Historical information

This album pays tribute to the First World War service men who were born and / or lived in the Shire of Marong and were killed in action.
Australia’s involvement in the First World War began when Britain and Germany went to war on 4 August 1914, and both Prime Minister Joseph Cook and Opposition Leader Andrew Fisher, who were in the midst of an election campaign, pledged full support for Britain. The outbreak of war was greeted in Australia, as in many other places, with great enthusiasm. For Australia, the First World War remains the costliest conflict in terms of deaths and casualties. From a population of fewer than five million, 416,809 men enlisted, of whom more than 60,000 were killed and 156,000 wounded, gassed, or taken prisoner.

Physical description

Large volume with screw post binding. Corduroy and leather front and back cover. Leather gold embossed title central front cover. Marbled pasted down end papers. Seventy four individual cream and maroon printed pages with decorative scrolls, illustrations and text. Alphabetised. Each page is dedicated to a service man who died in action, recording his name, address, service record and date of death. Oval central space for photographic portrait with image of an emu on the left, kangaroo on the right and boomerang above. (Not all pages contain photographs).

Inscriptions & markings

Shire of Marong / The President, Councillors & Ratepayers / of the Shire of Marong / hereby place on record their thanks and appreciation / for the conduct of (soldiers name) / Who served his King and Country / in the Great War / 1914 / 1919