The Egging Incident
The Egging Incident
One of Australia’s best-known legendary events of World War I on the home front happened at the Warwick railway station on the 29th November, 1917.
At the time, then Prime Minister Billy Hughes, was touring southern Queensland in an endeavour to whip up support for compulsory conscription. Many Australians were against this highly unpopular policy.
With much fanfare, the Prime Minister’s train was welcomed into the station by a large crowd. However, it was during his speech for the support of his campaign for the 1917 plebiscite on conscription that things got a little ‘sticky’.
Local Irish brothers Pat and Bart Brosnan, let the PM know what they thought of his policy. Pat Brosnan pitched eggs at him, knocking the Prime Minister’s hat off in the process.
It is recorded in official documentation, where the Prime Minister ordered a policeman who was standing nearby to “arrest this man” but much to his astonishment the Queensland policeman calmly stated, “No. You have no jurisdiction here.”
The Prime Minister was greatly outraged, and made moves to immediately create his own police force, The Commonwealth Police Force. Today we know this force as the Australian Federal Police.
A Memorial to mark the 100th Anniversary of the ‘Warwick Incident’ and Federal Policing in Australia can be found in Billy Hughes Park, opposite the Warwick Railway Station.
Read about Southern Downs Military History here.
LEST WE FORGET