The
first volume of our WWI commemorative book series is about to be launched.
We
are excited that Dr Brendan Nelson, Director of the Australian War Memorial (and
former Federal MP for Bradfield) is returning to Lindfield on Saturday 26 July
at 2pm to launch:
Rallying the Troops, a World War I Commemoration
by Ku-ring-gai Historical Society, Volume I.
This
volume includes chapters on Ku-ring-gai society before the War, memorials both
local and overseas, early military campaigns, and biographies of those with
surnames beginning with A to F.
Dr Nelson has written a stimulating Foreword
for the book.
The
launch afternoon is almost fully subscribed, with about 120 people already
booked in. If
you would like to attend, please phone or email KHS as soon as possible to book
your place.
We
have a special early bird purchase price of $40 for purchases up to 31 August.
From
1 September 2014 the price will be $50.
Packaging
and Postage within Australia is $15.
You
can pay by EFT, cheque or visit the research rooms to pay in person by cash.
Copies
will be available for purchase at the launch.
If
you pay before the launch, you may collect it on the day and have it signed.
This is no ordinary
World War I reference book.
Members of Ku-ring-gai
Historical Society have rallied to delve deep into the service and family
records of local soldiers and nurses to reveal their involvement in the Great
War of 1914-1918. This volume is the first in the series; a second and third will
be published in 2015 and 2016.
In the municipality of
Ku-ring-gai in northern Sydney over 1,300 men and women served from a
population of just over 12,000. They came from all walks of life, from
labourers to university lecturers. Their origins were diverse, not only from
the immediate locality but also from other parts of New South Wales, from other
states and from other countries.
Their achievements
were many; one in every ten was decorated. Their losses were great; one in
every five did not return. What all did for their nation is monumental.
The Society has
endeavoured to do justice to these veterans, to tell the stories that many
never lived to tell or were unable to tell. The telling became a passion; it
engendered pride and sorrow, anger and despair. Yet each and every story
deserved to be told, to be recorded for all time.
At the moment of death, they became beyond time.
