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Poppy Street Signs

As you make your way around the City of Cockburn, you will notice poppies have begun to bloom on street name signs.
Each of these marks the name of a Cockburn local who served in the armed forces in a war or peace keeping related activity, or a commemorative event. Behind each name is also the story of a local family, many of whose lives were forever changed by events on the other side of the world.

There are currently three individual interpretive signs in Cockburn providing three separate stories of life in Cockburn during wartime. These are located outside Cockburn ARC, Cockburn Central, Memorial Hall, Hamilton Hill and Botany Reserve, Hammond Park.

Below is a list of street names with a brief explanation of why the name was chosen. These information was sourced mainly from Geographical Names Landgate with some information being sourced from Azelia Ley Museum.

For more information about the history behind the Poppy Street Signs around Cockburn, visit the Cockburn History website

Atwell
Street Name Description
Beswick Gardens Named after Sergeant Frederick Beswick, born in 1828 at Tilbury Fort Essex. He enlisted at St Georges Bermuda at the age of 32 years and became a pensioner guard in 1876 at Willagee Swamp.
Bree Close Named after Thomas Bree. Bree arrived in 1862 on the S/S York, the same year he was enlisted. He took up his allotment as a pensioner guard at Willagee Swamp.
Marich Cove Named after Nick Marich who enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Blackboy Hill Camp. After the War, Marich bought a place on Phoenix Road in Spearwood and few years later established a first class vineyard along with being appointed Consul for Yugoslavia in recognition for his service to the Slav community.
Naylor Close  Named after Corporate Henry Naylor - one of two men who survived the Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimean War at Balaclava in 1854 and to have come to Fremantle.
Beeliar
Street Name  Description
Fanstone Avenue  Named after H. Herbert Fanstone, Australian Director of Naval Works, 1913-1917
Jervois Street Named after Captain W Jervois, Commander of the Success in 1829. He was a British military engineer and diplomat. After joining the British Army in 1839, he saw service, as a second captain, in South Africa. In 1858, as a major, he was appointed Secretary of a Royal Commission set up to examine the state and efficiency of British land-based fortifications against naval attack; and this led to further work in Canada and South Australia. From 1875 to 1888 he was, consecutively, Governor of the Straits Settlements, Governor of South Australia and Governor-General of New Zealand.
Watsons Road  Named after John Watson the first Superintendent of the Boys Refromatory on Rottnest Island between 1881-1901. He and his son J.Watson wrote extensively on the history of Rottnest. Watson's records are valued today as one of the only permanent descriptions of the lifestyle on Rottnest at the time. The Watson family lost two sons in the War.
Bibra Lake
Street Name  Description
Howson Way  Named from a list of ex-serviceman of the area
Ingvarson Way Named after Jen (Jack) Ingvarson who came to WA in 1913. February 1916 he joined the 44th Battalion at Blackboy Hill before embarking for France. He gained a distinguished war record as a platoon sergeant for his adopted country in France was recommended by his unit for the Victoria Cross and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Bar. Upon his return to Bibra Lake in 1919, Ingvarson got married to Bill Kennacks niece and became a dairy farmer. 
Cockburn Central
Street Name Description
Centenary Lane Named after a day or year that people celebrate or commemorate exactly 100 years after an important event
Commemoration Approach Named after the term commemoration which means 'done in order to honour and remember an important person or event'
Legacy Way The meaning of the word Legacy is to recognise the communities responsibility for caring for those whose spouses did not return from war.
Honour Way  Named after the term: They were prepared to die for the honour of their country. Feelings of love, respect and admiration for an event.
Remembrance Avenue  This name is to recognise Australia's past military conflicts 
Service Mews  Named after the deed of one who serves
Veterans Parade This name is to recognise those who fought for their country in Australia's armed forces.
Coogee
Street Name Description
Burnett Gate The name is in recognition of the Burnett family. Henry Burnett was one of the original settlers in Cockburn at the beginning of the 20th century as referenced in M. Berson's 'Cockburn the Making of a Community'. One of his sons, Alwyn, was killed in action in World War 1.
