Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Name: Michael Ignatius Dwyer
Service Number: 3211A
Place of Birth: Magill
Date of Birth: 16 December 1896
Place of Enlistment: Keswick
Date of Enlistment: 19 July 1915
Age at Enlistment: 18 years 7 months
Marital status: Single
Next of Kin: Mother – Mary Ann Dwyer
Occupation: Labourer
Religion: Roman Catholic
Rank: Private/ Lance Corporal / Temporary Corporal.


Biographical details:
Michael was the son of James Dwyer and Mary Ann Butler. Michael transferred from ‘N’ group Base to the 50th Battalion on 19 July 1915. He embarked Adelaide HMAT A70 Ballarat on 14 September. His unit was sent to Alexandria in December. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 14 August 1916. Michael was sent to France as a Temporary Corporal on 4 April 1917. He was detached to the 13th Training Battalion in England on 31 December and undertook instruction at Lyndhurst from 16 January to 2 February 1918. Michael rejoined his unit in the field on 12 May and remained in France until the cessation of the war, leaving for Australia on 19 April 1919. During the journey home Michael was treated at the ship’s hospital for tonsillitis. He received the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. In 1934 he was residing at Surprise Creek in New Guinea(1).
Fruit Block Details:
Michael Ignatius Dwyer took up his occupation of Block 609 on 1 December 1921. It was a 22 acre block. Channelling was constructed in 1920. On 10 acres of vines, Michael planted 3027 doradillos on 6 acres, 893 sultanas and 480 currants. One acre was set aside for fodder. He built a two-roomed stone house that had a kitchen attached at the back, which was valued at 400 pounds when constructed in 1922. The block was bordered by Hallam road and Telfer road, Monash. Michael participated in the Monash Model Parliament in 1921, which was a precursor to the Berri Council being formed and Councillors being elected from surrounding towns, including Monash/LoneGum, and serving in the Parliament. Michael complained to the Royal Commission on the Soldier -Settler Scheme that he had not been compensated for the 93 pounds he spent using red bricks rather than cement bricks for the construction of the house on his property. Michael transferred the ownership of Block 609 in 1925(2).
Michael died on 12 June 1987(3).


References:
1. National Australian Archives: B2455: Dwyer M I: Barcode 3530637
2. Barmera Berri Council, Berri Barmera & Districts Local History Collection.
3. South Australian Births, Deaths & Marriages Records.