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Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW : 1888 - 1954), Friday 7 March 1919, page 1
COMLEROY ROAD.
THREE RETURNED SOLDIERS.
A GREAT WELCOME HOME.
The biggest crowd ever seen at Comleroy Road assembled on Friday night last to give a hearty welcome home to Private Dal. McCabe, Gunner Hector London and Trooper Darcy London, the two latter being brothers, all of whom recently returned from active service abroad. The crowd numbered fully 600, and great enthusiasm was manifested. The Richmond band, although practically disbanded, got together a 'scratch team,' and though the players have been without practice for some time, they acquitted themselves most creditably and added much to the enjoyment of the proceedings. It speaks volumes for the feelings of the bandsmen towards the men who have been away and done their bit, that they went to so much trouble and inconvenience to get together and go out to Comleroy Road to assist in the fine welcome.
The proceedings started off with an immense procession of motor cars, sulkies, horsemen and pedestrians, headed by school children and the band. The returned soldiers occupied places of honor in the procession, and a banner with the word 'Welcome,' worked with ivy leaves on a white background, and carried by two young ladies, fluttered over them. The march was from the Public School to the School of Arts, and the big procession was quite a novel spectacle for Comleroy. The public welcome took place on an improvised platform made of two lorries, kindly lent by Messrs. Jack McMahon and Percy Norris. They were drawn up against the wall of the School of Arts, facing the road, and the platform was gaily decorated with flags, greenery, and the 'Welcome' banner. On the platform were the three young heroes and their parents, as well as those who welcomed the lads home on behalf of the people and the Comleroy Road Patriotic Committee, of which Mr. Alcorn is hon. secretary.
Cr. Anderson occupied the chair. He said they were glad to have their three soldier boys home, and thought it was good to see such a large crowd of people to give them a rousing reception. He announced apologies from Major Philip Charley and Mrs. Charley. Major Charley wrote that they would have gladly been present as a testimony to the worth and heroism of the returned lads, but were prevented by an important engagement in Sydney. Dr. Helsham wrote that he was very busy, and anything might occur to prevent his attendance. In that case, he was with them in heartily welcoming the men who had fought for their country, and congratulated the parents on the safe return of their respective sons. Colonel Lamrock was unable to attend owing to pressing engagements, and wished the function every success.
The chairman then called on the Member for the Hawkesbury to welcome the lads home. Mr. Walker, M.L.A., said he felt it a pleasure and an honor to take part in that welcome home. When he realised all that the boys had done on the other side of the world, the suffering they had endured, the sacrifices they had made, all for the love of their country, he felt that the least he could do was to join with the people of Comleroy in their welcome to their returned soldiers. To offer words of welcome was a feeble part compared with what the lads had done, but it was only right that it should be done, so that the boys may know how much their noble deeds were appreciated. They had with them three returned men, one, at least, of whom had been away over three years. They all went to the war of their own free wills, and from sheer sense of duty. (Applause). They realised the danger the empire was in, and volunteered. They took their lives in their hands, for they did not know whether they would ever return, and went to far-off lands to fight for right, and for their country, king, and empire. All honor to the brave Australians who put their backs to the wall and held on when the empire was in such dire trouble. For a time we did not know how the war was going to go.Things looked black for a while, and it looked as if we might lose all the cherished privileges our forefathers had won for us, and our later day privileges, and come under the German yoke. The brave Australians by their wonderful deeds of valor did much to prevent such a calamity. (Applause). It had been said that our soldiers were undisciplined. They might be in the eyes of the English officers, but they possessed something that was just as valuable and that other armies lacked - resource and individualism. (Applause) . Their wonderful initiative got them out of many tight places, and simply demoralised the Huns. They had a happy way of doing the right thing at the right time, and were admitted to be the finest soldiers in the world. They knew they were 'up against it,' they realised the seriousness of the position, and they went in to do or die. And many of them did die. No less than 56,000 of the brave Australians will never return. Their bones lie in France, in Gallipoli, in Palestine, and in Egypt - men who were the hope of the nation and of their parents - brave, courageous men, who went prepared to make the supreme sacrifice, if need be, for their country's sake. In our welcomes to the returned men, we must not forget those lads who gave their lives so that we might live in peace and security, and our sympathy should go out to their people in their sore bereavement. Those lads died glorious deaths, for what more can man do than lay down his life for his country. (Applause) . Now that the armistice is signed, a great load of anxiety and suffering had been lifted from the mothers of the boys over there. Their days and nights of anguish - times when they never knew when a clergyman would come to the door with the news that a loved one would never return were now over. It was now a time of great relief for them. The Germans were still showing their teeth over the peace conditions, and it was to be devoutly hoped that such terms would be imposed on them as would make further wars impossible among the white peoples of the earth, and make democracy safe for many years to come. (Applause).
