IN A deviation from the normal format, Looking Back for this Anzac Centenary commemorative edition takes a look back through the pages of the Berwick Shire News and Pakenham and Cranbourne Gazette in the early days of the war, 1915.
July 1915
NOT all the casualties in the early part of World War I were on the shores of Gallipoli. The Berwick Shire News and Pakenham and Cranbourne Gazette reported on 21 July 1915 that: “Mrs Holt, of Officer, lost a cow last week under rather peculiar circumstances. The cow was found dead, and on an examination being made to trace the cause of death, it was discovered that the animal had been eating cartridges, 69 being found in the stomach”.
September 1915
FOUR months into the Gallipoli campaign, word had filtered back to Berwick that the Allies had broken through. Unfortunately, it proved incorrect, as this report from the 1 September Gazette explains: “A rumour gained currency throughout the state on Thursday last that the Allies had forced the Dardanelles, and in some towns businesses were suspended and patriotic gatherings held. In Berwick, the news was received with a good deal of enthusiasm and the Union Jack was soon flying from the town flag-staff. Unfortunately, like many other reports that have circulated since the war, there was no truth in it.”
10 November 1915
WITH most able-bodied men signing up for duty, a lot of businesses back home struggled for manpower – none more so than patriotic Narre Warren Baker D.H. Rowe, who encouraged his staff to enlist. The Gazette reported on 10 November 1915 that: “Mr D.H Rowe, baker, of Narre Warren, could provide a small Roll of Honour, bearing the names of his employees who have enlisted since the outbreak of war. The list includes eight names and is probably a record when compared with the enlistments from any business place of like size outside of the metropolis. The names of those who have enlisted from the bakery are Harry McGuire, Alf Rooney, Harold Johnstone, Jack Lyons, Fred Lewis, Vic Chitts, Reg Currie and Geo Forrester. All the men, with the exception of the last two, are at the front. There is now doubt that Mr Rowe has been considerably inconvenienced by the quick changes in his staff, but he has shown his patriotism in recognising that the needs of the Empire should have consideration before his personal requirements, and has placed no obstacle in the way of enlistment.” Later reports suggested as many as 16 of Mr Rowe’s employees had enlisted.
December 1915
THE female students at Berwick State School were busy preparing articles to send to the soldiers, including knitted socks. Miss D. Leguier received a letter from Driver W. Walsh of the DAC 3rd Brigade, a Queenslander, who was grateful to have scored her ‘lucky prize’. The following week, the Gazette reported that Miss Rita Campbell had received the following letter from an unnamed soldier.
“With the greatest of pleasure I write these few lines to acknowledge and thank you for your thoughtful gift of one pair of socks which arrived here a week or so ago. They are beautiful and warm and a splendid fit and, if it is not too much flattery, a credit to the person who knitted them …
“The lady friends of Australia are certainly doing their fair share to make us as comfortable as they possibly can, and I can assure you that the boys greatly appreciate any little thing that may be sent for their comfort. Possibly you wished a Victorian to receive your gift, but I am South Australian. Nevertheless I appreciate it as much as any Victorian could have done. Again, thanking you for your kindness. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
