HEPPINGSTONE, Claude Athol - 3062
| Original items held by the Army Museum of Western Australia |
| Conflict | World War 1 |
|---|---|
| Service Arm | Australian Imperial Force |
| Unit | 8th Field Artillery Battery |
| Service No. | 3062 |
| Service Arm | Army |
| Date of Birth | 1887 |
| Birthplace | Brunswick, WA |
| Residence | Brunswick, WA |
| Date of Death | 23rd July 1916 |
| Relatives | Father - Robert John Heppingstone Mother - Maria Heppingstone
Brother - HEPPINGSTONE, Arthur George - 1835 |
Brief family history
Robert Heppingstone born Eyam Derbyshire was a miner, but took 'the Queen's shilling' as was said in those days. Assigned to Rifle Brigade,
served in Glasgow, Northern Ireland & Limerick, where Charlotte, his first child was born. Thus he became associated with Captain Molloy who
served in these same places. When Capt set out for the Swan River Colony in the 'Warrior' in 1830, Robert was one of his servants.
In September 1832 Molloy wrote from Augusta 'One of my servants Robert Heppingstone, a very honest good man, whose wife was discontented and
discont disobedient, I have placed on a town allotment and he has so far prospered since he left me that he has been enabled to lay in an
ample stock of provisions.'
He Robert (i) was drowned while fishing off an island off Augusta in 1835.
His son Robert (ii) became a farmer at Wonnerup & Master Whaler at Castle Rock Geographe Bay where he was accidently drowned in 1857.
His son Robert (iii) after marriage lived at Brunswick on his property 'Frogmore'.
David Eedle b. 1873 served 10th Light Horse
Robert Charles b. 1883 served 10th Light Horse and Camel Corps
Arthur George b. 1883 served in 8th Battery
Claude Arthur b.1887 served 8th Battery d. France
Hubert Eldred b. 1896 served Light Horse, Paymaster Sergeant France, about to join Air Force when war ended.
George Heppingstone obtained Commission & received Military Cross.
Charles Heppingstone was invalided out of Army after being knocked off his camel by plane. Became Recruiting Officer for State.
People Mentioned in the Letters
Sandy an aboriginal boy from Laverton adopted by Heppingstone family. Lived at 'Frogmore' till he grew up when he left W.A. with Snowy
Flyer a tent boxing owner. Fought many fights in N.S.W. & Queensland. Died in Broken Hill when on way home. Known as Sandy McVea in the
ring. Photo available of him as a boy, which is in the Battye Library also his dossier from N.S.Wales Aboriginal Department. Referred to
affectionately in letters as the Little Battler & the Little Nig.
Rhita Heppingstone married Edward Courthope Capt living in Scotland as her husband was mine-sweeping in North Sea.
The 'Model' Molly Dodwell Browne who was living with her grandparents at 'Rahins' Castlebar Ireland. Daughter of Dr D Browne & whose wife
was Lilian Heppingstone.
Bill Fitch a plowman who worked for Robert H. at Frogmore - Jack Crampton of the 11th Batt. whose parents lived across the Brunswick River
from 'Frogmore' - Marsh who lived on upper reaches of the river as did Smith family.
Bawn de Castilla, a relation who served in 8th Batt right through war as did Bob Clifton of 'Alverstoke' Brunswick.
Photos
Letter dated 23rd January 1915
My dearest Mara,
Just a little note as we have an hour or so to spare this afternoon. We are both very well, & the climate here is very nice, for the days
are nice & warm & the nights are very cold. The camp is very sandy on one side & on the other is irrigated for this is the edge of the
desert. We are quite close to the Pyramids. We gather they are very interesting & I think I will try & get up for a couple of hours tomorrow
as it is Sunday. We have church in the morning with a band to play the Hymns, & it is very nice for we have special war hymns & a very nice
parson. I would like you to see our service darling, for we march up in squares with uniforms & it certainly looks very nice, but there are
lots of services going on at the same time, in different directions as there are about 20,000 of us. We started to practice yesterday Mara
with proper shell & they make a terrific sound going through the air & when they burst. How are you all darling, give my love to everybody &
tell Hubert he hasn't written yet & I expect a letter from him. How is La Cammie & the foals getting along. I hope they are alright, darling
& should be pretty fat now I should think. I have to be careful what I put in this letter darling for we are not supposed to put anything
about our movements. How is Sandy I hope he is well & must drop him a line when I get time. George & I had our photographs taken & if they
are any good Mara we will send you some, & a few snapshots also. I've been wondering where the 2nd Contingent are & if they have started for
I suppose they have & will be coming here we've been told so we will see Charlie if they do. Well I will close this short note darling.
