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The Kurrajongs 2nd Contingent 29Feb 1916
Jonathon Raymond Wright 1713 : 36th Battalion age 49 , Pictured here front row , holding a white hat Blue mark :Kurrajongs 2nd contingent at Inverell Nsw 29th Feb 1916.
1916 Kurrajong Recruiting March
Early on the morning of 12 January 1916, Inverell witnessed a great day in its young history. A huge crowd assembled in the streets to farewell Inverell first contingent of The Kurrajongs. This group of 114 men was one of ten snowball recruiting marches held in NSW to encourage enlistment. At the time, these men were the largest group to leave a country town together for War Service.
Wearing white hats, the men marched from near the corner of Rivers and Otho Streets, to the Town Hall for the official farewell by the Mayor. The huge procession then proceeded down to Byron Street and on to the railway station, passing shops closed for the occasion. Banners were held high by the volunteers. Thousands of people, including women and children in white dresses with shady hats, stood in the streets as bands led the way.
At the railway station the train had been decorated with Kurrajong leaves and flags for the occasion. A special train had been arranged to take them to the Narrabri camp. Along the way the train stopped overnight at Warialda and Moree where further rallies were held and more recruits joined the Kurrajongs.
Further contingents followed during the next two months. Many of these men became part of the 33rd Battalion. Their story has been told in the book A fine body of men: Inverell Remembers the Kurrajongs 1916.
It is likely that at this time the intensive recruiting campaign and departure of the First Contingent of The Kurrajongs would have influenced enlistment throughout the district.
The Kurrajongs
SIX weeks after the First Kurrajongs left Inverell an enthusiastic farewell was given to the Second Kurrajongs who departed town on February 29, 1916.
The day before departure, this group of volunteers marched down Otho and Byron streets to Vivian Street and assembled at the Imperial Picture Palace for their formal farewell.
The men, placed on a platform, were highly visible to the large cheering crowd.
A lengthy and passionate speech made by Sergeant Gallie implored more men to enlist. Sgt Gallie said, “that the hangers-back who sought a girl’s hand should be told, ‘when you come back from the war, and show me some honorable scars, I will marry you.”
When no one came forward, Sgt Gallie walked through the hall eyeballing likely candidates until four men agreed to sign up.
The Inverell Times reported Alderman O’Connor’s address to the departing recruits as follows:
“Kurrajongs, evergreen Kurrajongs, I have a pleasant duty to perform, that of presenting to you the bronze medal and sox which are similar to the presents given to every soldier leaving Inverell.
“The medals are merely badges or souvenirs, the intrinsic value of which is nothing, but they are made of the same material as the Victoria Cross so much coveted by soldiers.
“You are now standing on the stage of this little hall, but ere long you will be on the stage of the great theatre of war.”
The next day the men were photographed by Mr. George Devine before marching to the Railway Station carrying their Kurrajong banner.
Inverell residents cheered the passing procession which included Police, Pipers, and the Fire Brigade with the Austral, Model and Salvation Army bands providing music.
As with the first contingent the train was well decorated in patriotic colours and flags.
At Kelly’s Gully near Warialda, eleven more men joined the Kurrajongs on their way to the Narrabri camp. Most of them served with the 33rd Battalion, known as ‘New England’s Own’.
Of these 61 men, 21 died, 26 were wounded and or gassed, and 5 were returned home because of ill health.< One being Jonathan Wright with Debility from his age 52 & deep vein thrombosis
The Kurrajongs 2nd Contingent 29Feb 1916
Jonathon Raymond Wright 1713 : 36th Battalion age 49 , Pictured here front row , holding a white hat Blue mark :Kurrajongs 2nd contingent at Inverell Nsw 29th Feb 1916.
1916 Kurrajong Recruiting March
Early on the morning of 12 January 1916, Inverell witnessed a great day in its young history. A huge crowd assembled in the streets to farewell Inverell first contingent of The Kurrajongs. This group of 114 men was one of ten snowball recruiting marches held in NSW to encourage enlistment. At the time, these men were the largest group to leave a country town together for War Service.
Wearing white hats, the men marched from near the corner of Rivers and Otho Streets, to the Town Hall for the official farewell by the Mayor. The huge procession then proceeded down to Byron Street and on to the railway station, passing shops closed for the occasion. Banners were held high by the volunteers. Thousands of people, including women and children in white dresses with shady hats, stood in the streets as bands led the way.
At the railway station the train had been decorated with Kurrajong leaves and flags for the occasion. A special train had been arranged to take them to the Narrabri camp. Along the way the train stopped overnight at Warialda and Moree where further rallies were held and more recruits joined the Kurrajongs.
Further contingents followed during the next two months. Many of these men became part of the 33rd Battalion. Their story has been told in the book A fine body of men: Inverell Remembers the Kurrajongs 1916.
It is likely that at this time the intensive recruiting campaign and departure of the First Contingent of The Kurrajongs would have influenced enlistment throughout the district.
The Kurrajongs
SIX weeks after the First Kurrajongs left Inverell an enthusiastic farewell was given to the Second Kurrajongs who departed town on February 29, 1916.
The day before departure, this group of volunteers marched down Otho and Byron streets to Vivian Street and assembled at the Imperial Picture Palace for their formal farewell.
The men, placed on a platform, were highly visible to the large cheering crowd.
A lengthy and passionate speech made by Sergeant Gallie implored more men to enlist. Sgt Gallie said, “that the hangers-back who sought a girl’s hand should be told, ‘when you come back from the war, and show me some honorable scars, I will marry you.”
When no one came forward, Sgt Gallie walked through the hall eyeballing likely candidates until four men agreed to sign up.
The Inverell Times reported Alderman O’Connor’s address to the departing recruits as follows:
“Kurrajongs, evergreen Kurrajongs, I have a pleasant duty to perform, that of presenting to you the bronze medal and sox which are similar to the presents given to every soldier leaving Inverell.
“The medals are merely badges or souvenirs, the intrinsic value of which is nothing, but they are made of the same material as the Victoria Cross so much coveted by soldiers.
“You are now standing on the stage of this little hall, but ere long you will be on the stage of the great theatre of war.”
The next day the men were photographed by Mr. George Devine before marching to the Railway Station carrying their Kurrajong banner.
Inverell residents cheered the passing procession which included Police, Pipers, and the Fire Brigade with the Austral, Model and Salvation Army bands providing music.
As with the first contingent the train was well decorated in patriotic colours and flags.
At Kelly’s Gully near Warialda, eleven more men joined the Kurrajongs on their way to the Narrabri camp. Most of them served with the 33rd Battalion, known as ‘New England’s Own’.
Of these 61 men, 21 died, 26 were wounded and or gassed, and 5 were returned home because of ill health.< One being Jonathan Wright with Debility from his age 52 & deep vein thrombosis