This album of photographs reflects the ways that the Gosford District responded to World War One. From enthusiastically embraced patriotic parades in 1915 to the war-wearied faces of invalided soldiers after Gallipoli and France, this gallery is a testament to the sacrifice of soldiers, sailors, nurses, fathers, sons, wives and families. See our new WW1 "From Anzac to Armistice"Central Coast resources at: www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/community/library/history/local-hi...
Gosford man James (Jim) Kirkness joined the Australian Naval and Military Expedition in 1914. He sailed to New Britain to serve in some of the first Australian army engagements of WWI. This very rare first-hand account of an Australian soldier at the very dawning of WWI has been transcribed by Carmen Coutts-Smith (nee Kirkness) for Gosford City Library.
Returned soldiers sit on long benches outside the former refreshment rooms at Gosford Railway Station.
Explore Gostalgia: local history from Gosford Library's 7110 photos on Flickr!
Geoff Potter photo. If you appear in a photograph and prefer that the image is removed please let us know.
Explore Gostalgia: local history from Gosford Library's 7110 photos on Flickr!
Explore Gostalgia: local history from Gosford Library's 7110 photos on Flickr!
Geoff Potter photo. If you appear in a photograph and prefer that the image is removed please let us know.
The Gosford Times of 6 August 1915 reported: "This display was simply splendid, and nothing in the procession caused more amusement. An old cab was provided for the purpose, and all the appointments were extremely ludicrous. Mr George Delandre as a country parson, was excellent in deportment and make up. It is now said that his services are in great demand. So they should be. Mr Frank Sterland as the "cabby", caused roars of laughter, while the bride and bridegroom were a most loving couple." This photograph was taken at the intersection of Mann and Donnison Streets. Behind the float can be seen Horace Jephson's store. Today (2014) this is the site of the Indian Restaurant. Photograph by R. Hazlewood of Epping NSW.
Geoff Potter photo. If you appear in a photograph and prefer that the image is removed please let us know.
Explore Gostalgia: local history from Gosford Library's 7097 photos on Flickr!
Read a history of Marrickville NSW, including a section on "The Warren" artillery camp at: www.dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/marrickville
Explore Gostalgia: local history from Gosford Library's 7110 photos on Flickr!
Explore Gostalgia: local history from Gosford Library's 7097 photos on Flickr!
Geoff Potter photo
Geoff Potter photo. If you appear in a photograph and prefer that the image is removed please let us know.
Explore Gostalgia: local history from Gosford Library's 7097 photos on Flickr!
Read a history of Marrickville NSW, including a section on "The Warren" artillery camp at: www.dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/marrickville
Geoff Potter photo. If you appear in a photograph and prefer that the image is removed please let us know.
Explore Gostalgia: local history from Gosford Library's 7110 photos on Flickr!
Geoff Potter photo. If you appear in a photograph and prefer that the image is removed please let us know.
Explore Gostalgia: local history from Gosford Library's 7097 photos on Flickr!
Explore Gostalgia: local history from Gosford Library's 7097 photos on Flickr!
Banner reads "Gosford War Relief League makes comforts for our wounded soldiers" This float, according to the Gosford Times of 6 August, 1915 "illustrate[s] the benefits conferred by War Relief Leagues. On one outer side of the [extended] frame sand bags were set in position, similar to those used at the front, of which the League supplies a large number. This section being the first [in the parade] represented the firing line, and had men in uniforms, with rifles levelled and bayonets fixed. The next section, back on this extended lorry, depicted costume conditions inside the firing line, where soldiers were seen discarding clothes much worse for wear, bloodstained, tattered and torn, and availing themselves of woollen socks, Balaclava caps, both articles knitted by the League. others were expressing delight at the sight of nice clean gowns and shirts, supposed to have arrived at the Dardanelles from Australia. Back from this again, in the third line, sat a young chap in a deck chair. he was clothed in a dressing gown, smoking a cigar, and reading a copy of the "Gosford Times" He seemed the picture of contentment and ease, did wounded Jack Fry. Again, in the centre of all this on a raised pedestal, stood a woman with beautiful fair hair, representing an angel, who with bugle raised in the air acted as an envoy of the War Relief Leagues in the capacity of guarding and watching over loved ones in the trenches. The angel was Mrs Smith of Point Clare." Photograph by R. Hazlewood of Epping, NSW.
