Sub-Branch History

1930

May 5th

R.S.L. MATCH:
The first aggregate shoot in connection with a rifle match, between the 43rd Batailion, U.M,F., and the Semaphore and Port Adelaide Sub-branch R.S. & S.I.L.A. rifle teams took place on April 28. at the Alberton Drill Hall. The following gross scores were recorded:

43rd Batallion — Lieutenant A. Leach. 41: Cade: E. G. Day. 55; Cpl. T. Eleswood. 45; Cdt. R. O'Hara. 43; Cpl. A. Matthews. 44: Cdt. R. H. Winning. 44: C.-Sergt. W. J. Baynes. 47; Cdt. W. Douglas 30 (out) Cdt W. Brooks. 47: Cdt. Motton. 37: Cdt. E. W. Cox. 32: Cdt. H. EUery, 30 (out): total. 485: counted out. 60: net score. 425.

Returned Soldiers—T. A. Bowden (cap tain). 42; A. M. Bickers. 35: J. Tape. 47: R. M. Lenton. 43: P. G. Grant. 45: N. Prior. 34; W. Friday. 42; B. Bosquet. 43: E. M. Moss. 40: J. Gordon. 31 (out); J. Tremble 44; A. Edwards. 16 (out); total, 452; counted out. 47: net score. 415.
The next march will take place at the Alberton Drill Hall on May 19, at 7.45 pm.

Monday 5 May 1930 The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931)

1930

December 2nd

SEMAPHORE AND PORT ADELAIDE ELECTIONS:

Officers elected at a meeting of the Semaphore and Port Adelaide sub-branch of the R.S.L. were:
President, Mr. A. M. Bickers
Vice Presidents, Messrs. F. J. S. Mead, E.Barnes, and T. Bowen
Committee, Messrs. C. Edwards, A. C. Boots, J. Pope, F. Haseb, E. Sade, and E. R. Butler;
Auditors, Messrs. W. Kelly and W. Green;
Secretary' and Treasurer. Mr. A. R. McKay.

Tuesday 2 December 1930 The Register News-Pictorial (Adelaide, SA : 1929 - 1931)

1931

December 24th

SEMAPHORE:
The annual Christmas social of the Semaphore sub-branch of the R.S.L. was held in the Memorial Hall Semaphore, on Saturday night. Mr. A. M. Bickers presided, and proposed the toast of  the league.  Colonel Boss Jacobs, vice president of the State branch, responded. Other toasts honored were 'The Port Adelaide City Council,'  submitted by Mr. P. A. Messenger, response being made by Mr. A J. W. Lewis (Mayor of Port Ade laide), and 'Fallen Comrades.' by Mr. A. R. McKay. Musical Items were rendered by,  Messrs. A. Minnie, W. Green, C. Bradley, W.' Rru, B. West, A. Davis, and C. Dayman. The Perry cup was presented to J. Trlmbell, captain of the Semaphore sub-branch rifle, team. Other trophies presented were Colonel Elsegood (highest score and best shot), J. Trlmbell (best aggregate), B. D. Bonsquet (highest, shoot for R.S.L.).

Thursday 24 December 1931 , Cronicals (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954)

1932

August 4th

Semaphore R.S.L. Annual Social Tonight

Semaphore anrd Port Adelaide sih-branch of the R.S.L. will hold its ninth annual social at Memorial Hall, Semaphore, tonight. The vice-president of the State branch (Mr. R. Lee) and the State secretary (Mr. Dalziel) will represent head quarters, and will respond to the toast of the league.

The Mayor of Port Adelaide (Mr.A.J.Lewis) will hand to Mr. Alan Bickers, the branch president, the lease of the premises now occupied by the Semaphore branch. The pro'amrnme will include community singing of the old wartime songs.

