Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

John Lionel Edgar Crees (Jack) was son of JSD Crees of 'Ferndale', one of the pioneers of the district. Jack worked on his father's farm but seems to have also been a driver of Mossman Mill cane trams during the crushing. Originally assigned to the Unattached Light Horse, Jack departed Australia in May 1915 for Suez. Stating 'engine driver' as occupation on his enlistment form may have prompted his re-assignment to Driver in the 17th Australian Army Service Corps, and re-location to France. He arrived in March 1916. The AASC was responsible for transport and postal services. Jack kept a precise logbook showing arrival and departure for every location visited over his three and a half years overseas. The log book tells that he arrived back in Sydney on 30 May 1919. Jack returned to 'Ferndale' and before long became its manager. He married Martha Owens from Gordonvale and soon there were children John Owen and Margaret. John Owen Crees served in Borneo and New Guinea during World War II and eventually took over management of 'Ferndale'. He and wife Winifred, a nurse, reared two sons, Owen and Alan, who became the next generation Crees to manage 'Ferndale'. Courtesy of The Douglas Shire History Society.