Anniversary of Civil War Veteran
- John Fearn Francis
Australian-American war veteran from Tasmania and Victoria who served gallantly and died a hero while saving the lives of both his comrades and his enemies. He is a real Australian hero. John Fearn Francis left Victoria and took up residence in the state of Louisiana in the United States. Upon the outbreak of the American Civil War (1861-1865) he followed his neighbors and joined the Confederate States Army, fighting to protect Louisiana from destruction. He was participating in the Battle of Vicksburg when he was captured, later paroled and returned to Mansfield, Louisiana. When the Union Army launched the Red River Campaign and attacked Mansfield, where he lived, John again took up arms in defence of his home. During the battle, with numerous casualties on both sides, John being the only one available having battlefield medical experience, he took over the care of the wounded in churches turned into hospitals. During the battle, the church was burned to the ground and John Francis and five others died trying to save the worst of the wounded from the flames. He was buried in the Mansfield Cemetery in an unmarked grave. This month, 143 years after his death, the American Civil War Round Table of Queensland, with the assistance of compatriots in Louisiana, acquired John Francis a military headstone which is soon to be erected on his grave in a dedication ceremony by the Sons of Confederate Veterans of Louisiana. On the back of his headstone will be inscribed his story and the fact that John Francis was a gallant heroic Australian. His story and pictures relating to it are attached for your examination and use. He may not have defended the shores of our Australian homeland, but he was an Australian, he was a war veteran and he was an Australian hero; and should be remembered as such.
June 2007
Anniversary of Civil War Veteran - John Fearn Francis
Australian-American war veteran from Tasmania and Victoria who served gallantly and died a hero while saving the lives of both his comrades and his enemies. He is a real Australian hero. John Fearn Francis left Victoria and took up residence in the state of Louisiana in the United States. Upon the outbreak of the American Civil War (1861-1865) he followed his neighbors and joined the Confederate States Army, fighting to protect Louisiana from destruction. He was participating in the Battle of Vicksburg when he was captured, later paroled and returned to Mansfield, Louisiana. When the Union Army launched the Red River Campaign and attacked Mansfield, where he lived, John again took up arms in defence of his home. During the battle, with numerous casualties on both sides, John being the only one available having battlefield medical experience, he took over the care of the wounded in churches turned into hospitals. During the battle, the church was burned to the ground and John Francis and five others died trying to save the worst of the wounded from the flames. He was buried in the Mansfield Cemetery in an unmarked grave. This month, 143 years after his death, the American Civil War Round Table of Queensland, with the assistance of compatriots in Louisiana, acquired John Francis a military headstone which is soon to be erected on his grave in a dedication ceremony by the Sons of Confederate Veterans of Louisiana. On the back of his headstone will be inscribed his story and the fact that John Francis was a gallant heroic Australian. His story and pictures relating to it are attached for your examination and use. He may not have defended the shores of our Australian homeland, but he was an Australian, he was a war veteran and he was an Australian hero; and should be remembered as such.
July 4th Celebrations 2006
1. American influence on our history. Update on American heritage presented to the Croydon Historical Society. Croydon Library Glen Frost Room
2. US Consulate General
February 3rd, 2006
The American Heritage in Australia exhibition at Museum Victoria successfully concludes.
30,000 visitors, thousands of them descendants of Americans, had an opportunity of seeing their forebears and others on display. Families with their children, old and young, came to the exhibition and the feedback was very positive. American immigrants finally receive the recognition they deserve in Australia, alongside other ethnic groups.
At the Launch of the Exhibition which was titled 'Cowboys, Church Bells and Curtain Calls', Dr David Greene, declared a milestone had been reached by acknowledging the contribution of Americans in general and the fact that Museum Victoria was the first to run an Exhibition about Americans. The US Consul General, David Hopper, spoke about the special relationship America has had with Australia over the past 230 years and officially opened the Exhibition of American heritage in Australia which contained; photographs, artifacts, clothing, letters and other memorabilia. The Project coordinator, Keith Smiley, in his speech, brought together all the American descendants in the audience and provided a history of settlement, influence and impact that Americans have had in Australia since they arrived aboard the Captain Cook's, Endeavour ship. To cap off the event, American-Australian actor, writer and boxing legend, Gus Mercurio, spoke of his love for Australia, the country he calls home.
The media ran several articles in the press and radio coverage highlighted the exhibition through interviews and community spots.
June 7th, 2005
EXHIBITION of American Heritage to be launched tonight. The Exhibition offically opens 8th June to August 22nd, 2005.
Gus Mercurio, who hails from Wisconsin, is seen here in TV series Division 4, opposite Gerard Kennedy; and from a scene in Five Mile Creek. Gus has been in 24 films, numerous TV shows, and is a World Boxing referee and judge. He first came to Australia as a doctor of chiropractory with the US Olympic Team in 1956.
Can you add to these names of entertainers and sportspeople we have been chasing up for recognition, documentation, and authentication who have made Australia home?
