Laslett family history

Arthur and Dorothea Laslett

Arthur Edward Laslett was born on 8 April 1894 at Forest Hill, Victoria The first child of Herbert Laslett an orchardist and his wife Jeannie Laslett née Currie (see page 139).

Arthur worked at his father's Cordial factory at Pinjarra, Western Australia until he joined the A.I.F at Blackboy Hill Camp, Near Perth, W.A. on 9th September 1914. He was in 11th Battalion, 3rd Infantry Brigade. Embarked for Alexandria 26 October 1914. Appointed Lance Cpl 15th August 1915. Admitted to hospital in Alexandria with enteritis and later dysentery, from Pyretia, Gallipoli. He had small gunshot wound under the left knee.

From Alexandria he was sent to England to recuperate, arriving 24th November 1915 on board "Dover Coast"
First to Campdown, Hampshire, then to Fairfield Hospital, Broadstairs, Kent, where he met his future wife, Dorothea Moykopf, who lived nearby, and worked as a VAD nurse. He was medically unfit for active service so he then worked as a driver to London.

On 18 August 1917 he married Dorothea (Dodie) Alice Nina Moykop, spinster at the Parish Church of St Peter the Apostle in Thanet, Kent. Dorothea was the daughter of Charles Frederick Richard Moykopf (Dec'd), a boot manufacturer, and his wife Alice Ellen Morkopf. The photograph at the right was taken at the Moykopf family house, Denemount, in Broadstairs, Kent. Alice’s husband Charles Moykopf had died prior to Arthur and Dodie’s wedding in 1917. Dodie had worked as a VAD nurse at Broadstairs where she met Arthur, who was in her hospital having been wounded at Gallipoli. Arthur was discharged in London on medical grounds on 2 March 1918.

They first lived in the UK before moving to Western Australia where we believe had a Sheepstation near Subiaco before returning again to England. Arthur joined the British Army and landed in Normandy on D Day as a Major.

His grandson has his war record and photographs of him at the home of his future wife and a print of the 11th Battalion on the Great Pyramid at Cheops, Egypt.

He was discharged in the UK on 18 August 1918, as his wife had inherited a tidy sum from the estate of her father and uncle who had both died in 1916., Kent. Her Father died in the 1916 flu epidemic along with her Uncle Frederick. She was left a substantial amount of money and property. He had an address at that time as St Mildreds, Broadstairs

He was married to Dorothea Alice Nina Moykopf on 18 Aug 1917 in St Peter's, Broadstairs, Kent, UK, when his father came over for the ceremony Dorothea Alice Nina Moykopf as born on 14 June 1896 in "Fontein", Fulham Park, Fulham, London, UK the daughter of CFR Moykopf bespoke boot maker of Burlington Arcade, Piccadilly, London. She had been raised between "High Trees", Chalfont St Giles, and their house, "Denemount", Broadstairs, Kent.

First child Douglas Alexander was born, however at 6 months old whilst crossing the Red Sea on the way to Australia he died. Apparently Douglas (Johnnie) was premature and they were warned about travelling with him! . They returned from Australia the following year and Nita Ivy Elna was born. They then went back out to Australia where Terrance was born and Nita died. Again back to the UK where Denise (Peggy) and Jean Dorothea(Sal) were born, once again returning to Australia where Robin Fae was born.

In Australia they had a sheep station, the house made of timber which burnt down. A brick bungalow was then built. Dodie and her remaining children returned from Australia, never to return.

Arthur joined the British Army in the Second World War and was with the Pioneer Corps. Joined 162 Co Pioneer Corps between August 1940 and February 1941, at that time in London as a lieutenant. Promoted to captain March 1941, moved in May 1942 to 69 (Alien) Co, based in Darlington. In March 1944 he moved to 101 Group, formed at Buxton, Derbyshire, and on 1 July 1944 landed in Normandy.

On 23 September 1944 he was posted to 279 Company who were based in Eindhoven. In April 1945 the company moved to Germany, where 279 Co were disbanded on 23 November 1945.

Arthur then bacame a Civilian District Officer at Unna in Germany on the Dutch border.

Arthur returned to Australia after the war. Married Irene Eleanor Daphne Ockelford at Sydney in 1950. Known as Daphne. Lived at 4/10 William Street, Double Bay, N.S.W. No issue from 2nd marriage. Arthur died of a stroke in RPAH Camperdown on 14 August 1961 and was cremated at Eastern Suburbs Crematorium.

Dorothea contracted cancer and died in 1947 in Broadstairs. She is buried at St Peter's Cemetery in Broadstairs, close to her grandson Robin. Arthur returned to Broadstairs in Kent for his wife’s funeral and that was the last time he landed on UK soil.

Arthur Edward LASLETT and Dorothea Alice Nina MOYKOPF had the following children:

Douglas Alexander (Jonnie) - was born in 1917 in Christchurch, Hants, UK.. He died in 1918 in Aboard Ship in Red Sea.
Nita Ivy Elna – born 3 September 1919 in London. Died 15 April 1923 in Perth, W.A..
Terence Arthur - born 1920 UK. Married Rhaune (see page 205.)
Denise - born 1923 UK.
Jean Dorothea (Sal) - born 27 May 1925, Harrow, Middlesex. On 28 April 1943 married James Wilson Stringer in Buckinghamshire UK. James had been born on 13 October 1918 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. James died on 16 June 1963 at Petoskey Michigan, USA and Jean died on 6 March 2000 at Okemos, Michigan.
Children:
Nicholas Michael Stringer – born 3 December 1943 at Bournemouth East, Dorset, UK. Married to Julie.
Dudley James Stringer – born 7 June 1945 at Saginaw, Michigan.
Robin Fae. - born 1929 U.K.