Gunning & District Historical Society

Herbert and Horace Alchin did not remain onlookers from home.  They went and helped.  (Australian World War 1 recruitment poster; State Records of SA) Edward “Ned” Alchin (1865-1940) and Sophia Jane Alchin (nee Smith) (1870-1960) had seven children, three at Dalton, one at Inverary and three at Crookwell. Two of these children were Herbert and Horace. Brothers Herbert Alchin (1893-1968) and Horace Alchin (1896-1954) enlisted in World War 1 on 7 August 1917 in the 17th Battalion. Both lads served in France and Belgium. Both suffered illness and Herbert was wounded but the brothers came back to Australia to resume their lives at Crookwell. On 20 October 1917, just ten days before embarkation and with only one-day’s leave, Herbert married Violet Philadelphia May Waye – known as May – at St Bartholomew’s Church of England, Crookwell. She was born at Yarra near Goulburn. Herbert and May Alchin had two children. Herbert and May Alchin (Collection of Gary Smith) ...

Photo from Mardi Lees' post in Gunning Community Announcements and Events Facebook group. The Gunning Community Announcements and Events Facebook group is a great forum for all sorts of discussions, notifications and requests.  With over 760 members, there is always something of interest being posted and enthusiastic engagement by the community. On 10 February, Mardi Lees posted two photos of a trophy found by "local fossicking fanatic Michael Brown".  The inscription on the trophy said: G.D.S.A.A.A. Champ Girl Under 6 J. Lees Mardi asked for clues to the age of the trophy and who J. Lees might be (not her sister, Jennifer). Responses to the thread soon focused on the meaning of G.D.S.A.A.A.; the consensus being Gunning District Schools Annual Athletics Association.  A further post suggested that it was from 1952 or 1953 (a remarkably accurate estimate as it turns out). After a couple of days, the urge to research this got the bette...