Essendon Gazette 12 August 1915

Private Jim Seeley, who was killed in action on 6th July, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Seeley, of 92 Argyle street, Moonee Ponds. He was educated at Ascot Vale State school, and at the time of enlistment he was employed by Mr. Waller, of Collins street, trunk and bag maker. He was a member of the 58th Essendon Rifles, and was amongst the first to volunteer, going into camp with the advance guard. He was in the 7th Battalion, and got through the landing safely. He was in the firing line until about 9th or 10th May, when he sprained his ankle, and was sent to the Barracks Hospital, Malta, and had only just returned to the firing line when he was killed. He has a brother at the front.

RE CONSCRIPTION.

(To the Editor.)    

Sir.-Kindly grant me space to say a few words. One cannot help feeling disgusted with some of the arguments used by the anti-conscriptionist party. They try to tell us that men are not wanted, and that conscription is a move on the part of the Government  to introduce coloured labour. As a mother who has given her two sons, it makes me hang my head in shame to think we have such men as these in the country, who call themselves loyal Australians. I am an Australian born, and have given my all with thousands of others. One of my boys lies on Gallipoli: the other in hospital in France, wounded by a shell. And yet these men ask us mothers whose sons have given their lives for the defence and honour of this beautiful land of ours to vote "No" at the polling booth. Could anything be more cruel and cowardly?

What is the reason we are asked to do this? The same influence that caused the rebellion in Ireland is at work in this country to-day. Those that are fighting against conscription are working into the hands of the enemy, many doing so unconsciously. I attended a conscription meeting in the Picture Theatre, Ascot Vale, last   Wednesday evening. The facts were put to us plainly-why men are needed. There were 50 young men there who seemed bent on making a disturbance---calling Mr. Plain a renegade. But when he wished to explain why he was called such a name one gentleman in the audience jumped to his feet and said: "Mr. Chairman, I rise to a point of order. The speaker is here to speak on conscription, not about himself."  Is that British fair play? But we got the explanation, and I honour Mr. Plain for the stand he has taken.

I have taken particular notice that those who are causing the most trouble are men of military age. There were 50 at that meeting who kept shouting that they were going to vote "No." Why? Because they come under the law. They say we want some men here to uphold the honour of the unions. Who is going to do this? Surely not the man that skulks behind such an excuse. If a man has not the moral courage to fight for his country he won't do much fighting for anything else. They talk about their unions - well union is strength. How many unionists are fighting their battles for them in France and Flanders? If they believe in the unions then unite their forces with the boys in the trenches and fight this thing to a successful issue, for we must win through, or it is good-bye to unionism, and the freedom   of Australia for ever. Some say it is their duty to stay at home: they will fight when the war comes here. God help the women of Australia if they have to depend on such as these for protection. We would have a pretty bad time of it.

Men and women of Australia. Remember the women of   Belgium, remember Nurse Cavell, remember our heroic dead, and pay no heed to the anti-conscriptionists and their bogey of the ruination of Australia and the importation of coloured labour. It is the cry of' the arch fiend himself. Think for one moment of the boys in the trenches. If the message must be sent over to them: "No more   reinforcements" there will be blank despair, but how will Germany rejoice!   Men are wanted, men must be got, and why should the boys be sent back time after time wounded and healed and back again. It is not a fair deal. By voting "No" we are condemning thousands of Australia's bravest men to death. Surely we must give Mr. Hughes credit for knowing better than anyone else. He has been to those at the head of affairs, and if they say men are needed they know what they are talking about. Then let us, as loyal citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia stand by the Empire in her hour of peril. Now is the time she needs our help. By voting "Yes" you are not sending another woman's son to be killed, but you are sending help and succour to those who are fighting for the honour of our race. So let every man and woman who value their liberty and have the interests of our country and the manhood of Australia at heart, rise to our opportunities and register a solid vote for "Yes" on the 28th.-

Yours, etc.,  

M SEELEY    

Argyle street, Moonee Ponds.

October 16th, 1916.

RE CONSCRIPTION. (1916, October 19). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 6 Edition: Morning.. Retrieved March 4, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74594483

A NOTABLE ENLISTMENT

Mr. James Seeley,of ?? Argyle [street] Moonee Ponds, enlisted for active [service] at the Moonee Ponds Recruiting Depot Monday last, and was .... for [service] by Lieutenant Jones. Mr. Seeley, [who is] 44 year of age, has, for several [years] been employed by the Essendon [Council] and the municipality has decided [to make] good any difference between the [current] wages he has been receiving and the [mili]tary pay, and also hold his position pending his return to his old occupation. "I am going to do my bit towards [winning] the war," said Mr. Seeley, on pre[senting] himself for enlistment, and I am [if pos] sible, going to get revenged." It [will be] remembered by our readers that [two of] Mr. Seeley's sons were killed [in action,] one at Gallipoli and the other rece[ntly in] France.

A NOTABLE ENLISTMENT. (1917, May 31). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 2 Edition: Morning. Retrieved May 13, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74602663

NOTE:  As there is no B2455 record for James Seeley senior, he probably failed the medical examination.