Looking back at Uncle Jack Crutchley (1912-1961)

J.E. Crutchley, Lockhart war memorial

Contents

• Preamble
• Family
• Lockhart & Milbrulong
• Off to War
• Home Again
• Early Death
• References

Preamble

Memory is a strange thing .... I was born on 22 September 1956 at Bulli, on the New South Wales south coast, in a small coal mining town located approximately 50 miles (80 kilometres) from Sydney. 1956 - the year of rock 'n roll. One of my earliest memories is of visiting the farm of my Uncle Jack situated far away in the south-western part of New South Wales near the Victorian border, at a place called Milbrulong, near Lockhart. I can remember the old telephone on the wall of the farm house, the chicken pen out the back, and the form of a tall, big man standing over me - I cannot remember his face. Apart from that there is really nothing. I must have been about 4, making it around 1960-1. I think I travelled there with my grandmother Kate, my mother Roma and my sister Denise and new born brother Terry. Perhaps we went by train, from Bulli to Central, south to The Rock, and then by bus and taxi to the farm. I don't know about the latter as that is not part of my memory, though I do remember standing next to a big black steam train on one of the platforms at Central Station, Sydney, and being lifted up into the engineer's compartment to assist in driving the train. As a kid I loved steam trains, and this experience obviously reinforced that. Whether it was connected with the trip to see Uncle Jack is now not clear.

It has always been of interest to me that I should remember those few specific elements of my childhood, as I never subsequently met Jack - he passed way shortly thereafter in 1961 from cancer at the relatively young age of 48. Having been stationed in the Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, with the Australian Army following the cessation of war in 1945, it was assumed at the time that his cancer derived from that post-war experience. When I put all these dates together now, it seems likely that we visited Jack with the knowledge that he had cancer and would not live long. My mother Roma died at the end of 2019 and I can no longer query her on this. I can remember her, on a few occasions, pointing out that Jack died from cancer as a result of his war service, and that he was a big, strong, healthy man up until then. She never spoke to me much about his life, and perhaps this was due both to the trauma of his early death and the fact that he spent his life located so far away from her own on the coast at Wollongong and Bulli, at least seven hours away by train / car back in 1960. He was also the oldest child and she the youngest, with some 18 years between them. So, who was Uncle Jack? What of his life? What did he do? What did he achieve? These are questions I should have asked my mother before her passing. I am now constrained to know him only from those few memories mentioned above, family history records, a few photographs that as of now are buried away amongst the box of material packed up when Roma died, and other records such as infrequent newspaper reports and official records such as those recording his birth, death and war service. This blog will bring that material together, and hopefully we can discover something of Uncle Jack along the way.

Family

Jack Edgar Crutchley was the first born of the five children of Katherine May Keevil (1890-1963) and Edgar Robert Crutchley (1884-1955). They comprised:

* Jack ("Mo") Edgar, born at St Kilda, Melbourne, 1 December 1912

* Philomena May (Maisie) b.1915

* William ("Willy" or "Bill") Joseph, born at Hay on 25 September 1921

* Terence ("Terry") Robert, born at Orange on 22 February 1924

* Roma Mary, born at Lockhart on 31 March 1930

Jack's father Edgar, born at Hay, was a railway employee – a camp cook and ganger – during the 1910s and 1920s, working throughout the state, including for a period in the Blue Mountains area. By the time of Roma's birth in 1930, Edgar had developed an arthritic paralysis which limited his ability to work and walk. This resulted in him being put on a small invalid pension. As a result, Jack's mother Kate (born Catherine May Keevil) was forced to seek employment to help support the family, initially as a domestic servant, but then with the railway, operating gates at various crossings such as Wagga Wagga and Unanderra.

The family was Catholic. We do not know much about the early years of Jack's life. In 1921 his sister Maisie is noted in a Catholic school fancy dress dance at Hay in south-western New South Wales near the Victorian border. In 1926 Jack, then aged 13, is recorded as attending Saint Michael's Convent School at Coolamon, located just north-west of Wagga Wagga. He notable life was just about to begin.

1929 - 1939: Lockhart & Milbrulong

By 1929 - when Jack was aged 16 - the Crutchley family was living in Lockhart, south west of Wagga Wagga. They may have been there for some time. Jack is recorded as playing football for the Lockhart Juniors. He left school after receiving his Preparatory Intermediate Certificate - equivalent to 3rd form or Year 9. Jack was to spend the rest of his short life - apart from his years of war service - in the Lockhart area, working, and eventually residing, at nearby Milbrulong. Football, in the form of the Victorian Football League known as VFL, was an early interest for the young Jack, and we are fortunate that his activities in this area are frequently reported in the local Lockhart newspaper up to its demise at the end of 1954. These accounts, though often short, are significant in our journey to discover something about his life. And they begin in 1929. The following is a typical example:

* The Lockhart Review and Oaklands Advertiser, Tuesday, 23 July 1929.

