News Archive

The University’s Great War Honour Board is situated in the Visitors’ Information Centre. Every name has a story, and in this Anzac Centenary year let us remember them. In particular, now, the deaths at Gallipoli of nine members of the University who volunteered with the Australian Imperial Forces. They put their careers and studies on hold and their lives on the line.

Staff: Capt. Samuel Townshend, 29. 9 May. Convocation: Capt. Anthony Corley, 38. 17 Sept. Trooper Gresley Harper, 31. 7 Aug. Sergeant William Nevett, 26. 2 May. Lieut. Isaac Ridgway, 29. 12 May. 2nd Lieut. Alexander Robertson, 28. 2 May. Students: Lance Corporal William Blair, 22. 2 May. Trooper John Regan, 21. 7 Aug. Capt Harold Southern 16th, 25. 2 May.

The 1915 Guild Council mounted a plaque to the memory of Samuel Townshend, our Inaugural Registrar, which is now in the Visitors Information Centre.

Staff on Active Service are listed on the Honour Board, but others involved in research projects are not included. Of the total of eight Professors, Hubert Whitfeld and Norman Wilsmore spent several years overseas. Professor Edward Shann enlisted but Senate decided that it could not afford to lose another staff member and arranged his discharge. The remaining staff assumed additional academic and administrative duties. A/Prof A. Tomlinson also took charge of the University Platoon, and Philosophy lecturer P. le Couteau, the Rifle Club.

Frederick Lawson and Isaac Ridgway were occasional lecturers in Engineering and sat on advisory committees. Ridgway landed at Anzac Cove on 25 April. Badly injured, he died on board the hospital ship and was buried at sea. A memorial plaque is in St John’s Church, Fremantle. Lawson earned a DSO and returned to Perth but took his own life several years later.

Laboratory assistant, Private John Skinner, returned badly wounded in 1916, his death in 1920 noted as ‘attributable to war service’. Captain Marcel Aurousseau, Geology lecturer, wounded in action on several occasions, earned the Military Cross and Croix de Guerre. Captain Edward Weston, veterinary lecturer, embarked with the 10th Light Horse, as did Colonel Ernest Le Souef, veterinary lecturer and Director of the Zoological Gardens. Major James Bentley, was also attached to this regiment. Alec Davidson, the popular Caretaker at Irwin Street served overseas, returning to continue this role.

Do you have photographs of anyone named on the Board? Convocation member Joan Pope plans to compile a display-collage and seeks photographs. If you have such items, it would be appreciated if you would contact UWA Archivist Maria Carvalho, who can arrange copying and safe return. She can be reached via [email protected] .