DWYER, Michael John
| Service Number: | VX84725 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 26 July 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Warrant Officer Class 2 |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | WINCHELSEA, VIC, 21 February 1903 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 26 Jul 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Warrant Officer Class 2, VX84725 |
|---|
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Michael John ‘Jack’ Dwyer
Michael John Dwyer, known as ‘Jack’, the youngest child and fifth son of Victoria Police Mounted Constable Michael John Dwyer [1864-1910] and Catherine Winifred Stapleton [1859-1942], was a 15 years-of-age youth when his older brother Trooper Thomas Leo Dwyer [1893-1917] of the 8th Light Horse [1914-1917] Regimental Number 692, was killed in action at the Dardenelles, Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey.
Eldest brother, Driver Gerald Francis Dwyer [1895-1971], Regimental Number 4703, served with the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade [1915-1918].
Their parents, marrying in 1887, being, Maitland, New South Wales, born Catherine Winifred Stapleton and Michael John Dwyer celebrated the birth of first child, Alice Mary [1887-1917], in the same year, at Mitchelton, beside the Goulburn River, north-east Victoria. The year following, witnessed the Mounted Victoria Policeman residing at Tower Hill, on the south-west Victoria coast between Warrnambool and Port Fairy, together with the birth of their first son, John Eric Dwyer [1888-1958]. Private John Eric Dwyer [1888-1958] served with 5th Battalion 1st AIF [1916-1917].
Transferring to officer in charge at Natimuk, in the Wimmera district, in 1889, Mounted Constable Michael Dwyer, sustained a concussion of the brain, upon being dislodged, whilst riding into Horsham. However, upon regaining his health, resumed his Natimuk duties, being in November 1890, elected foundation treasurer of Natimuk Volunteer Fire Brigade, whilst in the same year, second son, Ernest Stapleton Dwyer [1890-1955], increased the family to five.
Sustaining, in July 1891, serious injury, due to the horse upon which he was mounted stumbling before falling upon him, Michael Dwyer, following a period of unconsciousness, sustained paralysis of the bladder. A deservedly popular member of the force, and most efficient in the discharge of his duties, Michael Dwyer was compelled, in March 1892, to retire from the Victoria Police Force due to the accident.
Upon regaining his fitness, Michael Dwyer secured the position of Officer in Charge of Winchelsea, in the western district of Victoria, between Geelong and Colac.
In 1893, third son, Thomas Leo [1893-1917], arrived at Winchelsea, followed by Gerald Francis [1895-1971], Kathleen Margaret [1898-1983], with the final child, fifth son, Michael John [1901-1983].
Establishing ‘Vaughan Kennels’, Winchelsea, a greyhound breeding and racing entity. Successfully entering the sport of coursing – field hunting by sight, as well as scent by dogs, usually greyhounds – the forerunner to greyhound racing. A great enthusiast in the sport, he was known on nearly every coursing field in Victoria. As popular as he was genial, he encouraged his sons’ involvement in his chosen sporting interest. His first-born son, John Eric ‘Eric’ Dwyer, equalling his father’s interest and popularity in the sport.
Overnighting at Lorne, on 13 February 1910, Winchelsea Mounted Constable Michael John Dwyer, accepted the invitation of two friends to enjoy a morning swim. Venturing beyond the breaking surf, the 46 years of age, Michael Dwyer, drowned, unable to escape the treacherous undertow.
Raising, by public subscription, £77/7/6 enabled the Winchelsea population to purchase, as well as erect a headstone in the local cemetery to commemorate the final resting place of their peacekeeper. The £26/10/- balance being handed to Mrs. Catherine Winifred Dwyer, a widow with seven children, aged from 23 to 9 years.
The large attendance at his funeral indicated both sympathy for the widow and family in their loss, as well as respect for an honourable officer and citizen. The funeral cortege was upwards of 60 vehicles, with the various organisations associated with the district represented at the obsequies, including the A.N.A., of which the mounted constable had been secretary since its inception: district coursing clubs, cricket club, shire council, etc.
Victoria Police Veteran, Mounted Constable Michael John Dwyer 3877 rests in eternal peace in the Winchelsea Cemetery, Winchelsea, Victoria, plot WIN-SECT-001-807-17
On 13 September 1942, at the Mercy Hospital, Melbourne, 83 years-of-age, Catherine Winifred Dwyer, of Sunshine, widow of the late Victoria Police Mounted Constable Michael John Dwyer, of Winchelsea, and loved mother of Tot [Mrs. Alice Mary Shelley, Ballarat, deceased], Eric, [Middle Park], Ern, [Glen Iris], Leo [K.I.A. First A.I.F., deceased], Gerald, [South Melbourne], Peg [Mrs. Howard, Sunshine] and Warrant-Officer Jack Dwyer [Second A.I.F.], passed into eternal peace.
