Army Service Corps - 35th BATTALION AIF
Lieutenant: 11110 Theodore Norman STOATE. (Doctor)
Born: 13th January 1895. Stepney, Adelaide, South Australia.
Married: 7th July 1924. Busselton, Western Australia.
Wife: Marion Frances Josephine Stoate. nee: Brockman. (1896-09/06/1930)
Died: 12th April 1979. Busselton, Western Australia.
Father: Alfred Thorne Stoate. (1862-1941)
Mother: Bessie Emily Stoate. nee: Haskins. (1862-1945)
INFORMATION
Stoate, Theodore Norman (Bill) (1895–1979)
This article was published:
- in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 16 , 2002
- online in 2006
Theodore Norman Stoate (1895-1979), was born on 13 January 1895 at Stepney, Adelaide, son of Alfred Thorne Stoate, draper, and his wife Bessie, née Haskins. 'Bill', as he was nicknamed, attended the Collegiate School of St Peter and studied forestry at the University of Adelaide (B.Sc., 1918; M.Sc., 1934; D.Sc., 1953). On 20 December 1915 he suspended his course and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force. In March 1917 he was commissioned and posted to the 35th Battalion on the Western Front. He was gassed at Messines, Belgium, in June and invalided home; at this time his hair turned prematurely white. Lieutenant Stoate's A.I.F. appointment terminated in Adelaide on 14 January 1918.
After graduating, Stoate joined the Forestry Commission of New South Wales in 1919. Three years later he was seconded to the Forests Department, Western Australia, for six months. He was to stay there for thirty-one years. In 1923 he was appointed assistant working plans officer; by 1927 he was assistant-conservator to S. L. Kessell. On 7 July 1924 at St Mary's Church of England, Busselton, he had married Marion Frances Josephine Brockman; they had two sons before she died in 1930. Awarded a (Sir) Russell Grimwade scholarship that year, he sailed for England and entered the University of Oxford (Dip.For., 1931).
Back in Western Australia, Stoate investigated suspected nutrient deficiencies in Pinus radiata and Pinus pinaster plantations. When he observed trees near a wire fence thriving more than others, he deduced that they did so because zinc from the fence had leached into the soil. He subsequently found that 'irregular and abnormal' growth was due to a lack of superphosphate and minor elements. In 1939-40 he was seconded to the Woods and Forests Department, South Australia. Returning to Perth, he served as deputy-conservator (1941-45) and conservator (1946-53).
A solitary, academic widower, Stoate disliked the hurly-burly of political manoeuvring and detested what he called 'pannikin bosses'. He was happiest in the bush. Even there he always wore a neat suit and polished boots. Once, after a day's work, he helped to fight a karri wildfire. Removing his jacket and braces, and using his tie as a belt, he borrowed a shovel and toiled all night beside a bulldozer to build a fire-line. He returned to his office early in the morning. The bulldozer driver later asked: 'who was that old bugger swamping for me last night, he wasn't bad!'
The royal commission into forestry and timber matters reported in 1952 that 'the forest policy of the State is considered to be sound in principle, and soundly administered'. Nevertheless, after pressure from some timber merchants and a change of government, the new Labor minister and former forests department draftsman H. E. Graham did not renew Stoate's appointment in 1953.
Stoate became an international forestry consultant. Between 1963 and 1971 he held a series of research positions at the college of forestry, University of Washington, Seattle, United States of America. He encouraged young Australian foresters to undertake postgraduate study at the university, helped many with their research, and often treated them to a hearty steak and a pint. In Perth and at Seattle he lived in a sparse hotel room. At the age of 70 he still bounded joyfully up four flights of stairs to his office. Survived by one son, he died on 12 April 1979 at Busselton, Western Australia, and was buried in Karrakatta cemetery, Perth. Eucalyptus stoatei was named after him.
