25th April 2012

Commemorative booklet proudly presented by Michael McCormack MP Federal Member for graphic cover of this Real meaning in publication leaves a lasting impression red poppies upon visitors. “In Flanders fields the poppies blow Those sombre lists Between the crosses, row on row.” include the names of many locals … THESE are the opening lines of the Riverina’s best and moving poem In Flanders Fields written bravest, gallant men in 1915 by Allied Lieutenant-Colonel from the South IN REMEMBRANCE: The message on the gates to ’s Memorial Park serves as a the anzac John McCrae. West Slopes. solemn reminder. The Flanders poppy symbolises Their sacrifice is also remembered on legend Remembrance Day, the commemoration monuments across the district and ANZAC stands for Australian of the Armistice of 11 November 1918 honoured on 25 April each year as and New Zealand Army when the guns finally fell silent on The communities gather to commemorate memory of sacrifice lives on Corps. Great War battlefields. the first landing on Gallipoli. The soldiers in those forces More and more, the poppy is also The red poppy signifies remembrance HIS name has long faded on the Among them are three women: Privates became known as ANZACs being used as part of ANZAC Day and will be worn with pride as we again monument dedicated to Tallimba’s Audrey Brideoake and Ruth Watt of – all of them heroes as the observances, its link to the sacrifices by solemnly mark the ANZAC spirit, our brave Diggers nearly a century ago paying respect for the duty done in World War II fallen, but Bernard Keith the Australian Army Medical Women’s postcard from The Great War Wilkinson’s service to his country will Service and Lance-Corporal Mary era below depicts. as strong now as it has ever been. the past and offering hope for the safe return of our servicemen and women not be forgotten while ever ANZAC Day Patten of the Australian Women’s Army The ANZACs’ pride in their During World War I, red poppies were is commemorated. Service. among the first plants to spring up from on deployment in Afghanistan and name and what it represented elsewhere. Sapper Wilkinson’s name is at the foot of endures to this day. the battle-scarred ground of northern France and Belgium. the six gallant heroes who gave their lives The 25th of April was during those dark years of 1939-45. officially named ANZAC Day Soldiers’ legend decreed that the dramatic burst of colour of the poppies The test of time has taken its toll on the in 1916 when a wide variety of black lettering where Spr Wilkinson’s came from the blood of their comrades MICHAEL McCORMACK MP IMPOSING: ’s war ceremonies and services were name is etched into the marble plaque. monument. held across . drenching the ground. Federal Member for Riverina But as the Australian flag flaps proudly in There was a march through The vivid splash of red from the poppies placed alongside names of fallen soldiers the breeze beyond the marker, the solid BARELLAN’S London and a sports day in shrine itself is a permanent reminder of the Australian camp in Egypt. in honour scrolls at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra as shown on the what those brave souls did to keep our In London more than nation safe and free. COMMITMENT 2000 Australian and New district did its duty Born at the son of FIVE Barellan-born men saw Zealand troops marched Joseph and Maud Wilkinson on 30 active service in the Vietnam through the streets with one April 1920, Bernard was just 20 years War. British newspaper headline CROSSES alongside 13 of the 36 names of age when he enlisted with the calling them “the knights of chiselled into a marble plaque on a Army at as the first Of those, Mervyn Lewis, who Gallipoli”. granite obelisk at Junee Reefs (pictured) year of the war drew to a close. was a Temporary Sergeant indicate the heavy war price the with the Royal Australian He was living at Yalgogrin North at district paid. Engineers, served the longest the time. An older monument at the site, upon period, being engaged from which stands a silent sentinel watching Less than eight months later Spr 1965-72. Wilkinson, a member of 2/4 Field over the Junee Reefs-Ivor Hall, records In all he served 712 days. those who died as “The brave boys of this Company, tragically became one of district who answered the Empire’s call the more than 39,800 Australian Temporary Corporal Stanley and fought for us and liberty in the Great military lives lost in World War II. Taylor also served in the European War 