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Ballina Lighthouse and Lismore Surf Lifesaving Club Second World War Honour Roll

Ballina Lighthouse and Lismore Surf Lifesaving Club Second World War Honour Roll
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Ballina Lighthouse and Lismore Surf Lifesaving Club Second World War Honour Roll
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Ballina Lighthouse and Lismore Surf Lifesaving Club Second World War Honour Roll, close-up of history panel
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Description / Background

This timber honour roll was created in honour of members of the Ballina Lighthouse and Lismore Surf Lifesaving Club, who served in the Second World War. The pediment is edged with decorative timber mouldings and there is a carved column on both sides of the board. The words 'Lest we forget' are painted in gold on a blue and red ribbon banner positioned within the pediment.

The roll contains 17 names of those who were killed in conflict overseas or in accidents in Australia. They are printed in gold, across two columns, in the centre of the board. Below the list is a painting of a green foliage garland, with a blue bow in the middle. This feature is reminiscent of a laurel wreath, a traditional inclusion on war memorials. 

In addition to the dedication to the veterans, the roll includes three lines of prose borrowed from the poem The Soldier by English poet Rupert Brooke, published during the First World War. His original wording is below. On the honour roll, England is replaced with Ballina. 

If I should die, think only this of me:

That there's some corner of a foreign field

That is for ever England.

The Ballina community has a proud surf club history, as shown by the construction of several clubhouses over many decades. The South Ballina Club operated for 30 years, starting in 1908. After the construction of breakwalls, the Ballina Surf Club was formed in 1933, and its clubhouse was opened on 17 December. Lismore joined the club in 1934, and on 17 October, its official name became Ballina Lighthouse and Lismore Surf Life Saving Club.

In November 1961, the third clubhouse was opened and dedicated as a memorial to club members who died in the Second World War. In 2005, it was demolished and the honour roll was lent to the Ballina RSL Club for safe keeping in their Combined Services Museum. On 27 July 2013, the official opening of the new clubhouse at Lighthouse Beach was held; however, the roll remains at the RSL museum. It is available to view during the opening hours of the museum and club. 

Inscription

Roll

Lest we forget

In remembrance of 17 club members who paid the supreme sacrifice and dedicated to the many other club members who served their King and country.

[Names]

If I should die, think only this of me: That there's some corner of a foreign field that is forever Ballina.

World War II

1939–45

History panel

During the Second World War, every member of Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore SLSC who was eligible to join the armed services did so. In total, 139 members answered the call to arms. At the time, the club also deposited money into war bonds.

Of our 139 members, 18 did not return; weighing heavily on the hearts of those that had known these members in less troubling times.

In 1946, prompted by the terrible loss of lives; then Club President A.G. "Pop" Denison moved that the Clubhouse be rebuilt as a memorial to the members who lost their lives in the 1939–1945 conflict. It would take another 15 years before the new Lighthouse Beach clubhouse was completed, and dedicated as a memorial to our fallen members.

In 2005 the Lighthouse Beach clubhouse was demolished. The memorial board for the fallen members is currently on loan to Ballina RSL Sub-Branch, and will be returned to the Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore SLSC to take precedent display in the new clubhouse.

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
Allan Randall Second World War, 1939–45 view
Flight Sergeant Geoff Ritchie Second World War, 1939–45 4127090 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) view
Corporal Doug Robertson Second World War, 1939–45 NX53085 Australian Army - Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) view
Flying Officer Col Tait Second World War, 1939–45 403157 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Air war over Europe 1940–1945 view
Sergeant Arthur Torrens Second World War, 1939–45 413287 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) High seas 1940–1945 view
Flying Officer Jack Ward Second World War, 1939–45 402989 Australian Army - Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) view
Sergeant Keith Watson Second World War, 1939–45 22692 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) view

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Sidebar
Address
Ballina RSL Club
1 Grant Street
Ballina NSW 2478
Local Government Area
Ballina Shire
Setting
Building – inside
Location status
Moved/altered
Memorial type
Board/roll/plaque/tablet
Recorded by
Graham Wilson
Year of construction
1961
Conflict/s
Second World War, 1939–45
Materials
Timber