World War I (1914-1918)

World War I impacted the economic and social life of Ipswich. In general the populace was patriotic, and men were keen to participate in the conflict. Many saw it as an opportunity for travel and adventure whilst others viewed their volunteerism as a patriotic duty to support the "Mother country". Hundreds of young men of Ipswich enlisted including nearly 300 Ipswich Grammar School old boys (*) and 300 from the Ipswich Railway Workshops(**). The Ipswich Soldiers Memorial Hall Roll of Honour enumerates 1149 Ipswich enlistees.(***) For the duration of the war fund-raising for the comfort of soldiers became a way of life for the women of Ipswich who knitted socks, met troop trains with refreshments, and packed care packages and hampers for the troops abroad. Munitions for the war effort were made at the Ipswich Railway Workshops. Queensland Woollen Manufacturing Co. produced blankets and khaki cloth for uniforms.