SANDFORD, Ernest William (1883-1959)Old Collegian and staff member, William Sandford was born on 19 October 1883, the son of George James Sandford and Esther Anne nee Reed. He was enrolled as a day student at Geelong College on 28 July 1896. His address was listed as Talbot Street, Newtown.
During World War I, he enlisted (No 4768) in the AIF with 24 Battalion (12th Reinforcement Group), and
Pegasus of May 1916 reported:
'E W Sandford has had unusually hard luck. After a long period of training he sailed in the Euripides (HMAT A14 Euripides on 4 April 1916), but while drilling on board he unfortunately strained himself so severely that he will, in all likelihood, have to return to Victoria for a prolonged rest.' He was discharged from the AIF and returned to civilian life, as reported in
Pegasus of August 1916:
' E W Sandford has quite recovered since his return, and has taken up duties once again with the Savings Bank, Head Office, Melbourne.' Pegasus published an obituary in December 1959:
' Ernest William Sandford, who died at Melbourne on October 11, left the Geelong College in 1899 to join the staff of the State Savings Bank, Geelong. At the request of the late Mr Norman Morrison he became Bursar of the College, doing the work in the evenings. He later became manager of various branches of the Savings Bank. He was widely known through the 'Malvern' anniversary hymn books, for which he composed both words and music. One Hymn, 'Evening' was sung as an anthem by the College choir in one of the annual church services at St George's. Mr Sandford conducted children's and adult's choirs, several of which were successful in competitions; he was also a keen and original gardener and developed anumber of unusual plants.' Four other brothers,
George James Sandford (1872-1940),
Cecil Everard Sandford (1874-1946), Albert Edward Sandford (1877-1949),
Percy Harold Sandford (1881-1918), were also educated at Geelong College.
Sources: Pegasus December 1959 p75; Pegasus May 1916; Pegasus August 1916; Geelong Collegians at the Great War compiled by James Affleck. p304 (citing The Pegasus; Australian War Memorial).