1914
War and the Sandbag Movement
With the outbreak of World War 1 in 1914, Cottesloe Beach became a focus for community fundraising.
When news came of the desperate state of Belgian prisoners of war in Germany, a three day Belgian Flag Carnival was held. Ten thousand people rallied and raised more than 250 pounds for the “distressed Belgians”. [1] Trove: West Australian, 2 February 1915, p 7.
1915 Belgian Flag Carnival
Later fundraising efforts switched to supporting Australian troops overseas. In December 1915 the opening of the beach season was designated ‘Cottesloe Sandbag Day’ to raise funds for the Sandbag Movement. The movement aimed to supply the troops with sandbags for their defence. It was reported that:
“One heard that the need for cover was so desperate that the Australian soldiers were put to filling their own shirts with sand.” [2]Trove: Western Mail, 17 Dec 1915.
On the day an Anzac Stall sold refreshments, sandbag sewing competitions were held and sideshows offered hoopla, spinning jennies and ‘Bash the Kaiser’. The funds raised were used to buy material for the sandbags. Boy Scouts and boys from Perth Boys School sewed the bags and later, employees of Joyce Brothers in Fremantle volunteered their labour.
1915 Letter from the Chairman of the WA Central Sand Bag Committee
Source: SRO of WA. Sandbag Fund. Cons 3054 1917/0014
References
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