Eucalyptus stoatei, commonly known as scarlet pear gum or Stoate's mallee, is a tree that is native to a small area along the south coast of Western Australia.[2]
Select Bibliography
- A. Rule, Forests of Australia (Syd, 1967)
- 50 Years of Forestry in Western Australia (Perth, 1969)
- L. T. Carron, A History of Forestry in Australia (Canb, 1985)
- J. Mills, The Timber People (Perth, 1986)
- Australian Forestry, 42, no 2, 1979, p 61
- family papers (privately held)
- private information.
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Harding, John Horace (work colleague)
- Shedley, Phillip (work colleague)
- Gessel, Stanley P. (colleague)
- Harding, John Horace (acquaintance)
- Corbin, Horace Hugh (teacher)
- Maclean, Godfrey Hubert (pupil)
- Harris, Allan Cuthbert (related entry)
Citation details
Jenny Mills, 'Stoate, Theodore Norman (Bill) (1895–1979)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/stoate-theodore-norman-bill-11775/text21061, published first in hardcopy 2002, accessed online 30 June 2023.
This article was published in hardcopy in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 16, (Melbourne University Press), 2002
Theodore Norman Stoate enlisted with the AIF on the 20th December 1915 in Adelaide, South Australia and was posted to the Australian Service Corps as a Driver and embarked from Adelaide on board HMAT A19 "Afric" on the 9th June 1916 and disembarked at Southampton on the 24th July 1916. Theodore was marched in the the No:4 Officer Cadet Battalion on the 5th October and was later promoted to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.
Theodore was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on the 1st March 1917 and proceeded overseas for France on the 14th March 1917 where he was Taken on in Strength with the 35th Battalion AIF in the field.
31st March 1917.
LAUDATORY G.O.C 9th Infantry Brigade wishes to congratulate Lieutenant: 933 Sydney George Byron WIGGINTON. The night of 31st March with Lieutenant: 11110 Theodore Norman STOATE and Sergeant: 1247 Donald SHORT. He entered the enemy trenches and remained for 20 minutes. Were able to place German literature in conspicuous position.
9th Brigade.
1st April 1917.
During the night, 2 Strong Patrols of the 35th Battalion entered enemy trenches without difficulty no enemy was encountered, trenched greatly damaged, Patrols returned without and casualties.
9th Brigade Headquarters.
Theodore was Wounded in Action on the 1st April but remained on duty.
7th June 1917.
THE BATTLE OF MESSINES
The 3rd Australian Divisions first major offensive was at Messines Ridge on the 7th June 1917. The Australian 3rd Division was a part of the II Anzac Corps which was allotted to the first assault. The 25th New Zealand, 3rd Australian Division with the 4th Australian Division in reserve. The 4th Division were battle hardened troops who had fought many major battles. The 3rd Australian Division were having problems getting to the "jump off" point. The day before the 9th and 10th Infantry Brigades were bombarded by German Gas-Shells around Hill 63 and Ploegsteert Wood. Many of the Aussies were not wearing gas masks, but despite this they pressed on even though they received 500 casualties.
They made it to the "jump off" point but only just with some of the men from the 9th and 10th going straight over the top without stopping. The mines went up and the attack commenced behind a protective barrage. The II Anzac Corps were attacking on the right with their objective being the southern shoulder of the ridge which included Messines, the Dover and St Yves areas as far south to the east of Ploegsteert Wood.
Major General Sir John MONASH's 3rd Division had to contend with a tricky 3 mile approach out of Ploegsteert Wood and after the German gas attack, but they were not deterred. The 9th Infantry Brigade under Brigadier General: Alexander JOBSON and the 10th Infantry Brigade under Brigadier General W R NICHOLL had just made the jumping off point but some of the men did not stop, going straight into the assault from the approach march.
Their objective lay between St Yves and the Douve. The mines at Trench 127 and Trench 12 at Factory Farm were laid to aid this task. The explosions erupted a few seconds before zero hour and created craters of 200 feet in diameter, completely obliterating the German defence line as the 9th and 10th Infantry Brigades went over the top. The mine crates forced the 9th and 10th Brigades to veer to the left and right which caused some confusion with the main assault. It is testimony to the quality of training that every man knew the ground, tasks and objectives so well.
