Ipswich – St Paul’s Anglican Church and Town Hall
26–28 November 1915
On the afternoon of 26 November 1915, Ipswich shops and businesses were gaily decorated and closed to allow employees to participate in welcoming the Dungarees.
Men from the North Ipswich Rail Workshops Complex had joined in too. A platform was erected in the grounds of St Paul’s Church on which ladies of the Patriotic Committee were seated along with local school children. Lieutenant Binnie was pleasantly surprised to find his wife and little daughter Myrra seated amongst the ladies. The school children sang patriotic songs and further speeches were made.
The men made their way to the Drill Shed in Queens Park to camp for the night. Rain caused the cancellation of a street parade that night, but a recruitment meeting proceeded and a further 44 men were sworn in.
On Saturday 27 November 1915 the men were given the freedom of the city, including a swim in the public baths. A church parade was held on Sunday 28 November 1915 followed by a band recital in Queens Park.
Eight men who were recruited in Ipswich chose to take the train to Brisbane rather than join in the march.
The following morning, the Dungarees marched out of town over Limestone Hill enabling the students from Girls Grammar School to bid them a final farewell.
Recruits
Walloon:
- Smith, Leslie #3839
Ipswich:
- Adams, Roderick #1966
- Arndt, Harry #2866—enlistment delayed for dental work
- Aylott, Frederick Charles (Military Medal) #17
- Aylott, Herbert #1999
- Booth, John Joseph #593—enlistment delayed until May
- Boulton, Edward #52
- Bullock, Joe
- Butson, Ernest William #21182
- Edwards, William James #10504
- Fullelove, Eric #13993
- Isler, Robert #3955
- Little, Albert #1521
- Little, Robert #1166
- Marsh, Sydney #4503
- Skillen, William #275
Nominated but not enlisted: Harold, William; Llewellyn, Llewellyn; Robinson, Sydney; Rossiter, Percy
