Approaching Anzac Day 2020, we remember the sacrifices of those fighting in World War I.
After the first rush of enlistments, as horror stories and the injured returned, recruitment numbers dropped. Conscription was proposed. In Gilgandra, the Hitchen brothers and Jack Lee wanted to strengthen enlistment numbers. After extensive planning, 25 men began the march "from Gilgandra to Berlin" on October 10, 1915. They made it to Sydney on the 34th day; their actions snowballed throughout NSW.
The Coo-ee marchers wound their way through tiny villages like Eumungerie and larger towns like Bathurst, heading relentlessly towards Sydney.
November 3 saw them stay overnight in the Old Court House at Hartley before their ascent of Berghofer's Pass on Thursday.
Everywhere they had been welcomed and well fed, their numbers growing slightly with almost every stop. The Mountains villages were no exception.
At Mt Victoria, they stayed overnight. Food, accommodation, entertainment and socks were provided.
November 5 saw more marching. A sumptuous repast at Blackheath, light refreshments at the Hydro Majestic.
Between Medlow and the Marked Tree in Katoomba, clouds of smoke from bushfires engulfed the Coo-ees. Behind these clouds lurked no living hostile foe, but the marchers joked about the fires here and the ones they were yet to face. The crashing of one forest giant, victim of the fire, was greeted with ringing cheers as "the fall of Constantinople".
At the Marked Tree, Katoomba crowds waited, with more food and welcoming speeches before the formal lunch, and later dinner, at the California.
November 6, having showered at the skating rink, they left for Lawson. Twenty volunteers from Katoomba joined the Coo-ees trekking "from every hill and valley, from the mulga and the mallee, to the call of England's rally, from Gilgandra to the sea."
At Lawson they stayed overnight and rested on Sunday. The Governor-General addressed them, to rousing cheers from the Coo-ees.
Monday November 8, Day 30, was hot, flies and smoke from the fires swirling around the now-over 200 Coo-ees marching towards Springwood.
During lunch at Hazelbrook, Private Nutting, representing soldiers convalescing at David Edgeworth's house, presented them with an Australian flag.
Springwood's welcome began at Faulconbridge with a "sumptuous repast, fit for a prince". Then they marched through Springwood. That night, they bivouacked at the Homedale estate.
A bushfire threatening the Euchora Boarding establishment brought a detachment of Coo-ees to fight that enemy. Soon the blaze was controlled.
That evening, a "continental" entertained all. After the patriotic speeches, Springwood residents gave the Coo-ees a large package of cigarettes.
The Coo-ees left for Penrith at 9.45 am on Tuesday, November 9 with a hearty send-off. Sydney was in sight, and Berlin getting closer.
Robyne Ridge is publicity officer for Blue Mountains Historical Society.
