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Patonga War Memorial

Patonga War Memorial
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Description / Background

Obelisk constructed from light-coloured concrete blocks, which have been painted white, surmounted by a lamp. The blocks were made by the community members who built the memorial. There are also two flagpoles, one for the Australian flag and one for New Zealand, which are both flown on the community dawn service. 

The memorial is located on a roundabout, which is planted with a small garden. It is also listed on Gosford City Council’s Heritage Register.

From Every Mother's Son, Published by Gosford City Council in 1997, by Michael Rokesbuty:

Located in this peaceful village, where Bay and Jacaranda streets meet, stands a monument to those local young men who went off to battle in World War II.

The memorial was unveiled by His Excellency, Lieutenant- General John Northcott, C.B., M.V.O., Governor of New South Wales on July 11, 1948.

The memorial was designed by T. W. Smith and erected with voluntary labour by Patonga residents. The committee was members charged with the responsibility of seeing the project through to the end were: S. J. Horsley (chairman), Mrs T. W. Smith ((hon. Secretary), H. Warrior (hon. Treasurer) and T. W. Smith (hon. organiser).

There are two metal plaques affixed to the east face of the memorial.

The top plaques bear the following wording:

'Honour Roll' (centred across the top in a single line) followed beneath by 'of residents of Patonga' and 'who served in World War 2' centred on two lines. This is followed by '1939 - 1945'. Then comes two columns of names.

The names as they appear and are spelt: P/O D. C. Cunnee R.A.N., Spr K. W. Hickey M.M., Tpr A. C. Sproul, Dvr R. N. Swanstone, Dvr R. A. Swanston, Gnr J. M Smedley, F/Lieut R. S. Williams D.F.C. KILLED, Gnr F. V. Winks, Pte K. J. Witchard.

Beneath this on six centred lines of text, is:

'This stone was unveiled by His Excellency, Lieut-Gen John Northcott; C. B.M.V.O. Governor of New South Wales, and 11th July1948.'

On the lower section of the monument is a smaller plaque with a dedication to Lieut. R. S. Williams.

Inscription

Roll

Honour Roll of residents of Patonga who served in World War 2 1939 - 1945 

[Names]

This stone was unveiled by His Excellency Lieut. Gen. John Northcott C.B., M.V.O. 11th July 1948.

Plaque

Lieut. R. S. Williams; D.F.C., Killed over France. 22nd AUGUST 1944; and aged19 years.

Veterans listed on this memorial

Veterans listed on this memorial

Last held rank Given name Family name Conflict/s Service No. Service Campaign Read more
P/O D C Gunnee World War 2 RAN view
Spr K W Hickey World War 2 view
Tpr A G Sproul World War 2 view
Dvr R N Swanston World War 2 view
Dvr R A Swanston World War 2 view
F/Lieut R S Williams World War 2 RAAF view
Gnr F V Winks World War 2 view
Pte K J Witchard World War 2 view

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Address
Jacaranda Avenue and Bay Street
Patonga NSW 2256
Local Government Area
Central Coast Council
Setting
Roadside
Memorial type
Obelisk
Recorded by
Mr Simon Handfield (State Library of New South Wales). Information provided by Kay WIlliams and Dain Simpson
Dedication date
11 July 1948
Conflict/s
Second World War, 1939–45