Redlands Library honours WWI servicemen

Guest Blogger: Leonie Swift - Local History and Heritage Librarian, Redland Libraries

Over 70 people attended a moving presentation entitled Redlanders and the Great War on Wednesday 19 August at Cleveland Library as part of QANZAC 100: Memories for a New Generation. This project was the culmination of a collaborative effort between U3A, Redland Libraries and the Redland Museum, honouring the 100th Anniversary of WWI. It was part of a larger program of events made possible through the ANZAC Centenary Grants program.

The project commenced with a call out for WWI memorabilia throughout the Redlands in 2014. As a result, many precious keepsakes were generously shared by the local community. The items were collated by Redland Museum staff and photographed by members of the U3A camera club. The material was then used to create a two-part presentation.
We were privileged to have the Mayor of Redland, Cr Karen Williams open the proceedings, after which the presentations were viewed.

The first part was a pictorial overview of the First World War, presented by Grant Flockhart of Redland City Council.

The second part - A Tribute to the Fallen Soldiers of the Redlands - was a special commemoration of our local fallen WWI soldiers compiled by Local History and Heritage Librarian, Leonie Swift (formerly Taylor). Photographs, letters, postcards and family anecdotes were brought together in an effort to remember the soldiers and their families and to honour those who paid the ultimate price. We were also thrilled to have several descendants of the soldiers in attendance.

The task of finding the information was quite a challenge, but with help from the Redland Genealogical Society, and a group of very committed community members, photographs and information on all but a few of the soldiers were located.

Members of the audience were also treated to a special rendition of a 1916 WWI song entitled A-N-Z-A-C. The Last Post was played at the end of the presentation which brought proceedings to a fitting close.
The extensive presentation is available to the local schools and can be viewed on Redland Libraries catalogue.

Leonie Swift

Local History and Heritage Librarian, Redland City Council