 

1933

August 10th

RETURNED SOLDIERS NOTES OF THE WEEK:
by Garth Owen

WARS OF THE FUTURE: The Governor At Semaphore

'Science has the most effective weapons of war, but another world conflict like the last war probably wipe out civilisation. The danger is already hanging over us, and I appeal to every returned man to spread the gospel of peace, and to educate his sons and daughters to stand for peace, too,' said the Governor (Sir Alexander Hore Ruthven) at the annual reunion of the members of the Semaphore sub-branch of the R.S.L. at the Semapnore Soldiers' Memorial Hall.

 

'I wonder,' he said, 'if any of you have tried to fathom what is the real cause of the trouble and chaos in the world today. The answer is the Great War. I want you to think what the next war will be like if we let it take place. It will not be just armies pitted against each other as in the last war. Defenceless women and children, the aged and the infirm will all suffer. They will be annihilated like animals taken to slaughter. Only the men who went away know how terrible the last war was but the next will be infinitely worse. The youth of today knows nothing of the terrors of war. It must be educated, and it is up to returned men to do it. We would not want to go to another war like the last, and still less would we like our sons to go.

 

We have to get together and build up an organisation that will prevent any country forcing the rest of the world into war as Germany did 19 years ago. That is what the League of Nations is trying to do. and it has my support. It is not perfect, but it could be made so if all countries gave it their full support. Science has perfected many  powerful instruments of war since the end of the Great War. and. if those weapons are released upon the world, it will probably mean the end of civilisation. Everyone of us here tonight,and every old soldier outside this hall,must do his best to warn the world of this.

 

In welcoming the Governor, Mr.P. A. Messenger said that every ex-service man in the State held Sir Alexander and Lady Hore-Ruthven in the highest esteem, and would be sorry when they returned to England at the end of their term. We regard Sir Alexander as one of our selves, he said.

 

In proposing the toast of the R.S.L. the Commissioner of Public Works (Mr.Budd) said the organisation had done a great deal for returned men. The league had always presented its cases In a moderate and reasonable manner, and the various Governments with which it had had to deal had always given its claims the greatest consideration.

Colonel Dollman. replying, said he regretted that the league did not have a larger membership in South Australia. Out of 26.000 returned men in the State. only 6.000 were members. Every member should try to make his comrades join up.

 

The toast of the Port Adelaide council was proposed by Mr. L. McGregor, and Councillor A. O. R. Tapp replied. 'Departed Comrades' was proposed by Mr. E. Sage,

Thursday 10 August 1933 , Cronicals (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954)

1933

August 29th

UNEMPLOYED RETURNED SOLDIERS MEET AT PORT ADELAIDE:
UNemployed returned soldiers at Port Adelaide who are asking for changes in the administration of the South Australian Soldiers' Fund held a meeting today. Some of tile officials on the stage. From Left Messrs. P.  Beckworth,  J. G. Holman,  J. MecEwan,  E. Sage (chairman), secretary of the Port Adelaide and Semaphore sub-branch of the R.S.L., C. Hayter, honorary superintendent of the Port Adelaide Soldiers' Employment Bureau and R. Moss, president of the Port Adelaide and Semaphore sub-branch of the R.S.L.

Tuesday 29 August 1933 News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954)

1934

December 5th

Result of R.S.L. Election At Semaphore

At the Memorial Club Rooms, Semaphore, last night, the returning officer of the Semaphore and Port branch of the R.S.L. (Mr. A. M. Bickers) announced the result of the election of officers for 1935.

Those elected were:
President, Mr.C. E. Sage;
vice-presidents, Messrs. A.Minney and T. A. Bowden;
committee,Messrs. W. Kelly, F. Hase, P. A. Messenger, 3. Macgowan, and E. Sumner;
secretary, Mr. F. Barnes;
assistant secretary, Mr. L. G. McGregor;
auditors,Messrs. L. Waterhouse and A. McDiarmid

1935

March 4th

APPEAL BY SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETY:
Maintaining Complement At Angorichina
Satisfactory badge orders for the annual appeal of the Tubercular Soldiers' Aid Society are being received, reports the secretary - Miss E. Cleggett.

