Gunning & District Historical Society

Gunning Public School participating in the 2015 Anzac Day March along Yass Street. Photo by Ann Darbyshire. Guest Post by Dave Findlay Terry-Anne O’Neill’s book on the Gunning District’s role in the First World War is being launched on Anzac Day, Tuesday 25 April by former Gunning and Upper Lachlan Shire President John Shaw, OAM. Following the book launch during the Commemoration Service and subsequent Question and Answer session in the Courthouse, when copies of the book may be purchased for cash only, a lunch has been arranged at the Old Coaching Stables, Cullerin Road, 7kms north of Gunning on the left hand side. Unlike previous RSL social functions on Anzac Day, it is intended that this lunch should be open to all residents of the Gunning District along with friends and visitors, giving them a chance to meet with the author and be involved in this unique event in the history of the Gunning area. The cost of the two course lunch is $30 with drinks available for p...

Private Arthur Montague Alchin. Photo:  AWM (public domain) The ringing of church bells marked the New Year in Gunning in 1917.   There was a sombre tone to the reporting of the War, including the view that neutral states adjacent to Germany would be overrun. By contrast, the following was reported on Thursday, 4 January 1917 in the Goulburn Evening Penny Post , page 4 : GUNNING SOLDIERS. The Editor has received the following from Codford (a training battalion near London), England, dated 7 th Nov., 1916: "We arrived in England on October 11 th , 1916, after seven weeks on the water.   We had a pleasant trip across.   We met two of the Gunning boys here at Codford – Ptes C. Meehan and Ged. McLaughlin.   They wish to be remembered to all the Gunning friends.   (Signed) A. M. Alchin, C Reynolds, F. P. Sheridan, and W. H. Sheridan." Arthur Montague Alchin's photo was taken in a studio when he was at Maitland army camp following en...