Honouring Tom Pearce

The Wreck of the Loch Ard in 1878, is a focus point for this blog. (See the link to the Loch Ard Index at the end of the post).  There were only two survivors, Miss Amy Carmichael and Tom Pearce.

Miss Carmichael, caught the imagination of the people as the damsel in distress, and Tom Pearce was clearly the knight in shining armour.  For his gallantry his received much praise and some considerable reward. This post seeks to document these features of the Loch Ard story.

Some rewards were funded by public subscription, sale of mementos and benefit concerts. The Pearce Testimonial Fund and the Loch Ard Fund did well to garner public interest, with separate committees at least in Melbourne, Sydney, Warrnambool, Geelong and Ballarat (Herald 26 Jun 1878).

Saleable mementos included:

• photographs of both Tom Pearce and Amy Carmichael sold for six pence.  Some sought to make fakes of these images and sold them for their own gain, rather than to the benefit of the Pearce Benevolent Fund or the Loch Ard Fund.
• a commissioned piece of music titled "The Young Hero Schottische" (the sheet music is available for download from here).
• Reprints of the poem about the wreck.

The gatherings

The Australasian Sketcher with Pen and Pencil  of 6th July, 1878 covered two events from June 1878.

On the 19th June

... the "Presentation to Mr. Pearce by the Governor," ... This event took place at the Treasury, on June 19, when His Excellency the Governor, on behalf of the Government of Victoria, handed to Mr. Pearce a valuable gold watch and chain, in recognition of the gallantry he had shown.

see also this http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article111096659

On the 20th June at Melbourne Town Hall

We next show the 'Presentation of the Awards of the Victorian Humane Society.' The annual distribution of these awards took place at the Town-hall on June 20. Mr. Wilks, the president of the society, occupied the chair, and the presentations were made by Sir Redmond Barry, There was an immense attendance of the public, induced principally by the presentation of a gold medal to Thomas Pearce, one of the two survivors from the wreck of the Loch Ard, who was greeted by the audience with tumultuous applause. The gold medal received by Mr. Pearce was the first ever awarded by the society. During the evening a collection was made in aid of the funds of the society, which realised about £80. We are glad to know that the society during the past year has made very satisfactory progress and now occupies an excellent position— a result, it ought to be said, which is in no small degree owing to the untiring exertions of its energetic secretary, Mr. E. Kidson.

Of which The Age writes -

The Town Hall was filled last night with a multitude of persons eager to witness
the presentation, amongst other awards, of the gold medal of the Victorian Humane
Society to young Tom Pearce, the only male survivor of the crew and passengers of the Loch Ard, Mr. Wilks president of the society, occupied the chair, and the ceremony of presentation was performed by Sir Redmond Barry. Young Pearce was the hero of the hour, and was during the whole of the evening the cynosure of every eye. Sir Redmond
Barry made suitable speeches as the various recipients came forward to claim the honours so liberally dealt out to them by the Humane Society, and was on each occasion well received, but the frequent interruptions of applause during the few remarks which
accompanied the presentation of the gold medal to Pearce were positively deafening.
Pearce's demeanor throughout the proceedings was modest but manly, and served to
greatly enhance the esteem in which he is now universally held. A report of the proceedings will be found in another column.

While according to the Argus 21 June, 1878, a fund had been set up ...

An adjourned meeting of the citizens of Melbourne desirous of presenting a testimonial to Mr. Thos. Pearce, in recognition of his gallant conduct in connexion with the rescue of Miss Carmichael from the wreck of the Loch Ard, took place yesterday at the Town-hall. In the unavoidable absence of the Mayor, Mr. Jos. Fergusson, M.L.A., was voted to the chair. Mr. Val. Sharp, honorary secretary of the Photographic Society of Victoria, explained what had been done by his Society, and pointed out that although a good sum would, no doubt, be realised by the sale of the photo, of Mr. Pearce, the amount so obtained could not, at his own request, be devoted towards any fund for his benefit, but must go towards a Loch Ard fund, to be devoted to the benefit of the widows and families of those who had perished in tho ship. Mr. Dickson announced that he had collected the sum of £4 10s., the greater portion of which had been derived from small subscriptions given by the employees of Messrs. Alston and Brown, Collins-street. As the attendance at the meeting was very meagre it was decided to adjourn it until Tuesday next, at 4 o'clock. The wish of some unprincipled photographers to make money out of the desire of the public to obtain portraits of Miss Carmichael and Mr. Thos. Pearce, the only survivors from the Loch Ard, has led some of them to issue spurious likenesses. Miss Carmichael is shown in profile, and it is needless to say that, like the picture of Mr. Pearce, it is a purely imaginary one, and that those who purchase either of them would only be throwing away their money.

The Royal Theatre, Melbourne, 26 Jun 1878.  Of which the Argus writes -

... the performance is for the Loch Ard Fund, and besides being under distinguished patronage, it will be one of the best entertainments ever produced in Melbourne, Mr Coppin, in two of his best impersonations, to wit, Mould and Jem Bags, the Corbyn troupe of Georgia Minstrels, and other talented performers, will make a bill that, independent of the nature of the benefit itself, should crowd the house from floor to ceiling. 

Sydney's Evening News of 29 July 1878, reports of a meeting of six to seven thousand people at the Exhibition Building in Sydney.

A LARGE crowd of people assembled at the Exhibition building on Saturday afternoon to witness the ceremony of presenting; Thomas Pearce with a testimonial for the heroism he displayed at the wreck of the Loch Ard, in saving the life of Miss Carmichael. It is
supposed that there were between six and seven thousand persons present. When the gallant young midshipman appeared on the platform with the members of the testimonial
committee and the Lady Mayorese (Mrs. Merriman), there was great cheering. His worship the Mayor being too ill to attend, the acting-mayor, Alderman Chapman, presided, and in opening the proceedings introduced Captain Trouton, chairman of the testimonial committee, who delivered an appropriate address, after which Mrs. Merriman presented Pearce with a sextant, a pair of binocular glasses, a case of silver instruments, copies of Norrie's and Naper's works on navigation, and a large general chart. In presenting these articles Mrs. Merriman said : I present you with these instruments as a
slight token of your bravery in rescuing from death a fellow-creature at the risk of your own. I hope that God, the father of all, will long spare you to use them to guide your ship safely across the ocean ; and I also hope you will never lose sight of the truth, that it is
through the mercy of Providence you are here to day. (Cheers.) Mr. Pearce thanked the Mayoress, and after bowing to the audience, who loudly cheered him, retired. As he was leaving the building and grounds Pearce was regularly besieged with ladies, eager to shake him by the hand, while some went so far as to insist on kissing him. Mr. Forster presided at the organ, and played several selections during the afternoon. Pearce left Sydney for Melbourne on Saturday night.

