Rabbit skin jackets for nurses and and the troops

Australian Motor Transport Supply Column in England:  One of the men wearing one of the rabbit-skin waistcoats presented by the Lady Mayoress of Melbourne. From Page 22 of the Queenslander Pictorial, supplement to The Queenslander, 1 May, 1915 retrieved from http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/191568898

On 17 October 1914 an item appeared in the Avoca Free Press announcing that 8,000 rabbit skins were being sought to supply to nurses who would sew them into jackets for use when working in the open.  This request also appeared in many other newspapers

No title. (1914, October 17). Avoca Free Press and Farmers' and Miners' Journal (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved October 27, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151624635

While it seems that the nurses would sew their own jackets, Melbourne's Lady Mayoress organised for jackets to be sewn for soldiers. The Echuca and Moama Advertiser and Farmers' Gazette provided details of the design of rabbit skin jackets for the troops. At least 18 rabbit skins would be needed to make a jacket.

RABBIT-SKIN JACKETS. (1914, October 22). Echuca and Moama Advertiser and Farmers' Gazette (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 4. Retrieved October 27, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154400598

The Argus of 27 October provided advice to boys about gathering rabbit skins

 

 In 1917 the Commonwealth Government gazetted a regulation concerning rabbit skins under the War Precautions Act. Regulation 4 provided that:

All rabbit skins shall, unless the Prime Minister otherwise directs, be forwarded to a Government Agent who shall, subject to these Regulations, be authorized to purchase such skins on behalf of the Commonwealth Government.

CONTROL OF TRADE. (1917, May 4). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 9. Retrieved October 27, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1615281

In 1918 the Hatters and Furriers Company Inc. of Connecticut, U.S.A. made a claim against the Australian Government for losses suffered as a result of having to pay more than initially contracted for rabbit skins supplied by Wilcox and Sons, an Australian firm. The Australian Government Solicitor, George Shaw Knowles, was of the opinion that there was no liability of the Australian Government to pay compensation.

Australia was not alone in its use of rabbit skins. This German poster from 1917 is in the collection of Colombia University in the City of New York.

One of the posters from an exhibition at Columbia University in the City of New York: The European Home Front in WWI: Posters from the Frankenhuis Collection retrieved from http://news.columbia.edu/oncampus/3484

The best dressed woman on a European throne in 1914

Kaiserin Auguste Viktoria 1913

On 17 April 1914 the Avoca Mail advised its readers that the Empress of Germany was the "best dressed woman on a European throne." By contrast, Queen Mary of England dressed comparatively plainly and seldom fashionably. As for Queen Wilhelmina, she was accused of showing very bad taste. However, she had an excuse, for from loyalty to her own country she employed only Dutch dressmakers. "Whoever heard of a noted Dutch modiste?" The Empress of Germany bought her dresses in Berlin, London, and Vienna, but not Paris.

A search on Trove shows that this article appeared in at least sixteen other newspapers, with the first article appearing in the Adelaide Advertiser of 3 January 1914 on page 7. The Bruthen and Tambo Times (Vic.) reproduced it on 22 April 1914. Newspapers that syndicated the story include:

    Clunes Guardian and Gazette (Vic.)
    Euroa Advertiser (Vic.)
    Gippsland Mercury (Sale, Vic. )
    Gippslander and Mirboo Times (Vic.)
    Great Southern Advocate (Vic.)
    Kalgoorlie Miner (WA)
    Kyabram Guardian (Vic.)
    Lismore, Derrinallum and Cressy Advertiser (Vic.)
    Shepparton Advertiser (Vic.)
    South Gippsland Shire Echo (Vic.)
    Swan Hill Guardian and Lake Boga Advocate (Vic.)
    The Horsham Times (Vic.)
    The Narracoorte Herald (SA)
    Upper Murray and Mitta Herald (Vic.)

(The larger number of  Victorian newspapers in the list synidicating the article is due to the project to digitise 216 newspapers of the World War I era. The digitisation project was sponsored by local councils, historical societies , the Public Libraries Victoria Network, and the State Library of Victoria.)

On 10 June the Avoca Free Press wrote with enthusiasm about sausage making in Germany.

