Foot Family papers

This series is a collection of typed narratives or diaries that detail the experiences of brothers George, Henry and Eric Foot who initially enlisted in the Australian Naval & Military Expeditionary Forces (AN&MEF) which was formed shortly after the outbreak of the First World War, and were part of the Thursday Island Garrison forces.

They embarked from Cairns on board the ‘Kanowna’ in August 1914 and returned to Townsville in September where they were discharged.

The narratives are believed to have been typed by one of the Foot sisters.

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The series contains an extensive collection of letters written by brothers George, Henry and Alexander Foot who enlisted together in the first AIF in September 1914, to friends and family in Queensland.

George, Henry and Alexander Foot enlisted in September 1914 and travelled to Brisbane where they were assigned to their respective units. George (Geo) and Alexander (Alec or Jock) were both assigned to the 5th Light Horse Regiment, George as gunner for the Machine Gun Squadron, and Alexander as a trooper.

They embarked together on board the troopship HMAT ‘Persic’ on the same day as their brother Henry (Hal) Foot, who had been assigned to the 15th Infantry Battalion, sailed on board the ‘Ceramic’. The three brothers saw each other while they were in camp in Egypt, however as their units were moved out to Gallipoli, it was difficult for them to maintain contact.

Henry Daintree Foot along with the 15th Infantry Battalion, was the first of the trio to land on the Peninsula on 25 April 1915. He was killed in action, 1 May 1915 and is commemorated at Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli.

George Peirce Foot arrived 10 May 1915 and remained on duty until the evacuation of allied troops in December 1915.

Alexander Madden Foot disembarked at Gallipoli on 14 November 1915 and was killed in action 8 days later, he is buried at Shell Green Cemetery, Gallipoli.

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This series of letters consists predominantly of correspondence written by George Foot, 5th Light Horse Regiment stationed in Egypt, to his family in Queensland, as well as several to his girlfriend Eileen Marshall. Also included are several letters from other family members giving local news.

George Foot was the only brother to return from the Gallipoli Peninsula at the withdrawal of allied troops in December 1915. He was wounded in the leg while on patrol with his Regiment in August 1916. George was transported to the 3rd Australian General Hospital in Cairo and was admitted several times for treatment, but his injury continued to trouble him. Unable to ride, and not longer considered fit for active service, he waited to be repatriated home.

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In February George Foot was repatriated home to Australia aboard the 'Euripedes' arriving home, where he was medically discharged. As the troop train stopped along the route from Sydney to Brisbane the returned soldiers were given a 'glorious' welcome.

George wasted no time returning to Cardington station and was soon out mustering and helping on the property. George and Eileen announced their intention to marry.

In August 1917 George received a letter from Lieutenant Denis O'Hara, of the 5th Light Horse Regiment, who was still on active service in Egypt - in which he wrote ... "the times are much easier than on Gallipoli, they are camped on the beach having a glorious 'holiday'.

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This series of letters are almost all from George Foot to his intended bride Eileen Marshall. The first half of the year is taken up with much work on Cardington Station, mustering and inoculating stock, managing floods and preparing cattle for market.

George Foot and Eileen Marshall married in June at Saint Peter's Anglican Church, Townsville.

[Items 3147/197 - 3147/218;  3147/281 - 3147/287]

This small series of correspondence principally contains letters from George Foot who writes from 'Dueidar' station located east of Willows gemfields in central Queensland, to his wife Eileen [Wally]. 

In 1944 his brother Eric, who also served during the First World War with the 4th Australian Pioneer Battalion is taken ill and dies age 45. His wife Hilda writes of his illness and passing. Eric and Hilda named their son, Henry Daintree Foot after Eric's brother Henry who died in 1915 at Gallipoli.

[Items 3147/219 - 3147/226; 3147/229; 3147/288 - 3147/290]

A small collection of greeting cards sent to and by George Foot during the First World War.

They include:

• Greeting card issued from the A.I.F. Gifts Store, Savoy Hotel, Cairo, sent by George Foot. It features a boomerang with the statement 'I go out to return'.
• Hand made greeting card inscribed 'hands across the sea' sent by George Foot.
• Greeting card issued in Palestine 1917 featuring a poem entitled "Coo-ee" and a sketch by W. Otho Hewett featuring an Australian soldier and his horse taking a break under a palm tree. It was sent by William George Johnstone [#42 5th Light Horse Regiment] to George Foot.
• Hand painted greeting card 'With best wishes from Cardington'.
• Christmas card sent from Joe to George Foot. It lists all the major fields of operation for the 1st Australian Field Artillery Brigade from 1914 to 1918.
• Printed postcard featuring crossed Australian and British flags. The printed message reads: Australia's Christmas greeting, to her sick and wounded soldiers, good luck and victory, Xmas 1916. It was sent to George Foot while he was serviing in Egypt.
• Christmas greetings sent by the Officers and men of the 5th Light Horse Regiment to George Foot, 1918.
• Hand painted greeting card "Just a line of loving greeting from the dear homeland" featuring a lighthouse and a ship in heavy seas.
• Christmas greetings sent by Eric Foot, 4th Pioneer Battalion, France to his brother George.

