The plaque at 27 Strong Avenue, Graceville

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One of just six brick cottages built for servicemen returning from World War I has been listed for sale, and it is aptly named Digger’s Rest.

Built in 1919 within the Magee Estate on Strong Avenue at Graceville, the historic home was constructed by the War Service Homes Commission (WHSC).

The Brisbane Heritage Register says the homes were constructed by the WSHC for purchase by servicemen returning from the war, which raged from 1914 to 1918.

The cottage was just one of six built in brick

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More than 60,000 Australians were killed in action and 156,000 were wounded, gassed or taken prison.

“Many WSHC houses were ultimately constructed in Queensland, but only six of these were built from brick,” the heritage register says.

“These were all built on what had been called the Magee Estate, Graceville, and were among the earliest WSHC houses to be completed in Queensland.

“The first returned serviceman to occupy the house was Richard James Jones, who served as a private in 16th Battalion AIF.”

It has a typical Graceville tree-lined frontage

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Private Jones enlisted on February 18, 1915, served in Gallipoli, and returned home on March 8, 1916, according to the Australian War Memorial.

But the housing program was not without its controversies.

“As a result of the 1918 War Service Homes Act, in June 1919 the War Service Homes Commissioner signed an agreement with the Commonwealth Bank, whereby the bank would act as the agent of the WSHC in purchasing land, and building homes for returned World War I soldiers,” the heritage register noted.

“It was expected that 1500 homes a year would be required in Queensland, and the bank was instructed to purchase the necessary land, with each allotment to be 32 perches.

“However, between August 1919 and November 1920, only 464 houses were built.”

About 1300 mostly wooden homes were completed by October 1921, however there was also complaints that the houses were too expensive for veterans.

“Some of the six brick cottages in Graceville had different tenants at different times before they were sold, and some also stood vacant at certain periods between the wars,” the heritage register said.

“Three of the six were not purchased by veterans until after WWII.”

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An older picture of the cottage on the Brisbane Heritage Register

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The 27 Strong Avenue cottage, which displays a plaque in Private Jones’ honour, was home to the war hero until 1926, when it was taken back into the hands of the WSHC and later sold in 1952 to Emmett J.O. Dwyer, who enlisted in Graceville in 1942 and served with the Royal Australian Navy on HMAS Moreton.

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Publicly-available property records show it has changed multiple times since then, and has at various times been rented.

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It has been owned and occupied by the current custodians since 2019.

It is now on the market with Place Woolloongabba agents Ben Smith and Melanie Swindells, with best offers by January 14 if not sold prior.

The cottage has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and sits on a 450sq m block.

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“Renovated and restored to pay homage to the past while infusing modern liveability and contemporary appeal, the house creates a harmonious blend of old and new behind a storybook frontage,” the listing says.

And a courtyard with a firepit

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The bullnose verandah with Victorian wrought iron balustrades lead inside to 3m-high ceilings, casement windows and French doors.

One of the restored bedrooms

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There are two living rooms and a modern kitchen with feature brick walls and pressed metal tiles.

The dining/alfresco room boasts screened blinds and bi-fold doors opening to the outdoor area.

There is also a remote-control double carport, and rear garden shed.

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