Tully Library Remembers the First World War

Guest Blogger: Helen Pedley - Cassowary Coast Libraries : Tully Library

In 2014 we remember the start of the Great War 100 years ago. The conflict continued until November 1918 and many lost their lives.

The hub of the former Cardwell Shire, the town of Tully, did not exist during those war years, only coming into being when a sugar mill was constructed in 1924. Prior to this Cardwell was the centre for local government and the main settlement of the region.

A number of men and women from the Cardwell district served in the First World War and were listed on a marble honour roll installed on the stage of the shire hall in 1922. When the new township of Tully required names for its streets, the men and nurses who served were remembered in those first street names. The main street was called Butler Street after Hugh Butler who was killed in action in France.

This month the Tully Library has mounted a display from the local history and heritage collections. As well as the men and women honoured by street names, a number of portraits of un-named soldiers can be viewed in the library. A few clues were noted on the backs of the photographs in the collection but no full names or military service numbers were recorded for these men.  The photographs of un-named soldiers were probably sent to members of the Skardon family, a local family, who kept them for many years before copies were made for the library collection. By then their names had been lost.

We are asking the public if they can name any of the men. The display was featured in a recent Tully Times but to date no identifications have been made.