Through the simple act of writing letters, Annie Wheeler became the surrogate mother to thousands of Queensland soldiers – and the main source of news for their heartbroken families back home.
During World War I, Mrs Wheeler became central Queensland's "unofficial war correspondent" and "one-woman communications depot".
She soon became affectionately known as the Mother of Anzacs.
Robyn Hamilton, from the State Library of Queensland, said telling Mrs Wheeler's story was part of uncovering the often-hidden work of women during wartime.
"She was one of Queensland's greats of World War I," Ms Hamilton said.
"I think the soldiers knowing that she was a conduit through which they could reassure their families was really important.
From cattle country to London
Educated in Springsure and Rockhampton, Annie Laurie married grazier Henry Wheeler in 1896 and settled with him on a station near Blackwater, where they would welcome daughter Portia.
Mrs Wheeler was 36 when her husband was killed in a horse-riding accident in 1903.
His will stipulated that Portia be taken to England to finish her education, which is how the mother and daughter ended up in southern England in 1914.
"When war broke out, they found themselves a very long way from home, but she just felt very compelled to try to help out in some way," Ms Hamilton said.
At first, Mrs Wheeler would take the train from their lodgings in Eastbourne into London to visit the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) headquarters and Australian Red Cross Missing and Wounded Bureau.
As word spread back in central Queensland and the letters kept coming, so did the hour-and-a-half train journeys to London.
Eventually Mrs Wheeler and Portia moved to the city and dedicated themselves to this new mission.
Catalogue of soldiers
Days were spent visiting wounded soldiers, writing letters and coordinating the "wonderfully detailed card system" that numbered roughly 2,300 by war's end.
"She'd make a card for each soldier … and on the cards she would record every instance of communication, whether it was a letter back and forth from the families or from the young men, or every instance of a patient she and Portia would visit," Ms Hamilton said.
The State Library holds these treasured boxes; the index cards and dozens of letters have been digitised.
Alongside the letters, Mrs Wheeler also arranged delivery of parcels, collected funds for soldiers in need and helped with other administration issues.
A hero's welcome
By 1917 the workload was taking its toll on Mrs Wheeler's health, despite help from a small team of volunteers.
She was so loved back home that the Rockhampton community funded a nurse to care for her.
Central Queensland families eagerly awaited the fortnightly summary letters from Mrs Wheeler published in the local newspapers.
When mother and daughter returned to Australia in November 1919, they were met with a hero's welcome.
"About 5,000 people turned up to meet her train and soldiers pulled her car through the streets [of Rockhampton] to a public reception," Ms Hamilton said.
Portia Wheeler would go on to have a daughter — Mrs Wheeler's granddaughter — who served in World War II as a member of the Citizen's Military Forces.
Honouring hidden stories
Last month, Rockhampton politicians called for permanent recognition of Mrs Wheeler's work.
Rockhampton Region Councillor Drew Wickerson wants to see a bust erected along the city's riverside boardwalk next to that of Rockhampton-born tennis legend Rod Laver.
He's planning to take a proposal to the council in the coming months.
Mr Wickerson said while he believed Mrs Wheeler should be the next person honoured, it could be the start of a "walk of fame" honouring prominent central Queenslanders.
"We've got so many amazing heroes, ambassadors and famous people that have achieved in their own disciplines from Rockhampton and we really need to honour these people," he said.
Ms Hamilton said women's war work was often hidden, and she welcomed any moves to redress the balance.
"For every young man fighting overseas, there are female relatives in the background," she said.