Mr. Walker then shook hands with each of the lads, congratulated them on having done their duty, and said he was sure all were glad that God had allowed them to return to their parents and brothers and sisters. (Applause). He was sure they would do just as good work in civil life as they had done on the field of battle, and trusted their days would be long and peaceful in the land. Nothing was too good or too great for them. They had come back from the jaws of hell, bearing honorable scars. They had helped to make the name of Australia famous. This country had a very small place among the nations of the world, and was little known in some countries, until our soldiers put it on the map, so to speak, by their wonderful deeds in Gallipoli, France and Palestine. He hoped all the returned men would endeavour to maintain the fame they had won for Australia, live up to the grand traditions of the empire, and make this country one of the most peaceful and prosperous places of the British dominions. (Applause). On Mr. Walker's call, ringing cheers were given for Private McCabe, Gunner London and Trooper London.
Rev. J. Poole was called upon to present medals to the returned lads. He said he felt proud at being called upon to make the presentations to the brave men who went out to do their duty at the country's call. Mr. Walker had made a splendid rousing speech, one straight to the point, and had detailed the work done by the men who went to their duty. But, he would speak from another point of view. He had just come away from their weekly intercession service, and that was what made him late in arriving there. Though it was good to welcome the men home, he thought it was his first duty to uphold to God in prayer the men who were still absent. Since he had been in the parish he had held an intercession service every Friday evening at Grose Vale, and once a month at Comleroy and North Richmond, and brought the boys before God in prayer by name. Upwards of 22, representing all denominations, had gone from this side of the river to the war, and of the 16 deaths five only had taken place since they began to bring the men before God in prayer. He thought that most significant, and it showed that God hears and answers prayer. It would not have been good if there had not been one or two deaths to keep us humble. As for our own three boys or perhaps he had better call them men now, or he might get a punch on the nose, as they know how to do it (Laughter). Anyhow, they had proved that they were men. And when they read of a boy of 17 winning the Victoria Cross, they could call him a brave young man. He was pleased to welcome them back, for they had gone away prepared to die for us.
In speaking to one of them, he had asked whether the price paid during his three years at the war was worthwhile, and he said it was (Applause). He said he paid a big price for the experience he got. They had to pay the price. He knew their parents, and knew these three boys - men, rather - (laughter) , and he was glad indeed to see them back, and to see such a fine crowd to welcome them home.
They had a most solemn service at Kurrajong a little while ago, to show honor to the men who lost their lives in the war. They did not want too many of those scenes - yet nearly 60,000 of the flower of Australia will never come back, nor will we ever see their graves. He hoped the three men would take their places as honored men of the community, and he hoped to see them often. It hurts us when we see a little lack of discipline on the troopships. But we don't know all that the men go through, and perhaps we don't blame them too much. But he hoped they would always remember that they were men, that they would take a higher place in the community than they had occupied before, and that they would be reverenced by all who appreciate brave deeds and heroic sacrifice. He would have liked to have gone through what they had been through, but it was not for him. He felt it a great honor to hand these men the medals they had so well earned, (Applause).