No title. (1914, June 10). Avoca Free Press and Farmers' and Miners' Journal (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved October 11, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151625168

Also enthusiastically in June 1914 the Lockhart Review and Oaklands Advertiser (NSW) published three paragraphs about Germany, where the sentiment is sympathetic to Germans. One paragraph discusses the craze for clubs and societies in Germany. Another, about diet, mentioned that the battalions of Germany, as well as those of England, have "proved their bravery and endurance on a hundred stubbornly-contested fields". The third paragraph is about a doll belonging to the Empress of Germany, said to be one of her most cherished possessions. (FACTS AND FANCIES. (1914, June 3). The Lockhart Review and Oaklands Advertiser (NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved October 11, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137894945)

These examples from the newspapers of early 1914 show no antipathy towards Germans and Germany before the outbreak of World War I.

Barry Wilson

No title. (1914, October 14). Avoca Free Press and Farmers' and Miners' Journal (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved October 3, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151623934

Barwise Carr Wilson (1874 - 1943), a 40 year old widower with three children and one step child, enlisted at Avoca in October 1914.

Wilson was a coach painter by occupation and had only recently set up business in Avoca.

No title. (1914, June 17). Avoca Free Press and Farmers' and Miners' Journal (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved October 5, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151623918

On enlistment Barry Wilson arranged for his children be boarded with a Mrs Daly of Percydale.

National Archives of Australia: Australian Imperial Force, Base Records Office; B2455, First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920; Wilson Barwise Carr : SERN 606 : POB Talbot VIC : POE Avoca VIC : NOK N/A. Page 5.

Wilson sailed from Australia on HMAT A10 Karroo on 11 February 1915. He fought at Gallipoli,  most notably at the Battle of Hill 60 where his regiment, the 9th Light Horse, suffered many casualties.

Members of the 9th Australian Light Horse Regiment standing to in the trenches at Gallipoli. Australian War Memorial image id H02778 retrieved from http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/H02778/

A group of 9th Australian Light Horsemen at the foot of Walker's Ridge. (Gallipoli). Australian War Memorial image id C04613 retrieved from http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C04613/

Rhododendron Ridge, Gallipoli. 1915. Members of the 9th Light Horse regiment sniping over the top of the trenches. Australian War Memorial image id P01531.005 retrieved from http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P01531.005/

Although he was not wounded in the Battle of Hill 60, Wilson became ill soon afterwards and after several admissions to hospital was eventually repatriated to Australia on 12 November 1917 and was discharged as medically unfit in January 1918.

NAA:B2455, Wilson B C. Page 18.

NAA:B2455, Wilson B C. Page 19.

In 1916 Wilson wrote to Mrs Daly. His letter probably refers to the Battle of Romani fought 4 to 5 August 1916.

For the Empire. (1916, September 27). Avoca Free Press and Farmers' and Miners' Journal (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved October 5, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151684914

Masaid, Sinai. c. 1916. The Headquarters of the 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade and the camp site of the 9th Australian Light Horse Regiment at a post near El Arish. Australian War Memorial image id H13715 retrieved from http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/H13715/

Wilson had been born in Talbot,  25 kilometers east of Avoca.  He was a member of the Australian Natives' Association, a mutual society for men born in the Australian colonies. He received a parcel of tobacco and cigarettes from the Avoca ANA Lodge.

No title. (1917, October 10). Avoca Free Press and Farmers' and Miners' Journal (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved October 5, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151686116

Trooper Wilson was welcomed home to Avoca in December 1917.

WELCOME HOME TO TROOPER B. C. WILSON. (1917, December 28). Avoca Mail (Vic. : 1915 -1918), p. 2. Retrieved October 5, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article152147949

Avoca Shire Council 30 September 1914

On 30 September 1914 the monthly meeting of the Avoca Shire Council was held at Moonambel. The proceedings were reported in the Avoca Free Press of Saturday 3 October 1914.

Among the items of correspondence considered was an item from the British Empire Trade League.

The Shire Councils were used throughout the war for communication and exhortation about the war effort and related matters.

An invitation from the Borough of Ararat to support another patriotic fund was rejected.

The council considered the level of rates and elected to reduce them due to the drought and the war. The discussion mentioned the possibility of a war tax.

Patriotic Committee formed at Homebush

Homebush Lower was four miles north-east of Avoca. Today only the school building remains but it was still a small town during World War I. The towns of Homebush and Homebush Lower, also known as Lower Homebush, were founded on gold mining in the 1860s and in the 1880s were at their peak.

On 10 September 1914 a meeting was held at Homebush to discuss and raise funds for the Patriotic Fund.

