BOX HILL WATTLE CLUB’S HONOR
ROLL.
The Wattle hall, Box Hill, was filled to overflowing on Saturday evening, August 19, the occasion being the unveiling of the honor roll in recognition of those members of the club who had donned the uniform for King and country. A very happy evening was spent by the large gathering, the time being most pleasantly occupied with a first class musical programme and interesting speeches. After the proceedings had opened with the singing of the National Anthem, the popular club president (Mr. E. W. Greenwood) introduced to those present Cr. H. E. Davis, president of the Nunawading shire council, who acted as chairman.
A couple of harmony items were then rendered, whereupon Mr. Greenwood read the names of the 44 members who had enlisted. He said there were very few remaining eligible who had not been refused by the military authorities. Those young fellows had gone out to do their duty, and the assemblage had met together that evening to honor them. The list was as follows : Captain F. H. Berryman, W. Berryman, G. Butler, L. Baker, J. Bretherton (who was back in the firing line after being four times wounded), A. Chapman, W. Crosbie, P. Crawford, B. Daizell, C. Dannock, O. A. Friedrich, A. B. Fisher, B.A., R. E. Gouge, O. Griffiths, R Garrett, Sergeant H. F. Hillier (killed in action), Lieutenant W. L. Hawkins, A. Hutchinson, S. Jones (severely wounded), J. H. Maddocks, S. Mullens (wounded), J. McMillan, C. Nicholson, L. E. Payne T. A. O. Phipps. A. Polglase, Lieut. F. O. Rogers (wounded), P. H. Roberts, N. T. Swindon, W. Savory, N. T. Talbett (killed in action), W. H. Talbett, G. Thompson, W. J. Hevaskis, A. Tapson (wounded), E. D. Wood, D.C.M. (wounded), G. E. Watkins, P. F. Watkins, F. Yeadon, R. Young, L. Young, D. W. Young, Henry Russell, and H. Coventry.
Mr. Greenwood added that Mrs. Bretherton had no fewer than four sons at the front.
The chairman read a letter from Mr. Bob S. Carter, an ex-secretary of the club, stating he had been appointed Y.M.C.A. secretary on a troopship. At this stage Cr. Davis introduced Mrs. Greenwood, wife of the president, to unveil the photo honor-roll, which ceremony she performed in a few well-chosen words, expressing her pride at the action of the boys who had gone forth to fight for the empire, Australia, and for our hearths and homes. The audience then rose and joined in singing “God bless our splendid men most enthusiastically. The roll is rather a unique one, inasmuch as it contains the photographs of the majority of the members on active service, and the remainder will be added when forthcoming. These are grouped together in four enlarged pictures, which adorn the wall above the stage. Sir Robert Best. M.H.R., next gave a stirring address on the war generally, and eulogised the mothers of those boys in yielding to the call of country, who with great courage and nobility of character not discernible on the surface staved off the wrench of the parting from them in order that their sons may do their duty in the defence of the empire and Australia. Lieutenant W. L. Hawkins expressed appreciation, in a neat speech, on behalf of the lads who had enlisted, for the manner in which their action had been recognised that night. The musical items, which interspersed the proceedings, were excellently received. Mrs. Shaw sang with good effect “Keep the camp fires burning,” the audience joining in the chorus. Mr. Arthur Prince sang “The Veteran’s Song” in good voice, and for an encore “Rose of my heart.” “The Wattle Hymn,” a parody on a popular song, composed by Lieutenant Hawkins, and rendered by Messrs. T. Marshall, L. Weihen, L. Prior, and H. Hawkins, earned loud applause, and several verses had to be repeated in response to the approbation which greeted its production. The Box Hill male choir, under the conductorship of Mr. J. E. Payne, gave two concerted numbers in fine style, the evergreen part song, “Who killed Cock Robin, being particularly popular with the audience.
A visiting vocalist, Mr. Hickey, who displayed a beautiful teno. voice, quickly found favor. He rendered “An Evening Song” perfectly, and for an encore gave “Mary.” Later on the gathering was treated to two more splendid contributions by Mr. Hickey in “Take a pair of sparkling eyes,” and “Mother Machree.” Miss Palamountain played the piano-forte accompaniments in her usual efficient manner. A vote of thanks to the speakers and all who had contributed to the success of the function was moved by Cr. H. H. Hatfield, seconded by Cr. W. Redman, supported by Cr. Roughton, and carried by acclamation. An enjoyable evening then terminated with “God Save the King.”
