Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

'DISTRICT NEWS.

Barellan. Welcome to Returned Soldiers.

Lieutenant Harold Tooth was welcomed back lo the district at a social evening held at Mr. Dave Thomas' homestead on Friday night. The farmers and graziers for many miles around one and all gave him a hearty welcome, and showed their appreciation and esteem for one who had for two and a half years done his part nobly to assist the King's forces.

Dancing was indulged in throughout the night to the strains of excellent music, the floor being constantly occupied by some 30 or 40 couples, whilst as many more took their pleasures more soberly by chatting around the fires, when many weird tales were told of midnight expeditions against the local foe, the mouse.

The guest was at all times the centre of an enquiring throng, who plied him ceaselessly with questions regarding the great war. At midnight, supper, supplied by each lady taking a basket, was served, and all present worked with a will to relieve the pressure upon the table of many good things provided.

Then came the toasts. The guest for one fleeting moment looked back with regret to his old trenches where, though presentations were of daily occurrence, a speech was not the fitting reply. A moment, and he was again glad that he was there with his wife and father and relatives and scores of friends. After the toast of the King was honored, the chairman, proposing "Our Guest", briefly outlined Mr. Tooth's career since joining the Army as a private only ten days after war was declared, his work in Egypt, in Gallipoli and Flanders, through the various steps of non-commissioned rank until he had won the King's commission as 1st. Lieutenant. He extended a hearty welcome from the people of the district to the lieut. and his wife, wishing them happiness and prosperity in the years to come.

The toast was ably supported and was drunk with musical honours. In responding to the toast of Ihe "Boys at the Front," a sergeant who has lately returned from the front made a convincing appeal for recruits. He drew a vivid picture of the wearied and serried ranks of our divisions at the front, appealing to the manhood in the district to do its utmost as fighters for the flag and to the womanhood to do their utmost as workers.

"It is Our Flag, Fight for it, Work for it." A presentation was then made to Mr. Tooth, consisting of a gold medal, suitably inscribed, from his friends of Barellan and South Yalgogrin districts, and and also a wallet containing £20. Mr. Tooth most feelingly responded, thanking his many friends for their good wishes and hospitality.

Dancing was then again Indulged in, until the appearance of daylight intimated that it was time to go home and start the day's work. It was a pleasant evening, and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and their fellow workers must be heartily congratulated for the able way in which they entertained such a large gathering.' from Narandera Argus and  Riverina Advertiser 12 Jun 1917 (nla.gov.au)

'PERSONAL.

Major S. A. Tooth, of the Australian Light Horse, second son of Mr. W. E. Tooth, of Caringa, Ardlethan, and Mrs. Tooth, Cremorne, has been mentioned in despatches for gallant and distinguished conduct on the field. He served through the Gallipoli campaign, and has been previously mentioned in despatches. His oldest brother, Captain Eric Tooth, A.F.C, is in France, and his younger brother, Lieutenant Harold Tooth, was invalided home owing to wounds received at Pozieres.' from The Sydney Morning Herald 16 Jul 1918 (nla.gov.au)