ANZAC TRIBUTE 2026

Today’s post covers four more members, Alexander Chisholm, Michael Cummins,Edgar Costelloe and Jack Cross.

ALEXANDER CHISHOLM

Ballarat City Rowing Club

1908-1909 club scratch pairs and fours

1909-1910 club Trial fours

19/02/1910 Maiden eight Ballarat Regatta

Born in Ripon, Ballarat, Victoria and a Clerk by occupation, Alexander Chisholm was 27 years and single when enlisted on the 21st of July 1915 in the 3rd Divisional Train, 22nd Company, Army Service Corps, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Driver, Number 10818. His Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board H.M.A.T. A34 ‘Persic’ on the 3rd of June 1916. On the 21st of November 1916 proceeded overseas to France; on the 3rd of May 1917 re-joined Unit from detachment to 7th Field Ambulance; Discharged for duty with the 7th Field Artillery Brigade on the 15th of April 1917; discharged to duty with the 3rd Divisional Headquarters on the 22nd of August 1917; on the 1st of September 1917 re-joined from detachment to 3rd Divisional Headquarters. Embarked for return to Australia per ‘Wiltshire’ on the 9th of July 1919 and disembarked on the 19th of August 1919 and discharged from the 3rd Military District on the 3rd of October 1919 with the Termination of Period of Enlistment.

MICHAEL JAMES FRANCIS CUMMINS

Ballarat City Rowing Club

1913 Club fours

Michael Cummins, service no. 3495, enlisted when he was a 20-year-old warehouseman from Ballarat, July 7,1915. As he was underage his father William gave permission for Michael to join up. He had been a member of the local Citizen’s Forces Naval Cadets and Senior Cadets.

He enlisted as a gunner in the 12th Army Brigade. His Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A64 ‘Demosthenes’ on the 29th of December 1915. Promoted Bombardier on the 17th of May 1916 but reverted to Gunner at his own request in the field, in France November 25,1916. Transferred to the 12th Field Ambulance from the 5th Divisional Artillery Brigade, France on the 25th of January 1917. He embarked for Australia in July 1919 on the “Frankfurt”, arriving on 20 August.

Family members at a Welcome Home party for Michael James Francis Cummins at 8 Havelock Street, Ballarat after his return from World War I in August 1919. The house still stands today.
People are gathered under flags and a ‘welcome home’ sign erected at the front of their house. There is a marquee in the back yard.

Source Museums Victoria 

EDGAR COSTELLOE

Ballarat City Rowing Club (involvement not yet found)

Edgar Francis Costelloe (SN 77) born in Ballarat, was a 25 year old telephone mechanic when he enlisted at Ballarat on March 21st 1916. Assigned to the 39th Infantry Battalion he embarked aboard the Ascanius on May 27th and sailed to England. In November he crossed to the battlefields of France. In August 1918 he sustained an accidental, slight, gunshot wound to his neck. An investigation found that he was not to blame. He returned to Australia aboard the City of York, disembarked at Melbourne on February 27th 1919 and was discharged on April 6th. He also enlisted to serve during WW2 with service number.

JACK CROSS

1912 Maiden four, Colac Regatta -Jack Scott, W. Palmer, Thomas Luke and E. A. James with A. Sargeant cox.

Born in Portland, Victoria and a Clerk by occupation, Jack Cross was 23 years and single when enlisted on the 29th of May 1917 in the 13th General (Victorian) Reinforcements, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Private, Number 61837 Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board SS ‘Zealandic’ on the 5th of October 1918. On the 5th of October 1918 to be VO Sergeant; Reverts to ranks of Private on the 1st of November 1918; On the 12th of November 1918 re-appointed VO Sergeant. On the 5th of February 1919 discharged from Hospital to Sutton Vemy. On the 12th of January 1919 admitted to the 3rd New Zealand Hospital Acute Bronchitis. Returned to Australia per ‘Medic’- Bronchitis – on the 10th of April 1919. Disembarked on the 31st of May 1919 and Discharged on the 14th of June 1919 with the Termination of Period of Enlistment.

Agricultural High School winners of schoolboy four at Henley Regatta 1913. Crew  W. Holtham (B), Jack Cross(2), P.Cross(3), C.Manners(str), W.Gribble(cox).