World War One:
James Bonella
1 game, 1908
Died – Étaples, France
24 May 1918
Bonella, whose one game for Melbourne was a loss to Fitzroy at Brunswick Street, enlisted in January 1915. By August he was in Gallipoli, and from there served in Egypt and France. Part of the 2nd Australian Machine Gun Battalion, and on occasion clashing with authorities, Bonella saw action in Belgium, before returning to France. Suffering severe gunshot wounds to the leg in May 1918, he was operated on, and hopes were high for his recovery. Tragically, he suffered a heart attack and died three days later. He was buried in Étaples Military Cemetery in France, leaving behind a wife and young son – James Avenel – in Australia. James Avenel Bonella would go on to serve with the Army, spending most of his time in Signals, during World War Two. While there has been conjecture about the spelling of his name – Bonelli versus Bonella – the spelling utilised by both wife and son was ‘Bonella’, following in the path of James’ World War One enlistment papers.
Clifford Burge
5 games, 1914
Died – Hervilly, France
14 August 1918
A former Melbourne High student who came from Rushworth in country Victoria, Clifford Burge made his debut for Melbourne on 25 April 1914, and was noted for doing ‘well in Melbourne’s ruck last Saturday.’ He enlisted in February 1915, first in the Australian Pay Corps, before being selected for Officers’ Training School, from which he was commissioned in Cambridge (UK) in 1917. Posted to the 24th Battalion, Lieutenant Burge survived mustard gassing in June 1918, eventually returning to his Battalion. Killed in action near Hervilly on the Somme on 14 August 1918, his Unit Diary remembered him as ‘one of the most promising and popular officers and a fine sportsman’. Burge is buried in Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, and one of the items returned to his family was a pair of football boots.
Jack Doubleday
University – 36 games, 1912 – 1914
Melbourne – 17 games, 1915
Died – At sea, in HMAT Malta, of illness
30 October 1918
Jack Doubleday was a renowned rower and footballer, particularly excelling in his time at Wesley, as well as being known for his musical talent. He studied Dental Science at Melbourne University, and played 36 games for University before transferring to Melbourne in 1915 when the ‘Students’ disbanded. As a qualified dentist, Doubleday was heading to the Western Front in 1918. Sadly, he became ill on board ship, dying on 30 October 1918. A memorial was created in Alexandria, Egypt, to honour all those buried at sea. Jack Doubleday’s name is one of those on this memorial.
William Fischer
1 game, 1909
Died – Potijze, Belgium
15 October 1917
Originally from Kilmore in country Victoria, Fischer played his one game for Melbourne against Carlton in Round Five, 1909. Upon enlisting, he left Australia in May 1916, headed for England. From there, he served in France, and was ultimately promoted to Sergeant in the 8th Australian Field Artillery Brigade in July 1917. Killed in the hellish mud of Passchendaele on 15 October 1917, Fischer ‘was one of 11,200 Australians KIA between August and September 1917’. He is buried in Potijze Chateau Grounds Cemetery in Belgium. None of his effects were able to be sent home to his family, who continued seeking their return for years after his death.
Albert Gourlay
Melbourne - 3 games, 1903
Carlton – 3 games, 1904
Died – Walton Military Hospital, Surrey, England
1 November 1918
Albert Gourlay started his brief time in the VFL with Melbourne in 1903, before also playing three games with Carlton in 1904. Migrating to New Zealand, he enlisted and served with the 29th Reinforcements of the Wellington Infantry Regiment, seeing action on the Western Front throughout 1917 and 1918. Severely wounded, he was admitted to hospital in England. With gangrene setting in, Gourlay’s leg was amputated in hopes of saving his life. Sadly, he died less than two weeks before the Armistice, leaving a wife and children behind in New Zealand. Gourlay was laid to rest in Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey (England).
