In 1915 the Motorists' Wounded Soldiers' Association was formed. The Secretary wrote a letter to The Argus, published on August 10, outlining the rationale of the Association - The care of returned wounded soldiers is now our duty, but what about their pleasures? There is much pathetic reading in the accounts of their condition as brought under our notice by the papers and it is wonderful the fine spirit they show under such conditions. Undoubtedly we should help to keep that spirit alive, and not let their return be the usual "nine days' wonder." As a motorist I would suggest that we place our cars at the disposal of the wounded soldiers as much as possible and to this end would appeal to all motorists willing to do so to write in and state how many Saturdays or Sundays they are prepared to give up each month (1). The Secretary of the Association was W.M. Pearson of 468 Collins Street.
The President of the Automobile Club of Victoria, Dr Weigall had just the day before publicly announced in The Argus, that the motorists of Melbourne desired to give the returned wounded soldiers the use of their touring cars whenever possible (2). On August 11, the Secretary of the Automobile Club of Victoria in response to the Motorists' Wounded Soldiers Association letter had his own letter published in The Argus saying that as it has a complete list of car owners and a properly organised clerical staff trained and accustomed to the control of concerted motoring movements it would not serve the best interests, and be a pity for another body to step in and cause arrangements to clash. Furthermore, as the Automobile Club of Victoria is closely in touch with the military authorities at the present time regarding various matters, it would be much the wiser course were the arrangements to be left solely in our hands (3).
By the beginning of September 1915, the Motorists' Wounded Soldiers' Association, was renamed to the Committee for the Motor Transport and Recreation of Invalid Soldiers (4) and they were working in co-operation with the Automobile Club of Victoria (5). They also helped transport wounded soldiers along with providing the day trips and this work was sanctioned and approved by the Defence department, and heartily endorsed by the medical authorities, and the soldiers themselves highly appreciate the committee's work (6).
Early trips were organised to Frankston, Lilydale, Ferntree Gully and other locations in the Dandenong Ranges (7). As a matter of interest in August 1915 the Australian Patriots' League also provided day trips for wounded soldiers (8).
The earliest reference I can find to the wounded soldiers visiting this area was on Saturday, September 4, 1915 a party of 100 soldiers (9) visited Dandenong and were treated to a reception at the Town Hall and then afternoon tea at the Showgrounds where the ladies of the committee had not been idle, and there was a bountiful supply of tea and coffee, hot meat pies, rolls, buns, cakes, and also cigars and cigarettes (10) and where a hockey match between the ladies of the Dandenong team and one from Melbourne was set in progress, and this was viewed with interest by the large attendance who lined the arena, and filled the grand-stand (11).
Between 30 and 40 wounded soldiers had arrived earlier on the day at Berwick and were entertained .....by the members of the Berwick Red Cross Society at lunch. They were motored from Melbourne and welcomed by Mrs Pearson, president of the Red Cross Society. After dinner a pleasant hour or two was spent in conversation with the residents, and Mr Pearson returned thanks for the kindness and hospitality, which was responded to by Mr W. Wilson (12). They then joined their comrades at Dandenong for the festivities.
Dandenong Town Hall where 100 wounded soldiers were received on September 4, 1915.
This is a later photo of the Town Hall and the Post Office, taken in the 1950s, but would have been much the same as when the soldiers saw it.
State Library of Victoria Image H2011.171/5i
On Sunday, February 27, 1916 soldiers visited Cranbourne. There was a comprehensive report in the South Bourke & Mornington Journal (14) worth repeating in full to give some idea of the logistics involved in hosting such an event -
The reception and entertainment of a party of between 60 and 70 wounded soldiers, on Sunday afternoon last, was in every way a thoroughly successful function, and the management of all details in connection with the event signified the possession of much organising ability on the part of Mr and Mrs Campbell, who undertook all arrangements with respect to the reception. With innumerable valuable assistants, both indoor and outdoor, everything went on in an orderly and pleasant manner, and an extremely enjoyable afternoon was spent by all. Amongst the assemblage were Crs Brunt, Callanan, Hardy, Lloyd, and Wilson.
The shire hall was set out with five long tables, artistically adorned with beautiful pot plants, flowers and groaning under burdens of lovely eatables of quality equal to the temptation of the most critical. The tables were managed by the following ladies:-No. 1,. Mrs Nash and Misses Nash and Rennie; No.2, Mrs Savage, Mrs E. Waller, Mrs J. Savage and Miss Greening; No. 3, Miss H. Nurse, Mrs Nash, Mrs Skews, Miss Keogh; No 4, Mesdames White, A. E. Brunt, Halliburton and Robinson ; No. 5, Misses C. Nurse, Lecky, Wilson, and Mrs Thomson, who, with quite a bevy of young ladies, attended to the wants of their brave guests and their friends in a most charming manner.