Football

The following team will represent Lockhart Juniors against Urana on Sunday next for the Cowin Cup: — A. Jones, A. Croft, A. McKenzie, R. Chambers, K. Peitzel, V. Haberecht, C. Jennings, C. Goodes, W. Dowdle, H. Lehmann, T. Lane, Jack Healy, Jim Healy, C. Vance, O. Renner, E. Plum, M. Alchin, R. Robinson. Emergencies: J. Crutchley, W. R. Ziebel, B. Lowe.

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Two years later he was a member of the Trojans football team.

* The Lockhart Review and Oaklands Advertiser, Tuesday, 4 August 1931.

Trojans team for Lockhart v Rock here on the 9th — Dowdle 3, Ziebell 2, Healy 2, Jennings, Bourke 2, Butler 2, Doherty, Lehmann, Crutchley, Vance, Williams, Harrington, Hoban, -(e's), Maiden, Lehmann Gurney.

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Jack was also a member of the Lockhart Cricket Club, and served primarily as a bowler throughout his long cricketing career. A typical record of a game played during 1933 is seen in the following excerpt from the local newspaper, with Jack on that occasion taking one wicket and scoring five runs for the Lockhart team in its nineteen run loss to Milbrulong. 

* The Lockhart Review and Oaklands Advertiser, Tuesday,  28 March 1933.

During 1933, at the age of 21, he was a member of the minor premiership winning Lockhart football team, participating usually as a fullback. He went on to take part in the infamous, and rowdy, grand final match of that year. It ended in an on field riot, with two of the players being arrested by the police for fighting, and the umpire abandoning the match. The following account is very descriptive of the incident, which attained national notoriety at the time.

* The Lockhart Review and Oaklands Advertiser, Tuesday,  3 October 1933.

FOOTBALL FIASCO

LOCKHART ROBBED OF WONDERFUL CHANCE

WAS UMPIRE TERRORISED BEFORE THE GAME STARTED?

ASSOCIATION ASKS FOR REFUND OF HIS FEE

 

The whole of N.S.W. and Victoria seems to know about the football fiasco at The Rock on Saturday,  when Mangoplah and Lockhart were supposed to play the grand final match for the premiership, but didn't. Newsboys in Melbourne on Saturday evening, ran round crying out: 'Football Riot,' and sold theirevening papers like wildfire. All along telegraph and railway telegraph lines the news flew and people were ringing up from Melbourne and various towns to find out who were the players injured. The Saturday night's edition of The Wagga Express had a double column headline, and the Monday's Wagga Advertiser had a lengthy reference, which on account of its one-sided nature, created disgust at Lockhart, and the Secretary of the Club (Mr. Murray) took the earliest opportunity of asking the paper to correct the report. According to his own Statement, thee Judiciary Commissioner of The Rock and District League supplied the reports to the Advertiser. Reviewing the situation, it would seem that the racecourse urger and whisperer has nothing on the football variety. Reports and rumours were circulated by the urgers. Mangoplah was told what 'Nimmo was going - to do.' Lockhart was told that Mangoplah were going to 'get' Nimmo in the first ten minutes.' The players on both sides were gradually worked up into a fever and went on to the ground on Saturday expecting the worst and hoping for the best. Through the crowd of 800 spectators there surged the same feeling of expectancy that extraordinary things were going to happen. ... And what of the umpire? On the way to the ground we were told what a wonderful umpire he (Mr. Smith) was. He had umpired Richmond Collingwood matches, etc. What came over him for this match is hard to imagine. It appeared to many that he too was obsessed with preconceived visions of what the match was going to be, and one player on the Lockhart side seemed to be uppermost in his mind. However that may be, he did not adopt the tactics usually adopted at these matches. He did not call the players together and give them the usual caution against foul play and the penalties he intended to adopt. In such an important game where the two teams might reasonably be expected to be keyed-up, this was surely an oversight.

