Rosewood History
Photo: Portrait of Prince Edward 1920 – Reginald G. Eves. He was named Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David (Windsor). Called “David” by his family. 1894-1972.
The Royal Visit 1920
© Jane Schy 2025
One hundred and fifty seven years ago on 26th February 1868, Ipswich received it’s first visit from Royalty when his Royal Highness, Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, drove up from Brisbane, paused briefly on Limestone Hill before taking a train to Toowoomba, returning the next day for a fleeting visit, and was gone.
Then on 20th May 1901, a special train conveying the then Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (George and Mary), the soon to be future sovereigns of the British Empire, passed through Ipswich on its way to Brisbane. At noon, four days later, the Royal visitors returned through Ipswich by train, but during the 15 minutes of their stay at the station did not leave the seclusion of their carriages.
On 31st July 1920, their son Edward, Prince of Wales, visited Ipswich to represent them. He came to personally express the gratitude of his Majesty the King for the sacrifices made by his comrades in arms in the Great War and by those whose devotion to duty supported the war effort and helped to sustain their courage in the field.
The Prince’s visit coincided with the 55th Anniversary of the opening of the first section of railway line Ipswich to Bigge’s camp (Grandchester) on 31st July 1865. All three generations of Royals travelled on this line. Given that Rosewood Gate was the first conditional stop on the line, it seems only fitting that Rosewood was listed on his itinerary as one of the places he would visit, and it was to become the first stop on his return journey back home.
The Queensland Government issued a gilt medal bearing the portrait of the prince in military uniform and the Queensland coat of arms on the reverse to commemorate the occasion.
Rosewood’s planned reception was supposed take place on Tuesday 27th July between 10.31am and 10.41am but the timetable changed as a result of the Prince’s experience in the Southern States. The “Prince of Smiles,” as he was quickly dubbed, needed to rest and reduce the number of engagements on his first day in Queensland. Instead of stopping at various points on his way to Brisbane from New South Wales, he traveled through Wallangarra into Queensland, stayed at Wyreena siding for the night (outside of Toowoomba), and then on the 27th travelled straight through to Brisbane.
The Royal train left Wyreena at 6.45am. Along the way children on horseback rode along with the train and residents came out into their fields and onto the verandahs of their homes to wave. When the train reached Toowoomba hoards of people were clustered about he railway crossings and at other vantage points. After pulling up the range the train stopped momentarily just outside of Helidon and a group of waiting children sang “God Save the King”. Grantham and Gatton were decorated and so was Laidley Station. As the train travelled through Little Liverpool Range, the Sydney Mail train passed by. Passengers crowded at the windows and cheered and waved to the Prince. The train halted at Grandchester to take on water and a group of people ran towards the Royal carriage and gave three cheers for the Prince. Rosewood was out en masse to see him go by and cheered heartily, the mill hands stopping work to raise their hats. The reaction of the population was all so friendly and spontaneous. At one station a little further on the Prince threw fruit from his table out to the people. Two silver planes appeared suddenly in the sky and escorted the train to Ipswich. One plane was trailing pennants and flew quite low at about 100 feet. The Booval Butter Factory blew its steam whistle and people gathered and waved and cheered along the entire route to Brisbane.
The new timetable for the Prince’s return journey included a stop at Rosewood. Rosewood would get a visit! Albeit a 10 minute visit! After departing Brisbane the Royal Train train was to arrive at Rosewood at 11.40am and depart at 11.50am on Wednesday 4th August.
Meetings had been held in Rosewood in May and June to make arrangements for the Royal reception. A meeting of head teachers of the schools in the district was held. Messrs J. R. Mark (Rosewood), V. E. Pascoe (Marburg), T. A. Forbes (Mt. Walker), Guymer (Mt. Marrow), Dreveson (Mount Forbes), Twemlow (Prenzlau), J. Dawson (Calvert), Croston (Ashwell), Gordon (Minden), and J. Courtney (Tallegalla), and Messrs A. E. Adams and E. J. Hogan, W. Johnston (representing the returned soldiers), H. Harding and R. Sellars (representing the Rosewood school committee). Lieut. Col. Macartney (organiser) also visited Rosewood, and was met by Cr. J. A. Wells (chairman of the Shire Council), and Messrs J. P. Walsh and D. L. Turbayne (A. and H. Association and Manager of National Bank).