Malcolm Kennedy
17 games, 1911 – 1912
Died - Wytschaete, Belgium
2 January 1918
From a family with a strong background in Army service, Kennedy went from playing for Melbourne to Duntroon Military College, Canberra in 1914. Enlisting and being commissioned in November 1914, he was part of the 5th Light Horse, C Squadron, which sailed for Gallipoli, landing in May 1915. Wounded at Lone Pine, Kennedy was hospitalised in England; from there, he was seconded to the War Office, detailed for ‘special duties’. Ultimately promoted to Captain, and attached as a General Staff Officer to the 1st Australian Division, Kennedy made his way back to the Western Front. On a visit to Battalion Headquarters, a shell exploded at his feet, and he was hit in the ribs and neck. Despite receiving urgent treatment, he died hours later. Buried with full honours in Dranoutre Military Cemetery, south of Ypres in Belgium, his funeral was attended by over 100 people. Kennedy is remembered with plaques at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne, and Royal Military College, Duntroon.
Frank Lugton
36 games, 1913 – 1914
Died – Pozières, France
29 July 1916
Frank Lugton was an outstanding cricketer as well as an accomplished footballer and baseballer. Making his senior debut with Melbourne against Collingwood at the start of 1913, Lugton was noted as one of Melbourne’s ‘first-flighters’, and played every game in his two seasons of VFL football. Enlisting in March 1915, Lugton sailed for Gallipoli with the 24th Battalion. Renowned as a ‘bomb thrower’ on the Western Front, Lugton – who was heavily involved in action in Pozières and Mouquet Farm in the First Battle of the Somme - was killed in action near Villers-Bretonneux, and is believed to be the first Sheffield Shield cricketer to die in World War One. As one of the many with ‘no known grave’, Lugton is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial in France.
James ‘Charlie’ Mackie
5 games, 1913
Died – Longatte, France
20 March 1917
A Port Melbourne boy, Mackie worked on the wharves, and enlisted in April 1916. Landing in France in early 1917 as part of the 21st Australian Infantry Battalion, Mackie was wounded close to the small village of Longatte, near Bapaume. Waiting for stretcher bearers, he decided to make his own way out. Upon standing, he was hit by machine gun fire, and killed instantly. Buried by the side of the road to Longatte, his named rifle marked his grave site. It was still intact a year later, but days after this sighting, German forces occupied the area, and all sign of Mackie’s grave was lost. He is commemorated, with many others who have ‘no known grave’, on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial in France. Mackie left a wife and two small children behind.
We have never seen a photo of James Robert ‘Charlie’ Mackie, and the only descriptions to be found are in his service records: 5 feet 6 inches tall, with blue eyes and brown hair, and aged 26 at the time of his enlistment. It should also be noted that there is another James Robert Mackie also commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.
William Maxwell
2 games, 1909
Died – Passchendaele, Belgium
12 October 1917
Aged 34 when he enlisted, Maxwell – a former Scotch College student – underwent Officer Training during 1915, before heading for England as a Lieutenant in the 1st AIF in late 1916. Severely injured while training at Salisbury, Maxwell eventually re-joined the 38th Battalion, and saw action in France before being wounded in the wrist at Messines. He was treated in London, then returned to France. From here, the 38th Battalion headed for the horror of Passchendaele, where many were lost in action. Sadly, one of those was Maxwell, who was shot in his trench by a sniper, and died soon after. With heavy fire necessitating withdrawal, his body could not be recovered. With ‘no known grave’, Maxwell is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres (Belgium).
Fenley McDonald
Carlton – 10 games, 1911 – 1912
Melbourne – 1 game, 1913
Died – Gallipoli, Dardanelles
25 April 1915
A Nagambie boy who left country Victoria to come to Melbourne to study and work as a stock agent, Fenley McDonald was first noticed by Carlton, and played ten games for the Blues over two seasons, before playing one game for Melbourne in 1913. Two of his older brothers each played just one game at VFL level – the same game for Essendon in 1905. McDonald was an early enlistment – August 1914 - serving in the 7th Battalion. First landing in Egypt, he and many others like him sailed to Gallipoli and were killed in the landing on 25 April. Along with 4200 others who have ‘no known grave’, Fenley McDonald’s name is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli, and continued to be honoured by his family in newspaper notices up to the mid-1950s.
