Crowther First World War Memorial

White column with inscriptions, positioned on a plinth and enclosed by a fence. Lavender is planted at the base of the memorial. 

From Wildman Park By W.G Elliott, ‘Barrelli’, Crowther, 2803:

9 February 2001

This block of ground was dedicated to the public as a public park by the owner Frank Burford, a retired magistrate, on 28 January 1913.

Nugent Robert Wildman was born in 1899 at Woodville, North Island, New Zealand. On 14 March 1916, Nugent was a share farmer for Phillip Cass of Stoneridge, Crowther – then aged 26 years, 11 months, when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force – Number 6111.

His father, James Wildman, lived at “The Grange”, Crowther (between the Stock reserve and the mountain on the eastern side, marked by pepper trees now). His mother Salina Nugent Wildman had the same Christian name as her son (was this Salina’s maiden name?) 

Nugent was killed in action on 8 May 1917.  His memorial is at 26 Villers Bretonneux, France. His father died October, 1917 – thus leaving Salina with no family. Her last known address was ‘Rose Bank’, Koorawatha (2 March 1922). She did not remarry, and died on 10 July 1924.  Salina is buried in the Church of England portion of the Koorawatha Cemetery. 

Some time between 28 January 1913 and 2 March 1922 this park would have been given the name “Wildman Park”.

Updated information, provided by Stephen Massil:

His mother Selina Nugent Wildman, née Savage, (1854-1924), had the same Christian name as her son.

His [Nugent Robert Wildman's] father died October, 1917 – thus leaving Selina with her two daughters Helen Holden (1886-1963) and Flora Wildman (1880-1945).

James Wildman, born North Yorkshire, had a sister Helen Holden (1886-1963) b. Maxwelltown, New Zealand, died Croydon, NSW, married to John William Holden, also of Crowther; there was another sister, Flora (b. 1880 - d.10 June 1945).