Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Darcy Berg was born 9 Apr 1896 at Nerang per his Army records but probably Nerang Creek/Gilston, the eldest of 6 children of Fred and Matilda Berg. Fred was a cousin of our Grandpa Frank Berg. Fred Berg was a labourer per the early electoral rolls. Darcy was enrolled at Gilston School on 14 Jul 1902 and is included in the 1903 Gilston School Photo with his sister Eileen. Darcy is mentioned in the Brisbane Courier of Oct 1907 when he won First Prize for Writing in the School Work Section at Nerang Show.

In Nov 1907 Darcy, aged 11, left Gilston School and the family moved to Coolangatta where his parents, Fred & Matilda, were the Licenced Victuallers at the Federal Hotel.

Then in Jan 1910 Darcy and his siblings Clarice and Viola were enrolled at Logan Village School where their father was the Licenced Victualler of the Logan Village Hotel.

The family moved from Logan Village in Sep 1911 to Peaks Crossing at the Exchange Hotel. Darcy was 15 years old so had left school and was possibly working, perhaps at the hotel. His sisters were enrolled at Peaks Crossing School in 1912. The Exchange hotel was started in 1907 by Francis Greenaway and was described in his licence application as having 3 sitting rooms, 6 bedrooms , five-stall stable & various outbuildings , the Exchange Hotel stood where the current Peak pub stands today.

In 1913 the family were living at Cleveland where Darcy’s father was the publican at the Cleveland Hotel. There is an article in The Truth where Fred Berg fined for being open during prohibited hours. He and his wife pleaded guilty but stated he was entertaining friends to a cup of tea in the bar as the parlour was full. He was fined £5 plus costs.


By 1914 the family were back at Nerang at the Commercial Hotel where Darcy’s mother was the licensee. Darcy’s father died in Aug 1915 and was buried at Nerang Cemetery. Darcy was 19 years old at the time and was working as a barman when he enlisted in the AIF six months later. His youngest sister Bethal was enrolled at Nerang School in Sep 1915 with their cousin Kease Healy. Matildas sister Marian was drowned in Raglan Creek, and was buried in the Raglan Cemetery in March 1913 leaving two grown sons and two young daughters, Enid 12 and Kease 5. Unsure when they moved to Nerang but their father enlisted in the Army in 1917 giving his daughter Enid, living at Commercial Hotel, Nerang, as his next of Kin. He stated he was 39 years old but was actually 53! Enid’s brother John had enlisted in 1916 giving his father as NOK but was changed to sister Enid when their father enlisted.

Darcy enlisted in the AIF at Brisbane on 14 January 1916 and assigned to the 26th Battalion, 13th Reinforcements, SRN 4986. He stated he was 21 years old when in fact he was 3 months short of 20. His unit embarked from Brisbane on board HMAT A49 Seang Choon on 4 May 1916. On arrival in England he was transferred to Etaples, France on 24 Sep 1916. Sadly Darcy was Reported Missing on 14 Nov 1916 at Flers, France – Just 51 days later.
In May 1917 his cousin, Enid Healy, wrote a letter to the Military Officer in Charge requesting confirmation that her cousin had died as she had received a letter from a lad serving at the from stating Darcy was killed. How dreadful for the family. A letter was send in Oct 1917 confirming his death and in Dec 1920 Matilda Berg finally received confirmation that Darcy was buried at Warlencourt British Cemetery (Plot II, Row J, Grave No. 7), France
Darcy is remembered at the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Logan Village District Roll of Honour and Logan Village State School Roll of Honour. An Army photo has not been found of Darcy.

Frederick was listed on the Nominal Roll for Logan Village ANZACS. He was born 9th April 1896 in Nerang. He died 14th November 1916 in Flers France. He is buried Warlencourt British Cemetery
His parents were Frederick William and Matilda nee Walker.
Frederick went to the Logan Village School.