Notable for displaying the service badges of three veterans, Whalley Street in Bargara has been included in Bundaberg Regional Council’s Streets of Remembrance Program.
The program sees the badge under which local veterans served added to the signs of local streets named in their honour.
The Whalley Street sign now acknowledges the service of family members Private Richard Whalley and Private George Whalley who served in World War I and Private William Cox Whalley who served in World War II.
The Whalley family has a long history with the Bundaberg Region which started when Richard Whalley first bought a sugar cane farm off Sandhills Road which is now Bargara Road.
Anne Whalley, daughter-in-law of Private William Cox Whalley, said the family were extremely honoured to have their relatives recognised for their service.
“This was a huge commitment from one family to the war effort over two world wars,” Anne said.
“I strongly commend Bundaberg Regional Council for undertaking this initiative and I trust that it is continued.
“I believe that these servicemen deserve recognition for the contribution they made keeping Australia safe and these street signs are a lasting reminder of this commitment.”
Family history
Anne provided the following account of the family’s history:
“Richard Whalley married Sarah Barney on 12 October 1892 and purchased a cane farm off Bargara Road (known then as Sandhills Road), bounded by Farquahar Road and Seaview Road.
They also purchased another smaller farm opposite Bargara School along Potters Road.
Their children were George (known as Slap), Richard, John (called Jack and nicknamed Spratty), Ralph (known as Boxer), Ellen, Harriet, Thomas, Mary, Maude and William Cox.
William Cox Whalley was born 3 November 1912 and fought in PNG, Borneo and the Middle East in WWII.
His older brothers, Richard and George, fought in the Great War, while the others stayed at home to tend the crops to feed the families left at home.
George enlisted in the 4th Pioneer Battalion on 5 February 1916 and fought on the Western Front.
He returned to Australia on 6 September 1919.
He passed away on 29 January 1947.
Richard Jnr joined the 31st Battalion on 12 July 1915 and returned to Australia 8 April 1919.
Ralph Snr married Annie Elizabeth (known as Bonnie) and they had one son and two daughters, Billie, Dulcie and Veronica.
After Ralph died on 15 November 1947 and William Cox returned from WWII, she married William and had a further two sons, George Jnr and Ralph Jnr.
They lived at 26 Bauer Street, Bargara.
Annie died on 16 February 1966 after being bitten by a centipede and William died in Ingham on 13 January 1972.
Of particular interest may be the story of Steamer Nelson which was wrecked on the Rocks at Bargara on New Year’s Day in 1919 on the reef running out to the south of the little boat ramp at Bargara.
Ralph Jnr’s uncles and grandfather were involved in the rescue of the crew.
As a reward they were able to salvage the timber that was being carried aboard from Maryborough to Mackay.
This timber was used to build a shed on the old farm at Sand Hills Road.
There are many branches of this family still living in the Bundaberg district, most became fishermen or cattlemen, however the younger generations followed many different careers.
Of the more senior Whalleys, few remain but their presence within the community has been very much engrained.”
Streets of Remembrance: Sapper Massey
My great grandmother was a whalley, Ada Whalley, my mother visited the family sugar distillary many times, and played around the large vats as a child. And stayed at the family home “Cooee”
I am not familiar with her but some other family members may know her. Thanks for commenting.