Newcastle Morning Herald transcriptions and Hunter Valley enlistment and death details for November 4-10, 1918.
MESOPOTAMIAN VICTORY
The Press Bureau says the British War Cabinet has sent this telegram to General Sir William Marshall, commander of the British armies in Mesopotamia: “Hearty congratulations on your splendid success in dealing the final blow to the Turkish Army and liberating Mesopotamia from the alien yolk under which its peoples have suffered for many centuries. Our victory is due to the resourceful and energetic leadership, excellent staff wort, and endurance and resolution of all ranks, who have worthily maintained the reputations of the British and Indian armies. The Mesopotamia Expedition will for ever be memorable in the annals of the British Empire.”
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PALESTINE SUCCESS
The Press Bureau also says the King has telegraphed to General Sir Edmund Allenby, Commander of the British Army in Palestine, promoting him to a Knight Grand Cross of the Bath. His Majesty expressed his admiration of the spirit and endurance of the troops who secured the complete surrender of the Turks. “This is a glorious and memorable achievement,” he added.
THE AUSTRALIANS
General Rosenthal, of the Australian Army, addressed the overseas and US journalists, and reviewed the Australian military force. He said it had only been created for defence, but had since learned that Australia’s defence could be fought on a foreign field, He thoroughly appreciated the co-operation which existed between the British and Australian forces in the Somme battles, and related how a German order was found which stated, “These Australians, who live in the bush, come crawling on their stomachs and take our men. This sort of thing has got to stop”. General Rosenthal gave instances of Australians doing things that were unorthodox, which nevertheless caught the Boches on the hop. The Americans, he said, were much akin to Australians in their initiative, while the New Zealanders were easily the best troops on the West Front. Our troops got through difficult positions better than the English, due to the fact that nearly all could ride and shoot. Every man was in the officers' confidence, and knew what had to be done, so that if the officers were knocked out, non-commissioned officers or privates knew what to do. He paid a tribute to the cordial relations existing between French and Australian soldiers, a feeling which was greatly enhanced by the Amiens incident. The French, rightly or wrongly, believed that the Australians saved Amiens, the bishop of which town was planning to have the deed commemorated in the cathedral.
GERMAN LINE BROKEN
London, Sunday. The Allies are pressing forward their attacks in Belgium and France with unabated vigour, and are continuously advancing. In Belgium they have captured many villages, and are now approaching Ghent. All alone the French front, from Valenciennes, which has been captured, to the Aisne, the Allies are driving back the enemy, taking many prisoners, and capturing a large number of guns. The Germans are resisting desperately in places, and are suffering heavy losses. The correspondent of the New York Times on the American front states that the Americans have broken through the German lines north of Verdun.
AUSTRIA'S COLLAPSE
London, Monday. Austria has accepted the Allies terms of peace. It is officially announced in Vienna that an armistice has been signed, and that the Italian theatre of war has ceased to exist. An Austrian official report, dated Vienna, Saturday, states: “In the Italian theatre of war our troops have ceased hostilities, on the basis of the armistice which has been concluded”. The Press Bureau reports: Mr Lloyd George telephoned to Downing Street from Paris as follows: “The news has arrived that Austria-Hungary, the last of Germany's props, has gone out of the war. General Diaz signed the armistice on Saturday afternoon. It comes into operation at 3 o'clock on Monday”. Germany is feverishly awaiting the Allies terms of peace. The Paris correspondent of the United Press reports that the Versailles Council has reached full agreement in regard to the terms of the armistice to be offered to Germany.
THE KAISER'S ABDICATION
News from diplomatic and military sources agree that the Kaiser signed the set of abdication before an assembly of confederate princes in Berlin on Wednesday. The announcement was delayed, owing to its effect on the public, and possibly divergent views relative to the succession. The assembly has not admitted that if the Kaiser abdicated, the Hohenzollerns should retain the Crown. It is reported in Paris that the Kaiser abdicated on Wednesday, but that the publication of the news was withheld for fear of the effect on the public moral, pending the receipt of the Allies' armistice conditions. The Berlin newspaper Germania says: “The Kaiser is pledged to the most drastic domestic reforms. His powers will be analogues to those of King George of England. His abdication would imperil Germany's unity”.
INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC
Dr Cumpston, the head of the Federal quarantine service, announced on Wednesday that a cable message had been received from the Governor of Ceylon stating that influenza in epidemic form had broken out there. It is understood that several steamers from Ceylon and India are on the way to Australia. A steamer from the East arrived at Thursday Island with thirty cases. On arrival the vessel and all on board were quarantined. A vessel has arrived at a Western port with three cases of influenza on board. The vessel has been quarantined. She is bound for the eastern States. Dr Cumpston states that he is making arrangements for the establishment of inhalatoriums, where needed, for the prevention of Influenza.
GALLIPOLI GRAVES
According to information received by the Federal Government, the British Graves Commission, which will shortly be leaving for Gallipoli to look after the soldiers' graves there, will include a Victorian and a New Zealand officer.
