George Alfred Yung, known as Alf, pictured in the second row, 10th from the left, enlisted on 25/02/1916; embarked on 19/02/1917; was killed during the battle of Menin Gate at Yrpres, Belgium on 20/09/1917. https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51447 The 7th Battalion was among the first infantry units raised for the AIF during the First World War. Like the 5th, 6th and 8th Battalions, it was recruited from Victoria and, together with these battalions, formed the 2nd Brigade. The battalion was raised by Lieutenant Colonel H. E. "Pompey" Elliott within a fortnight of the declaration of war in August 1914 and embarked just two months later. After a brief stop in Albany, Western Australia, the battalion proceeded to Egypt, arriving on 2 December. It later took part in the ANZAC landing on 25 April 1915, as part of the second wave. Ten days after the landing, the 2nd Brigade was transferred from ANZAC to Cape Helles to help in the attack on the village of Krithia. The attack captured little ground but cost the brigade almost a third of its strength. The Victorian battalions returned to ANZAC to help defend the beachhead, and in August the 2nd Brigade fought at the battle of Lone Pine. While holding positions captured by the 1st Brigade, four members of the 7th Battalion, Corporal A. S. Burton, Acting Corporal W. Dunstan, Lieutenant W. Symons and Captain F. H. Tubb, earned the Victoria Cross - Burton posthumously. The battalion served at ANZAC until the evacuation in December. After the withdrawal from Gallipoli in December 1915, the battalion returned to Egypt. In March 1916, it sailed for France and the Western Front and entered the front line trenches for the first time on 3 May. The battalion's first major action in France was at Pozieres in the Somme valley where it fought between 23-27 July and 15-21 August. After Pozieres the battalion manned trenches in the Ypres salient in Belgium, before returning to the Somme valley. It saw out the horrendous winter of 1916-1917 rotating between training, working parties and duty in the trenches. In early 1917, the Germans withdrew to the Hindenburg Line and the 7th Battalion participated in the brief advance that followed and then came to a grinding halt before Bullecourt. The battalion was withdrawn from the front line for training on 9 May 1917 and did not return to action until the Ypres offensive of September and October. It fought major battles at Menin Road on 20 September and Broodseinde on 4 October, and then spent much of ensuing winter in the Ypres mud. In March and April 1918 the 7th helped stop the German spring offensive in northern France and later participated in the Allies' own great offensive of 1918, that began with the battle of Amiens on 8 August. The advance by British and empire troops on 8 August was the greatest success in a single day on the Western Front, one that German General Erich Ludendorff described as, "the black day of the German Army in this war". The battalion continued operations until late September 1918. At 11 am on 11 November 1918, the guns fell silent. The November armistice was followed by the peace treaty of Versailles signed on 28 June 1919. In November 1918 members of the AIF began to return to Australia for demobilisation and discharge. In March, the battalion was so reduced that it and the 6th Battalion were amalgamated to form a composite battalion. In turn, this battalion was merged with another, formed from the 5th and 8th Battalions, to form the 2nd Brigade Battalion. https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51447army, soldier, alf yung, 7th australian infantry battalion

These photographs are from a collection owned by Edith Emma Watson and passed down to the donor, her granddaughter. The Yung family were from Happy Valley near Linton. Edith's mother was Clara Emma Yung b Smith, also from Happy Valley. Edward Lancelot (Lance), Alfred Ernest (Alf) and Ernest Herbert (Ern) Yung were the sons of George Edgar Godlip Yung and Clara Emma Yung (b Smith). They were the brothers of Edith Emma Watson and Maude Holmes. Jack Yung was the son of Ernest Herbert Yung and was born in Nhill.Six black and white photographs associated with the Yung/Smith Families .1 Maud Holmes born Yung - daughter of G E & C E Yung; Edith Emma Watson's sister; married Edward Holmes. .2 Three sons of George Edgar Godlip Yung: L to R - Ernest Herbert (Ern); George Alfred (Alf) Edward Lancelot (Lance). .3 William (Will) Smith - Son of George Henry Smith and Emma Keys; Clara Emma Yung's brother .4 Jack Yung at 6 months old. .5 Jack Yung and mother .6 Jack Yung and father .7 Maud Yung.1 Verso: Alison Jobe - my Grandmother's sister Maude Holmes b. Yung .2 Verso: 3 brothers of Edith Emma R-L Lance Alf Ern Yung .3 Verso:W. Smith Will? Grandma Yung's Brother .4 Verso: Jack Yung 6 months old .5 Verso: jack Yung and mother .6 Verso: Jack Yung and father .7 Maud Yung Edie Watson's sistercox, yung, edward lancelot yung, george alfred yung, ernest herbert yung, happy valley, linton, clara emma yung, george edgar godlip yung, maud yung, maud holmes