De Ceglie Street Named after Giuseppe De Ceglie who was born in Mofetta, Italy on 8 March 1915. He emigrated to Western Australia aged 16. He lived in Spearwood with his step-father and worked as a fisherman until they were interned during the war for two years.
O'Kane Court Named after Sister Rosa O'kane, Australian Army Nursing Service (late of Charters Towers, Queensland) who died at Woodman Point Quarantine Station on 21 December 1918 from Spanish Flu. Rosa was nursing servicemen from the troopship, 'Boonah', when she succumbed to the disease herself and died.
Coolbellup
Street Name  Description
Treeby Street Joseph Treeby, pioneer gardener at Jandakot from 1897. Although not specifically mentioned in the book, it is known that three of the sons (Frederick, Harold and Ernest) served in World War 1 with Frederick losing his life. 
Hamilton Hill
Street Name Description
Aberle Street At the outbreak of war in 1914, Named after George Aberle who served as an instructor with the 10th Light Horse and then with the Camel Corps in Egypt. In 1921 he took up 22 acres on Shallcross Street and became a member of the Cockburn Road Board.
Bitton Street The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Bradbury Road The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Burridge Way The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Cardigan Street The Earl of Cardigan (1797-1868), the officer who rode at the head of the Light Brigade during its famous charge at Balaclava
Carmody Street The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Churm Street The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Coates Street The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Curven Road The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Cutts Street The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Davon Street The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Dearle Street The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Emplacement Crescent  Origin derived from the fact that there is an old World War II gun emplacement on an adjacent lot
England Street The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Fulton Street The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Gosch Street The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Gray Court  John Gray was one of two men known to have survived the Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimean War at Balaclava in 1854 and to have come to Fremantle. He was born at Chatham and fought unscathed at the Battle of the Alma 20 September 1854 and then escaped with only a 'slight wound' from Balaclava (25 October 1854). 
Gummow Street The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Halstead Street The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Hames Street The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Headland Road  The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Hillier Crescent  The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Ingram Street The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Jakob Street Jakob was the name of a local enlisted soldier who lost his life whilst serving overseas.
Joyce Street Named for  Arthur Patrick Joyce, Machine Gun Regiment 44th Battalion, 11th Infantry Brigade  3rd Infantry division. He was one of three brothers who served in World War 1
Keenan Street The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Longson Street The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Lorraine Place  The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Mainstone Place The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Millan Place Named after Harry Millan, who spent his early years at Coogee and whose father, Thomas Millan, was killed at the Henderson Naval Base works in 1915
Piesley Street  Named after G. Piesley, a Jandakot Agricultural District local who was killed in action during World War I
Purvis Street The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Ralston Street The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Riggs Way  The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Schofield Street The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Showell Street The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Straughair Street The Straughair family Robert, Sarah and their son William were pioneer settlers in Spearwood. The Staughair family lost 2 sons in the War.
Wheeler Road  The name of a man who enlisted to become a soldier and lost his life overseas 
Wilkes Street The name was selected from a list of soldiers who enlisted from within and around the Hamilton Hill area and lost their lives overseas
Hammond Park
