Newcastle Morning Herald Transcriptions for June 2-8, 1919.
AUSTRALIAN CASUALTIES
The Defence authorities on Sunday issued a table of casualties sustained by the Australian Imperial Force while on active service. This shows that 58,838 men were killed and 166,809 were wounded, while 87,137 were sick. The total casualties were 313,032.
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AUSTRALIAN REPATRIATION
Senator Pearce, the Australian Minister for Defence, states that the great bulk of the troops, apart from the depots of administration, should have sailed for Australia by the first or second week in July if the promises of the Ministry of Shipping materialises. The depots and camps will then be closed. The Australian Imperial Force should be demobilised in England and France by the end of September.
AUSTRALIAN TROOPS
The latest official figures regarding the demobilisation of Australian troops since the armistice are as follows: Returned, 83,778; on the water, 28,454; in England, 61,816; in France, 11,001: in Egypt, at the end of April, 1284. Probably all, except those in the depots, will be cleared in the second week in July.
RAWLINSON ON AUSSIES
A delayed message reports that Senator Pearce, the Australian Minister for Defence, presided at a lunch given by the Australians and New Zealanders to Admiral Wemyse and General Sir Henry Rawlinson. He said that the Commonwealth gratefully acknowledged the service of the navy, which enabled them in peace or in war to live in safety, and paid a tribute to General Rawlinson's association with the Australian troops. Admiral Wemyse, in responding, said that the navy had some share in upbuilding the Empire, and in the late struggle it bore its part in upholding it. Australia, through Gallipoli, had matured into nationhood. He believed that the link connecting the Empire and its units would always be the navy. General Rawlinson said the Fourth Army owed much to the valour, sacrifice and incomparable fighting spirit of the Australians. He was deeply interested to watch them progress to their final triumph in 1918. Generals Birdwood and Monash had commanded with great distinction throughout the war. For men untried by experience to come into the hurly-burly of war as the Australians did, and to learn the new methods which the war produced, was a superhuman task, and in the last hundred days the Australians gained a reputation which would live throughout Europe.
MATRON LOWREY
Matron Lowrey, of the Wallsend Hospital, who recently returned after nearly three years' service with the troops, was entertained by the hospital board and friends at the mechanics' institute on Friday evening. Mr J. Estell, MP, presided.
Proceedings commenced with the singing of "Horne, Sweet Home," by Miss Smith. The company then sat down to refreshments. The loyal toast was proposed by the chairman, who then proposed, "Our Guest." He said that Matron Lowrey, before the war, had been an army service nurse and when the war broke out had held herself in readiness to go when called upon. The call came, and she answered it. Everyone knew how the men from Australia had distinguished themselves at the war, and in their sphere he knew that the nurses had performed equally as well. He welcomed Matron Lowrey, who he hoped would be long spared to look after Wallsend Hospital.
Matron Lowrey tendered her thanks for the reception. After all there was no place like home, and she did not think there was a better little hospital anywhere than the Wallsend Hospital.
FLIGHT-LIEUTENANT WHEELER
Word has been received from Flight-lieutenant Frank Wheeler, AFC, that he was sailing from Egypt on 27th May by the Hungarian, a troopship carrying the Australian Squadron. Flight-lieutenant Wheeler has been on active service more than four years, a great part of the time having been spent in the Jordan Valley. He is well known in banking circles in Newcastle.
SERGEANT FIDLER
Mr Rupert C. Fidler, of Bolton Street, Newcastle, has received word that his brother, Sergeant Charles E. Fidler, is returning by the Runic, which is due in Melbourne about the 13th June. Sergeant Fidler left Australia in 1914 with the 1st Field Artillery Brigade, serving in Gallipoli, and then through France up to the signing of the armistice.
SERGEANT MCKINNON
Sergeant Reg McKinnon, son of Mrs. M. McKinnon, a former resident of The Junction, returned from the front at the beginning of last week, and has been visiting some of his friends. At the time the war broke out Sergeant McKinnon was a naval trainee, and he went with the naval forces to Rabaul, New Guinea, taking part in the occupation of the German possessions. He returned to Sydney, and in September, 1915, he joined the artillery, with which he served in Egypt and France. He was wounded. Sergeant McKinnon is one of five brothers who answered the call. He is the third to return, and the other two are expected shortly.
