The Recruiting Train World War I
RSL (Port Pirie Sub Branch) Inc.During World War 1, in 1915, Prime Minister Billy Hughes promised Britain an extra 50,000 reinforcements. South Australia's share of this was to be 5,600 men. The State War Council and the South Australian Railways responded by twice dispatching a recruiting train to various parts of the state in 1916, first in March and then in April.
Premier Crawford Vaughan personally addressed these crowds on the tours. The locomotive and carriages of the train were decorated by the Railway Department and the Cheer-up Society. Recruiting drives like this came about as the Australian Army did not conscript. Where possible provision would be made for the enlistment and medical examination of recruits at the meetings.
About 12 prominent speakers travelled with the train, together with the Military Camp Band. The secretary of the State War Council, Mr Victor Ryan, had visited the 19 local committees concerned, and he reported that they were taking up the matter enthusiastically and big meetings were expected.
The South Australia recruiting train on the north and northwest tour visited Port Pirie, Laura, Wallaroo, Moonta, Owen, Balaklava, Brinkworth, Georgetown, Gladstone, Crystal Brook, Gulnare, Snowtown, Bute, Kadina, Wallaroo Mines, Paskeville, Port Wakefield, Hamley Bridge, and Gawler.
For the southern districts, towns such as Millicent, Beachport, Keith, Bordertown, Wolseley, Naracoorte, Tantanoola and Murray Bridge were called upon.
Tradesmen agreed to close their premises while the meetings were being held. The flour and chaff mills and the wheat agents had promised to suspend operations so employees could attend.
School children were given half day holidays in some towns and they greeted the trains’ arrival by waving flags and singing patriotic songs on the gaily decorated platforms. War council campaigners ‘appealed with inspired fervour’ addressing crowds of 12,000 – 15,000 people.
“Now you men! You don't need us to tell you that we want you or why you should go. You don't need to be told why our Empire is fighting. You surely don't want to be reminded about unhappy little Belgium, about Britain's plighted word, German fiendishness, or the Allies' tremendous task.
We do remind you though, that Australia has promised more men. And she must and will stick to that promise.
Now which shall it be? This is your last chance.
A tremendous decision on the part of our statesmen is in the balance. That is conscription! It is looming right ahead. Will you come and climb into khaki as one of Australia’s army of volunteers? Or must it be the recruiting sergeant with a file of men, bayonets fixed, and yourselves marched on in the midst of them-a conscript.”