Street Name Description
Beal Lane  Named after G. Beal, a Jandakot Agricultural District local who was killed in action during World War 1. The name was provided by Azelia Ley Museum in the City of Cockburn
Bellingham Road Named after K. Bellingham, a Jandakot Agricultural District local who was killed in action during World War 1
Bischoff Road Named after N. Bischoff and S. Bischoff whose names were taken from a list on the City of Cockburn's War Memorial and noted in the City's Municipal Heritage Inventory
Blackstock Street Named after W. Blackstock, a Jandakot Agricultural District local who was killed in action during World War 1
Boota Way Named after Alexander Thomas Boota who was an Aboriginal Serviceman born in Dandaragan WA and fought in World War 1
Coad Lane  Named after A. Coad, a Jandakot Agricultural District local who was killed in action during World War 1
Corbitt Lane Named after Frank Corbitt, an Aboriginal serviceman born in Bunbury who fought in World War 1
Dickerson Loop Named after James Dickerson, an Aboriginal Serviceman who fought in  World War 1. He was born in Gingin and lived in the York area
Dimer Way  Named after Harry Keith Dimer, an Aboriginal Serviceman who was born in Esperance and fought in World War 1
Gorringe Street Named after C. Gorringe, a Jandakot Agricultural District local who was killed in action during World War 1
Hong Lane  Named after Thomas Hong, an Aboriginal Serviceman who travelled 900kms to sign his enlistment form at Blackboy Hill near Perth to fight in World War 1
Inverson Boulevard Named after J. Inverson, a Jandakot Agricultural District local who was killed in action during World War 1
Jennings Street Named after Frederick William Jennings, an Aboriginal Serviceman who was born in Albany and fought in World War 1
McIntosh Street Named after R McIntosh, a Jandakot Agricultural District local who was killed in action during World War 1
McPhee Road Named after Roy McPhee, an Aboriginal Serviceman who fought in World War 1
Melbourne Loop Named after James Melbourne, an Aboriginal Serviceman who fought in World War 1. He was also the first aboriginal person to play Australian Rules football at State Level representing West Perth
Naley Lane  Named after Gordon Charles Naley, an Aboriginal Serviceman who fought in World War 1 and was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War medal 1914-20 and the Victory Medal for military service
Neilson Street  Named after P Neilson, a Jandakot Agricultural District local who was killed in action during World War 1
Nettup Street Named after Joseph William Nettup, an Aboriginal Serviceman who fought in World War 1
Oakes Way Named after Pansy Elsie Oakes , born 20 March 1917,  who served in the Australian Womens Army Service
Odam Street Named after A. Odam, a Jandakot Agricultural District local who was killed in action during World War 1
Packer Rise Named after John Waldegrave Packer who served in World War 1. He embarked at Fremantle 8 August 1916 on HMAT Miltades
Ralph Lane  Named after Edward Ralph, an Aboriginal Serviceman who fought in World War 1
Ribe Lane  Named after A. Ribe, a Banjup local who was killed in action during World War 1
Ronan Lane Named after George Ronan, an Aboriginal Serviceman who fought in World War 1
Secretan Way Named after F. Secretan, a Jandakot Agricultural District local who was killed in action during World War 1
Serventy Crescent Named after Nicholas Anthony Serventy, born 2 August 1911 and who served in the  Australian Army
Spratley Street Named after W. Spratley, a Jandakot Agricultural District local who was killed in action during World War 
Strong Lane Named after A. Strong,  a Jandakot Agricultural District local who was killed in action during World War 1
Timms Lane  Named after A. Timms, a Jandakot Agricultural District local who was killed in action during World War 1
Weetman Road  Named after F Weetman, a Jandakot Agricultural District local who was killed in action during World War 1
Willis Terrace  Named after J Willis, a Jandakot Agricultural District local who was killed in action during World War 1
Woodrow Avenue Named after H Woodrow, a Jandakot Agricultural District local who was killed in action during World War 1
Henderson
Street Name Description
Alacrity Place Named after a former Royal Australian Navy tug and unarmed World War 1 patrol vessel which operated from Perth 1911-1931
Diamantina Way Wartime river-class frigate 1945-1946, recommissioned as a hydrographic ship in Western Australia 1959-1979
Stuart Drive HMAS Stuart was one of nine Scott Class Detroyers built between 1917-1919 by the British Government
Success Way Name chosen from a list of shipwrecks. HMS Success sunk in Cockburn Sound 28 November 1829 
Jandakot
Street Name  Description
