Compiled by Cameron McCullough
A SHOCKING fatality occurred at the railway crossing, between Baxter and Somerville, on Monday night, when Mr. Alfred Field, 45, market gardener, of Mornington, was killed, and Mr. John Twyford, 60, an orchardist, of Somerville, was seriously injured in a collision between a goods train and a motor truck, in which they were travelling to the Melbourne market.
It appears that Field, who owns the motor truck, had been engaged by Twyford to convey a consignment of apples to Melbourne, ready for Tuesday’s market.
The engine, which it is said was travelling tender first, struck the motor truck with great force, carrying it along the line for over a hundred yards.
Upon examination it was found that Field was beyond aid, his skull being so badly fractured that death must have been instantaneous.
Twyford, it was found, had been jammed between the engine of the truck and the tender of the train.
Upon Drs. Bickart, of Somerville, and Maxwell, of Frankston, being summoned, and an examination made, it was found he had sustained a fractured thigh and severe head injuries.
He was at once removed to a private hospital in a very critical condition.
The body of Field was also removed to Frankston, where the inquest will be held.
The injured man and the deceased were very highly respected, being well known on the Peninsula, and the deepest sympathy is felt for the relatives by the public generally.
The crossing where the fatality took place used to be regarded as most dangerous. Some time back, however, steps were taken to remove a portion of a bank of earth which used to obstruct the vision.
Field leaves a widow and family of five children.
Bravery Recognised. Presentation of Medals
On Monday night, during the interval at the Picture Entertainment, held under the auspices of the Frankston Life Saving Society, medals were presented to Brian Lane, Colin Robison and Ray Coxall for gallantry displayed in saving life, at Frankston early in the present year.
There was a large attendance of the public, at the Frankston Palais, where the ceremony was performed, and the heroes of the occasion were accorded a great ovation as they stepped on to the stage, in answer to their names.
Ray Coxall was not present, but a younger brother represented him.
Lieut.–Colonel Lazarus, who made the presentation, said that the medals had been subscribed for by the citizens of Frankston, and it was appropriate that the presentation should take at a function organised by the Frankston Life Saving Society.
Cr. C. Gray, who had been deputised to make the presentation, was unable to be present, owing to an important engagement in Melbourne, and had asked him (the speaker) to act in his stead.
Lieut.-Colonel Lazarus said he was very proud to have such a pleasing duty to perform. Brian Lane and Colin Robison were the two heroes who rescued Miss Morgan from drowning at Frankston in January last.
The gold medals recorded the details of the incident, and would serve a memento of a very courageous act.
The speaker said he had also been asked to present to both Messrs. Lane and Robison wallets of notes from the young lady herself and her parents (Loud applause.)
Lieut.–Colonel Lazarus announced that the two lads concerned were too modest to make a public response and they had requested him to thank everybody most sincerely. (Applause).
A call for Ray Coxall was not responded to.
Lieut.–Colonel Lazarus said the young fellow had rescued a man from drowning at Frankston at a spot between Kananook Creek and the pier.
A gold medal, suitably inscribed was handed to Master Claude Coxall behalf of his brother, amid great applause.
The Picture Palais, which had been generously hired to the Frankston Life Saving Club, on easy terms was well filled, although in the opinion Mr. Reg. Royle, the secretary of club, the attendance was not quite to expectations, considering that the object of the entertainment was to raise funds for such a worthy object such as the erection of a club house.
However, it is expected that a fairly substantial surplus will be shown.
THE Anzac Commemoration Service, held at Frankston, on Friday last, was wonderfully impressive.
The attendance was larger than in former years, and a pleasant and noteworthy feature was the large attendance of returned soldiers.
Mr. J. L. Pratt, president of the Frankston Branch of the R.S.S.I.L.A., states that the returned men present numbered over 70.
Owing to unfavourable weather the service was held in the Palais, and the result was so entirely satisfactory that it is possible that open air services will not be persevered with in future.
The returned soldiers assembled at the Soldiers’ Hall, and marched to the Palais, and the High School Scholars also marched, under the direction of the head master, Mr. Chapman.
The Prime Minister, Mr. Bruce, and Mrs. Bruce attended the service, which was conducted by Captain Chaplain Hugh Jones.
The Frankston Brass Band, led by the bandmaster, Mr. Brine, led the singing, members of the combined church choirs also assisting.
On the platform, with the Captain Chaplain Jones, were the Revs. A. P. McFarlane (Anglican); A. E. Wellard (Methodist), and W. E. Watkins (Presbyterian).
The service opened with the uplifting notes of “All people that on earth do dwell,” after which Rev. A. P. McFarlane engaged in prayer in commemoration of the fallen.
The hymn, “Nearer My God to Thee” was sung. The Rev. A. E. Wellard read the 124th Psalm, and concluded with prayer.
After the Recessional was sung the address was given by Chaplain Captain Jones. He opened by referring to the presence of the Prime Minister, who was in attendance at great inconvenience to himself; as there were many calls upon him that day. They would all appreciate the fact that Mr. Bruce had found it possible to attend the service.
Continuing, the rev. speaker said it was the first time since conducting these services at Frankston that he had not seen a single uniform. Perhaps the moths had been busy.
Referring to the occasion they were commemorating, the speaker said a double thought suggested itself – the part taken by man, and the part taken by God. The scriptural words seemed appropriate: “We went through fire and through water, but Thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.”
The men did their part, and God did His part. Providence was fighting for the Allies, and gave them the victory. A wonderful victory had been achieved, the fame and glory of which would continue as long as the Great God held the world in the hollow of his hand.
YESTERDAY ex-Sergeant Major Gamble, formerly of the Black Watch, visited Frankston.
He’s one hundred and three years and four months old, having been born in Paisley on the 12th of January, 1821.
Mr. Gamble, who retains all his faculties, is selling buttons to enable him to write the history of the Indian Mutiny, of which he took part, having carried the dispatches that brought about the relief of Lucknow.
He was also through the Crimean War, of which he carries the full medal. These are not carried by another living person. He also has the medal for the Mutiny (Central India), and the Rorke’s Drift Medal, South Africa 1879.
From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 30 Apr & 2 May 1924
