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MEN FOR THE FRONT
N.S.C. MEMBERS DON THE KHAKI.
AN ENTHUSIASTIC SEND-OFF.
Prior to Mr. J. G. Aikman, M.L.C., leaving for Manilla, he arranged that the North Suburban Club should give members who have joined the colours a suitable send-off on the eve of their departure for the front. The resolve of the president was carried into effect on Saturday last, when the Masonic Hall, Maribyrnong road, was crowded, and in the absence of the president, Mr. Carl. Mears (vice-president) occupied the chair, and directed one of the most enjoyable smoke nights held in this district for a considerable period.
The chairman was, supported by the Mayor (Cr. J. Rhoden), Cr. H. S. Cole, Cr. A. Fenton, Mr. W. Cole Bentley, and a number of leading citizens. The affair resolved itself into a high-class entertainment run on music-hall lines, the programme bristling with excellent musical and elocutionary "turns," contributed by favourite entertainers, and in order to allow the latter full scope, the toast-list was cut down to the lowest possible limit.
Following the usual loyal toast, Mr. Fox who proved an accomplished pianist during the evening, opened the proceedings with an excellent interpretation of Kowalski's spirited "March Hongroise." Mr. George Baulch, who was in good voice, chose for his opening number "Come, Sing to Me," and the favourite tenor pleased the audience so well that he had to respond to an encore, adding the tuneful ballad "Mother Machree" with equal success.
The appearance of Mr. Harry Ingham on the platform was the signal for an ovation, and this capable singer has seldom been heard to greater advantage. A stirring rendering of "A Soldier's Life" brought down the house, and in response to an enthusiastic recall, Mr. Ingham gave "The King's Fifteen" in admirable style. Later on Messrs. Baulch and Ingham gave a finished rendering, of the duet, "Watch man, What of the Night?" and as an encore added the evergreen gem, "The Moon has Raised Her Lamp, from the opera of "The Lily of Killarney."
Mr. Wells contributed "The Death of Nelson" as a cornet solo, and other instrumental items were given by Messrs. James and Kerr. Mr. Gerald Massey's items were received with pronounced marks of favour, and this versatile artist was a host in himself, his items alternating from grave to gay, and his Kipling item being inimitable. Mr. Les. Cooney got in several excellent comic ditties, the choruses being taken up by the audience in typical music hall style. A big splash of colour was imparted to the programme by a grotesque combination of instrumentalists under the baton-perhaps we should say shillelagh-of Mr. H. Maddox. The costumes of the musicians and the instruments employed were alike weird and wonderful, and their treatment of several well-worn selections, took the audience by storm-or hurricane. The band received a double encore, and the items were received with roars of laughter.
The Toast List. The Mayor (Cr. Rhoden) was entrusted with the toast of the evening. In asking the gathering to drink to "Our Soldiers," he said the North Suburban Club was to be congratulated on sending so many members to the front. If the club was in need of a motto, he would suggest this: "Foremost in sport, and not backward in war." (Cheers.) Among those present in khaki he was proud to see Lieut. C. B. Mills, Staff Quarter-Master Quick, Sergeant-Major Tilley, Sergeants J. Blair, Tyzack, Farmer and Newall, Corporals Snowden, R. Wishart, A. Wishart, Barclay, Crisp, Kellow, Privates H. D. Wheatley, Warth, and Drivers Dutton and G. A. Wheatley.
Altogether the club had 25 members in camp, and others at the front. (Applause.) He (the Mayor) was delighted to be present to wish them good-bye and God speed, but he could not refrain from expressing his regret that conditions had arisen which rendered it necessary to hold such gatherings. Our boys who had already gone to fight for us had behaved as well and as bravely as any nation could expect. Those being farewelled that evening knew the dangers they would be compelled to face in common with others who had preceded them, but the same spirit of bravery dominated those present, and as a result they were leaving us with light hearts. (Cheers.) Australians had great national traditions. They were descendants of men who fought at Waterloo, and the Crimea, at Egypt; and he trusted that when our boys returned we would be able to say: "Well done, Australians; you had great traditions to maintain, but you have handed down traditions which are still greater. May we be as worthy of you as you are of us." (Loud cheering.) The toast was received with much enthusiasm.