When the first important breach of the rules occurred, instead of cautioning the players concerned, he called over Constable Chalker and the game was stopped and the names of "W. Dowdle" and "J. Robinson" were taken. A little later, the game was stopped again and Constable Chalker again came on to the ground and took A. Nimmo's name. Players and spectators were in a ferment of excitement. Most of them had never seen an umpire hand over control to the police in that way. Now as to the game itself, the Lockhart captain won the toss and elected to kick towards the railway end with the aid of whatever wind there was. The teams got to business quickly from the bounce. Lockhart was the first to open the scoring with a single which resulted from a penalty kick given Dawdle, who put it to Hodgson, the latter making a good effort but just a little outside the goal posts. The kick-out led to scrambling play in which Lockhart showed up anything but brilliantly and Mangoplah stepped into the breach and worked it well down along the wing, smartly scoring a sixen through Meryyn Cooper. The bounce found Lockhart again lacking so far a good football was concerned and courted penalties which resulted in Mangoplah scoring their second goal, through McMillan. Again from the bounce, Mangoplah got possession and further penalties in their favour brought them into a scoring position, but a poor shot only brought forth a single. They were not to be denied, and helped by frees again, Robinson, from a mark, shot in a low one from the centre. Lockhart were still a little too anxious and were getting themselves into trouble with the umpire, much to Mangoplah's benefit. Eventually they got a move on and came towards Mangoplah's goal. It was at this point that incident No. 1 occurred (between, the umpire, Dowdle, Robinson, and P.C. Chalker). On the game resuming, Croft pluckily got the ball from two opponents and Dowdle had a shot which resulted in a second point. From the kick out, Mangoplah were still receiving rewards, much to the dismay of the Lockhart supporters, some of whom were already seeing visions of another trouncing for Lockhart. A fourth goal to Mangoplah made the score: Mangoplah, 4-1; Lockhart 0-2. It looked anything but a rosy outlook for the lads in red and blue. Much to the relief of their friends, a change came over the game soon after the bounce — Lockhart's ruck men, Vance and Nimmo performing well. Hodgson got a mark in front, but a fair distance from the goal. He kicked it good style, and Pigdon, who was playing forward for the first time, marked cleanly and beautifully in the goalmouth. Coming out a fair distance, he made it a certainty, registering Lockhart's first goal. This success bucked up the Lockhart lads considerably. They were again smartly at it from the bounce until there was a dramatic scene — incident No. 2 (between the umpire, Nimmo and P.C. Chalker. The game resumed a third time and Lockhart continued to make their presence felt, Nimmo eventually gaining possession and kicking to Hodgson, who scored a sixer with a beautiful towering punt that raised the two flags for Lockhart's second goal. Following the bounce, Mangoplah took a hand, getting the ball down in style. The Lockhart' defenders were doing their utmost and seemed pleased that only a point and not a goal resulted from this fresh attack. The half-backs, after the kick-out, shook off their opponents efforts towards further scoring, and once more Hodgson, who was showing good form, got possession from Vance and another good punt put up the two flags a third time in Lockhart's favour. Matters were decidedly on the improve for the red and blues and, of course, their supporters on the boundary were quick to appreciate the rally the players had made. They were all as keen as mustard, marking and handling well. Another goal was wanted badly, before the quarter ended.

§ ****************** §

§ THE SCORES EVEN: §

§ ****************** §

With time taken off for the incidents, it appeared to be a long quarter. The wanted goal came from Hodgson, who smartly got possession from out of a pack, and kicked it through from a shot off the side of his boot. The scores were now even: 4 goals 2 behinds each. The Lockhart men were playing that way now that there seemed to be every indication that they had mastered Mangoplah, who now appeared disorganised and rattled. The proof that they were rattled came when Jim Healy (who had been playing great guns) got possession, after skillfully beating his opponent. He ran off in great style towards the Mangoplah goal when D. Robinson, of the Mangoplah team jumped on him, tightening his arms around Healy's throat, almost choking him. It was a savage assault and Healy endeavored to punch off his opponent. Another Mangoplah player rushed towards Healy, apparently to join in the attack, but was intercepted by Nimmo, who however slipped on the long, damp grass, and he and Robinson went down together. Then there was an orgy that was more becoming to a cannibal feast than to a football match. Mangoplah players kicked at Nimmo when he was down and it was a merciful thing for him that some of the kicks directed at him did not get on to a vital spot. One man remarked afterwards that it reminded him of a pack of dogs around a rabbit. Robinson, poor fellow, did not escape kicks either when Lockhart players rushed to Nimmo's assistance, and he rolled and groaned in pain. Biscaya, who had run up to save his team mate, wrestled and punched, other players on both sides quickly joining in the general melee. It was a disgraceful scene however one might wish to excuse it.

