It is with deep regret...

Story

Eltham District Historical Society

Posted on

Saturday May 3rd 1941

At the property ‘Abington’ (now known as ‘Araluen’) on the Old Eltham Road, Lower Plenty, home of Mrs Annie Castledine.

It is morning and the weather is fine with a slight northerly breeze. The sun is out warming the dew off the grass following a chilly and foggy start to the day of 6°C at 7am. The sun will heat the day up to a pleasant 20°C at noon but that is the only warmth to be brought to the Castledine homestead that day.

Passing through the front gate and heading up the drive, a young lad in postal office uniform, cap on head, pedals his bike up the hill. It's the telegram delivery boy; an unfortunate scene and a symbol of fear, stabbing directly to the hearts of every mother, wife, father, brother, sister or child unfortunate enough to witness it.

Annie has heard and seen him approaching, his bicycle bell rattling as he passes over the ruts and corrugations in the drive, small puffs of dust falling from behind his wheels. She comes to the front door to greet him, her heart pounding with fear.

The boy dismounts and places his bike on its stand with respect rather than just dropping it. He wipes a bead of sweat off his forehead, straightens his cap and dusts himself down slightly. He too advances towards her but tries not to catch her eye. Unlike Amy, holding onto the slightest glimmer of hope, he knows what he is delivering.

“Mrs Annie Castledine?” he asks her quietly.  

Annie reaches her hand out towards him and he gently hands the sealed telegram to her. Still trying to avoid eye contact, he backs away and says, “I’m very sorry”. He quietly gets back on his bike and rides away though Annie cannot see him anymore, her eyes are full of tears.

“It is with deep regret that I have to inform you that VX10044 Sapper G. E. Castledine has been killed in action April 18th & desire to convey to you the profound sympathy of the Minister for the Army and the Military Board. – Minister for the Army”

George is the first soldier from the Shire of Eltham to be killed in the war. 

Sapper George Ernest Castledine (1914-1941), son of Arthur Frederick (dec.) and Annie Castledine, enlisted 23 January 1940 at Lower Plenty and was assigned to the 2/2 Field Company. He is buried in the Phaleron War Cemetery, Athens, Greece and is remembered on the Roll of Honour located in the Eltham War Memorial Hall.

It is in memory of George and all the other fallen soldiers of our district that the Eltham Women’s Auxiliary first banded together to raise funds for the establishment of the Eltham War Memorial as a living memorial to ‘be a constant reminder of those who fought for us and the little ones for whom they fought and died.

Sources:

Last updated: