From Temora Rotary Club

Colonel Pat Thome was bom in Calcutta India where his father was a Major in the British military in India. Pat completed 27 years of distinguished service with the military. On moving to Australia, the family operated a rural property at Springdale.

Pat has carried out considerable research into ANZAC and on Gallipoli, and in particular the involvement of soldiers from Springdale, Temora and Ariah Park during WW1. As this year is the 100th Anniversary of ANZAC, this presentation was particularly relevant. Pat included readings directly from letters sent home from Gallipoli by local soldiers. These gave a vivid and different perspective on the conditions that they endured, and of their love and consideration of their families back in Australia.

As with many communities in Australia at that time, Springdale, Temora, and Ariah Park paid a big sacrifice in the losses of young men from their communities.

 

One interesting fact that Pat related to us was that at the Treaty of Versailles, New Guinea was to be handed over to Japan. Fortunately the Australian Prime Minister at the time was able to prevent this happening. Just imagine the implications for Australia during WW 2 if this had happened.