Subscription list

Semaphore and Port Adelaide Sub-Branch R.S.and S.I.L.A £5 0 0
Lodge of Truth. No. 8. S.A.C. £2 2 0
Mr. w. P. D. Clark £1 0 0
Cyclone Fence and Gate Co. Pty.Limited £1 1 0
Messrs. Boettgers £1 1 0
D.C., of Strathalbyn £1 1 0
D.C.. of Carrieton £1 1 0
South British Insurance Co.. Ltd. £ O 18 7

Previously acknowledged  £35 2 5

Monday 4 March 1935, The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954)

1936

August 4th

Semaphore Returned Soldiers' Social

Members of the Semaphore and Port Adelaide sub-branch of the R.S.L. held their thirteenth annual social in the Memorial Hall, Semaphore, last night. The president (Mr. C. E. Sage) unveiled a plaque of a tablet that had been placed in Westminster Abbey by the War Graves Commission to perpetuate the memory 'of a Million Dead.'

The plaque was dedicated by the Rev. Edgar Arnold, who also proposed the toast of -Departed Comrades. Mr. L. Craigie proposed the toast of the R.S.L. and Mr. George King responded.

The Mayor of Port Adelaide (Mr. H. W. Bray) responded to the toast of -The Port Adelaide City Council which was proposed by the secretary of the sub-branch (Mr. F. Barnes). Items were given by Messrs. A. W. Minney, Ralph Powlson. Prank' Lorraine, C. Bennetts, and G. Cooper.

The president of the 10th Battalion A I.F. Club (Mr. G. C. Campbell) added to the branch a bugle which was originally presented to the late Lieutenant C. Smith by the Semaphore Women's Cheer-up Society. Lieutenant Colin Smith was killed at the war was a brother of Sir Keith Smith and the late Sir Ross Smith.

A cup won by the rifle shooting them was presented to the Sub-Branch

The Advertiser Wednesday 5 August 1936

1937

August 5th

R.S.L. Annual Social At Semaphore

About 300 ex-service men met in the Soldiers' Memorial Hall at Semaphore last night when the Semaphore and Port Adelaide sub-branch of the R.S.S.I.L.A. held its 14th annual social.

Among the guests were His Excellency the Governor (Sir Winston Dugan, the District Naval Officer Commander A. S. Rosenthal), the Base Commandant (Brigadier A. M. Martyn). the State president of the R.S.S.I.L.A. (Mr. W. S. Hoskinn), the Rev. Edgar Arnold, and Alderman H, W. Bray, representing the Port Adelaide City Council, in the absence of the mayor (Mr. R. Wright).

At 9 pm. silent tribute was paid to comrades who fell during the Great War. The assemblage stood in the darkened room facing the illuminated cross on the eastern wall, while the padre (Rev. Ederar Arnold) recited "Lest We Forget." Petty Officer A.G. Surman sounded "last Post" and "Reveille."

Sir Winston Dugan was welcomed by 'the vice-president of the sub-branch (Mr. H. Hancock) and in his response he said that he would tell the King, whom he would see in England soon, about the Australian Diggers and how they were faring.

During the evening the Governor and other guests joined in community singing. Many old war favorites were sung. Among the entertainers were Messrs.Mark Ollington. Russell Selwyn. Cyril Hare. Geoff. Walton. Albert Lewis and Harry Jarvis.

5 August 1937 The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article30765439

1937

December 4th

BERT REED, who will meet Allen Brynoe in a 10-round bout at the Semaphore Stadium on Monday night. The Port Adelaide and Semaphore branch of the R.S.L. is organising a series of bouts.

