A Land Fit for Heroes?

Adden Popple obtained the block on Hillview Soldier Settlement from Alexander Falconer, another returned soldier who, because he had one leg, was unable to continue.  The block No. 313, one of 36 on Hillview was in the County of Cumberland, Parish of St Luke, Parramatta Land District. Approval of the transfer would only be approved if Popple joined a Group Purchase area:  established his eligibility to obtain an advance and assumed all liability in respect of advances made to Falconer.[1] Despite Falconer objecting to the terms of the transfer, it went ahead.[2]  Popple impressed the Director of Returned Soldiers Settlements, A.A. Watson ‘as a good type of man who seemed adverse to participating in the discussion as to the terms of transfer’.[3] Falconer had desired to ‘go out leaving a debt of over £633 and to take £200 from the incoming man, who will be so much less able to meet the liabilities to the Department and make a success’.[4]

 On 18 March 1927, Adden Popple forfeited his holding because of non-payment of arrears.[5]

 Footnotes

[1] SRNSW: Lands Department; NRS 8058, Returned Soldiers loan files;  [12/7052  No.  ? ] Adden Alfred Popple. E.P. Fleming Under Secretary to V. Molesworth, MLA 11 September 1924.

[2] Ibid, RSS Proposed transfer Falconer to Popple 8 September 1924.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid, 10 September 1924.

[5] Ibid, NSW Government Gazette 18 March 1927.

Sources used to compile this entry:

State Records of NSW:  Lands Department; NRS 8058, Returned Soldiers loan files [12/7052  No.  ? ] Adden Alfred Popple.

National Archives of Australia: B2455, First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers ( Adden Alfred Popple) online: http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=8016747