CLUB HISTORY
A Brief History of the Forbes Sub-Branch
1918 – 1966
The not unexpected happening – loss of early records – applies to the Forbes Sub-branch of the R.S.L. as it no doubt does to many others. However, with the co-operation of the local newspaper, civic bodies and a number of our senior residents it has been possible to establish certain facts which are now presented for your information.
During World War 1 various organisations were operative in Forbes in support of our local men who enlisted for service – these included Red Cross and a War Service Committee. Many functions were held and comforts dispatched to the troops.
Anzac Day 1918 was celebrated in Forbes when a “goodly” number of Returned Soldiers participated in an Assembly at the Town Hall and afternoon tea was served by Red Cross Ladies. The Mayor, Ald Bates, presided over the gathering.
In June, 1918, the Mayor tendered a Civic Reception to Sgt Howell VC, MM, Lieut Burcher, DCM, and Priv Mapstone. Sgt Howell thanked the Red Cross for their splendid work.
Again in June the Deputy Mayor, Ald Luke McDonnell, officiated at a function when local servicemen Gnr P J Girot, Pvts Birt Smith, H C Sams, L W Waller, Syd Hill were honoured.
In this particular month there appears a short paragraph in the local paper to the effect that “Major E P McDonnell returned home after serving twelve months with the Army Medical Corps in Egypt and elsewhere with important missions in South East Africa taking him to Basutoland, Delegoa Bay, Capetown and other places.”
This man, it appears, was to become keenly interested in establishing an ex-serviceman’s organisation in Forbes and can perhaps, along with Mr T E Drane, be considered as the “fathers of the R.S.L. in Forbes.”
Forbes Advocate of 19 th November, 1918, gives notice that “A Meeting will be held in Council Chambers on Thursday, 21 st, for the purpose of forming a Sub-branch of the Returned Soldiers’ League in Forbes. The chair will be occupied by Dr E P McDonnell.” The notice was authorised by T E Drane, Secretary Pro-tem.
A later note indicates the meeting lapsed for lack of sufficient support but continued effort resulted in a Sub-branch being formed during December, 1918.
January 3, 1919 , was the occasion of a “ Reunion” attended by about 50 ex-servicemen and the chair was taken by Major E P McDonnell, President of the Forbes Branch of the League.
On 7 th February, 1919, we again find mention of the “Returned Soldiers’ League” when a meeting regarding the “Soldiers’ Carnival” was held in Victoria Park under the Chairmanship of Mr P McNamara. The meeting was well attended.
On 14 th March, 1919, the First Annual General Meeting of the Returned Soldiers & Sailors Imperial League was held in the Town Hall when a vote of thanks was passed to the retiring President, Major E P McDonnell. The exact date of his election to office is not known but apparently he declined re-election at this meeting.
On the 14 th March, 1919, the following Office Bearers were elected: President, P McNamara ; Vice Presidents, S G White, G W Brownhill, H Ledger; Secretary, T E Drane and Treasurer, J Rath.
It is interesting to note that Mr H Ledger is still with us in Forbes and a member of the Sub-branch while we have Tom Drane Jnr son of our foundation Secretary, also a member.
The R.S. & S.I.L. commenced to play an active part in matters appertaining to the welfare of ex-servicemen here in our town and from that year has been almost in continuous effective operation.
The Charter of the Forbes Sub-branch was issued on 1 st June, 1919.
Mr Percy McNamara continued in office for three years. Following this period a lack of interest apparently was suffered resulting in four years of inactivity for the Sub-branch.
The year 1927 brought revival and the keen Secretary, T E Drane, convened a meeting on 8 th July at which Mr Shaw Strickland accepted office as President, which office he held until replaced by Mr M Cahill in 1930.
Two years later (1932) saw the chair occupied by Mr T C Jago who at the time was Jemalong Shire Clerk.
Mr J J Collingwood took office in 1934, was replaced for one year (1935) by Mr W J Cox (Electrical Engineer of the Municipality), then served a further two years (1936-37).
Well known jeweller, Mr Percy West, was President 1938-39. World War 2 commenced and thrust new challenges and opportunities before the Sub-branch.
