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Becoming A City: Community Organisations
Patriotic Work
There is no doubt that the majority of Ipswich people supported Britain in the war and felt intense patriotism, particularly in the earlier years. Even those who were not in favour of war felt loyalty to "our boys" at the front.
Red Cross branches were formed in Ipswich and in most country towns. Women gathered to make pyjamas, shirts and caps for injured soldiers, helped by local clothing firm Bishop and Woodward which cut out patterns free. Even the Mayor of Ipswich Ald Perry was discovered knitting socks for soldiers - he was just finishing his 87th pair.
When a shortage of sandbags endangered soldiers at the front in early 1916, a "sandbag League" was formed to raise money to buy and make bags. Bossie Martoo offered free admission to his picture theatre to any child who brought in a usable sugar bag.
A "Train Tea Society" was formed with Mrs Cameron as President. These women met each troop train passing through Ipswich and served refreshments at the station. The railway route to and from Sydney at that time was via Wallangarra, passing through Warwick, Toowoomba and Ipswich. Crowds gathered at the station as returning wounded soldiers passed through by train. Some Ipswich men had to continue on to Brisbane before being allowed to return home.
Patriotic parades were popular. The most elaborate took place in August 1915 and was followed by a sports day at the North Ipswich Reserve. A "patriotic demonstration" in Rosewood involved a parade of bands, soldiers and decorated and illuminated motor car displays.
A grand patriotic concert was held in Bossy Martoo's picture theatre, with a 1000-voice choir of 500 Ipswich and 500 Brisbane singers, a 100-piece orchestra and an audience of about 3000.
At Christmas, people filled billy cans with Christmas cakes, cigarettes and other small gifts to send to soldiers at the front. In 1917, children of soldiers were given presents at a function in the central gardens. The mayor told the little boys that they were soldiers of the future, while the little girls would sew and knit for soldiers in the future. [1]