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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.
References (online)Ipswich Railway Workshops War Memorial **Virtual War Memorial -Ipswich Soldier's Memorial Hall Great War ***Read More At Ipswich LibrariesIpswich remembers : Military heritage of Ipswich from the 1860sto the 1990sIpswich district roll of honour World War IIpswich in the 20th centuryKate Pitty, The Immeasurable Cost: Ipswich Grammar School Old Boys in "The War to End All Wars...", Ipswich: Ipswich City Council, 2018. *Eddie Habben, Ipswich district roll of honour World War I, Ipswich: Ipswich City Council, 2009.Robyn Buchanan, Ipswich in the 20th century, Ipswich: Ipswich City Council, 2004.Robyn Buchanan, Ipswich remembers : Military heritage of Ipswich from the 1860sto the 1990s, Ipswich : Ipswich City Council ; Australia Remembers Committee, 1995.