Discussing Twixt Town and Country are, from left, Berwick RSL president Noel Sealey, Phil Cunliffe and Lyle Rust.By Jim Mynard
BERWICK RSL president Noel Sealey has produced a chronology of military activity in Berwick and surrounding area.
Twixt Town and Country … A Chronology of Military Activity in Berwick and Surrounding Area 1798 to 1946 comes as thoughts turn to next month’s Anzac Day celebrations.
Mr Sealey said during the formative years, ‘Berwick’ for the purpose of the document extended as far as Bunyip.
He said the compilation was intended as a public historical record and suggested additions, corrections, and/or deletions would be gratefully received.
Because of the relaxed membership rules for the RSL, the author has also listed emergency services in the chronology.
The record begins with George Bass Royal Navy, which explored Australia’s southern coast including Western Port.
George Bass came ashore at the spot now known as Bass.
During this time the New South Wales Corps served the area.
During November 1826 the corps sent 18 soldiers, 21 convicts and settlers to make home at Corinella.
Berwick came into being when Captain Robert Gardiner took up a cattle run in the Cardinia Creek area during 1837.
Captain Gardiner named Berwick after Berwick upon Tweed, on the border of England and Scotland, which is now one of the City of Casey’s sister cities.
The first police court at Berwick was held in the Border Hotel, now the Berwick Inn, and the first policeman, Trooper Johnstone, was posted to Berwick in 1868.
“During the 1880s two Berwick men, Mr Drummond and Mr Adams, lived in High Street,” Mr Sealey said.
“The men could often be seen wearing their medals and sitting in the sunshine on the boulevard.
“Mrs Drummond was said to be a contemporary of, and associated with, Florence Nightingale, both nursing in the Crimea.”
As the 20th century unfolded Australians became more and more involved in wars, and one telling record is the Berwick Grammar School Boer War honour board, now held by the RSL.
Twixt Town and Country will be available at the RSL Hall, Langmore Lane, Berwick, and the Berwick Library in High Street.
