'Rejected' soldiers from World War I remembered in Charters Towers
A North West Queensland historian is making sure the men who desperately wanted to fight in World War I but were rejected are not forgotten.
Charters Towers resident Michael Brumby's research into the Rejected Volunteers' Association (RVA) has found how those left behind worked to support their mates who returned from active duty.
Mr Brumby found 377 men in Charters Towers were rejected for military service in 1915 and 1916 for a range of medical reasons.
Rejected soldiers later went on to find camaraderie in the Rejected Volunteers Association.
(
Supplied
)
Some were too short, others had bad eyesight or weak chests and nearly 80 were refused enlistment for having perceived "testicular disorders".
Mr Brumby said he struggled to find out why so many many men were rejected on those grounds.
He said it could be because military recruiters were looking for men to join the Light Horse Brigade.
"I think their physical dispositions … and the need to be riding a horse on a regular basis, probably tipped them in favour of not being accepted … if I can put it that politely," Mr Brumby said.
A Rejected Volunteers' Association badge.
(
Supplied: State Library of Queensland
)
No proof of 'white feathers'
Mr Brumby said he found no evidence that the men who could not join up were sent white feathers or ostracised in Charters Towers.
He said the men banded together to help returning soldiers and that in 1918 more than a dozen formed a branch of the RVA, which was founded in Sydney in 1916.
"They saw themselves as men who can support their brothers … who were gradually and slowly making their return from France and Europe," Mr Brumby said.
Mr Brumby said wearing an RVA badge allowed the men to show they wanted to serve.
"This let people know that while they were very earnest and wanting to do this," he said.
"Their medical capacity was not such that they could do it."
Rejected volunteers play tennis in Charters Towers.
(
Supplied: Charters Towers Archives
)
Friends with returned soldiers
Mr Brumby said the RVA met in the Charters Towers premises that would become the equivalent of the RSL.
The rejected volunteers fundraised and held welcome events for soldiers returning home.
A photo shows the rejected volunteers marking Anzac Day, alongside returned solders, in Lissner Park in Charter Towers in 1920.
Mr Brumby said it would have been the first time that returned soldiers had gathered on Anzac Day in the city.
The war memorial on Mossman Street is the centre of the town's Anzac Day service.
(
ABC News: Brooke Tindall
)
"[The RVA] made a connection between those who did not fight and those who did fight," he said.
"
I'm still thinking about what an amazing experience that would have been, for both parties of men.
"
"The fact they were there and able to meet socially, with these returned men, in their meeting rooms, and drink beer.
"It brings them back to the reality of life beyond uniform."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
Ask Fuzzy: Who made the first zipper?
Along with buttons and stitching, the zipper is another of those humble inventions that literally holds the world together. Zippers are now so ubiquitous that it's hard to imagine a world without them. As with most things, the origin of the zipper is slightly messy, but an 1851 US patent describes "a series of clasps united by a connecting-cord, the said clasps running or sliding upon ribs". In his patent, Elias Howe proclaims, "The advantage of this manner of fastening garments, &c., consists in the ease and quickness with which they can be opened or closed.." Perhaps it was an invention before its time, or maybe he was fully occupied with the sewing machine he'd also invented, but Howe didn't spend much time promoting his device for "automatic, continuous clothing closure". He'd discovered to his dismay that his sewing machine patent was being widely violated in the United States. Not much more happened until Whitcomb Judson refined the concept with his "clasp locker" which he debuted at the Chicago World Fair in 1893. He patented his design as an alternative to bootlaces. It met with little success, possibly because it looked alarming like a chainsaw blade. The next advance was in 1913 by Swedish-born electrical engineer Gideon Sundback who increased the number of teeth from 4 per inch to 10 or 11. While his 1917 patent lamely calls it the "separable fastener", he marketed it as the Judson C-curity Fastener. MORE ASK FUZZY: The "zipper" label didn't arrive until 1923 when the B.F. Goodrich Company used it for their rubber boots. Even then, the idea didn't really take off for another 20 years when it was picked up by the fashion industry. Production was also given a kickstart by the US military when they began using zippers during World War I. Still, those who suffered wearing army greens will know that buttoned flies were still around until around the 1980s. NASA gave zippers another boost in the 1950s, with their development of high-pressure space suits which they used during the Apollo 11 moon landing. In a curious coda to this story, zippers were considered a provocative fashion statement. Hollywood rebels Marlon Brando and James Dean wore leather jackets with prominent