By Kath Gannaway
IN 2015 Lilydale and District Historical Society embarked on what they recognised themselves was an ‘ambitious’ project to commemorate the centenary of World War I.
‘They Answered the Call’ was officially launched by Casey MP Tony Smith on Saturday, 26 November, with descendants of a number of the featured WWI soldiers joining society members and invited guests, including Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Noel Cliff.
Society president Sue Thompson said the project aim was to compile a list of all the men and women who served in WWI from the society’s collections area of Lilydale, Coldstream, Gruyere, Killara, Seville, Silvan, Montrose and Kilsyth, and make them available digitally and in hard copy.
Three members of Lilydale’s Goodall family were among the ‘locals’ who answered the call.
Joseph Francis Goodall used the alias Cyril Fish when he enlisted at 17 years of age in 1917. He was following in the footsteps of his cousins Thomas Henry Goodall, 25, William Henry Goodall, 28, who had enlisted in 1915.
Joseph’s alias didn’t hold up, and he was returned to Australia in 1918, William also returned home in 1918 having served in Egypt and France before being repatriated to England with gunshot wounds.
Sadly, Thomas was killed in action in Belgium, having served in Egypt and France.
It is just one story of 350 that are part of the ‘They Answered the Call’ display and on the website.
Society president Sue Thompson said the story was ongoing.
“We encourage any descendants to contact us if they have any images or information we could add to the website,” she said following the launch.
A book on the 15 people featured in the display is available from the Old Lilydale Court House for $5.
For more information, visit lilydalehistorical.com.au or phone Ms Thompson on 0475 219 884.