It was agreed the various schools would make their own arrangements for conveying the children to Rosewood. A special train would be arranged to transport the children from Marburg and intermediate stations to Rosewood. It was also decided that the returned soldiers and children would assemble outside the vestibule of the railway station where the Prince could walk straight out from the train amongst them. Cr. J. A. Wells, chairman of Rosewood Shire Council would extend a welcome on behalf of the Rosewood Citizens and a sports gathering would be held after the departure of the Royal train. Cr. Wells and Messrs. Mark, Woods, Pascoe, Johnston, Oswald, and Eichstadt were appointed as a sub-committee to make arrangements for that. Finally, it was decided to apply through the Shire Council for a public holiday on that day.
The head teacher of Walloon School, Mr J. Cronan, was not at the meetings as he was on six months leave of absence. He only returned a few days before the scheduled Royal visit and immediately organised for 25 enthusiastic students to travel to Rosewood for the occasion.
On the 4th August, the Prince left Brisbane’s Central Station to begin his return journey. The whistle of the steam locomotive C18 No. 693, Sir William MacGregor sounded, and a great volume of cheers exploded. The band struck up “Auld Lang Syne” and people ran after the train cheering, waving handkerchiefs and throwing flowers as it pulled away. “Goodbye Teddy!” shouted a Digger. Mr T. Stewart, in saying good-bye to the Prince, said in the words of the old Scotch song, “Will ye no come back again?” The Prince, shaking hands replied, “I hope I shall, most sincerely.”
The Prince had a wonderfully affectionate farewell all along the line to Ipswich. Elderly men and women, factory girls and workmen crowded on the railway line and stood in the roadways cheering and waving. In return the Prince raised and waved his hat. The visiting journalists said it was the most wonderful send-off from any State and nothing like it had been seen in Australia.
One report said: Before the Royal train had passed the suburban areas of Brisbane the Prince was almost in tears. “I never expected anything like this,” he said to one of the Queensland officials; “It is simply wonderful. I was led to believe that Queensland’s welcome would be different and yet it has equalled anything I have met with in any part of the world. The enthusiasm of the women and children has been a revelation.”
The Royal train slowed down but did not stop at Ipswich, where a considerable section of the population, from the railway platform, street balconies, and windows, cheered loudly and waved to His Royal Highness a fond farewell. Needless to say, these tokens of goodwill and affection were not allowed to pass unheeded by the object of it all.
Before reaching Rosewood, His Royal Highness sent for a beautiful walking stick with which he had been presented by the Lieutenant Governor on behalf of the Aboriginals Department. Carved from one piece of black wattle, the stick was quaintly decorated with the laughing face of an aboriginal and decked with a gold band. It was a fine bit of work and was executed by Mr Hedley Smith, of Brisbane. (1)
The Royal Train finally arrived. Rosewood was in a joyous disquiet when the Prince of Wales emerged from his carriage into full view of the large crowd, many of whom had travelled a long way to share in Rosewood’s pride that day.
Here are two reports about it. “The First Stop” and “Rosewood’s Reception”
THE FIRST STOP – SWEETS FOR THE PRINCE
At Rosewood, the first halt, there was a most representative gathering in the vicinity of the railway platform. The chairman of the Shire Council (Councillor J. A. Wells) and Mr. W. Cooper, M.L.A., who were introduced by the Minister for Education (Mr. Huxham), representing the State Government welcomed the Prince amid loud cheering. About 300 returned soldiers, under the command of Lieut. A. E. Adams were formed up and His Highness shook hands with each specially congratulating the decorated men. Lieut. Hughes commanded the senior cadets, and Mr. J. R. Mark the school children. An old British soldier named H. Johns caught the Royal eyes, and came in for a hearty handshake. A little girl named A. Wearne handed the Prince a box of sweets made by the scholars of the Marburg rural school, and another little girl presented His majesty with a bunch of fragrant violets. Before leaving the Prince shook hands with Mr. Cooper. and with widows, mothers, and fathers of returned men. As the train moved out a couple of lady riders seated on clean-legged chestnut horses, galloped alongside the train and waved to the Prince. Each looked very happy as she held the reins with one hand and waved a handkerchief with the other.
