A series of mishaps during a Royal Navy training exercise in the North Sea results in the loss of two submarines and 108 lives. In the exercise codenamed EC1 forty vessels leave Rosyth naval base in Scotland in heavy mist to rendezvous with the rest of the Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow. As the 13th Submarine Flotilla approaches May Island they turn sharply to avoid a pair of minesweeping trawlers. Two submarines – the K4 and K17 – collide and sink; three others and a light cruiser are severely damaged. Many men survive the collision, but are ploughed down by vessels attempting their rescue. The subsequent investigation and court martial are covered up; full details are not released until the 1990s. The incident later became known as the “Battle” of May Island.
Members of the Orange Returned Soldiers’ Club hold a euchre party and dance at the Oddfellows’ Hall to raise funds. Returned Soldiers’ Social
The Mayoress of Orange receives a letter of thanks from Corporal Robert Brown for the Christmas greetings and gifts sent to the Orange boys serving overseas. Orange Soldiers’ Xmas Gifts
Miss Hawke hosts a musical afternoon to raise money to furnish the new club for returned soldiers. The Soldiers’ Club
The Orange Land Board continues to hear evidence regarding the suitability of local properties under consideration for returned soldiers. Soldiers’ Settlements
Illustration of a German submarine destroying an English steamer, Willy Stower, 1916. Image courtesy US Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.
German submarine U-103 torpedoes the Irish cargo steamer SS Cork off Point Lynas in Wales. Seven passengers and five crew are killed in the attack.
The Orange Returned Soldiers’ Club plans its first social and official appearance to be held at the Oddfellows’ Hall. Returned Soldiers’ Club
The Orange Land Board inspects the properties offered by John Norman McLennan, Conrad Schmich and Peter Schmich for returned soldiers. Land for Soldiers
Patrick Joseph Commins, 1908. Image courtesy State Records Authority of NSW.
Patrick Joseph Commins was born in Springside in 1871, the seventh of thirteen children born to Thomas Commins and his wife Bridget nee Kennedy. Thomas Commins, a native of County Clare, had migrated to Australia to seek his fortune in the goldfields at Ballarat. In 1854 he was managing the Working Miners’ Claim at Sebastopol Hill and played an active part in the Eureka Stockade. By 1870 the family had relocated to Beneree at Springside, where, in 1888, Thomas died.
Patrick was educated at St Stanislaus College in Bathurst, where he excelled at both cricket and football. Following his education Patrick worked as an article clerk with Orange solicitor Simon Kearney, and later with the Sydney firm Curtis and Barry. In November 1896 he was admitted as a solicitor to the Supreme Court and established a legal practice in Coonabarabran.
On 12 January 1898 married Mary Teresa (Molly) Sedgwick at St Mary’s Church in North Sydney. The couple had one daughter, Olga Mary, born in 1910.
On 30 November 1906 Patrick was issued with an interim injuction from the Equity Court, restraining him from dealing with certain book debts, documents, and securities. On 21 May 1907 he was suspended from practising for eighteen months due to irregularities and money repayments due.
Patrick was tried and convicted of forgery on two occasions, in Gunnedah on 23 September 1907, and in Coonamble on 19 March 1908. He served two years at Goulburn Gaol for these offences.
In 1916 Patrick was working as a farmer at Hughcum Farm at Tamworth. On 28 March that year he enlisted at Armidale and was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement. He proceeded to camp at Armidale and later Rutherford, before embarking from Sydney on 4 September 1916.
Private Commins served in England and France and was appointed acting Corporal and acting Sergeant during his service. He returned to Australia in January 1919 and was discharged from the AIF the following month.
Between 1930 and 1954 Patrick worked as a farmer at Castle Hill. Molly passed away in early 1950, aged 80. Patrick passed away on 9 May 1958 at Concord Repatriation General Hospital, aged 87 years. He is buried in Macquarie Park Cemetery.
Patrick Joseph Commins is commemorated on the Patrician Brothers’ Roll of Honour and St Joseph’s Church Orange Honour Roll.
