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Galston welcomes home its heroes
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DetailsGalston – Welcome Home
Cumberland Argus - Saturday 14 June 1919 p 8
Typed by Patricia Dewey
On Saturday the residents of Galston and surrounding districts met at the School of Arts to the number of close on 500 people, the hall being packed and a large number unable to gain admission. The occasion was a welcome home to seven returned Galston soldiers.
The hall was beautifully decorated by the young ladies with flags, flowers and greenery with “Welcome Home” in a conspicuous pace over the stage.
A splendid programmed songs, music and speeches were rendered under the chairmanship of the Re. Chaplain E. M. Boyer, also a returned man. Each soldier was presented with a gold medal, suitably inscribed with name and rank, battalion and length of service.
Proceedings opened with the audience standing and singing “God save the King” with the Arcadia Brass Band accompanying.
The chairman read apologies from Mr W. Thompson M.L.A. (absent through illness), the Rev W. J. Roberts and Judge Bevan (away on circuit). The first item by the Arcadia Brass Band was exceedingly well rendered. Councillor P. A. James (President Hornsby Shire Council) made a patriotic speech. A song by Mrs Irons (Hornsby) was a good item, as was a violin solo by Miss Clark, also of Hornsby. Then came the principal item on the Programme: the presentation of gold medals to each of the soldiers. The band took the stage, playing “When Tommy comes marching home,” and then, as the men marched up through the centre of the hall, led by Captain Calderwood, M.C. , on to the stage, “See the Conquering hero come,” amidst deafening cheering which lasted for some time. Mr Edward Fuller presented the medals with the aid of the Galston knitting girls, who pinned the medals on each man’s breast.
The following are the names of the men: - Captain S.C. Calderwood, M.C. Privates V. E. Flarey, R,H Quarmby, E. R. Wells, E C. Newland, Troopers J R. Pearce and E. J. Wells. As each man was called forward he received a rousing cheer.
Private Flarey, who had been a prisoner of war in Germany for a year and eight months received a remarkably fine reception, the people being in sympathy with him for the unspeakable sufferings he had gone through. Captain Calderwood returned thanks on behalf of himself and the other men.
A song by Miss G Cusbert was well rendered, and the Chairman addressed the gathering. Refreshments were handed round by the knitting girls. The soldiers were seated at a table on the stage, which was decorated with the colours of each man, and each was privileged to be accompanied by his wife, mother or a friend. After refreshments Mrs Irons sang “Anzac” with the soldiers throwing streamers to the audience (who caught then) with very pretty effect, the whole item being cheered to the echo. The rest of the evening was spent by those who cared to dance, and others played jolly miller and games,
It was unanimously agreed that the function was the most brilliant and successful ever seen in Galston. The whole of the arrangements were in the hands of the Galston Patriotic League under the secretaryship of Mr H Robbins, and a committee of ladies headed by Mrs J. J. Waddell.
KeywordsFirst World WarGalstonWW1
Cumberland Argus - Saturday 14 June 1919 p 8
Typed by Patricia Dewey
On Saturday the residents of Galston and surrounding districts met at the School of Arts to the number of close on 500 people, the hall being packed and a large number unable to gain admission. The occasion was a welcome home to seven returned Galston soldiers.
The hall was beautifully decorated by the young ladies with flags, flowers and greenery with “Welcome Home” in a conspicuous pace over the stage.
A splendid programmed songs, music and speeches were rendered under the chairmanship of the Re. Chaplain E. M. Boyer, also a returned man. Each soldier was presented with a gold medal, suitably inscribed with name and rank, battalion and length of service.
Proceedings opened with the audience standing and singing “God save the King” with the Arcadia Brass Band accompanying.
The chairman read apologies from Mr W. Thompson M.L.A. (absent through illness), the Rev W. J. Roberts and Judge Bevan (away on circuit). The first item by the Arcadia Brass Band was exceedingly well rendered. Councillor P. A. James (President Hornsby Shire Council) made a patriotic speech. A song by Mrs Irons (Hornsby) was a good item, as was a violin solo by Miss Clark, also of Hornsby. Then came the principal item on the Programme: the presentation of gold medals to each of the soldiers. The band took the stage, playing “When Tommy comes marching home,” and then, as the men marched up through the centre of the hall, led by Captain Calderwood, M.C. , on to the stage, “See the Conquering hero come,” amidst deafening cheering which lasted for some time. Mr Edward Fuller presented the medals with the aid of the Galston knitting girls, who pinned the medals on each man’s breast.
The following are the names of the men: - Captain S.C. Calderwood, M.C. Privates V. E. Flarey, R,H Quarmby, E. R. Wells, E C. Newland, Troopers J R. Pearce and E. J. Wells. As each man was called forward he received a rousing cheer.
Private Flarey, who had been a prisoner of war in Germany for a year and eight months received a remarkably fine reception, the people being in sympathy with him for the unspeakable sufferings he had gone through. Captain Calderwood returned thanks on behalf of himself and the other men.
A song by Miss G Cusbert was well rendered, and the Chairman addressed the gathering. Refreshments were handed round by the knitting girls. The soldiers were seated at a table on the stage, which was decorated with the colours of each man, and each was privileged to be accompanied by his wife, mother or a friend. After refreshments Mrs Irons sang “Anzac” with the soldiers throwing streamers to the audience (who caught then) with very pretty effect, the whole item being cheered to the echo. The rest of the evening was spent by those who cared to dance, and others played jolly miller and games,
It was unanimously agreed that the function was the most brilliant and successful ever seen in Galston. The whole of the arrangements were in the hands of the Galston Patriotic League under the secretaryship of Mr H Robbins, and a committee of ladies headed by Mrs J. J. Waddell.
KeywordsFirst World WarGalstonWW1Related
CollectionPatricia Dewey
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Galston welcomes home its heroes. Hornsby Shire, accessed 02/06/2026, https://hornsbyshire.recollect.net.au/nodes/view/5383