This equestrian feat was however, quite eclipsed as the Royal train neared Gatton. A mile before the station was reached four young ladies were seen seated on small wiry ponies. They were in open formation across a track which ran parallel with the railway, and as soon as the train got level with them they set out in pursuit. Their riding surprised the occupants of the Royal train, who waved handkerchiefs and cheered the girls on. The Prince and members of his staff were much amused, and greatly admired the riders, who were rewarded for their strenuous ride when Admiral Halsey introduced the girls to the Prince. They were the Misses Nellie Pitt, Frances Pitt, Josephine O’Flynn, and Margaret Potts (daughter of Mr. Cuthbert Potts principal of the agricultural college at Gatton). (1)
ROSEWOOD’S RECEPTION. Rosewood made the most of the 10 minutes allotted to it. The vicinity of the station was brightly bedecked with flags and greenery, and proudly displayed amongst the decorations was the honour flag, with its distinguishing bar, bearing testimony to the fact that the loyalty and patriotism of the district stand for more than mere lip service; they are living forces which had, besides moving nearly 300 of their sons to offer their all in the service of the Empire, impelled those who remained to offer what was left to them – their wealth – in greater measure than was perhaps expected of them . At an early hour in the morning there was great activity in the town, and by the time the pilot’s train passing gave the first hint of the Prince’s approach there was barely a square yard in the immediate vicinity of the station which was unoccupied. Hundreds of school children from all over the district were assembled in an enclosure under Mr . J. R. Mark who was assisted by Messrs. V. E. Pascoe (Marburg), G. Drevesen. (Mount Forbes), A. Muir (Ebenezer), Dawson (Calvert), and D. Courtney (Tallegalla). Alongside them were between 30 and 40 returned soldiers, under the command of Lieut. A. E. Adams, D.C.M., and senior cadets, in charge of Lieut. L. R. Hughes. Red Cross and other war workers were also accommodated in the enclosure, and on the platform were widows and mothers of deceased soldiers.
Shortly after noon, the Royal train appeared on the long straight stretch of railway, visible to the crowd, and all eyes anxiously scanned the carriages until the Prince, looking the picture of health and buoyancy, stepped from the last to be received by the chair-man of the Rosewood Shire Council (Cr. J. A. Wells), and the member for the district, Mr. W. Cooper, who were introduced by Mr. J. Huxham, Minister for Public Instruction. Cr. Wells said he was proud and pleased to welcome his Royal Highness to Rosewood on behalf of the residents. It was a unique occasion, and they were pleased to have such an opportunity of showing their loyalty to the Throne. The Prince thanked Cr. Wells for his kindly welcome, and shook hands with the members of the Shire Council, whom the chairman introduced. His Royal Highness entered the enclosure, and after shaking hands with Lieuts. Adams and Hughes and Mr. Mark, moved about amongst the crowd much to their delight. The Prince chatted for a while with Mr. H. Johns, a veteran, who was presented to him, gave his sympathetic attention to the widows and mothers of fallen soldiers. Just as the Prince was about to leave the enclosure, little Miss A. Wearne presented him with a box of sweets, made by the girls attending the Marburg Rural school, and little Miss Stephens handed him a dainty bouquet of violets. Each was rewarded with a winning smile, as eloquent of thanks as the most elaborate speech.
Ringing cheers followed the train as it steamed out of the station. Nearing Grandchester, the train stopped just long enough to take in water, and the little crowd in the vicinity had an unexpected opportunity of seeing the Prince, of which they were not slow to take advantage. Fences were no obstacle even to some of the ladies and while the Prince watched with a smile, the little gathering lined the permanent way in time to cheer him as the train resumed the journey. At one point on the way to Laidley, where the road runs close to the line, several ladies on horseback entered on a spirited race with the Royal train, and others in a motor car put on a spurt for a while, but the pace was too hot. Eventually, despite the encouragement offered them by the admiring passengers, the road racers gave up the unequal contest. (2)
At Rosewood the Prince also shook hands with Mr. Cronan, the master from Walloon School, and briefly expressed his appreciation that the Walloon children came to welcome him.
