100 years ago this week - Iona citizens support the War effort

It's always interesting to read local newspapers and see how they either make or report pronouncements on international matters. This report looks at the meeting of Iona citizens held around the anniversary of the declaration on the Great War. The meeting was held in Columba Hall, the hall at the Iona Catholic Church.

Meeting of Iona residents

Bunyip Free Press August 19,  1915

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129630757 

IONA.
The recent recruiting meeting held in Columba Hall was very largely attended. Cr. Carney (President of Berwick Shire) occupied the chair, and apologised for the absence of Mr. W. S. Keast, M.L.A., who had to preside at a meeting at Dandenong. When Cr. Carney took the chair the audience rose and sang the National Anthem. The chairman moved the following motion -

"On the anniversary of declaration of war, this meeting of the Iona citizens records its inflexible determination to continue to a vigorous end the struggle in maintenance of those ideals of liberty and justice which are the common and sacred cause of the Allies."

The motion was seconded and supported by Rev. Father McNamara and Mr. Minton, and on being put to the meeting was carried by acclamation. The Iona Brass Band (under Band master Legg) rendered a number of patriotic selections. The meeting closed with votes of thanks, ringing cheers for the Allies and Australian troops, and a cheer for the chairman.

Frank and Alf Weatherhead

In honour of Remembrance Day, I am posting photographs of my two Great Uncles who served in the First World War. They are the sons of Horatio and Eleanor Weatherhead and the brothers of my grandma, Eva Rouse.  

This is Frank Thomas Weatherhead (June 8, 1893 - September 9, 1970). Frank enlisted on September 22, 1915; served in France and was discharged on April 13, 1919. When he returned he operated a saw mill at North Tynong and was later on a farm at Vervale and Cora Lynn. He married Alice Burleigh on May 2, 1923 and they had two children John (b. 1924 and died 1925) and Betty, born 1927 who married Alec Glasson.

This is Alfred Herbert Weatherhead (September 20, 1895 - May 3, 1976) . Alf enlisted on February 13, 1915; served mainly in France and was discharged June 29, 1919. Alf suffered from shell shock after the war, operated a saw mill at North Tynong and lived for  a time at Morwell.

Dad has good memories of both Frank and Alf; he saw Frank frequently as they lived close and Alf used to come and stay at Grandmas.