Hometown hero to be honoured
ONE hundred years ago, Cairns turned on a hero’s welcome for one of its bravest sons from World War I, Private Caleb Shang.
Today, he will be remembered at the world premiere performance of two specially commissioned pieces of music to mark the centenary of his return to Cairns.
Cairns Bands is honouring the city’s greatest war hero at a concert, For Conspicuous Gallantry, at the Cairns Presbyterian Church.
In honour of Shang’s remarkable heroism during World War I on the battlefields of Belgium and France, Cairns Bands commissioned the work, For Conspicuous Gallantry, by world renowned composer Major Graham Lloyd.
It will also premiere a stage march, also composed by Lloyd, called Regal Celebration.
Caleb Shang won a rare combination of military decorations – the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Bar and the Military Medal.
The DCM was awarded for conspicuous gallantry while serving in the 47th Battalion at Messines Ridge, Belgium, in May 1917.
Shang constantly patrolled into enemy territory, acted as a “runner” through barrages and fire-swept areas, carried water and ammunition to the front line, attacked and accounted for enemy snipers in broad daylight and showed remarkable skill in improving the sending of messages by signal lamp.
The Bar to the DCM and the Military Medal were awarded as a result of action near Dernancourt on the Somme battlefield, France, in March-April 1918.
The 47th Battalion war diary records that Shang repeatedly displayed utter contempt for danger and showed amazing powers of endurance and great boldness.
He volunteered for duty at an observation post in an advanced position at the start of an operation, stayed at the post until it was destroyed, then served as a runner, making trips carrying ammunition through intense enemy barrages.
He successfully covered his company’s withdrawal with a Lewis gun. In May 1918, the 47th Battalion was dissolved and Shang was transferred to the 45th.
On August 16, 1918, he became unfit for further service as a result of shellfire wounds received at Harbonnières, near Dernancourt. He returned to Australia in December and to Cairns on March 21, 1919 to a hero’s welcome. He was discharged from the AIF on April 9, 1919.
In April 1942, at the age of 58, Shang joined the 17th Bat- talion of the Volunteer Defence Corps. Despite his service history, he did not seek promotion or rank and served as a private soldier until October 1945.
Caleb Shang was, and remains, Cairns’ most decorated soldier.
Cairns Concert Band, Tropical Brass and Cairns Stage Band will perform the world premiere of For Conspicuous Gallantry at Cairns Presbyterian Church, 87 Sheridan St, 3pm. Door sales. Adults $15, concession/students $12, primary aged children free.