General News
29 April, 2024
Sacrifices honoured in Talbot
Around 70 Talbot locals gathered at the Soldiers Memorial Park in a commemorative Anzac Day service last Thursday. The event began with a march at London House to the memorial park which began at 9 am. The service included a speech from Central...
Around 70 Talbot locals gathered at the Soldiers Memorial Park in a commemorative Anzac Day service last Thursday.
The event began with a march at London House to the memorial park which began at 9 am.
The service included a speech from Central Goldfields Shire councillor and former Australian Army Reservist Wayne Sproull, as well as morning tea and a history exhibition available to residents after the service.
Talbot RSL sub branch president Skip Lynch said he was glad to see a great turnout to the event.
“I think it went really well, we had a very large crowd on the day which was magnificent considering the weather and I really appreciate everyone that came in for the service,” he said.
“It’s great to see everybody getting together and talking, as a community we don’t get together very often and to have the kids here talk to ex-diggers and learn a bit is wonderful.”
After the service, a new member was added to the plaques of remembrance for Talbot war veterans, with its newest addition honouring William Hutchinson.
Mr Hutchinson enlisted into the army on July 7, 1915 when he was 18 and was placed in the 24th Battalion.
He was presented the Military Medal by King George V for his bravery in France where he later was severly wounded at the Battle of Pozieres — a part of the brutal trench warfare at the Battle of the Somme which saw over a million soilders injured or killed.
After being transferred to England for one of the first ever bone grafting procedures, he returned to Australia on September 18, 1917 and, as reported in the Talbot Leader newspaper saw “a large number present to assist in extending a welcome to our hero”.
Mr Lynch said Anzac Day should be mainly focused on admiring the efforts of people like Mr Hutchinson.
“I have lost lots of mates who are brothers and sisters to me from different mums from all backgrounds, so this day is about honouring them,” he said.
