News - October 2023
Tuesday 17 October – 7:30 pm General Meeting
VENUE: Old Sunday School, St Johns Park Precinct
GUEST SPEAKER: Caroline Homer
TOPIC: Research Gems from the Archives
Caroline Homer was Manager of the State Library and Archive service for over ten years with responsibility for access to the State Archive, Heritage, and Reference collections. Caroline was a key player in the development of the Tasmanian Names Index and was passionate about making the State collections accessible to a broad audience.
Having retired in the last 12 months, Caroline has been putting her spare time to good use, doing a deep dive into the records, and discovering some research gems. Caroline has a particular interest in land records and through her research into early land ownership in the Dover area, has discovered material that can add to family stories.
Caroline is President of the Tasmanian Historical Research Association, Vice-President of the Dover History Group and is a member of the Federation of Australian Historical Societies and Blue Shield Australia Committees.
More for Your Diary
Thu 19 Oct – 10.00am Branch Committee Meeting
VENUE: Branch Library, Bellerive
Thu 19 Oct – 1.30pm DNA Group Meeting
VENUE: St Marks Church Hall, Scott Street, Bellerive
Sat 21 Oct – 2pm Launch of Swing-rioters Under The Southern Cross
VENUE: St Marks Church Hall, Scott Street, Bellerive
Thu 26 Oct - 2pm Library Committee
VENUE: Branch Library, Bellerive
Tue 21 Nov – 7:30pm General Meeting
VENUE: Old Sunday School, St Johns Park Precinct
SPEAKER: Howard Reeves
TOPIC: Dad's Grandparents - Three Convicts and an Irish Orphan Girl
From Your Branch President
The more I get to know the workings of the Hobart branch, the more impressed I am – you should be too. Our volunteers do a huge amount of work behind the scenes, as well as those who are more visible in roles such as library duty when we are open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays (been in to visit the library lately – there is something for everyone). The computer system, which we rely on, needs to be maintained - and upgraded from time to time. We are also superbly covered with a well-designed backup system in case of a crash (how well is your family history research backed up?). Our website was built in-house by a volunteer and is now maintained and updated. Membership records and mailing lists are kept current (you can do your bit by sending in your renewal on time).
Books for the library are acquisitioned, by donations and purchases. They are catalogued and then put on the shelves using the Dewey Decimal System widely used by libraries. Not helpful are people who look at a book and then put it back in the wrong place, so it can’t be found next time. This is all too common – if you are not sure of the exact place to re-shelve a book, please leave it for one of the library assistants to do.
Then there are the working groups who work behind-the-scenes on projects. The index books that we produce in-house don’t just magically appear. Records are copied, transcribed, proof-read, made into an index, proof-read again, prepared for publication, then published in-house – how long will it take for someone to politely tell me that I have missed a step or two here?
Ros Escott president@hobart.tasfhs.org
Celebrate Seniors’ Week – 16 to 22 October 2023
FINDING YOUR FAMILY’S HISTORY
Tasmanian Family History Society, Hobart Branch
Come and visit us at the Old Post Office, Bellerive. Experienced family historians will assist you to explore your family stories. We can help you find the final resting place of that elusive ancestor, and much more.
Tuesday 17 th October 12:30pm – 3:30pm
Wednesday 18 th October 9:30am – 12:30pm
Saturday 21 st October 1:00pm – 4:00 pm
Old Post office, 19 Cambridge Road, Bellerive
HOW TO USE DNA TO ENHANCE YOUR FAMILY HISTORY
Tasmanian Family History Society, Hobart Branch
We will begin with a presentation explaining the basics of understanding DNA and how it can be used to enhance your family history research. Experienced members of the DNA Interest Group will then provide individual help with your DNA results. If possible, bring your laptop or tablet, but at least bring the login details to access your DNA results.
Thursday 19 th October 1:30pm – 3:30pm
St Marks Church Hall, cnr Scott and Clarence Streets, Bellerive
Computer Resources – Pioneer and Federation Indexes
One of our most popular and useful resources on the library computers is the Pioneer & Federation index for Tasmania. These list Births, Deaths & Marriages 1803-1899 (Pioneer Index) & Births 1900-1919 Deaths & Marriages 1900-1930 (Federation Index). There are a number of indexes for Victoria, South Australia and one for Queensland as well.
Unfortunately, with the upgrading of most of our computers the indexes will now only run on one of our older machines. There is a separate shortcut on the relevant computer desktop to take you to the indexes. Our library assistants will be happy to point you in the right direction.
Membership
Memberships for The Society were due 1 April for the current year, through to 31 Mar 2024. If you have forgotten to renew, please do so as soon as possible and we will arrange for the June and September Tasmanian Ancestry Journals to be mailed to you.
If you have misplaced your membership renewal form, contact us at membership@tasfhs.org and we will arrange to send a replacement.
Library Accessions September 2023
Books
* Baker, Dorothy; NORTH OF DOVER & PORT ESPERANCE - Police Point to Cairns Bay. How earliest Settlers changed their lives.
