Summary

The First World War, also known as the Great War (1914 – 1918) remains the costliest conflict for Australia in terms of deaths and casualties. Song may not have expected to provide consolation during the atrocities of war but the sentimental and patriotic tune Pack up your troubles proved to motivate and uplift the spirts of soldiers during absolute abject misery. Aubrey Powell, the grandson of Felix Powell, who wrote the song, commented that ‘in those days, the most important thing was to have a song that would give encouragement to the troops as they went into battle’.  A song that started in the music halls of England went to the trenches.  It spread like wildfire.  Even the Germans were singing it.  Listen to the Australian War Memorial sound recording of Pack up your troubles which was performed in the spirit of the time.