See also
| Husband: | Frank SAFFIN (1893-1958) | |
| Wife: | Mabel BOLT (c. 1897-1982) | |
| Name: | Frank SAFFIN1,2 | |
| Sex: | Male | |
| Name Prefix: | Mr | |
| Father: | William SAFFIN (1853-1941) | |
| Mother: | Mary Ann JORDAN (c. 1858-1904) | |
| Birth | Q2 1893 | Cheriton Bishop , Devon, England |
| Census | 31 Mar 1901 (age 8) | Cheriton Bishop , Devon, England3 |
| Poleford Cottage (1) | ||
| Census | 2 Apr 1911 (age 18) | Cheriton Bishop , Devon, England4 |
| Poleford Cottage | ||
| Occupation | 2 Apr 1911 (age 17-18) | labourer; Cheriton Bishop , Devon, England4 |
| Death | 1958 (age 64-65) | Geelong, Victoria, Australia5 |
| Name: | Mabel BOLT6 | |
| Sex: | Female | |
| Name Prefix: | Miss | |
| Father: | - | |
| Mother: | - | |
| Birth | c. 1897 | England |
| Death | 1982 (age 84-85) | Geelong, Victoria, Australia |
Mr Frank Saffin was born at Cheriton Bishop, Devon, England in 1893. Little is known of Franks activities in England. He came to Australia in the early 1900's (as did other siblings in his family at different times).
Following his arrival in Australia he worked at "Yarram Park" for the Baileau Family.
He meet and married Ruby Caroline Bush (she was from the Wangaratta Area) and Frank continued to work at "Yarram Park" where his sons Francis (1913) and Kelvin (Bob) (1915) were born.
At the commencement of the First World War, Frank enlisted in the army on the 27th September 1916 with the rank of private. He was 23 Years of age and his address was given as Glenthompson, Victoria. His occupation, labourer, and next of kin, Mrs Ruby Caroline Saffin, 401 Eyre and Reglan Streets, Ballarat.
He was part of the 24th Battalion - 18 Regiment and they embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A20 "Hororata" on the 23 November 1916.
Medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal.
"During the attack on Montbrehain, on 5 October 1918, he acted as signalling corporal to his company, and showed conspicuous gallantry. Under heavy fire he carried an important message. On his return to the line he established a lamp and transmitted to Battalion Headquarters several important messages. Later he assumed command of the platoon, and showed able leadership. Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No 35 - Date 15 April 1920.
Frank was also awarded the Military Medal. Source 'Commonwealth Gazette' No 76. Date 23 May 1918.
Frank's regiment returned to Australia - 7 July 1919.
Following his discharge, (as he told his nephew Michael) he worked with one other person mixing by hand all the concrete for the building of the "Arch of Honour" in Ballarat.
He worked for the Lucas family (they owned and operated a clothing factory in Ballarat) and who raised the necessary funds required to set up the Avenue Of Honour, along the Western Highway leading into Ballarat. Frank was involved clearing land and tree planting etc.
Frank at this time applied for a Soldier Settlement Block at Derrinallum and was awarded a block near to the Derrinallum Butter factory. Frank moved to the block with his family and developed a farm on the land. Some years later, Frank purchesed land at Vite Vite North which he called "Poleford" after the Family Home in Devon, England. His wife Ruby died in 1927.
His sons worked on the farm with him and when the depression years of the 1930's arrived, his son Francis stayed with him on the farm, Francis married Hester (Jean) Samuel and they raised their family (3 Children) at "Poleford", until his death in 1973; whilst Bob took his horse and spring cart and went out on the road to find work. Bob ultimately returned and bought land near his father.
Frank had a bad stroke in his early years at Vite Vite North, and was looked after by Francis and Hester (Jean).
Some time after his recovery from the stroke, Frank made trips back to Devon, England in the 1950's.
On one of these trips he married Mabel Bolt and they returned to Australia and set up home at 7 Cooke St, Newtown, Geelong where he lived until his death in 1958.
Frank Saffin (Son of William and Mary Saffin nee Jordan), called his property at Vite Vite North, Victoria, Australia,
after the old family home in Cheriton Bishop, Devon and his nephew Michael has called his business "Poleford Pty"5
| 1 | www.heardfamilyhistory.org.uk. This GEDCOM is predominantly the work of Nick Heard, but it incorporates the collaborated work of many other family historians. You are welcome to use the information herein but please acknowledge the source. Every effort has been made to ensure the data is accurate, but any use you make of it is entirely at your own risk. (c) Nick Heard 2009 |
| 2 | George Saffin's Ged Merged. Record updated from... |
| 3 | Text From Source: Census England 1901 Address: Poleford Cottage (1) Place: Cheriton Bishop, Devon, England Name,Relation,Condition,Sex,Age,Occupation,Employ Status,At Home,Where Born,Infirmity William Saffin,Head,M,M,46,agricultural labourer,,,Cheriton Bishop, Devon, England, Mary Ann Saffin,Wife,M,F,43,,,,Drewsteignton, Devon, England, Maud Mary Saffin,Daughter,S,F,18,,,,Cheriton Bishop, Devon, England, Agnes Jane Saffin,Daughter,S,F,13,,,,Cheriton Bishop, Devon, England, Frank Saffin,Son,S,M,8,,,,Cheriton Bishop, Devon, England, Bertha Saffin,Daughter,S,F,5,,,,Cheriton Bishop, Devon, England, |
| 4 | Text From Source: Census England 1911 Address: Poleford Cottage Place: Cheriton Bishop, Devon, England Name,Relation,Sex,Age,Married,Years,Chd Born,Chd Living,Chd Died,Occupation,Industry,Employ Status,At Home,Where Born,Nationality,Infirmity William Saffin,Head,M,57,W,32,9,9,,road contractor,District Council Worker,,,Cheriton Bishop, Devon, England,, Maud Mary Saffin,Daughter,F,26,S,,,,,housekeeper,,,At Home,Cheriton Bishop, Devon, England,, Frank Saffin,Son,M,18,S,,,,,labourer,,,,Cheriton Bishop, Devon, England,, Bertha Saffin,Daughter,F,15,S,,,,,dressmaking apprentice,,,,Cheriton Bishop, Devon, England,, Edith Saffin,Daughter,F,9,S,,,,,school,,,,Cheriton Bishop, Devon, England,, |
| 5 | George Saffin's Ged Merged. |
| 6 | Ibid. Record originated in... |