1914-19”. He died on 10 April 1941 in the Army while Sgt Richard A plaque at the Junee monument reads: Absell (Air Force) and the Junee Reefs and the nearby town, which “These died the noblest death a man may Middle East and was buried in the Tobruk War Cemetery. Navy’s Able Seaman Ian has a splendid 1926 vintage clock tower die fighting for God and right and liberty McIntyre and Petty Officer Memorial in Broadway, sacrificed much and such a death is immortality. Australia For a district with only a small Underwater Control Robert carry on.” to help Australia’s war efforts. population, Tallimba contributed Priest also did their duty. mightily to the war effort. Thankfully all survived the OFFICES OF MICHAEL McCORMACK: On the gates which form an archway conflict. CANBERRA: PO Box 6022, Parliament House, ACT 2600 P: 6277 4725 F: 6277 8563 entrance to the peaceful Memorial GRIFFITH: 100 Yambil Street P: 6964 1212 F: 6962 7722 Park where the ANZAC Day Service MONUMENT: Tallimba’s tribute to lives lost Australia’s Vietnam deaths WAGGA WAGGA: Suite 2 11-15 Fitzmaurice Street P: 6921 4600 F: 6921 5900 is conducted, the names of 89 locals in World War II and (above) Sapper Bernard totalled 521 while more than E: [email protected] www.michaelmccormack.com.au who served in World War II are listed. Wilkinson, killed in action aged just 20. 3000 were wounded. TEMORA FARMER COULD NOT WAIT TO Do HIS DUTY

A QUAINT country church, sadly no longer used, He was among the first to sign up; Britain having declared war on Germany on 4 August 1914 and has a fascinating history which includes the tragic Australian Prime Minister Joseph Cook stating the very PEACEFUL: Callaghan Park, Temora, where next day that “... when the Empire is at war, so also is Bernard Cartwright’s name and many others are tale of a brave young Temora farmer who drowned immortalised. on his way to Gallipoli when his ship was torpedoed Australia.” in 1915 during World War I. Cartwright’s enthusiasm to get a uniform and get to war to their stations and lowered the boats in an orderly was shown by his low service No. – 538 – and he sailed manner. The subalterns searched the interior of the ship Saint Stephen’s Church of England is a red brick building out of with 1 Brigade Australian Field Artillery for wounded and finally came on deck to find only the entirely paid for by William Cartwright and his wife on HMAT Argyllshire on 18 October. general staff on board. They helped to lower the last boats Louisa as a memorial to their only son, Bernard Ray Like so many others – 61,520 in fact of the AIF’s total and got into a half swamped one themselves. Fourteen Cartwright, brother of Florence and Lillian. Great War enlistments of 416,809 – young Cartwright persons were killed by the explosion and 22 were drowned including Brigadier General Linton.” The church, at Bagdad, 14 kilometres south of Temora, never made it back home. was also dedicated to WJ Cartwright’s grandfather, the While en route from Egypt’s largest seaport Alexandria to Among those lost was the Temora Digger who had been REMEMBERED: Bernard Cartwright’s name lives on at Reverend Robert Cartwright, the first Anglican Minister Mudros, a small Greek port on the Mediterranean island raring to do his duty. the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. to conduct a service in the Canberra region. of Lemnos and a strategic base used by the Allies in the Indeed, young Cartwright was perhaps too keen to see St Stephen’s foundation Dardanelles campaign, the ship Driver Cartwright was action as a letter in his personal war file revealed … and stone was laid on 12 aboard as a stowaway, the ill-fated HMT Southland, was his eagerness cost him his life. torpedoed. January 1921 by Mr In the correspondence, Aida Whitton of Gulgong wrote Cartwright and the new Southland ventured into the path of German submarine “....his eagerness how she had received a letter from her brother Tom, a church was consecrated UB-14 travelling to Constantinople (present-day 22-year-old grocer from , and how he and by Bishop of Goulburn, Istanbul) to join the Constantinople Flotilla. Cartwright had decided they would take the first boat the Right Rev. Dr Lewis they could to Gallipoli. Radford, on 8 June the Commanded by Heino von Heimburg, UB-14 had sunk cost him his life.” same year. Gallipoli-bound British troopship RMS Royal Edward on “I understand by my brother’s letter the boys were tired of 13 August, the ship going down by the stern within just being in camp and thought it their