Thomas ‘Alick’ Ogilvie
Melbourne – 1 game, 1905
University – 27 games, 1908 – 1909
Died – Auberge de Bavière Hospital, Malta
29 December 1917
‘Alick’ Ogilvie was a former Scotch College student who went on to study law at Melbourne University. An excellent rower and footballer, he also represented Victoria in the 1908 Carnival. Enlisting in September 1914, Ogilvie headed for Egypt as part of the 12th Infantry Battalion, just three days after joining up. Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, Ogilvie survived the landings at Gallipoli, but just four months later – while waiting to reinforce 1st Brigade after heavy bombardments at Lone Pine – he was hit in the eye by shrapnel. Unconscious, he was evacuated to Auberge de Bavière Hospital in Malta, but died three days later. Buried in Pieta Military Cemetery in Malta, Ogilvie – who left behind a wife and young daughter – is commemorated by a marble cross, courtesy of the President of Malta.
Arthur Mueller ‘Joe’ Pearce
152 games, 1904 – 1913
Died – Gallipoli, Dardanelles
25 April 1915
A cousin of Melbourne champion Jack Mueller, ‘Joe’ Pearce was a renowned defender and a much loved part of the Melbourne Football Club in the early years of the twentieth century, who also represented Victoria in the 1908 Carnival. He enlisted in August 1914, leaving for Egypt with the 7th Infantry Battalion in October 1914. His farewell from teammates and supporters captured the sentiment of the time, with Pearce saying, ‘I am young, healthy and athletic and I think I ought to go, and if I don’t come back it won’t much matter.’ Ultimately promoted to Corporal, Pearce was one of the first wave of men to land on the beach at Gallipoli on 25 April; and one of the first to be cut down by fierce Turkish gunfire which decimated the 7th Battalion. Pearce was reportedly buried by New Zealanders at Fisherman’s Hut, north of Anzac Cove. His resting place is now the No. 2 Outpost Cemetery at Gallipoli, where 22 men of the 7th Battalion are either buried or commemorated. Back in Melbourne, Pearce was sorely missed, with a commemorative window at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in East Melbourne – where he had been a Sunday School superintendent - standing as silent tribute. In 1915, black armbands were worn in his honour when Melbourne played Essendon in Round Eight. For decades after his death, his family continued to place notices in newspapers commemorating him each year.
Leo Rankin
1 game, 1899
Died – Wareham Military Hospital, Dorset, England
10 May 1917
Leo Rankin was a former Xavier College student who played his one game for Melbourne against Carlton in Round 17, 1899. He was in New South Wales when he enlisted in December 1915, heading for England on board HMAT Ceramic as a Private in the 55th Battalion, before serving in France. Somewhat notorious for going AWOL, Rankin was in hospital in November 1916, suffering from varicose veins in both legs, when he heard that his father had died back in Australia. In May 1917, Rankin was in Wareham Military Hospital, isolated with hepatitis. He could not be saved, and died late on 10 May 1917. Along with 13 other Australian casualties of World War One, Rankin is buried in Wareham Cemetery, Dorset (England).