* Salmon, Jill; THE SHAWS - From Ireland to Tasmania. [Q929.2 SHA]
* Denotes complimentary or donated item
Swing-Rioters Under the Southern Cross
At 2:00 pm on Saturday afternoon, 21 October, our patron, Alison Alexander, will be launching the Branch's latest publication: "Swing-rioters Under the Southern Cross" by the late Geoffrey Sharman. Rather than a book, this work is being published as a website with the exciting opportunity for descendants of Swing-rioters to add their family's story. Join us afterwards for a chat and light afternoon tea. Members and guests are welcome. RSVPS are not required.
Maree’s Mutterings
An interesting site for those interested in stained glass windows - https://stainedglassaustralia.wordpress.com/index/
For those who wondered what the State Archive at Geilston Bay contains and missed the tour during August for National Family History Month. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MefDGQh-73g&t=2s
Open house Hobart is Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 November 2023 - Tickets go on sale online at 10 am Thursday, 19 October, though some will not need booking. https://openhousehobart.org/
Convicts & Convictism in Northern Van Diemen’s Land/Tasmania
The 13th BIENNIAL CONFERENCE of the George Town & District Historical Society Inc. - Sunday, 12 November 2023.
This conference will be held in the Performing Arts Centre at the Port Dalrymple School with registrations from 8.45 am ready for a 9.15 am start and finishing around 4 pm. Registration required, close Friday 3rd November.
Website: www.gtdhs.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/George-Town-and-District-Historical-Society-1375090549395357/
GRO Online View Digital Image Service
Ordering birth and death certificates from the UK has been a difficult process for some years. While ScotlandsPeople offered a pay per view online system, it was much more difficult and expensive to obtain GRO (General Records Office) certificates. For that reason, the Hobart Branch has offered an ordering system on behalf of members.
That has finally changed with launch of the GRO Online View digital image service which now makes birth entries from 1837 up to 100 years ago and death entries from 1837 to 1887 viewable online (and saveable) for a fee of £2.50.
It is necessary to first open an account, but the original register entries can then be viewed online. Full detail of how it works may be found here: https://www.rolotest.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/images/CGOVPublicBeta.pdf
Meanwhile Victora has increased the cost of their historic certificates from $20 to $22.
Library Tasmania - Dear Kate: The Vision Of The Mitchell Women
Revealing an artistic legacy
An exhibition of original lithographs and watercolours by Jane Giblin, featuring original works by the Mitchell family.
Free exhibition now showing from 11 August – 10 Nov 2023 at the Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts, State Library and Archive Building Ground floor, 91 Murray St Hobart
No Bookings required
View Dear Kate exhibition online
The great outdoors experienced through the eyes of two women who loved exploring is the inspiration for a vibrant new exhibition coming soon by Tasmanian artist Jane Giblin.
Artist and descendant of the extended Mitchell family, Jane Giblin has created an enchanting series of original lithographs and watercolours in response to the drawings in the diaries of Catherine Augusta Mitchell, her daughters Catherine (Kate) Penwarne Ball, and Sarah Elizabeth Emma Mitchell.
Enter a world of drawings created by the sisters 160 years ago, capturing the essence of their daily lives and experiences exploring through unfamiliar forests and along wild coastlines in Tasmania’s east in the 1860s. Catherine Ball was affectionately known as Dear Kate, before and after her untimely death aged 31.
Tracing a Tasmanian War Hero - Dr. Bruce A. Tocher
Hi, I am carrying out research in connection with a new WWII book project and have come across a Tasmanian connection which I hope might be of interest, and for which I am looking for some assistance.
The subject of my new book is a special forces raid, Operation Freshman, which took place in Norway in November 1942. Operation Freshman was the Allies first attempt to destroy the Heavy Water facility at Vemork, and the first use of gliders by the Allies in WWII. The attempt failed tragically, and most of the participants were either killed when their aircraft crashed or were executed by the Germans (see enclosed summary). The Heavy Water plant was successfully destroyed the following year by Norwegian special forces - "The Heroes of Telemark".
One of the key aims of my project has been to trace the families of the men who took part in the raid in order to tell their stories. At this point in time, I have made contact with the families of 38 of the 48 men in total who were involved. Five of these came from Australia and I have good contact with the families of three of these. One of my "missing" had strong ties to Hobart, Tasmania and, therefore, I am writing to you to see whether the Society might be able to help trace his family, or people who have knowledge of him.
Victor David Kemmis moved to Sandy Bay, Hobart after the war and married Joan Esme (Bunty) Govett (formerly married to Charles E. Davies) in Hobart in 1956. He lived in Hobart until his death in 1995.
KEMMIS, VICTOR DAVID: Flying Officer; Service No. 403594; Royal Australian Air Force. Second pilot of Halifax A-Apple (W7720) during Operation Freshman.
