1920 Visit of the Prince of Wales

Prince Edward 1919

PRINCE Edward (1894-1972) was the Grandson of Queen Victoria and was the eldest child of King George V and Queen Mary. George's elder brother died unexpectedly in 1892 and Edward's father (George) became King Edward VII on Victoria's death in 1901. Sixteen year old Edward became the Prince of Wales not long after his father's ascension to the throne. The title of Prince of Wales is traditionally given to the male heir to the British throne. The Prince of Wales birthday was celebrated in Tomerong in 1902. The local Hotel Publican Thomas MOONEY was opening a new racecourse track with a race day at Tomerong and an evening dance in the Hotel. Edward served in the British Army in WWI and in Australia became known as the Digger Prince. Whilst popular, a series of affairs led to the King organising overseas Royal Tours for Edward to reinforce the Monarchy and to thank the Commonwealth for their support during the War. Edward would visit Canada in 1919 and then Australia for three months in 1920.

Prior to the Prince's arrival in NSW, Henry Halloran, the developer of estates on the South Coast including Jerberra, requested the Clyde Shire Council to ask the Prince's permission to name a road 'Prince of Wales Avenue'. The road at Culburra Beach, part of Halloran's St Vincent City, would be called Prince Edward Avenue.

The 26 year old Prince arrived in Australia onboard the Battlecruiser HMS Renown in May 1920. The ship would call into Jervis Bay in June for two days between Melbourne and Sydney. The programmed visit meant some Stores in Nowra closed and Races were postponed. For those wishing to travel later to Sydney to see the Prince, cheap excursion fares were offered from Bomaderry Station. Cars, motor coaches, trucks and horses from Wollongong to Milton would attend the College.

The Melbourne Age outlined an itinerary- A varied programme has been arranged for the Prince of Wales, who will visit the Naval College today. The first event will the entry into the bay at 8 a.m. of the cruiser Brisbane, with Rear-Admiral Grant and Captain C T Hardy, first and second naval members. The Renown will not drop anchor until 1.30 pm. The arrival of the battle cruiser will be signalled by a Royal Salute from the Brisbane. The Prince will land at 2.30, after having lunched on the Renown. He will be received at the east pier by the Minister for the Navy (Sir Joseph Cook), the members of the Naval Board, the commanding officer of the Royal Naval College (Captain Walters), Captain Hyde of the Brisbane, and Captain W. B. Wilkinson of the Una. On the jetty will be mounted a naval guard from the Brisbane, and the officer in command will be presented to the Prince by the First Naval Member. After landing, the Prince and his staff will motor round the grounds to the cadets' quartets, which he will inspect. From the stand near these buildings he will witness a football match between teams from the Renown and the College, and afterwards complete his inspection of the college and review the cadets. The Prince will have tea with the captain of the college before going aboard. There will be no function at night, and present arrangements provide for a free day on Tuesday. Motor cars have been placed at the disposal of the Prince and staff for that day, and arrangements made to drive them to Tomerong, about ten miles away, where horses will be available for a riding expedition. Should the Prince return in time, he will witness a hockey match at the college grounds, but it is probable that his Royal Highness will either spend the whole day with the horses and have lunch in the bush, or else pass the time quietly with squash racquets in preparation for his strenuous day on Wednesday.

On Monday 14 Jun 1920 the Prince arrived in Jervis Bay- His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales entered Jervis Bay in the 'Renown' punctually on Monday. It was a brilliant site to see such a majestic ship coming through a natural gifted port with war honors and a nobleman of the Empire... Despite the threatening and unpropitious state of the weather large crowds assembled at the Naval College, Jervis Bay, on Monday last, to witness the arrival of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. Motors of all descriptions, and horse drawn vehicles streamed along the College Road from the neighboring districts all the morning, some waiting at the top of the hill to witness the Renown as she majestically steamed through the heads at the scheduled time of- 1 p.m.

On the Renown entering the heads the College gates were thrown open, and the crowds moved towards the breakwater where the landing was to take place. That it was a day for a camera was ostensibly proved by the number in direct evidence along the side of the hill, the bearers of which cast many anxious looks at the grey sky and their exposure meters, fearing that the subdued light would seriously hinder their fervent desire to snap the Prince as he moved past the guard of honor which awaited his arrival.

At 1.30 p.m. the Royal salute was fired from the massive guns which protruded with threatening rigidity from the dreadnought's sides, whilst the pinnace bearing the Prince moved rapidly from the ship-side towards the shore. With his youthful alertness and agility the Prince hurriedly landed, followed by his retinue of staff officers who walked towards the guard of honor composed of Naval ratings. The band in attendance immediately played the royal salute in synchrony with the presenting of arms by the guard, the saluting of the officers and the pronounced silence of the onlookers who stood in loyal admiration as the National Anthem was being played. The Prince then inspected the guard and chatted freely with the men as he passed. On leaving the guard of honor to board the motor car in waiting, he was greeted by loud and prolonged cheering from the crowd of spectators who thronged the foreshores and hillsides.

After a brief inspection of the College buildings, the Prince moved freely across the field to the enclosure set apart for returned soldiers, most of whom were present from the South Coast Convalescent Home, Bomaderry. In pursuance of his dominant characteristic, the Royal visitor displayed great interest in the diggers, shaking hands with all and freely conversing with them, paying particular attention to the limbless boys, warmly sympathising and enquiring as to the various battles in which they were engaged. He then repaired to the official staging to witness the football contest between the College students and ratings from the Renown. Unreal, excitement prevailed throughout the game which finished in favor of the College boys by 16 points to 6.

