News from Gallipoli and Nerrigundah – 100 years ago today

Featured image: This postcard featuring Australian soldiers at Gallipoli is one a set of postcards in the Leo de Saxe collection.

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

OPERETTA – The Operetta “The Wishing Cap,” one of the most creditable productions ever witnessed in Moruya will be repeated on 18^th inst., in aid of the Moruya Hospital.

FROM GALLIPOLI – His parents have received a letter from Private Leo De Saxe written in the trenches at Gallipoli, 150 yards from the Turks’ trenches. He says that he is well and everything is quiet.

BOY SCOUTS – Members of the newly formed Patrol of Boy Scouts were officially sworn in on Wednesday last. As all the boys were members of the Church of England the initiation service was held in St John’s Church and consisted of a short address by the Scout Master, Mr. Debenham, explaining the nature and obligations of the oath. Moruya Patrol will be known as the Tigers and their colours are black and gold and their cry – well, wait till you hear it.

AUSTRALIA DAY! THE DAY WAS OURS – Perfect weather conditions prevailed on Australia Day, which eventuated on Friday of last week. The sun shone out in all its Australian brilliancy, and with an azure blue sky and gentle zyphers to pleasingly fan the ruddy cheeks of the bright Australian boy and girl, the whole populace assembled en masse to do honor to their brother heroes of the Dardanelles and to give of their best to comfort the sick and wounded whose marvellous bravery has made history for sunny Australia that will never die. When the Australia Day movement was first conceived by Mrs Wharton-Kirke, of Manly, the whole of whose sons were in the service of the Empire, three at Gallipoli and one on garrison duty in the Malay States, little did the most optimistic Australian patriot imagine that the lady’s conception would have attained the mighty proportions it has.

NERRIGUNDAH (From our Correspondent). The local School of Arts was crowded on Saturday night, the 31^st ult., by the residents of Nerrigundah, who, although tired after the big event of the previous day (Australia Day), assembled to bid farewell to their highly-esteemed friends, First-class Constable Boyd and Mrs Boyd, on the eve of their departure to Dapto, to which station Mr Boyd has been promoted. At an early hour vehicles began to rumble into Nerrigundah with friends and well-wishers of our departing friends.

NERRINGUNDAH – I am pleased to be in a position to state that Mr A. Byrne, of “Roylands” has purchased that beautiful homestead in the centre of Eurobodalla from Mr Richards at a figure over £3000 and that Eurobodalla will have in Mr. and Mrs. Byrne an acquisition as neighbours and high class promoters of charity. Mrs Byrne’s ever ready and highly valued musical ability being well-known.

KIT SOCIETY – The Babies’ Kit Society, at the corner of George and Jamieson streets, sent by steamer Durban on July 23 twelve bales of clothing for the Allies’ babies, making 4548 garments to leave the rooms as a result of the past three weeks work.

ASHMEAD BARTLETT says that the positions of the Australians and New Zealanders in Gallipoli have not changed for six weeks. The Colonials have obtained complete fire of supremacy. No European nation is in possession of anything to compare with the physique of the Australians. When the moment arrives for the big push all along the line the Australians will surely resume an active role, for which they are particularly fitted by temperament and training.

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 Museum in Campbell St. Moruya (www.mdhs.org.au).

A New DVD entitled Soldiers of the Eurobodalla, Stories of our Locals is also now available from the Society.