March 21, 1919 Welcome Home To Corporal George McCLURE The Mitre Lake Hall was the scene of a large gathering of the district people on Tuesday evening last, the occasion being a welcome home to Corporal Geo. McCLURE, who has returned to Mitre Lake, after close on three years of service abroad. The hall had been nicely decorated for the occasion by Mrs R.G. McCLURE. The hall was draped with flags and bunting and the background was a large Australian flag, while spays of greenery were hung at intervals around the walls. Mr R.G. McCLURE occupied the chair. Proceedings opened with the singing of the National Anthem, during which the guest marched through the hall to the stage and took his seat, followed by three other local returned boys, Private Roy AITKEN, Chas. TAYLOR, and Harry CROSS. The Chairman said they were there that evening to welcome back to their midst Cpl. George McCLURE, after three years service abroad. He had seen and been through a lot in that time, but that he gave a good account of himself at all times, he (the speaker) felt confident. The good name the Australian soldiers had won would live for all time, they had with them on the platform three other returned boys all of whom had done their bit and he had not the slightest doubt that they would go again if necessary. He knew all present were with him in extending to Corporal McCLURE a hearty welcome back to Mitre Lake. Cr. GRANT said he was pleased to be there as a representative of the Arapiles Council. He had known the guest for a long time and had always found him a jolly good fellow. He was connected with the Lowan Football Club of which the guest was a playing member, and one who always played the straight game. When the call came to enlist George was not behind in offering his services. Nothing was too good for them to show their appreciation for what the soldiers had done for them. From their first day under fire on the 25th April, 1915, when they stormed with reckless fury those shell swept heights of Gallipoli and during the fighting in France, the Australian soldier had made a name for Australia that can never die. They were now placed in the position of being able to dictate terms to the enemy, although not very long ago some of them were beginning to think that they would have the terms dictated to them. They should not forget the men who had made it possible to attain this end. He was sure that when peace terms were fixed up it would prevent another war such as has been raging during the past four years. It was the duty of those left behind in Australia to see that the soldiers were properly cared for on their return. The Government had a big task before it in the matter of repatriation, and we should not criticise but assist. He was indeed pleased to welcome Corporal McCLURE home again and on behalf of the Councillors and rate payers of the Shire of Arapiles, he had much pleasure in presenting him with an illuminated certificate which he hoped in years to come would serve to remind their guests of the part he played in the greatest war in history. (applause) Mr H. W. WADE said he too was pleased to be there to welcome their guest as he regarded it his duty if he could be of any use. They had failed to do what they might have done at home. These lads had offered their lives for the Empire and that was the spirit they all admired. He felt that he would like that night to have had the experience of some of our returned men. Last week he attended a similar function to this one, and the guest, though three times wounded, had said that his wounds would not interfere with his ability, both morally and physically. The experience of these lads was one of the greatest any man could wish to have. Their deeds of courage and daring had staggered the world, yet these were the men who were told that they would run away when they heard a shot fired. Subsequent history had shown that the Australian soldier was equal to any emergency. They were a nation trained in the arts of peace, and not in those of warfare, and yet they rose to the occasion magnificently. He like everyone else present, was proud of what they had done, and they were glad to see Corporal McCLURE back to his native land once again. The chairman here presented Corporal McCLURE with a suitably inscribed gold medal on behalf of his many friends at Mitre Lake, and hoped that he would accept it, not for its value but as something to remind him of his friends. In response, Corporal McCLURE said that in a few short days time it would be three years since he was given a send off in the hall. He had been through a lot since then, but he would gladly go through it all again to receive another such welcome as this. He wished to thank them all sincerely for the present and also Cr. GRANT for the illuminated certificate. Three cheers were given for the guest and all present joined in singing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." The following musical program was then gone through and was much appreciated by the audience:---. Song, Mary Ann, (encore) ; We All Go The Same Way Home, Mr Bert HAASE. Song, Home Again to Dear Old Aussy, Mr C. PUMPA. Song, Waiting, Miss A. BUNWORTH. Recitation, Mr R. WHITFIELD (encore). Song, Laddie in Khaki, Miss Ethel HATELEY. Song, God send You Back To Me, Mr A. MAYBERY. Song, Story of Two Chicks, (encore) ; Hang Out The Front Door Key, Mr John JONES. A sumptuous coffee supper was then banded round, after which the hall was cleared and dancing was indulged in by the young folk until the early hours of the morning. Daryl Crabtree Gladstone Qld www.ballaratgenealogy.org.au/goroke/