JOY BELLS IN SYDNEY
In accordance with the request of the Governor, the bells at the different churches in the Sydney area rang out a pell at noon on Saturday, to mark the good news of the surrender of Turkey. The whistles on the ferry boats in the harbour and on the trains took up the chorus.
ABERMAIN
The Abermain Comforts Committee despatched another batch of 37 parcels of comforts abroad to the local soldiers last week. The usual comforts were enclosed, but a tin of butter was placed in the parcel instead of the tin of lollies. Since the inception of the committee, 397 comforts parcels and 294 Christmas parcels have been sent away.
ADAMSTOWN
The rumour circulated that it is intended to remove the camp buildings from Adamstown is not generally believed. A prominent military officer, spoken to about the matter, stated that it was decided to use the camp in February, 1919, but what were the intentions of the authorities after that he did not know. He thought it unlikely that the camp would be removed, as the site was ideal, and it adjoined the rifle range. The municipal council has taken the matter up, and has the co-operation of the district councils in protesting against the dismantling of the camp.
BROADMEADOW
Sergeant-major A. Birt, Sergeant W. Dombkins, and Corporal J. Howie were welcomed home, and Privates W. Francis and J. Dunstan, were farewelled last night in the Broadway Picture Palace by the Broadmeadow Citizens' Soldiers' Comforts Fund.
GRETA
Private H. Daley, who enlisted in 1916, when 17½ years of age, was accorded a welcome home. He was wounded at Armentieres and Villers Bretonneux, the latter wound necessitating amputation of the leg. At the time he was wounded he saw his brother, three years his senior, killed. The Mayor, Alderman R. Coates, occupied the chair, and an enjoyable evening was spent. Mr Joseph Wright, a returned soldier, who lost an arm in France, was on the same evening presented with a gold medal on behalf of the citizens of Greta.
LAMBTON
Mrs Langlands, of Hill Street, North Lambton, has received a letter of sympathy from Lieutenant A. Gill, of the AAMC, on account of the death of her brother, Private Jack Mitchell, who was killed in action on the 8th of August while stretcher-bearing. Lieutenant Gill says: “Jack and I joined the ambulance together, and I had been with him until he was killed. He lived as he died, a man in the true sense of the word, and is sadly missed by all his comrades”.
A meeting of the sub-committee appointed to prepare a list of the names of soldiers who enlisted from Lambton was held in the council chambers on Tuesday. The Mayor, Alderman Hardy, occupied the chair. The secretary reported that up to the present the list showed 135 names, but it was believed that there were names to be added to the roll, and the committee would be glad if relatives would inspect same to see that none are omitted.
STOCKTON
Mrs J. Hocquard, of Carlisle Street, Stockton, has received word that her daughter, Nurse Genevieve Hocquard, was admitted on 22nd October to the 43rd General Hospital at Salonica, seriously ill (dysentery).
B.A. RULES FOOTBALL
Among the original Anzacs soon to return is the name of John Barnes, the ex-Adamstown player. Barnes left with the originals, saw service in Gallipoli, was transferred to France, and is now on his way home. A stiffness in one arm is all “Johnny” is reported to be suffering from. Jack Dunne, the ex-Adamstown Rosebud's goalkeeper is still in hospital. That last wound of his has not healed up as quickly as expected, and in his last letter, sent to Mr J. D. Hamilton, Adamstown's secretary, Jack mentions that he would probably be granted six months' relief leave. Bull Jennings, the ex-Adamstown, Merewether, and inter-district player, is also reported “still in hospital”. ‘Bull’ was shot in the knee, and in the calf of the leg, as the result of which a short leg may keep this star forward out of the game which he was so fond of.
CORPORAL DUNN, MM
Mrs M. Dunn, of Young Road, Lambton, has received word that her son, Corporal Stewart Dunn, has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery while in action in France. Corporal Dunn, who enlisted from New Lambton three years ago, was at that time on the line staff of the Newcastle Post Office.
CORPORAL EASTON, MM
Mr W. H. Easton, of Jesmond, has received word that his son, Lance-corporal W. J. Easton, has been awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous services rendered while in action on October 12. The letter states that Corporal Easton repaired the lines under heavy shell fire despite the extremely difficult conditions. He succeeded in maintaining the communications, and at all times displayed great coolness, setting a splendid example of courage to duty to those working with him. Corporal Easton was attached to the 3rd Australian Divisional Signalling Company, and prior to enlisting was employed as a telegraph mechanic at the Newcastle Post Office.
PRIVATE PIKE
Mrs W. A. Pike, of Perkin Street, Newcastle, has received word of the death of her youngest son, Private Ray Pike, who left Sydney with Carmichael's Thousand last June. Shortly after his arrival in England, Private Pike contracted pneumonia, and the attack proved fatal. At the time of his death he was in his 20th year. Before enlisting he was in the employ of Mr R. Rundle, tailor, Hunter Street, Newcastle.
DEATHS
Trooper James Cooper, Singleton; Private Walter Henry Crebert, Mayfield; Lance Corporal Roy De Alevion, Gundy.