By this time the sun beamed forth disputing the sullen and disagreeable elements which prevailed during the morning, and the orderly crowds moved freely, snatching another glimpse and yet another photograph of the digger Prince. At 4.30 p.m. an inspection of the Cadets by His Royal Highness concluded the formal programme of his arrival in the Bay. It was indeed a credit to the people of the South Coast to witness the loyal and excited, though orderly crowd which assembled to greet him. An entire absence of crushing and frantic moving about was noticed, and for once the Prince enjoyed a reception of warmth and jubilation free from crushing and hindrance as has characterised his many receptions throughout New Zealand and Melbourne.

The following day it was rumoured that the Prince was expected to visit Nowra- … his non-arrival caused disappointment to numbers of people who had congregated on the street corners for the purpose of satisfying curiosity and paying homage to his Royal Highness. In fact we heard one lady express annoyance when she heard it was not his intention to make the trip. His Royal Highness preferred a ride on the gee-gee Tomerong-wards. No doubt he is pleased for a sprint among the blue-gums, and escape the public gaze for a time at least.

The Prince would visit Tomerong on the Tuesday- The little hamlet of Tomerong was paid an unofficial visit by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales on Tuesday, 15th instant. Though it was arranged that saddle horses were to be in readiness for the Prince's pleasure, the uncertainty of acceptance and secrecy of His Royal Highness' movements, even unto his arrival, prevented the district folk from extending him their loyalty, as they would have wished. However, those who were privileged received their future King with marked manifestations of loyalty, such as Australian folk always would extend. The Prince arrived per motor car. alighting, he immediately made himself known to all, and delighted he seemed to see a team of six saddle horses, humorously remarking "Which chestnut is for me". Digger Eric Hawken then told the qualifications for all, and the Prince selected Mr James Murray's 'Smart'. The party mounting, Digger Hawken acting as guide, went for a canter towards Milton, further along into a gallop. Wending their way to Pelican Point, the Prince came into the timber lands and immediately put his horse over the fallen logs. Espying a top rail down in the park, he put his horse at it, but it baulked. Not to be euchred, he mounted in turn the other five horses and put them at the rails. Returning, he noticed Messrs P McGuire and Sons' saw mill at work and went over to view the men at work, the employees giving him a hearty three cheers. Back again to the Shire office, the Prince learnt that Diggers Bradney, Spring, Sivell, and Mr Warner (Worner) were erecting an Axe Handle Factory, towards Nowra, in Mr Barham's property, Tomerong. "What time is it?" (time 12.15); we have to be back by 1" was uttered by someone around, but the Prince appealed to Digger Hawken, "How long will it take?" "Half an hour" was the Diggers reply. "Well, I'm going," said the Prince. Mounted on Mr T Connolly's horse, off the Prince went with Digger Hawken, and saw the Diggers. Dismounting, he inspected their plant and works, and discoursed with them as Diggers do. Returning to the Shire grounds (12.55) HRH dismounted, chatted and shook hands freely with all, expressing his pleasure at having had one of the most enjoyable pleasure rides. Permitting it in his homely way, he accepted and allowed a button-hole nose gay to be pinned in the lapel of his coat. Entering his motor car he departed for the College at 1.30 amidst three hearty, lusty cheers, acknowledging by waving his cap. thus ended the historic day for Tomerong. Those who contributed horses for His Royal Highness' pleasure were Messrs. J. and E. Murray, P. Connolly, J. Barbara, A. Suffolk, and P. M'Guire, sen. -

Charlie Kells (1908-2011) lived just south of Tomerong and in 1999 he reminisced about his visit to the College when he was 12 years old- We went down in the back of a truck, there were not many trucks in those days. Eventually we saw him. They played football there on the oval. One or two of them went on to the heads and they got teddy a couple of horses and they rode up Tomerong, through up past where Billie McKinnon lived and then around St Georges Basin. In them days there was an axe handle factory at Tomerong, I think it was starting to go a bit bad and it got burnt down.

The following year the Main South Coast Road was renamed the Prince's Highway. It was the Australian National Roads Association, which would become the NRMA, that was the proponent of this change. The organisation had only been formed in 1920 and the name change had been precipitated by the visit. Plans had been made for the highway to be upgraded so that the Prince could travel from Sydney to Melbourne but, for various reasons, neither the upgrade nor the trip eventuated.

The Prince would later become King Edward VIII and would abdicate to marry Wallis Simpson (1896-1986), a divorced New York socialite, less than 12 months after becoming the monarch in Jan 1936.

---

Back to Events in Tomerong

Images

• Arrival at College 1 TP3697-70.
• Arrival at College 2 TP6530.
• Tomerong Trip TP6530.
• Letter to Students TP4671.
• Highway Renamed TP134.

Links

1. Tomerong Local History Web Page- tomeronghistory.com
2. Tomerong Past Facebook Album- Tomerong Past Facebook This site may provide more information relative to this institution, business or location. Check the appropriate album; e.g. Village, Sawmills, Clyde Shire etcetera.
3. Tomerong History- From Bullocks to Bypass