Saturday 4 December 1937 The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954)

1937

December 24th

BOXING CONTEST AT THE SEMAPHORE:
The Semaphore and Port Adelaide sub-branch R.S. & S.I.L.A. has engaged Geo Cheadle the light-heavyweight champion of the Royal Australian Navy to fight a ten-round bout with Dasher Dean, a contender for the middleweight championship of South Australia, on December 28. at the Semaphore Open Air Stadium. Cheadle has had a most successful boxing career. He won his title fight at Sydney in 1934, when he defeated A. B. McDonald in two rounds. During the visit of H.M.AS-Canberra to Singapore tournaments were arranged between the Army and Navy. Cheadle was successful, defeating Private Dean, of the English regiment. He is now training at Semaphore.

Dasher Dean, who is a few pounds lighter than Cheadle is training under the care of Eddie Morrell. A number of preliminaries will precede the main fight.

Friday 24 December 1937 The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954)

Geo Cheadle - picture The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954)

1938

March 5th

Semaphore R.S.L. Women's Club

The first meeting of the Women's Clubhouse and 'Local Committee of the Semaphore branch of the R.S.S.I.L.A. for 1938 was held In the Memorial Hall on Tuesday. Officers elected were: —Executive. Mrs. G. Whelan (president). Mesdames Bootes. Durnell. Robinson vice-president. Mrs. F. J. Praser treasurer). Mrs. E. Flynn (secretary). Mrs.R. Hocking secrctary bowls club. Mrs. Bird and Miss E. Silverlock. After the meeting  supper was served and a farewell was given to Mrs. Boxes Thorpe, who Is sailing for England on March 14. A presentation was I also made to the president on behalf of the committee to Mrs. Thorpe. The Mext meeting will be held at 8 p.m. on Thursday. 8 April

5 March 1938 The Advertiser,(Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954)

1938

March 9th

RETURNED SOLDIERS' LEAGUE NOTES
Wide Support For Distress Fund Appeal
By GARTH OWEN

Practically every sub-branch in South Australia has notified its intention of holding functions; in aid of the Distress Fund Appeal, which will be officially launched early in April. The urgency for providing funds to assist many exservice men in distressed circumstances who are not in receipt of pensions, as well as the dependents of those who have died in indigent circumstances, is keenly realised, and every' member of the League holds himself Bound to do his utmost to assist those less fortunate. There are indications that the appeal will be generously supported by the Public.

SEMAPHORE AND PORT ADELAIDE
A marine excursion will leave the ferry steps at 8 o'clock tonight on s.s. Vigilant, returning at 10.30. The monthly General meeting will be held In the Memorial hall tomorrow. E.L. Cricket will be played on march 17 at Parkside. Semaphore v. Parkside. The social club dance will also be held on March 17 In the Memorial Hall at Semaphore. A social evening will be held on March 24 for members, wives and families.

SUB-BRANCH ELECTRIC LIGHT CRICKET ASSOCIATION PREMIERSHIP TABLE

Mitcham P20, W19, L1 - Pts.76
Brighton 21 19 2 - 76
Prospect 19 17 2 - 68
St. Morris 18 15 3 - 60 '
Semaphore & Pt.Adel. 19 14 5 - 56
Park-side 18 13 4 - 52
Edwardstown 20 13 - 52
W. Croydon & Kilkenny 16 11 - 44
WalkerviUe 18 11 7 - 44
Unley 17 10 7 - 40
Burnside 18 9 8 1 - 38
Col. Lig Gardens 16 5 9 - 36
Seaton Park 20 8 12 - 32
Keswick Richmond 16 7 9 - 28
Hilton 18 6 12 - 24
Clarence Park 14 5 9 - 20
St. Peters 17 4 13 - 16
Northfield 17 4 13 - 16
Norwood 16 3 13 - 12
Thebarton 19 3 16 12
Locklevs 16 3 13 - 12
Plympton 15 1 14 - 4
British Imperial  18 0 18 — 0

Wednesday 9 March 1938, The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954)

1938

March 30th

RETURNED SOLDIERS 'LEAGUE NOTES - SUB-BRANCH NEWS:

