Wounded men just back from the Dardanelles were everywhere to be seen in Melbourne 100 years ago this week. Table Talk columnist "Celia" saw them at a grand concert starring soprano Amy Castles.
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"The hall was a brilliant sight, filled with a generous sprinkling of khaki-clad warriors to add interest to the audience, and decorated gaily with red, white and blue. Across the front of the organ was the [electronic] banner 'Bravo, Australia' which flashed into light as the wounded soldiers presented Miss Castles with a flag.
"Amy Castles, smothered by lovely floral trophies was a picture ... They heaped them up in her arms until she did not know how to move, for she could not see over them. Then there was a most affecting and dramatic moment when three wounded soldiers went forward and one fine fellow, with the right sleeve of his tunic pinned across his breast, handed her a large Union Jack. There was a cheer for the soldiers and Miss Castles seemed very moved as she hugged the flag and then waved it.
"Whenever the audience caught sight of the wounded soldiers entering or leaving the hall they cheered them. For one soldier it caused embarrassment. He was crossing the hall to his seat after the interval when cheers and applause broke out. When he realised it was for him, he flushed up even under his tan and literally ran for it, subsiding into his seat as if he would like to disappear quite out of sight!"
