GNOWANGERUP R.S.L. SUB BRANCH

The Gnowangerup RSL Sub Branch was formed in 1919, the Charter granted on 22nd February 1919.

The local RSL provided social and practical contact and support for returned soldiers and raised funds for state and local charities. Some of the many interesting activities are as follows:

Returned Soldiers The RSL assisted farmers who were returned soldiers with matters to do with the State Land Committee Agricultural Bank. The Pallinup Soldier Settlers were helped in pursuing re-valuation for their blocks of land, effectively reducing their loan repayments. Members travelled to other Sub Branches such as Wagin, Ongerup, Tambellup, Cranbrook, Borden and Katanning for meetings.

The Gnowangerup Volunteer Defence Corps (1940-1945) was particularly strong (refer to item “The Gnowangerup Defence Corps). Over 200 members were recruited from the local district, and trained every Sunday morning from July 1940 until 1945.

The Echo (1934-39) This was a 4 to 8 page A5 magazine produced and printed by Augustus Walker owner of The Gnowangerup Star. It contained news and other items relevant to the returned soldiers, including editorials, RSL reports, sub-branch notes, sports results, profiles on ex-servicemen, obituaries, letters and comments as well as advertisements for local businesses. The Echo was published from November 1934 until just after the commencement of World War II, the last copy printed on November 20, 1939. The main reason was that The Echo ‘was not paying its way’; the shrinking world economy meant people were struggling to cover all but absolute necessities. In addition the War also built pressure to keep any military related information closely guarded.

The Newdegate Cup – Before leaving Western Australia, Sir Francis Newdegate presented a silver cup to the R.S.L. The executive at that time decided that the cup should be for annual competition among sub-branches of the League for the best work done in fulfilment of the League's objectives-such as amelioration and relief, employment, social efforts and Anzac and Armistice Day commemoration. Gnowangerup was awarded the cup twice.

The War Gift Shop – Organised by R.B. Davies, it raised 151 pounds in 1941 for the war effort.

The Ugly Man Competition – a fund raiser, ladies paid a sum of money to cast votes for the ‘Ugliest Man’.

The Annual Rifle Competition – between the RSL and the local Rifle Club

Sports Days - The RSL organised members into teams to play cricket, golf, against other local and district teams. Notes from these games are quite amusing. In reference to a golf match against Borden “We would have published the scores but Sam Stewart conveniently lost them”. This included “The Diggers Cup” Golf Day, and the Annual Golf Afternoon which awarded 2 RSL trophies plus  the Cockram Cup for best nett score and the Wilkinson Trophy for the best gross score.

The Pension Club – assisting members with forms and correspondence.

The Amelioration Fund was set up to assist men who had returned from war and may be sick or in some other kind of need. One donation in 1938 was made to Katanning for their new St John’s Ambulance service.

Collections of Digger Publications, Photos and Prints – purchased by members and donated to the RSL, still hanging in the Memorial Hall. Publications included “Queensland Digger” and “Reveille”. In 1939 Albert Freegard presented a framed photograph of the Australian War Memorial at Villers Bretonneux, which was unveiled in 1938 and at which ceremony Albert was a member of the Guard of Honour.

Tree Planting – ‘Memorial Avenue’ often referred to as ‘Honour Avenue.’ The avenue was planted with sugar gums commencing on July 11, 1937. Fund raising was conducted to erect name plates. The initial planting was not very successful but in April 1938 Mr Norman Skewes moved to Gnowangerup from Armadale where he had been a member of the RSL and responsible for planting the trees at Armadale Memorial Park. As an orchardist of some note, he was able to achieve success with subsequent plantings of a double row of marlocks and sugar gums. Harold Paynter broke up the ground before planting with his tractor.

The War Memorial – Funds raised by various means including the Debutantes Balls in 1947 and 48. It was erected in 1948 and officially opened on Anzac Day 1949.

The Re-Union Concert – a fund raiser, usually a one act play. In 1937 in a play titled ‘----‘ Claude Gillespie played Phyllis, Claude Cockram played the hero, Sam Stewart the detective, W. Adshead the villain, Gus Brown the Bank Manager and Jim Lauristan the clergyman.

Guard of Honour – RSL members formed a guard of honour at ex-servicemen’s funerals. Gun salutes were given, poppies dropped into the grave and a bugler played.

The State Aged Soldiers and Sailors Fund – supported them by donating funds raised on Armistice Day

The Medical Committee – liaised with the Hospital Board and the doctor to provide reduced fees and improved conditions for ex-servicemen: many suffered from ill health related to their war service.

Press Committee – released items to be printed in the local and other publications. Alan Harris, Leo Treasure and others wrote items and letters for “Diggers Corner” in the Western Mail.

Others: The Burnt Out Soldiers Fund and the Social and Reunion Committee

Fire Fighting – The members were ‘on call’ during the summer months. On at least two occasions training on Sundays for the VDC was cancelled as members raced to the scene of a fire.

Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area.

References:                 Article:      Research by Merilyn Stewart

                                  Image:     

Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2023