The unmarked graves of seven former Carlton footballers who survived the horrors of World War I – and an eighth who made it home after the Boer War - are to be finally designated headstones on the recommendation of a voluntary researcher.

The endorsement has been driven by Tamara Doheney of Headstone Project Victoria – a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to identifying Australian military veterans resting in unmarked graves, and working with families, communities and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) to ensure their military service is appropriately recognised and commemorated.

The eight wartime footballers were recently identified by Doheney, who, on the suggestion of her Carlton-supporting husband Bryan, first contacted the Club seeking the names of all senior players known to have served in The Great War. Carlton, in turn, provided a relevant list of 80 returned soldiers, a further 12 having been killed in action.

With the assistance of both the Club and Ancestry, which provided Headstone Project Victoria with free access to its platform, Doheney methodically refined her search, determining that the graves of the following players/returned servicemen were not marked:

Private Edward Valentine (‘Ted’) Brown - AAMC AIF; 95 Carlton games 1914-’20 (Fawkner Memorial Park);

Private Vincent Sidley Gardiner - General Service Training Unit AIF; 157 Carlton games 1907-’17 (Coburg Pine Ridge Cemetery);

Sergeant Douglas James (‘Doug’) Gillespie - Army Veterinary Corps AIF; 90 Carlton games 1906-’10 & 1912 (Fawkner Memorial Park);

Private Robert James Isaac Jacobson - 8/38 Reinforcements AIF; eight Carlton games 1903 (Boroondara General Cemetery);

Captain John (‘Jack’) Loughnan MC - 6th (& later) 58th Battalion AIF; one Carlton game 1912 (Cheltenham Cemetery);

Lieutenant Jack Loughnan, 6th Battalion, 1915. This photo was taken from a glass negative – one of many purchased by the Australian War Memorial from the Algernon Darge photographic company in the 1930s.

Private Crofton Ritchie (‘Croft’) McKenzie - 29th Battalion AIF; 21 Carlton games 1920-’23 (Numurkah General Cemetery); and

Lance Corporal Alfred Arthur (‘Bert’) Wheeler - 7th Battalion & (later) AAMC AIF; one Carlton game 1907 (Fawkner Memorial Park).

The eighth former player whose unmarked grave is to be recommended for a marker is:

George Sydney (‘Mallee’) Johnson - 6th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Force, South Africa, 90 Carlton games 1905-’09 (Melbourne General Cemetery).

Headstone Project Victoria Secretary Bob Marmion said that based on Doheney’s extensive research, formal applications will be lodged with the DVA under the World War 1 Marking Private Graves program, with the aim of ensuring that Carlton’s eight former players who survived The Great War are appropriately recognised and commemorated.

It is hoped that the famous Carlton monogram will also be etched into each of the headstones, pending the approval of the soldiers’ descendants. To quote Doheney: “the project presents a wonderful opportunity to ensure former Carlton players who also served their country continue to be remembered, not only for their contribution to Australian football, but also for their military service”.

Brown, Gardiner and Gillespie were all dual Carlton Premiership players, while Johnson was one of eleven players who featured in each of the 1906, ’07 and ’08 Premiership hat-trick legs under Jack Worrall – “Jack’s Heroes” as they are remembered.

Loughnan, conversely, turned out in dark Navy Blue just once, against the long-gone University team on the mighty MCG. But the Charlton-born soldier’s bravery on the Western Front, in displaying selflessness, grit and sacrifice, earned him a significant commendation.

The Headstone Project Victoria Secretary Bob Marmion and researcher Tamara Doheney by the Lone Pine tree, planted near the Carlton ground in 2018 in honour of all Carlton players who served in wartime.

To quote Doheney’s report:

Captain Loughnan distinguished himself during the Battle of Amiens on the 8th and 9th August 1918. Commanding a company of the 58th Battalion tasked with mopping up Bayonvillers and advancing east of Harbonnières, he displayed conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, together with exceptional tactical skill and leadership.

Under his command, his company captured two German officers, 154 other ranks, two 8-inch howitzers with their tractors, and three strong points containing fifteen machine guns. When the neighbouring 8th Battalion lost direction during the advance, Loughnan skilfully established a defensive flank to protect its exposed position before continuing the attack and capturing a battery of heavy minenwerfers. He then consolidated and held the objective until relieved. His official recommendation concluded that his work during both days was "of the highest order" and that he had "set a high standard of courage and leadership to his officers and men."

For these actions, Captain Loughnan was awarded the Military Cross, one of the British Empire's highest awards for gallantry by commissioned officers. He was also Mentioned in Despatches in recognition of his distinguished service on the Western Front. His World War 1 service was further recognised with the 1914–15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal.

The Military Cross, later awarded to Carlton’s one-game ruckman Jack Loughnan for gallantry on the Western Front.

Following the success of Headstone organizations in Tasmania and South Australia, the Headstone Project Victoria was formed in 2024. In that time its volunteers have researched literally hundreds of veterans to determine if they lie in unmarked graves. Where they are so identified, the Headstone Project Victoria seeks to place a plaque and plinth headstone on their graves.

Voluntary teams are currently working around the state. For further information, click here.