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Alumny Creek Public School and District First World War Roll of Honor

Alumny Creek Public School and District First World War Roll of Honor
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Alumny Creek Public School and District First World War Roll of Honor
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Alumny Creek Public School and District First World War Roll of Honor, on the wall of the Alumny Creek School Museum
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Alumny Creek Public School and District First World War Roll of Honor, on the wall of the Alumny Creek School Museum, Heritage Room fallen heroes portraits and biographies framed on wall
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Alumny Creek Public School and District First World War Roll of Honor, on the wall of the Alumny Creek School Museum, Heritage Room fallen heroes portraits and biographies framed on wall
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Alumny Creek Public School and District First World War Roll of Honor, on the wall of the Alumny Creek School Museum, Heritage Room fallen heroes portraits and biographies framed on wall
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Description / Background

This war memorial is an elegant timber honour roll for the First World War. It features carved columns and a decorative pediment. It is decorated with a delicate painting of a laurel wreath, flanked by of the crossed Union Jack and Australian Red Ensign. The names of 35 men who served in the war are printed in neat gold script down two columns in the centre of the board. 

The roll was built by Messrs. H. H. Sanders, furniture manufacturers of Grafton, NSW. It was unveiled at the Alumny Creek Public School during Empire Day celebrations on 24 May 1918. Mrs. Eugenie Wotherspoon, wife of the teacher in charge, and senior girls of the school raised funds for the creation of the roll.

The school is located 5km north of Grafton, NSW, and was established in 1872. It operated continuously until its closure in 1969. It was re-opened as a museum in 1988, depicting the typical one-teacher school of the 1930s era. 

In 2000, a 'Heritage Room' was established in the former teacher's residence, located adjacent to the school. The room forms part of the museum and houses this roll and the related Alumny Creek Public School and District Second World War Roll of Honor. There are also individual framed photographs and profiles of each soldier listed on the rolls. This photographic display is a permanent exhibition in the museum and was established by the Honorary Reserve Trustees. 

Men from the Alumy Creek and Great Marlow farming communities, located north of Grafton, were among the first to enlist, and eight paid the supreme sacrifice in the service of their country during the First and Second World Wars.

Notes on veterans' names:

  • Bert Cameron saw extensive service in Egypt, Sinai, Palestine, and Syria during the First World War and enlisted again in the Second World War. He subsequently died while carrying out service duty within Australia.­
  • Jack Chapman, the grandson of Grafton's first Mayor, was killed in action in 1916 at the Armentieres Front in France.
  • Roy Eggins who saw service on the Gallipoli Peninsula died of illness in 1915.
  • Vyvian Ellem was killed in action in 1918 on the Somme in France.
Inscription

Alumny Creek

Public School & District

Roll of Honor

For God - For King - For Country.

[Names]

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
Private R H Eggins First World War, 1914–18 357 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
Private C W Eggins First World War, 1914–18 7824/Q21291 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
Able Seaman L Eggins First World War, 1914–18 6115 Royal Australian Navy (RAN) view
Private E Eggins First World War, 1914–18 2799 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
Private S V Eggins First World War, 1914–18 3334 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
Lance Corporal R C Eggins First World War, 1914–18 3335 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
Private V Ellem First World War, 1914–18 6497 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
Private A Ellem First World War, 1914–18 87 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
Private G Fischer First World War, 1914–18 3778A Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
Sergeant J Fischer First World War, 1914–18 2821 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view

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Sidebar
Address
Alumny Creek School Museum
465 Lawrence Road
Grafton NSW 2460
Local Government Area
Clarence Valley Council
Setting
Building – inside
Memorial type
Board/roll/plaque/tablet
Recorded by
John Johnston
Dedication date
24 May 1918
Conflict/s
First World War, 1914–18
Materials
Timber