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Editorial - 'Though the first report was not officially confirmed up to this morning, we may assume that Great Britain is on the eve of war with Germany. Australia, as an integral portion of the Empire, is also involved. We cannot help ourselves, even if we could. To a country like ours nursed in the lap of peace, experience of war is a disagreeable novelty. For a great part of our existence, our remoteness was a factor of our security. A still greater factor has been the unchallenged might of the British navy. Safeguarded by that vast shield, we have been secure in the exercise of a limitless freedom.
Every Australian stands today for the maintenance of the Empire and the continued freedom of Australia. The war is likely to bring severe trials. We may within the next few months be called upon to defend our shores against sporadic attempts at invasion. But if we are worthy of our grand inheritance, we will shrink from no trial nor think any sacrifice too great for the preservation of our unequaled freedom. This is not a time for hysterical outbreaks of jingoism; though the most peace loving people on earth we have been drawn within the orbit of war. The duty of each citizen is plain. According to the measure of his ability and the extent of his opportunity, each is bound to render the fullest and most loyal service to Australia and to the Empire'.
As a result of the war, scores of applications for service were received from riflemen, cadets, militaries and old soldiers. Some were sent to New Guinea (a German territory in 1914) where British sovereignty was proclaimed later in the year. Others were sent to Gallipoli, France and Egypt. Some of the letters received from these brave soldiers told horrific tales of death and destruction. For example, Cecil Hart (sent to New Guinea) writes that he was so sunburnt that he could not wear a shirt for five days. He spoke of wild pig hunts and describes the scene as 'rotten', wishing, like many of the boys, to be sent to the front. He managed to go to France and Gallipoli, finally being killed at the age of 23 in 1916 (Lithgow Mercury, Monday, November 30, 1914).
Major Duncan (based in Egypt) began his letter with the menu they were expected to eat at Christmas in 1914. This consisted of stew, plum pudding, a large tin of fruit and a bottle of wine. They had captured many prisoners. Major Duncan describes the camp as a 'large canvas town' with a piano. There were concerts, water, electricity, a stadium and small shops of all descriptions (Lithgow Mercury, March, 1915; May, 1915). This all sounds quite good however, it was not a site for battle, more a base from which soldiers were able to heal their wounds and boost their moral. The fighting was going on elsewhere and it was nothing like the picture painted here.
