For Australia, the First World War remains the costliest conflict in terms of deaths and casualties. From a population of fewer than five million, 416,809 men enlisted, of whom more than 60,000 were killed and 156,000 wounded, gassed, or taken prisoner.

On ‘Armistice Day’ at 11 am, after more than four years, the battlefields on the Western Front fell silent and the Germans accepted the allied terms of unconditional surrender.

As Australia celebrated the end of the war, and their loved ones returning home, Harden and Murrumburrah joined in.

The Harden Murrumburrah Historical Society unearthed some documents describing the celebrations, and shared them with the Harden Express.

The Cootamundra Herald, published on November 22, 1918 stated the following:

“Most of our young people had attended the Harden, Murrumburrah and Wallendbeen celebrations during the past week.”

Harden Murrumburrah was noted to have planted Kurrajong trees in an ‘Avenue of Honour’ shortly after World War 1, with each tree having a Memorial Plaque at it’s base. Sadly,many of  these trees were removed in the 1980’s with road upgrades.

Other rural newspapers mentioned the revelry in Harden Murrumburrah. Two of these were the Albury Banner and the Wodonga Express, dated November 22, 1918. They stated:

“Harden (from our own correspondent) Thursday, November 14.

We are now only settling down to work. Since Monday night the whole town has been in a high state of excitement, the glorious news of victory and peace overshadowing everything else. 

On Tuesday afternoon the town band headed a large procession, fancy costumes predominating, which perambulated the town and at night a large fireworks display came off the recreation reserve.

In addition, patriotic addresses and songs, and an appeal for funds for the local Repatriation Fund brought in over 600 pounds.”