An Australian Connection - PART II

Back with popular demand (well from Peter M. anyway), continuing my look at history and the links between Australia and Weymouth seems there is not only a convict connection but one during the war as well. There was an Anzac Memorial ceremony held last week as part of Anzac Day so I though I would find out more.

After the great battle at Gallipoli in 1915 many of the injured Australian soldiers were sent to England to recuperate before the long trip home, or return to battle. As a result a temporary base was set up in Weymouth.

It was not long before us Ozis started to get a name for our selves. The press used the word “exuberant” and noted that “they certainly liked their beer”. On New Years Eve in 1918 there was a report of 50 Australians running amok down the main street.

The Australian troops were know to be “open handed and generous-hearted as well as being fitter than the English soldiers”. As a result the local girls fell in love with them resulting in numerous marriages. Unfortunately there was also a spot of multiple wives happening resulting in the Church of England making an announcement in 1919 the Weymouth Recorder that “henceforth, before marriages of member of the Australian Imperial Forces will be celebrated in this country the soldier will be required to produce to the clergyman officiating a certificate showing his marriage condition”.

By the end of the war it was estimated that 84,000 Australian and NZ troops had passed through Weymouth. It seems that they liked us with a quote from the Southern Times in 1919 – “We shall always think of them with affection and admiration for their heroism and fine manly qualities”. Sounds like a quote for when I leave!!