This photo was taken in 1985. Alf Watson, a descendent of settlers of the district - the Smiths and the Yungs whose children attended this school, is standing to the right of the building. The history of Happy Valley State School 1863 The school opened as Lucky Woman's in 1863. The school was located in the Linton area, a small mining township. The first head teacher was Thomas Lea. 89 students had enrolled. 1883 The name of the school changed to Happy Valley. The brick school building was built in this period. 1920s Enrolment declined in the 1920s to around 10 students. 1932 Enrolment continued to decline and the school was closed. 1933 The school reopened briefly under head teacher Selina McFarlane. 1936 It closed again at some stage before reopening in 1936 under head teacher Maxwell Brown. The school was closed finally in 1936. 1940 The building was sold. 150 years: Happy Valley State School Learn about the history of Happy Valley State School, one of Victoria’s oldest public schools. Key information Address: Ballarat, 3350 Opened: 1 February 1860 Closed: 31 December 1940 School type: Primary School number: 376 Other names: Lucky Woman's Common School, Lucky Woman's State School Search for more school profiles The history of Happy Valley State School 1863 The school opened as Lucky Woman's in 1863. The school was located in the Linton area, a small mining township. The first head teacher was Thomas Lea. 89 students had enrolled. 1883 The name of the school changed to Happy Valley. The brick school building was built in this period. 1920s Enrolment declined in the 1920s to around 10 students. 1932 Enrolment continued to decline and the school was closed. 1933 The school reopened briefly under head teacher Selina McFarlane. 1936 It closed again at some stage before reopening in 1936 under head teacher Maxwell Brown. The school was closed finally in 1936. 1940 The building was sold. Can you help us find records for this school? The Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) only hold historical correspondence records for this closed school. If you have any, or if you know of any, please let us know by emailing [email protected] Updated 19 May 2022.1 Happy Valley State School photographed in June 1985. Alf Watson observing the building. .2 View from the back and side of the Happy Valley State School.1 Verso: Grandma Watson's school Happy Valley June 1985 (Grandma nearly 97 years) Alf in bacckground. Edith Emma Watson b Yung. Alf - son of Edith and John Richard Watson. .2 Verso: School where Grandma Watson eudcated. Happy Valley. June 1985happy valley state school, lucky womans, lucky woman's common school, lucky woman's state school

In 1901 Cameron was captain of the Rokewood Rifle Club. John Cameron was a Rokewood blacksmith in 1902. John (Jack) Richard Watson was the son of Thomas Watson (10/11/1838 - 27/04/1920) and Emma Eliza Jane Phillips (25/05/1844 - 12/10/1925) and was born at Yendon on 16/12/1876 and died 11/10/1973 aged 96 at the Wimmera Base Hospital in Horsham while residing in Murtoa. Still a teenager Thomas reached Melbourne in the 1850's and found work helping to build the Spencer Street Bridge over the Yarra Yarra, as it was known then, before making his way to the Ballarat Goldfields. After being tricked out of a claim he sought work with the Victorian Railways, and later acquired a farm at Yendon. Emma Phillips was born in Geelong and had moved with her mother to Ballarat. Emma was a member of the Ballarat Philharmonic Orchestra and sang in the choir of St Pauls Church in East Ballarat, where they were married. Jack worked in the gold mining industry - firstly as a braceman at the New Kohinoor Mine at Sebastapol and then to a mine at Rokewood, both times following his older brother Frederick George. He later worked in 15 different mines before changing occupations. He was employed as an engine driver for the Murtoa Waterworks Trust at the Murtoa Power Station when he lost his lower left arm when it was caught in an engine belt in 1929. Jack married Edith Emma Yung (01/07/1887 - 05/10/1988 ) who was born at Allendale and died aged 101 at Wendouree after livivng most of her married life at Murtoa. They had five children all born in Murtoa: Richard Henry (Harry); Edith 'Alice'; Grace; Ernest Alfred (Alf) and Jonn Grenville (Gren). They were married at Yendon. Sepia photo of eighteen men and one girl. Eight are in uniform, and two are identified as Boer War soldiers. They all stand in front of Cameron Coach Builders showroom and workshop. The person fifth from the left is J.R. Watson.Front top Rifle Club (Murtoa - crossed out) Rokewod 1898; Lower LHS South Africa Boer War; C - Rokewood Rifle Club; Loer RHS J.R.Watson. Sign on Building: Agricultural & Mining & Smith above Cameron Coach Builder. Verso: Madeley Photo Corindhap plus a signature.corindhap, rokewood, rokewood rifle club, j.r. watson, cameron coach builder, john cameron, emma eliza jane phillips, thomas watson, john richard watson, edith emma watson