Constable Chalker was promptly on the scene and he 'deemed it prudent, in order to terminate further trouble, to arrest both Nimmo and Robinson. There was general confusion amongst players and spectators and although most people restrained themselves admirably, the excitement was so intense that one did not know what to expect next. The constable got his two men outside the fence and a crowd surged round him, making an awkward and threatening situation. By a judicious use of his baton, the constable dispersed the crowd and took his charges first to the lock-up, where they were charged and let out on bail. Hodgson was suffering most and he subsequently had to be carried from the car into the "Rosebeth" private hospital, where Dr. Marshman examined him. When the doctor recognised Nimmo as the man he had seen being kicked on the football ground, he also examined his injuries, there being very definite signs of boot marks on Nimmo's back and sides.

To return to the football oval, it seemed that the umpire had acted upon the principle that the umpire who umpires and runs away lives to umpire another day. He left the ground, grand final or no grand final, and rumour has it that he locked himself in a room at the hotel. When Mr. Peter Sullivan (President) and other officials of the Association saw him later, he definitely told them that he would not return to the ground.

What was to be done? The Lockhart men were called together several times on hearing reports that the match might go on. Mr. Thompson, a Wagga League Umpire, was interviewed by the Association officials and agreed to umpire the match, but Mangoplah officials declared "A Melbourne League umpire or none at all." At last it was realised that the match could not go on. The crowd gradually dispersed and some of those who had just entered the ground had a word or two to say to the gatekeepers, who also deemed it advisable to be absent without leave.

THE CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE

Summing up the cause of the trouble, it may be classified thus: Idle, vicious gossip. Rough play on both sides.

HOW IT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED

Better control on the part of the umpire. By calling both teams together and a lecture on the point delivered to them either by the umpire or by the police. Constable Chalker handled an ugly situation admirably and our reference to a lecture by the police is suggested by the fact that at various other places the players have responded admirably to a police appeal that rough play should be cut out. The situation now is puzzling - most people and on every hand is heard what is likely to be done. A delegates' meeting to be held at The Rock on Wednesday evening will decide the matter.

The gate money on Saturday totalled £32.

Messrs. D. Smith (Osborne) and V. Poole (Milbrulong) were goal umpires.

THE UMPIRE AND HIS PAY

By the rules of the Victorian controlling body, the umpire's remuneration has to be paid in advance. On the ground that he did not fulfill his engagement properly The Rock and District League telegraphed that payment should be withheld.

THE TEAMS

On Friday night last, the Lockhart selectors (Messrs. D. O'Connell, J. Murray and G. Cowin) met and finally decided upon a team. Trusting to memory, I think this is the first time this year that Lockhart has fielded the selected team, which was as follows: — G. Cowin, W. Vance, A. Lowe, L. Biscaya, W. Gurney, W. Alchin, C. Hodgson, A. Nimmo, A. Jones, A. Croft, J. Crutchley, F. Gwillim, J. Healy, D. Lane, T. Lane, E. Pigdon, W. Dowdle, C. Jennings, H. Bourke (19th.).

The Mangoplah team included :-- P. Lloyd (captain), W. P. Lloyd, W. F. . Lloyd, E. Lloyd, J. Lloyd, A.
Robinson, J. Robinson, D. Robinson, D. Kelly, S. Butts, M. Cooper, E. McMillan, C. Doherty., A. Lawison, R;, Robinson, H. Veering, L. Priestley, P. Armstrong, R. Carlon (19th.).

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At the end of 1933 Jack's family left Lockhart for Orange, located north-west of Bathurst. On 24 November the local newspaper reported on various presentations given prior to departure to his sister - who they referred to therein as Mavis - by the Girls Gymnasium Club, the Lockhart Musical Society and the Hockey Club. Jack nevertheless maintained close contacts with his family after that.

* The Lockhart Review and Oaklands Advertiser, Tuesday, 10 April 1934.

MILBRULONG

Crutchley spent the Easter holidays with his parents at Orange.

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Jack was a keen football player and transferred from Lockhart to the Milbrulong team in 1934. In 1935 he played in the grand final against Lockhart, though his team went down. His footballing prowess was nevertheless noted:

* The Lockhart Review and Oaklands Advertiser, Tuesday, 17 September 1935 

BEST AND FAIREST PLAYER

 

Football enthusiasts throughout the district will be pleased to learn that Joe Driscoll, the popular captain of the Mittagong Club was the winner of the medal donated by Dr. Abey for the best and fairest player in The Rock and District League. Alf Croft of Lockhart was second and Dan. Gleeson, of Osborne, 3. It is understood, also that Jack Crutchley, of Milbrulong, was fourth. The winner was decided on the vote of the players, no player being allowed to vote for a member of his own team. In all, 29 players received votes. We congratulate the winner.