Thomas Pearce with the Gold Medal presented by the Humane Society
http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/70578

In the 27 July, Pearce appears at the Exhibition Building in Sydney

A LARGE crowd of people assembled at the Exhibition building on Saturday afternoon to witness the ceremony of presenting; Thomas Pearce with a testimonial for the heroism he displayed at the wreck of the Loch Ard, in saving the life of Miss Carmichael. It is supposed that there were between six and seven thousand persons present. When the gallant young midshipman appeared on the platform with the members of the testimonial committee and the Lady Mayorese (Mrs. Merriman), there was great cheering. His worship the Mayor being too ill to attend, the acting-mayor, Alderman Chapman, presided, and in opening the proceedings introduced Captain Trouton, chairman of the testimonial committee, who delivered an appropriate address, after which Mrs. Merriman presented Pearce with a sextant, a pair of binocular glasses, a case of silver instruments, copies of Norrie's and Naper's works on navigation, and a large general chart. In presenting these articles Mrs. Merriman said : I present you with these instruments as a slight token of your bravery in rescuing from death a fellow-creature at the risk of your own. I hope that God, the father of all, will long spare you to use them to guide your ship safely across the ocean ; and I also hope you will never lose sight of the truth, that it is through the mercy of Providence you are here to day. (Cheers.) Mr. Pearce thanked the Mayoress, and after bowing to the audience, who loudly cheered him, retired. As he was leaving the building and grounds Pearce was regularly besieged with ladies, eager to shake him by the hand, while some went so far as to insist on kissing him. Mr. Forster presided at the organ, and played several selections during the afternoon. Pearce left Sydney for Melbourne on Saturday night.

See also http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13418023

Mr. Thomas Pearce, the young midshipman of the wrecked Loch Ard, who distinguished himself by rescuing Miss Carmichael from the spar on which she was helplessly floating, he himself having only just gained the shore, reached Sydney from Melbourne last week. Here, he was received with much enthusiasm. With a view to presenting him with a testimonial a subscription list has been open ever since the news of the wreck was heard. Although the subscriptions were limited to sixpence each, the amount subscribed reached £150. Part of this has been spent in the purchase of a few first-class nautical instruments, which, while serving as a memorial of the Australian appreciation of his bravery, will be useful to him in his profession. These were presented to him, on Saturday last, by the Lady Mayoress of Sydney, in the presence of about seven thousand persons, in the Exhibition Building, Prince Alfred Park. The large balance of the subscriptions is to be added to the amount raised for him in Victoria, in order that the whole may be invested for his future benefit.

On 24 August http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article42981710 

Thomas Pearce was presented with a testimonial this afternoon at the Town Hall by the Mayor. Pearce leaves to-morrow in the Loch Sunart.

Notice that he is leaving on another Loch Line ship. And with him a 'treasure horde' of appreciation. Thomas Pearce's journey into the surf that June morning set him up for life, here is a list of the items he received.

From the Sydney event

• a sextant
• a pair of binocular glasses
• a case of silver instruments
• copies of Norrie's and Naper's works on navigation
• and a large general chart.

From a presentation of the Victorian Human Society (later the Royal Humane Society of Australia)

• a gold medal ... the first issued by the society.

From the Victorian Government

• a cheque for 1000 pound (Heritage Council of Victoria) 
• a gold watch

The ceremony took place in the Executive Council Chamber at half-past 3 o'clock. The Ministry, the Speaker, several members of the Legislative Assembly, and members of the Civil service, who had ben invited to attend, were present. His Excellency addressed Mr. Pearce, and then presented the watch, on which the following inscription is to be engraved : — "Presented to Thomas Pearce, by the Government of Victoria, for his noble conduct in risking his own life to save that of a fellow passenger, after his providential escape on the occasion of the wreck of the Loch Ard, near Sherbrooke river, on the coast of this colony, on 1st June, 1878.' Mr. Pearce, in acknowledging the presentation, said : — ' I thank your Excellency for the honour you have done me, and I hope I shall always do my duty. (Hear, hear.) The ceremony then terminated. (Freemans Journal, 29 Jun 1878)

While the accolades are lovely there is something quite 'proper' about this complaint from The Express and Telegraph quoting the Hamilton Spectator -

It is very far from our intention to depreciate the gallantry displayed by the young man Pearce in saving the life of Miss Carmichael. It must, however, be the opinion of every sensible person who has studied the matter calmly that there has been already too much 'gush' about what every true-hearted British seaman will deem a simple affair. Lives and lives have been as heroically saved without any particular mention of the fact; it was the sensational event which preceded the brave young fellow's effort that invested it with so much importance, and caused so much fulsome praise to he bespattered upon him, so much bathos to be indulged in. But that one knows that the people have been carried away by the generous impulse of the moment, one would be inclined to think that, in the estimation of the public, our seamen are not the descendants of those, who in Trafalgar Bay hailed with delight Horatio Nelson's signal, 'England expects that every man this day will do his duty.' This is just what Thomas Pearce did, neither more nor less. That his conduct was heroic will be readily admitted. He was not incited to do the deed by the presence of any of his countrymen. Cast ashore, apparently nobody saved but himself, almost exhausted by previous exertions, he heard a cry for help. No human eye was watching him, he could have resisted the appeal, none would have been any the wiser, and by his own conscience only would he have been blamed. He was, however, of the right grit, and, never dreaming of any public recognition or reward, he rushed again into the waves from which he had just escaped, and brought the young lady to land. The care he subsequently took of her, the undaunted spirit shown by him in scaling the precipitous cliff—all his efforts, in fact, upon the lamentable occasion; are worthy of our admiration— he performed a good and gallant deed. Fortunately he is a modest, unassuming young sailor, or the praise that has been bestowed upon him would fill him with vanity, and spoil what promises to be a noble career. But much as we may admire his conduct on the occasion, we must not allow the whole of our sympathy to be expended upon him. This would appear to be just what the public are doing, and we are glad indeed to see that they are recalled to a sense of their duty by the young sailor himself. With questionable taste, the Photographic Society wrote to Pearce 'asking him to sit for his likeness, the same to be sold for his benefit.' The reply was just such a one as any young gentleman might be expected to give—it was as follows:— 'I would be most happy to give you a sitting, but on no account to be sold for my benefit; as you must consider, sir, that no gentleman would undergo the humiliation of seeing his photograph sold for his own benefit.' Subsequently Mr. Pearce stated he was quite willing to give the Photographic Society a sitting on the condition that the picture was only sold on behalf of a fund to be called the 'Loch Ard Fund,' the proceeds of which were, to be devoted to the relief of the widows and orphans of those who had perished in the wreck. More power to the young fellow for casting any selfish interest aside, and recalling those who wish to do him so much honor to a sense of the duty they owe to the poor fellows who, after bravely battling against the elements, "went down in the ill-fated ship."

