"At a mile distant their thousand hooves were stuttering thunder, coming at a rate that frightened a man - they were an awe inspiring sight, galloping through the red haze - knee to knee and horse to horse - the dying sun glinting on bayonet points..." Trooper Ion Idriess
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Saturday, 11 April 2009
Query Club, Contents Topic: Gen - Query Club
The Query Club
Contents
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.
These are the various entries from the Query Club, Sydney Mail, 1914 - 1919.
Query Club, 26 August 1914 Topic: Gen - Query Club
The Query Club
26 August 1914
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, 26 August 1914, p. 42.
A DESERTER.
R.N. asks how a deserter from the Royal Australian Navy would be treated on surrendering at present.
He would be granted a free pardon provided he was prepared to return to duty.
VESSELS IN HARBOUR.
"Newcastle" asks if the vessels in Australian harbours when war was declared are now the property of the Commonwealth;
No; these vessels may be detained till the war is over but they cannot be confiscated unless their owners are paid for them.
WHO DECLARED WAR?
"Inverness" asks whether German declared war on Britain, or Britain, on Germany.
The point is uncertain. Cable messages have stated it both ways, whilst the official British announcement, through the Governor-General, simply stated that a state of war existed between the two countries.
Query Club, 20 January 1915 Topic: Gen - Query Club
The Query Club
20 January 1915
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, 20 January 1915, p. 30.
IMPERIAL RELIEF.
"Brooklet" asks what the imperial Government is doing for the relief of incapacitated soldiers and sailors and their dependents.
Parliament has passed a new scheme of allowances and pensions on a much more generous scale than that previously in force. Totally disabled men will now receive a minimum of 14s a week if unmarried, and 21s 6d a week if married, with a possible maximum of 28s a week. The separation allowances to soldiers' wives are:- If without children, 9s a week; with one child, 11s 6d; two children, 14s; three children, 16s 6d; and four children, 18s 6d. Wives of soldiers who are killed will, receive a minimum of 7s 6d a week; with one child, 12s 6d; two children, 15s; three children, 17s 6d; and four children, 20s. Many of these allowances will be otherwise enhanced. A widow who marries will receive a minimum gratuity of £39 in lieu of pension, and the allowance for motherless children is 5s a week for each child up to three, and 4s for each additional child. These are only a few of the cases that come under the new scheme, they indicate the general basis on which relief will be afforded.
PATRIOTIC FUNDS.
"Ballina" asks what has come of the balance of the Bulli Disaster, the South African War, and other patriotic funds collected in New South Wales.
The balances are all held by the State Treasurer under the National Relief Fund Act, passed last year. The object of this Act is to give the State power to transfer to its charge all unexpended balances in banks or elsewhere of money collected by the public for the relief of distress now not directly existent. Over £13,200 was collected for the Bulli Disaster Fund, about £9000 of which was paid to widows and dependents of the men who were disabled or lost their lives. The South African War Fund or New South Wales Patriotic Fund, as it was generally termed, totalled £52,468. Of this £37,189 was disbursed to June 30 last, so that the balance, in addition to interest earned (£11,949), taken over by the Government totalled over £25,000. What exactly the Government intends to do with the money it now has in hand, apart from paying existing beneficiaries, we do not know. Patriotic funds are never divided up in a wholesale way among the dependents; the unwisdom of such a policy is apparent. The money to usually handed over to honorary trustees, whose duty it is to invest or apportion it in the best interests of those for whose benefit it is collected.
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, 17 March 1915, p. 26.
EMPLOYEES ON ACTIVE SERVICE
"Defence"
It is understood that the company you mention is keeping open the positions of those of its employees who have gone on active service.
UNIFORMS FOR RIFLEMEN
"R.B." asks if the military authorities will supply uniforms to members of rifle clubs.
No; the question of uniforms has frequently been raised; but, if the clubs decide to adopt them, it is probable that they will have to bear the expense themselves. The authorities might give a subsidy, but it is not likely.
LORD KITCHENER
"Wymum" (Wymum South) asks where Lord Kitchener was born, and what is his surname.