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By the middle of 1935 it would appear that Jack's family had returned to Lockhart, as his brother Willy was then attending the local Catholic Convent school. 

In March 1936 the two towns faced each other in the cricket final. During that year Jack was also one of Milbrulong's star players in VFL.

By 1937 Jack's mother Kate Crutchley was operating the railway gates at Wagga Wagga, on the main line between Sydney and Melbourne. Around this time the then 24 year old Jack was working for the Lynch Brothers on a farm at Milbrulong, according to the following newspaper account:

* The Lockhart Review and Oaklands Advertiser, Tuesday, 5 January 1937 

SHOCKING FATALITY AT MILBRULONG

MAN FRACTURES SKULL

The uncertainty of life was once more exemplified at Milbrulong on Monday, December 29th. Mr. Jack Crutchley and Mr. Edrick Butler, both employees of Messrs. Lynch Bros., the well-known Milbrulong farmers, had brought a load of wheat into the Milbrulong Station on Monday morning. Butler, with the idea of getting back to the farm earlier to attend to the draught mares, espied a motor truck which he and Crutchley thought belonged to Mr. Naughtin. On getting up to the truck it turned out to be not Naughtin's, but a truck owned and driven by Mr J. H. Semmler, of Yerong Creek, who was wheat carting in the district. Butler asked Mr. Semmler to give him a lift as far as Lynch's corner on the County Boundary road. The truck driver gave his consent and Butler settled on a heap of bags behind the cabin of the truck, talking to the driver as they went along. Approaching the crossways at Lynch's, the driver slowed up and without giving any warning of his intention, Butler jumped off and accidentally got under the rear wheel of the truck, fracturing his skull.

 

The detailed facts were elicited at an inquest conducted by Mr. A.C. Cowin (Coroner) at the Lockhart Court house on Monday afternoon.

 

Sergt. H. F. Burton deposed: I am a Sergeant of Police and reside at Lockhart. At 10.45 a.m. on the 29th. inst I received a telephone message from Milbrulong Post Office advising me that a man had been killed by a fall from a motor lorry on the road near Lynch's farm. When I arrived at the scene I saw the body of a man lying on the side of the road. I was informed by bystanders that it was the body of a man named "Edward" Butler. I examined the deceased. The head and face were covered in blood and the left eye swollen and discoloured. I examined a lorry standing nearby. I noticed marks on the off wheel and the off side mudguard. Both wheel and mudguard appeared as if they had struck some object. The lorry belonged to Mr. J. H. Semmler, of Yerong Creek. The body was conveyed to the Lockhart Police Station. I took charge of deceased's effects. I found nothing there to assist in the identification of the deceased. A reference from the Tasmanian Railway authorities was the only correspondence there. The reference gave the deceased's name as Edrick Butler. I was informed that the deceased had a son an electrical engineer at Canberra. I sent a telegram to the Canberra police asking for information, but have not yet received a reply. I did not know deceased personally.

 

Dr. A. M. Abey deposed: I am a medical practitioner and reside at Lockhart. Shortly after 10.30 a.m. on the 29th. inst I received a telephone call saying there had been a serious accident at Milbrulong. I left immediately and on arrival found the dead body of a middle-aged man lying on the side of the County Boundary road, Milbrulong. I was informed that the name of the deceased was "Edward" Butler. On examination I found that he had been bleeding freely from the right ear and there were multiple rib fractures. The body was lifeless, but warm when I got there. In my opinion death was due to a fractured skull. He appeared to be a man of 55 years of age. I did not detect any sign of alcohol.

 

By Police: In my opinion the injuries to the head were sufficient to cause death.

 

J. H. Semmler, carrier, residing at Yerong Creek deposed: Returning from Milbrulong about 10.30 a.m. on the 29th. inst. with an empty motor lorry, I approached Mr. Lynch's waggon and a man walked out towards me and hailed me. He asked me for a ride to the corner. I cannot recall his exact words. I said "Yes." He got up on the back of the motor lorry. He sat on a heap of empty bags at the back of the cabin of the lorry. He was speaking to me as we went along. As I was slowing down at Lynch's corner on the County Boundary road to allow him to get off I felt the back wheel go over some object and on looking around I saw deceased attempting to get up. I got off the lorry and went back to him and saw that he was badly hurt. I then went to a house near-by for assistance. There was no one else about at the time. When deceased got off the truck it was travelling at between eight and ten miles per hour. Deceased got off the truck before I anticipated he was going to get off. Deceased made no remark as he got off the truck. Deceased was a stranger to me.