Click here to go to Under the Lino's 'Loch Ard Index'

Interviews with the survivors of the AHS Centaur attack

Today's Armstrong THE LAMP OF FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE (1943, May 20). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 3. Retrieved April 25, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11344703

Below is a report of interviews with survivors of the sinking of the Australian Hospital Ship (AHS) Centaur. The Centaur was attacked by the Japanese submarine on the morning of the 14 May 1943, the news did not break until the 18 May, and it broke in the Sydney Morning Herald on the 19th May.  This report is from that edition.

The Centaur incident is a significant event in Australian military history, it was a focus of rage and rallying call for people to enlist with a large poster drive entitled 'Avenge the Nurses'. 

The tragedy was also inspiration for increased support to nurses and nurse training, the creation of Centaur House being but one example. The history of Centaur House was a focus for a 2015 Oxley Fellowship at SLQ. It is worth digging into. Funding for nurses was probably the first raffle in which you could win a house in Queensland. There is still a Centaur Memorial Fund for Nurses to support nurses studying.

Much is written, it is deeply memorialised (enter 'Centaur' on https://monumentaustralia.org.au/). Indeed much that I may have hoped to say has been said already. This then I publish, as an ANZAC tradition for myself.  A dive into Trove to emerge with a story which does what ANZAC Day should do ... make us remember those we should not forget and remind us of the cruelty of war.

INTERVIEW WITH HEROIC NURSING SISTER

Sister Savage, who is pretty, with a dimpled smile and short, curly brown hair worn back from her forehead, was interviewed in a military hospital. She displayed a black eye and cuts on her nose and lip. Sister Savage, who wears a religious medal attached to her identity disc, said that she kept her Rosary beads beside her bed, and snatched them up when she was awakened by the explosion. "My first thought was to say a prayer that we might be saved, and that my friends might be saved, too,  she said.

"UP ON DECK, SAVAGE" '

With her cabin-mate, she rushed to the porthole, looked out, and saw the ship ablaze. They raced for their lifebelts. Her best friend, Sister King, ran in from the next cabin, and called out, "Up on deck, Savage."

Sister Savage said that she had been in the A.I.F. for two years this month and while on the hospital ship Oranje, between Australia and the Middle East, had often wondered what she would do if the ship were sunk, but, contrary to her expectations, she did not panic. She and Sister King had planned to keep together. Sister King was a poor swimmer, but she herself was a good one, and she had promised to look after her.

In the confusion on deck she lost Sister King. She and her cabin-mate jumped overboard together, but her mate was struck by a piece of falling timber, and apparently killed. She managed to clamber on the floating roof of a chart house with a badly burned man, and she gave him what help she could. They worked their way towards two large rafts, where there were other survivors, by paddling with their hands.

These survivors were members of the crew and of the medical personnel. She took charge of the food and water, and rationed them on a four days' basis.

DOCTOR'S GRAPHIC STORY

Lieutenant-Colonel Outridge, who was also interviewed in a military hospital, paid a warm tribute to Sister Savage. "She was wonderful," he said "She must have been in great pain all the time, but she never said a word about it. Her leadership was a great factor in keeping up the morale of her party."

"There could have been no possible doubt about the Identity of the Centaur as a hospital ship," said Lieutenant-Colonel Outridge. "She was lit up to glory, and there were big lights fore and aft. It was a bright, starry night, and the whole ship, including the Red Crosses on the sides, had been repainted just before she sailed. "It must have been clear from miles away that she was a hospital ship."

Lieutenant-Colonel Outridge was swathed in bandages covering his burns. He said that he was asleep when the torpedo struck and awoke dazed. The explosion occurred only 60 feet from his berth When he opened his eyes the cabin was a mass of flame. Even the life-belts on the walls were on fire.

He stepped out into a swirl of water in the tween decks, and was washed along to the forward companionway. The ship was sinking rapidly, and in the deepening water his legs became entangled in a rope. He had great difficulty in freeing himself to make his way on deck.

There he again became entangled in cordage from a mass of broken booms and derricks, but managed to kick himself free. There was then only 30 feet of the deck showing above water, and he jumped overboard and struck out through the oil, which clogged his nostrils and made his eyes smart. A raft swept up to him on the swell. He climbed aboard, and turned to look at the ship, but she had gone.

Lieutenant-Colonel Outridge said he was in silk pyjamas, and he tore off the legs of them to dress his burns. A complete medical kit was picked up from the water by men on one of the rafts, and this enabled something to be done for those within reach.

The supply of provisions on one raft was two gallons of water, 2,000 malted milk tablets, a small tin of chocolate tablets, prunes, raisins, and meat extract. Not knowing how long they would be afloat, they rationed. A typical meal was a lick of meat extract, a milk tablet, two prunes, and a mouthful of water.

CREW'S GENEROSITY

The crew of the rescue ship subscribed £237/12/, enabling each survivor to receive £3/14/3.

He paid a tribute to the crew of the rescue ship, who fed, clothed, and gave medical care to the survivors. "They were magnificent," he said. "Their medical officer had a very hard task to handle so many, but he did a wonderful job, and all the survivors are most grateful."

