Weymouth in Old Postcards and Photographs
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The
Kursaal Circa 1914
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The
Kursaal, erected in 1913, enclosed the Bandstand to provide cover
during inclement weather, not an uncommon occurrence in our climate. It was described at the time as “The Miniature Crystal Palace”. During the First World War The Kursaal became the reception centre for the many thousands of Australian & New Zealand troops, known as Anzacs, who were sent to Weymouth after recovering from wounds received during the ill fated Gallipolli expedition. Click here to see the memorial erected in tribute to the Anzacs Many were retrained in camps set up locally for return to the Front but many were sent home as unfit for servic as a result of their injuries. Ironic, then, that some 30 years later a similar arrival and exodus of men from a different continent was to occur but with a more successful result. The Kursaal and Bandstand were demolished in 1924, the latter being rebuilt on the Nothe, to be replaced here with The Alexandra Gardens Theatre. |
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