Mr. Poole then presented the medals. They are gold medals of similar design. On the obverse side the words 'He answered his country's call' are surmounted by the figure of a soldier holding a rifle, set in the rising sun. On the reverse side is the inscription. The respective inscriptions are as follow: - ' Trooper Darcy London, from Comleroy Road and district friends, on his return from the war. Fought in Palestine and invalided home. Gunner Hector London, from Comleroy Road and district friends, on his return from the war. Fought in France. Wounded at Pradelles, 23-4-18. Private D. McCabe, from Comleroy Road and District friends, on his return from the war. Fought in France. Wounded at Pozieres, 19-8-16. Mr. Poole shook hands with the lads individually, and called for three more cheers for them. These were heartily given, and the gathering sang 'For they are jolly good fellows' and 'Rule Britannia.'
Cr. J. E. McMahon, ex-President Colo Shire, was the next speaker. Like the previous speakers he expressed his sense of the honor that was conferred on him when asked to take part in any celebration that concerned the soldiers. He was present to grip the hand of the three boys when they were farewelled, and was pleased to be present at their home-coming, to grip their hands again and say 'Well done, old man, you have done your duty.' They knew when they left that it was not a picnic they were going to, but to face an unscrupulous and deadly enemy. They fought so well against tremendous odds that they defeated an enemy that sometimes out numbered them 5 to 1, and even 10 to 1. We saw by the cables that the Australians made a name for themselves in every engagement in which they took part, and created history by their bravery and good fighting qualities. The parents of such boys had a right to be proud of them, and he knew the parents of the three boys present that night were proud of them. He was proud to be a citizen of the same district as them. (Applause). He hoped they would have many more of the boys back in the near future, and was sure they would get the welcome they deserved. Cr. McMahon called for three more cheers for the returned lads, and three more for the parents, who, he thought, were being overlooked. The cheers were lustily given.
Cr. Anderson added his quota to the welcome. When these three lads left, all hoped they would uphold the great name the Australians had made, and come back with clean records. They had fought a manly fight and defeated the enemy at his own gates.
Gunner Hector London rose to respond, and was greeted with a great outburst of cheering. On behalf of Private Dal. McCabe, his brother, and himself, he thanked the people for that kind welcome, and the very nice presents. In future years memories of that occasion would come back and obliterate the remembrance of all they had gone through. He thanked all those who had sent parcels to them while they were away. They were much needed, and helped to make their lives happy, for they were often stuck for food. He concluded by again thanking the people for all they had done for them. (Applause) .
Cr. Anderson thanked all who had given such willing help in arranging and carrying out that welcome home. The people of Comleroy would not forget the Richmond band, who had come there at much inconvenience to enliven the proceedings with music and show appreciation of the returned lads. He also thanked Messrs. John McMahon and Percy Norris for lending their lorries for the platform, and the many ladies and gentlemen who had helped in various ways. All had pulled together harmoniously, and there was not a single discordant note. He concluded by thanking the people for turning out in such great numbers to make the welcome home the great success it undoubtedly was (Applause). The singing of the National Anthem, cheers for the returned boys, their parents, and the boys yet to return, concluded the proceedings. A nice supper was then provided, the guests of honor being the returned soldiers and their parents, and the Richmond band. A number of ladies and gentlemen prepared the supper, and the ladies looked after the wants of all. Dancing was indulged in during the night, and the young people had a happy time.
Private Dal. McCabe, who is a son of Mr. and Mrs. John McCabe, of the Slopes, was with the 1st Battalion, and was away 3 years and 3 months, leaving Australia on October 14, 1915, and returning on 6th January last. He has a bad wound, a piece of shrapnel passing through his shoulder and out at the back. He was wounded at Pozieres on the 19th August, 1916. He was also gassed, and is suffering very much from shock. Trooper Darcy London and Gunner Hector London are brothers, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Henry London, also of the Slopes. The former was over two years away, and was wounded at Pradelles, in France. His brother was 12 months in Palestine and was invalided home with malaria.
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