Cudgegong Valley History Project

ULAN HEROES.

The Ulan Hall was packed to overflowing on Saturday last, the occasion being a farewell dance tendered to Messrs. Claude and John Carr, sons of Mr. William Carr, and Arthur and George, sons of the late Mr. George Carr, of Murragamba, near Ulan. Mr. W. D. James was in the chair, and explained the object of the gathering, which, he considered, by the number present, was proof of the respect in which the young men were held. They had lived in the district all their lives, and their past was unblemished. They had decided to go forward and fight for the honor of the British ration and our women and children, and any man who was capable should volunteer, for their services were required in the Allies' cause. And, no matter where their lot was cast, they would always look to Australia as their home. Mr. J. Workman said it was a pleasure indeed to say farewell to the four young men. The number in the hall testified to the esteem and respect in which the young fellows were held by the community. He was proud to stand alongside of the four young men of Ulan who had heard the call of their King and Country, and were going to fight for those who remained at home. No thing man or woman could do was too great for these young men, who were prepared to lay down their lives if need be. Those who had gone before had made a name for Australia that would never die, and these young men were going to uphold that name. He hoped they would have an enjoyable trip, and when they landed on the other side he hoped peace would have been declared, but, if not, he was quite sure they would do their duty in the trenches, and, when they returned, they would be met with outstretched hands and told they had done their duty. (Applause) If they never leave our shores they have done their duty. Mr. G. F. Oram said he was proud to bid farewell to the four boys. After eighteen months' war with Germany we stand as proud and defiant as ever, and were proud of the khaki men of Australia who so ably assisted Britain to keep the flag flying. Britishers never came out with dishonor, and he was proud to shake hands with the four Ulan natives. Ulan had sent men before, who had done honor and deeds of daring. One man had fought at Gallipoli. It was our bounden duty to do all we could for the men in khaki at home. Britain always fought for the weak, for Belgium, for Servia, and the downtrodden. England need not have entered the war, but fought for the oppressed and the weak, and stood on their side against brutality and gas. She always refused to go outside legitimate fighting tactics, and she was never sullied with cowardice. The Australian flag at Anzac would never die. The day would dawn when the flag would float on Gaba Tepe and Gallipoli, and those whom they were farewelling were the boys who would do it. When they came back, which they hoped, to home and mother, a greater welcome would be extended to them. He was proud to be British and was pleased to be at Ulan to wish the lads a safe journey over and home again. Mr. Carmichael said he felt proud to be able to bid farewell to his comrades, as he called them. He was too old to go to the front; they wanted youth. Claude Carr belonged to the same regiment as he had done, and he was always a man and a good soldier, being one of the most obliging men he had ever seen in a camp. And he was sure the others were of the game class. They had always retained a good name, and he was pleased to wish them a safe voyage over, and return in the best of health in a short time. Mr. Howarth was also proud to assist in farewelling the young soldiers, and could endorse the sentiments of the other speakers. We had our little bit to do to keep the wheels of industry and commerce working. We read of strikes in all kinds of works, which was a sad state of affairs. Soldiers had written from the trenches that strikes would be assisting the enemy. They, the soldiers, had to work 20 hours out of 24. He wished them God speed, safe journey, and return, and assured them that when they returned they would do things on a better scale. Mr. Loy then made presentations to Privates John, Arthur and George of a fountain pen from the residents of the district and a writing pad from Mr. Cooke, of Ulan (Claude having been farewelled previously). He said it afforded him great pleasure to make the presentations to the Carr boys, whom he had known all their lives as straight forward and manly young men. And he wished them a safe journey and return to Ulan. Mr. Arthur Carr responded on behalf of himself and comrades, and thanked them all for their kind expressions and presents. He hoped the war would be over before they got to the front for one Reason, viz., too many thousands of lives had been sacrificed by a cruel and forced war. He thanked them all for the farewell. "For They are Jolly Good Fellows," three cheers for the Allies, and the National Anthem closed the proceedings.