Albany is proud of the role it played during the two world wars. The convoy of vessels which carried the first Australian and New Zealand contingents to WW1, assembled in King George Sound and were coaled at the Deep Water Jetty before departing for action overseas.
There were always committees making up parcels to distribute amongst troops who came ashore or who were being repatriated. The Rocks, one of Albany's prominate homes was converted to a convalescent home for the wounded. It operated from October 1915 until October 1917.
The Rocks used during both World Wars for the well being of returned soldiers.
During World War I Albany was a popular place for the rehabilitation of
injured soldiers, who, on this particular day were taken for an outing.
An early view of Stirling Terrace, a popular venue for parades, particularly Anzac Day.
It is still used today as part of the route to the new Peace Park,
where the Anzac Service is held each year.
Prince Albert and Prince George (Queen Victoria's grandsons) on board HMS
Bacchante when it limped into Albany's Princess Royal Harbour on 16 May, 1881 with a broken rudder. For three weeks the townspeople did their best to entertain their royal guests in a "royal" fashion. Apart from sightseeing, visiting important people and going on shooting excursions, the royal brothers attended cricket matches and numerous parties to keep them amused.
The
Grace Darling at the wharf at Albany. She was a very popular vessel after having been involved in the rescue of 196 passengers of the
SS Redondo. in 1894. The iron screw steamer struck the Pollock Reef on her journey from Adelaide to W.A. and it was due to the speedy actions of Capt. Fred Douglas and one of his crew, ( lad by the name of Andrews), that only 4 passengers were drowned. She was owned and sailed by Capt Douglas from 1892 until 1910, plying the southern coastal trade - Fremantle /Albany Esperance / Eucla and Port Adelaide until she was sold in 1910. She then worked the Fremantle / Geraldton coast and was wrecked in 1914.
The
Silver Star sailing up the Kalgan River. She was used as a ferry only in summer and went on Moonlight Cruises to Middleton Beach with the sounds of a jazz band and dancing ringing out across the water. She was popular for picnic excursions to Frenchman's Bay and Little Grove; Sunday Schools used her for fishing trips to Bremer Bay, and she often didround trips to Rabbit Island. Her useful life in Albany spanned 25 years, from 1910 until 1935.
