The Weekly Times - TWT - 6th June 2018

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10 THE WEEKLY TIMES Wednesday 6 June, 2018 Centenary of WW1 1914 - 1918 Memorial Day at Villers-Bretonneux KILLED IN ACTION, JUNE 7, 1918 Private Henry Booth, aged 20 100th Anniversary tomorrow Most Australians respect and regard Anzac Day as special and honour the memory of those who served and paid the supreme sacrifice in what they believed was their duty to God, King and country. And most Aussie families have their own individual remembrances whether in war or peace, of special events or occasions. June 7 is such an occasion for the Booth family as it marks the death of Private Henry Booth killed-in- action at Villers- Bretonneux in France on June 7, 1918, one hundred years ago tomorrow, Thursday. To especially commemorate the date The Weekly Times editor John F Booth AM is in France this week to pay tribute to his Uncle Henry. JOHN F BOOTH reports from Villers-Bretonneux: PRIVATE HENRY BOOTH Killed-in-Action at Villers-Bretonneux on June 7, 1918. R.I.P. HENRY Private Henry Booth was buried in Villers- Bretonneux Adelaide Cemetery when Killedin-Action June 7, 1918 aged 20. His parents Henry and Lena Booth of Pine View, Young Road, Grenfell received his effects January 30, 1919 and a Memorial Scroll February 19, 1921 followed by a memorial plaque November 6 1922 and British War Medal and Victory Medal 1923. His parents were advised in 1925 that Henry was buried in Adelaide Cemetery Villers-Bretonneux Plot 1, Row A and grave 22 pictured right. His name is on panel 129 in Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, ACT. John F Booth will visit the graveside tomorrow on the 100th anniversary of his death. PICTURED BELOW Henry Booth, left, aged 18 and his brother Arthur John Booth under age at 16. Tomorrow I will be visiting the grave of my Uncle Henry Booth in the Adelaide Cemetery to pay my respects to one of the uncles I never knew but know he was a devoted family member the second of eleven children to Henry and Lena Booth. Henry was born at Quandong near Grenfell in country New South Wales in 1897, neighbours of Henry Lawson family, named after his father as was quite common those days and was known as “Sonny” in the family. He enlisted at Showground Camp in Sydney October 3, 1916 following my father Arthur John Booth who had enlisted in Cootamundra in May 1916 at age 16 stating his age as 18 years which would have made the two Booth brothers as twins like Arthur later had with the real life Booth Twins of Ryde Peter and John! The Booth brothers followed their brother-inlaw William Taylor Gibbs, aged 20, also of Grenfell who had enlisted in March 1916 and embarked on the HMAT Euripides September 9, 1916 just two weeks after his son William was born. Sadly uncle Will was not allowed to see his baby son or wife Bertha before departure and they were never to meet again as Will was killed in action near Ypres in Belgium October 4, 1917. Uncle Will’s son Bill Gibbs was brought up by his mother Bertha in Bondi with the help of my parents who sent him to University of Sydney and he was to serve in World War 2 as the meteorologist for the RAAF in Port Moresby and went on to become the head of the Australian Weather Bureau credited with revolutionising weather forecasting in Australia as Dr Bill Gibbs OBE with the use of satellites and later became the Director of World Meteorology in Geneva Switzerland. And as a result JB was often able to have in-depth discussions on claims of “man made climate change” and the hoax of global warming. Henry’s youngest brother George Alfred Booth was to serve in the AIF in World War 2 in Papua New Guinea and became a pastrycook in his big brother Arthur’s famous cake shop The Gum Leaf at Ryde and later opened up his own business at the then new Cox’s Road Mall North Ryde known as Booth’s Cakes and Pies with his son Alan. Henry embarked from Sydney on November 9, 1916 aboard HMAT A24 Benalla as private Henry Booth regimental number 2683 38th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement. After training in England Sonny was “taken on strength” in France early January 1918 and soon became part of the Australian forces that plugged the gap in the Allied lines against the Germans advance on the Western Front. Twice the Australians halted the Germans at Villers-Bretonneux and saved the vital centre of Amiens. However, the Australians defending Villers- Bretonneux were relieved by British troops on April 21 1918 but just three days later on April 24 three German infantry divisions attacking with mustard gas and tanks broke through and captured the village. The Australians were hurriedly brought back on April 25 – the third anniversary of Anzac Day - and after fierce street fighting they drove the Germans out of the village never again to return. Unfortunately “Sonny” Booth was to be killed in continued fighting around Villers-Bretonneux and was killed in action on June 7, 1918 just a week after Lieutenant General Sir John Monash took over command from General Birdwood as Commander of the Australian Corps. Sonny is buried in Villers-Bretonneux’s Adelaide Cemetery Plot 1, Row A, Grave 22 and I will visit that tomorrow and pay my respects which I believe will be quite an emotional time of reunion and contemplation. I will Remember him. Visit to schools and meeting with Mayor Later in the day I will be meeting the Mayor of Villers-Bretonneux Dr Patrick Simon AO and passing on a Message from the Mayor of Ryde Clr Jerome Laxale and from Bennelong MP John Alexander OAM and visiting Victoria School in Villers-Bretonneux re-built after the war by donations from Victorian school children, and Collège Jacques Brel. Also a visit to the new Sir John Monash Centre which was officially opened on the eve of Anzac Day this year. The Villers-Bretonneux Cross in Ryde’s St Anne’s Church The original Villers-Bretonneux Cross in St Anne’s Church Ryde was erected on the battlefield after the Australians heroic victory over the Germans on Anzac Day 1918 and dedicated on Armistice Day 1934 at special service with over 500 troops present. The original cross was transferred to St George’s Cathedra in Perth in 1956 at the request of the 51st Battalion Association and an exact replica made for St Anne’s.
