Newcastle Morning Herald transcriptions for May 26 - June,1, 1919.
BATTLEFIELD FLOWERS
Flowers not known within living memory to the natives of the districts are breaking out on the scarred surface and in the shell holes and dugouts of the battlefields of France.
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It is believed that the strange flowers have sprung up from seeds buried in the depths of the earth for decades. A leading London botanist says it is known that seeds have been buried for upwards of 60 years without losing their power of germination. And he thinks it is possible that strange plants are now flowering as reported, as the tearing up of the earth by heavy shellfire may have created conditions for their growth.
CURRENT NEWS
The defence authorities have not received any confirmation of the official statement made in the British House of Commons recently that all the Australian, New Zealand and Canadian soldiers would be returned to their homes by the end of July.
But a cable message has been received from the AIF headquarters, London, conveying the information that the war casualties have nearly all been dealt with. According to this message there only remain 100 cases of Australian war casualties to be embarked from England, and 388 invalids still requiring hospital indoor treatment were shipped during April.
GERMAN HELMETS
From 60,000 to 70,000 German helmets abandoned by the withdrawing army are being shipped to the United States, to be distributed as prizes in connection with the next loan campaign.
NEWCASTLE'S OWN
Mr R.G. Shea, of Scott's Limited, has received a letter from Brigadier-General Goddard, DSO, commanding the 9th Brigade in the late war, in which he thanks the War Chest Fund for its acceptable and thoughtful gifts.
Referring to the good wishes expressed towards himself, General Goddard writes: "Indeed it is little I have done. The fighting records of the 9th Brigade and the splendid 35th Battalion have been created by the valour, the endurance, and the fine discipline of the officers and men it has been my very great privilege to command. Your city may indeed be proud of its soldiers. I hope some day to be able to tell you something of their deeds. I will only mention now that it was this Brigade (the 9th) which, at Villers Bretonneux on the 4th April, stopped the enemy, fighting two battles on that day with flanks in the air, and by the unexampled courage of the men saved Amiens, and probably altered the history of the war.
"The 35th Battalion bore the brunt of the fighting in those critical days. It was the 35th, plus one company of the 34th Battalion, which, a month later, took the first step in the aggressive action which was the beginning of the present victory, by rushing forward one black night in April into the enemy's lines, from which he was never able to eject them."
ANNA BAY MINE
In accordance with instructions from headquarters, a small naval party in the charge of Commander Fearnley went from Newcastle on Friday morning to Anna Bay to investigate a report that an enemy mine had been washed ashore on the beach there. The report was found to be correct, and the party on Saturday morning proceeded to destroy the mine in the first place by placing a charge against the mine and trying to explode it.
The charge exploded, but failed to destroy the mine, although one of the prongs was blown off. Rifle fire was then begun at a range of 850 yards, and at the eighth shot CPO. Harman succeeded in registering a hit which exploded the mine. The concussion was severe, and the force of the explosion excavated a hole in the hard sand 30 feet in diameter by five feet in depth.
The discovery of the mine created great interest in the district, and many people travelled long distances to view it.
ADAMSTOWN
Mrs A.C. Wilson, of St James' Road, Adamstown, is in receipt of a cable from her son, Captain Gordon C. Wilson, MC, DCM, of the Australian Flying Corps, advising her that he is returning to Australia by the troopship Kaiser I Hind, which left England on May 6.
BOOLAROO
The unveiling of the Boolaroo Methodist Church roll of honour took place on Sunday afternoon, in the presence of a large congregation. The Rev. A. E. Walker officiated. The church was decorated with the flags of the Allies. The service opened with the hymn, O God, Our Help In Ages Past. The unveiling of the roll of honour was performed by Mr J. Foster, senior, whose two sons had paid the supreme sacrifice. Mr Foster said that he had been asked by the church committee to unveil the roll of honour to the memory of those who had fought and died for the Empire. As the flag was drawn aside, the band played Rule, Britannia and God Save the King. The roll is a handsome one, and is situated in a good position on the end of the church, above the pulpit.
Private R. Simpson returned unexpectedly to Boolaroo on Saturday. Officials of the Welcome Home Committee, called on Private Simpson at the residence of Mr W. Rae, where he is staying, and welcomed him back to Boolaroo. Private Simpson left with the original 30th Battalion, being afterwards transferred to the 5th Pioneers, and was badly wounded.
CARRINGTON
Private W. Powell, of the 30th Battalion, was accorded a welcome home at the residence of his brother, in Little Denison Street, on Saturday night, by the members of the Southern Cross Girls' League and the Farewell and Welcome Home Committee. Private Powell was severely wounded in the head, and for some considerable time was in hospital.
Prior to enlisting he was employed on the Newcastle wharf.
Private J. Jones, MM, arrived home Monday night after over three years' service. Upon arriving at Newcastle station he was welcomed by the Mayor and Mayoress, the Welcome Home Committee, and the members of the Southern Cross Girls' League. Private Jones, who was in the 30th Battalion, saw a good deal of fighting in France, and had the good luck to get through without being wounded. Upon arrival at the home of his parents, a large number of citizens were awaiting him.