Hoping you are all well & wishing you all a happy new year, Your loving son Claude.
I had a letter from Enid the other day also several others & one from Dr Donnelly, which was very nice. Look after yourself Mara & dont be
rushing around.
Postcard dated 10th February 1915
Dear Mother, This is Mena House which was an Hotel & where all the Tourists stay but now we use it as a hospital. This is a very good photo
of it & was taken by one of our men, love from Claude
Postcard dated 8th August 1915
My Dear Mother, Am sending you this card instead of a letter this time. What do you think of the grapes in the corner, they look very nice
don't they? look after yourself Mother, with love from Claude
Letter dated 10th September 1915
My Dear Mother,
Just a few lines as I am all right again. I am now going back to the Dardanelles. We got here last night from Malta & will be going over to
Turkey in the morning most likely as it only takes about 4 hr from here the voyage won't take long. I had a nice look over Malta & had a
fair amount of fruit. It is a very interesting place Mara & you should see the Cathedrals for they are wonderful & have thousands of pounds
worth of gold & silver besides the beautiful paintings which I cannot describe & are worth thousands of pounds. It is a very rocky island &
the only soil they have has been imported hundreds of years ago. The Islanders used to take the stones away & bring in exchange but it
is wonderful what they grow.
The Harbour is very nice _ Mara in fact there are so many of them for the Island has a good many of them, & all the buildings are made of
stone, which is a white limestone. The people were very good to us & used always to be bringing something round to the hospital. Well how
are getting Mara, I haven't heard from you for months, but Enid told me you were all well. I had two letters from her the other day, in fact
I got 20 letters so I had pleanty to read. I have written you from Malta several lines so hope you get them but am afraid that half the mail
goes astray. How is Father give him my love & tell him I'm sending him a paper. Also Sandy & Dodd. What kind of a winter have you had? Mara
I suppose the spring is coming now & no doubt you will all be glad. Had a letter from Charlie the other day he seemeed very well & two or
three from George, & some from Rhita. Mollie & Lucy & Rhita sent me two lovely cakes which were very acceptable. Well don't forget to look
after yourself also father & ask Sandy how his mate is the German gentleman. Remember me to all, the Hollys, Cliftons when you see them.
good bye darling with love from Claude
Letter dated 20th September 1915
My darling Mara,
I got a letter from you last night & was so glad to see your handwriting again for it is the 2nd I have seen for months but I don't expect
many for I know how hard it is to write. Well I came here about a week ago Mara & we are going back tomorrow, to the Dardanelles. We nearly
missed this place, & I was so glad to get here to see George, who is looking well. I heard from Charley yesterday & he's doing very well,
but they have had a very rough time lately as I suppose you know. I was glad to hear you were all well, Mara & that Lily was or will be by
this time with you. I hear the boy is a bonza but tell Lily not to let him bash Peggy. I had a letter from her also several from the
Wonnerup people, & others. George & I had our photos taken yesterday darling so if they are any good he will send you some. I wrote to
Hubert some time ago but so far no reply. Tell him to write Mara, as he ought to have time for that. I am feeling allright again now & we
were very well treated in Malta. I wish you could see the Churches there Mara for they are beautiful, & the pictures are grand. You must be
kept fairly busy Darling with the butter making, so I hope Sandy is in good form. And I quite believe that your flower garden is in good
trim, but don't overdo it darling as you must admit you are not very burly now, but wait until Peggy gets going. I would like to see the
little thing & hope Lily sends me her photo. I had letters from Enid & Katie so must write today as it is very hard at the front. Rhita sent
me two lovely cakes, & Mollie wrote such a nice letter offering to send me anything. The Nurses were also very nice & tried to stop me going
back to the Dardanelles. Give my love to Father & Sandy also Lily & Peggy if they are there, not forgetting Dodd, so with love to you
Darling & hoping you won't work too hard, your loving son Claude
Postcard dated 16th April 1916
My Dearest Mother,
Just this little card which was given me as a souvenir to let you know that we are all very well, & enjoying France, which is a very nice
country, love Claude
Postcard of Anzac Cove undated
My Darling Mara,
This is a photo of the beach at Anzac, rather good too. It looks like snow but it isn't, love Claude
Postcard undated
Dear Mother,
Am writing this as we may be able to be posted tomorrow. How are you all? Give my love to everyone not forgetting Sandy, wishing all merry
Xmas & happy new year, Claude
Postcard undated
Dear Mother,
this is a photo of the mosque of the Citadel, sometimes known as the Alabaster Mosque & was built in the year 1166 by the Sultan Salaheddin
& now guarded by both British & Egyptian Soldiers. Hoping you are all well with love from Claude