Two​ Very Different Views on Enlistment Featured In the News of 100 Years Ago

Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of 11 November 1916, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society:

AT THE FRONT – The following short note has been received by his sister from Pte. “Billy” Robinson, late of Bergalia : –

Somewhere in France
12/9/16

My dear Sister, – Just a few lines to let you know I am still in the land of the living, and a lucky boy to be so. I was pleased to hear you enjoyed yourself in Sydney. I was surprised to hear that young McDonald got into double harness. Which one of them was it, do you know? I had a letter from Edie today; she was well. I hear Jim would like to be over here with me. I dare say if he was he would wish he was back on the old Encounter again. I often wonder why some more boys don’t enlist and come and help us here. They must have no heart or else it is as hard as stone. Well my dear sister, you will have to excuse this short note as by gum I hear the bugle calling up the 43rd reinforcement, we will have to go next, so I will say goodbye. I remain your loving brother,

Bill R
P.S. – Remember me to all and tell them I am O.K. and can stand up to some of “Fritz” shells; but when we boys start we give the Germans fair hell on earth; they soon fall to their knees. Don’t be surprised if you hear of me in Berlin before long on the Spree.

EXEMPTION – Mr. William Boot, editor of the Bega “Budget” and a boiling hot Conscriptionist, applied at the Bega Court on Monday for an exemption for his son Edward, as his services were indispensable. Just so!

RIVER DREDGING – The dredge, Antleon, after finishing her work in the Narooma River came round last week and started dredging away the big body of sand that had accumulated in the Moruya River near Garlandtown. This fine sand shifter is under the command of Captain Barton, and it is to be hoped that this popular officer will be allowed to have his way in effectually deepening the channel right up to the public wharf where the sand has accumulated in thousands of tons.

MARRIAGE – Mr. Joseph Lynch and Miss “Tod” Bishop, youngest daughter of Mrs. John Bishop, of Glenduart, both of Mullenderree, were married quietly in the Sacred Heart Church, by Father Conaghan, on last Saturday. The happy couple proceeded to Goulburn by special motor car for their honeymoon. Mr. and Mrs. Lynch are a very worthy couple and they have the “Examiner’s” hearty good wishes for a happy and prosperous future.

PRESBYTERIAN FLOWER SHOW AND BAZAAR – This annual event was opened to a good attendance on Thursday afternoon, the interesting ceremony being performed by the Shire President, Councillor Flood. He, in a happy speech, congratulated the stall-holders and wished them every success. The Rev. A. G. Rix also spoke, and said that the object of the event was such as merited giving it most cordial support.

A.B.C. TEA ROOMS – The Misses E. Corbett and A. Byrne announce by advertisement in this issue that they have opened steaming hot tearooms in Queen Street, where delicious cups of tea and coffee, cakes, and pies all hot, may be had at any hour for the very low price of 6d. The proprietresses are to the manner born in this line of business.

SILO – The first substantial silo built in this district has been erected by Mr. H. E. Simpson on his farm at Mullenderree, and stands out as an ornament and also as a landmark.

WEDDING – At Enmore Tabernacle, Enmore, on October 19th, the Rev. A. E. Illingworth celebrated the marriage of G. A. McDonald, of Maitland, formerly of Moruya, to Agnes, youngest daughter of Agnes and Mrs. Kennedy, of Moruya.

Seventeen 100 years ago booklets containing articles for the years 1899 to 1915 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).