Bank of Australasia, Heroes' Day Pageant/Procession, Brisbane Queensland

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Jack Bain worked for the Bank of Australasia and then ANZ bank from 1951. He worked in many branches over his career from the 1920s to his retirement in 1966.

The bank to the right was the original Bank of Australasia Branch at the time of the parade in 1917. The building was built in 1856 and then rebuilt in 1923/25.

From The Daily Mail, 3 Dec 1917, p.6:

"QUEENSLAND HEROES' DAY. GREAT PAGEANT AND PROCESSION. SPECTACULAR MILITARY AND ABORIGINAL DISPLAYS.

Queensland has worked arduously and well for Heroes' Week, and the effort culminated with a magnificent pageant and procession through the city on Saturday, followed by a great sports carnival and military tattoo at the Exhibition Grounds. Ever since August, three years ago, the public of this State have generously responded to every appeal that has been made on behalf of those men who have gone away to fight for the King and the Empire in various parts of the old world, hut it is hoped that this effort will stand out as the most successful ever yet made in Queensland. If one could judge by the open-handed generosity of the thousands of people who crowded the main streets of the city on Saturday morning, the effort is going to be crowned with success. It deserves to be, for it is to help in the repatriation of our sailors and soldiers, and great as was the labor expended, it is but a small return to make to those men. Unfortunately, changeable weather was again a somewhat mitigating factor against a record crowd, but in spite of showers, the streets at an early hour presented a gala appearance, while every coign of vantage held crowds of sight-seers. All the bands did yeoman service. There was a splendid body of sound when the bands were massed under Mr. E. Jackson for the returned heroes' function. The Friendly Society, under Mr. S. D. Harris, organised a collection on the Exhibition Ground, taking the collection flags right into the crowds while the returned heroes were being honored. Nearly £40 was realised. The side shows were under the supervision of the side show committee. Mr. S. Phillips chairman, Mr. S. J. Decker secretary, Mr. U. Les. Dunstan (honorary secretary, procession committee) has worked untiringly to make the procession a success. Mrs. Grave (honorary secretary of the ladies' committee) has carried through a tremendous amount of work during the last two months.

AT THE SALUTING BASE. Exactly at 10 o'clock his Excellency the Governor arrived at the saluting base in front of the G.P.O., the Cadet Band playing the National Anthem. He was received by Mr. E. Gaffney (chairman of the Heroes' Day Committee). On the platform were also seen Brigadier-General Irving (Commandant of the 1st Military District) and Mrs. Irving, the Premier and Mrs. Ryan, the Mayor and Mayoress of Brisbane (Alderman and Mrs. Hetherington), the Minister for Lands (Mr. J. M. Hunter), the hon. organiser of Heroes' Day (Mr. Langley Simmons), and many others who have taken a prominent part in the movement. About 10 minutes later a fine body of mounted police were to be seen turning from George Street into Queen Street. This was the head of what must be recognised as the finest procession Brisbane has yet seen, for the displays were of striking character, beautifully mounted, and showing considerable taste on the part of those responsible for them. Then, too, there were the soldiers and the sailors — the two great arms of the British Empire — the firemen, the ambulance men, and many other representations of the best side of our civic life. Those who saw that fine body of men, the Naval Reserves, marching in perfect harmony to the strain of their band, could not but feel a thrill of pride, for these are the men who quietly and unostentatiously play a big part for Australia. The first company marched with bayonets fixed, and their salute, as they passed his Excellency the Governor, gave one an idea of the splendid training which has brought them to such a state of efficiency. They were immediately followed by a body of men in plain clothes — men who had seen service for Britain on the high seas in wars of past days. Many of them wore medals, and they received a hearty cheer as they marched along. Another phase of the Empire's greatness impressed one as car after car passed by loaded with men who, a few short years ago, were peacefully engaged in civil occupations in our midst. When the call came they threw up all to take on the Great Game, and now they are back, having suffered for the cause for which the Allies are bleeding today. Although cheerful and happy, there was on their faces the expression that tells that those glorious deeds in which they have taken part can never be effaced from their memories. With these soldiers were large numbers of lady collectors, who scored heavily with showers of coin from the balconies and pavements.

