We then went along together to the police station, and were duly attested and took the oath of allegiance to our King and country on September 1st, 1915. We were informed that we were to proceed to Armidale camp, but as we were allowed time to attend to any private affairs we might have to fix up, I took the opportunity of wiring to my home at Bingara informing my people that I had at last enlisted and to expect me home for a fortnight. Next morning, I took the motor to Inverell and proceeded from thence by train and motor to Bingara where I was well received and remained for about a week. I then went back to Glen Innes and put in another week in having my teeth attended to, etc. and also insured my life for £200 with the A.M.P. Society and had to pay an extra war risk to enable me to do so.
One night during this week, the firm of McKenzie & Co. Ltd. gave Bert Allen and myself a send off in the upstairs portion of their premises. The function was quite informal and included a round of speeches, etc. and was presided over by the Manager, Mr. F. R. Everett. The speeches went on between drinks for quite an hour, then as we became merry we all turned our attention to the piano and for the next hour and a half indulged in an impromptu concert and the evening ended in a presentation on behalf of the firm, to Bert Allen and myself, of a radium faced wristlet watch, suitably inscribed. In return we both made an attempt at a speech which I must admit ended in a dismal failure on my part. The party then broke up and we all proceeded as best we could to our homes after a very convivial evening, and most of us awakened next morning with painful reminders of the night before, in the shape of a sore head.
Two nights later, Harold Mitchell and I were accorded a send off by the local rifle club, (of which we were both members of about four months standing) on the balcony of the Royal Hotel. Those present included the Mayor, Alderman Heally, H.R. Crossman, Solicitor, most of the rifle club members, the representatives of the press and numerous personal friends numbering all together about fifty people. There was the usual round of speeches, presentations, songs and musical items, and drinking, etc. and after singing “for he’s a jolly good fellow” and “till we meet again”, the evening broke up and we all endeavoured to find our tortuous ways home as on the previous occasion, but I think we all had a thoroughly good time.
On the Sunday following, several local recruits, also about to go into camp, including Harold and me were asked to meet at the local post office at 8 p.m. which we did and after a stirring recruiting speech by the Mayor we marched behind the Municipal Band to the railway station amidst much applause on the part of townspeople and boarded the train for Armidale camp.