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On Tuesday of last week we were privileged to welcome Anne Chapple who was speaking to us about the fascinating history behind Anzac Cottage. Anne is connected to the cottage through her grandfather, Private Cuthbert John Porter, who enlisted in the AIF on the 3rd September, 1914. At the time he had emigrated from England with his partner and child. Along with other recruits Private Porter was sent by train to Blackboy Hill for training, which at first was chaotic with inadequate numbers of officers in charge, no uniforms and boots which were unfit for purpose and had to be shipped back to the manufacturer. But when deemed ready, the troops were marched back down the hill to Fremantle, where they sailed in convoy with other troop ships from Albany. It was thought they were going to England, but instead they landed in Egypt. On the 24th and 25th April Private Porter’s C Company, 11th Battalion, landed on Anzac Cove in Gallipolli, which as we know from history, was a military disaster resulting in many deaths and injuries. Private Porter was shot through the thigh or knee (medical reports differ) on the first or second day of the action. He was sent back to Egypt. After four days with no medical intervention, his injury developed into a permanent disability and he was deemed unfit for duty and medically discharged on a half pension. He was then repatriated back to WA. At the time his family was living in a borrowed house in Coogee Street, Mt Hawthorn. The Mt Hawthorn Progress Association decided that it would like a monument to be erected to honour returned servicemen. It would take the form of a home, to be called Anzac Cottage. Private Porter’s neighbour discovered that he wouldn’t be able to work because of his disability and put his name forward to the association. The West Australian Worker newspaper of the time called for donations of money, trades people and furniture. Before long, enough resources were raised to build a brick house. An architect came forward and volunteered to do the plans. On the 29th January, 1916, 30 men from the Mt Hawthorn area cleared the block. The Ladies Patriotic Guild were in attendance and served afternoon tea at 4 o’clock. A few days later, 70 horses and drays loaded with building materials (including two drays of beer) formed a procession down the main street, led by the Soldier’s Queen in a car carrying a Metters No. 2 stove and copper. At 4.30am the following Saturday 200 men were woken by the town crier to begin work constructing the house. True to form, and on a 38deg day, the Patriotic Ladies Guild served a hot lunch to the men. Anzac Cottage was built in one day and 110 years on, still stands. The cottage fell into disrepair in the 1980s and 1990s but was rescued by the Vietnam Veterans Association, which took 10 years to restore the cottage to its original condition. The restoration was completed in 2002 and was gifted to the City of Vincent. It is now under the auspices of the National Trust. The cottage is open to the public on the second Wednesday of each month and Anzac and Remembrance Day. Anne joked that she wishes she has a dollar for the number of people who walk in the front door and declare that it’s amazing as it is unchanged from the era or that their grandparent or aunt once had a home exactly like that. Anne was so informed and passionate about her subject, and it was a pleasure to host her at the meeting. |