zippers, casually half-undone. While it may be lost on us, at the time it hinted that readily unzipped clothing could be rapidly removed for some naughty action. The idea persisted, even until 1971, when The Rolling Stones released their legendary album Sticky Fingers, with a cover design by Andy Warhol featuring a zipper. The Fuzzy Logic Science Show is at 11am Sundays on 2xx 98.3FM. Send your questions to AskFuzzy@ Podcast: Along with buttons and stitching, the zipper is another of those humble inventions that literally holds the world together. Zippers are now so ubiquitous that it's hard to imagine a world without them. As with most things, the origin of the zipper is slightly messy, but an 1851 US patent describes "a series of clasps united by a connecting-cord, the said clasps running or sliding upon ribs". In his patent, Elias Howe proclaims, "The advantage of this manner of fastening garments, &c., consists in the ease and quickness with which they can be opened or closed.." Perhaps it was an invention before its time, or maybe he was fully occupied with the sewing machine he'd also invented, but Howe didn't spend much time promoting his device for "automatic, continuous clothing closure". He'd discovered to his dismay that his sewing machine patent was being widely violated in the United States. Not much more happened until Whitcomb Judson refined the concept with his "clasp locker" which he debuted at the Chicago World Fair in 1893. He patented his design as an alternative to bootlaces. It met with little success, possibly because it looked alarming like a chainsaw blade. The next advance was in 1913 by Swedish-born electrical engineer Gideon Sundback who increased the number of teeth from 4 per inch to 10 or 11. While his 1917 patent lamely calls it the "separable fastener", he marketed it as the Judson C-curity Fastener. MORE ASK FUZZY: The "zipper" label didn't arrive until 1923 when the B.F. Goodrich Company used it for their rubber boots. Even then, the idea didn't really take off for another 20 years when it was picked up by the fashion industry. Production was also given a kickstart by the US military when they began using zippers during World War I. Still, those who suffered wearing army greens will know that buttoned flies were still around until around the 1980s. NASA gave zippers another boost in the 1950s, with their development of high-pressure space suits which they used during the Apollo 11 moon landing. In a curious coda to this story, zippers were considered a provocative fashion statement. Hollywood rebels Marlon Brando and James Dean wore leather jackets with prominent zippers, casually half-undone. While it may be lost on us, at the time it hinted that readily unzipped clothing could be rapidly removed for some naughty action. The idea persisted, even until 1971, when The Rolling Stones released their legendary album Sticky Fingers, with a cover design by Andy Warhol featuring a zipper. The Fuzzy Logic Science Show is at 11am Sundays on 2xx 98.3FM. Send your questions to AskFuzzy@ Podcast: Along with buttons and stitching, the zipper is another of those humble inventions that literally holds the world together. Zippers are now so ubiquitous that it's hard to imagine a world without them. As with most things, the origin of the zipper is slightly messy, but an 1851 US patent describes "a series of clasps united by a connecting-cord, the said clasps running or sliding upon ribs". In his patent, Elias Howe proclaims, "The advantage of this manner of fastening garments, &c., consists in the ease and quickness with which they can be opened or closed.." Perhaps it was an invention before its time, or maybe he was fully occupied with the sewing machine he'd also invented, but Howe didn't spend much time promoting his device for "automatic, continuous clothing closure". He'd discovered to his dismay that his sewing machine patent was being widely violated in the United States. Not much more happened until Whitcomb Judson refined the concept with his "clasp locker" which he debuted at the Chicago World Fair in 1893. He patented his design as an alternative to bootlaces. It met with little success, possibly because it looked alarming like a chainsaw blade. The next advance was in 1913 by Swedish-born electrical engineer Gideon Sundback who increased the number of teeth from 4 per inch to 10 or 11. While his 1917 patent lamely calls it the "separable fastener", he marketed it as the Judson C-curity Fastener. MORE ASK FUZZY: The "zipper" label didn't arrive until 1923 when the B.F. Goodrich Company used it for their rubber boots. Even then, the idea didn't really take off for another 20 years when it was picked up by the fashion industry. Production was also given a kickstart by the US military when they began using zippers during World War I. Still, those who suffered wearing army greens will know that buttoned flies were still around until around the 1980s. NASA gave zippers another boost in the 1950s, with their development of high-pressure space suits which they used during the Apollo 11 moon landing. In a curious coda to this story, zippers were considered a provocative fashion statement. Hollywood rebels Marlon Brando and James Dean wore leather jackets with prominent zippers, casually