Lieutenant C. Mills (late of the E. S. and A. Bank, Essendon) responded, thanking the company for the hearty reception accorded the toast, and re echoing the Mayor's hopes with regard to a safe return to Australia on behalf of all the soldiers present. He considered that Essendon compared more than favourably with other suburbs in the metropolitan area in the matter of recruiting, but as the Imperial Government was asking for more men it appeared that a lot of volunteers would yet have to "Come to light." He could with every confidence say that the names mentioned by the Mayor were those of men that any district might be proud of. (Hear, hear.) He might add that this appeared to have already been recognised, with the result that nearly the whole of them had received commissions. He expressed a hope that active service would not have an unsettling effect on Australians, that those who stayed at home would see that positions were reserved for soldiers, and that when the men returned they would, unless incapacitated by sickness or injuries, resume their former tasks, and not expect a grateful country to keep them for the rest of their days. (Applause.) If many who had not yet joined the colours knew what a good time they were having in camp, they would rush the positions and probably do the speaker and others present out of their jobs. (Laughter.) He felt that those who had just been toasted would give a good account of themselves at the front. They were not "cocktails," and would act in such a way that all who had that evening extended such hearty good wishes, would not be ashamed of them. (Cheers.)
Sergeant J. Blair, one of the most popular members of the Essendon Rowing Club, was also called upon to respond, and on rising to do so was accorded an ovation. He thanked all concerned for their good wishes, and could speak highly of all soldiers present as a result of his camp experience. He joined in the hope that all would return safely to Australia, but he would rather face a Turkish battery than make a speech. (Laughter and cheering.)
Cr. Goldsworthy proposed the health of Mr. J. G. Aikman, president of the club, who had thoughtfully arranged this send-off prior to leaving for foreign parts, and who, as a result, was absent that evening. It had been his pleasure to attend many farewells to soldiers during his Mayoral year, but the gathering that evening was equal to the best of them, and as for the soldiers present, he could only say that they were splendid specimens. (Applause.) He was also pleased to notice that they had shown they were not deficient in mental calibre, as nearly all were commissioned or non-commissioned. He hoped that those who had not scored in this direction would show they had something up their sleeves, and eventually gain the Brigadier-General mark. He agreed that those returning uninjured should look forward to resuming their ordinary avocations. Work and education had been responsible for German's success, and if Australia was to develop into a great nation the position would have to be attained on similar lines. He agreed with Lieutenant Mills on the subject of the satisfactory enlistment in Essendon. That was easily proved by the ever-growing Roll of Honour published in the "Essendon Gazette" weekly. Add to this the immense amount of work put in by Red Cross members in a desire to supply comforts for soldiers, and it must be admitted that the citizens were doing their share and showing the highest appreciation of those who were fighting for the honour and integrity of Australia. (Applause.)
Mr. A. Fraser responded on behalf of Mr. Aikman, whose last words prior to leaving expressed a hope that the send off would prove successful. On that gentleman's behalf he desired to convey to the guests of the evening best wishes for a safe return to Australia, with a promise that they would then get a greater reception than was accorded them that evening. He was in Berlin when war was declared, and later watched mobilisation movements in England, France and Italy, and as a result he was in a position to say that physically there was no finer soldier in the world than the Australian. (Cheers.) As for their deeds, Gallipoli proved what they were capable of doing. A very enjoyable gathering closed with the National Anthem, a vigorous rendering of "Auld Lang Syne," and cheers for the departing soldiers. The excellent catering of R. Ovens Proprietary was a feature of the evening.
MEN FOR THE FRONT. (1915, October 14). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 4 Edition: Morning.. Retrieved September 5, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74590390
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