Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld. : 1909 – 1954), Saturday, 15 December 1945, page 4
ROSEWOOD WELCOMES RETURNED SERVICEMEN
ROSEWOOD, December 13.
Several returned servicemen sat together in the Farmers’ Hall last night to be welcomed back by the Rosewood Patriotic Committee, and to be the guests at supper. The welcome was the first public one to be tendered by the committee. All arms of the service were represented, Rosewood boys having served in all theatres of war.
The greeting “Welcome” was displayed above the stage, and three blue pennants won by the Comforts Fund formed a fitting background. The Australian flag was on display also. Long tables decorated with flowers, and fan shaped palms on the walls, made the hall attractive.
Before the function the Rosewood Citizens’ Band played selections in front of the hall. The returnees occupied a reserved section of the hall for a short musical entertainment which preceded the addresses of welcome. After the National Anthem there was community singing.
Items were given by Eric Parkin (piano-accordion), Estelle Schreiweis and Marion Evans (Sailor’s Hornpipe), E. J. Single (vocal solos and yodelling and instrumental items), R. Turner (humorous turns). Mrs. S. Trewick was pianist, and was assisted by Mr. C. Freeman (cornet).
Addressing the large gathering, the President of the Patriotic Committee, (Mr. H. M. A.. Grant) said he was pleased so many had returned safe and sound. Unfortunately some were not back home. It was the duty of the Government, and the people’s duty, he said, to see that the sick and maimed were not left uncared for. Some had given their lives that others might live, he said, and the sympathy of those present went to the bereaved.
As a mark of respect to the fallen, all stood and observed a minute’s silence.
The President said the welcome was just an appreciation of their services: “We can never repay you for what you have done,” he said. He regretted they could not welcome all the ex-prisoners of war belonging to the district; only one was present. He hoped all the ex-prisoners-of-war would soon recuperate. “If it had not been for them, we might be suffering their privations,” he said. “They have been up against an enemy that did not know the meaning of fair play.” Many present, he said, had travelled extensively, but they said there was no place better than Australia. That being so, it behoved all to set a good standard of citizen ship, showing a spirit of tolerance for the views of “the other man,”
All branches of the services had done excellent work and they were proud of them. The President concluded by heartily welcoming, on behalf of the Patriotic Committee, the returned men, expressing the wish that they would have great happiness in their home land and never again have to take up arms to defend their country.
Cr. C. J. Murphy, Chairman of the Rosewood Shire Council, said he was privileged and happy to welcome on behalf of the people of Rosewood and district the returned members of the forces. They deserved the best. Their men had responded to the call of battle in two world wars, and they thanked Providence and their brave forces for saving the country from terrible domination by people whose ways of life were so different from ours.
“HOME FRONT HEROES”
Cr. Murphy said that parents and wives of the boys also were heroes and heroines on the home front. Many of the boys’ parents getting on toward the evening of their lives, had carried on the work at home under great difficulty. All rejoined with them that their fortitude had been rewarded.
Some, it was regretted, were denied the satisfaction of having their loved ones back. Cr. Murphy said he hoped time would erase from the minds of the soldiers the terrible scars, they had endured, and that they would get back to a prosperous and happy civil life.
Cr. A. W. Johnston, President of the Rosewood Sub-branch of the Returned Soldiers’ League, said men of the previous war were pleased to welcome back the boys as they realised perhaps more than the majority of people just what the men had been through. “We thought we had a bad time, but now I know we had a picnic compared to them,” said Cr. Johnston. There was a tough time ahead and it was up to the citizens to stick to the returned men. They must think of the future as well as the present. He would like the people to do their utmost to see that the Memorial Hall was completed in record time. Cr. Johnston said he hoped he would have the privilege of welcoming the bulk of the men into the League. Without a united front they would gain nothing, therefore he urged them to stick to the League.
Rev. J. H. Smith also welcomed the guests of honour. Forgetfulness of the soldiers was often attributable to bad organisation, he thought.
THE RESPONSES.