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Souvenir menu card and toast list, for the Anzac Luncheon held at Townsville, 25 April 1918 attended by George Foot after his return from active service with the 5th Light Horse Regiment.

[Item 3147/237]

This small collection of postcards mainly contains items sent to and from Eileen Marshall and George Foot. Several have been sent from George while serving in the First World War with the 5th Light Horse Regiment.

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This series of photographs principally relates to the service of the Foot brothers during the First World War.

They include:

• Photographic postcard featuring George Foot in uniform sent to his sister Lilla.
• Studio portrait of Sergeant George Foot in uniform, taken in Sydney.
• Lieutenant Cain [John Robert Cain] and N.C.O's, 5th Light Horse Regiment, Machine Gun Squadron. George Foot is seated, on right. 
• Group of 5th Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron, in camp. George Foot is standing, second on right.
• Studio portrait of Sergeant George Foot and his intended bride Eileen Marshall.
• Studio portrait of Eileen Marshall. There are two copies of the image.
• Alfred (Marshall) Foot and his father George, sprinkling corn to sheep flock.
• George Foot, grilling bacon at a picnic at their property Marshmere, with Kath Healy and his son Marshall Foot.
• George Foot and his wife Eileen (nee Marshall).
• Studio portrait - full length - of Sergeant George Foot, in uniform, taken in Sydney 1917 after he returned from Egypt. It is mounted in a paper folder.
• Studio portrait of Sergeant George Foot, taken after he returned from Egypt in 1917.
• Studio portrait of Sergeant George Foot, in Light Horse uniform, taken in Brisbane after returning from Egypt in 1917.
• Studio portrait of Eileen Marshall taken in Sydney, c1917 prior to her marriage to George Foot. 
• Entrance to a redout or fortified communications trench, at Duidar [Dueidar]. George Foot named his central Queensland property after this location, where he had served during the First World War.
• Portrait of  Alexander (Jock) Madden Foot, 5th Light Horse Regiment, enlisted 18 September 1914, age 22. Killed in action, 22 November 1915, Gallipoli.
• Studio portrait of Eric Douglas Foot and his wife Hilda Elizabeth (nee Smith) with their son Henry Daintree Foot, b.1916
• Private Eric Douglas Foot in great coat and AIF uniform. The postcard was sent to his mother Mary Eleanor Foot.
• Group photograph, 5th Light Horse Machine Gun Section. George Foot does not appear in the photograph.

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Folder of images relating to the Foot family of Townsville. Included are individual and group portraits, an early image of Townsville and photographic postcards of the Queensland Rifle Team, 1912.

[Item 3147/276]

Soldier's pay book for use on active service belonging to Private George Peirce Foot, 5th Light Horse Regiment, AIF.

[Item 3147/230]

Certificates relating to the sevice of George Peirce Foot with the 5th Light Horse Regiment, during the First World War.

They include:

• Illuminated certificate awarded to George Foot in 1918 by the City of Townsville.
• Certificate confirming that George Foot served and was disabled in World War I.
• Medical transfer certificate detailing the movement of George Foot from No.17 General Hospital, Alexandria to 14th Australian General Hospital, Cairo in November 1916.

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Next of Kin memorial plaque for Henry Daintree Foot, 15th Battalion, who was killed at Gallipoli,1st May 1915.

The Next of Kin Memorial Plaques were commissioned in 1922 for presentation to the families of those who died on active service in the First World War, within Great Britain and its dominions. Approximately 60,000 plaques were distributed in Australia. The plaques became known as the "dead man's penny".

[Item 3147/301]

Newspaper clippings relating to the Foot Family and the four brothers who served during the First World War.

They include:

• Newspaper item, casualty list noting the death of Lance-Corporal H.D. Foot.
• Newspaper article announcing the engagement of George Foot and Eileen Marshall.
• Newspaper article outlining the history of the pioneering Foot family of Cardington Station.
• Obituary for Eric Foot, who died at his property 'Boonderoo' near Hughenden age 54.
• Newspaper article describing the opening of Townsville Grammar's new boarding house one wing to be named The Foot Wing, honouring Alexander and Henry Foot who died during the First World War.

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Notebooks kept by Eileen Marshall, they include:

• Notebook of gifts and expenditure relating to her wedding to George Foot, May 1918.
• Diary of events and activities, 1915. It contains pressed flowers, dance cards, and calling cards.
• Illustrated autograph book, created by Eileen Marshall, 1911-1912.

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Booklets retained by the Foot Family relating to the service of the four brothers who served during the First World War.

'Memorial Register 6'. Register of soldiers of the AIF who have no known graves, pt 1. The Lone Pine Memorial Gallipoli. It includes the details of Henry Daintree Foot, killed in action 1 May 1915. Published by the Imperial War Graves Commission, London

'The Rising Sun'. Stories, humour and verse written and commission by members of the Rising Sun Committee, its intended audience being members of the AIF serving during the winter in France 1916-1917. Authors of items include: Captain James Sprent AAMC, Captain Harold Jacobs, 4th Infantry Battalion, and Sergeant V.C. Walker. Published by Anzac Press.

'Ye Chatte: the official organ of the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance'. Contains humorous anecdotes, sports news and articles provided by members of the field ambulance. Several illustrations by Private James Victor Hall, AAMC. Published by the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance.

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