 

By Police: Deceased made no reference as to where he was going to get down, except that he said "at the corner." He did not speak after he got off the lorry. I pulled up as soon as I saw deceased was lying on the road. I could not say exactly the distance the lorry travelled after I felt the bump. I would say the distance would be about ten yards. I have driven motor cars about seven or eight years. I have never had any previous accidents. At that particular spot the road is two or three chains wide.

 

By Coroner: I am a licensed driver. It was my intention to stop and I was steadying up the truck when deceased fell off.

 

Edward Patrick Lynch deposed: I am a farmer and reside at Milbrulong. I was down in my paddock about 10.30 a.m. on the 29th inst when a little girl came down to me and said someone was dying. I did not catch the name. I returned home immediately and went out to the County Boundary road. I saw Mr. Semmler, the motor driver holding deceased's head. As soon as I saw he was badly hurt I ran back to the house and got the girls to ring the doctor and Police. I think deceased was alive when I first reached the scene, but am not certain of that. I knew deceased about thirteen months. In November 1935, I engaged him to work for me as a farm hand. He stayed until February this year with me and my brother. I did not see him again until the 16th. November, 1936. My brother had brought him from Lockhart to work again as a farm hand. I always know him as "Ted" Butler. Deceased never mentioned that he had relatives, but he told my son that he had two daughters and a son. I understood from what I was informed that a daughter lived at Brisbane. He was a steady man as to habits and a very good worker.

 

Peter Joseph Lynch deposed: — I am a farmer and reside at Milbrulong. Deceased worked for my brother and I. This year he started work on the 11th. November, 1936. He had received some of his wages but there was an amount of £10/16/9 due to him at his death. I saw deceased sign his name as "Edward Butler." That was last year. I have not seen him sign this year. I thought he signed Edward, but I am not certain of that now. He never mentioned his religion to me.

 

The Coroner said it was one of those sad happenings that occurred unexpectedly. No blame was attached to anyone and his finding was that deceased had met his death accidentally.

 

THE FUNERAL

The interment took place at the Lockhart Catholic cemetery on Thursday, the Rev. E. B. Ryan, P.P. performing the last rites. The carriers were: Messrs E. P. Lynch, J.T. Lynch, J. J. Nolan and W. Angrove. Amongst the floral tributes sent was a wreath from the Milbrulong silo employees.

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During February 1937 Jack was one of the organisers for a H.A.C.B.S. (Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society) dance at Milbrulong's School of Arts. His close association with his Catholic religion and its related social scene is herein noted. Jack never married, unlike his brothers and sisters. His association with football at Milbrulong continued on through to 1939, initially as an honorary secretary and treasurer of the local club, and even turning to umpiring as his active membership of the on field team waned.

* The Lockhart Review and Oaklands Advertiser, Tuesday, 1 August 1939

FOOTBALL

The Rock junior footballers visited the local ground on Sunday, in quest of the Cooper Cup. They were

not successful however, the locals proving too strong for them. The scores were: Milbrulong 6-18; The

Rock 3-11. Mr. Jack Crutchley, who acted as umpire, seemed to revel in the fact that he was 'out ' of the

sticks for once.'  

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A rather strange entry appears in the local newspaper during late 1939, suggesting that Jack had been living in Sydney, at Mosman, and suffered an illness or injury necessitating convalescence. 

* The Lockhart Review and Oaklands Advertiser, Tuesday, 17 October 1939:

Jack Crutchley has returned to his home at Mosman after convalescing at "Eulo Glen.'' Four of our local troopers are at present in camp at Wagga.

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This would suggest that Jack was in the military at the time, but no record to support this has been located. This injury or illness may have been one of the reasons he later suffered from cancer, with a system weakened by his military career. Jack nevertheless continued to play football and cricket through to 1940, according to reports in the local newspaper. During September of that year the now 27 year old also participated in the Milbrulong mixed doubles tennis competition, partnered with Miss. E. Lynch, likely the daughter of his employers, the Lynch brothers. This was the last reference to Jack in the local newspaper for the time being, as the country was otherwise occupied with a new world war and the threat of invasion by the Japanese.

