Toowoomba
20–22 November 1915
Intersection Ruthven and Margaret Streets, Toowoomba
Crowds welcomed the Dungarees as they marched from Harristown along Drayton Road into West Street and then past the hospital in James Street on 20 November 1915. The matron, nurses and as many patients as were able, came out to wave them on.
A rally was held at the intersection of Ruthven and Margaret Streets with speeches from a range of military and political leaders. Toowoomba was praised for the 2000 young men who had volunteered since the end of July—almost 10% of the population at the time. Perhaps ironically, this was the site that the Toowoomba Mother’s Memorial was installed after the war.
The rally at this intersection included the ceremonial unfurling of the Gallipoli Flag carried by the Stanthorpe contingent. Sergeant Day explained how he had been wounded there, but was keen to get back.
The men marched on to the showgrounds where they camped.
In the evening further short speeches were made at the Elite and the Empire picture theatres before the entertainment began. On Sunday morning 21 November 1915, the Dungarees participated in a church parade before being entertained by a band recital in the Botanic Gardens.
Recruits
- Malone, Patrick #3956
- McMillan, Robert Edwin #14500
- Moore, William Pierson #9458
- Stower, Matthew George #39325
- Wilkin, Charles #740
- Nominated but not enlisted - Ball, G; Jeffreys, W; McMahon, R
Further men from Toowoomba and other towns to the west joined up during this weekend, but it is unclear if they accompanied the Dungaree march to Brisbane. They were:
- Aldridge, Vincent Manly #506A
- Ayre, Alfred Henry #802
- Brewster, Edward Viro #529
- Caithness, Alexander Thomas #5367
- Cuthbert, Francis Robert #534
- Keenan, James Bernard #2053
- Mellor, Basil William #7102
- Peacock, John Clarence #502
- Richardson, Joe #505
- Wells, William #252
- Wilkie, John #249
- Wilkin, Charles #740