Like many others, Alfred Dance (son of George Dance) from Marburg, rode his horse to Rosewood to see the Prince. On his way home, in the company of others, after the Diggers’s Ball, he stopped to fix his harness. While doing so his horse took his hand in its mouth and chewed it to a pulp. Holding him fast, Alfred was thrown about and trampled only the horse. He was conveyed to the Ipswich Hosptial by the Ambulance Brigade.
The all too short stay of the charming young Prince ended as it began, in a whirlwind of cheering and a picturesque display of flag waving. In those few moments the people of Rosewood articulated the voice of a charming, simple and sincere community. Rosewood’s welcome was no doubt as dear to the Prince as the elaborate demonstrations which had been made in his honour in the big cities.
A warm welcome was also accorded the Prince by the people of Laidley, Gatton and Helidon. At Gatton an attempt was made to present to the Prince a whiptail kangaroo. Annie Folbigg paraded the animal and asked the Prince to accept it as a souvenir of Gatton. The Prince pointed out that the animal would be too hard to look after. He smiling declined the gift with thanks and said to keep it and take care of it for him as it would be cruel to cart it about Australia.
The Prince of Wales, being a very human young man, must have been deeply stirred by the manner of send-off from, Queensland. From Brisbane to Toowoomba, and it will assuredly be the same to Wallangarra, loving and loyal hearts revealed spontaneously the depth of their emotion the most remarkably enthusiastic demonstrations ever accorded a person in Queensland. It was not only a sense of fidelity to the British throne that animated those great gatherings of men, women, and children, which assembled at wayside stations, particularly at the places where royal train stopped in its progress to the Downs-those people were moved also by impulses of affection and admiration for the gracious and well favoured Prince, who had captured all hearts in his travels through this State, as he had done in other parts of Australia. (3)
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales sent the following message to the children of Australia:
H.M.S. “RENOWN.” SYDNEY, 16th August, 1920.
Girls and Boys,
My wonderful first visit to Australia is nearly over, and I want to tell you before I sail how sorry I am to be going, and to give you all my best wishes. All of you whom I have seen have given me delight, fully kind welcomes of your own, and I only wish that I could have gone everywhere and not missed seeing any of you. I should like you all to remember my first visit, which I have enjoyed so much myself, and so I have asked that as a special favour to me you may have an extra week’s holiday some time this year. Australia is a magnificent country, and I think you very fertunate to have it for your own. Make up your minds to serve Australia well, for the future of every country depends, before all things, on the spirit of its girls and boys. You have a splendid example of patriotism before you in the men and women of Australia who fought and worked and won in the Great War. Your Sailors and Soldiers thought first of Australia and the Empire, not of themselves; and many gave up everything, even their lives, in order that Australia and the Empire might be safe and free. Many of Australia’s women, too, served gallantly over sea, and others did all they could to help at home. If you follow their footsteps you will make Australia one of the greatest and happiest countries in the World. I want to say one thing more. You have all been told how great the British Empire is..our flag, the Union Jack, flies in all British territories throughout the World as a sign that all British peoples stand together in peace as in war. Think always of Australia as part of that Empire which has withstood great trials and never failed. I am not going to say “Goodbye,” because I belong to Australia as much as to all the other British nations, and shall come back whenever I can. Please always think of me as one of your own kin who will try to serve Australia as truly all his life as you will yourselves.
EDWARD P.
A copy of the above message was received by the head teacher of each State School in the city and was read to the children on 19th August. On the 20th August the Minister for Education announced that he had agreed to the Prince’s request and approved of a week’s holiday being added to the forthcoming summer holidays for all State high schools and State and provisional schools.
In December the Rosewood Second Peace Loan Committee met in the Shire Office. Rev. G Neal of the local Anglican Church presented Cr. J. A. Wells with a large framed photograph of the Prince of Wales to hang in the Office.
Edward, Prince of Wales, became King Edward III on 20th January 1936 on the death of his father King George V, but he abdicated later that year to marry Wallis Simpson, a love story that went down in British History. They became the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.
References:
(1) Daily Mail, Thursday, 5 August 1920, page 5
(2) Queensland Times, Thursday, 5 August 1920, page 5
(3) The Week, Friday, 13 August 1920, page 12