One of the must vivid stories of the ordeal afloat was told by John Stutter, officers' steward, of Hay Street, Perth, who said that he was too busy fighting for his life to feel frightened. He somehow fought clear of the suction of the sinking ship, and made for a raft. "I spent the whole time on the raft with a man who was so terribly burned that he was practically unrecognisable," he continued. "He was in agony, dying by inches, and his screams were torture to us because we could do nothing for him. When he died it was a merciful release.

"Stan. Morgan, donkeyman, of Melbourne. Jim Waterson, assistant storeman, of Bassendean, Western Australia, with myself and two others gave him him as reverent a burial as we could, all of us saying a little prayer to ourselves as we swung him out on the swell. His body drifted away in the dawn, gradually sinking, while the rain pattered down on the sea."

DASH THROUGH FLAME

Captain R. M Salt, of Chaleyer Street, Dover Heights, Sydney, a Torres Strait pilot aboard the ship, said that the whole ship was ablaze when he made the deck, so he tipped a bucket of water over his head, wrapped a blanket round him, and made a dash through a wall of flame for the boat-deck. "It was too late, so I went over the side." he said.

Captain Salt was aboard a vessel when it was sunk by Japanese shellfire in Milne Bay last year, and was badly burned on the arms, body, and head. "But," he said, "I have been 50 years at sea, and as soon as I am right I shall be back in a ship again."

James A. Rawlings, cook, of North Sydney, said that his eyes were badly affected by the oil on the water. He had tried to get a raft free, but the rope was caught, and as the ship was going, he dived in.

When Frank Martin, ship's cook, of Melbourne, was rescued, he was alone on a plank. He had been there ever since the ship was sunk. His comrades said they could not understand how he survived, because he was "such a little fellow." They praised his courage and endurance.

Owen Christensen, of Melbourne, also held on to a plank in the water for 34 hours before being rescued. "In the darkness I heard a man call for help," he said. "I called back, and we made for each other, but he, too, had only a plank. After a while, he seemed to lose his reason. He swam away, looking for something to drink, and I did not see him again."

It is recalled that the hospital ship Manunda was struck by bombs at Darwin during a Japanese raid, but at Milne Bay, on a later occasion, Japanese warships which attacked shipping and shore installations passed almost alongside a hospital ship, but did not attack it.

Source:

INTERVIEW WITH HEROIC NURSING SISTER (1943, May 19). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved April 25, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17849085

The Angels of the Balkans - 1917

I recently had the good fortune to see "A Girl's Guide to World War" at the Brisbane Powerhouse. Produced by Musical Theatre Australia, the work is an award winning musical portrayal of the work of The Scottish Women's Hospital's work in Serbia during WWI.  For the Brisbane audience the show had the added advantage of being a story about locals, Dr Lillian Cooper and Josephine Bedford. It was well crafted, funny and very enjoyable, but it also told a good story about patriarchal stupidity, sacrifice, and determination.  For me it was a story I had not heard, so I dropped into Trove to learn more.  Here is one article I found which my readers may appreciate. It is from a Sydney newspaper, 'Land', dated 14 December, 1917.

"THE ANGELS OF THE BALKANS."

"These are the good angels who bring us to Paradise!" said a wounded poilu, smiling at the woman chauffeur who threaded her way among shell-holes and rival vehicles on the road to the Scottish Women's Hospitals.

Angels in Heaven and Hell—angels disguised with mud and grease—angels with haggard, tired facts, and their hands stained with blood—angels with needles and thread among the poor, battered uniforms—angels even among the cesspools and filth of the building that at last be came hygienic and habitable as a hospital—angels limping along the road with Serbian refugees—angels themselves passing to Paradise, as they laid down their lives during the Serbian typhus epidemic.

Hence the title at the head of this paragraph—the title by which the staff of the Scottish Women's Hospitals are known throughout the Balkans.

In November, 1914, the first unit of the S.W.H. was established in Calais, under Dr. Alice Hutchinson, for the purpose of fighting the typhus outbreak there.

A few weeks later a hospital with 100 beds was established in the vast old Abbaye of Royaumont, twenty miles from Paris. This hospital was at that time the only one equipped with a travelling X-ray vehicle.

Within three months, at the request of the French Medical and Military Authorities, the accomodation was increased to 200 beds.

Before the "push" on the Somme, the accommodation was further increased to 400 beds.

Recently a 200 bed hospital was opened at Villers-Cotteret in the French firing-line.

The S.W.H. also have three canteens near the French front, at which they care for worn-out "poilus," who have walked some fourteen or twenty miles, maybe in rain, or snow, on the way back to the trenches.

Soon after New Year, 1915, the first unit of women doctors, nurses, women chauffeurs, women orderlies, and women stretcher-bearers, arrived at Kragueje-vatz. At this time the country was in a condition of appalling misery, and the S.W.H. was decimated by typhus. When the S.W.H. unit arrived, two thirds of the Serbian doctors and nurses had been themselves attacked by typhus, and many had died with their patients. Three women of the first unit died at their posts, from typhus.

This work was continued, until at last four units were established, with over 1,000 beds, in their charge.

Towards the-end of 1916 a large camp hospital and motor transport column, staffed entirely by women, was established near Monastir, under the charge of three Australian ladies—Dr. Agnes Bennett of Sydney, and Dr. Lillian Cooper and Miss Bedford of Brisbane.

In September, 1916, two field hospitals and motor transport columns, staffed entirely by women, were sent, via Arch angel, to the assistance of the Serbian division an Roumania.

Since 1915 the S.W.H. have had a model camp hospital of 300 beds in Salonica, officially attached to the French Expeditionary Force.

This year the activities of this hospital have been considerably increased; 200 further beds have been provided, and a special centre created for the supply of artificial limbs and eyes, full dental treatment, and special curative treatment for nervous cases.

There is a main hospital in Ajaccio, especially for the care of sick Serbian refugees. There is also a branch isolation hospital, and a tubercular lazaret. There are out-patient dispensaries at the main hospital, and also at Chiavari and St. Antoine. Thousands of refugees are cared for in this way.

