Proponents > South Australian Government
Immigration Officer Edgar John Field
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The boys' main contact person in the South Australian Government was Immigration Officer Edgar John Field. During their overnight stay in Adelaide (most were accommodated in the Exhibition Building on North Terrace), Field provided the boys with stamped, self-addressed postcards so they could keep him informed of their progress. Field's responses indicate that he genuinely cared about their welfare. However, the tyranny of distance (see the distribution map) meant that he could rarely attend to their needs in person. |
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EJ Field, Public Service Review, 23 April 1923 |
His ability to negotiate new placements for boys who had requested transfers was restricted as the 1914 drought set in; he consequently took a harder line with the boys as time progressed (for example, see Victor Frank Scobell's story). Nonetheless, it is clear that many boys saw Field in the same light that the Barwell Boys considered Field's successor, Victor 'Daddy' Ryan.
Several of the enlisted apprentices continued to write to Field during the war. Excerpts from his touching exchanges with Christopher Hannant and Herbert Leo Jarrett are provided below. During the War Field became Secretary of Lands and was responsible for South Australia's post-World War I Soldier Settlement Scheme.
Hannant to Field, 26 May 1918:
‘I have had my Blighty leave since I have been over here. I had a real good time, things were rather dear and you needed a few pound to have a real good time. I spent of my time in London and called in to see 112 Strand, there I was lucky enough to meet Sir Frederick Young [former South Australian Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration, then Agent-General]. He was pleased to see me. We had a little chat on different things, especially what I intended doing after the War, of course he spoke about the Land scheme for returned Soldiers and when I left him, I could see a vision: a nice home on a bonza farm by a river with a Tray Bon Wife and few Little Hannants running around but something seemed to say “Perhaps” which caused me to smile at any rate I think I pleased him by addressing him Sir. I spent a few days home with my people and promised to say they are all well and wish to be remembered to you’.
Field to Hannant, 2 September 1918
‘I am pleased to hear that you had been able to have a chat with Sir Frederick Young and I do not know that the picture that presented itself to you of a “bonza” farm etc. is so much in the clouds after all. However, when you return I am sure the Government will do all that is possible to assist you to make the dream a reality’.
The Jarretts
Sadly Herbert Leo Jarrett's Immigration Department file includes a memorial card for his brother Eric James Jarrett (also a farm apprentice):
HL Jarrett to Field, 4 May 1918
‘I have had some very sad news lately, my brother Eric was killed in Egypt on the 28th of March and another brother in the York Regt has been missing since the 22nd of March [fate unknown]. Eric was very unlucky, he was expecting leave to visit home in May. Dear Sir, I have been awarded the Military Medal … [I] had a lovely time while I was on leave. This sad news has broke the Old People up at home and I am trying to get a few days off to fix things up. They have been so kind in the unit to give me a safer job, so it will enlighten them a bit at home’.
Field to HL Jarrett, 9 December 1918
‘Needless to say we are all greatly delighted and excited about the splendid news about the end of the war. Adelaide went mad for a day or two in the same way as was, no doubt, the case in other parts of the world. Our main object in life now is to look forward to the return of our boys and to give them a fitting reception. After the end of the year the Government are placing the repatriation of the soldiers, so far as the State Government and land settlement is concerned, under my personal control so that it is probable that I shall have to officially deal with you when you return, and nothing would give me greater pleasure than to fix you up with a good block of land in a district where you are pretty certain to succeed’.