Coonabarabran Times - 10.11.2022

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THURSDAY, 10TH NOVEMBER 2022

• 1535ML Vol. 36 No. 19 SINGLE COPY — $2.00 (includes GST) SUBSCRIPTIONS — $200 pa (print) $120 pa (digital)

Landscaping Supplies

COONABARABRAN – THE ASTRONOMY CAPITAL OF AUSTRALIA

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REMEMBRANCE DAY: FRIDAY, 11 NOVEMBER 2022

Remembering Trooper James Cain A tribute to Trooper James Cain, Aboriginal Digger, Cameleer, Light Horseman. Aboriginal people are advised this story contains an image and names of deceased persons

by MICK ESTENS At the end of World War I, 104 years ago in France on 11 November 1918, a cessation of war was signed between the Allies and Germany. This took effect at 11.00am and is now known as Armistice Day. One Coonabarabran lad overseas on Armistice Day 1918 was James Cain, grandson of Mary Jane Cain from Burra Bee Dee. James enlisted in the 1st Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) and became Private James Cain 3146 of the Imperial Camel Corps (ICC), nicknamed by Aussie Diggers as the “Sportsman’s Unit”. This enlistment took h i m on a t r ip ac r o s s o c e a n s - M ad a g a s c a r, to the ancient deser ts and pyramids of Egypt through Palestine to the Sea of Galilee, Nazareth to Damascus in Syria; a living witness to history. James Edward Cain applied to join the army in an application to the Na r rabr i R ecr uitment Office on 3 March, 1917. A s s o on a s he wa s passed as f it for duty, Ja me s wa s p o st ed on

request to Menangle Park near Sydney to train as a trooper for the Camel Corp. He was the s on of George William Cain and A n n ie Mc Grath , f r om Bomera Station. Once training was over James was sent to Sydney for transportation to join the war. James embarked on HM AT Port Sydney and after a brief stay at Fremantle West Australia he left on 22 April, 1917. H i s l ast gl i mpse of Australia during the war was from here. The ship sailed up the Suez Canal and James disembarked on 20 June, 1917 at Moascar A rmy Camp, Egypt. James was posted to the 3rd ANZAC Squadron Imper ial Camel Corps at A bba s si a ne a r t he Pyramids of Cairo. Not long after this the ICC moved out to fight the German and Ottoman T urkish armies in Palestine. By October the ICC were fighting towards the town of Beersheba. His unit set up a firing position near the front at Beersheba and watched the

4th and 12th Australian Lighthorse charge and take the town. T he Camel Corps trotted in and watered their camels at its wells. F r om her e t he IC C wa l ked t o a battle at Gaza where, within days of fighting, the Turkish army fled. James stayed uninjured so far, but by 15 January, 1918 he had malaria and was admitted to 31st Field Hospital to recover. Six days later he was discharged and re-joined the ICC. By that July the war had moved onto battle fields less suited to camels so the ICC was disbanded a nd Ja me s e nd e d up being posted to the 15th Australian Light Horse (ALH) Regiment. James was an accomplished rider from working on proper ties around Coonabarabran. T he 15th A L H was sent straight to the town of Megiddo, which today is part of North Israel, south west of Nazareth. James fought here at Megiddo and his squadron rode behind the retreating G er m a n a nd T u rk i sh army into Syria where,

on 1 October 1918, he rode i nt o Da mas cus where Lawrence of Arabia had arrived. The 15th ALH were sent back over the Suez Canal to put down Arab riots in Egypt. Here was James’ last fight in his war service, weeks after war had ended in Europe. While awaiting return to Australia James had a second attack of malaria in March 1919 and was sent to 26th Field Hospital to rest, rejoining his Light Horse unit three weeks later. Ja me s wa s s e nt t o Kantara, Egypt on the Suez Canal in July to await transport to Australia. He embarked from here on 20 August, 1919 on the HT Morvada. Those that fought in the Camel Corps were hard, tough, no-nonsense men. The Corps was made up from Gallipoli veterans, volunteers, and soldiers that other units found “problem people” and sent there. CONTINUED PAGE 4

Hayes’ Homemaker Heaven TWILIGHT KIDZ MATTRESS OPTIONS: SINGLE KING SINGLE + DOUBLE P: 6842 1225

81 John Street, Coonabarabran

1 - Coonabarabran Times, Thursday, 10th November 2022

George Cain, James Cain, Mary Jane Cain.

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• Great lifestyle property close to Binnaway set on 135.2ha (334 acres) • Mostly timber with approximately 5-10% open grazing country • Two ground dams (one very large), partly fenced • Airstrip, plane hanger/workshop, old caravan with annex • 20’ shipping container, double garden shed, small rain water tank This information has been obtained from a third party. We make no representation to its accuracy. All photos, computer images and maps are indicative only. We are merely passing on the information. Interested parties should make their own enquires.

M: 0439 421 436

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P: 6842 7963

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