General News
13 December, 2025
Christmas not as we know it
Wimmera residents did not forget those serving overseas as Christmas 1918 approached.
Wimmera residents did not forget those serving overseas as Christmas 1918 approached.On May 30 1919, the Horsham Times published a letter of appreciation headed ‘Thanks for sox’.
Writing from Criptia, Belgium, on March 21 1919, to Miss Pickford, of Wonwondah East, Horace A Sear says –
Dear Miss Pickford,
Just a note to tell you I was yesterday the receiver of a pair of sox knitted by you, and with the enclosed note inside one of them.
I noticed the address was Horsham, so it rather surprised me, as I know a little of your town.
I had the pleasure of spending Christmas (1917) there with an uncle of mine.
He is Mr HH Archibald, of Messrs Langlands and Sons.
What I saw of Horsham I liked very much indeed.
It impressed me as being a very prosperous little town, and when I left I carried away with me very happy recollections of my brief stay there.
I am not a Victorian soldier, but I was born in South Yarra, Melbourne.
I am a West Australian by adoption, having lived there since I was quite a little boy.
The sox are excellent and fit me splendidly.
Please accept my thanks for them.
We boys cannot thank the ladies of Australia enough for their kindness to us, and though we did our bit on foreign soil they did theirs equally as well at home.
Thanking you again for your kindness.
[CROSSHEAD]World War II at home
‘Horsham’s austerity Christmas’ was the heading under which the Horsham Times ran the following report on January 1 1943, reflecting on the so-called festive season in a country strangled for the fourth year in a row by war.
During the week preceding Christmas, Horsham’s shopping centre experienced busy times, although in keeping with austerity.
Christmas of 1942 is believed to have been one of the quietest for some years.
With toys in poor supply, the general tendency was to buy articles which would be useful to the recipients.
The young people have not been easily satisfied this Christmas, because few sweets are available, there are no elaborate toys, no Christmas stockings and not many books to choose from.
Generally speaking, people showed understanding of the position and realised that certain items are no longer easy to obtain because in many cases they are out of production and the surplus labour has been largely diverted into war production.
Many shoppers showed little reluctance to dispose of coupons, and ties and handkerchiefs held pride of place for many people as a useful gift of moderate price.
Due to the fact that shops were closed for four days, shoppers thronged grocery and other stores to replenish supplies of food.
The police report that no trouble was experienced through indiscretions of thirsty citizens.
With thanks: Sally Bertram, RSL Military History Library. Contact Sally at sj.bertram@hotmail.com or call 0409 351 940.
