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WAGGA WAGGA
KANGAROO MARCH
1915
In late 1915 and early 1916 recruitment marches were held across
the country. The longest march in NSW and QLD was the
Kangaroo March which began on 1 December 1915.
Eighty eight Wagga Wagga men volunteered - most in their early 20s.
By the time the men reached the outskirts of Sydney there was over
200 in all. they marched with rousing cheer, stirring music and
sustenance support from townsfolk along the way to Harefield,
Junee, Illabo, Bethungra, Cootamundra and Wallendbeen.
At Wallendbeen on December 9th, they were addressed by the
Governor-General of Australia. The March continued to
Murrumburrah then Harden, through Galong, Binalong and Browning
to Yass, averaging 8.8 miles per day before finishing at
Campbelltown where the Kangaroo recruits went by train into
Sydney so as to retain the country contingent.
The March captivated the early war years sentiment of the times.
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