1940 - 1945: Off to War

In 1940, following the outbreak of war and seeking a better life for the family, Kate and Edgar Crutchley moved to Unanderra, just south of Wollongong. Here Kate took up a similar role with the railway on the Wollongong section of the main line which ran between Sydney and Melbourne via Moss Vale. My mother Roma, then aged 10, clearly remembers the overnight rail journey from Wagga Wagga to Sydney on a steam train packed to the rafters with young soldiers heading off to war. All of the family, except for Jack and Maisie, travelled to Wollongong via Central. Jack had already found employment around Lockhart, working on a farm at Milbrulong, whilst Maisie was working in Sydney prior to pursuing a career as a nurse and marrying Russell Smith.  

After war broke out in September 1939,  and prior to the middle of 1942, nothing precisely is known of Jack's activity apart from what is outlined above. His unknown injury may have forced him to put off any thought of heading off to war. However this was to change as June of 1942 came around. Jack went on to serve with the 20th Australia Motor Regiment, service number VXM24715, wherein he reached the rank of Lieutenant Corporal. Unfortunately there were no detailed records available online for this period of service in the Australian Archives. However, a later Attestation Certificate does exist and it tells us that on 26 June 1942, at the age of 29 years and 6 months, he signed up at Puckapunyal, Victoria. His service number was changed to VX81707, but he was still with the 20th. 

Jack Edgar Crutchley, Attestation Form. Source: National Archives of Australia.

On the certificate his birth date is given as 1 December 1912, though it appears he was actually born in 1913. It is possible Jack spent his next few war years as a Private in the 20th Australia Motor Regiment, serving overseas in areas such as Papua New Guinea. Hopefully further research will reveal details of this service. With the war in the Pacific coming to a close during the first half of 1945, Jack took some leave. He was home at Milbrulong on 28 March 1945, participating in a local cricket match against Brookdale. However, his military days were not yet over.

 

1945 - 1948: Serving in Japan

 

Following the surrender of the Japanese in September 1945, the Australian government decided to participate in the occupation of the defeated nation through involvement with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF). This was an especially difficult decision for many of the soldiers who had fought against the Japanese, or been subject to barbaric and tortuous treatment at their hands and within various prisoner of war camps. As a result, there was a real hatred of the Japanese amongst many of the Australian soldiers. Therefore, the thought of heading off to Japan to assist in the disarmament process was not a job enthusiastically taken up. Nevertheless,  Jack and Terry decided to sign up for this service and later in the year they joined a new regiment - the 65th Australian Infantry Battalion. It was raised at Morotai, Netherlands East Indies (present day West Irian), in late 1945 to serve as one of the three (65th, 66th and 67th) Australian Infantry Battalions which made up the 34th Infantry Brigade in Japan (Wood 1998, Australian War Memorial 2021). These units later (at the end of 1948) became the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment, and formed the nucleus of the post-war regular Army. 

 

The fact that both Jack and Terry were not married may have been behind their decision to answer the call and serve with the BCOF. Unfortunately, this was to have negative repercussions on both their lives. Terry, whilst in Japan, developed an addiction to saki, the Japanese alcoholic drink, and following his return to Australia this alcoholism continued. It was supported by his residency at the Oxford Hotel, Wollongong. He remained a solitary figure for the remainder of his life, rarely engaging with his brother and sister who lived nearby. My mother Roma always said that the war ruined Terry - she felt he was too young. Jack, on the other hand, appears to have suffered an early death as a result of his work with the BCOF in the Hiroshima Precinct. He was not the only Australian soldier to develop cancer in later life as a result of deployment there. Nevertheless, this was all in front of the two men. Prior to departure for Japan, Jack make a quick visit home. This was reported in the Lockhart newspaper on 29 January 1946:

Pte. Jack has been enjoying a few days with old pals at Milbrulong. Jack expects to meet Ross Garratt at Tokyo.

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The first boats carrying the Australian soldiers to Japan arrived there on 21 February 1946. Jack returned home briefly to Australia on leave aboard the Kanimbla on 21 September 1947 but was back in Japan on 24 December. Whilst serving with the BCOF Jack was to attain the rank of sergeant. Australian newspapers reported on the troops in Japan as they worked at disarming the country, helped with the cleanup, and secured the peace, under the overall control of the American General Macarthur. Each of the groups of occupying forces was allocated an area of control. The Australians drew the short straw, with the US and UK sending them off to the toxic Hiroshima area and other sites within the country.

* The Kalgoorlie Miner, Monday, 26 August 1946.

