The Digger Times Vol 1, Issue 1

COORAN
16.11.1918

Peace celebrations. – Owing to the Post and Telegraph Office being closed, Cooran did not hear of the Armistice being signed until late in the evening, when there was great rejoicing amongst the lucky ones to hear the news. On Tuesday, there was a fair gathering around the hotels, which were open but otherwise there was little doing. During the afternoon about ten

horsemen from Pomona arrived and made things merry for a while. At night, there was a large gathering in Federal Hall, much enthusiasm being shown, and a most enjoyable time was spent. Arrangements are being made to fittingly celebrate the event by a picnic for the schoolchildren and the date of which will be fixed at a meeting this week.

The Union Jack – The Union Jack which was purchased by Cr. Chapman by public subscription and flown from the Cooran masthead, has been sold to Kin Kin and a larger one purchased. The new flag is the largest Union Jack flying on the North Coast Line.

COOROY
30.11.1918

Returned Anzacs – Amongst the recently returned Anzacs was the brother of Mrs. J.W. Shepperson, Sergeant Kenneth Kirkland. He enlisted in Booyang on the Rivers but is well known in these parts. He was at the landing at Gallipoli and saw service in Egypt and Palestine. He was the youngest member of a family of 13

children. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkland celebrated their Jubilee Wedding on the day the young soldier returned home, when a reunion of the family took place.

16.11.1918

Peace Celebrations – With the arrival of the evening train from Brisbane came the rumour that the Armistice had been signed. The “Times” office later confirmed the news. Cooroy celebrated and tin can bands and processions, everyone acting on his own initiative, made the welkin ring. It was a late hour before all was quiet. On Tuesday, this was repeated and large crowds paraded the streets, but they were one of the best humoured crowds ever seen in Cooroy, fraternization being the predominant feature. The Patriotic Committee met in the morning and decide on a victory celebration that night. About 7.30pm about 500 of the residents paraded past the Post Office and formed in procession, headed by a one man band, Mr. Rowe with his cornet in Mr. Harry Robinson’s motor car followed by the schoolchildren, the residents and the tin can bands. After marching around the town singing patriotic songs, they returned to the Post Office corner, the most suitable vantage spot in the town for the meeting..................

Speeches suitable to the occasion were made........

Songs were rendered as follows: “There is a land” Miss Thomson; “Sons of the sea” Mr. Ross; “The bugler” Mr. Martin; “Veterans song” Mr. Rees; “Joan of Arc” Mrs.

Ross; Mr. Rowe played a cornet solo and Mr. A.H.Smith gave a humourous recitation on “The Frenchman on Bug Destruction”

Killed in Action – Mr. Edwards, Shire Clerk was on Monday evening advised that Private J.C. McGrath, son of Mr.& Mrs. McGrath of Cooroy had been killed in action on the 22^nd October. The news was broken to the bereaved parents early on Tuesday morning by Rev. J Gunders. The young soldier was 3 years at the front and close on 21 years of age. Sympathetic reference was made to his untimely death a the celebration meeting in Cooroy on Tuesday night.

EUMUNDI
23.11.1918

A worthy record - Mr. and Mrs. G.H. Cooke of Eumundi, Mr. Cooke being the headmaster of the State School there, have had 9 sons of their family enlisted with the A.I.F. Three have been killed, two are at present wounded in hospital; one has been returned home wounded, two are still with the A.I.F. in France, and one recently enlisted. Although this is not the largest enlistment from one family, it is a record of which Mr. and Mrs. Cooke may well be proud.

Wounded – Word was received here on Wednesday that Private D. Caplick had been wounded, this being the fourth occasion. He enlisted from Eumundi about two years ago.

Photo:  AWM Image P00437.015