RECRUITMENT figures plummeted across Australia in the second half of 1915 following the military disaster at Gallipoli and heavy casualties in France.
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Rallies urging men to "defend the Empire" had become increasingly ineffective when Gilgandra butcher Dick Hitchen and his plumber brother Bill hatched a plan to gather volunteers during a march from Central Western NSW to Sydney.
Despite initial reluctance from military authorities, the idea gained momentum.
The Coo-ees left Gilgandra on October 10, 1915 with 25 men. More stepped forward as the march passed through Balladoran, Eumungerie, Mogriguy, Dubbo, Wongarbon, Geurie, Wellington, Dripstone, Mumbil, Stuart Town, Euchareena, Boomey, Molong, Orange, Millthorpe, Blayney, Bathampton, Bathurst, Yetholme, Wallerawang, Lithgow, Little Hartley, Mt Victoria, Katoomba, Lawson, Springwood, Penrith, Parramatta and Ashfield.
Responding to the call from the Dardanelles "Coo-ee will you come?", the ranks swelled to 263 by the time the marchers arrived in the Sydney central business district on November 12.
The marchers came from all walks of life - farmers, stockmen, shearers, cooks, businessmen, eager youths and swagmen. Some added or subtracted years to meet army restrictions seeking men aged from 18 to 45.
After four months of training at the Liverpool army camp the Coo-ees embarked on March 8, 1916 on the Star of England for Egypt. Some stayed with 13th Battalion, others joined 45th Battalion. All served in France.
The example set by Gilgandra was followed by other marches around NSW and Queensland - the Waratahs, Kangaroos, Wallabies, Dungarees, Men from Snowy River, Kurrajongs, Kookaburras, Central West Boomerangs and North Coast Boomerangs.
Military history enthusiasts retraced the steps of the Coo-ees in 1987 during a 512 km journey from Gilgandra to Sydney. The Coo-ee March will be re-enacted in October and November as part of celebrations commemorating the Centenary of Anzac.