So much for the bare facts. But behind those facts lies a story of women's heroism worthy to rank with the bravest deeds of an era in which brave deeds have become commonplace. In every branch of the work, the S.W.H. have had to contend with difficulties, hardships, and dangers calculated to daunt the bravest, but they have never flinched. Not only did these women provide and staff the hospitals, but many of them were continuously in personal danger from from the enemy, more particularly during the German occupation of Serbia, and the Dobrudja retreat in Roumania. One party, indeed, under Dr. Alice Hutchinson, was taken prisoner by the Austrians, sent into Southern Hungary, and there treated as common prisoners of war for six weeks. Yet another unit, under Dr. Elsie Inglis (who has since laid down her life), remained at Krague jevaltz during the German occupation, turning what was a charnel house for the dying into a hygienic hospital, and saving many Serbian soldiers. Yet another party, caught at Salonica, and unable to go forward, cared for the train loads of refugees, passed them on to the ships, and finally conveyed some thousands of them to Corsica, where they are still caring for the homeless and destitute men, women, and children taking refuge there.

The women of the S.W.H. accompanied the crowds of starving, dying Serbians in their tragic retreat over the Montenegrian mountains. Their last wraps were spread over the wounded, their last coins given to the penniless, their service given to all who needed it. They bore silently all the hardships, and, scarcely able to walk sometimes, they would stop with a joke on their lips, that they might cheer others. Each member of that company tried to outdo the others in self-sacrifice.

The field hospitals and motor trans port columns which went to the assistance of the Serbian division in Roumiania suffered all the privations and horrors of the Dobrudja retreat, and have since been working on the Russo-Roumania frontier in a position of difficulty and danger.

To this wonderful work of mercy, the women of our Empire have faced danger, dirt, disease, and death. The latest cabled news concerning them is that the founder of the movement, Dr. Elsie Inglis, has given up her life in the cause.

Image source:

THE RED CROSS BUGLERETTE. (1916, December 16). The World's News (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 1955), p. 10. Retrieved February 26, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130584545

Text source:

"THE ANGELS OF THE BALKANS." (1917, December 14). The Land (Sydney, NSW : 1911 - 1954), p. 10. Retrieved February 26, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article102893950

The Darling of the Downs - Poem - 1856

Here I reprint a poem about sheep and love on the Darling Downs published in 1856.  I do this for reasons which I do not understand.

The poem is a 15 verse work with quatrain (four line) verses mostly following the rhyming pattern AABB. 

S. G. Mee clearly loves their em-dashes. I came to Mee after tidying up one of their articles urging temperance and calling out the evils of grog (I may blog that at another time).  But to be honest, reading this poem I do wonder what they were on :-).  Perhaps they were different S. G. Mees but if that is the case they both had a fascination with em-dashes and literary obscurity. Perhaps they were on something in 1856 and then in 1862 by declaring the evils of grog they are attempting to exorcise their shame. Have provided a link to the original ... just in case you want to confirm I haven't doctored it to be weirder than it should be.

I am also somewhat frustrated by the unrequited asterisk in line seven (see image above), which I can only imagine is a note that they have failed to employ the AABB pattern. Except they committed that error twice and failed to asterisk it the second time.

Here is 'Darling of the Downs', make of it what you will.

ORIGINAL POETRY.

THE DARLING OF THE DOWNS.

Morn floodeth yon orient mountain with gold;
My sheep now look wistfully forth from the fold:
"I see you, old ladies, sweet freedom for ye —
Now the gate is wide open,—there, go!—ye are free!"

Yet musing awhile with glad bleatings they stand;
Some bid me good morn with love-licks of the hand.
For the salt I — to my sheep a true Arab am I, *
And the kinder I treat them the greater my joy.

And now move we on to the glorious day,
'Midst wild thyme and flowers to the mountains away;
Hurrah for a race! — my glad lambkins now see,
Steeple-chasing, avaunt! — a bright lamb-chase for me.

A thousand, wild-bounding, as wavelets of light,
Now take in the sunbeams an ecstacy — light!
Their astounded old mothers, with marvelling stare,
Stretch their necks as to say, "Well I never! — look there!"

But who cometh hither? the last time she came
Her mamma tried to scold me, and that was a shame;
She glides as a sunbeam — (would'st give her the slip?) —
One hand on her pinafore, finger on lip.

I'll try and look solemn: now nothing I see,
But those eyes of soft blue which are speaking to me;
Enchantress! — I'm going, — that dimple! I'm gone, —
She knows it, the puss, and comes boundingly on.

"My sweet little Nelly, you've sure run away."
"Dear shepherd, I have'n--mamma says 'at I may;"

"Well then, my darling, whate'er ma' may say,
If I'm even hung for it, I'll steal you to-day!"

Then those eyes leap up to me — nor now doth she reck,
I shall loose the bright tendrils that cling to my neck;
And I view those pure pearls as their corals dispart,
And a kiss soft as snow-flake now melts in my heart.

Then she clappeth her hands in her innocent glee,
And we bound into sunshine — so happy are we;

She swingeth her hat, and the day is begun;
O glorious, golden-haired child of the sun!

My sheep know her voice, and forget their sweet food,
And listen afar in a rapturous mood;
Then they spring to her side with their gambolings wild,
And bleat forth their love for the beautiful child.

"See 'at 'ittle lame lamb, without mother, behind!"
I take it — the poor fractured limb gently bind:

From behind a grass-tree she peeps forth in the sun, —
"Dear shepherd, tell — tell me when it is all done!"

"Now, love;" — and all sobbing she springs to my side,

And a necklace of bluebells around it hath tied:—
"Dear, dear 'ittle lamby — I'll soon kiss it well!"
Still her sweet little bosom with sorrow doth swell.

Thus pass we the day amidst flowers and joy;
Nor my sheep think of food, their sweet shepherdess by;
At night they look doleful — those loving old dams!

And follow her far, with a stream of their lambs.

Sweet child of the desert! — thou wilderness star!
My sheep love me well, but love you better far;
Oh, who would not love thee, thou creature of light!
With thee I e'er wish it would never come night.

But I take her t'wards home, list! know I full well
Of the marvellous feats of her playmates she'll tell;
Now mamma calls to her — "Come love, be undrest:
Good night! one more kiss — say ye, am I not blest?"