Between 3 and 4 o'clock the guests began to arrive in private motor cars, which had been kindly placed at the convenience of that estimable body - The Committee of the Motor Transport and Recreation for Invalid Soldiers - who have done so much for the wounded men by giving them pleasant outings on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The cars of Mrs Sinclair, Dr Stanley, and Messrs Short, Buck and Robinson, with a large char-a-banc were used in the conveyance of the men on Sunday. On arrival an enthusiastic reception was given the visitors by a gathering of fully 400 people.
Cr J. B. Wilson, on behalf of the local Red Cross committee, invited the visitors to afternoon tea in the hall, and in heartily welcoming them to Cranbourne, spoke of the glorious deeds performed by the Australians, and stated that no effort on the part of the people was too great in honor of the men who had played such an immense part in making history for our country and supporting the just cause of the British nation. God Save the King was sung most heartily, and Grace having been spoken by the Rev E. C. Thompson, Vicar of Cranbourne, the guests entered upon the enjoyment of the repast provided.
During the afternoon Mr J. H. White took the opportunity of offering the thanks of the Cranbourne residents to the members of the Motor Transport Company for their kindness in giving the people a chance of entertaining a party of men who had nobly done their duty, and trusted that this would not be the last occasion upon which Cranbourne residents would be privileged to assist the convalescents during the progress of recovery. Mr R.L Laidlaw supported the statements of Mr White, and expressed the view that the valiant actions of the Australian soldiers had shown the world that our land could produce men capable of upholding the sacred cause of freedom as those of any country in the world, and that it was impossible to too highly honor the brave men who had so freely offered their lives to perpetuate the privileges we now enjoy under the invincible sway of the Union Jack.
Private Franklin Murray, secretary of the Returned Soldiers' Association, thanked Cranbourne people for their hospitality, which had not been excelled by any of the centres the wounded soldiers had visited. It was pleasing to the men to know that their efforts had the sympathy of the people. He stated that fully 75 per cent of the returned soldiers were eager to recover and once more take a hand in the fray, and show that deeds equal to those achieved in the past were easily possible. Much enthusiasm was shown by the assemblage. The representatives of the Motor Car Transport Committee praised the efforts advanced for their comfort, and said that another visit would probably be arranged in the near future.
After the guests had left the hall, the ladies engaged in ministering to the wants of the large gathering, and the supply of good things was more than ample to meet the requirements of all. About 5.30 the cars started on the homeward journey, laden with cases of fruit, cakes and tomatoes, contributed by local donors, amidst cheers from the crowd assembled. The Red Cross Committee desire to thank all who assisted in making the function a success (South Bourke & Mornington Journal, March 2, 1916, see here)
Cranbourne Shire Hall where 60 - 70 wounded soldiers were hosted on February 27, 1916.
This photo is from 1942.
The only other local account I could find was in November 1915 when the townsfolk of Lang Lang had invited the soldiers for a visit, however this offer lapsed when A meeting of the committee was called for Saturday afternoon, but owing to the smallness of attendance and the fact that the undertaking of catering for about a hundred soldiers is no light task, the meeting was postponed to a future occasion (15). I thought I might have found some accounts of soldiers visiting Emerald, Cockatoo or Gembrook, because there were articles on visits to other scenic spots in the Dandenongs such as Warrandyte, Belgrave and what were then the country towns of Bayswater and Boronia, however, I could not find any. It may have been due to the state of the roads or perhaps because the communities were too small to be able to host large numbers of people.
Trove List - I have created a short list of articles on trips to the local area by wounded soldiers, you can access it here.
Footnotes
(1) The Argus, August 10, 1915, see here.
(2) The Argus, August 9, 1915, see here.
(3) The Argus, August 11, 1915, see here.
(4) The Age, September 2, 1915, see here.
(5) The Argus, August 30, 1915, see here.
(6) The Age, September 17, 1915, see here.
(7) See my Trove list, referred to above.
(8) The Argus, August 17, 1915, see here.
(9) Dandenong Advertiser, September 9, 1915, see here. There is another good account of the visit to Dandenong in the South Bourke & Mornington Journal of September 9, 1915 here.
(10) Dandenong Advertiser, September 9, 1915, see here.
(11) Dandenong Advertiser, September 9, 1915, see here.
(12) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, September 9, 1915, see here.
(13) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, May 11, 1916, see here.
(14) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, March 2, 1916, see here.
(15) Lang Lang Guardian, November 17, 1915, see here.
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