THE RETURNED MEN. Then followed the magnificent A.I.F. Band, with its equally magnificent drum major. They were at the head of a large body of returned men, who were sufficiently well to be able to walk with ease, Major Jackson (staff officer) leading them. It was to be regretted that at this stage a heavy shower fell, but to the soldiers it apparently made no difference after their experiences of mud and slush in Flanders. Next were seen the reinforcements from the Brisbane camp, headed by Major Walsh, with the Light Horse (mounted) in the van. Immediately following were Light Horse men on foot — every one of whom was a native of the original Queensland race. A hearty cheer went up from all sides, for the deeds of their comrades in the Egyptian desert and in Palestine are amongst the epochs of Australia's war history. Other reinforcements included Engineers, Miners, Pioneers, 26th Battalion of Infantry, No. 1 Depot Company, the A.M.C., Dentals of the same corps, and the Army Service Corps. Then the District Guard, with bayonets fixed, headed by pipes and drums, made a fine show, and another interesting sight was the latest type of Vickers' gun packed on a horse ready for quick transit. The reserve unit, the Army Service Corps waggons, with the motor ambulance, completed the Naval and Military portion of the procession.

FRAGMENTS FROM FRANCE. Following two pair-horse Roman chariots that were to take part in a race later in the day, were three interesting cars. The first one bore the notice, 'Fragments from France', on which were pathetic sights. There were men who had lost limbs in the battle for freedom, but in spite of all they had suffered they presented smiling faces to the crowd. The next car was labelled 'Fragments for Germany' and was crowded with recruits ready to go forward and help their comrades in the firing line. Lastly came 'Fragments in Australia', a sorry spectacle depicting in dummies the tired cigarette smokers who support the veranda posts of the city at sundry hours of the day and night. It was a pointed lesson, quickly grasped by the people. Other interesting cars followed, depicting snipers, etc., while a big recruiting waggon brought up the rear. There were 10 other sections in the cortege, and it is by no means an easy task adequately to describe all. The various national societies in the State, including the Caledonians, the A.N.A., the Manx Society, the Royal Society of St. George, the Hibernians, the Welshmen, the Greeks, the Overseas Club, and others provided most attractive items, but probably one of the most striking was the Aboriginal display. Following several vehicles conveying Aborigines came a huge bullock waggon with a team of bullocks, driven by a native. In the centre of the waggon was a typical gunyah, in front of which sat an old black mother with her children around her, and her lap full of silver and copper coins, while at the back were native warriors, of fine physique, in full war paint with spears, nullah nullahs, and boomerangs, in close and useful proximity. Close to the gunyah stood a little gum tree, in the branches of which clung a native bear, while one of the lubras nursed a possum. Then came another waggon, on top of which were perched two finely built native boys and other members of their race. It was a remarkable sight, and was one of the distinctive features, which will make the day's celebration historical.

WAR COUNCL IDISPLAY. The Queensland War Council, which has done so much for returned soldiers, and for their relatives, had a splendid display. Seated on her throne was the Queen of the Council, and from her ran ribbons of various hue to ladies who represented the five sub-committees of the council, all of whom were dressed distinctively and tastefully. Then another ribbon ran off with five streamers to the daintily attired representatives of the five sub-committees of the land settlement committee, the whole clearly indicating the widespread operations of the War Council. The Caledonians had a splendid car drawn by four horses, on which the Royal Crown was mounted, and guarded by four kilted Scotch soldiers. Another great display was that representing John Bull, surrounded by the various peoples of his Empire, while in front were half a dozen bulldogs - typical of Britain's strength and tenacity. The Welshmen naturally featured the Prime Minister, Mr. Lloyd George, the gentleman taking his part giving a representation of this great statesman as he appears on the public platform at the present time. Naturally reference to Wales turns one's thoughts to the mining industry, and the Welshmen from Ipswich depicted the miner with his lantern deep down in the bowels of the earth hewing the black diamond from the seam. There were also Welsh players and Welsh singers in national costume. The Irish had a typical display of the colleens in their dainty costumes, and 'Pat' in his picturesque holiday attire. In one symbolic presentation an appeal was made for Home Rule, an inscription bearing the words, 'A contented Irishman means an invincible Empire.' The Hellenic Society presented a striking spectacle, one car depicting a scene of ancient Greece with the handsome goddess Pallas Athene gracefully posed on a monument.

