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Researching WW1 diggers and nurses

from Sunshine Coast region of Queensland


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2014 was the centenary year of Australia's first deployment of soldiers to Europe to fight in the First World War.

The purpose of the Adopt a Digger Project is to commemorate the centenary by honouring the men and women from the (current) Sunshine Coast region of South-east Queensland who fought in World War One either with the Army, Navy or Airforce. Criteria for a soldier's inclusion is either that he was born in the district, or his next-of-kin was resident in the district, or he enlisted in the district or he is commemorated on a local honour board or memorial. This same criteria applies to our nurses. Since the inception of the project we have decided to include the settlers who took up land at Beerburrum Soldier Settlement from 1916 as the Settlement is such a significant piece of the region's WW1 history. Our criteria dates are 1914 to 1925.

The aim of this website is to create a database which records each soldier's WW1 military history and a brief personal history. This database will be a valuable source of reference for historians, researchers, descendants and school students, and will be a significant contribution to the social and historical military records of Australia, and particularly the  Sunshine Coast region.

We held an exhibition in April 2015 to commemorate the Anzac Centenary and to remember and honour "our boys".

diggertimes-p00437.015EUMUNDI
30.11.1918

Wounded. Private J. Robinson who was sometime ago reported wounded whilst with the A.I.F in France, has been invalided home and arrived here early this week. He received a cordial welcome from a number of his friends here. He is wounded in the leg and can only get about with the aid of a stick. 

Returned Soldiers. On Wednesday Driver F.G Ballinger, a returned Anzac and son of Mr. Ballinger of Eumundi and ?? Robinson were welcomed by a number of Eumundians, Mr.G.H. Cooke on behalf of the residents tendering them a very warm welcome home. Driver Ballinger’s father suitably replied for his son. Private Robinson enlisted at the same time as his friend, and during the 4½ years were always together, being at the landing at Gallipoli with the second Light Horse and with General Allenby in Palestine. They speak in high terms of their treatment since returning.

COORAN
11.01.1919

Mr. and Mrs. J.McIlwraith of Cooran have received word from their son Corporal W.J.McIlwraith that he is now at Metz, after a 100 mile march. He is in good health and tells of many experiences of his march to Germany.

25.01.1919

Returning. Word has been received at Kin Kin that Mr. Dixon’s five sons, who

enlisted with the A.I.F and have been on the front, are all returning. Two of them were wounded.

COOROY
25.01.1919

Memorial Meeting. A Public meeting is being held on Saturday to devise a scheme for erecting a permanent memorial to Cooroy district soldiers who took part in the Great War.

Private Alex Crabbe, a well known dairyman here has been returned home after being severely wounded. A warm welcome awaits him when he comes to Cooroy. At present, he is on a visit to his brother, Mr. George Crabbe of Red Hill, Gympie.

NOOSA
11.01.1919

New Years Holiday. Mr. A.P Corrie, an original Anzac showed his magic lantern slides and gave his war lecture. Mrs. Donovan placed at his disposal the dining hall which seats 100 and it was full. The audience listened in rapt attention to a graphic account of Anzac, illustrated by lantern slides taken in Gallipoli by the lecturer. The famous evacuation, of which so little is known in detail was explained. Pictures of bivouacs on Sinai’s awful desert and explanations about the food and water problem there showed what the Light Horse endured on the shadeless sands, with

temperatures at 125 in the shade. The Palestine campaign was also set forth.

POMONA
22.2.1919

Returning soldiers. A number of soldiers from Pomona are returning home. On Friday night last Private S.McConnell returned. He was met at the Pomona railway station and given a rousing reception. Private W. M. James returned on Wednesday. Sergeant S. Baker M.M., Corporal C. W. Taylor and Lance Corporal W. Hose are due to return shortly. Arrangements are being made by the returned soldiers’ entertainment committee to give them a fitting reception at a future date.

Soldiers’ Settlement. Mr. J. Rose, the superintendent of the soldiers’ settlement at Beerburrum, visited Pomona on Wednesday and called at the Shire office for the purpose of seeing what land is suitable for soldier settlement fruit growing. He was shown by Mr. Edwards on the maps suitable areas including the tablelands.

COOROY
5.04.1919

Personal. Word has been received by Mrs. Leo Schmidt that her husband who at the outbreak of war proceeded to France with his brother Gustave and joined the French colours will shortly be returning home. His brother was killed in Mesopotamia.