Private: 1804 John CARROLL 33rd Battalion, rushed the enemy's trench and bayoneted four of the German occupants. He then noticed a comrade in difficulties and went to his assistance, killing another German. He then attacked single handed a German Machine Gun Team, killing all three of them and capturing the gun. He later rescued two of his comrades who had been buried alive by German Shell Fire, and in spite of heavy shelling and machine gun fire he dug them out alive and saved them from certain death. John was awarded the Victoria Cross.
The German forward zone was completely engulfed and taken by the main assault. The two supporting battalions of each brigade then passed the leading battalion to continue the advance. The men were constantly re-supplied and the ridge was taken. There were many German prisoners taken during the offensive. The 3rd Division was well ahead with the 9th Infantry Brigade pushing on beyond Grey Farm, and on the right the 10th Infantry Brigade were veering left towards Septieme Barn north of Douve.
The German resistance was heavy but was generally brushed aside by tanks and artillery before the infantry had to become too involved. The 4th Bavarian Divisions Artillery had made little impact, but as the day wore on the 3rd Division and later the 4th Australian Division received many casualties from German artillery. (70% of all casualties during WW1 were from artillery).
By 9:00am nearly 6 hours after the assault began the Germans were in disarray, but there was a major problem as the Australians received less casualties as anticipated and when ordered to dig into the ridge they had so many men, that some could not find shelter. the 35th battalion were dug in around Seaforth Farm.
The second phase of the operation was to take the Oosttaverne Line. The 3rd Australian Division would now be in reserve with the 4th Division attacking. The 9th Infantry Brigade (33-34-35-36Bn) were near Thatched Cottage facing Warneton. The river Lys was to their right and the Ploegsteert Wood was now behind them.
Once their objectives were taken the troops consolidated. A barrage to stop and counter attack was shortened and caught three battalions which had to retire. By 9:00 pm this part of the Oosttaverne Line was abandoned. At 10:45 pm General: Alexander John GODLEY ordered the 3rd and 4th Divisions to retake it. This they did by the early hours of the 8th of June.
The Battle for Messines Ridge during May-June 1917 saw 35 officers and 1,631 other ranks loose their lives.
9th Infantry Brigade Casualties.
| 33rd Battalion. AIF | 8 Officers | 382 Other ranks |
| 34th Battalion. AIF | 10 Officers | 378 Other ranks |
| 35th Battalion. AIF | 5 Officers | 431 Other ranks |
| 36th Battalion. AIF | 9 Officers | 421 Other ranks |
| 9th Machine Gun Company. AIF | 2 Officer | 17 Other ranks |
| 9th Light Trench Mortar Battery. | 1 Officer | 2 Other ranks |
FIELD DRESSING STATION, MESSINES 7th June 1917.
After the action at Messines Theodore was treated by the 9th Australian Field Ambulance on the 21st June and was transferred to the 24th General Hospital at Estaples for further treatment as he was suffering from Myalgia. He was invalided to England on the 6th of July where he was admitted to the 3rd London General Hospital.
Theodore returned to Australia 10 September 1917 on board the HMAT A11 "Ulyssess" where he was discharged for Active Service but remained on the Reserve Officers List.
Lieutenant Theodore Norman Stoate's Wrist Bracelet from World War 1
Lieutenant Theodore Norman Stoate's ID Wrist Bracelet from World War 1 was acquired in July 2023 and is now in the Harrower Collection.
Family Information
Theodore served with the Naval Cadets and Senior Cadets before enlisting with the 20th Army Service Corps prior to enlisting with the AIF when he was a single 20 year old University Student (Forestry). He served during World War 2, service number W82137. Bunbury Western Australia.
Who's Who in Australia. 1944.
Dr Theodore Norman Stoate was buried at the Karrakatta Cemetery, Nedlands City, Western Australia, Australia with his wife Marion and sons Hugh and John
Marion Frances Josephine Stoate. nee: Brockman. (1896-1930)
In Loving Memory Of Marion Frances. Beloved Wife Of T.N. Stoate.
Died 9th June 1930. Aged 32 Years.
