The front page of the Advertiser, 5 August, 1914
Advertiser – April 1918
5/4/1918 p 6
REPATRIATION OF SOLDIERS
ADELAIDE: FRIDAY, APRIL 5. 1918. Next Monday the new Federal scheme providing for the repatriation of Australian soldiers will come into operation throughout the Commonwealth. An immense expenditure will be necessary to accomplish the objects of the plan, but the Federal Government takes the proper view that the Commonwealth would be discredited if it failed to make the most liberal provision for the needs of patriotic citizens who have fought for their country. It would, indeed, be hardly possible to do too much in recognition of the self-sacrificing services of our volunteer soldiers. In the interests of the men and their dependants, however, as well as of the whole community, it is desirable that the administration of a scheme involving so huge an outlay should be arranged for in such a manner as to secure the maximum of benefit to all concerned…
5/4/1918 p 13
Soldiers and Music: A Pianist at the Front
The great influence of music at the front was spoken of by Lieutenant F. Blake… “In France, although the men are not always under shelter,” he said, “they want to sing continuously. Music plays a big part in comforting them. It helps to make them oblivious of danger. In the trenches you hear all kind of songs, and the first place the men visit when “on rest” is an establishment or restaurant, some distance behind the lines. Those establishments are provided with a piano and refreshments. Whenever I was ‘on rest’ I had a really strenuous time, for I had to play for the boys all the evening and practically all day…
12/4/1918 p 7
A military scandal: Useless soldiers: £1,000,000 sacrificed.
Melbourne, -April 11. An investigation is being made by the Government into the reason for the return to Australia of at least 10,000 .members of the A.I.F. who never reached the scene of active operations. The majority of the men were weeded out by the Australian army medical authorities abroad as physically unfit for service. It is contended that many of these men should never have been sent back to Australia, and that the medical authorities in England have been insisting upon a needlessly high standard of physical efficiency. On the other hand, the army medical authorities abroad claim that the men should never have been passed as fit and enlisted for service. Ten thousand men returned to Australia without ever having been.to the front. They represent a dead loss of £1,000,000.
13/4/1918 p 8
Welcome Trench Comforts
The central committee in Adelaide has received the following cable message from the Chief Commissioner of the Australian Comforts Fund in London:- Major Kinnish, of the 13rd Battalion South Australia writes:-“The supplies of cocoa and milk and Tommy cookers were a Godsend to our men in the trenches. The men on guard at the most advanced posts are enabled to make hot drinks day and night. Tell the Australian subscribers what this means to men moving in wet and muddy conditions.”
25/4/1918 p 6
ANZAC DAY.
This is Anzac Day-a day on which, with a thrill of pride, every Australian recalls to memory one of the most wonderful stories of gallantry on record. Under no flag has greater valour been shown than vas exhibited on that memorable Sunday morning, three years ago, when the Australians and New Zealanders were flung on the open beach of Gaba Tepi under the cliffs, where thousands of Turks, equipped with field guns and ‘machine gun, were awaiting them in trenches and behind entanglements. As to what followed probably the historian, with nil the knowledge that may be available hereafter, will fail to improve on Mr. Masefield’s judgment, that the Anzacs proved more than equal to “one of the greatest tests, of fortitude and endurance to which any force can be subjected.” As an example of reckless heroism, the assault on the rugged, frowning hills, bristling with guns and bayonets, would stir the imagination of the reader, whatever his nationality, but it is flattering to his pride when the story is told of his own countrymen.
29/4/1918 p 7
WOMEN AND THE WAR CRISIS: ENTHUSIASTIC MASS MEETING: HOMAGE TO THE BRAVE.
For the Troops in Egypt and Palestine.
…”The women of South Australia, realising the gravity of the present crisis on the Western front, have assembled to send a message to the men in France. They desired at the same time to express to the officers and men of the Australian Expeditionary Force in Egypt and Palestine the same unbounded admiration, gratitude, and respect. Proud of the fortitude, valour, and courage of the troops, they rejoice in being able to offer them their enthusiastic congratulations for the success which has crowned their advance. The women resolve to spare no effort, to be worthy of the sacrifice of the heroic dead and of the highest standard of the soldiers of the Commonwealth.”