Geoff Potter photo. If you appear in a photograph and prefer that the image is removed please let us know.
Explore Gostalgia: local history from Gosford Library's 7110 photos on Flickr!
Photograph from the collection of the late Doug and Margaret Parton of Toukley, NSW.
Geoff Potter photo. If you appear in a photograph and prefer that the image is removed please let us know.
Circa 1920s-30s.
The Gosford Times of 6 August, 1915 described this railway staff display (one of four in the parade): "This display contained two banners, size 9ft x 3ft. One bore the words Äustralians in the Trenches" the other side "Will they never come? [On the float] were large posters conspicuously displayed, one representing a torn flag with an Australian girl standing by, and bearing the words "Were you there?". The other depicted an Australian soldier standing with a foot on either side of the Dardanelles, coo-eeing to Australia for help. The third illustrated a "Wounded Soldier"still grasping his rifle. The mechanical part of this display was realistic to perfection. The trenches were raised on an extended lorry frame specially made, upon which were built spits of turf. Through various loop holes were placed cannons, which frequently fired charges along the route, giving a vivid effect to the whole display. Directly behind the firing line were Red Cross Nurses attending the wounded." Photograph by R. hazlewood of Epping, NSW.
Geoff Potter photo.
circa 1914-1918.
Explore Gostalgia: local history from Gosford Library's 7097 photos on Flickr!
Geoff Potter photo. If you appear in a photograph and prefer that the image is removed please let us know.
The Gosford Times of 6 August 1915 reported: "This consisted of [Gosford Public] school children, dressed in pretty costumes, and arranged tier on tier. This again was set off with festooning, and tricolour crepe paper, making altogether a very effective and instructive display. These two tableaux [including another titled "Australasian"] were organised by the Misses Dent and Fletcher, of the Public School, to whom great credit is due." Photograph by R. Hazlewood of Epping, NSW.
William George Humphrey as WW1 Signal Corps soldier. Served France and Belgium. Managing Director of Kincumber Growers Ferries.
Possibly parade for Red Cross day, 1918.
Geoff Potter photo
circa 1915-1918.
Circa 1920. Part of the honour roll survives in the former rectory (now used for Church administration) at Gosford.
Thomas enlisted in the 1st AIF on 23rd September, 1914. He served with the 7th Light Horse Regiment. He was from a very old Kincumber family.
Explore Gostalgia: local history from Gosford Library's 7097 photos on Flickr!
Photograph courtesy of and copyright owned by Gary Jackson.
The Gosford Times of 6 August 1915 reported: In this display each state was represented by a school girl, attired in very effective costumes, with a sash across the shoulders, bearing the names of the State represented in gold letters. the central figure carried a sceptre, bearing a large gilded map of Australasia." Photograph by R. Hazlewood of Epping, NSW.
The Gosford ambulance stretcher can be seen on the far right near the lam post. "The country wedding" float follows behind. Following a gap, a float with a native floral display organised by A. Gollan of the State Forest Nursery can be seen. This float, on the back of a horse lorry, was heavily loaded and drawn by five horses. Photograph by R. Hazlewood of Epping NSW.
The War Memorial was on its original site, near the corner of Terrigal Drive and Central Coast Highway (The Entrance Road). The church behind was a little C of E called St. Phillip the Deacon. It was eventually closed, and moved to Linton Gardens at Somersby. The photograph was taken by Fred Mansfield, photographer of Terrigal.