1940 saw Mr J G Waldron elected as leader. Mr O C Whitelaw, a banker, followed in 1951 and the Sub-branch was prominent in activities connected with the welfare of serving soldiers and ex-servicemen.
A.E. “Uncle” Clarence, another banker, presided in 1942-43-44 and had the opportunity to assist at Civic Welcome Home Ceremonies and functions tendered to Diggers returning home from the Middle East and other war theatres.
Mr Keith Macintosh, who had been Vice President, took over following Mr Clarence’s transfer from Forbes and occupied the position at the cessation of hostilities.
1946 saw Mr Percy Conridge serve a term as President to be followed in 1947 by the first of the young Diggers, Dr Jim Delohery.
Four years of enthusiastic leadership was given by Dr Delohery and a great deal of attention given to the creation of a Club for ex-servicemen during this period.
The Air Force flew in and Mr Graham Charles held the reins in 1951 with solicitor and ex-8 th Div POW John Meillon following in 1952.
Mr A C Perry, who had given long and valued service to the R.S.L. accepted office in 1953 and with great devotion continued to lead the Sub-branch until 1959.
To anser the call, an old Digger stepped forward, Mr L H Tickner, and he was elected in 1959, giving service until 1963 when Mr J D McFarland, MBE, one of the “Tobruk Rats” took up the duties. Honorary Life Membership was conferred on Mr A C Perry in 1963.
Current President, Mr A H Brown, succeeded to office from the Vice Presidency in March of this year (1966) and the Sub-branch continues to spare no efforts in its endeavour to render service and assistance to all ex-servicemen and women.
This is of necessity a brief history and as such has only mentioned the Presidents of the Sub-branch. However, let it be clearly understood that full acknowledgement is recorded of the service rendered by all office bearers and committee and in particular those who performed the “back bone” duty of Secretary, and the loyal members who have supported and worked for the success of the Sub-branch over the past half century.
OUR “HELPING HANDS”
It would surely be appropriate on this Anniversary to include some reference to organisations closely associated with the R.S.L. over the past fifty years.
RED CROSS SOCIETY
During World War 1 the Australian Red Cross Society was extremely active in Forbes and was associated with many activities organized by the R.S. & S.I.L. We have still active in our community Mrs E J Murphy, MBE, and Mrs A A Sharp who have been members of the Red Cross for 50 years and they remember much of the early association of the two bodies. Mrs Murphy was awarded the MBE for community service in the Queen’s New Year Honours, 1960.
World War 2 saw Red Cross still a most active force in working for the benefit of ex-servicemen and their dependants. Since 1939 the Society has had only four Presidents – Mr H B Sweet, Mrs I A McLean, Mrs W J Green, MBE, who occupied the position for 19 years, retiring in 1966 when Mrs G W Edmonds accepted office. Mrs Green received the MBE in the Queen’s Honours List in June, 1961, for outstanding voluntary service to Red Cross.
R.S.L. LADIES’ AUXILIARY
The R.S.L. Ladies’ Auxiliary was founded in Forbes on 27 th May, 1944, at a meeting presided over by Mr A E Clarence, President of the Forbes Sub-branch of the R.S.L.
Foundation President was Mrs A E Clarence followed by Mrs K Hastings in 1945.
The next year, 1946, saw the election of Mrs G W Edmonds who one year later was succeeded by Mrs K Macintosh who occupied the office for three years until the annual meeting in 1949.
Mrs E J Murphy was elected at that meeting and commenced a mammoth effort in managing the affairs of the Auxiliary until retirement in 1964.
It was with pleasure the R.S.L. supported the successful recommendation for Queen’s Honours for Mrs Murphy and the R.S.L. Auxiliary conferred Life Membership on this very worthy member in July, 1957.
Mrs G W Edmonds, who had recently returned to Forbes after a long absence, was elected to the Presidency in 1964 and still serves in that capacity. Despite the lapse of eighteen years, Mrs Edmonds brought an abundance of vigour to the office.
The R.S.L. is indeed deeply indebted to the Red Cross Society and, of latter years, the R.S.L. Ladies’ Auxiliary in particular for the splendid assistance and support rendered on so many occasions.
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Acknowledgement is made of the co-operation of the Forbes Newspaper Co., without the information contained herein could not have been collated.
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