half-undone. While it may be lost on us, at the time it hinted that readily unzipped clothing could be rapidly removed for some naughty action. The idea persisted, even until 1971, when The Rolling Stones released their legendary album Sticky Fingers, with a cover design by Andy Warhol featuring a zipper. The Fuzzy Logic Science Show is at 11am Sundays on 2xx 98.3FM. Send your questions to AskFuzzy@ Podcast: Along with buttons and stitching, the zipper is another of those humble inventions that literally holds the world together. Zippers are now so ubiquitous that it's hard to imagine a world without them. As with most things, the origin of the zipper is slightly messy, but an 1851 US patent describes "a series of clasps united by a connecting-cord, the said clasps running or sliding upon ribs". In his patent, Elias Howe proclaims, "The advantage of this manner of fastening garments, &c., consists in the ease and quickness with which they can be opened or closed.." Perhaps it was an invention before its time, or maybe he was fully occupied with the sewing machine he'd also invented, but Howe didn't spend much time promoting his device for "automatic, continuous clothing closure". He'd discovered to his dismay that his sewing machine patent was being widely violated in the United States. Not much more happened until Whitcomb Judson refined the concept with his "clasp locker" which he debuted at the Chicago World Fair in 1893. He patented his design as an alternative to bootlaces. It met with little success, possibly because it looked alarming like a chainsaw blade. The next advance was in 1913 by Swedish-born electrical engineer Gideon Sundback who increased the number of teeth from 4 per inch to 10 or 11. While his 1917 patent lamely calls it the "separable fastener", he marketed it as the Judson C-curity Fastener. MORE ASK FUZZY: The "zipper" label didn't arrive until 1923 when the B.F. Goodrich Company used it for their rubber boots. Even then, the idea didn't really take off for another 20 years when it was picked up by the fashion industry. Production was also given a kickstart by the US military when they began using zippers during World War I. Still, those who suffered wearing army greens will know that buttoned flies were still around until around the 1980s. NASA gave zippers another boost in the 1950s, with their development of high-pressure space suits which they used during the Apollo 11 moon landing. In a curious coda to this story, zippers were considered a provocative fashion statement. Hollywood rebels Marlon Brando and James Dean wore leather jackets with prominent zippers, casually half-undone. While it may be lost on us, at the time it hinted that readily unzipped clothing could be rapidly removed for some naughty action. The idea persisted, even until 1971, when The Rolling Stones released their legendary album Sticky Fingers, with a cover design by Andy Warhol featuring a zipper. The Fuzzy Logic Science Show is at 11am Sundays on 2xx 98.3FM. Send your questions to AskFuzzy@ Podcast:
The Advertiser
04-06-2025
- The Advertiser
Magpies ponder selection posers for King's Birthday
Dan McStay could return for Collingwood and Bobby Hill is a health watch ahead of the AFL King's Birthday blockbuster against Melbourne. The Magpies will have at least two changes, with Lachie Schultz out for five to six weeks with a hamstring injury and Pat Lipinski in concussion protocols. Hill, the 2023 Norm Smith Medallist, was a notable absentee from training on Wednesday because of illness in his family. McStay is close to returning from the knee injury he suffered in the Anzac Day win over Essendon. Coach Craig McRae is hopeful Hill will play his 100th game, against the Demons. "At this stage, barring him getting sick, that will be the case," McRae said. "He's a little infectious guy that we all love very much - he's a bit of a prankster, too. "We love how electrifying he can be. He can really give the X-factor to our team." Collingwood will have two more training sessions ahead of Monday and McRae said McStay was close to an immediate AFL recall. "There's a big chance Dan will be available. We're not quite ready to announce that - he still has a little bit to go," McRae said. "His magnet is getting really close to being considered." Collingwood will also consider a second ruck to back up Darcy Cameron, given the form of Demons captain Max Gawn. Despite Cameron also having a big season, McRae called Gawn "the best ruckman in the competition. "I have huge respect for Max Gawn ... I still love Darcy, more," McRae said. Sitting on top of the ladder, Collingwood will start favourites against Melbourne. But despite inaccuracy costing them dearly in the loss to St Kilda last weekend, the Demons have rediscovered their mojo and are a massive threat. "The form line, it stacks up. They have tinkered with their game a bit, they're moving the ball a bit faster - they're in good form," McRae said. It will be a massive game for Demons start Christian Petracca, who suffered serious internal injuries in the corresponding game a year ago. "He's a massive threat ... we'll treat him with as much respect as we should," McRae said. McRae is rapt with his own team's form and said his players' ability to lead themselves