Wednesday 6 June, 2018 THE WEEKLY TIMES 11 Mayor Laxale praises Eastwood cultural concert CITY of Ryde Mayor Jerome Laxale has praised Eastwood’s Chinese Senior Citizens Club for hostng a successful concert at St Philip’s Anglican Church Eastwood last Wednesday. Mayor Laxale said the concert showcased the talent in Eastwood’s community and enhanced the City of Ryde’s cultural diversity. “It was fantastic to attend this concert, which was a lot of fun,” he said.“It was also wonderful event which provided entertainment for many of our local senior citizens and I applaud the senior citizens club for hosting it.” The club regarly hosts cultural events for senior citizens as well as an annual forum on security and crime issues, jointly presented by Eastwood and Gladesville police. TWT on-the-spot PHOTO. EASTWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS Encouraging Public Street Art IT’S rare to find public street art in the City of Ryde. Even when found, it’s not always appreciated. The West Ryde Horses for example had their tails amputated after complaints by people who walked into them (it was the horses’ fault apparently). Eventually, the rest of their bodies were also removed from West Ryde Plaza altogether. So it’s pleasing to see Rydecouncillorsat their last meetingunanimouslysupporting a motion to encourage morestreet art in the futureto beautify the city. Street art doesn’t need to be costly. In 2014, the Eastwood Library unveiled a series of face wallmurals which have remained popular with locals to this day. There are many locations within the City where similar murals can be created. Increasing the number of street art locations will help improve civic pride in our City, and allow our young people and aspiring local artists to get creative. There’s been heavy focus on overdevelopment in Ryde in recent times. While new schools and transport infrastructure accompanying new developments are certainly critical needs, let’s not neglect the general aesthetics of a growing city. Tell us what do you think of street art: contactus@ weeklytimes.com.au Former Ryde councillor Justin Li is editor of Humans of Eastwood Rotary Youth Forum at The Epping Club Rotary Club of Epping will hold their annual Youth Education Forum on Monday June 18 at The Epping Club, Rawson Street, Epping from 6pm to 8.30pm. The Forum provides an opportunity to discuss current educational and schooling issues facing the Epping community in the next one to five years due to the changing face of Epping and surrounding precincts. Epping MP Damien Tudehope will join the Executive Director of Schools from the Department of Education to answer questions and concerns. Epping Rotary has a close relationship with local primary and secondary schools due to the number of programs they’re involved in such as: RYDA, RYLA, Youth Exchange, MUNA , citizenship awards, sponsoring students to attend Youth Forums, primary and secondary debating competitions, the Langston Awards and the Epping Arts Fair. Rotary members are keen to provide a further opportunity to raise issues, discuss the challenges and work towards a positive consultation with the Epping community. Dinner $25 per head (eftpos cheque or cash on the night); RSVP: Betty Ockerlander with attendance numbers and dietary requirements by Thursday June 7. Email: bettyockerlander@mcgrath. com.au or phone 0408 50 50 80. Hand Therapy Awareness Week The role of Hand Therapy HANDS up who has been treated by a Hand Therapist? Patients often comment that they had no idea that Hand Therapy was available as a service until they are referred and then come to understand the benefits of receiving such treatment. It has been my absolute privilege to be a physiotherapist practicing Hand & Upper Limb Rehabilitation for over the last 26 years. It is Hand Therapy Awareness Week from June 4-10, 2018. Hand Therapists are Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists who have special By AMANDA HUGHES HANDS up who has been treated by a Hand Therapist? knowledge and skills to be able to assess, diagnose, educate and rehabilitate hand and upper limb injuries and conditions. The things we can help you with is literally a “list as long as your arm” – swelling; stiff joints after fractures; weakness after nerve injury, head injury or strokes; scar sensitivity and softening after surgery or burns; relearning functional tasks; treating handwriting difficulties in all ages; tendon injuries or inflammatory conditions; pregnancy related conditions such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or “Mummy Thumb” and sporting injuries. We are very “handy” looking after hand, wrist, forearm, elbow and shoulder injuries and conditions – and especially after surgery. Hand Therapists prescribe exercises, make customised splints and fracture casts, provide braces and perform manual therapy to assist joint movement and to lengthen and strengthen muscles. Do yourself a favour and become Hand Therapy aware and seek out the best advice and treatment for your hand and arm condition or injury. Put your hands in the hands of a most trusted professional. Assessment and treatment excellence for all hand, wrist, forearm, elbow & shoulder injuries & conditions for all age groups. Amanda Hughes Hand Therapist / Physiotherapist Suite 7, 227 Morrison Road, Ryde, NSW, 2112 (next to Royal Rehab) T: 9807 6678 E: info@handandupperlimbrehab.com.au W: handandupperlimbrehab.com.au All patient classifications welcome: Workers Compensation, Motor Vehicle Accidents, DVA, Medicare EPC and Private.
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The Weekly Times - TWT - 6th June 2018

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