War News from Leopold de Saxe – in the Moruya Examiner 100 years ago

Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of this time in 1915, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society:

ILLAWARRA COMPANY – The Illawarra and South Coast S.N. Company has declared a dividend at the rate of 7 ½ per cent. A meeting of the shareholders was held this week at the Company’s offices, Day Street, Darling Harbor, when it was reported that a good season had been experienced in the South Coast districts, and that a continuance of these conditions was expected during the current half year….1/5/1915

BABIES KIT SOCIETY – Miss Simpson has received the following letter from Miss Edith Raine, Secretary, Babies’ Kit Society, Equitable Buildings, Sydney, in acknowledgment of receipt of parcel of garments made up and donated by the ladies whose names we have already published, and which was packed and forwarded by Mrs. and Misses Simpson through the Red Cross Society: “I have been asked by the committee to write and thank you for the delightful parcel of clothing you have sent us. We are most grateful for all the time and work you have put into the little garments, and they have just come at the right moment, as we are now starting to pack for our next shipment.” 1/5/1915

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS (From our Sydney Correspondent.) Sydney, Thursday. Fisher announced that the Australians were in action at the Gallipoli Peninsula. The action is proceeding satisfactorily. The Government had no clear information as to which forces were at the Dardanelles; but it is understood to be the Third Brigade. They made some Turkish prisoners, and lost a few men to the Turks.
Sydney, Friday. From to-morrow wives of Australian troops at the war will receive increased separation allowance of ten shillings a week and an additional two and sixpence for each child. 1/5/1915

FROM EGYPT – Mr. and Mrs. C. DeSaxe are in receipt of letters dated 20th Feb., and 7 14 and 21st of March from their eldest son, Leo, who is with the Expeditionary forces in Egypt, following being a few excerpts from them: –

No doubt you are wondering why you have missed getting the last two mails, but the truth is we have been having brigade training, out for days at a time on bivouac. It was very strenuous, up all night or sleeping in trenches without blankets. It was just a trifle too realistic for most of us, but it showed us what we are in for…

I think the Turks have had enough of the invasion of Egypt, they never had a chance, poor devils. I saw some prisoners, and a more starved badly-equipped, and sad looking lot you never saw. They have been literally murdered for German ambition, and when the day of reckoning comes she will have to pay dearly. When one thinks of the harmless women and children killed by their raid on England and atrocities in Belgium one is apt to lose all his reason, and when we meet them treat them as they are treating us. We are having a few days rest in camp which we have thoroughly earned….

This may be the last letter you shall receive from me for some time, as I think we shall be soon on the move. No idea of our destination, but looks like the Dardanelles…I want you to get Mrs. Webster to knit me some socks, as they are hard to obtain here, and they are most essential…

Excuse this short note in pencil, but I am having a short rest in hospital with dysentery. I am quite better now, but a trifle weak. I am in the Mena Hospital, before the war one of the leading tourist hotels in the world. My bed is in the old ballroom where the Crown Prince of Germany and all Royalty have dined…

1/5/1915

Seventeen 100 years ago booklets containing articles for the years 1899 to 1914 are available ($5 ea) from the Society’s rooms. Copies of local newspapers from the 1860s to date can be viewed at the Society’s Family History Research Centre (Ph 4474 3224) situated at the rear of the Pioneer Museum in Campbell St. Moruya (mdhs.org.au).

New book entitled Kiora Kith and Kin, by Shirley Jurmann is also now available from the Society.