News from the Western Front – 27 October 1917

Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of 27 October 1917, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society:

WOUNDED – Mr. M. Keating received word last week that his youngest son, Private Jack Keating, had been wounded in the hand and now in Beaufort Hospital England.

PROMOTION – We are pleased to report that Pte. Harry Duncan of Eurobodalla, (who sailed just a year ago to take his place in the defence of the Empire) has gained distinction on the battlefield. He received his first stripe “Lance-Corporal,” about three months ago and has since been promoted to full Corporal and has been recommended by his Officer for the Military Medal. Harry has been in the trenches for six months, and when last writing was well and in the best of spirit. His mate, Pte. Roley Lavis, was wounded at Bullecourt and has been in England for a few months but is now, we understand back in France.

MILITARY MEDALLIST – Pte. Roy Bailey, who has returned to Cobargo after serving in Gallipoli, Suez and in France, was tendered a great welcome home. This young hero (who is a native of Moruya and a cousin of Mrs. G. Cheeseman here) was severely wounded at Pozieres, and it was in action there that he won the military medal. Mr. T. Kennelly presided at the “Welcome Home,” and at a signal Sergt. Branch and Messrs. M. O’Reilly, C. P. Harris and V. Henry shouldered Pte. Bailey and carried him from the entrance of the hall to the platform. Pte. Bailey was presented with a cheque from the Mumbulla and Dromedary Wounded Soldiers’ Fund.

KILLED IN ACTION – Another of our brave boys has paid the supreme sacrifice. Word reached here last week that Private Fred Brooks, son of Mr. C. Brooks of Buckenboura, had been killed in action. This young hero is well known in Moruya, he having owned and raced the pretty little mare Hobble Skirt a few years ago. Private Brooks was a quiet, unassuming and honourable, and a fine specimen of Australian manhood. His parents have the sympathy of the whole district in the loss of their noble son.

SOLDIERS’ WELCOME – The War Chest Committee will tender Privates Jack Beathe and William Griffiths a welcome home on Monday night, next, 29th inst., in the Mechanics Hall. These two young heroes were gassed in France and are here on week-end leave.

NERRIGUNDAH – (From our Correspondent.) Last week the sad news was received by Mr. and Mrs. Cole that their son, Pte. Alfred Cole, had been killed in action. Alf was one of our brave lads who had volunteered in the early stages of the great war, and had been on active service at the front for the past 12 months. During that time he had been through a number of battles, upholding the honor of Australia.

Mr. C. Wilson also received news that his son, Pte. Frank Wilson had been severely wounded. Frank, at the commencement of the war, was anxious to join the colors but he was under the age. He made many earnest appeals to his parents for their consent, and though it was hard to part with their only son, they were induced to capitulate. In his many letters home Frank seemed to be quite happy and anxious to get into battle.

Private F. Brice, another to uphold the honor of Nerrigundah, returned last week, invalided home with a shrapnel wound in the chest after doing his bit at the front.

Since January last 40,000 Australians have enlisted for service abroad.

ARALUEN HERO KILLED – Writes the Araluen correspondent of the “News”:- John Leslie Nunn, who spent his school days in Araluen, where a brother and several uncles reside, answered the great call recently, being killed in action in France. Some months ago the young soldier was shot through the lungs, and apparently must have made a good recovery from the first wound. The young hero was a nephew of Mrs. “Gus” Keating of Mullenderree.

Eighteen 100 years ago booklets containing articles for the years 1899 to 1916 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).

The Moruya Museum houses a collection of furniture, books, artefacts and memorabilia that is intended to show visitors something of the lives of the ordinary people of this community from the middle of the nineteenth century. Most items on display were donated by local families.

To explore the museum’s online collection click here.

Sales Day

The Moruya and District Historical Society will be holding a Plants, Cakes and Preserves Sales Day on Saturday, October 28, from 9am to 2pm at the Museum, 85 Campbell Street, Moruya.