Headed by steel-helmeted despatch riders
and a Bren gun carrier, nearly 1,000
A.I.F. men from the Bathurst military
camp made a triumphant entry into Orange
yesterday afternoon, to the
accompaniment of cheering from densely
crowded and beflagged streets.
It
was the greatest military demonstration
ever staged in Orange. More than 10,000
people paid tribute to the tough, young
fighting men who that day had carried
out manoeuvres in full battle dress.
They had come across country, from
Blayney, where they had camped the
previous night.
From the assembly point, beyond the
railway yards, the soldiers
THEY
TALKED ABOUT THESE . .
That band! How
everyone in Orange praised those A.I.F.
musicians who played the men into town
yesterday.
It was wonderful . .
. especially when the strains of
"Waltzing Matilda" echoed through Summer
Street.
"Did you have
afternoon tea?" one Digger was asked.
"Yes, it was grand.
It made me feel homesick."
The Orange police
force was paid high tributes by the
mayor, and officers. Inspector Kemp was
personally thanked for his co-operation,
and was asked to convey appreciation to
his men. They did a fine job . . .
with courtesy and a smile.
marched along
Forest road, Peisley
Street, and swung into Summer Street.
As
they headed west, their band - and what
a wonderful combination it
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was -
played music that stirred the thousands
who marked every step of the khaki-clad
men.
And behind
them came huge military vehicles.
At the
Robertson Park saluting base, the mayor
(Dr. Matthews) took the salute. Standing
beside him was Col. Max Shepherd.
Thousands
of eyes were turned to the base as the
men swung by. Cheers echoed in the
pulsating streets, while from buildings
fluttered gaily-colored flags.
From
countless windows, on the awnings over
the footpaths, stood groups of people.
Every vantage point was taken.
And, as
they came on and on, foot-falls of those
sun-tanned young Australians seemed to
echo a prayer in the hearts of those who
watched.
There was
snap, perfect military precision in
their marching. There was strength,
determination and courage personified.
The men
were scheduled to arrive here at 2.30.
They were here, and the last vehicle
passed the Anson and Summer Streets
intersection as the town clock struck
three.
By that
time, hundreds of men had swung along,
between the thousands of people, and
their vehicles, had manoeuvred for
arrival at the various billets.
On arrival
at their destination, the A.I.F. men
were escorted to their billets by
members of the Orange Volunteer Defence
Corps. There they were met by committees
of ladies, who had prepared for them
afternoon tea.
From the
moment they had had refreshments, Orange
was theirs.
Orange
people gave up their town for the men
who had inspired admiration by their
wonderful display that afternoon.
The A.I.F.
men stayed in Orange overnight, and this
morning at 9 o'clock will assemble at
Summer and Hill Streets intersection for
their return to Bathurst.
With their
band leading, the marchers will head
east and cross the railway line.
The mayor
introduced Col. Galleghan to the
committees of ladies who had prepared
afternoon tea, and he paid them high
tribute for their manner of reception of
the men.
"Orange has
been wonderful. We shall never forget
this town or it's people," added Col.
Galleghan.
Brigadier
Marshall was also here, but did not
arrive until later in the afternoon.
"I want to
give high praise to the people of
Orange. Their response has been
magnificent," said the mayor. "I am
appreciative of the manner in which they
cooperated with the police in keeping a
route |
As the
khaki ranks swung past the Forest
Road petrol depots and down into
Peisley Street, many people, from
cars and nearby residences, watched
them.
Momentarily, there was no cheering,
no clapping - but a glance along the
line of spectators revealed serious
faces, and some moist eyes, as the
watchers no doubt realised that this
was no manoeuvre, but a movement
designed to strengthen those lads
for the strenuous and dangerous days
ahead.
And, as
the last of them passed along, a
thin whispering sigh was heard, as
someone murmured: "The pity of it."
clear for
the marchers. To the ladies I tender my
deepest appreciation, and those
sentiments also apply to the work of the
V.D.C. In fact, everyone who associated
themselves with the movement worked so
splendidly that Orange gave a welcome of
which I, as Mayor am justly proud."
Diggers who
made themselves known were Drivers
Turick, Muspraft, Crooks, W.F. Crofts,
Gardiner, and Roberson.
Snow
battles were staged in Orange streets
last night by men of the A.I.F. who
marched from Bathurst into town
yesterday afternoon.
A truckload
of frozen snow, from the slopes of Mount
Canobolas, was dumped in small heaps at
several; sections of the streets.
Snowballs
whizzed in may directions.
People
stood in the streets and watched the men
at play. Stray snowballs hit some of the
spectators, but everyone joined in the
fun.
Two
officers of the Orange police force had
narrow escapes from flying snow.
"It was all
fun. The men were a well- behaved lot,"
declared one of the policemen. |