David John Willis Memorial Middle Image Image Image Image Image Image 0 / 0 - Prev Next Description / Background A stone drinking fountain to Boer War veteran and local resident Private David Willis, located near the former School of Arts. The memorial is located outside the Beecroft Community Centre. Additional notes by Sydney Trains: This memorial is located on the southern corner of the intersection of Wongala Crescent and Copeland Road and forms a group with the two war memorials on the other side of the Wongala Crescent. It is a tall sandstone monument set on a concrete base and is highly visible from the intersection. It features carved side columns, military symbols and is surmounted by a floriated Celtic cross. The memorial is located on railway land, but not within the heritage curtilage of Beecroft Railway Station. It is a rare example of a Boer War memorial within railway land. Inscription Base Erected by the residents of the district to memory of DAVID JOHN WILLIS killed in battle at Elands Kop South Africa Oct 10th 1900 aged 20 years Plaque David John Willis lived in Beecroft before he volunteered to serve in South Africa during the Boer War (1899-1902). He trained with the 6th Australian Rifles Regiment at Hornsby before he left for South Africa on 3 November 1899 with the NSW Infantry. David John Willis was killed in a skirmish on 1 October 1900 at Elands Kop near Heilbron, one day short of his twentieth birthday. This memorial was originally erected on the Village Green and unveiled on 24 November 1991 by the Beecroft community to commemorate the life of David Willis and to impress upon the local citizens, especially young people, the importance of duty and discipline. The memorial was later moved from the Village Green and during repairs the date of David Willis’ death was incorrectly recorded as 10 October 1900. To mark the centenary of the death of David Willis, this plaque records the conservation of the memorial, funded and supported by Hornsby Shire Council and Beecroft – Cheltenham Civic Trust. 8 October 2000. Related links The Willis Memorial. (30 Nov 1901) Veterans listed on this memorial Veterans listed on this memorial Sort by Family nameGiven nameWar Order AscDesc Items per page 1050100- All - Apply Last held rank Given name Family name Conflict/s Service No. Service Campaign Read more David John Willis South African Campaign Atelanski view Do you know more about this war Memorial? Click here to learn how you can contribute Sidebar Address Cnr Copeland and Beecroft Roads Beecroft NSW 2119 Local Government Area Hornsby Shire Setting Roadside Memorial type Fountain/Drinking fountain Recorded by Sydney Trains, Epping RSL Sub-Branch and Adrian Mitchell. Updated photographs by Peter Levarre-Waters. Year of construction 1901 Dedication date 24 November 1901 Conflict/s South African War (Boer War), 1899–1902