The research and writing took 10 years and, as such, was a labour of love from an author whose other love is music.

The first men from Bendigo enlisted in August 1914 and the stories of their experiences are a day-by-day account from the outbreak of war in 1914 until the re-organisation of the Australian force in 1916. 

Larna’s history is based on accounts in diaries and letters from the soldiers themselves. 

It includes chapters on the Outbreak of War, the Broadmeadows Camp, the Embarkation, training in Egypt, the Landing at Gallipoli, battles including those at Cape Helles and Lone Pine, the Evacuation, Re-organisation of the Australian Forces and how news was received in Bendigo. 

In his Foreword to the book, the Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo, Councillor Barry Lyons, states that the mayors  and mayoresses of the time shook the hand of every single soldier as he set off to Egypt and then on to the Gallipoli landing and the Western Front. 

The author does not shy away from writing of the “Human Cost” of the men of the 7th Battalion. 

There were 93 men of the “First Lot” who embarked for service abroad and by the end of the Gallipoli campaign, only 39 men remained. 

These went on to fight on the Western Front. 

Altogether, there were 27 dead and 27 returned to Australia Medically Unfit. 

Apart from Gallipoli, the author writes on the Second Battle of Krithia at Cape Helles, where the Australians perceived serious flaws in the British command. 

They were particularly critical of the decision to mount a frontal attack in daylight, across open country. 

One writer later stated “That this was the worst prepared attack of the war, to suffer terrible casualties, the price they paid for the ineptitude of certain Imperial Staff deadbeats, pompous professional duds.”

There are many interesting and illuminating stories in this fine book, including one concerning a “Message in a Bottle”, which was covered in articles in the Bendigo Advertiser, the result of detective work by Bev Hanson and David Cotton. 

Larna Malone has confirmed that this method of sending messages to loved ones was to avoid the strict censorship rules imposed during war time.

In 1916 the Anzac forces were re-organised into five divisions, which meant a splitting of the 7th Battalion in the new 5th Division. 

The “veterans” of Gallipoli were distinguished by a metal badge in the shape of an “A” for Anzac, worn over their regimental patch, denoting their role with the original Anzacs.

There is a good list of maps, researched and prepared by Bendigo Historical Society member Patrick Thwaites, a list of photographs copied and restored by Heather Day, Conversion Tables, a Glossary of Terms and an excellent Index. 

Larna Malone’s The First Lot may be bought at the Bendigo RSL in Pall Mall for $35.

Bendigo Cemetery CD 

More than 40,000 images of headstones. Cost $40 (= 4000 photos for every dollar). Phone Tom and Libby Luke on 5449 3547.

Bendigo Historical Society November Meeting

On Friday, November 7, in the Bendigo TAFE Theatrette, McCrae Street, at 2pm. 

Stuart MacKenzie will speak on on Hugh “Water on the Brain” McColl. All welcome. Entry by gold coin.

Tours

Shamrock Hotel every Sunday at 2pm. Cost $10, includes cake and coffee. Book at the Shamrock on 5443 0333.

Specimen Cottage (178-80 Hargreaves Street) every Tuesday at 11am. Cost $5 includes morning tea.

Visit the Bendigo Historical Society website at www.bendigohistory.com