Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/257/1 - 1916 - 1927 - Part 2

“Waratahs”

22/19/13
Entered Sydney on Friday Dec 17.

numbering 120. Had journey through rain
& it was drizzling when at noon, in 

Macquarie St they were welcomed by

W A Holme Premier

The Cooes had been followed by the Waratahs
the Kookaburras, the Wallabies Men
from Snowy River
& others
 

19/12/15
Riverina Kangaroos
The Kangaroos started from Wagga on Dec 1 1915
100 strong.  xxx on 350 mile march to Sydney
Resident of Wagga district raised nearly £250 to
provide the men with certain equipment & comforts in
addition to these issued by the military authorities
The mayor, in bidding of them farewell, presented them with a
handsome banner of royal blue, displaying the
Union Jack & the Aust flag. On the front are two
kangaroos. & blazoned in letter of gold are the words

Kangaroos 2
"For King & Country" On a boomerang is the

inscription "I go out to return", while below

are the words "Courage & Faith'. On the obverse

side is the map of Australia while on the N W coast

a wireless signal is flashing SOS & prominent is the
appeal "Hear the Call"
On leaving Cootamundra the Kangaroos had
increased to 152. At Wallandbeen
they were inspected by the Gov General
(Photo shows them on way xxxx to Wallandbeen from Coota
 

Kangaroos
Tumut supplied six recruits
Was there a mail Readhead A.I.F.

(see Wagga Recruiting Assn)

Lt Beatty

Maj. Heath

Lt Mayes

Lt Mcleod

Cpl Cusack

(Officials of Kangaroos)

Welcomed at Illabo

Tumut

Bethungra

Waggons supplied for

men's baggage by

district residents

Gratifying feature was the cheerful way

public helped
 

Kangaroos 12/1/16
The kangaroos marched into Sydney on 7th Jan 1916.

When the march commenced at Wagga on Dec 1st

the roll-up totalled 88. All along the route

recruits came in, till at the end of the long 320 mile trek

they totalled 230. Later in the day they

left for Goulburn, where they will commence

their training.

 2/2/16
North Coast Boomerangs
Started From Grafton on 18/1/16

At Coffs Harbour, a comparatively small country town,
103 recruits came forward in response to the spirited
appeals the practical example of the men who had
marched in. Sydney of the 103 satisfied the
medical officer & although many of them were unable
to join the routs of the N Coast men, they may be fairly counted a
part & parcel of the march. At Coffs Harbour they were
presented with a carpet snake as a mascot

 

Kookaburras at Gulgong 9/2/16

Boomerangs at Macksville good photo

at Coramba 

North Coasters 16/2/16

At Kempsey about 30 men from Macleay River

Joined the ranks & the contingent left 175 strong

Good photos

Angus McNeill

Kempsey

&

R E Crombie

Kempsey

N Coasters at Port Macquarie
H Roberts

Photographer

P Macquarie 

1/3/16
North Coasters at Weston

Photographer

G Fox, Weston

At Dungog (G Kelly Photographer)

Left Dungog for Stroud

Left Grafton on 18/1/16 27 strong
All along route they were in camp by 10.15 pm
Left Mailtand by train for Newcastle, 240 strong
on arrival at Newcastle marched straight into camp
 

 N Coasters 1/3/16

It is u/stood that in all 650 men passed the

medical test, but some went into camp in

Qland, others came direct to Sydney, while there

still remain many who are to join the

colours within the next few weeks