A Land Fit for Heroes?

John Delaney, a musician before entering the army, took up Block 81 at Batlow Soldiers Settlement, Kunama near Tumbarumba. He attempted to transfer the property to E.J. Butcher but this did not proceed.

Delaney vacated the farm on 20 May 1922.[1] It was decided that any improvements Delaney had made would not be credited to the Advance, but should be ‘regarded as a set-off against the settler’s having lived rent free for a number of years’.[2] The RSS Branch further recommended that,

In all cases where defaulting or dispossessed settlers on Batlow Soldiers’ Settlement have created additional security in the way of improvements, the value of these surplus improvements be credited in reduction of the sustenance debt.[3]

By 14 January 1926, Delaney stated that he wanted to acquire a block again (Block 81 which was now vacant). He was required to present a medical certificate to the Repatriation Department saying he was fit enough to take up another block.[4] Unfortunately, he suffered a relapse in 1928, vacating his block and moving elsewhere. By 1931 the Auditor General acknowledged that Delaney’s debts were irrecoverable.[5]

Footnotes

1] SRNSW: Lands Department; NRS 8058, Returned Soldiers Settlement loan files; [12/7240 No. 7345], Financial position of SS whose accounts are to be closed 26 April 1924.

[2] Ibid, RSS Office Memorandum nd.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid, W. Roper for the Under Secretary 14 January 1926.

[5] Ibid, Auditor General to Under Secretary Department of lands 8 January 1931.

Sources used to compile this entry:

State Records NSW: Lands Department; NRS 8058, Returned Soldiers Settlement loan files; [12/7240 No. 7345] John Delaney.

National Archives of Australia: B2455, First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers (John Delaney) online: http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.asp?B=3498297&I=1&SE=1.