Hugh Stoate (1922-1966) Karrakatta Cemetery
John Stoate (1930-2022) - Betty Stoate (1932-1988)
John Stoate, known as "Chief" or "Jack" to his family, staff and close friends, was the passionate patriarch of Anna Plains Station about 250km south of Broome, with the western border being Eighty Mile Beach and stretching across to the desert on the eastern border. Just over 300,000ha with extensive plains and 18,000 head of cattle, it is one of the Kimberley's most productive cattle stations.
John's association with Anna Plains spanned four decades.
John was born on May 4, 1930 and was raised on a cattle farm on the outskirts of Busselton. He attended Hale School as a boarder from 1941 to 1946 and then went back to work on the family farm at Busselton.
In 1956, John married his childhood sweetheart, Betty Brockman, a daughter of a well known pioneering farming family in Busselton. They went on to have three children, Jonathon, Meredith and David.
John was a man of many talents who accumulated a wealth of experience in a variety of career jobs, business enterprises and in horse training and racing.
John worked as a clerk for WA Police, had a short stint at the Australian Bureau of Statistics, before joining the marketing and economics branch of the WA Department of Agriculture. John was appointed as the Department's regional economist in Albany in 1970. John was there for six years and spent a lot of time on Rural Adjustment Authority work — assessing and helping farmers qualify for low interest loans through some pretty tough times for livestock and grain farmers.
In February 1976, he was reassigned to the farm management section of the marketing and economics branch in Perth, where he continued Rural Adjustment assessments and assisting with the compilation of market outlooks, farm management articles and analyses and policy advice for the beef industry.
In early 1985, he was appointed head of the beef cattle branch of the animal production division of the Department of Agriculture. He held this position until he left the Department in 1988.
One project that John championed and was particularly proud of, was a revolutionary new innovation for selling cattle in sight unseen auctions by description. Known as CLASS, which stood for Computer Livestock Auction Selling System, it was the pioneer of direct selling by description which challenged the traditional practice of moving cattle around the State to auction yards with the consequent stress on cattle and extra transport costs involved.
John left the Department in December 1988 in the same year that sadly his much-loved wife, Betty, died of cancer.
In 1994, he moved from Perth to manage Anna Plains Station, and eventually, the Stoate family fully acquired the station after a few iterations of partnerships.
John instituted many innovations at Anna, including a program of extensive fencing and rotational grazing and irrigation to produce hay. He was a strong advocate of limiting the distance cattle had to walk to water to no more than five kilometres and invested a large amount of money in turkey nest dams and water points to achieve this, together with innovative ways to remotely monitor water points and solar-powered pumps.
He also invested heavily in top bulls to continually improve their Brahman herd and recently the family introduced the Wagyu breed. He made many trips to Indonesia to understand the market there and he developed an association with an Indonesian importer and started his own cattle exporting company to send live cattle to feedlots in Indonesia.
Eighty Mile Beach, on the western boundary of Anna Plains Station, is the habitat for a number of important species of shorebirds. John always supported the Global Flyway Network scientists and field workers, who came to the station to study the various species that made the beach their home for part of the year.
Alongside his professional career at the Department and as a pastoralist, John has had many business interests that built him a unique experience and perspective on agribusiness, literally from paddock to plate. Over the years, he had interests in a cattle farm at Busselton, was a major shareholder in the Busselton Meats abattoir, a joint owner of the Esplanade Hotel in Albany, and a director of a futures trading business on the Sydney Futures Exchange.
After he left the Department, John also provided management advice to many Aboriginal owned stations in the Kimberley and Pilbara through the Indigenous Land Corporation and the Aboriginal Development Commission. During his full-time management of Anna Plains, John was a long-time member of the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of WA and the Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen's Association. He also served for a long period on the North Australia Beef Research Council until 2006.
John will be sadly missed by his many friends and family members, who will always cherish his memory as a most generous man with a wonderful optimistic outlook. As John would often say, "I am so, so lucky".
We are all lucky to have known and shared time with John.
Ron Parkin and Ian Longson
Military Records
© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)
Under Construction: 30/06/2023-06/07/2023.
