When Maitland soldiers arrived home from World War I, they were greeted by welcome committees in individual communities, such as Bolwarra, Horseshoe Bend and East Maitland.
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“It was quite fragmented,” Maitland Regional Museum president Janece McDonald said.
“The committees held dances and euchre parties through the year to raise money to welcome them home.”
It’s this sense of welcoming home that will be on display at a Maitland Regional Museum event on November 9 in recognition of Armistice Day.
Otherwise known as Remembrance Day, the yearly commemoration acknowledges the anniversary of the end of World War I.
But this year holds special significance. It’s the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I in 1918.
The event, which will be held at Brough House, will feature presentations by local historian and author Ed Tonks and founder of the Harrower Collection, David Harrower.
Both will speak about local connections to the war, including three men from Maitland who served together and whose medals were recently brought back together.
The event follows previous World War I exhibitions the museum has held, including Camera on Gallipoli showcasing war photos in 2015, World War I Tunnelling Corps about subterranean soldiers in 2016, and Maitland’s Own honouring the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele in 2017.
“This is a way of finishing off the stories,” Dr McDonald said.
“It’s a welcome home to the people who did come home and acknowledging those who didn’t and how much they gave.
“It’s a book-end of those commemorations and a reflection on what those people did.”
The event will feature a performance by Maitland City Choir and will include drinks and canapes. Maitland Regional Museum will also have various pieces of World War I memorabilia on display.
Cost is $10 per person or $8 for museum members. Bookings are essential.
For more information and to RSVP, contact the museum via email on maitlandrmuseum@gmail.com or call 4933 4450.