Cutler Road D.Cutler served in World War 1
Multiple Suburbs
Street Name Description
Cockburn Road Named after Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Cockburn. Cockburn Road is one of the oldest roads in the district and traces the original colonial track between Fremantle and the Town of Clarence.  Sir George Cockburn, 10th Baronet GCB (22 April 1772–19 August 1853) was a Royal Navy officer.  He was present during the French Revolutionary Wars at the Battle of Cape St Vincent in February 1797. During the Napoleonic Wars he commanded the naval support at the reduction of Martinique in February 1809.
Durnin Avenue Named after Frederick Durnin, a war veteran who served as a gunner on the Royal Australian Navy's minesweeping vessels 'Mercedes' and 'Cerberus' during World War II. Durnin was awarded the 1939-1945 Star and Pacific Star Medals. He was born in Portsmouth, England on the 11 June 1920 and migrated to Australia in 1924 on board the 'Orsova'. Durnin settled around the Fremantle/Cockburn area. He passed away on 16 May 2001.
Munster
Street Name Description
Henderson Road Named after Admiral Sir Reginald Henderson, whose report in 1911 led to the commencment of the Henderson Naval Base. He served in World War I as commanding officer of the battleship HMS Erin in 1914 and took part in the Battle of Jutland in 1916.
McGrath Road Bernard McGrath was the original owner of allotment P3 on the western bank of Lake Coogee and was the only Pensioner Guard to actually live and work one of the allotments in that section. He lived on the property from 1884 until his death in 1902.
North Coogee
Street Name Description
Benella Lane Named after the ship 'Benella' that transported the 10th Light Horse Regiment from Fremantle during World War 1
Gage Road Gage Roads is the sea channel in the Indian Ocean offshore from Fremantle,Western Australia. Rottnest Island lies to the west of Gage Roads, and Cockburn Sound lies to the south. Gage Roads was named after Rear-Admiral Sir William Hall Gage who was Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Navy's East India Station when James Stirling was surveying the Swan River in 1826.
Morea Lane Named after the ship 'Morea' ship that transported the 10th Light Horse Regiment from Fremantle during World War 1
Reinforcement Parade Named after the 10th Light Horse Regiment and its associated reinforcements, which were trained and sailed from  Fremantle between 1914 and 1918 on ships  ‘Mashobra’ and ‘Surada’
Surada Street Named after the ship 'Surada', which transported the 10th Light Horse Regiment to World War 1 battlefields
South Lake
Street Name Description
Kabbarli Court Named after a State Ship. The vessel was sold to a Panamanian Company in October 1971. In June 1972 she struck a mine and was beached near the mouth of the Mekong River in Vietnam. After repairs had been carried out she continued trading but in 1974 whilst at Pnomh Penh in Cambodia she was hit by a rebel rocket attack, caught fire, burnt and sank.
Marra Way Named after the 1400 ton, 233 feet (71.07metres) long coastal cargo vessel John Monash which was purchased as the MV Marra from the Adelaide Steamship Company in 1965. It saw service around Australia, in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Spearwood
Street Name  Description
Cobine Street Named after Joseph Cobine who served in the Colony's 63rd Regiment in 1828
Denham Street Named after Sir Frederick George Denham Bedford who was Governor of Western Australia 1903-1909. Bedford joined the Royal Navy at the age of 14, and later served in the Crimean War.
Fox Street Named after J.E.Fox, who served in World War 1
Ross Court John Ross served with the 63rd Regiment in Western Australia in 1828
Success
Street Name  Description
Noble Way Named after Richard Noble (1881-1959) who migrated to Australia from England as an orphan at an early age. He fought in the Boer War with the Australian contingent and returned to Perth to become a prominent citizen, being instrumental in the land development industry until his death.

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City of Cockburn
Whadjuk Boodja
9 Coleville Crescent,
Spearwood 6163

PO Box 1215, Bibra Lake DC,
Western Australia, 6965

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Cockburn Nyungar moort Beeliar boodja-k kaadadjiny. Koora, yeyi, benang baalap nidja boodja-k kaaradjiny.
Ngalak kaditj boodjar kep wer kaadidjiny kalyakool yoodaniny, wer koora wer yeyi ngalak Birdiya koota-djinanginy.

City of Cockburn acknowledges the Nyungar people of Beeliar boodja. Long ago, now and in the future they care for Country.
We acknowledge a continuing connection to land, waters and culture and pay our respects to the Elders, past and present.