Unknown Australian Soldiers in WW1 courtesy of Australian War Memorial.

By Lyn Forde – President/Research Officer of St Marys & District Historical Society Inc.

WAR Celebrations. The usually quiet tone of Mulgoa was enlivened by the enthusiasm displayed by its residents, joined by the Wallacia contingent upon the receipt of the inspiring news that “The Armistice’’ had been signed and hostilities had ceased at the seat of war. On Monday evening and running into the small hours of Tuesday morning the village slept unknown to the energies of the hastily formed Tin-Can Band who had some choristers of note in its ranks as they serenaded most of the houses of the village. As the outcome of this outing the public arranged to again celebrate the glorious event on Wednesday eve (a public holiday). It all kicked off by a procession composed of adults and children led by the much improved (owing to practice) Tin-Can Band with most of them were in fancy costumes. The procession started from opposite the house once known to the weary traveller as the Irrigation Hotel, but since the licence has lapsed it is now dubbed the Irritation Hotel and caused great amusement to the many groups of spectators enroute. Having reached the local hall the procession disbanded and the hall soon filled with happy faces bent on celebrating the occasion to the full. The Chair was taken by Brudder Sam who carried out his duties creditably. Songs, recitations and speeches by volunteers were well received by the packed house. The manner in which the many fancy dresses, &c., were admired would compensate for the trouble each had taken in preparing them. After the Concert programme had been completed the remainder of the evening was devoted to games, dancing, etc. A competition for the best fancy dressed child was held and the prize of a beautiful easy chair for a child was won by little Dorrie Raymate of Wallacia who represented “Britannia.” The chair was generously donated by Mr Rank who manufactured it locally. A very enjoyable evening was spent and now the instruments of the band are put carefully away awaiting the return of our local lads from the front for whom a warm welcome home is promised. At Emu Plains on hearing the glorious news of peace with victory being a great gratification to the whole community is a welcome relief from intense anxiety to those who have near and dear ones actively engaged on the battle fronts. There are not many families at Emu without a soldier representative. In Penrith Lieutenant N C Bunton (President) and Mr H P Ashburner (Hon. Secretary) of the Penrith District Sub-Branch of the Returned Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Imperial League of Australia write as follows, ‘’To the citizens of Penrith and District now that hostilities have ceased and it is only a matter of time before peace is with us once more, we should consider very seriously what we are going to do to fittingly receive the boys when they come back. As far as Penrith District is concerned nothing better could be done than to financially assist the Returned Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Imperial League of Australia in our district to look after their interests and to provide them with a rendezvous where the comradeship formed under fire may be perpetuated, and at the same time raise up a memorial for those of our lads who have fallen in our defence. There are many ways in which the League has assisted the boys and their dependents and the work of assistance is going to be increased a hundredfold when the troops come home again. Such problems that will arrive must be tackled resolutely and being rightly in the hands of the returned boys themselves. It is hoped and firmly believed these will be satisfactorily dealt with. Our success will depend wholly on two things, namely the close co-operation of the returned boys themselves and the whole-hearted support of the people. If a club room and office is provided there will be no difficulty in keeping the boys together and the provision of this club room depends absolutely on the generosity of our people. While providing the club room we must not look upon it as we would an ordinary affair of brick and mortar but must remember always that it is to stand as a lasting memorial for those of our loved ones who have cheerfully laid down their lives on our behalf and in our defence. The local sub-branch of the Returned Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Imperial League is already moving in the matter. As a result of their efforts to date the sum of £16 is in hand while a patriotic lady of this town has collected from her friends outside the district a further sum of £15. The sub-branch will be providing soon a series of attractions to help along the fund and it is hoped you all come forward in your numbers and fill the hall to overflowing when these entertainments are announced. In addition to this support any person who feels that he or she can help along the fund can send in their donations to the Secretary in Henry Street in Penrith which will be duly acknowledged. The boys rely on your co-operation and feel that you will be, as you always have been generous in a good cause. At a meeting of the St Marys Council on the Monday night previous a communication was received from the Public Health Department with regards to the threatened outbreak of influenza and asking the co-operation of the Council in combatting the chance of the disease coming amongst us. The aldermen were fully alive to the seriousness of the danger as many people travel daily between Sydney and St Marys and they would urge residents to take all precautions in the way of generally cleaning up all premises both private and public and in the liberal use of disinfectants. If necessary the Council will place their office at the disposal of the authorities in the event of the outbreak coming to the town where these disinfectants could be procured by residents. A motion was supported by all the aldermen that an advertisement be inserted in the local Press urging people to liberally use disinfectants and to adopt every possible precaution to combat the possibility of an outbreak here. Unfortunately it did arrive in the Penrith District. Photo of unknown Australian Soldiers in WW1 courtesy of Australian War Memorial.

Sources: Nepean Times Saturday 23 November 1918, Saturday 30 November 1918,