepe-de-chene. Roses, gladiola and carnations formed her bouquet. Mr H. E. Gorman of Warragul acted as best man. Miss G. Hicks organist, provided appropriate music at the service. A happy gathering of relatives and friends attended at the home of bride's parents, Mr and Mrs R.G. Baillie of Tyers, at which the usual toasts, were duly honored. As both parties are well known in the district they were recipients of many congratulations and good wishes. Their future home will be Brown Coal Mine. [H E Gorman of Warragul is Paddy, and Reg Murray is a member of the Gorman/Diver/Cook/Murray clan who were all well known in the area]

WORK The Herald 8 July 1935 NEW COMPANIES Buxton Sawmills Pty. Ltd, sawmillers, etc. Regd. office, Mary Street, Preston. Capital, £5000 in £1 shares. Directors: William Carter Cook, Percy Morrison Bromfield,' Henry Evered Gorman, and Margaret Mary Cook. [Paddy and his cousin are investors in a new timber milling company at Buxton]

2nd AIF

Australian National Archives have him registered under his WW2 regimental number VX 26117 (Yes he enlisted for another round. Paddy joked that he had to go to look after his nephew Maurice Gorman, my father. They were great mates.). See docs

Henry Evered GORMAN Regimental number 416 Date of birth 10 October 1900 Place of birth Childers, Victoria Religion Methodist Occupation Labourer Address Childers, Gippsland, Victoria Marital status Single Age at embarkation 18 Next of kin Mother, Mrs Rose Gorman Childers, Gippsland, Victoria Enlistment date 22 March 1915 Rank on enlistment Private Unit name 24th Battalion, B Company AWM Embarkation Roll number 23/41/1 Embarkation details Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A14 Euripides on 10 May 1915 Rank from Nominal Roll Private Unit from Nominal Roll 24th Battalion Fate Returned to Australia 31 October 1917 Other details Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Also served in World War II: enlisted, 26 June 1940; discharged, 17 July 1942, as VX26117, Private, 2/5 Bn Reinforcements. Miscellaneous details Second given name incorrectly entered on Embarkation Roll as Edward. Date of death 15 August 1975 Age at death 74 Place of burial Childers Cemetery, Victoria

MARRIAGE Gippsland Times 27 Jan 1947 GORMAN - NEUMANN. On January 18th, the marriage between Pearl Emily, second daughter of Mrs. Neumann .and the late Mr. J. A. Neumann, of Perry Bridge, and Henry Evered (Paddy) Gorman, of Mirboo North, was solemnised in the Perry Bridge church by the Rev. A. Lyons, of Sale. The church was tastefully decorated by the ladies of the congregation. The bride, who was given away by her brother, Mr. Jack Neumann, made a dainty picture in a powder blue frock with white accessories, carrying a posy of pink and blue flowers. Miss Evelyn Neumann, sister of the bride, made a charming bridesmaid attired in a two-tone frock of pink and wine with wine accessories. She carried a posy of matching flowers. The duties of the best man were carried out by Mr. J. McCormick, of Traralgon, a friend of the bridegroom. Organ music was provided during the service by Mrs. Lyons. During the signing of the register Mrs. T. Horton, of Childers, a friend of the bride, sang "I'll Walk Beside You." The reception was held at Jane's Cafe in Sale, where the bride's mother, assisted by Mrs. R. P. Warriner, sister of the bride, received the guests. Mrs. Neumann wore a mushroom pink frock with black accessories and had a floral shoulder spray. Mrs. Warriner wore a floral frock of autumn tonings with white accessories. The bride and bridegroom left by car for their honeymoon. They will reside at Mirboo North.

Pearl was "Miss P Neuman, teacher at Childers Primary school in 1943") ref. Jim Tigner

DEATH & BURIAL First name(s) Henry Evered Last name Gorman Age 77 Sex Male Birth year 1898 Death year 1975 Father's name James Mother's name Rose Diver Death place Mirb State Victoria Registration number 20332

Henry Evered Gorman Birth Year: 1898 Age: 77 Death Place: Mirboo, Victoria Father's Name: James Mother's Name: Rose Diver Registration Year: 1975 Registration Place: Victoria Registration Number: 20332

First name(s) H.E. Last name Gorman Birth year - Death year 1975 Death date 15 Aug 1975 Cemetery Thorpdale/Childers Cemetery City Thorpdale 3835 State Victoria Country Australia

Record set Victoria Wills & Probate First name(s) Henry E Sex Male Last name Gorman Grant year 1975 Death year 1975 Occupation Rtd Residence Mirboo North State Victoria Country Australia Nature of grant P Country of residence Australia Death date 15 Aug 1975 Grant date 07 Nov 1975 To whom committed - File number 796/546