duty to get to the front Bernard Cartwright six minutes, causing a dreadful death toll of 935. to help their comrades, they decided to stow away on the The Cartwrights were good, gracious people. was aged just 20 years The encounter with Southland occurred in the Aegean Sea first boat that came: but when it came Mr Cartwright Bernard’s father did not mind when the authorities and three months when was on picket so he could not get away so he told Tom he SACRED PLACE: (Above) he enlisted with the on 2 September. misspelled his son’s name on the Memorial Scroll – St Stephen’s at Bagdad and would follow by the first boat, which the poor boy did.” commonly known as a Dead Man’s Penny – sent to Australian Imperial At 9.45am that fateful day Southland was struck at right (Top) the plaque memorialising relatives of all AIF soldiers who died while serving. Force in Sydney on 24 forward, 30 nautical miles (55 kilometres) from Lemnos Aida said it was understandable that news of Dvr a pioneer minister and a brave Cartwright’s loss had not filtered through because military soldier. August 1914. in the Aegean Sea. Bernard Cartwright never had the authorities would be unaware he had been on board. opportunity to take up arms for his The ship did not sink immediately, being eventually country but his name lives on … beached on Lemnos with all but 40 of 1400 men able to Tom had received the awful news from another friend etched on the Helles Memorial leave in lifeboats and picked up mainly by the seaplane who had survived the attack on the Southland. at Gallipoli, the Cenotaph at carrier HMS Ben-my-Chree and other transports She told of her brother’s sorrow at losing his best mate. Temora, the honour scrolls at the including HT Neuralia. “The two boys chummed up when they first went in to Australian War Memorial in Many of those saved spent up to four hours in the water. camp, and have kept together all the time. My brother’s Canberra and on a marble plaque letter was awfully sad, losing his best pal.” Southland eventually limped back to Mudros assisted by at the little church at Bagdad HMS Racoon and was repaired. Aida wrote a heartfelt letter to Mr and Mrs Cartwright outside Temora where his on 2 November 1915 in which she stated that Tom “feels family mourned for his loss and The London Gazette reported that there was “never a cry or the parting very much but asked me to say he died for his prayed for his soul. sign of fear” when the torpedo slammed into Southland. King and country. I am sure you could not wish for a more IN TROUBLE: HMT Southland battles to stay “The Australian soldiers merely came briskly on deck glorious death for your dear boy. Be brave in your trouble. (Right) FOREVER YOUNG: afloat after being struck by a torpedo in September One comfort you know he is beyond all troubles now.” Fresh-faced Bernard Cartwright. 1915. singing ‘Australia will be there.’ The troops all went Take me home to the 2012 ANZAC DAY SERVICE times and venues SOUTH WEST SLOPES: 6am Dawn Service, RSL Park, Riverina St. (Includes ) 9am Service at Cemetery at graves A SERVICEMAN’S yearning to be 11am Service at Ardlethan Memorial of Ex-Servicemen and Women. riding the Riverina’s plains once more Hall, Ariah St. 10.30am Assemble “Pink Shop” was the subject of a poignant war-time (Includes Quandary) poem. Wollongough St, walk to RSL 11am March along Coolamon St from Park, Ungarie St. Simply titled “Riverina”, it was included Ariah Park Bowling Club to 11am Service. Flag raising, Last in a 1944 book The ANZACS March Cenotaph for the Main Service. Post to be played. ’s Again and Other Verse by Cecil S Watts. BARELLAN WAGGA WAGGA (Includes Binya, Moombooldool) The poem tells how the Springtime 5.45am Dawn Service arranged by dedication splendour of the Riverina’s farming 3pm Service at Cenotaph on corner Legacy at the Cenotaph, Victory country holds greater attraction than of Boree and Mulga St’s. Memorial Gardens, Baylis St. WEETHALLE’S grand record thinking of of service to the nation in its the battle being waged close by in a 6.30am Pilgrimage to Wagga Wagga years of greatest need is proudly foreign land far removed from the shrill 10.45am March commences along Queen War Cemetery in Kooringal Rd. you displayed on its impressive War of Australian birds and the beauty of the St to Memorial Park. 10.30am Baylis St March begins. Memorial. wattle. 