Topic: Gen - Query Club
The Query Club
2 February 1916
The large scale of the Great War often gave people a sense of alienation from the activities of the government and the army. To overcome this, newspapers of the day commenced columns called Query Club or similar names, where ordinary people could clarify their understanding of the complex processes. They also provide us, the historians, an insight into witnessing first hand, the responses of the various bodies to public concerns. The end product is a window into a society now almost out of living memory.
This is the Query Club from the Sydney Mail, 2 February 1916, p. 31.
Frank Roberts letter to the Army, 13 October 1915.
[Click on picture for larger version.]
PTE TREVOR E. ROBERTS
Of the 13th Battalion, AIF. He was wounded at the Dardanelles last May, and has not been heard of since. His brother (Frank Roberts, 147 Conway Street, Birkenhead) inquires for him.
[The person referred to here was 774 Private Trevor Evans Roberts, 13th Battalion, G Company. Later transferred to D Company, XIV Platoon, 13th Section. On the night of 2 May 1915, the Company assaulted "Dead Man's Ridge" at Gallipoli. He was wounded during the assault but he was not recovered along with a further 100 men who were left in no man's land. on 28 April 1915 determined by a Court of Enquiry to have been killed in action, 3 May 1915.]
LOST WARSHIPS
E.V.N.
No complete list of warships lost by the different Powers has ever been published officially. The censor will not permit us to give the details regarding Great Britain. Most of the losses are admitted; there are others regarding which there is a good deal of mystery. A few weeks ago we published a full page illustrating Germany's admitted losses.
PHYSICALLY UNFIT
"RW"
No badges are issued to men who have offered themselves as recruits and have been rejected by the medical officers. Certificates are obtainable, however, they should be applied for at the barracks.
UNDER AGE
"Paroo" asks if boys of 17 years and 9 months can enlist in the A.I.Forces and do three months' training until they are 18.
No; 18 is the minimum age at which recruits are accepted, and even then it is necessary to have the consent of their parents.
SEPARATION ALLOWANCE
"Mac"
The separation allowance for a married man ceases on his embarkation; instead, three-fifths of his pay is reserved for his wife.
COMMANDS
"G.S."
There have been so many changes in commands, and probably will be others before our troops again go into action, that we cannot give you the particulars you desire at present.
NOT DISCHARGED
"H.H."
A soldier who has been sent home on sick leave and has not got his discharge must report himself to the authorities when asked to do so. If he recovers sufficiently to be again fit for active service he has no option but to return to the front when ordered to do so.
Further Reading:
Citation: Query Club, 2 February 1916
