Far From This Land Exhibition

The experiences of the front line and home front are told through the lives of four locals, soldiers Harry, James and William; and staff nurse Connie, who joined to do their bit for King and Country. Sadly only two of them made it home.

Constance Emma Lindsay was a nurse station for the majority of her time in Salonika, Greece. Connie was one of seven children of James and Caroline Lindsay. Her father was a farmer and also a member of the Maroochy Shire Council. Connie returned to Australia in May 1919, and married Godfrey Francis McRae in Buderim and they had six children.

James Maddock, a fruit grower from Mooloolah, died at the 2nd Casualty Clearing Station (Trois Arbres, near Bailleul, France) of wounds received in action, and was buried the same day at Trois Arbres Cemetery. He was 35 years of age and had enlisted just 10 months previously, having seen barely a month in action. His effects were listed as: knife, 2 coins, cigarette holder, 3 religious books, needle, and these were returned to the executor of his estate, his brother Ewen Maddock in 1918. Today, the Ewen Maddock Dam, is named in honour of James’ older brother and the pioneering family.

William Murphy (1889-1916) was one of 11 children of Timothy and Julia Murphy of Maleny. William identified himself as a labourer and farmer in his enlistment papers. William died on 29 July 1916 in France, at the beginning of the Battle of Poziers.

William Murphy (1889-1916) was one of 11 children of Timothy and Julia Murphy of Maleny. William identified himself as a labourer and farmer in his enlistment papers. William died on 29 July 1916 in France, at the beginning of the Battle of Poziers.

Trench Art: Vases made from artillery casing - Landsborough Historical Museum Collection. Souvenir booklet from Jerusalem with cover made from bandage - Harry Hapgood Collection

1915 Army whistle with lanyard. Army whistles were a vital communication tool. Their sound told troops it was time to go "over the top" and also warned artillerymen that their gun was about to fire, so that they could avoid being injured by the recoil - Landsborough Historical Museum Collection

Australian Light Horse army issue items. Spurs: Private Samuel Reid, 1st AIF Australian Light Horse Regiment, Pocket knife and Spats - Landsborough Historical Museum Collection

Next of Kin Memorial Plaque - Dead Man’s Penny. In early 1920 it was announced that the next-of-kin of all Australian servicemen and women whose deaths were attributable to the First World War would receive a memorial plaque and scroll “as a solace for bereavement and as a memento”. The first plaques were distributed in Australia in 1922. Approximately 60,000 plaques were issued in Australia - Landsborough Historical Museum Collection

Collapsible trench periscope. On Gallipoli periscopes provided a much safer way of observing the enemy from the trenches. They allowed a soldier to monitor the Turks without having to look over the parapet, thereby revealing himself to enemy snipers - Landsborough Historical Museum Collection

One-legged shovel. This one-legged shovel was donated by a local resident to the Landsborough Museum. With 156,000 soldiers wounded during the war, the shovel could have been a used by a serviceman who took up farming in this area. Beerburrum was the first, and one of the largest soldier settlements in Queensland. First ballot for land at Beerburrum took place on the 6 November 1916.

Australian Army standard issue kit items – Pattees, First Field Dressing Packages, Water Bottle in Carry Case - Landsborough Historical Museum Collection