Responding, ex-Sergt. N. Goddard (A.I.F.) said he agreed with Cr. Murphy’s remarks concerning the lot of the women on the home front. He thought the guests of honour should be the wives, mothers, and girl friends, who were true to the men away. They, in many instances, had tougher times than the men, and he thought it would be nice to show appreciation of them.
Gunner H. J. Hodgson (A.l.F.), who was a prisoner-of-war in Singapore, said he was very pleased to be present, and thanked the people for the welcome. Though he did not enlist from this district, he was very pleased to be back here again. (Gunner Hodgeon enlisted from Kalbar.)
Ex-Flying-Officer V. J. Mullan, representing the men of the R.A.A.F., thanked the Patriotic Committee for the fine welcome and for the good job it had done during the war. He asked for a ‘hand” for the fellows not yet back, and this was given enthusiastically by the gathering.
Flight-Lieut A. E. Evers (a native of Rosewood) said he was very pleased to be back, and was very sorry for those who would not be back, and for their people. He thanked all for the welcome.
W.O. C. Stewart (R.A.A.F.) added his thanks for the fine welcome. He said he saw all his service in England, and expressed appreciation of the A.C.F., which had stuck to them over there. It was mainly owing to the A.C.F. that they managed to do so well. He said the people here during the war might have thought they were hard hit by rationing, but what the people over there were going through was a thousand times worse than anything experienced here. He assured the people that anything given for the Food for Britain Appeal would be appreciated.
Others who responded were: Leading Stoker J. McCabe (R.A.N.), Cpt A. Stephan and Cpl. K. O’Shea (Army).
At the conclusion of the addresses, the gathering stood and sang “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows” in honour of the returned men.
THE GUESTS.
Seated at reserved tables with the President of the Patriotic Committee, Chairman of the Rosewood Shire Council, and speakers were the following returned servicemen-
Messrs. N. Goddard, L. Evans, A. Potts, R. H. Kerle, D. H. Boughen. W. D. G. Boughen, A. Newton, H. J. Blunsdon. J. Fleming, P. Fleming, S. Swift, G. Evans, J. McCabe, R. Mercer, J. Handley, J. Freemen, F. Baills, A. Stephen, E. J. Single, V. Mullan, C. Stewart, A. Evers, L. Akes, K. O’Shea, A. E. Baills, W. F. Coveney. M. Perrin, B. Bruce. E. Faulkner, T. J. O’Shea, J. Bennett, J. Brown, C. Dutney, D. Domrow. E. Thomas, J. Lenihan, G. Freeman, G. Clark, C. Wanka, J. M. O’Reilly, V. Kerle, J. Johnston, L. Blake, E. Edgeworth, A. Bowles, M. Bowles, H. J. Hodgson, R. P. O’Reilly, M. J. Maroske, S. Waters. P. Kean, and K. Villis.
Also present were: Sgt Beryl Brainwood (R.A.A.F.) and Mrs. Morrow (formerly Lorna Street), of the R.A.A.F.
Addressing the gathering after supper, Mr. Grant said the way the people turned out was a compliment to the returnees, and he thanked them. He thanked the committee, and the ladies (Mesdames D. Elder, S. Tribbick, J. Davis, E. O’Sullivan, H, Collett, and H. M. A. Grant) who arranged the supper. He thanked also Messrs. E. O’Sullivan and J. Boden for their assistance, Mrs. O’Sullivan for arranging the musical programme, the pianist (Mrs. S. Trewick), and artists.
£100 FOR FOOD FOR BRITAIN.
Mr. Grant announced that the Rosewood Patriotic Committee had donataed £100 to the Fund for Britain Appeal.
Mr. E. B. Maher, M.L.A., who was suddenly called to Sydney, and Messrs G. Lee, Murphy Bros., and Pte H. Jenner (all ex-prisoners-or-war). Captains H, Travers and W. Grealy, Lt. J. Loveday, J. Roache, P. Johnson and L. Ruhno, Messrs. E. O’Sullivan (Treasurer), and Mr. A. Capern (former Secretary) were unable to attend.
Mr. W. Embrey was M.C. for the dance which followed. Mr. D. Berlin assisted the committee.