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War Efforts

The Men from Snowy River  Cooma 1916

The Manaro District recalls with pride the patriotism, loyalty and courage displayed by its young men when the call went forth from the Empire for assistance in the struggle for Truth, Honour, Justice and Freedom. Enlistments were numerous, even in the early days of the fight before the need for men became urgent. From the most distant corner of the Southern Manaro the Snowy River route march started on, gathering men to the Flag as it passed. From the beginning, through all the bitter days until the final year of triumph, the womenfolk, and those who could not go beyond seas banded themselves together as local branches or committees of the various associations that sprang into existence to provide means for sending comforts to those who had gone to help in the writing of a page, which for all time emblazoned the name of Australia in letters of gold across the world's history. In commodious quarters lent by Mr. R. L. Sands throughout the term of the War, a representative "Red Cross" Committee, splendidly organised, raised funds by the establishment of tea rooms, to which everything was donated. The War Chest, with its local branch, was responsible for many methods whereby money was raised. To all the various patriotic "Days" and "Movements" large amounts were contributed, and an immense number of boxes of physical comforts were regularly and systematically sent abroad.

Corporal E. Corey Military Medal and Three Bars

Of those who enlisted from Manaro many gained distinctions, but mention is here made of one only, Corporal Ernest Corey, by reason of the fact that he is the only man in the British Army who has the Military Medal with three bars attached.

The names of those who volunteered and offered ,their lives for King, Country, and Humanity, have, so far as possible, been recorded by those citizens in each district centre who have charged themselves with the erection of an enduring memorial to those who ranged themselves beneath the Empire's Flag. The movement has been consummated in Cooma, Nimmitabel, Adaminaby, and Berridale, and in each of these places may be seen memorials designed to tell the future generations of the loyalty of its young men.

Major General, Sir Granville Ryrie

LOCAL REPATRIATION COMMITTEE.

As a result of a public meeting held at Cooma in 1918, a Local Repatriation Committee for the Shires of Manaro and Dalgety, and the Municipality of Cooma, was established under the Commonwealth Scheme of Repatriation. Mr. F. F. Mitchell was elected President, and has occupied the office throughout the existence of the Committee. The Committee has a lengthy record of work. It has dealt with almost every aspect of repatriation, from welcoming returned men, providing for their sustenance, making them advances, arranging for their receipt of tools of trade, procuring vocational training, supplying them with furniture, caring for their health, finding them work, getting land set apart for them, reporting on land applied for, advising as to development, and selecting stock, to financing them in business and finding them homes. It has worked in harmony throughout with the Manaro sub-branch of the Returned Soldiers and Sailors' Imperial League of Australia, and boasts that it has the entire confidence of the Diggers of the district.

RETURNED SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' IMPERIAL LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIA.

The spirit of camaraderie and brotherhood, which in intangible though unbreakable bonds, bound together those from Australia who stood shoulder to shoulder fronting the Horrors and sufferings of the most awful war in the world's history, found articulate expression in the birth of the Returned Soldiers and Sailors' Imperial League of Australia. Given life as one of the immediate aftermaths of the war, its activities quickly spread to Cooma, where a sub-branch embracing the Diggers of the District was formed. The branch is and has been all through its existence a body of wondrous energy. It has been more than fortunate in its executive, the present head of which is Captain R. A. McKillop, M.C. It is a flourishing body, and possesses one of the best appointed and luxuriously furnished of country club rooms. Its Anzac Day gathering - a meeting of the Diggers and those whose past efforts on their behalf they are desirous of remembering - is a function to be looked forward to and remembered.

Miss Jessie Snodgrass Cooma's Little Digger

A unique token of appreciation of the untiring war efforts and devotion of Miss Jessie Snodgrass to the soldiers interests and comforts, is evidenced by that lady, who is affectionately known as "Cooma's Little Digger," having been from its inception elected a patron of the Manaro sub-branch of the League, of which she is now a life patron. This lady's interest in and activities an behalf of the Diggers never ceased during the war, or that period when the men were being absorbed into civil life. She offered her services for over-seas but was refused. She then formed first aid and home nursing classes, and later was Commandant of the Cooma Voluntary Aid Detachment. Under the auspices of the Red Cross she worked at the Prince Alfred Hospital, "The Mill," "Rose Hall," and "Mona Vale" Convalescent Homes. At her own expense, from 1915 on, she posted over 30,000 newspapers to various hospitals, and in addition collected books and magazines for Sydney depots. For four years she arranged receptions for returning Diggers, those who were passing through Cooma being met at the railway station and supplied at her cost with tea, etc.

A branch of the Scout movement was founded in Cooma following shortly after the assumption of duty in the town by Canon Hirst, the Anglican Rector, who had been a Scout Master at Tumut.

Two troops were formed, "The Manaro" and "The Cooma," Canon Hirst being Scoutmaster to the former, "The Cooma" having 'Mr. Saunders, teacher at the Cooma Public School, acting in like capacity. A little later the Girl Guides, with Miss Shield, B.A., as Scout Mistress, and The Brownies, with Miss Boag, B.Sc., in charge, were established. Meetings were held in the School Hall attached to the Anglican Church, as also at the Public School. The value of the principles underlying the movement were impressed upon the members of the troops, who were taught the sanctity of the Scout's promise: "I promise on my honour that I will do my best to do my duty to God and the King, to help other people at all times, to obey the Scout Law." When Mr. Saunders left the district his position was taken by Mr. D. Hawkins, under whom the two troops are now amalgamated.

"BACK TO COOMA" Celebrations, Felix Mitchell 1926,  Page 111 - Transcribed by Pattrick Mould, June 2003