CORPORAL VIGGERS
Corporal Arthur Viggers, son of Mr and Mrs W. Viggers, of Tocal Road, New Lambton, returned home on Monday, and was welcomed by the townspeople at the roll of honour gates. He had been escorted from Newcastle by members of the Welcome Home Committee, on whose behalf the president, Mr A. Edden, junior, extended him a welcome. Corporal Viggers had been a member of the Patriotic Committee prior to his enlisting, and was also active in the Boy Scout movement. The Mayor, Alderman W. Shepherd, extended a welcome on behalf of the citizens and Girls' League. Scout-master Hughes, on behalf of the Hunter District Boy Scouts' Association, said he was pleased to welcome back a friend and comrade. Corporal Viggers thanked the citizens for their welcome. The record of the town, as displayed on the honour gates, was one of which they could be proud. Many of his Boy Scout cadets had fallen in line, in responding to the Empire's call. He had met them at the front, and fought side by side. Corporal Viggers was driven to his home. Mr A. Edden presided, and proposed the loyal toast. Scout-master Sara proposed the health of Corporal Viggers. He also congratulated him on his marriage, he having taken to himself a wife in Wales, wishing her a safe journey to Australia. The toast was supported by the Mayor, and Scout-masters Hughes and Smith. Corporal Viggers thanked the company for the reception. He had been given opportunities to study the scout movement in England, Egypt, France, and India, and had noted many ideas. He appreciated the references made to his wife, with whom he hoped soon to take up his residence in the town. Corporal Viggers enlisted in September, 1915, with the 7th Field Company Engineers. He arrived in France in March, 1916, with the 1st Australian contingent to land there. He was present in every engagement of the 2nd Australian Division, and had been on all fronts, from Ypres to Rheims, only once receiving slight injury. He was one of the army of occupation in Belgium after the signing of the armistice, and was appointed to the rank of corporal in the AIF's Educational Reserve, as instructor to the motor mechanics.
PRIVATE BARRATT
Private F. Barratt, of Kenrick Street, The Junction, was given a welcome recently by the members of the Welcome Home Committee. Mr T. Wilson, president of the committee, said they were all pleased to welcome Private Barratt, and, although he had been seriously wounded, he hoped that he would not suffer any after effects. Private Barratt enlisted in July, 1915, and at the time his parents were in England. He sailed on September 30th for Egypt, and was there till June, 1916, when he was transferred to the western front. He was attached to the 54th Battalion, and went through several engagements, being severely wounded at Ypres. On recovering from his wounds, he was sent again to the front, where he remained until the armistice.
SAPPER BAGLEE
Sapper B. A. Baglee was welcomed home by The Junction Welcome Home Committee last week. At his home in Macquarie Street, Mr T. Wilson, president of the committee, and Mr. R. Christie, vice-president, spoke words of welcome. Mr W. Woolston, of the Welcome Home Committee, proposed the toast of "Sapper Baglee," and said they felt pleased that the Australians had acquitted themselves well on the field of battle. Sapper Baglee enlisted on the 8th March, 1917, in the Cyclists' Corps, and previous to enlisting was employed by the Newcastle Gas Company.
ABERMAIN
Mr W. Sample presided at a meeting of the Returned Soldiers' Association on Sunday. Exception was taken to the action of the Wallsend people in using the name of Captain Clarence Jeffries VC, on their honour roll, when it was well-known that he was a resident of Abermain when he enlisted. The meeting decided to write to Mr Charlton, MHR, in reference to Abermain's claim to a war trophy, based on the fact that an Abermain soldier had won the Victoria Cross.
CARDIFF
Mr and Mrs Lovell have received word that their daughter, Sister Ilma Lovell is returning by the transport Hungaria, after two years in Egypt. Mr A. Swadling has been notified that his son, Mr C. E. Swadling, who has been in England for two years as a munition maker, is returning by the steamer Alexandor Wooorman. Mr H. Houson has been notified that his son, Private H. Houson, is returning by the Leicestershire. He has been on active service for two and a half years.
NEATH
Private A. Ryan, one of four soldier sons of Mr and Mrs John Ryan, was welcomed during the week, after an absence of three years on active service. Another son returned some time ago, and two more are expected home soon. A pleasant evening was spent at a welcome home tendered to him at his parents' residence. Private W. Bambach, one of three soldier brothers, was also welcomed during the week.