Marrying, in 1927, Footscray, Victoria born, Mary Lyall ‘Lyall’ Fox [1902-1993], ‘Jack’ Dwyer set about producing a family of two daughters, Alice Ralston [1928-?] and Margaret Lyall [1933-1998], as well as son, John.
Reducing his age by two years, 39 years-of-age, traveller, Michael John ‘Jack’ Dwyer [1901-1983], enlisted, on 20 July 1942, in the Second AIF, at Casino, New South Wales, despite residing, with his family, at 9 Plant Street, Malvern, Victoria.
Having served, for two years, with the Citizen Military Force, at St Kilda, Winchelsea, Victoria, born ‘Jack’ Dwyer, assigned service number VX84725, served with the 9 December 1941 formed, 106 Tank Attack Regiment, during the Second World War, served in northern Australia, acting primarily as coastal defence to prevent enemy landings, as well as New Guinea. Serving on the latter under tough conditions – dengue fever and food poisoning were rife, combined with the constant threat of air raids. Disbanded, in late 1944, its men were assessed for assigned to other units for the remainder of the war.
Warrant Officer II Michael John ‘Jack’ Dwyer VX84725, upon assessment, was demobbed, on 20 September 1944, due to his age, as well as his lack of fitness, at Royal Park, Victoria.
Eighty-two years-of-age, ‘Jack’ Dwyer passed away at Heidelberg, Victoria, to rest, together with his wife, Mary ‘Lyall’, in eternal peace in Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Springvale, Victoria, Dr McLorinan Memorial Lawn, Row J, Grave 38.
Warrant Officer Michael John ‘Jack’ Dwyer [1901-1983] VX84725, served with four of the children of his brother, Private John Eric Dwyer [1888-1958], daughter, Sergeant Eileen Alice Silvey née Dwyer [1915-1992] V397162; sons, Major Michael John Dwyer [1919-1994] 309504 VX8786; Sergeant Eric Francis ‘Frank’ Dwyer [1920-1981] VX15917, as well as Signalman Gerald Patrick Dwyer [1923-2015] VX75829, during World War 2.
Submitted 15 February 2024 by GRANT BEASLEY
Michael John Dwyer, known as ‘Jack’, the youngest child and fifth son of Victoria Police Mounted Constable Michael John Dwyer [1864-1910] and Catherine Winifred Stapleton [1859-1942], was a 15 years-of-age youth when his older brother Trooper Thomas Leo Dwyer [1893-1917] of the 8th Light Horse [1914-1917] Regimental Number 692, was killed in action at the Dardenelles, Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey.
Eldest brother, Driver Gerald Francis Dwyer [1895-1971], Regimental Number 4703, served with the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade [1915-1918].
Their parents, marrying in 1887, being, Maitland, New South Wales, born Catherine Winifred Stapleton and Michael John Dwyer celebrated the birth of first child, Alice Mary [1887-1917], in the same year, at Mitchelton, beside the Goulburn River, north-east Victoria. The year following, witnessed the Mounted Victoria Policeman residing at Tower Hill, on the south-west Victoria coast between Warrnambool and Port Fairy, together with the birth of their first son, John Eric Dwyer [1888-1958]. Private John Eric Dwyer [1888-1958] served with 5th Battalion 1st AIF [1916-1917].
Transferring to officer in charge at Natimuk, in the Wimmera district, in 1889, Mounted Constable Michael Dwyer, sustained a concussion of the brain, upon being dislodged, whilst riding into Horsham. However, upon regaining his health, resumed his Natimuk duties, being in November 1890, elected foundation treasurer of Natimuk Volunteer Fire Brigade, whilst in the same year, second son, Ernest Stapleton Dwyer [1890-1955], increased the family to five.
Sustaining, in July 1891, serious injury, due to the horse upon which he was mounted stumbling before falling upon him, Michael Dwyer, following a period of unconsciousness, sustained paralysis of the bladder. A deservedly popular member of the force, and most efficient in the discharge of his duties, Michael Dwyer was compelled, in March 1892, to retire from the Victoria Police Force due to the accident.
Upon regaining his fitness, Michael Dwyer secured the position of Officer in Charge of Winchelsea, in the western district of Victoria, between Geelong and Colac.
