Golden Diggers
Hill End & Tambaroora district’s contribution to the First World War.
Anzac Day has always played an important part in village life in Hill End and this year an even greater significance was placed on the event with the refurbishment and re-dedication of the War Memorial with the addition of two plaques with 173 names of those WW1 enlistees from the district were added to the Memorial.
Hill End War Memorial April 2015
In conjunction with this event and for the Centenary of Anzac commemorations, the Hill End & Tambaroora Gathering Group launched their latest publication, Golden Diggers in the Royal Hall. Comprehensively researched and sensitively presented by family historian, Helen Wood, this book reveals an aspect of Hill End’s history not previously covered to this depth.
For those with an interest in Australian goldfields history of this period, or with ancestors from the Hill End district this book offers a snapshot of life in the town during the Great War period. It presents a brief biography, often with a photo, of each of the 173 servicemen and women, and in many instances a portrait as well.
The authors were surprised to find that a number of the enlistees had close affiliations to the St George area in Sydney at some time. Names such as Macryannis, Smillie, LeMessurier and Nattrass leapt out of the pages when they decided to cross check the names included in “Golden Diggers”, against local St George War Memorials.
Authors Lorraine Purcell & Helen Wood with their new publication, “Golden Diggers”
Local military historian and keeper of the “Rockdale Enlistees” website (https://sites.google.com/site/ww1rockdaleenlistees/) Charles Davis will be helping us to celebrate this event and launch the book. You are invited to Kogarah Town Square Library (Belgrave St) at 1pm on Saturday 1st August for the Sydney launch of the book to find out how they went about their research and hear some of the stories of these soldiers and nurses. Copies of the book will be available for sale ($35 – Cash only please) ) and light refreshments will be served.
Click here to read a review of Golden Diggers by family historian & author, Dr. Noeline Kyle
This is a free event however bookings are essential for catering purposes.
Please contact Lorraine by phone on 02 95870352, or 0408117784
or book online at
http://goldendiggers.eventbrite.com.au