stacks up against when he was part of Brisbane's 2001-03 three-peat under coach Leigh Matthews. He said sometimes the Collingwood coaches need to stay out of the way of the players. "I did learn that from Leigh - he used to call it the snowball, when it's coming down the hill ... get out of the way," he said. Monday will also be the Big Freeze fundraiser for the FightMND charity, with former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher addressing the Magpies on Wednesday. Daniher, diagnosed with MND more than a decade ago, cannot speak and used eye-recognition technology for his speech. McRae's brother-in-law Pat also has the disease and was another VIP guest at Collingwood on Wednesday. "This one is pretty special - close to home. Our players are super-excited for it, you see them today warming up - all knowing it's a big day, they all have the (Big Freeze) beanies on at training," McRae said. "We want to play the game, not the occasion, which we talk about a lot - but it's a big occasion." Dan McStay could return for Collingwood and Bobby Hill is a health watch ahead of the AFL King's Birthday blockbuster against Melbourne. The Magpies will have at least two changes, with Lachie Schultz out for five to six weeks with a hamstring injury and Pat Lipinski in concussion protocols. Hill, the 2023 Norm Smith Medallist, was a notable absentee from training on Wednesday because of illness in his family. McStay is close to returning from the knee injury he suffered in the Anzac Day win over Essendon. Coach Craig McRae is hopeful Hill will play his 100th game, against the Demons. "At this stage, barring him getting sick, that will be the case," McRae said. "He's a little infectious guy that we all love very much - he's a bit of a prankster, too. "We love how electrifying he can be. He can really give the X-factor to our team." Collingwood will have two more training sessions ahead of Monday and McRae said McStay was close to an immediate AFL recall. "There's a big chance Dan will be available. We're not quite ready to announce that - he still has a little bit to go," McRae said. "His magnet is getting really close to being considered." Collingwood will also consider a second ruck to back up Darcy Cameron, given the form of Demons captain Max Gawn. Despite Cameron also having a big season, McRae called Gawn "the best ruckman in the competition. "I have huge respect for Max Gawn ... I still love Darcy, more," McRae said. Sitting on top of the ladder, Collingwood will start favourites against Melbourne. But despite inaccuracy costing them dearly in the loss to St Kilda last weekend, the Demons have rediscovered their mojo and are a massive threat. "The form line, it stacks up. They have tinkered with their game a bit, they're moving the ball a bit faster - they're in good form," McRae said. It will be a massive game for Demons start Christian Petracca, who suffered serious internal injuries in the corresponding game a year ago. "He's a massive threat ... we'll treat him with as much respect as we should," McRae said. McRae is rapt with his own team's form and said his players' ability to lead themselves stacks up against when he was part of Brisbane's 2001-03 three-peat under coach Leigh Matthews. He said sometimes the Collingwood coaches need to stay out of the way of the players. "I did learn that from Leigh - he used to call it the snowball, when it's coming down the hill ... get out of the way," he said. Monday will also be the Big Freeze fundraiser for the FightMND charity, with former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher addressing the Magpies on Wednesday. Daniher, diagnosed with MND more than a decade ago, cannot speak and used eye-recognition technology for his speech. McRae's brother-in-law Pat also has the disease and was another VIP guest at Collingwood on Wednesday. "This one is pretty special - close to home. Our players are super-excited for it, you see them today warming up - all knowing it's a big day, they all have the (Big Freeze) beanies on at training," McRae said. "We want to play the game, not the occasion, which we talk about a lot - but it's a big occasion." Dan McStay could return for Collingwood and Bobby Hill is a health watch ahead of the AFL King's Birthday blockbuster against Melbourne. The Magpies will have at least two changes, with Lachie Schultz out for five to six weeks with a hamstring injury and Pat Lipinski in concussion protocols. Hill, the 2023 Norm Smith Medallist, was a notable absentee from training on Wednesday because of illness in his family. McStay is close to returning from the knee injury he suffered in the Anzac Day win over Essendon. Coach Craig McRae is hopeful Hill will play his 100th game, against the Demons. "At this stage, barring him getting sick, that will be the case," McRae said. "He's a little infectious guy that we all love very much - he's a bit of a prankster, too. "We love how electrifying he can be. He can really give the X-factor to our team." Collingwood will have two more training sessions ahead of Monday and McRae said McStay was close to an immediate AFL recall. "There's a big chance Dan will be available. We're not quite ready to announce that - he still has a little bit to go," McRae said. "His magnet is