About 100 people gathered in Rotary Park, Kurri on Sunday for the 100th anniversary of the Wallabies Recruitment March during World War I.
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A plaque was unveiled on the rotunda to recognise those who signed up during the recruit march, and sacrificed their lives for their country.
The Wallabies Recruitment March started at Walgett NSW on December 1, 1915, with the aim of marching to Sydney, picking up recruits to join the army along the way.
They arrived at Cessnock on January 1, 1916, leaving on January 3 to continue their march. Arriving at Weston, they enjoyed a bath in the local mine’s dam, and being fed at the local cinema, before marching to Kurri.
They were met at the railway by Kurri’s town band, before being escorted to the now-Rotary Park and setting up a recruitment tent.
That evening there was a dance to welcome them at the Drill Hall in Lang Street, which is now the new Kurri Medical Centre.
The march was eventually cancelled by military authorities and the Wallaby marchers were used to form the 34th Infantry Battalion, known as Maitland’s Own, in February 1916.
Twenty men from Kurri, Weston and Pelaw Main took up the call to arms from the recruitment, including Military Cross recipient Lieutenant James Bruce, who was killed in action at Villers-Bretonneux in 1918.
Kurri’s RSL Sub-Branch, together with the assistance of Cessnock City Council had the plaque made, which was unveiled by sub-branch member Greg Ingle’s grandson Samuel.
The 234 Army Cadets, Kurri Girl Guides, Kurri Boy Scouts, and some soldiers from Charlie Company 2nd Battalion Newcastle’s Own RNSWR were in attendance at the ceremony.