Victor David Kemmis was born on 15 th September 1914 in Gilgandra, New South Wales, Australia. His parents were Peel Scott Kemmis and Jessie May Kemmis (nee Meredyth). Kemmis had three siblings, Douglas Meredyth Kemmis, Lorna Jean Kemmis and Joyce Mary Kemmis.
EDUCATION
Kemmis attended Hay War Memorial School in N.S.W. (https://mgnsw.org.au/organisations/hay-war-memorial-high-school-museum/)
PRE-WAR
Kemmis worked as a bank officer in Sydney before enlisting.
MILITARY SERVICE
Kemmis enlisted in the Australian Militia (30 th Infantry Battalion, New South Wales Scottish Regiment) on the 9th May 1938. He transferred to the RAAF in 1941 and was promoted to the rank of Pilot Officer on 7th November 1941.
In November 1942, Kemmis flew as second pilot in Halifax A during Operation Freshman and was one of only 7 men who survived the raid.
POST FRESHMAN
In June 1943, Flying Officer Kemmis and his regular crew flew to North Africa (Operation Beggar) to prepare for participation in Operation Ladbroke, the airborne invasion of Sicily. When gliders brought the invasion troops to Sicily on the night of July 9, 1943, six RAAF men were among the crews of the tug aircraft that towed them. One of the six – the sole Australian tug pilot – was Flying Officer V.D. Kemmis (together with Jones, Otto and Conacher). The Operations Record indicates that the glider being towed by Kemmis´ Albermarle, detached immediately after take-off (AIR 27/1646). On the night of July 13th, Kemmis piloted a second mission to Sicily, when special service troops were successfully dropped behind enemy lines.
The last operational record for Kemmis, Jones, Otto and Conacher in the 296 Squadron Operations Log is 5thAugust 1943.
In late 1943, Kemmis was transferred to 570 Squadron which was formed at RAF Hurn, equipped with Armstrong Whitley Albermarles. It was part of No. 38 Group RAF and was engaged in supply dropping missions to French Resistance units when it was not training paratroops and glider-towing.
The first record of Kemmis in the Operations Log is an assignment on the 3 rd December, where he is detached to 38 M.U. for instructional purposes as of 6 th December 1943; returning from his lecture presentation on 7thDecember (AIR 27/2041).
F/Lt. Kemmis was posted to 42 O.T.U. for staff post, 18 th April 1944.
Kemmis returned to Australia in December 1944, and was promoted to the rank of temporary Squadron Leader (effective 18th April 1944) and through 1945 piloted Dakota transports in the Pacific area.
In 1945, an article was published in the The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, 15th August), entitled, “R.A.A.F. In First Raid on Nazi “Atom” Site” “
Australian airmen were in the first attack made against the Nazi atom bomb research plant in Norway. One of the Halifax bombers towing the gliders filled with sabotage troops was captained by Squadron-Leader V.D. Kemmis, of Neutral Bay, Sydney. His wireless operator was Pilot-Officer E.D.C. Otto of Queensland, and his navigator was Flying-Officer A.R. Jones of Melbourne. Squadron-Leader V.D. Kemmis, who is now flying Dakotas in the South-west Pacific, has just returned from the north to Brisbane. The first Allied attack against the atom bomb plant was a tragic failure. Two gliders, filled with specially trained demolition army engineers were towed to Norway. The first was shot down over the coast of Norway and all hands were lost. The second, captained by Squadron-Leader Kemmis, reached the target area, but bad weather conditions caused the hawser to break, and the glider disappeared in the darkness. “When we began training with the troops a week before the mission, most of them told us they were on a one-way trip,” Squadron-Leader Kemmis said yesterday. “We didn’t know what had happened to the glider troops until a couple of years later when we read a newspaper report. They were forced to surrender to the Germans and all 25 of them were shot. We got back to base all right, mainly because of the superb navigation of my navigator. We were very short of fuel, but luckily hit the Scottish coast just 10 miles from our base”.
Remaining in the force after the war, in 1947, he formed and commanded No. 2 Communication Squadron (later No. 1 Squadron) Mallala, which served the Woomera rocket range. In 1948, he was posted to Japan, to a staff appointment at B.C.O.F. Headquarters. He was transferred from B.C.O.F. to RAAF Rathmines in 1950, where he served as the Chief Instructor of the Officer Training School.
In another article, published by the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miner´s Advocate in 1952 (20th September), tribute was paid to Squadron Leader Kemmis, referring both to his earlier experiences of flying Blenheims, as well as his role in the first glider operation the British Airborne forces undertook - Operation Freshman.
Squadron Leader Kemmis remained in the RAAF until his discharge 16 Sep 1957 as a Squadron Leader from TAS SQN ATC.
Kemmis passed away on the 11th May 1995 and buried in The Hobart Garden of Remembrance
If anyone in the Society is able to assist my efforts in tracing surviving family or people with knowledge of Squadron Leader Kemmis, I would be most grateful.
Very best regards, Dr. Bruce A. Tocher