WAR MEMORIAL, YPRES, BELGIUM, 44TH BATTALION CASUALTIES.

The 44th Battalion [recruited from Fremantle to Subiaco], was supported by the Claremont Town Council and residents. Colour (flag) presented to 44th Battalion AIF in May 1916. The Colour was presented by the Mayor of Claremont Mr GP Stevens on behalf of the citizens of Claremont at a public parade at the Claremont Showgrounds. The Colour went overseas with the Battalion and was safeguarded by the Bishop of Oxford during the war. It was carried to Victory in 1918 and was presented back to the Town of Claremont in 1923 on Anzac Day and housed in Claremont Chambers. A new colour was presented in November 1932. Initial training for recruits in the showgrounds covered various drills, guard duty and military routine. This was followed by more basic drill, saluting, signalling, physical exercises, trench digging, route marches and lectures and eventually field exercises.