Just days after Townsville residents Annie and Duncan Baxter learned their son Neil had died at Gallipoli they received a letter from him in the post.
It was full of youthful bravado with attempts to quell family anxiety back home and a heartbreaking reminder of all they had lost.
On 26 July, CityLibraries Thuringowa will host a free white gloves interactive experience with First World War treasures from State Library of Queensland (SLQ) such as letters, diaries and photographs.
The Baxter’s heartbreak is one of numerous local Townsville wartime stories that form part of State Library’s extensive collections. Some of these stories have been carefully curated for the experience.
The State Library will also hold a workshop to show residents and visitors how to care for their own World War I items, and heritage organisations will have the opportunity to learn how to promote and share collections online.
A spokesman, Mr Elvery said the Baxter story was a poignant example of the losses many Townsville families endured during wartime.
In the Baxter’s ill-fated letter Neil wrote: “We expect to be in action before many days are over—the sooner the better, as we are all anxious to have a ‘go’, and I think the Australians will make a name for themselves.”
“The workshops are part of the Q ANZAC 100: Memories for a New Generation program and provides the community with an opportunity to participate in the 100 year commemoration of the First World War,” Mr Elvery said.
Q ANZAC 100 captures living memories of Queensland’s experiences during and after the First World War and provides people across Queensland an opportunity to learn, understand and contribute to the Anzac Centenary.
- Where: CityLibraries Thuringowa
- Free, bookings required: (07) 4727 8310
- When: Wednesday 26 July
- White gloves experience | 10 am- 12 pm
- Conservation clinic | 1pm – 4pm
