Courage and Sacrifice records local volunteers
A book “Courage and Sacrifice” that details all the people that served overseas during World War 1 and who enlisted in the municipalities that now are Baw Baw Shire has been written by Warragul war historian Ron Blair.
The 540-page book that also includes photographs of most of those that served, including a number of family groups, can be viewed at the Warragul RSL library.
Mr Blair said it was hoped to also have it available in the near future on the Warragul RSL website.
Short biographies of all that served, including their units and theatres in which they were stationed, are included.
Details of how and the circumstances of those that lost their lives form part of individual biographies where that information has been available as are citations that accompanied the awarding of bravery medals.
“Courage and Sacrifice” continues Mr Blair’s written and pictorial contributions to local military history.
“Shoulder to Shoulder” lists all who enlisted from the Baw Baw Shire area that served in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations overseas from the Boer War (1899-1902) to the Vietnam war that ended in 1972.
He has also authored “Gippsland Regiment 1936-1942” a history of the 52nd battalion raised in Warragul, “A Young Man’s War” about the 37th/52nd battalion Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in World War 2 and co-authored with James Affleck “For King and Country”, a history of the contribution in World War II of the Warrnambool district where Mr Blair was raised.
Women played a huge part in the war effort between 1914 and 1918 although, other than nurses, the government rejected female volunteers from other professions to serve overseas.
The nurses saw service in Egypt, France, Greece and India, often in trying conditions or close to the front line, where they were exposed to shelling and aerial bombardment.
Other women volunteers filled essential roles as cooks, drivers, interpreters, munitions workers and skilled farm labourers.
At home, families and communities grieved following the loss of so many men and women increasingly assumed the financial and physical burden of caring for families.
Local war historian Ron Blair wrote about the contribution of women throughout the district:“The diminution of local man power created a void in the local labour force that was readily filled by the women of the district who responded marvellously to the challenge and with an enthusiasm never before experienced.
(They) proved themselves as patriotic and resourceful as their husbands, fathers and brothers.
Almost every woman had a job; farm, shop, factory, knitting comforts”.
Blair noted that several served as members of the Australian Army Nursing Service or as Voluntary Aids (VADs), others worked selflessly in support of the Red Cross and various organisations that assisted soldiers going to or returning from war.
Many women’s lives were changed forever by having to adjust to life as a single parent or with a husband, son or father physically or mentally damaged by the war.
Children also gave spirited support to the war effort in many practical ways including fundraising with school children from the district’s schools raising 6757 pounds for the War Relief Fund.