SAWREY David Casson

David enlisted on 18 January 1916 with the 31st Infantry Battalion (8th Reinforcement).

He was described as being 22 years old, single, a labourer of Buderim Mountain, Queensland, 5 feet 9 inches tall, grey eyes, fair hair, fair complexion, scars on right knee, and of the Church of England faith. He gave his father, David Sawrey, Buderim Mountain, Queensland as his next of kin.

On 21st January 1916, the Brisbane Courier reported: “COUNTRY VOLUNTEERS. BUDERIM MOUNTAIN: There has been quite a rush to the colours this week, and the following have been accepted for service:- Messrs. Percy Sawrey, Dave Sawrey, Cecil Lindsay, Bernard Haydock, Peter Knowles, and F. Beatty. Mr Dick Atkinson was temporarily rejected but will be fit and ready to go in with the others. Mr Jim Watts was rejected but is going to assist in military work in Brisbane. All have joined the infantry except Beatty who has joined the A.S.C. This now makes 17 recruits from here.”

FOREST GLEN HALL - Messrs. D. & P. Sawrey, who have enlisted and are leaving shortly for Enoggera, were presented each with a wristlet watch. Councillor Hobson, on behalf of the residents of Forest Glen, made the presentation and they were fastened on by the young ladies. Mr. D. Sawrey briefly responded for himself and brother. Three hearty cheers were then given for the lads and all joined in singing the National Anthem. The hall was then cleared and dancing indulged in. Songs were rendered by several ladies present. Dancing was continued till the early hours. Chronicle, 4 February 1916.

David Sawrey went into camp at Enoggera on the 21st February 1916 for training.

His unit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland on 16 August 1916 per HMAT A42 Boorara. David was admitted to the ships hospital with mumps on 25 September 1916, he disembarked Plymouth, England on 13 October 1916 where he completed his training.

David proceeded to France per Golden Eagle, arrived on 22 December 1916 and went into action.

In April 1917 Miss Mabel Mawhinney wrote to Base Records, Melbourne complaining that only a dozen of her letters had reached their destination, when she had written to David every week. War Records.

David took leave to England on 1 January 1918 until 17 January when he rejoined his unit.

Following Armistice David left France for England on 23 April 1919. He sailed for Australia on Port Lyttleton on 10 June 1919.

ARRIVING TOMORROW – PORT LYTTLETON TROOPS - Troops by the Port Lyttleton will arrive by special train tomorrow morning. Relations and friends who have tickets marked Port Lyttleton from the Staff Officer for invalids, will be admitted to the Anzac Buffet at 9.30 a.m. The Queensland soldiers will leave for the northern State by special train, shortly after their arrival in Sydney. Motor cars numbered on the Red Cross register from 472 to 553 are required to be at the Chalmers Street entrance to the railway station at 9.50 a.m. Car owners are requested to watch the newspapers in case of any further alteration. The Sydney Morning Herald, 5 August 1919.

FOREST GLEN SOCIAL EVENING - A social was held in Poole's Hall, Friday evening, 22nd August to welcome home Privates D. and P. Sawrey. The evening was all that could be desired, people coming from Buderim, Mons, Ilkley, and Woombye for the occasion. Mr. A. E. Vise in welcoming the lads, said that they had done their duty to King and Country and that they had assembled the evening to show their appreciation. Both lads were presented with a fountain pen as a token of good will. During the evening songs were sung by Masters John and Herb Hill, Mr. G. Deacon, Mr. G. Sawrey and Mr. B. C. Lucas. Dancing was indulged in till about 11 o'clock, when a halt was made for refreshments to be handed round; after which dancing was resumed till 2 a.m. when everyone went home quite satisfied with the evening’s enjoyment. Music was supplied for the dancing by Messrs. A. Henderson and H. Hooper (accordion), Aird (violin) and Mrs. B. C. Lucas (piano). Mr. H. Baumann acting as MC with L. Baumann assisting. Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, 29 August 1916.

David was discharged from the AIF on 21 September 1919.
Medals
British War Medal.
Victory Medal.

David and his brother Percival Myles Sawrey (3629) are commemorated on the Buderim Mountain Roll of Honour Board, Buderim War Memorial Hall.

David Casson SAWREY was born at Buderim, Queensland on 10 October 1894. He married Agnes Sarah Kuskopf in 1924.

Children
David Casson Sawrey.
Raymond Thomas Sawrey.
Bernard Arthur Sawrey.

Sport became a big part of many mens’ lives;
B-Grade PREMIERSHIP - BUDERIM'S SUBSTANTIAL LEAD. Vs.North Arm. Leaders of the northern division of the Maroochy Shire Cricket Association commenced a match against Buderim, the leaders in the southern area, at Yandina last Saturday to determine the B-grade premiers for the 1928-9 season. When play ceased for the day Buderim had a lead on the first innings with four wickets still intact.

A collapse marked the opening of the North Arm innings. All the opening batsmen failing so badly that at one stage seven wickets were down for 32, but the veterans, Ted. Gooden. L. M. Bock and Jack Grice, showed that the bowling had no terrors for them as the score mounted to 96 before the last wicket fell… a splendid display of hard hitting by L. Sorensen in obtaining 74 for Buderim, without being-defeated, his tally including five 'sixers' and two 'fours.' Dave Sawrey also trundled well for the Mountain team, capturing five -for 32; while Bob Riddel trundled well for North Arm, his analysis being 13 overs, five maidens, 22 runs, and four wickets. K. Davison, the other mainstay in the attack for North Arm, did not bowl to his usual standard and had 36 knocked up without bagging a wicket.”

David died on 14 December 1951, Age 57. He is buried at the Woombye Cemetery, Queensland.

PARENTS - David Casson Sawrey & Mary Eleanor Sawrey of Buderim Mountain, via Palmwoods.

Buderim Mountain Roll of Honour Board (names taken from photograph of the original board)

Buderim Mountain Roll of Honour Board, Buderim War Memorial Hall, Corner of Main & Church Streets, Buderim

Maroochy Shire Honor Roll, Shire Chambers, Bury Street, Nambour

National Archives.
Australian War Memorial.
Brisbane Courier, 21 January 1916. Chronicle, 4 February 1916.
The Brisbane Courier, 14 January 1918.

Photo - Queenslanders who fought in the Great War 1914-1918 by Owen Wildman ca 1919.
Welcome Home article: The Chronicle 29 August 1919.
Photo courtesy of Bill Sawrey - l-r: Pte 3583 Cecil Pughe LINDSAY, Pte 3571 Bernard William HAYDOCK, Pte 3629 David Casson SAWREY, Pte 3511 Richard Penny ATKINSON and Pte 3629 Percy Myles SAWREY