11am Service at Memorial Park. 11am Wreath Laying, Victory Memorial LETTERS from the front BETHUNGRA (Includes Frampton Gardens Cenotaph. Address by The black obelisk (pictured Popular Great War postcards sent by always meant so much to and ) Senior Navy Officer, Lieutenant below) contains the names of families to homesick loved ones at the worried family and friends front, as depicted here, often featured 6.15am Dawn Service at Bethungra Commander Linton Lee Senior back home. 142 district men and women Memorial Park, Naval Officer. Salute taken by who answered their country’s kookaburras, magpies and Riverina wattle. In the event of wet weather Army Recruit Training Centre They gave loved ones hope call during the Boer War, the the Service will move to St Kapooka Commandant, Colonel and, although censors had two World Wars as well as the RIVERINA Augustine’s Church near David Hay. strict guidelines about what Korean, Malayan and Vietnam Bethungra Memorial Park. WEST (Includes North could and could not be conflicts. We are at a battle-station, where the We have heard before the message JUNEE (Includes Illabo, ) Yalgogrin, Wamboyne, Weethalle, written, provided welcome restless tropic sea carried to us by the drums, Wyalong) Sadly, seven of the names bear 5.45am Dawn Service in Broadway. updates about how soldiers a cross signifying that they died Thunders on the reefs of coral a threat of And we’re ready for the foeman – no 6am Dawn Service at Services and were coping. in active service. storms to be, matter how he comes: 9.30am March to Railway Square – Citizens Club’s Cenotaph. two-minute ceremony at plaque 9am Wreath Laying Ceremony at The Great War was fought The neat park also includes a With the jungle close behind us we are We have held his southward sally, and on Broadway. in an era when mail was slow those of us who died Cenotaph at Soldiers’ Memorial sandstone column with a white resting by our guns, 10.45am Ceremony at Cenotaph, Broadway. to arrive, if at all as the ships cross, surmounted by a soldier’s Hall, Neeld St, Wyalong. And I’m thinking it is Springtime on Are buried ’neath those crosses by the JUNEE REEFS 10.30am March, Main St, . which carried the lovingly “tin hat”. the Riverina runs. restless tropic tide. 3pm Wreath Laying conducted by 11am Wreath Laying at S&C Club. hand-written correspondence A remembrance garden and Junee RSL Sub-Branch at Junee had the ever-present danger They’ll be busy now, lamb-marking, It is not for martial glory that those 11.30am Service in S&C Auditorium. flag staff form part of the clipping ears and snipping tails hearts are sleeping there, Reefs-Ivor Hall, Junee Reefs Rd. of enemy submarines with town’s dedication to lives lost CAPITAL CITY SERVICES: which to contend. Till the tar-splashed wood is polished They also loved their homeland: CANBERRA and duty done. 9am Service at Cenotaph in Ariah St. along the holding rails, Australia, free and 5.30am Dawn Service, Australian War In this patriotic postcard And I’m wishing I could saddle up, to fair! SPRINGDALE Memorial (suggested arrival (above), Herb tells his 9am Service starts with introduction from 4.30am onwards). “darling” and his “fondest ride the plains and sing And I fancy by presiding officer Colonel Pat 6.30am Aboriginal and Torres Strait sweetheart” how his comrades All my praise of Riverina, Riverina in they are sharing Thorne AM RL at Cenotaph the joy that Islander Commemorative “are still doing great work” the Spring. on Burley Griffin Way. Ceremony, Aboriginal Memorial memory but “I hope it is all over in a There’s a group of wooden crosses where 9.10am Guest speaker: Senrior RAAF Plaque, side of Mount Ainslie. brings, couple of months” and “It will the shore and jungle meet, representative. 10.15am National Ceremony, Australian be lovely if I come through As I think From village to inland village the 9.15am Wirraway Fly-Over War Memorial (suggested OK.” of Riverina, primitive war-drums beat, 9.20am Lance-Corporal Peter Kahlefeldt arrival 9.45am). Riverina in Scholarship Speech by Temora SYDNEY And I’m thinking of a Southland PLEASE NOTE: All the Spring. High School student. guarded by this aerodrome 4.15am Dawn Service at the Cenotaph times and venues have 9.30am Morning tea. in Martin Place. been supplied in good ... Of the green and gold of TALLIMBA 8.30am Wreath-Laying Ceremony at Springtime round my Riverina home. faith by various RSL 3pm March from Tallimba Inn Hotel the Cenotaph in Martin Place. Sub-Branch officials and There’ll be blossom on the wattle, to Tallimba Memorial Park. 9am ANZAC Day March starting were correct at the time the old pepperina tree Wreath Laying at Memorial at