UPPER TORRENS VALLEY:
Tbe sub-branch held its annual reunion dinner on Saturday, when 46 ex-servicemen, including visitors from Mannum. Oakbank. Tea tree Gully and Semaphore sub-branches attended as well as Mr. R. B. Jacob, vice-president of the League. Mr. Lelshman. of Mount Lofty. Mr. G. Mertyn. of Hobart and Mr. Hawker. M.H.R. The principal speakers were Messrs. Playford. M.P. Hawker, and Jacob. A special feature was the presentation by the Semaphore sub-branch of a replica of the Cross of Sacrifice, which the president (Mr A. Campbell) acknowledged.

BRITISH IMPERIAL SERVICES:
In the Adelaide Town Hall tonight, a cabaret will be held in aid of the Distressed Soldiers' Fund. Medals and decorations'will be worn. The official party will arrive about 9.30 p.m. There will be old and new style dancing and vaudeville entertainments. On Monday a general meeting will be held at Flinders street. On Tuesday the women's bowls team will play the Legacy Club women at Flinders street. Next Wednesday the fortnightly wish drive will be held at R.S.L. headquarters, Angas street. The men's bowls team will play Semaphore at Semaphore on Tuesday.

ALBERTON AND ROSEWATER RSL:
The sub-branch held its monthly meeting on Saturday with Mr. T. Blair in the chair. The branch has doubled last year's member ship, and it is hoped to reach 100. On Saturday a dance will be held for the Distressed Soldiers' Fund. The women have a bowls practice each Tuesday night in the hall.

ELECTRIC LIGHT CRICKET ASSOCIATION:
So that the table may be completed as early as possible after the completion of the minor round, results should be sent to the assosiation secretary

Mitcham P22, W 21,  L1,  D0,— Pts. 84
Brighton 22 20 2 — 80
St. Morris 21 18 3 — 72
Prospect 22 18 4 - 72
Parkside  21 16 4 1 - 66
Semaphore & Pt. Adrl. 21 15 6 — 60
Edwardtown 20 13 7 — 52
Unley 21 13 8 — 52
Walkerville 21 13 8 — 52
Burnside 21 11 9 1 46
W. Croydon & Kilkennv 18 11 7 — 44
Keswick and Richmond 20 9 11 — 36
Colonel Light Gardens 20 9  — 36
Seaton Park 22 8 14 — 32
Clalence Park 18 7 11 — 28
Hilton 19 6 13 — 24
St. Peters 20 6 14 — 24
Northfield 20 5 15 — 20
Norwood 20 4 16 — 16
Plympton 20 4 16 — 16
Lockleys IS 3 IS — 12
Thebarton 20 3 17 — 12
British Services 21 1 20 — 4

Wednesday 30 March 1938, The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954)

1938

April 6th

ANOTHER THOUSAND FOR SOLDIERS' FUND:
Appeal Is State Wide
EX-SERVICE MEN IN ALL DISTRICTS TO BENEFIT

A further fine response to the appeal for £20,000 for the Sailors and Soldiers' Distress Fund yesterday increased the total by £1,000 to £5,068. An anonymous donor sent £250 Sir Langdon Boython contributed the South Australian Trotting Club sent £65; ten business houses forwarded £50; and one business house £42; and 32 ex-service men subscribed £41, making a total for the Diggers' Personal Appeal of £953.

South Australian Trotting Club £65 0 0
Simpson. A. A.and F. N £52 10 0
Bickford. A. M.and Son Ltd. £50 0 0
Fowler. D. & J.Ltd £50 0 0
Faulding. F. H.and Co.Ltd. £50 0 0
Oldfield's Bakery £50 0 0
Berry. Henry and Co.Ltd. £50 0 0
Wills. Geo. and Co. £50 0 0
Adelaide Chemical and  Fertilizers Co. Ltd. £50 0 0
Cresco Fertilizers Limited £50 0 0
Wallaroo - Mt.Lyell Fertilizers Ltd. £50 0 0
Adelaide Motors Ltd.and All British Motor House. £42 0 0

Many personal contributions from the general public have been received. The list is being tabulated and will be acknowledged tomorrow.

