As the autumn leaves begin to fall and the cool morning mists envelop Wollumbin Mount Warning, we pause to remember those brave men and women from our small corner of the world who answered their nation’s call to service. The South Arm of the Tweed River, with its scattered villages and farming communities, may seem far removed from the battlefields of distant shores, but the impact of global conflicts was profoundly felt here, as it was throughout Australia.

A Community’s Contribution

From the small township of Uki to the farming settlements of Byrrill Creek, Rowland’s Creek, Doon Doon, and beyond, the South Arm sent its sons and daughters to serve in conflicts that shaped our nation’s history. The response to these calls was extraordinary for such a sparsely populated area.

During the First World War alone, 152 residents from the South Arm enlisted to serve king and country. This remarkable number, drawn from our small rural communities, demonstrates the deep sense of duty and sacrifice that has always characterised the people of this region.

The Boer War: Our First Veterans

The story of our veterans begins with the Boer War (1899-1902), Australia’s first military engagement as a newly federated nation. The Tweed Valley sent 32 servicemen to South Africa, among them Robert W. Spurway of Byrrill Creek.

Sergeant Spurway had already been a member of “H” Company of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, a Volunteer Corps, for 19 years when war broke out. After sailing for South Africa in April 1901 aboard the “Australia,” he served with distinction in the 3rd Mounted Rifles, enduring more than a hundred night marches over 14 months.

When his unit returned to Australia, Spurway remained behind, joining the 3rd NSW Imperial Bushmen. During combat, he suffered two broken ribs and a shoulder injury when his horse crashed to the ground. Despite experiencing excruciating pain and coming under heavy enemy fire, he was reseated on another horse with the aid of his comrades and escorted from the battlefield.

After his discharge from the Army in August 1902, Sergeant Spurway returned to the Tweed Valley, where he established himself as a prominent citizen in the fledgling Byrrill Creek farming community.

The Great War: A Generation’s Sacrifice

The First World War brought unprecedented sacrifice to our community. When war was declared in 1914, young men from across the South Arm were quick to volunteer, demonstrating remarkable patriotism and courage.

The story of Timothy Bambery of Midginbil captures the spirit of these volunteers. One day, while felling timber on a springboard, Timothy was visited by his neighbours, Bill Murray and his son Charlie. During their conversation, the subject of the war arose, and someone mentioned the call for volunteers. Timothy suddenly exclaimed, “Well, I’m going!” With that declaration, he buried his axe in the tree trunk, leapt to the ground, and after sharing a cup of tea with the Murrays, walked to Uki to enlist.

Timothy and his brother George both joined the 15th Battalion and sailed from Melbourne on the HMAT Ceramic in December 1914. Tragically, both brothers were killed in action at Gallipoli—George on April 26, 1915, and Timothy the following day.

The Bambery brothers were not alone in making the ultimate sacrifice. John Edward Sweetnam of Byrrill Creek, Victor John “Jack” Sweetnam, Theodore McLean of Kunghur, John Leo Fogarty, and many others never returned to their beloved South Arm.

Those who did return often carried the physical and emotional scars of their service. Charles Fincham of Rowland’s Creek was awarded the Military Medal for “conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty” near Villers-Bretonneux in May 1918. Later that year, he was severely wounded and lost his right leg. After returning to Australia, Charles continued to work his banana plantation at Rowland’s Creek despite his disability.

Between the Wars: Remembrance and Recovery

The period between the world wars saw our community come together to honour those who had served and those who had fallen. The names of the South Arm’s fallen sons were inscribed on the Uki War Memorial and remembered in local commemorations.

Returned soldiers were welcomed home with moving ceremonies. When Private William Angus Connolly returned to Doon Doon in September 1919, over 125 people gathered at “Oakvale Farm” for what was described as “one of the largest and most enthusiastic gatherings held on the Tweed for a number of years.” The reception rooms were decorated with Pte. Connolly’s battalion colours, and dancing, games, songs, and recitations continued until daylight.

The Second World War: A New Generation Answers the Call

When war broke out again in 1939, a new generation from the South Arm stepped forward. Raymond Lance “Bob” Allan of Terragon was the first volunteer from the Upper South Arm to join the 2nd A.I.F. Before his departure, the community gathered to present him with a fountain pen, a smoking outfit, and “a substantial amount in notes” to remind him of his friends and well-wishers back home.

Allan’s wartime journey took him to Egypt, Greece (where he was captured but later escaped despite being shot in the leg), and eventually to the Kokoda Track, where he was seriously wounded by an explosive bullet.

Perhaps the most extraordinary story from the Second World War is that of Graham Buchanan of Dum Dum. After his bomber was shot down over France in March 1944, Buchanan parachuted to safety but found himself behind enemy lines. For six months, he evaded capture with the help of the French Resistance, eventually making his way back to England. After the war, Buchanan returned to France to visit the family who had sheltered him at great personal risk.

Post-War Years: Continuing the Tradition of Service

In the decades following the Second World War, men and women from the South Arm continued to serve in Korea, Malaya, Vietnam, and more recent conflicts. Though their stories are less documented in our historical records, their service and sacrifice are no less significant.

Remembering Their Legacy

Today, as we look across the peaceful valleys and ridges of the South Arm, it’s difficult to imagine the hardships endured by those who left these beautiful surroundings to serve in distant conflicts. Yet their stories remain an essential part of our local history, reminding us of the extraordinary contributions made by ordinary men and women from our small rural communities.

On Anzac Day and Remembrance Day, we gather at memorials throughout the Tweed Valley to honour their memory. We recall not only their service and sacrifice but also the values they embodied—courage, endurance, mateship, and devotion to duty.

As time passes and memories fade, it becomes increasingly important to preserve these stories for future generations. The Uki and South Arm Historical Society continues to collect and document the wartime experiences of local servicemen and women, ensuring that their contributions will never be forgotten.

To all who served, and to those who continue to serve today, we offer our profound gratitude and respect. Your legacy lives on in the heart of our community.

The Uki and South Arm Historical Society welcomes any additional information, photographs, or memorabilia related to local servicemen and women. Please contact us if you would like to contribute to our ongoing efforts to document this important aspect of our history.