Martin Place/George Street/ Park. Service at Tallimba Hall. of publication. Every care Will be shading Bluey’s kennel – Bathurst Street/Hyde Park. TEMORA (Includes Reefton) has been taken to ensure as wish that dog was here with me! 12.30pm Commemorative Service, ANZAC many services as possible 6am Dawn service at Cenotaph Memorial in Hyde Park South. And the bush birds in the timber in Callaghan Park. have been included. For will make the echoes ring 1pm Aboriginal ANZAC Day verification of other 10.30am March from front of Courthouse. March in Redfern. services please contact your With their songs of Riverina, 11am Service, Cenotaph, Callaghan Park. Riverina in the Spring. 5pm Sunset Service Cenotaph local RSL Sub-Branch. UNGARIE in Martin Place. Students show anzac pride

RIVERINA primary and secondary school students have again responded enthusiastically to the second annual writing competition “ANZAC Day in the Riverina”. Hundreds of poems and short stories were submitted with the best entrants being awarded book prizes from a FAMILY tradition the Australian War Memorial. The most outstanding primary entrant received a copy TODAY we remember in the of the wonderful tale The Red Poppy whilst the splendid hard cover book Australian Riverina all Australians who Women and War went to the high school winner. served and died in all wars, Every student who sent in an entry will be presented with a commemorative signed conflicts and peacekeeping certificate. operations. The spirit of ANZAC, with human qualities of courage, mateship and WE sacrifice, continue to have great REMEMBER: meaning to the ANZAC spirit Isabella Mason in the Riverina. (aged 11, Yr 6) ANZAC Day 2012 at the and her brother Masons, alarm rings at 5am. Oscar (9, Yr 4) We rise, dress and head to the of Saint Mary’s Services and Citizens Club for War Memorial the Dawn Service, reminding School, West us of the dawn landing on Wyalong. Gallipoli in 1915. It’s inside for mince on toast prepared by the ladies. A good a son’s anzac morning and chat to the other folks. It’s great to be part of this atmosphere. As we walk home perspective together, the Sun has risen and WINNER: Georgina Grant, 13, Year 8, of today is ANZAC Day in the THE school kids sing “Advance Saint Anne’s Central School, Temora. Riverina. Australia Fair”, He was off to fight, As I sit here in my reserved chair, With thousands of other men, all fine Dad then heads to Toppy It’s ANZAC Day in Temora – a special (Wyalong) at 9am for the and brave. day. Mum sobbed helplessly as tears stained Toppy Service. At 10.30am Even as pride and spirit fill me, Dad, Isabella and Oscar line her face, Down inside my soul, the shocking Dad and I had one last embrace, up at Thom, Dick & Harry’s memories lay … Corner to march to the He turned down our lane, giving a final Cenotaph with Ex-Servicemen, I loved life on the farm with Dad, wave. some on scooters, cars, lots of He was a cheery, carefree kind of lad, It’s been months since we heard from schoolchildren and the Town It was 1915, and this sun-kissed land Dad, Band keeps us in step. Dad is was home. Another sheep died – the last we had, the Flag Bearer. We proudly Red earth ran through my veins I can still see Mum clutching that letter wear our Great-Uncle’s Medals. Even in drought and heavy rains, I dread. We called this Riverina land our own. At West Wyalong, the Gruesome war had torn my life apart, ANZAC Day ceremony That day at home Mum slumped in her Blackness gripped at my sorrowful heart, commences with The Ode and chair, For my brave, dear father was dead. a period of silence. Our Dad Tension hung grimly in the air – Now was the Last Post play, raises and lowers the flag and I knew terrible news was about to be I come back to ANZAC Day, the laying of wreaths follow. broken. And around me people of all ages gather. The wreath laying is very Mother trembled and started to speak, It is not only me who will never forget, special to us, together with Her voice soft and weak, What the cost of senseless fighting our Great Aunty Una, we lay As those heart-breaking words were meant, a wreath for her two brothers spoken. The sacrifice of my dear Dad of the who fought on Kokoda that we My Dad left that night, Riverina did matter. never knew. Our Dad was in Authorised by Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack MP, the Navy and he lays a wreath Suite 2 11-15 Fitzmaurice Street Wagga Wagga NSW 2650. for his mates. Printed by Chambers Whyte Design and Print, 5 Rabaul Place Wagga Wagga NSW 2650.