Family photographs from Edith Emma Watson's collection involving Watson, Smith, Yung and extended families. .1Army photo WW1 of Jack Rutherford 1914. Son of John and Edith Rutherford. .2 Edith Alice Rutherford's Memorial Card .3 Photo of Edith Alice Rutherford .4 Family photograph taken on the occasion of Clara Emma Yung,s 90th birthday in Murtoa. People in photograph: Back row L-R Peg Watson, Jack Watson, Harry Watson, Beryl Cox, Jeff Cox, Lance Yung. Front row :Alice Watson seated on the ground, Edith Watson nursing Alison Watson, Clara Emma Yung, Annie Bolte? nursing Helen Cox, ?, Grace Watson kneeling. Front row L-R: Alice Watson, Edie Watson nursing Alison Watson, Clara Yung, Clara's sister Annie Bolte ? nursing Helen Cox, Jeanette Watson, Grace Watson. Alf Watson was the photographer. .5 Edith (Alice) Watson - artist and dressmaker. Photo taken in the garden of the family home 47 Cromie Street Murtoa, Victoria.Two sepia photos, two black and white photos and one memorial card .1) Jack Rutherford 1914 .2) Black and gold Memorial Card for Edith Alice Rutherford .3) Alice Rutherford. Born 09/1876, died 20/10/1902 in childbirth, aged 26. Alice was the daughter of George Godlip Yung and Anna Christina Weller and a sister to eleven siblings. Her baby son "Little Joe" is buried with her in the Smythesdale Cemetery. .4) Clara Emma Yung 90th Birthday Family Group. .5) Edith Alice Watson.1)Front under photo - Handwritten -'Jack Rutherford 1914'; handwritten - 'Grandpa Watson's nephew'. Professional stamp - The Model Studios 328 Smith Street Collingwood. .3) Nadar Studio; Coat of Arms ; Photographer' Address .4) Verso: Handwritten - 'Grandma Yung's (Clara Emma's) 80th B'day; Alf took Photo; Chn. Alison (Watson) Jobe, Helen (Cox) Sampson .5) Edith 'Alice' Watson. garden. 47 Cromie St Murtoayung, rutherford, jack rutherford, watson, cox, alice watson, clara emma yung, alison watson, helen sampson, harry watson, john richard watson, family history, german, german australians

James (Jim) Smith, (died 03/08/1974, aged 93 years) established an orchard growing snow apples near in Happy Valley after returning from mining activities in South Africa. The orchard was called "Springdallah" and was beside the Linton/Happy Valley Road across from the old Happy Valley railway station. Jim was the son of George Henry Smith (18/12/1840 - 26/11/1903) and Emma Keys Smith born Keys (07/08/1842 - 28/08/1888). George and Emma left Liverpool with other unassisted immigrants on the "Bates Family" ship with baby Clara on 08/06/1863 arriving in Melbourne on 08/06/1863. George and Emma emigrated to Australia on the invitation of Emma's brother Edward Keys who owned a property near the school at Happy Valley on which there were two houses. Teddy offered George and Emma the smaller one to live in. When "Teddy" decided to go into hotel keeping George took over the 200 acres of his property and made it a pleasant orchard and garden called "Cress Green Gardens". George had various secretarial jobs - rate collector; paymaster at the mines; until he became Shire Secretary for the Shire of Grenville, whose centre was Linton and Government Auditor for Western Victoria (1894-1903), the means of transport being horse and buggy. Another son followed his father as Shire Secretary. George and Emma had 14 children, Emma dying giving birth to Emma Keys who lived for 16 months. George later married Annie Bolte with 2 more children being born. Annie later sold the property. The land was used for grazing and the two houses fell into disrepair. In 1995 George's grandson Ernest (Alf) Alfred Watson visited the site and reported a wrought iron gate at the site and a mulberry tree near the site of his grandmother's family home. Bluestone blocks can still be seen in the paddocks from the roadside. The child in the photograph is Phyllis Joy Smith, Jim's eldest daughter. Jim Smith was the brother of Clara Emma Yung nee Smith.Sepia photo of two men and a girl. One of them is Jim Smith who established on orchard at Happy Valley. He also went to South Africa - mining activities. The orchard is now part of Clarkesdale Bird Sanctuary located at 360 Linton-Piggoreet Rd, Linton, Vic. 3360. Verso: Jim Smith South Africa (Mining) Established orchard halfway near Linton and Happy Valley. Clara Emma's brother. jim smith, james smith, clara emma smith, happy valley, yendon, piggoreet, south africa, mining, orchard, edward keys, george henry smith, emma keys smith, clara emma yung, annie bolte, shire of grenville, clarkesdale bird sanctury