Glen Innes RSL sub branch president Gordon Taylor has paid homage to local indigenous World War I Digger William Daley in a special presentation last Friday as part of 2014 NAIDOC Week celebrations, recognising indigenous military servicemen and women a century after Australia’s first global intervention
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Mr Dayley was killed at the battle of Frommelles in 1916 in service to a fledgling nation. Mr Taylor traced his enlistment and service to Australia in a time of global conflict, saying Mr Daley’s name will be added to the local ANZAC Gates alongside a number of other Glen Innes and district service personnel who have received recognition over the past year.
In a NAIDOC Week event coordinated by Glen Innes TIGYS and EACH branches, Mr Taylor was joined by fellow ex-servicemen Jamie Bryan, Chris Lawrence and Des Bowlay and said Mr Daley represented the spirit of a proud nation of indigenous men who, in spite of abhorrent racial discrimination, stepped up to defend the country that, at the time, did not recognise him as a citizen.
“Men such as William should be commended for their extreme bravery in the face of insurmountable odds,” Mr Taylor said.
William Daley, who was the son of New England residents James “Bullocky” Daley and Sarah (Munro) Daley, was, according to Mr Taylor’s research, a boundary rider before he enlisted in August 10, 1914, and was assigned to 18th Battalion in Sydney.
On April 3, 1916, Mr Daley was transferred to the 54th Battalion and was stationed 10km outside of Cairo, at Moascar. In June that year, he disembarked from the HMAT Caledonia at Marseilles where he joined the battle of Frommelles.
While Gallipoli is Australia’s most well-known conflict, Mr Taylor said Frommelles represented the greatest loss of life, with 5335 Australian soldiers, including Mr Daley, killed in a 24 hour period.
Recognising the sacrifice and service of indigenous men and women in the armed forces was the theme of the barbecue luncheon held outside the TIGYS and EACH building on Grey Street on Friday.
One of a the event organisers Kath Ellis said the luncheon was a great success, with Campbell’s Butchery donating over 4kg of sausages.
“It ran very well,” Ms Ellis said.
“We had a lot more than we expected.”
With a number of local young people getting involved, the organisers agreed the event was a great opportunity to recognise the contribution made by indigenous Australians in historic and current global interventions.
Mr Daley’s name will be added to the local ANZAC Gates later this year in a special memorial ceremony as part of a number of upcoming events coordinated by the Glen Innes RSL sub branch.