S. G. MEE.

SOURCE

ORIGINAL POETRY. (1856, December 2). The North Australian, Ipswich and General Advertiser (Ipswich, Qld. : 1856 - 1862), p. 4. Retrieved February 13, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article78851091 

In praise of the Darling Downs - 1894

This post is a republishing of an article in the Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser of Saturday 17 November 1894.  It is clearly an advertising text. But amidst all the hyped praise are some very interesting observations about the potential seen in the Darling Downs over 125 years ago. We have seen drought and fire that makes the water supply seem a fantasy. Some commodities like tobacco have been and gone.  Opium was perhaps never produced, but curious it should have been considered. The last sentence is a beauty ... even if all you do is scroll to the end it will be worth it for the laugh.

A good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depth that spring out of valleys and hills ; a land of wheat and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates i ; a land of oil olive, and honey; a land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness. — Deuteronomy, chap. 8, ver. 7, 8, 9.

THE DARLING DOWNS is the fairest and fattest portion of the northern colony, and may be rightly described in the words of Scripture as a land flowing with milk and honey. On the fertile uplands the cattle and sheep lie in pleasant content all the year round, the streams gurgle in merry tune, and the birds pipe melodiously. The barns of the farmers, as a rule, are choked with the produce of the well-cultivated earth, the reward of honest industry. The fields are mantled with green grass and white clover, through which gay wild flowers peep, and over all the land rest peace and plenty. It is impossible for anyone to visit the Downs towards the close of the year without being entranced by the glorious beauty of the undulating plains and the little hills. Grass is in abundance everywhere, so high and luxuriant that in the fields the calves can play hide and seek and the lambs can nestle and cover themselves with a cool screen ; the young corn is a living green, so green that it fairly shimmers and dazzles as the sun's rays flood it with light and throw into sharp contrast the dark red earth. The wheat is golden, or rather a delicate bronze, fast deepening into a rich yellow ; the streams are running swiftly through the lands with a harmonious sound ; the cattle, horses, and sheep are sleek and fat : overhead the birds are flitting to and fro, singing and chirping; and altogether there is an inclination to break forth into singing at every step taken, from blithe companionship with the full nature around. At harvest time the Darling Downs is at its best ; never does it look so green and pure and lovely ; never is the honeysuckle so fragrant nor the roses so laden with delicate perfume. Every garden is full of loveliness, clothed with masses of bloom and sweet with delicate odours. The orange and lemon trees are laden with fruit, the peach tress are heavy with promise, "the fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell." 

 

PALMERIN STREET, WARWICK --- LOOKING SOUTH

GENERAL VIEW, WARWICK

The Darling Downs extends from the crest of the Main Range at Toowoomba in a due westerly direction for almost 80 miles to Warra, on the Western line, and south to the Killarney Ranges, or to the New South Wales border, embracing the watershed of the Condamine River, for nearly 80 miles. It thus comprises over four million acres of magnificent soil, nearly the whole of which may be termed first class agricultural land. The Downs is a vast pasturage encircled by mountains, and compassed by belts of richly-timbered scrubs. It is an enormously fertile district, showing a wealth of vegetation probably unsurpassed in the world. At present it is a great wheat, lucerne, and corn country ; the home also of stud sheep and cattle and famous horses ; but it is prominently a dairying and fruit district, and as the colony of Queensland advances it is probable that the growing and har-vesting of bulky crops will be left to the farmers on the eastern slopes, while butter, cheese, and fruit of excellent quality and flavour will be exported from the Downs to all parts of the world. The day will come when there is likely to be as much interest shown in the establishment of fruit-preserving works on the Downs as at present exists in regard to meat-preserving works in suitable districts, and it will be found that there is money in it for both raiser and manufacturer. At agricultural shows on the Downs housewives have shown samples of preserved fruit which ought to have been quite sufficient to open the eyes of moneyed men to the vast possibilities of this trade. In Queensland pastoralists and planters divide the honours and share the profits of production between them, and the fruit grower and smaller agriculturist only get a poor show. Yet there are two million acres of land on the Downs eminently suitable for fruit production and only awaiting the advent of brains and money. 

MR. J. FOGARTY, M.L.A., TOOWOOMBA.
(From a portrait by Jones and Co., Brisbane.)

MR. ARTHUR MORGAN, M.L.A., WARWICK.
(From a photo. by Poul C. Poulson, Brisbane.)

HON. W. H. GROOM, M.L.A., TOOWOOMBA.
(From a photo, by J. Bain, Brisbane.)

It is matter for regret that much of the very best land on the Downs still remains devoted to grazing. Sheep and cattle walk where there should be cultivated farms. The large landed proprietors are recognising that their estates are becoming too valuable to be set apart merely for sheep and cattle raising, and not a few of them are turning their attention to the growing of cereals, and are also endeavouring to promote settlement on their estates. The breaking up of the freeholds is merely a question of time. In the near future the Downs will be the home of millions, for there are openings on this fertile region for working farmers of small means probably unequalled in any other part of Australia or America. The Downs carries at present about 2,500,000 sheep, and 200,000 cattle, besides a large number of pigs, the breeding of which has of late engaged the attention of the farmer. About 80,000 acres are under close cultivation, held in farms of from 5 to 50 acres. Of course there are many farmers with larger areas under cultivation, and many of the pastoralists have of late gone in extensively for the growing of wheat. At Gowrie, Yandilla, and Canning Downs stations, for instance, between 600 and 1000 acres have in each place been sown with wheat, and the combination of grazing and agriculture has met with encouraging success, so much so that almost all the old-time squatters are fast becoming modern farmers, and are bringing into use the latest agricultural machinery. Six-furrow ploughs are not un-common, and steam threshers are on every farm with any pretensions. £26,000 worth of harvesting machinery has been imported on to the Darling Downs since the beginning of 1890, notwithstanding an ad valorem duty of 2d per cent, which exists. The farmers at the Back Plains, near Clifton, a very enter-prising lot, have during the last three years purchased £10,500 worth of agricultural implements. Wheat and corn are at present the principal productions of the Darling Downs, and they are likely to retain their supremacy for some time to come, notwithstanding the low prices which have prevailed for a few years, and the excessive railway rates which are alleged to he antagonistic to profitable farming. To the fact that these crops are easily raised, and are rapidly convertible into cash or goods, may be attributed the position which they hold, but it is becoming apparent that the farmer must vary his crops and grow something which will place him beyond sudden and ruinous fluctuations in the market, and which also will afford employment to the growing members of his family. four-fifths of the wheat produced in Queensland is grown on the Downs. To the west of the Great Dividing Range are situated the districts which, for all practical purposes, contribute to the wheat production of the colony. According to the official reports, during the year 1893, 27,932 acres, or 93 per cent, of the total area under wheat, were planted in the locality referred to, and 85 per cent, of this, or 81 per cent, of the total area, was located in the three districts of Toowoomba, Warwick, and Allora. The mean average yield for five years was 16-28 bushels per acre, a return more than double the average result secured by South Australia, and about 60, 34, and 33 per cent, in excess of the averages of Victoria. New South Wales, and Western Australia, each respectively. This estimate considerably exceeds that of some of the great wheat districts in the United States. in some of which the estimate for 1893 is put down at from 11 to 12 bushels. Some surprising results are occasionally obtained. I have known a 5-acre patch yield 250 bushels of first class milling wheat, and 40 to 45 bushels are not an uncommon return in a good year from well-cultivated land. It is apparent, therefore, that the open Downs land, is marvellously well adapted for the economic production of the cereal, but prices of late have not been encouraging. Maize may perhaps be set down as the staple crop of the Downs. Last year 38 per cent. of the total land under cultivation was devoted to maize production, and 25 per cent. of the entire yield of the colony was contributed by the Darling Downs. The average yield per acre for five years is about 24-65 bushels. Seventy bushels have repeatedly been taken off choice spots. Paddy rice has been successfully cultivated on the Downs, and at Allora 18 acres returned the high average of nearly 62 bushels to the acre. Rye, barley, potatoes, lucerne, oats, and all classes of green forage show similar high returns, sufficient to justify the Darling Downs being called "the Garden of Queensland." 