In 1893, third son, Thomas Leo [1893-1917], arrived at Winchelsea, followed by Gerald Francis [1895-1971], Kathleen Margaret [1898-1983], with the final child, fifth son, Michael John [1901-1983].
Establishing ‘Vaughan Kennels’, Winchelsea, a greyhound breeding and racing entity. Successfully entering the sport of coursing – field hunting by sight, as well as scent by dogs, usually greyhounds – the forerunner to greyhound racing. A great enthusiast in the sport, he was known on nearly every coursing field in Victoria. As popular as he was genial, he encouraged his sons’ involvement in his chosen sporting interest. His first-born son, John Eric ‘Eric’ Dwyer, equalling his father’s interest and popularity in the sport.
Overnighting at Lorne, on 13 February 1910, Winchelsea Mounted Constable Michael John Dwyer, accepted the invitation of two friends to enjoy a morning swim. Venturing beyond the breaking surf, the 46 years of age, Michael Dwyer, drowned, unable to escape the treacherous undertow.
Raising, by public subscription, £77/7/6 enabled the Winchelsea population to purchase, as well as erect a headstone in the local cemetery to commemorate the final resting place of their peacekeeper. The £26/10/- balance being handed to Mrs. Catherine Winifred Dwyer, a widow with seven children, aged from 23 to 9 years.
The large attendance at his funeral indicated both sympathy for the widow and family in their loss, as well as respect for an honourable officer and citizen. The funeral cortege was upwards of 60 vehicles, with the various organisations associated with the district represented at the obsequies, including the A.N.A., of which the mounted constable had been secretary since its inception: district coursing clubs, cricket club, shire council, etc.
Victoria Police Veteran, Mounted Constable Michael John Dwyer 3877 rests in eternal peace in the Winchelsea Cemetery, Winchelsea, Victoria, plot WIN-SECT-001-807-17
On 13 September 1942, at the Mercy Hospital, Melbourne, 83 years-of-age, Catherine Winifred Dwyer, of Sunshine, widow of the late Victoria Police Mounted Constable Michael John Dwyer, of Winchelsea, and loved mother of Tot [Mrs. Alice Mary Shelley, Ballarat, deceased], Eric, [Middle Park], Ern, [Glen Iris], Leo [K.I.A. First A.I.F., deceased], Gerald, [South Melbourne], Peg [Mrs. Howard, Sunshine] and Warrant-Officer Jack Dwyer [Second A.I.F.], passed into eternal peace.
Marrying, in 1927, Footscray, Victoria born, Mary Lyall ‘Lyall’ Fox [1902-1993], ‘Jack’ Dwyer set about producing a family of two daughters, Alice Ralston [1928-?] and Margaret Lyall [1933-1998], as well as son, John.
Reducing his age by two years, 39 years-of-age, traveller, Michael John ‘Jack’ Dwyer [1901-1983], enlisted, on 20 July 1942, in the Second AIF, at Casino, New South Wales, despite residing, with his family, at 9 Plant Street, Malvern, Victoria.
Having served, for two years, with the Citizen Military Force, at St Kilda, Winchelsea, Victoria, born ‘Jack’ Dwyer, assigned service number VX84725, served with the 9 December 1941 formed, 106 Tank Attack Regiment, during the Second World War, served in northern Australia, acting primarily as coastal defence to prevent enemy landings, as well as New Guinea. Serving on the latter under tough conditions – dengue fever and food poisoning were rife, combined with the constant threat of air raids. Disbanded, in late 1944, its men were assessed for assigned to other units for the remainder of the war.
Warrant Officer II Michael John ‘Jack’ Dwyer VX84725, upon assessment, was demobbed, on 20 September 1944, due to his age, as well as his lack of fitness, at Royal Park, Victoria.
Eighty-two years-of-age, ‘Jack’ Dwyer passed away at Heidelberg, Victoria, to rest, together with his wife, Mary ‘Lyall’, in eternal peace in Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Springvale, Victoria, Dr McLorinan Memorial Lawn, Row J, Grave 38.
Warrant Officer Michael John ‘Jack’ Dwyer [1901-1983] VX84725, served with four of the children of his brother, Private John Eric Dwyer [1888-1958], daughter, Sergeant Eileen Alice Silvey née Dwyer [1915-1992] V397162; sons, Major Michael John Dwyer [1919-1994] 309504 VX8786; Sergeant Eric Francis ‘Frank’ Dwyer [1920-1981] VX15917, as well as Signalman Gerald Patrick Dwyer [1923-2015] VX75829, during World War 2.
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