The Warrnambool Standard of the 7 August 1917 reported on a ceremony conducted at the unveiling of the honor roll which contained the names of the twenty employees of the Mill, who had volunteered and been accepted for active service.
The board was of polished blackwood, flanked on either side by massive carved pillars supporting a handsome arched canopy under the centre of which is a very finely carved model of a 4.7 inch gun.
Underneath the list of names were the words “DUTY NOBLY DONE.”
A pleasing and interesting function took place at the Warrnambool Woollen Mill on Saturday morning, when a particularly handsome honor roll, containing the names of employees of the Mill, who have volunteered and been accepted for active service; was un-veiled near the main entrance of the Mill Amongst those present were the directors and several visitors, and a large number of Mill employees. The manager (Mr. .J. E. Bennett intimated that he had received an apology for unavoidable absence from Mr J. D. Deany, M.L.A. He said the Honor Roll had been provided from funds subscribed by the staff of the Mill, supplemented by a donation from the directors. The directors had very kindly borne half the cost of the Honor Roll and he wished to thank them on behalf of the whole staff. He would ask the chairman of directors to un-veil the Honor Roll. Mr. M. Saltau said he desired to express his thanks for the invitation to be present at that solemn function. The directors were very glad to join in honoring, the brave fellows who went front the Mill to battle for the grand old flag. Today that flag was dearer to them than ever before. They all recollected how their hearts were stirred when hundreds of thousands of men responded to the country’s call for service abroad. Some 300,000 men had gone from Australia to join their comrades in arms on the far flung battlefields of Europe. They did well to honor those men. Their sacrifices had been great but they were all determined that those sacrifices were not to be in vain. He felt sure that the world would be a better place to live in as the result of the sacrifices made by millions of brave men. They were living to-day in greater security as a result of those sacrifices. They who were far from the battlefield were living in comparative peace and security. The battle front had not touched their shores, and let them pray that it never would. What were they going to do for the men who were fighting their battles? That day they were celebrating the third anniversary. It was a fair thing that others should go to relieve those men who were the first to enlist. They had made some great and successful efforts at raising money for various war funds, like the Y.M.C.A. Market Day effort that day, but something more must be done, and that was to give the men at the front a spell. That was the question they had to solve one way or another. Those fine men could not be expected to go on continuously and indefinitely without being relieved. The total number who had volunteered from the Mill was 31. Of that number 20 had actually gone to the front, and 11 went into camp and were returned as medically unfit. As he unveiled the Honor Roll he would express the hope that it would always be proudly treasured as it contained the names of those of their fellow workers who had responded to the highest and noblest call of duty and whose sacrifices were made for the common weal. (Applause). The Mayor (Cr. Webb) said he felt honored to be present at that ceremony and to join in honoring the men who had gone from the Warrnambool Woollen Mill to fight for the Empire. It was a grand thing that men who were able to go responded so nobly to the call of duty. It was the proudest thing that could occur in a man’s life and a grand thing to be able to look back to. He was pleased to know that such a number had volunteered from the Mill, for the Woollen Mill employees had been classed as munition workers. They had been engaged in the important duty of making clothing and other requisites for the soldiers. Under such circumstances they were exempt, but it was grand to see that they did not shelter behind that exemption. They felt it was their duty to fight for King and country and they had enlisted as soldiers. (Hear. hear). It was this duty of those who remain behind to support the men in the trenches by every means in their power. That was why the big effort was being made that day for the Y.M.C.A. He was pleased to know that the Woollen Mill employees were taking part in the display. A special appeal would be made for men to relieve those at the front and he trusted there would be a fine response. He did not know of any other town that had contributed more generously to the various patriotic movements than Warrnambool. On this occasion the whole town and district had done marvellously well, and he believed the Market Day effort would establish a record. He complimented the Mill on its fine Honor Roll and he trusted all the boys whose names it bore would re-turn safely after having done their duty nobly for their King and country. (Applause).
Mr Bennett said that the Woollen Mill Patriotic Fund in three years totalled £186. (Applause). The Rev. T. P. Bennett expressed his appreciation at the invitation to be present on that memorable occasion. He wanted to say what a great honor it was to have one’s name on such a roll as the one Mr. Saltau had unveiled. That honor could not be purchased by any amount of money. It could only be gained by personal sacrifice. He might be pardoned for striking a personal note in referring to their esteemed manager, Mr. Ben-nett, and Mrs. Bennett, whom they would all heartily join in congratulating upon the promotion of their son, Lieut. Bennett, now fighting for the Empire in France. (Applause). They hoped to welcome him safely home again before long. In order that Honor Rolls should not become cheap it was necessary that they should contain the names of only those who had sailed away to fight for their King and country. They wanted to see the privilege of having one’s name on an honor roll valued by those who had fought at the front. The speaker referred in terms of high eulogy to the quality of the Warrnambool Woollen Mill blankets, which he had tested on active service under the roughest conditions. He trusted they would look after their soldiers when they returned, and that they would always honor them for what they had done for Australia and the Empire. (Applause). On the motion of Mr.Pontefract seconded by Mr. Stansfield, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the manager, chairman of directors, the Mayor and the Rev. T. P. Bennett, and also the Board of Directors. The proceedings concluded with the singing of the National Anthem and “God Save our Splendid Men.” ‘The Honor-Roll is a very fine piece or workmenship. It was turned out and a credit to local industry. The board is of polished blackwood, flanked on either side by massive carved pillars supporting a handsome arched canopy under the centre of which is a very finely carved model of a 4.7 inch gun The following are the names on the board placed in the order of enlistment M. O’DONNELL. J. BENNETT J. M. CONNELLY. A. H. ELLIS. S. A. FERRIER. A. FERRIS. G. HOLLAND. D. D. HUMPHRIES. W. MITCHELL. B. O’NEILL. E. J. OSBORNE. R. PONTING. R. SWINTON. P. SMITH. J. W.. BERRY. J. J. JAGO . T. J. PHILLIPS. W. L. MARFELL. A. .H.SELLAR. L. P. FERRIER. Underneath the list are the words “DUTY NOBLY DONE.”
Warrnambool Standard, 7 August 1917, page 3.