HOMEBUSH, LOWER. (1914, September 16). Avoca Free Press and Farmers' and Miners' Journal (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved September 16, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151625374

Messrs Samers, Deeble and Wood travelled from Avoca to address the meeting.

A Patriotic Committee was formed with Mr W. Miller elected the president and Mr C. H. Squires, the secretary and treasurer. Mesdames Garner and Barry were appointed to collect the funds for Homebush Lower and Miss M. Shiell for Upper Homebush.

Lennox, Lindsay & Gray, Stanhope (1890). Scarlet and blue. W. Paxton & Co. ; Melbourne : E.W. Cole Book Arcade, London

Patriotic songs were sung during the evening including:

• "Red, White, and Blue"
• "Scarlet and Blue"
• "Australia"
• the National Anthem, "God Save the King"

The "Red, White and Blue" was written in 1852, nine years after the very similar "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean", a United States patriotic song.

Britannia, the pride of the ocean, The home of the brave and the free, The shrine of the patriot's devotion, No land can compare unto thee: Thy mandates make heroes assemble, With garlands of glory in view, Thy banners make tyranny tremble, When borne by the Red, White and Blue. Refrain: Three cheers for the Red, White and Blue, Three cheers for the Red, White and Blue, Three cheers for the Army and Navy, Three cheers for the Red, White and Blue,

When war spread its wide desolation, And threaten'd our land to deform, The ark, then of freedom's foundation, Britannia rode safe through the storm: With the garlands of vict'ry around her, So nobly she bore her brave crew, Her flag floating proudly before her, The flag of the Red, White and Blue. Britannia, the pride of the ocean, And so of a truth shall she be. While true in her loyal devotion, To all that is noble and free: The fire that glows in her story, Still burns in the hearts of her sons, And her flag shall still lead her to glory, When duty shall march with her guns.

The "Scarlet and Blue" song was composed in 1890.

A visit to the cemetery

Yesterday was a glorious spring day. My husband, devoted dog, and I visited the cemetery at Avoca.

In July this year at the Ballarat and District Genealogical Society I heard an excellent talk about World War 1 commemoration in Ballarat cemeteries  by Barry Snowden, a trustee of the Ballarat Cemeteries Trust. To date over 940 men who served in World War 1 have been identified as buried or memorialised in Ballarat cemeteries. About 400 of their graves are maintained by the Office of the Australian War Graves Commission. Snowden's project which is expected to result in a book about the men remembered in the Ballarat cemeteries.

My visit yesterday was not systematic and did not cover all of the cemetery.

My exceedingly observant husband and I found the following men buried or memorialised at the cemetery:

• Hartigan, Clarence Victor. Killed in France aged 20 years.






The rifle is a Lee-Enfield .303, used by British troops from 1895 to 1957, in both the Boer War and the First World War.



The funeral of Clarence Hartigan's brother Michael was reported in the Argus:





FUNERAL OF A RETURNED. SOLDIER. (1901, August 13). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 5. Retrieved September 15, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10566278



The memorial headstone was erected in 1903.





SOUTH AFRICA. (1903, January 20). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 5. Retrieved September 15, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9815568




• Leersen, Albert Henry , 39th Battalion, died 6 September 1952. Area: Protestant Section: A 3 6 Grave: 643







• Lindsay, Frank, 9867, 22nd Battalion, died 11 August 1958. Area: Roman Catholic Section: D 3 5 Grave: 704

• Robinson, Robert Webster, 21st Battalion, died 14 April 1972.







• Wrigley, John Aloysius, 3300 58th Battalion, died 2 September 1948. Area: Roman Catholic Section: DD 2 3 Grave: 608

Some graves were erected and maintained by the Office of Australian War Graves (OAWG), others were private. One was a memorial only. Nearly all the bodies of Australians who died overseas during World War I were not repatriated.

The OAWG erects and maintains graves where the death is attributable to war service. The Avoca cemetery has 21 graves for which the OAWG has arranged official commemoration. Of these 16 are for men who served in World War I. Two or three of these 16 probably are buried in Avoca, Tasmania rather than Avoca, Victoria. There are others of the 16 who were not associated with the Avoca district during the war.

