Moree ANZACs book launch November 4
A definitive account of the stories behind Moree and district’s ANZAC legends has been lovingly compiled by Moree and District Historical Society.
The magnificent book, Moree’s ANZACs Vol II, will be launched at 10am on Wednesday, November 4 at the old Moree Lands Office on Frome Street – the society’s new headquarters and soon-to-be historical museum.
The incredibly researched book – a follow-up to Moree’s ANZACs Vol I – includes the fascinating stories of 60 soldiers who enlisted from January, 1916 until the signing of the armistice at 11am on November 11, 1918.
Included are the stories of two soldiers who were missed in volume one, men who came from the district and were killed in action at Gallipoli, as well as two nurses who were also missed in the first edition.
Moree and District Historical Society’s passionate project co-ordinator Michael McNamara said the second edition also contains a memory card with the stories of 940 soldiers.
“There are also 320 extra photos, found during research, which would not fit into the book and these are on the memory card as well,” Mr McNamara said.
“In 1914, the district had a population of close to 4000 people, and nearly 1800 men and women enlisted for duty.
“Two-hundred-and-fifty-four men paid the supreme sacrifice and one nurse died in 1919 from the Spanish Flu and is counted as a war casualty as she was on her way to England to nurse wounded soldiers on their return to Australia,” he said.
During research for both books, members found the names of 31 Moree and district soldiers killed at Gallipoli.
“Of these 31 soldiers, previously only 24 soldiers were attributed as coming from the area,” Mr McNamara said.
Moree and District soldiers were awarded many medals for bravery: 13 Military Crosses and two Bars to the Cross; 42 Military Medals, two with Bars; six Distinguished Conduct Medals; one Distinguished Flying Cross; four Meritorious Service Awards; two Mention in Dispatches; and two Foreign Government Awards for Bravery.
“Our brave nurses were not forgotten, with one Red Cross 2nd Class Medal awarded,” Mr McNamara said.
“If anyone is seeking information about a relative who served in World War I, we can help find information as the society has one of the most comprehensive lists of the men and women from the district who enlisted,” Mr McNamara said.
Moree and District Historical Society can be contacted at mdhsmoree@hotmail.com.
