Returned Services Balls in Strathfield Town Hall

Strathfield War Memorial, c.1930s by William Harrison. Courtesy State Library of NSW 

Over its 100 years the Strathfield Town Hall has hosted many dignitaries at balls, meetings and charitable events.

After the Wall Street crash of October 1929, the world quickly fell into Depression. Among those facing unemployment and hardship were the returned soldiers of the district – and their families. The Strathfield-Homebush branch of the Returned Sailors and Soldiers’ Imperial League (RSSIL) held annual balls in the Strathfield Town Hall to help relieve the distress locally, receiving the support of prominent politicians and public figures.

At their 2nd annual ball in July 1931, Sir George Fuller, former Acting Premier of NSW, and Lady Fuller generously lent their patronage.[1] Other distinguished guests of honour were politician, Sir Thomas Henley and Lady Henley and pioneer aviator, Sir Keith Smith and Lady Smith.

‘Lady Smith’s frock was of claret lace.’[2]

Smith was a war veteran himself, although he did not see active service during World War I. Having failed the medical for enlistment in Australia, he travelled to Britain, enlisting there with the Royal Flying Corps.  In November 1919, along with brother Ross, he famously flew from England to Australia in a Vickers Vimy aircraft in a trip that took 28 days, 11,340 miles and 135 flying hours. In doing so they earned, along with their two mechanics, the £10,000 offered by the Australian government as prize money for the first aviators to achieve this feat within 30 days. The Smith brothers were immediately knighted.[3]

 

 

Sir George Warburton Fuller, (far left) c.1910s. Courtesy National Library of Australia and Thomas Henley (right) c.1902-1906. Courtesy City of Sydney Archives

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                              Lady Anita and Sir Keith Smith c.1949. Courtesy State Library of South Australia

His Excellency the Governor and Lady Game, escorted by Captain Geoffrey Hughes M.C., attended the RSSIL ball at Strathfield Town Hall on 9 July 1932. An Englishman, Game had distinguished himself during World War I, retiring in 1929 with the rank of air vice marshal. In May 1930 he arrived in Australia as Governor of NSW, just in time for the worst of the Depression. About eight weeks before his visit to the Strathfield Town Hall, Governor Game sacked the premier, Jack Lang on 14 May 1932.[4] Captain Geoffrey Hughes had served with distinction during the Great War, gaining a commission with the Royal Flying Corps and being awarded the Military Cross. At the time of his visit to Strathfield he was the President of the Aero Club.[5]

Sir Philip Game, 1930 wearing his 1920 RAF full dress uniform. Courtesy State Library of Victoria

Geoffrey Hughes with the future King George VI by Sam Hood. Courtesy State Library of NSW

At the 1934 ball, trumpeters heralded the official guests and a guard of honour of former soldiers welcomed the guest of honour, Brigadier-General Sir Iven Giffard Mackay, who would distinguish himself during two world wars.[6] Major Charles Marr and his wife were also in attendance, as were the Mayor and Mayoress, Percy and Edith Shortland. Sir Charles Clanan Marr held the local Federal seat of Parkes and was a distinguished returned soldier himself. At the time of this ball his portfolios included health, repatriation and territories.[7]

Sir Iven Mackay, 1918. Courtesy Australian War Memorial 

 

       Charles Marr, 1929. Courtesy National Archives of Australia

Mayor of Strathfield, Percy Shortland. Courtesy Strathfield Council

Palms and iceland poppies decorated the Strathfield Town Hall for the 1935 ball with guest of honour Brigadier-General Herbert Lloyd. He had been promoted to Major at Gallipoli and won the Distinguished Service Order. He too went into politics after the Great War and returned to service during World War II.[8]

Strathfield Town Hall continued to welcome many distinguished and public figures to its celebrations, fundraising events and meetings. By 1939, however, balls gave way to the urgent, essential activities required to support Australia’s war effort on the local front.

By J.J. MacRitchie

Local Studies Advisor

 

References

[1] John M. Ward, ‘Fuller, Sir George Warburton (1861–1940)’, Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/fuller-sir-george-warburton-6256/text10775

 

[2] Daily Telegraph 27 July 1931 p.4 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/246701420

 

[3] John McCarthy, ‘Smith, Sir Keith Macpherson (1890–1955)’, Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/smith-sir-keith-macpherson-8478/text14911

 

[4] W. G. McMinn, ‘Game, Sir Philip Woolcott (1876–1961)’, Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/game-sir-philip-woolcott-6272/text10807

 

[5] Peter Spearritt, ‘Hughes, Geoffrey Forrest (1895–1951)’, Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hughes-geoffrey-forrest-6759/text11685

 

[6] Jeffrey Grey, ‘Mackay, Sir Iven Giffard (1882–1966)’, Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/mackay-sir-iven-giffard-10977/text19513

 

[7] C. J. Lloyd, ‘Marr, Sir Charles William Clanan (1880–1960)’, Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/marr-sir-charles-william-clanan-7496/text13067

 

[8] Warren Perry, ‘Lloyd, Herbert William (1883–1957)’, Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/lloyd-herbert-william-10842/text19239