getting really close to being considered." Collingwood will also consider a second ruck to back up Darcy Cameron, given the form of Demons captain Max Gawn. Despite Cameron also having a big season, McRae called Gawn "the best ruckman in the competition. "I have huge respect for Max Gawn ... I still love Darcy, more," McRae said. Sitting on top of the ladder, Collingwood will start favourites against Melbourne. But despite inaccuracy costing them dearly in the loss to St Kilda last weekend, the Demons have rediscovered their mojo and are a massive threat. "The form line, it stacks up. They have tinkered with their game a bit, they're moving the ball a bit faster - they're in good form," McRae said. It will be a massive game for Demons start Christian Petracca, who suffered serious internal injuries in the corresponding game a year ago. "He's a massive threat ... we'll treat him with as much respect as we should," McRae said. McRae is rapt with his own team's form and said his players' ability to lead themselves stacks up against when he was part of Brisbane's 2001-03 three-peat under coach Leigh Matthews. He said sometimes the Collingwood coaches need to stay out of the way of the players. "I did learn that from Leigh - he used to call it the snowball, when it's coming down the hill ... get out of the way," he said. Monday will also be the Big Freeze fundraiser for the FightMND charity, with former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher addressing the Magpies on Wednesday. Daniher, diagnosed with MND more than a decade ago, cannot speak and used eye-recognition technology for his speech. McRae's brother-in-law Pat also has the disease and was another VIP guest at Collingwood on Wednesday. "This one is pretty special - close to home. Our players are super-excited for it, you see them today warming up - all knowing it's a big day, they all have the (Big Freeze) beanies on at training," McRae said. "We want to play the game, not the occasion, which we talk about a lot - but it's a big occasion."
West Australian
04-06-2025
- West Australian
Magpies ponder selection posers for King's Birthday
Dan McStay could return for Collingwood and Bobby Hill is a health watch ahead of the AFL King's Birthday blockbuster against Melbourne. The Magpies will have at least two changes, with Lachie Schultz out for five to six weeks with a hamstring injury and Pat Lipinski in concussion protocols. Hill, the 2023 Norm Smith Medallist, was a notable absentee from training on Wednesday because of illness in his family. McStay is close to returning from the knee injury he suffered in the Anzac Day win over Essendon. Coach Craig McRae is hopeful Hill will play his 100th game, against the Demons. "At this stage, barring him getting sick, that will be the case," McRae said. "He's a little infectious guy that we all love very much - he's a bit of a prankster, too. "We love how electrifying he can be. He can really give the X-factor to our team." Collingwood will have two more training sessions ahead of Monday and McRae said McStay was close to an immediate AFL recall. "There's a big chance Dan will be available. We're not quite ready to announce that - he still has a little bit to go," McRae said. "His magnet is getting really close to being considered." Collingwood will also consider a second ruck to back up Darcy Cameron, given the form of Demons captain Max Gawn. Despite Cameron also having a big season, McRae called Gawn "the best ruckman in the competition. "I have huge respect for Max Gawn ... I still love Darcy, more," McRae said. Sitting on top of the ladder, Collingwood will start favourites against Melbourne. But despite inaccuracy costing them dearly in the loss to St Kilda last weekend, the Demons have rediscovered their mojo and are a massive threat. "The form line, it stacks up. They have tinkered with their game a bit, they're moving the ball a bit faster - they're in good form," McRae said. It will be a massive game for Demons start Christian Petracca, who suffered serious internal injuries in the corresponding game a year ago. "He's a massive threat ... we'll treat him with as much respect as we should," McRae said. McRae is rapt with his own team's form and said his players' ability to lead themselves stacks up against when he was part of Brisbane's 2001-03 three-peat under coach Leigh Matthews. He said sometimes the Collingwood coaches need to stay out of the way of the players. "I did learn that from Leigh - he used to call it the snowball, when it's coming down the hill ... get out of the way," he said. Monday will also be the Big Freeze fundraiser for the FightMND charity, with former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher addressing the Magpies on Wednesday. Daniher, diagnosed with MND more than a decade ago, cannot speak and used eye-recognition technology for his speech. McRae's brother-in-law Pat also has the disease and was another VIP guest at Collingwood on Wednesday. "This one is pretty special - close to home. Our players are super-excited for it, you see them today warming up - all knowing it's a big day, they all have the (Big Freeze) beanies on at training," McRae said. "We want to play the game, not the occasion, which we talk about a lot - but it's a big occasion."
