Lives of the First World War

Mrs Grace Bromley, affectionately known as the 'Mother of Central Queensland Soldiers, founded the Soldiers' refreshment rooms in 1916 on Bolsover St, Rockhampton, Queensland. It was reported that 12,846 soldiers took advantage of the free comforts and refreshments in the twelve months to March 1918. She endeared herself to many, personally welcoming them home at the station and making them feel special; she is listed as next of kin on some enlistment papers. //// Mrs Annie Wheeler endeavoured to contact all soldiers from central Queensland, whether they were wounded, imprisoned, or in the trenches, and also made enquiries about the missing. She kept a detailed card index on them, corresponded with servicemen on the battlefield, forwarded packages and mail, provided for their needs and supervised the care and comfort of those in hospital. For soldiers on furlough, she supplemented restricted allowances and advanced funds when they experienced bureaucratic delays. To them, she became known as the 'Mother of the Queenslanders'. Families in Queensland sent letters and parcels through her: this was the only mail many diggers received. By 1918 over 2300 men were on her books. Each fortnight Mrs Wheeler sent home detailed letters which were published in the Capricornian and the Morning Bulletin.

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