Lord Kitchener's surname is the same as his title. His full name is Horatio H. Kitchener. Though he was born at Crotton House, Ballylongford, Couthy Kerry, Ireland, he is of direct English stock, his father being the late Lieutenant Colonel H.H. Kitchener, of Leicestershire.
JAPANESE AND UNITED STATES NAVIES
"Katoomba" (N.S.W.)
Is informed that the Japanese fleet in the Pacific is much stronger than that of the United States. The Japanese fleet in the Pacific at the end of last June comprised four Dreadnought battleships, one battleship cruiser, 10 pre-Dreadnought battleships, 10 cruisers, 75 destroyers, and 15 submarines. Since then it has been substantially added to. The United States fleet in the Pacific at the same time was one battleship, 12 cruisers, 14 destroyers, 10 light cruisers, and 14 submarines. Feverish activity in the United States shipbuilding yards has, however, been maintained since the war broke out. The utmost secrecy as to the relative strength of the various navies has prevailed for some time.
LIFT ATTENDANT "A.E.T." (Leichhardt) asks how and where he can obtain a certificate for a lift attendant.
At the office of the Superintendent of Lifts and Scaffolds, Public Works Department, Sydney. Applicants must prove their ability to manage a lift and replace fuses that blow out. They must also be of good character.
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, 21 April 1915, p. 36.
THE ASC
"Cadet"
The Army Service Corps is a mounted combatant corps. You should look up the Universal Training Regulations V. to see the details regarding qualifications, etc.
NAVAL LOSSES
"Channel"
Great Britain has lost so far five battleships, ten cruisers, two gunboats, and three submarines. The total value of German naval losses must run into a good many millions. It is impossible to give even approximated figures at present.
RANGE FINDING
"Gordon" asks how range finding on warships is worked out.
To answer this question would require at least a page of the "Mail". Your better plan would be to visit the nearest public library, and turn up any books dealing with naval and military range finding.
AMBULANCE WORK "Anxious"
Even though you have had both theoretical and practical experience of ambulance work you would have to join the Expeditionary Force as a private at 6s a day. Probably you would be attached to the Army Medical Corps as a stretcher bearer.
LETTERS FOR THE FRONT
"M.K."
Until an official alteration is announced, all letters for Australian soldiers who have left with the Expeditionary Forces would be addressed to Egypt. No doubt that will be the training ground for all the contingents whether they ultimately go to Turkey or France.
AUSTRALIAN CONTINGENTS
"M.E.S."
It is not known how many contingents Australian may yet send to the front, nor what their composition may be. No doubt, if more men are sent, they will include light horse. The fact of a man bringing his own horse should assist to get him into the mounted infantry.
CIVIL SERVANTS
"Rosewood"
Civil servants on volunteering for active service do not resign their posts. These are kept open for them. The State makes up to the men the difference between their military and civil pay. Many private firms are adopting the same course, guaranteeing their employee positions at least equal to those they leave on their return from the front.
ADMIRAL FLAGS "E.W.P." asks what distinguishes the flags of the British admirals, vice admirals and rear admirals.
The distinguishing marks of the various flags are:-
Admiral, the red St George's Cross on a white background;
Vice Admiral, the same with a red ball in the top left hand corner;
Rear Admiral, the same, with a red ball in each of the top and bottom left hand corners.
The sleeves of the naval officers (executive) are braided as follows:-
Sub Lieutenant, one half in gold stripe with a curl on top;
Lieutenant, the same, with another plain gold stripe below it;
Lieutenant Commander, one half inch gold stripe with curl, one quarter inch plain one with a half inch plain one below;
Commander, three half inch stripes with a curl on the top one;
Captain, four half inch stripes with a curl on the top one;
Rear Admiral, a plain broad gold stripe with half inch one above it with a curl;
Vice Admiral, the same, only having two half inch stripes, the top one with curl;
Admiral, the same only with three stripes; and,
Admiral of the Fleet, the same, only having four narrow stripes above the broad band.
THE TITANIC
"A.B."
The Titanic was lost in the Atlantic on the night of Sunday, April 14, 1912.
HOLIDAY WAGES
"W.J.E."
None of the trades awards provide for the payment of wages to employees during the Easter or other holidays.
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