Viticulture is making rapid progress on the Downs. About 380 acres are under grapes in Toowoomba, Warwick, and Allora. For table grapes there is always a good demand in Brisbane, and nearly 400,000lb. were sent from the Downs last year, while 42,000 gallons of wine were manufactured, a good deal of it of a poor character. It is only fair to mention that at the display of colonial wines at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, held in London, a Toowoomba vigneron, Mr. H. Hertzer, secured first honours. Downs wines require age, and unfortunately the vignerons are not in a position to cellar their productions for a sufficiently long period to allow them to mature and to take on the constitution of high-class wines. 

R. C. Convent, Warwick

The cultivation of the orange is making marked progress, and it has been amply demonstrated that, with, the exception of the Wide Bay districts, there is no place in Queensland more suited than the Downs for the growth of the fruit. In the Highfields and Toowoomba districts 311,000 dozen oranges were taken from 83 acres, and the fruit was of a most luscious character. It will be necessary, however, to find a foreign market for this fruit before the farmers enter into the cultivation with any spirit, the local price being altogether unremunerative, about 3d per dozen being the maxi-mum to be obtained for the best kinds. Peaches, apples, passion-fruit, apricots, melons, guavas, strawberries, &c., all flourish well on the Downs, and give encouraging returns. 

As may be supposed, butter, cheese, honey, and bacon are very largely produced on the Downs. Recently a great impetus has been given to butter making by the introduction of centrifugal separators and the establishment of central factories, and it may be safely asserted that the quality of the Downs butter is equal to that of the best English. Every farmer is of course, more or less a butter producer, and in the Toowoomba district this rule peculiarly applies. The average to each producer for 1893 is set down at 1772lb., a remarkably high return. Prices vary from 3d to 1s a pound, and I have frequently known the latter price paid at the Saturday morning auction sales for butter of good quality. Of late years the quality of cheese has largely improved, and this is due to the fact that several factories have been established on the Downs and elsewhere. Similar remarks apply also to bacon and honey. Near the Killarney Ranges the cultivation of tobacco has been carried on for some time, but this crop is mainly left to the Chinese, and they have proved that the seductive weed is the most profitable thing that a Downs farmer can handle. It is hard to give any sound reason why the Chinaman is a monopolist in this particular domain of agriculture. Poppy cultivation is likely to be tested on the Downs, as no less than £51,491 worth of opium was last year imported into Queensland, and poppies grow like weeds on the broad acres of the undulating black soil. As Queensland last year imported nearly one million pounds' worth of produce it is evident that there is yet ample room on the Downs for quite an army of intelligent farmers who will adopt the latest scientific methods of culture. 

The great majority of farmers on the Downs are of Irish or German nationality. The lands of the Darling Downs consist principally of open plains and gently undulating ridges, lightly timbered with apple-tree and gum-topped box. The soil is of volcanic character of the richest description— black, red, or chocolate varying in depth from 10ft. to 60ft., and every acre is available for agriculture or advanced grazing. There are running creeks in every district, and water in any quantity can be obtained by sinking, from 12ft. to 100ft. Nearly every bore which has been put down has discovered water at a comparatively shallow depth. The selling value of the land may be estimated at from £3 to £8 per acre. Good cleared scrub land has quite recently sold at £13 2s 6d an acre, and the Clifton lands are selling readily at £5 per acre. These lands are marvellously prolific, and the farmer is not only able to alternate his crops, but he can reap two crops within the 12 months. Wheat is sown in May and reaped in December, and maize sown in January is ready for gathering in April. Many of the scrubs are dense, and composed principally of brigalow, ti-tree, myall, sandalwood, wild apple, figs, honey suckle, &c., interspersed with clumps of pine, cedar, ironbark, and other timbers. On the summit of the Main Range, stringy bark, blackbutt, turpentine, bloodwood, hoop and bunya pine are to be found in great quantities, while along the slopes and in the forests are ironbark, red gum, spotted gum, cypress pine, and other commercial woods. 

Ornamental trees grow on the Downs profusely, and the streets of the principal towns are rendered particularly attractive by the magnificent fir, plane, and camphor laurel trees which some far-seeing public men have had planted years ago. Herries-street in Toowoomba, and Palmerin-street in Warwick, may rank among the best street-avenues in the world. Extensive coal deposits have been found on the Downs at Gowrie, for instance, a coal mine is being worked, affording employment for 45 men, while the coal is of excellent quality. It is readily purchased by the Government, and used on the Southern and Western railways. 

