Burcher War Memorial Gates

Arch between two brick columns, with plaques attached.

In 1949 the first organised Anzac Day march was held in Burcher finishing at the park in front of the flagpole. The march has been held every year since then. At first up to 20 marchers partipated, then later on down to five or six marchers as people moved on. At present an average of seven people take part, joined by the school pupils.

After the Second World War members of the Patriotic Fund, formerly the Burcher-Wamboyne-Bena Comforts Fund, decided to use their funds to place an honour roll in the Burcher Hall beside the First World War honour rolls that had earlier been moved from the former Bena and Wamboyne halls. Then came the idea of memorial gates being erected at the park. The brickwork was carried out by Bill Moriarty and the welded arch was the work of Reg Keith and Ray and Alan Ridley. The gates were officially opened by Mr. K. G. Anthoness of West Wyalong in 1954. 

In 2000, Mr. E. F. (Joe) Fitzgerald, former president of the Patriotic Fund, applied to the Department of Veterans' Affairs for a grant to have the names of all servicemen on the honour rolls placed on plaques at the gates. A grant from the 'Regional War Memorials Project' under the Federal Government's 'Their Service, Our Heritage' commemorative program was approved. As soon as acceptance was received by the Department of Veterans' Affairs, the grant of $1,900 was forwarded to Lachlan Shire Council and the two cast bronze plaques were set in place by Shire workers.