Butler’s 500 Anzac Celebration: Edithburgh in the Yorke Peninsula region of South Australia

These days Edithburgh is a popular Yorke Peninsula tourist town. But in it's hey day it thrived on the nearby salt mines and the main street would have been bustling as the banks, hotels and guesthouses prospered.

But in 1918, Edithburgh's main intersection was bustling for another reason. Australia was at war and recruitment was at an all time low. The call went out for more men so Colonel Charles Butler, who'd fought on the Western Front, volunteered to raise 500 fighting men.

What was known as 'Butler's 500' was under way - a giant recruiting drive which began in Edithburgh and worked its way through Yorke Peninsula and snowballed throughout the state.

There’s a photo showing Senator Newland, urging the local men to rally to the cause. Despite an enthusiastic reception in all the towns only 170 men enlisted. Not surprising really, given most towns had already suffered horrendous losses by the close of World War One.

The 85th anniversary of Butlers 500 will be celebrated over the entire ANZAC weekend at Edithburgh. For details contact 8852 6064.