Harold Rippon
Melbourne – 5 games, 1898, 1900
South Melbourne – 5 games, 1903
Died – 38th Casualty Clearing Station, Heilly, France
16 January 1917
Enlisting at the age of 42, Rippon had a varied and interesting history, working as a tea blender and taster before taking up farming at Myrtleford in country Victoria. In his time with Melbourne, he played alongside his brothers – Les and Norm – for the Round 16 game against St Kilda in 1898. In a happy detail, this was Rippon’s one winning game with Melbourne. Enlisting in March 1916, Rippon sailed from Melbourne on HMAT Wandilla, making his way to England via Capetown as part of the 2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion. These men had the unenviable role of tunnelling, trench building and road maintenance, in the dangerous and inhospitable conditions of the French battlefields. Rippon’s fate was tragically typical of many who served thus; he was felled by gunfire, and died two days after at the 38th Casualty Clearing Station. This was a camp under canvas behind the lines, which served as a staging and treating place for the seriously wounded before they were taken for further care at assorted base hospitals. Rippon – like his cousin John Butterworth just over a year later – was buried in Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-l’Abbe, France. Rippon’s siblings received his war medals and pension.
John Filomeno Percival ‘Percy’ Rodriguez
University – 17 games, 1914
Melbourne – 5 games, 1915
Died – Somme, France
20 March 1917
Originally from Western Australia, where his Filipino-born father and Australian mother were hoteliers, Rodriguez was playing with Perth when he was noticed for his ability by Dr Harry Cordner, then captain of Perth. Cordner’s encouragement saw Rodriguez enrol at Xavier College, Melbourne, then join University Football Club in 1914. When the ‘Students’ disbanded, Rodriguez made the move to Melbourne, playing five games in 1915. A student at the Melbourne Dental College, Rodriguez enlisted in June of that year, before sailing as part of the 23rd Battalion. Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in February 1917, Rodriguez was killed in action on 20 March 1917, while advancing with his unit to occupy the French village of Noreuil. Rodriguez – who has ‘no known grave’ – is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial in France. One of six children, his two younger brothers – Clarence and Joseph – returned safely to Australia at war’s end.
Robert ‘Bobby’ Royle
3 games, 1898
Died – Gueudecourt, France
3 November 1916
Originally from Liverpool in the UK, Royle was a Moonee Ponds local with four children, who enjoyed wins in every one of his three games in the red and blue. Equipped with a ‘tremendous turn of speed’, Royle – a carpenter by trade - worked in the boatbuilding industry before enlisting in the 7th Battalion in June 1915, aged 36. Making his way to Egypt from Melbourne, Royle was then thrown into the maelstrom of France, with his unit moving north from the port of Marseilles. In March 1916, Royle transferred to the 2nd Machine Gun Company. The conditions were unimaginably horrific, and would ultimately claim Royle’s life. On 3 November 1916, he was heading forward as part of a group of eight, when he and four others were killed by a massive shell explosion in their trench. Proper burial was near impossible, but it was noted that he and other casualties had been laid to rest alongside Gueudecourt Wood. With ‘no known grave’, Royle is one of those commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial in France.
Alf ‘Lofty’ Williamson
Carlton – 11 games, 1912 – 1914
Melbourne – 8 games, 1914
Died – Bullecourt, France
11 April 1917
Alf ‘Lofty’ Williamson fitted his nickname, being over six feet in height; extremely tall for the time. He started his VFL career with Carlton, before making a mid-season change in 1914 to finish the season with Melbourne. Well known as a ‘natural footballer’, Williamson enlisted in June 1915, and was in Gallipoli by that November. After several months, Williamson was part of the withdrawal to Egypt, then – as part of the 14th Infantry Battalion – made his way to France. A born leader, he made his way through the ranks, and was eventually commissioned ‘In The Field’. Captain Williamson was then aged just 23. In charge of his own Company, Williamson was involved in the horror that was Bullecourt. Part of an attack on German barbed wire entanglements, he was severely wounded, with differing accounts claiming variously that he had been shot in the head, the abdomen, or the thigh. One detail agreed upon was that he was last seen in a German dugout, holding a pistol, averring that he would ‘not be taken easily’. Williamson could not be retrieved, and his body was never recovered. Another with ‘no known grave’, he is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial in France. Williamson’s footballing story continues to this day, with great-nephew Gary Ablett Snr and great-great-nephew Gary Ablett Jnr just two of his descendants.