The Mayor proposed the toast of Private Jones, which was supported by Mr F. McQuillan and Mr W. White. Private Jones responded. Private Jones, who is a brother of the late Private 'Webber' Jones, was awarded the Military Medal for bringing in wounded soldiers under shell fire.
Private Jones arrived by the transport Tras-os-Monios.
ISLINGTON
Private Cecil Dalton, 17th Battalion, returned home on Wednesday night after over three years' active service. He was received at Newcastle station by a number of friends and members of the welcome home committee, and escorted to his residence, in Phoebe Street, which was decorated with flags and lamps.
Mr W. Dennett welcomed Private Dalton, on behalf of the citizens. Private Dalton enlisted in Islington in October, 1915. On arrival in Egypt he went into the trenches, protecting the Suez Canal for six months. In June, 1916, was in the first big offensive on the Somme front, and was wounded at Pozieres in August. After another two years' continuous service he was wounded again at Carbot. After recovery he was able to be in the general advance of the whole of the Australians on the Hindenburg Line.
Private Dalton was employed at the Aberdeen meat works before enlisting.
Private Percy Milgate, MM, 30th Battalion, returned home Sunday night, after over three years' active service. He was met at the Newcastle railway station by a number of friends and members of the welcome home committee, and conveyed to the residence of Mr and Mrs S.S. Martin, Maitland Road, which had been decorated with flags.
Private Milgate enlisted in November, 1915, and after six months service in Egypt, went to France in July, 1916. He was in the heavy fighting at Fromelles, the Somme, Messines, Polygon Wood, and on the Hindenburg Line. He gained his Military Medal at Morlancourt for conspicuous bravery. Mr and Mrs Martin entertained a large gathering of friends.
Mr W. Dennett, secretary of the welcome home committee, presided, and after the loyal toast was honoured, proposed the health of Private Milgate, expressing the hope, that he would long be spared to enjoy the honour he had won at the front.
Alderman J.H. Kirk extended a welcome on behalf of relatives and friends, and members of the committee. Private Milgate expressed his thanks for the way he had been received. One of Private Milgate's brothers, James Milgate, of the 34th Battalion, has returned. Another brother, John Milgate, of the 35th Battalion, is expected soon.
Private Milgate was employed on the locomotive running staff at Port Waratah before enlisting.
MAYFIELD
Corporal C. Millen returned to his home in Carrington Street, Mayfield, on Saturday evening. He was met at the railway station by Mr Coghlan (vice-president), and the secretary of the Welcome Home Committee.
He enlisted in 1915, and was at Gallipoli. He afterwards went to France, where he was wounded, and invalided to England, where he took up munition work, and was doing war service at the Sopwith Aero Works. Engineer Sub-lieutenant V. Boulden, who returned home on Saturday night, was an engineer in the Merchant Service when war broke out, and joined up with the RNR.
He was on three vessels, which were mined, and one occasion he was the only engineer who was saved. He also assisted to sink a German submarine. Lieutenant Boulden served his apprenticeship with Messrs. Morison and Bearby, of Carrington.
WALLSEND MEMORIAL
Notwithstanding the unfavourable weather conditions, there was a large attendance at the unveiling of the Wallsend Soldiers' Memorial on Saturday afternoon.
Proceedings commenced with a procession through the principal streets to the site of the monument in Plattsburg Park. On arrival at the monument the marchers formed into squads on the four sides. After an item by the band, Alderman T. Abel (Mayor of Wallsend) tendered apologies from Brigadier-General Paton and Private William Currey, VC, both of whom expressed their regret at their inability to be present at the function.
The Mayor, referring to the occasion which had brought them together, said that of the 332 men whose names were inscribed on the monument, two had gained the Victoria Cross, five had gained the Military Cross, five the Military Medal, sixty eight had made the supreme sacrifice, and to the relatives of these he extended his deepest sympathy.
He hoped that now they had practically completed this monument to the memory of the brave soldiers of Wallsend that some steps would be taken by the Red Cross ladies and others interested towards perpetuating the names of the nurses who had gone from the town, and he suggested that a fitting method of giving effect to this would be by having a memorial tablet with their names inscribed thereon erected at the Wallsend Hospital. Mr J. Estell, MP, then unveiled the memorial.
WARATAH
Driver J. Coleman and Corporal H. Marshall returned home Monday evening, being met by the Welcome Home Committee and a large number of their friends at the Newcastle railway station, and escorted to their homes in Georgetown Road, Waratah and Dora Street, Mayfield.
Driver Coleman enlisted in June, 1915, going away with the 17th Battalion, 4th Reinforcements. He has seen service in both Egypt and France.
Corporal Marshall enlisted in September, 1915 and is one of three brothers who enlisted.
One is already home, and the other is expected to arrive home at an early date. Corporal Marshall, who saw service in Egypt and France, enlisted with the 9th Reinforcements of the 4th Battalion.