BUSINESS AND PRIVATE DISPLAYS. There were some extremely well decorated private motor cars, and one with a particularly pleasing effect was the sun-flower car. The body of the motor was almost hidden in masses of flowers, while the young ladies inside were daintily dressed in brown and yellow, harmonising perfectly with the whole scheme. 'The Fairy of Peace' was presented in another car, in front of which was a huge butterfly, and mounted on a little draped platform stood a dear little maiden representing peace, while at the back sat two little boys in the uniforms of admirals of the British Navy. The Manly Yacht Club and the Wynnum people had appropriate seaside demonstrations, in which boats and fishing gear figured prominently. There were many decorated cars which reflected the highest credit on their owners, who had evidently spared no trouble in doing their share towards making the pageant a huge success. Reference has previously been made to the Queensland War Council and its various organisations, and one of these, the Anzac committee, with a model cottage, gave an idea of what they are accomplishing in building homes by voluntary labor for the widows of soldiers. Firms and industrial organisations had many and varied displays, the decorative schemes being executed with much care and thought. The musical part was supplied by a large number of bands, and apart from those already mentioned, the following marched at various intervals in the procession: The Caledonian Pipers, the Blackstone Brass Band, the Brisbane Concert Band, Labor and Union, Federal Brass Band, S.B. Band, Excelsior, Ithaca Town Concert Band, Moreton Bay Junior Band, and the Railway Brass Band, Salvation Army, and St, Martin's Sunday School Band. The humorous element was also a feature, and the spirit with which those participating entered into the fun resulted in ripples of mirth wherever they appeared. There was a complete representation of that family so ably portrayed by Steele Rudd in his well-known book, 'On Our Selection'. Mum and Dad, with all their family and relations, gaily tripped through the city in their 'gay attire'. Another humorous element was the 'Rag Time Band', conducted by the principal artist with a blown-out sausage skin. Strolling along in melancholy fashion behind them was the evergreen Charlie Chaplin, with his nobby hat and cane. The band mentioned had, however, strong rivals in the 'Tin Can Band', although the instruments in both sections were weird and strange. There were gaspipe trombones, cast-iron triangles, kerosene tin drums (but neatly draped), mouth organs, jews' harps, bugles, and tin whistles. There worn also hosts of other comedians, most of whom expended work in gathering in the coins of the collectors. The procession took almost an hour to pass the Post Office, so that its length must have been well over two miles. Prizes given in connection with the display were awarded as follow: — Best decorated motor car — Win Fowles's 'God Fairy' 1; Alex Stewart's 'Sun-flowers'; 2. Best decorated motor lorry — Miss Clark and Wildman Bros'. 'Britain' 1; Queensland War Council's 'Repatriation' 2; Best decorated motor cycle and side car — R. P. Knowles, 1; Mr. Gray. 2. Bert collective display — Welsh Society, 'Wales' 1; Recruiting Display, 'Fragments' 2; Most ridiculous display — Waybacks' Family 'Waybacks' 1; Darktown Fire Brigade, 2; Best decorated horse lorry — J. W. Bleakley's Aboriginal Display and Bullock Team, 1; Mrs. Webb's 'Remember Belgium' 2; Best band in procession — Pipers, 1; Brisbane Concert Band 2.

AN AFFECTING DISPLAY. At the tail end of the procession came the modest display arranged by the women's branch of the National Service League. Two lorries, kindly lent by Messrs. Jackson, of Eagle Street, were festooned with the national colors and floral decorations. The first lorry carried some 20 women, most of them elderly. Every one of them had given up a relative in the defence of the Empire. The vehicle bore the inscription, 'Mothers, Wives, Sisters, Daughters of Australian Heroes, many of whom have made the supreme sacrifice'. The second lorry similarly decorated was filled with a load of happy boys and girls gloriously indifferent to the terrible significance of it all. This lorry bore the title in red and blue on a white sheet: 'Our daddies are fighting for us and you in France. Won't you help them'. The simple pathos of it appealed to the crowds. They were greeted all along the line with cheers, and many eyes were dimmed with tears."