Good seams of coal have been found at Westbrook and at Clifton. In fact, coal has been discovered on all parts of the Downs— what is wanted is a market. Traces of gold have frequently been discovered near the Killarney Ranges, but so far nothing of a payable character. Beyond Warwick there are goldfields which are a source of revenue ; but they are really outside the boundaries of the Darling Downs. The rich red and black soil of the plains is a goldfield which will never cease to yield excellent returns as long as it is industriously worked. Around Toowoomba ironstone and copper have been found, but not in sufficient quantities to even enable a rapidly-to-be-ruined company to be floated. The Downs cannot be said to be rich in mineral wealth. 

There is no lack of railway communication on the Downs. The Southern and Western line travels right through the plains, and passengers from Sydney to Brisbane are enabled to enjoy the varied and beautiful scenery. Toowoomba is 100 miles from Brisbane, and in the matter of railway trains is well served. Out from Warwick and Toowoomba run branch lines, to such growing places as Pittsworth, Crow's Nest, Emu Vale, and Killarney. Few farmers on the Downs are more than eight miles from a railway. It is hardly possible to exaggerate the qualities of the Downs climate. For 11 months in the year the people enjoy a succession of bright, genial sunny days. During the summer months the heat of the day is sometimes considerable, ranging from 80° to 96°, but the nights are perfection, a soft balmy breeze always finding its way across the plains. In winter the weather is bracing and sharp. Ground frosts prevail, and ice is not a stranger. Snowstorms are unknown, but fogs in the early morning are trying to those of delicate constitution. Heavy rains are usually in the month of February. 

THE CONDAMINE RIVER, AT WARWICK.

Taken all round, the Darling Downs is far and away the healthiest place in Queensland, if not in Australia. The mortality varies from a minimum of only 4.73 in September to a maximum of 8.28 in January, the mean for the year being 6.69— these figures being calculated at per 1000 of mean population per annum for five years. The men of the Downs are stalwart, broad-shouldered, and bucolic in appearance — good types of English yeomen. The women are big, buxom, rosy-cheeked, and pleasant to look upon.

The death of Chinese shepherd Lee Gaw - Western Creek - 1866

A 19th Century opium pot.
MAAS, Sydney
https://ma.as/253291

I am once again investigating the lives of Chinese shepherds on the Southern Downs in the later half of the nineteenth century. While this comes from a Leyburn reporter, Western Creek is closer to Millmerran therefore more properly thought of as Toowoomba story.  But hey, you get so far down the fixing it up track you may as well publish.  

As is often the case when looking at some of these characters on Trove, they leave a small footprint in the media. Throwing 'Lee Gaw' back into the search terms only yielded this article.  There were other Lee Gaws but they could not be the same person. Likewise most of the other characters have left a small footprint.

What did I learn:

• That Chinese shepherds were using opium ... not a big surprise.
• Opium pots were distinctive enough to be identified as a personal belonging.
• That shipmates from China sometimes stayed together. 
• They also stayed in Australia ... that is they did not have a few years in Australia and then go back to China (I think sixteen years is long enough to make this observation)

LEYBURN.

(From our own Correspondent.)

... 

I believe that I mentioned the finding of some bones, supposed to be those of a human being, on the Western Creek Station. The Police Magistrate proceeded to Western Creek on the 5th instant, and held an enquiry into the circumstances, of which enquiry the following is a brief account : — (Before G. Elliott, Esq., P.M.) Enquiry made upon certain Human Bones found upon Western Creek. 

George Hill, sergeant of Gold Police, sworn : From information which I had received I proceeded to a place in the bush about nine miles from here ; Dr. Hodgkinson and Mr Dunn were in company with me ; we found some human bones and a number of little things, viz., a new boot and a pouch, a pot of opium, a tinder box, part of a looking glass, a silver ornament, and the bowl of a pipe ; I brought the bones here with the assistance of the doctor. 

Martin Barry, overseer, sworn : On or about 9th September, 1865, it was reported to me that a Chinese shepherd had left his flock in the bush, and that the man was missing ; his name was Lee Gaw ; we took some blacks and searched for the man several days ; no traces were found of him ; there was a very heavy thunder storm the day after he was lost, which would wash put any tracks he might have made ; Lee Gaw has been missing ever since. 

Edward Hodgkinson, sworn : I am a duly qualified medical practitioner, residing at Leyburn; this morning I went in company with Sergeant Hill to a place about nine miles from here, and there found portions of a human skeleton ; the arm bones and shoulder blades were missing ; we could only find the ribs, six bones of the spine was missing ; the lower extremities were complete with the exception of the right foot; the skull and lower jaw were complete, with the exception of one tooth ; the skull was lying about three yards from the other bones ; none of the bones I examined showed signs of any violence ; the bones are those of a male human subject ; from the formation of the cheek bones I believe that they are the bones of a Chinaman : the missing tooth was from the lower jaw, and I believe that it was lost before death. 

Thomas Brannan, sworn : I am storekeeper at Western Creek ; I now produce a boot which was found in Lee Gaw's swag, at the station he was going towards as far as I can judge; the boot is the fellow to the one now before the court, and which was found with remains. 

James Dunn, sworn ; I reside at Western Creek ; the silver ornament, now produced, I recognise as one which Lee Gaw offered to give to me about two days before he was lost ; I refused it ; I was in company with Sergeant Hill this morning when we found the bones; it was not in the direction of where we supposed Lee Gaw was lost ; I was out for several days with the blacks in search of him ; I saw the silver ornament found alongside the bones. 

Kim Yuing, Chinaman, being duly sworn, deposed : I know Lee Gaw ; he disappeared some time last shearing ; I identify the silver ornament, the pot of opium, and the tinder box, as all belonging to Lee Gaw, who was a shipmate of mine ; I have been in the country for about sixteen years; Lee Gaw was in the habit of both smoking and chewing opium. 

This concluded the enquiry. 

There can be no doubt but the bones are those of the missing man. How he came by his death must remain a mystery. If one might hazard a supposition — I would say a fit brought on by excessive use of opium, which I believe induces attacks of delirium of the worst kind.

Source:

Darling Downs Gazette and General Advertiser (Toowoomba, Qld. : 1858 - 1880), Thursday 13 September 1866, page 3. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75516510