Name		Service number	Year of death	Grave location
DRIVER	William Henry		1915	Area: Protestant
HENDERSON	Charles	6819	1955	Area: Protestant
MITCHELL	Thomas Trebilcock	955	1969	Area: Protestant
NICHOLSON	William G	3845	1920	Area: Protestant
LEERSEN	Albert Henry	1861	1952	Area: Protestant Section: A 3 6 Grave: 643
GREENWOOD	Harold James	1852	1930	Area: Protestant Section: A 7 14 Grave: 428
WILSON	George Lancelot	4641	1937	Area: Protestant Section: A 8 16 Grave: 487
JARDINE	William Edward	2772	1954	Area: Protestant Section: B 11 3 Grave: 540
BARNETT	Maurice	6712	1948	Area: Protestant Section: B 13 7 Grave: 605
HENDERSON	John Hamilton		1915	Area: Protestant Section: CC 1 2 Grave: 291
LINDSAY	Frank	9867	1958	Area: Roman Catholic Section: D 3 5 Grave: 704
WRIGLEY	John Aloysius	3300	1948	Area: Roman Catholic Section: DD 2 3 Grave: 608
HUMPHREY	William J	1721	1934	Area: Unden Section: C Grave: 486
BADKIN	Sydney	1792	1963	Unknown – maybe Avoca,Tasmania
PYKE	Henry James	5163	1966	Unknown – maybe Avoca,Tasmania
VINEY	Louis Gordon	25	1953	Unknown – maybe Avoca,Tasmania

Grand Patriotic Ball at Lamplough on 11 September 1914

The Grand Patriotic Ball at Lamplough was advertised on 9 September in the Avoca Free Press and held on Friday 11 September 1914.

Advertising. (1914, September 9). Avoca Free Press and Farmers' and Miners' Journal (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 3. Retrieved September 11, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151623123

There was a brief report of the ball in the Avoca Free Press of 16 September.

No title. (1914, September 16). Avoca Free Press and Farmers' and Miners' Journal (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved September 16, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151625353

When the Avoca and District Patriotic Fund met later in the month, J. Curtis was present representing the community of Lamplough, and Lamplough was reported as contributing £3 13s 6d towards the district grand total of more than £300 raised overall. (AVOCA AND DISTRICT PATRIOTIC FUND. (1914, September 23). Avoca Free Press and Farmers' and Miners' Journal (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved September 11, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151622483)

The Avoca and District Patriotic Fund had been formed at a meeting on 18 August. A committee was formed with the purpose of raising funds towards the Victorian Patriotic Fund organised for the relief of the troops. The Patriotic Fund was formed in Melbourne on 8 August by the Lord Mayor to enable men to do their duty without anxiety for their families. 

At the meeting on 18 August at Avoca, Councillor Paten was appointed chairman with Councillors Samers and Thomas as Vice-Chairmen; Mr J. H. Deeble was appointed secretary.

The following  ladies and gentlemen were appointed to the committee: — Mesdames A Snell, Brown, E Paten, Chandler, Samers, C Reed, J Reid, Currie, Robinson, Wood, Classen, Thomas, B Snell, Chellew, Deeble, A F Paten, Stavely, Hardy, Johnson, Misses Johns (2) and Grimmer, Messrs G T Wood,  J H Moyle, J Chandler, A G Cust, S G Mitchell, R Stavely, F Knuckey, A G Lalor, G. Downton, J C Wilson, A Wilson, J H Benjamin, J Hempseed, Jno Mackereth, A C: Henderson, C Wolfe, T Simmons, B D Snell, W F Hardy, A Ahpee, W M Chellew, F Wiltshire, Revs. Robinson, Reed and Currie, and Drs Johnson and Grimmer. (The War. (1914, August 22). Avoca Free Press and Farmers' and Miners' Journal (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved September 11, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151623260)

Subscriptions were collected the following week, raising more than £50. The Australian Womens' National League (AWNL) made a contribution and also donated thirteen dozen handkerchiefs. Progress was reported in both local newspapers and also the Ballarat Courier.

ACTION IN COUNTRY. (1914, August 26). The Ballarat Courier (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 4 Edition: DAILY.. Retrieved August 25, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article73317026

AVOCA AND DISTRICT PATRIOTIC FUND. (1914, August 26). Avoca Free Press and Farmers' and Miners' Journal (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved September 11, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151621949

The £300 raised by the Avoca and District Patriotic Fund by mid September can be put in some perspective compared to the funds raised at the 1914 football semi final between South Melbourne and Carlton. More than 20,000 attended the MCG and the gate takings were £863 of which £252 went to the Patriotic Fund. (No title. (1914, September 23). Avoca Free Press and Farmers' and Miners' Journal (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 2. Retrieved September 11, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151622490)