The March of the Wallabies - Weston
See also: Weston Roll of Honour Legend of the Lamp A Weston Anzac Hero
In January 1916, during the First World War, a recruiting march, known as 'The March of the Wallabies' passed through Weston. The following general information on recruiting or snowball marches, as they were known, is from the Australian War Memorial Encyclopedia:
In 1915 recruiting committees were formed in nearly every town throughout Australia. In the central west of New South Wales a movement began which became known as the 'Gilgandra snowball'. Under the leadership of W.T. ('Captain Bill') Hitchen, 20 or so men who had determined to enlist started off to march to Sydney. Gathering other recruits along the way, they numbered about 300 by the time they reached Sydney. This was known as the Coo-ee March.
Their example was soon followed by other marches from around New South Wales and Queensland: the Waratahs, Kangaroos, Wallabies, Dungarees, Men from Snowy River, Kurrajongs, Kookaburras, Central West Boomerangs and North Coast Boomerangs. They relied on the support of the communities they passed through, which was often enthusiastic. The total number of men involved was only about 1,500 but the marches attracted wide publicity and may have encouraged fund-raising and enlistment more generally.
Military authorities were not always supportive, as they doubted if the numbers of men recruited justified the effort and expense. There were also problems with discipline, and disputes over exactly when marchers became eligible to receive pay and equipment.
In 1918 further 'Freedom' marches were organised but were relatively unsuccessful.
The Australian War Memorial also shows the specific route taken by the 'Wallabies':
Route: Walgett, Burren Junction, Wee Waa, Narrabri, Merehula, Turrawan, Baan Baa, Boggabri, Dubledah, Gunnedah, Curlewis, Breeza, Werris Creek, Quirindi, Willow Tree, Murrurundi, Wingen, Scone, Aberdeen, Muswellbrook, Liddell, Ravensworth, Camberwell, Glennies Creek, Singleton, Branxton, Cessnock, Abermain, Weston, Kurri Kurri, East Greta, Maitland, Morpeth, Minmi, West Wallsend, Wallsend, Lambton, Waratah, arriving at Newcastle on 8 January 1916.
Plans to continue the march to Sydney were cancelled by military authorities who wished to use the marchers as the basis of a new locally-raised battalion. This was formed in February as the 34th Infantry Battalion, known, ironically, as Maitland’s Own.
A sad and unexpected epitaph to the march was the death of the Rev. John Wilkinson, Methodist minister, who had joined the march at Narrabri. He was killed by a lightning strike in West Maitland camp on 3 February.
Photograph source: David H. Dial, THE MARCH OF THE WALLABIES, 1990, p.89
David Dial, in his book THE MARCH OF THE WALLABIES, provides the following description of the afternoon tea held to entertain the 'Wallabies' at the Olympia in Station Street Weston, on Monday, 3 January 1916:
At Weston
‘At Weston
Weston people had always done well in public movements, but for the “Wallabies” they excelled all their previous efforts. They were received at the town boundary by a large crowd, and marched through crowded streets to the Olympia Hall, where afternoon tea awaited them. The interior of the hall presented a bright and attractive appearance, with its tables artistically decorated, tables laden with all that the soldier dearly loves when tired after a weary march. The streets, too, were gay with flags and streamers waving their welcome. The function in the hall was quite informal, but a few speeches were made. “The King” was toasted at the call of Councillor Morgan, who presided. “Our Guests” were eulogised by Messrs. Charlton and Kearsley, and Sergeant-Major Lee again responded with another appeal, which brought four recruits. The Rev. Varcoe Cock proposed “The Ladies” for whom Mr. T. Hadfield responded. A number of children, trained by Mesdames Davies and Malcolm, gave two delightfully rendered patriotic songs, which, with the pretty Allies’ costumes of the children, were much appreciated. The arrangements were carried out by a committee of ladies and gentlemen, with Councillor Morgan, Chairman, Mr. T. W. Hancock, Treasurer, and Mr. W. Williams, Secretary, but to the ladies for their untiring zeal and splendid work, a special need of praise was due, for upon them rested the responsibility of making the visit a success, and it was a success in every sense. The Hebburn Colliery Band, which assisted at Cessnock on Sunday, was again in service and did much towards the success of the day. Highland pipes also gave a helping hand.'
Enlistment Roll
As shown on the Roll of Honour page, many men from Weston answered Australia’s call to enlist during the First World War.
David Dial's book lists the following men from Weston who joined up during the ‘March of the Wallabies:
Armstrong, George William
Brown, Robert
Embleton, Joseph
Hamilton, William D.O.W.
Hart, Thomas Congleton
Hennessy, Robert K.I.A.
James, Richard
Jarvis, William Ernest (MM)
Logan, John
McBean, George K.I.A.
Pearce, John George
[David H. Dial, THE MARCH OF THE WALLABIES, 1990, pp.90-91, 158-160]
Abbreviations:
K.I.A. = Killed in action
D.O.W. = Died of wounds
M.M. = Military Medal