The following is a list of sub-branches and their contributions. In most cases the amounts mentioned are only first instalments and as further instalments from sub-branches are acknowledged, the total to date will be mentioned.

SUB-BRANCHES—FIRST INTALMENTS

Semaphore and Pt. Adelaide £114 0 0
Glenelg 100 0 0, Burnside 61 2 3, Kadina 50 0 0, Prospect 43 9 0,  St. Peters 25 0 0. Port Pirie  25 0 0. British Imperial 25 0 0. Goolwa 24 7 7, Henley and Grange 21 0 0, Unley 20 0 0, Kadina Soldiers' Memorial Hall Committee 20 0 0, Burra 19 8 6, Goodwood and S.W 19 2 2, Strathalbyn 18 10 10, Maitland 17 14 5, Upper Torrens Valley  14 8 6, Nurrung 12 9 6, Waikerie 12 5 0, Winkie 11 13 O, Blackwood 11 13 0, Salisbury II 0 0, Port Lincoln 11 0 O, Brighton 11 0 0, Tumby Bay 10 0 0, Thebarton  10 0 0, St. Morris 10 0 0, McLaren Vale 8 0 0, Sisters 7 15 6, Edwardstown 7 14 5, Walkrrville 7 10 0, Port Broughton 1 0 0, Williamstown and Lyndoch 6 0 0. Pt. Pirie (2nd donation)  5 5 0, Central Eyre's Peninsula  5 5 0, Murray Bridge 5 5 0, Barmera 5 5 0, Whyalla 5 5 0, Meadows and District 5 5 0, Yorketown 5 0 0, Glossop 5 0 0, Hamley Bridge 5 0 0, Plympton 5 0 0, Clare 5 0 0, Lockleys 5 0 O, Woodville 4 6 9, Yankalilla 4 4 0, Booleroo "Centre 3 8 6, Nuriootpa 3 7 O, Pt. Victoria 3 5 0, Peterborough 2 10 6, Broken Hill 2 2 0, Auburn 2 2 0, Moonta 2 2 0

Wednesday 6 April 1938, The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954)

1938

November 11th

Shipping activities at Port Adelaide were stilled for two minutes while laboreis stood with bowed heads. From the Port Adelaide Town Hall balcony Reville was sounded by a naval bugler and a prayer offered by the Rev. A. D. McCutcheon. Representatives of the council laid wreaths on the memorials at Semaphore, Rosewater, and Birkenhead. At the latter memorial a large party of Harbors Board employes, who erected the monument in memory of their fallen comrades gathered to pay tribute.

Friday 11 November 1938,  News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954)

1938

November 11th

RECORD RUSH TO BUY: All Poppies Sold
NEVER before in Adelaide has there been such a rush for Armistice Day poppies. Supplies in the city and Port Adelaide were sold out before noon.

"This is the first time that we have ever sold out in the city," said the secretary of the Returned Soldiers' League (Mr. Dowling) this afternoon. "The response has been marvellous." Altogether 55,000 poppies were distributed to sellers in city and country. If all are sold, as is likely, the Poppy Day Fund would rise by more than £1,300.

Today's sales will easily eclipse last year's record of 48,896. Few returns,if any, are expected from the country. A thousand poppies from Renmark,where the Poppy Day sale was postponed, were hurried back to Adelaide by plane to replenish supplies. The rush in Adelaide was amazing.Sellers did not have to ask people to buy them. The people came to the sellers, smiling and holding out their sixpences. At some places they queued up to get their poppies. A digger selling poppies had a good haul on the 7.12 a.m. tram from Kensington Gardens. He boarded the tram near the Norwood Town Hall, and before it had reached Young street all the 30 people on board were wearing poppies.

Friday 11 November 1938,  News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954)