The following is from part of a newspaper article published early in 1916 regarding the so called “mutiny” among soldiers from 2 military camps in Sydney. It backs up the information given in one of Lt. Elkington’s letters to his family. It is from a newspaper cutting (probably Sydney Morning Herald) and has no beginning.

… ..using bad language and were making threats. I then warned the men that if they did not at once go on to the departure platform and cease interfering with the pickets I would take action. They used bad language, and I said “I will give you while I count three to get off the platform, and will give the word charge.” They took no notice and used filthy language. I then gave the word ‘Charge, and use the butt.’

Mr. Manning: Not the bayonets? – No, we had not got them fixed at that time. There were a number of civilians urging the soldiers on.

What was the effect of the charge? – Well, we bowled over some of them and they attacked us in turn from outside the hall, which was in darkness. They threw missiles at us – building material, sand and stones and pickets wrenched off the fences. Then they got the fire hose, and drove us back into the western end and the original position of the pickets. We then made a second charge, and with the assistance of civil police, we drove them back and got the hose off them, turning it on to the mutineers. It was one continual fight. Three of my men had been knocked insensible by bottles and one was kicked by a civilian. That soldier was in the hospital for a week afterwards. I was struck on the breast by a missile, and still have the mark. The floor was a litter of bottles and stones. There was a continuous rain of such missiles at us.

While this fight was going on, did you see Keefe? – No, it was a wild fight and you could not distinguish anyone. Men were going down like leaves.

Well, what was the next thing? – It appeared to me that we would be driven into the assembly hall and the whole station wrecked. They had regained possession of the firehose. I thought that if they rushed into the big assembly hall, I could not carry out my orders to protect property, and given riot. I then gave the order to the pickets to load. I followed with the command “Keep your muzzle up, and if you have to fire, fire low.” My idea in giving these directions was that by firing low we would not kill anyone, but hit their legs, and that only one or two shots would be required to intimidate them. I was walking up and down behind the pickets in a worried and agitated state of mind. The dreadful responsibility was thrown on to me. We had stood all that officers could humanly stand. Three of my men had been outed, and we had been stoned.

Well? – Two or three shots were fired from an automatic pistol by someone among the mutineers. Two of the shots passed between the pickets. I did not realise that shots had been fired. The picket saw the man on one knee firing. It was Keefe that was firing.

What took place then? The picket in self defence, fired, and some of the mutineers explained that we were firing blank. If they had known anything about soldiering they would know that pickets never fired blank cartridge on any mob. We fired about 25 shots, and the crowd cleared out. That was the last of the struggle in that archway.

What happened to Keefe? – Keefe and my man who was down were dragged into the refreshment room. Keefe died there.

What happened to your man? – He had been brutally kicked.

Anyone else hurt? – There was a civilian shot by a bullet from a pistol.

Were you able to tell whether Keefe dropped among his men? – Yes, there were three or four civilians firing off pistols there.

Was the pistol ever found? – No.

You have told us that your men never fixed bayonets? – Yes.

Did you receive reinforcements? – Yes, Some came from Liverpool mounted and they were useless. Others were from the Agricultural Ground with fixed bayonets and no scabbards. I lined the latter up with their backs to the indicator board, and used them solely to overawe the mutineers, as they came into the assembly hall. I would like to say that if we had charged with fixed bayonets, instead of firing, hundred of lives would have been sacrificed.

The witness said he wanted his men not to hit anyone over the head with their rifles, but on the chest or stomach. The attitude of the picket was cajolery, as it was known that the mutineers were mad with drink. He tried to induce them to go away by train, as he knew loss of life would be inevitable. One man who was very drunk said he had had about fourteen drinks. He told two of the men. . . .. . … .to see him aboard the train. In many instances similar … ..to Mr. Barry. He did not see Keefe with a revolver. He heard shots fired from the crowd but did not see any firearms. He considered Keefe was endeavoring to put the hose on to the picket and was not trying to get it away from the other men.

The Coroner found that Keefe died from the effects of a bullet wound in the head justifiably inflicted upon him by a military picket, in the lawful execution of their duty in maintaining the public peace and suppressing a riot of mutinous soldiers and civilians at the Central Railway Station on February 14.

Ed- References

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954) View title info Wed 1 Mar 1916 Page 14

THE MUTINY.

Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 – 1916) Tue 7 Mar 1916 Page 24

SOLDIERS’ RIOTS

https://nswanzaccentenary.records.nsw.gov.au/in-service/liverpool-riot-1916/