Poem from the Somme 1917

On 11 November 1918, the guns of the Western Front fell silent after four years of continuous warfare. This conflict had mobilised more than 70 million people and left between nine and 13 million dead.  Today, the loss of Australian lives from all wars and conflicts is commemorated on Remembrance Day.

This poem was written just before going into the firing line on the Somme in 1917 by the “Coolum Anzac”, J Jolly.

           FAREWELL

           I picture clear those grand pines growing

           Towering mystic to the sky

           Through long leaves the wind is blowing

           Rustling through the branches high.

           Dewdrops on the wattles glistening

Bejewel the gold of each bright ball

Hark, I strain my ears and listening

Hear afar the coach whip's call

Other songbirds sweetly singing

Mid fragrant blossoms and flowers fair

O'er embankments climbing, clinging

Exhaling perfume everywhere

I see well too yon sweeping landscape

Though with closed eyes, I dream and sigh

For soon my farewell must I take

And bid these all a long goodbye

Farewell, my native land, farewell

An if I see thee never more

No other mortal tongue shall tell

What reverent love to thee I bore

To all loved ones I breathe goodbye

We know not who go forth to fall

Regrets are futile, do not sigh

For God is watching over all.

Lest we forget

Thanks to Sunshine Coast Council’s Heritage Library Officers for the words and Picture Sunshine Coast for the images.

BP0163 – William Fraser in Royal Flying Corps uniform. He left for France on 18 August 1916 serving with the 7th Squadron. William was shot down over Gommercourt in France on 25 October 1916.

M866190 - David McGilchrist was born in Brisbane 1 April 1893, the son John McGilchrist of Eudlo. A farmer by trade, David enlisted for Service Abroad with the Australian Military Forces on 27 December 1915,

M867917 – Frank Alton Morrison Jnr from the Hunchy-Palmwoods district in military uniform, ca 1914. Frank enlisted for service on 17 November 1914 aged 24 years. He served as a Private with the Light Horse Brigade, 5 Light Horse Regiment, 1st Reinforcements and departed for overseas service on 19 December 1914.

M867289 – Queensland Patriotic Day poster, 28 August 1915. Celebrations for Patriotic Day were held by every District in the State and every section of the community as a fundraiser for the relief, or assistance of the officers and soldiers engaged in the War. Townships in the Maroochy and Landsborough Shires organised various events to mark the 28th August as Queensland's Patriotic Day, while the main Maroochy Shire celebrations were held on the Maroochy River with a combined sports, tea, concert and dance at the School of Arts.

M865991 – World War One souvenir postcard from Tom Tripcony of Caloundra, ca 1917.

P88126 –Float in the shape of HMAS Sydney participating in the Maleny street parade on Armistice Day, November 1919.

M867778 – Thomas Prentis in military uniform, ca 1918. Thomas was a farmer on Petrie Creek via Yandina and enlisted in Nambour for service with the Australian Military Forces on 15 March1918, aged 21 years. He served as a Private with the 3rd GS Rifles, 9th Infantry Battalion and arrived in England on 10 July 1918. He was hospitalised on 28 January 1919 while serving in France and returned to Australia on 23 July 1919. He was discharged from the AIF on 5 October 1919.

P88125 – World War I Armistice Day gathering in Maple Street, Maleny, 11 November 1919.