Cate Blanchett, father was from Texas
John Butler, rock star
Big Chief Little Wolf, Wrestler
Joe Dolce, singer, 'Shaddup you face'
Timothy Dufore, opera singer
Bob Dyer, TV, Pick A Box
Mel Gibson, actor, director, producer
Tommy Hanlon Jnr, TV host, It Could Be You; and circus owner
Evie Hayes, singer, TV hostess
Nicole Kidman, actress, born in Hawaii
Don Lane, TV host, singer
Jack Little, TV host, wrestling fame
Will Mahoney, singer, writer
Gus Mercurio, actor, and boxing judge and referee
Larry Nixon, TV host, Lady for a Day
John O'May, singer , Mama Mia musical
Naomi Robson, TV presenter
Rita Tanno, actor, producer/director, dancer
J. C. Williamson, musicals, entrepreneur, Her Majestys
Sports stars
Lanard Copeland, basketballer
Brian Goorgian, Coach of Sydney Kings
Darryl McDonald, basketballer
Politicians
Bob Charles, Parliamentary Secretray,
MP, and Consul General for Australia in Chicago.
John Jenkins, premier of South Autsralia
King O'Malley, minister of interior
Dr Norman Sanders, Democrats senator
March News
Finalising of material ready for Exhibition catalogue.
Collection month of artefacts, photographic, material for first-ever American Australian immigrant exhibition at Museum of Victoria's Immigration Campus.
Meetings for design, content, publicity, with Immigration Museum begin.
Invitations list begins to be compiled for launch of The Exhibition in June 2005.
February News
Seeking contemporary American Australians in the entertainment and sports fields. Names to be added to the knowledge base who are of American or US-born citizenship. Can you add? Authenticating of American origins; copyright release set for photos and artefacts.
January News
The Age, page two, January 24th, 2005, prints a half page article on ASAD and the upcoming exhibition.
More press media exposure and ABC Radio.
Collection of material continues for Exhibition
December News
Clippings appear in newspapers throughout Victoria.
Trip to north east Victoria uncovers more Americans who lived in the region that spreads from the Alpine areas, to Wangaratta, to Albury-Wodonga, Beechworth, Stanley, Eldorado.
Burke Museum offers assistance to ASAD.
November News
Press releases sent out to targetted media.
October News
Media launched planned. Media releases to be drafted.
ASAD to seek support and local contribution for its media launch.
September 2004 News
Australian Society of American Descendants website launched!
A new and website for ASAD launched. Website designed for functionality, thereby ease of use, newsworthiness, interest, and sheer good design to catch the eye.
Website launch coincides and works in tandem as part of the Media Promotion throughout all media outlets in Australia.
ASAD commences Media Cycle for the promotion of the American-Australian history and the Heritage Project and Exhibition which will later be staged at the Museum of Victoria. ASAD consolidates leading position in American-Australian ancestry development, providing valuable, meritorious and quality-based data.
August 2004 News
American visitors expected to fly to Australia for the opening and other activities of the American-Australian Heritage Exhibition at the Museum.
Word spreads of the impending Exhibition, and a Mass Media and Feature Plan is prepared for Australia-wide distribution. Targeting state, national, and regional suburban media (electronic and press), a strategy is developed to maximise exposure for the forthcoming exhibition in Melbourne, and to draw out more descendants of Americans who settled in Australia.
ASAD commits to American-Australian leadership in sustaining development and pursuing innovative initiatives towards preserving this rich heritage. Community development principles applied to this hitherto forgotten grouping.
Preparation of content for a new website for ASAD begins.
July 2004 News
US Embassy becomes a Major Sponsor for American-Australian Heritage Project. Plans and negotiation underway with American Embassy and Consulate General.
Exhibition Launch date is scheduled to coincide with the 4 th of July celebrations in 2005.
Launch date: June 7th. Opening June 9th through to Spetember.
June 2004 News
Launch date of Heritage Project announced: June 9th to August 22 nd, 2005, at the Immigration Campus of the Museum of Victoria .
Information gathering, analysis, and documentation continues.
April 2004 News
The Museum of Victoria 's Exhibition Advisory Board announces the success of the Australian Society of American Descendants Project Proposal among a strong field of dozens of bids for a place in the Museum.
October 2003 News
The US Government through its Embassy in Canberra shows an enthusiastic response to the Heritage Project and confirms its support for the Exhibition. A US Support letter and a Support letter from the Australian American Association Inc. will help to secure a place for ASAD's Project.
September 2003 News
The Australian Society of American Descendants lodges a Proposal to the Museum of Victoria, for an American-Australian Heritage Exhibition.
March 2003 News
The Australian Society of American Descendants takes shape as the genealogical data mounts. Americans in the USA take a greater interest in their cousins in Australia .
An office is created in Melbourne for the distribution and sharing of information in the future for anything to do with American-Australians.
September 2002 News
An Australian association or society of Americans is conceived through uncovering of immigrant and genealogy in Australia on American's contribution. A committee of helpers are loosely bounded by a common goal of spreading the word. Supporters in Melbourne and other states nut out the course of recognition for this hitherto little known ‘ethnic' group, whose sons are the forebears of many from the mid 1800's.
April 2002 News
Literature search begins for the recognition of American Australian heritage.
November 2001 News
American Australian immigrants and descendants call for recognition of their endeavours, via internet and forums, and seek a place under Australia's sun to be considered among the many cultural or ethnic groups, as part of muticultural Autralia.
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