3rd June 1916

At daybreak, on 3th June 1916, John and Sandy McCullough marched from Enoggera Army Camp with the 42nd Battalion to board a train for Sydney. The Battalion travelled by train to Sydney in three trains, travelling through Toowoomba, and arriving in Sydney at 5.30 the next afternoon.

The arrival of troop trains in towns along the way were an opportunity for people to farewell the soldiers and show support. The papers advertised the timetable, urging people to “avail themselves the opportunity to say a final goodbye”.

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Toowoomba turned out in great numbers (reportedly 2000 people) as the 42nd passed through in their 3-train convoy. It was a big event, with soldiers being provided with refreshments and gifts whilst the train was in the station, and the pipe band playing for the assembled crowd.

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2 thoughts on “3rd June 1916

    1. I assumed they went by train, because in the book about the 42nd Battalion (“Spirit of the 42nd” by Vivian Brahms, 1938), it states: “at daybreak on June 3rd 1916, the 42nd Battalion marched out of Thompson’s Paddock to the railway station at Enoggera Rifle Range. Thence it proceeded, in three trains, to Sydney, where it arrived at 5:30 pm the next day.”
      There’s also a newspaper article (The Telegraph, June 6th 1916, page 3) which describes Sunday School Picnics for the King’s Birthday, mentioning that the troop trains passed through Graceville. It says: “The St Andrew’s Indooroopilly Church of England Sunday School, which usually holds its annual picnic at Sandgate, decided to economise this year, and march to Graceville instead. A short service was held in the Parish hall, and at 9:30 the scholars left for the picnic ground, on the way to which they lined up, and heartily cheered members of the 42nd Battalion as they passed in a troop train.
      Was your G/Uncle David Guy in the 42nd? I found a picture of the Dungarees at South Brisbane Baths which you may already have. It’s very poor quality unfortunately – I’ll send it by email.

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