Australians in Japan

GUARD DUTIES IN TOKIO

London, Aug. 23.— Reuter's Tokio correspondent says that on September 1 the 65th Australian Battalion will take over for a month the ceremonial guard duties of the British Commonwealth occupation forces in Tokio from the Fifth Gurkha Rifles.

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Jack had reached the rank of Sergeant with the 65^th Australian Infantry Battalion by the time he was discharged on 21 December 1948. This was almost a decade in which he served in Australia, the Pacific theatre, and with the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces (BCOF) in Japan.

Jack Edgar Crutchley, BCOF Nominal Roll, Australian War Memorial.

His brother William Joseph "Bill" / "Willy" Crutchley (138945) had enlisted on 28 December 1943 and served as a mechanic with the Royal Australian Air Force, reaching the rank of Leading Aircraftman. He never served overseas and was discharged at war's end, on 20^th December 1945. Jack's youngest brother, Terence Robert Crutchley (NX152081) had joined up on 22 February 1943. He served with the 20^th Pioneer Battalion and subsequently saw some service overseas with Jack and with the BCOF in Japan. However, he was discharged on 10^th October 1946 due to health and mental issues, whilst his brother continued to serve in Japan for another two years. Upon his return to Australia Jack appears to have again taken up his farming at Milbrulong, while Bill found employment as a mechanic in the Illawarra region and Terry worked at the Port Kembla steel works. Neither Jack nor Terry ever married, with the latter living alone in a room at the Oxford Hotel, Wollongong, and Jack on his farm at Milbrulong.

1949 - Home again

Jack had returned home to Milbrulong by early January 1949 and initially stayed on a farm there with some friends.

* The Lockhart Review and Oaklands Advertiser, Tuesday, 18 January 1949:

Jack Crutchley, after nearly three years in Japan with the B.C.O.F., recently received his discharge, and is now visiting the Pertzel family at 'Morningside,' Milbrulong. Jack came home by air, the plane landing only at Manilla, between Japan and Darwin.

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According to his sister Roma, he eventually received a solder settlement farming property at Milbrulong in return for his war service and spent the rest of his days there. It was this farm that the family visited during 1960-1, as described at the outset of this blog. From 1949 through to 1961 Jack appears to have remained an active member of the Lockhart / Milbrulong community, in between his farming activities. This can be seen in the numerous reports within the local newspaper The Lockhart Review and Oaklands Advertiser up until it ceased publication at the end of 1954. He was active as a bowler in the Milbrulong cricket team through to at least the 1954/55 season, and honorary secretary and treasurer for their football (VFL / AFL) team, though his playing days were over by then, having played only as an emergency reserve in the 1951 competition.

In July 1954 Jack was one of the pall bearers at the funeral of Mr. Joe Lynch, farmer of "Dunolly", Milbrulong. Jack had worked for the Lynch brothers prior to the war.

* The Lockhart Review and Oaklands Advertiser, Tuesday, 12 October 1954: J. Crutchley accompanied by Mr. Dunlevey and P. Prest visited Wollongong last week. Jack informs us that his mother is keeping well but his father is not very well.

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1961: Early death

We know that Jack died of cancer, and Roma always told me that it was a result of his service in Japan, and specifically Hiroshima. He passed away at Lockhart on 20 August 1961 and is buried in the Lockhart cemetery, Roman Catholic section I1. His name is on the Lockhart Law Cemetery War Memorial. He was only 48 years old. The death of Jack marked an end to the Crutchley family's association with that area of southwestern New South Wales, stretching from Lockhart north through Wagga Wagga and up to Orange. The current author only came to know this part of the world when, in 2021, he moved to Murrumburrah near Yass and, in 2022, ran for the federal seat of Riverina, which took in much of the aforementioned area. The chance to visit Jack's grave has, to date, not occurred, but hopefully will in the near future.

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References

British Commonwealth Occupation Force 1945-52 [webpage], Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 2021. Available URL: https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/atwar/bcof.

Gerster, Robin, Travels in Atomic Sunshine: Australia and the occupation of Japan,

James Wood, The forgotten force: the Australian military contribution to the occupation of Japan 1945–1952, Allen and Unwin, 1998.

Smith, Neil C., Disarming the Menace: Australian Soldiers with the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces Japan 1946-1952.

The Forgotten Force - Australian BCOP Japanese Occupation Force [video], Film Australia and ABC, 1994, trailer duration: 56 minutes. Available trailer URL: https://youtu.be/DMOA7tJMntY.

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Last updated: 8 April 2023.

Michael Organ