Hotspur Avenue of Honour (WW1)

The Call

SHORTLY after hostilities had commenced in Europe, and the cry of the Motherland came ringing across the seas, many of the lads of Hotspur and district responded to the call, and left their native town and shores, prepared and keen to do "their bit", whatever the cost.

Strangers to war and its horrors, yet as lovers of freedom and liberty, they have blazoned their name on history's page, in deeds that will outlive time.

Of many have been demanded the gifts they offered - their lives - their all.

Of these, we can only say, "the glory dies not, and the pain is past," and give ear to their final message :

"Take up our quarrel with the foe,
To you, from falling hands we throw
The torch; Be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
On Flander's Fields"

The Avenue

OUT of a sense of deep gratitude towards those brave men and patriots, who have suffered their all, that our names may live through time in our country's story, the local people have decided, that no more fitting memorial could be raised than an avenue of Australian trees - living monuments to the memory of the great sacrifices made by our gallant soldiers in this Great War.

The planting took place on Wednesday, 2nd June, 1918, in the presence of a large number of relatives and friends of the absent lads.

At 2 o'clock p.m., Mr. A. Moore, Chairman of the Avenue Committee, welcomed the visitors, and the National Anthem was sung.

Cr. S. H. Malseed spoke a few words of appreciation in regard to our soldiers, and the planting ceremony commenced.

At its conclusion, all present adjourned to the school-room, where suitable addresses were given by Cr. S. H. Malseed, Mr. Percy Malseed, Ex-Signaller J. R. McPherson, Cpl. J. Hipworth, and patriotic choruses and recitations were rendered.

Later, a sumptuous dinner was served in the Mechanics Hall, by the local ladies.

The Australian

The bugles of the Motherland,
Rang ceaselessly across the sea,
To call him and his lean, brown band,
To shape Imperial destiny ;
He went, by youth's grave purpose willed,
The goal unknown, the cost unweighed,
The promise of his blood fulfilled-
"The bravest thing God ever made !"

W. H. Ogilvie.