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Bowral and District War Memorial

Bowral and District War Memorial
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Bowral and District War Memorial, front view
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Bowral and District War Memorial, left side
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Bowral and District War Memorial, back view
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Bowral and District War Memorial, right side
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Bowral and District War Memorial, close-up of honour roll names
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Bowral and District War Memorial, close-up of honour roll names
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Bowral and District War Memorial, close-up of honour roll names
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Bowral and District War Memorial, close-up of honour roll names
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Bowral Vietnam War Memorial Cherry Tree Walk, close-up of honour roll names
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Bowral and District War Memorial, close-up of honour roll names
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Bowral and District War Memorial, close-up of honour roll names
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Bowral and District War Memorial, close-up of honour roll names
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Bowral and District War Memorial, foundation stone
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Bowral and District War Memorial, rededication plaque
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Bowral and District War Memorial, Korean War honour roll
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Bowral and District War Memorial, Malaya, Borneo, and Indonesia honour roll
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Bowral and District War Memorial, Vietnam War honour roll
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Bowral and District War Memorial, 'Eternal hope' plaque
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Bowral and District War Memorial, Boer War plaque
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Bowral and District War Memorial, dedication inscription
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Bowral and District War Memorial, close-up of cross on top of memorial
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Bowral and District War Memorial, seen through 'Lest we forget' arch
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Bowral and District War Memorial, left plaque on arch
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Bowral and District War Memorial, right plaque on arch
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Description / Background

The Bowral and District War Memorial is a polished trachyte and marble column, supported by a two-tier pedestal base. The upper tier is inscribed with the names of those who served in the First World War. The lower tier lists veterans of the Second World War. The bottom portion of the base bears several plaques dedicated to various conflicts in which Australia has been involved, including three more honour rolls. 

The foundation stone of the memorial was laid on 4 August 1919. It was officially unveiled the following year on 31 January. In 2003, the memorial was re-dedicated on Remembrance Day, 11 November.

The memorial is located in a small park near Bowral Train Station. At one corner of the park is a decorative arch, bearing the words 'Lest we forget'. The two pillars supporting the arch feature plaques, with a dedication to the fallen and The Ode. 

Notes on veterans' names:

  • No records can be found for deceased veterans from this area with the following names: D Harbison, N McDonald. The status codes for these veterans have been left as killed in action as that is what is indicated by the memorial. All other status codes for deceased veterans have been taken from information in the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour and Commemorative Roll, the World War Two Nominal Roll, and the National Archives of Australia.
  • On the memorial, H O Norton Knight is given as J Norton Knight. There are no records for a J Norton Knight having served.
  • Australian War Memorial records show W Napier was awarded a Distinguished Flying Medal (D.F.M.) and R B Smith a Distinguished Flying Cross (D.F.C.).
Inscription

Foundation stone

This stone was set by Sir George Fuller K.C.M.G.M.L.A. Chief Secretary on August 4th 1919

Dedication 

This memorial was erected by the people of Bowral and Glenquarry in honour of those who served the Empire during the Great War 1914–1918.

Honour roll - top level, front

These men died leaving an example of noble courage and devotion to duty

[Names]

Honour roll - top level, other sides

[Names]

Honour roll - bottom level, front

Honour roll WWII 1939–1945

[Names]

* Denotes those who paid the supreme sacrifice

Honour roll - bottom level, other sides

[Names]

* Denotes those who paid the supreme sacrifice

Korean War honour roll plaque

In eternal gratitude of the citizens of Bowral to those who served in the Korean War 1950 to 1954

[Names]

This plaque was unveiled by John Cummins OAM President Bowral RSL Sub Brance Anzac Day 2008

Vietnam War honour roll plaque

A grateful nation and community thank those from Bowral who served our nation during the Vietnam War 1962–1973

[Names]

Unveiled by Bowral RSL Sub Branch members and Vietnam veterans Anzac Day 2011

[Names of those involved in the unveiling]

Honour roll plaque

A grateful nation and community thank those from Bowral who served our nation during the Malayan Peninsula/Borneo/Indonesian conflicts 1948–1966

[Names]

K A Stammers and G F Piggott Vice Presidents Bowral RSL Sub Branch Anzac Day 2011

Plaque

Boer War

South Africa 1899-1902

Bowral RSL Sub Branch dedicates this plaque to honour the known ninety nine men and one woman from the Southern Highlands who served in this conflict

Lest we forget

Plaque

To the eternal hope that peace will prevail for evermore.

Re-dedication plaque

Officially re-dedicated by: Air Chief Marshall Sir Neville McNamara KBE; AO; AFC; AE. Royal Australian Air Force (Retd) 11th November 2003

To the memory of the citizens of Bowral who sacrificed their lives in World War II 1939–1945 and eternal gratitude to those who also served.

Arch

Lest we forget

Arch - left plaque

They shall grow not

old as we that are

left grow old. Age

shall not weary

them nor the years

condemn. At the

going down of the sun

and in the morning we

will remember them.

"Lest we forget"

Arch - right plaque

The glorious fallen

In our hearts forever

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
A BOND World War 2 view
F S BONNAR World War 2 view
C BOOTH World War 2 view
G BOOTH World War 2 view
E BOOTH World War 2 view
R G BOPPING World War 2 view
E L BRAKE World War 2 view
D H BRANCH World War 2 view
G H BRANSGROVE World War 2 view
LIEUT J B BRASSEY World War 1 view

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Sidebar
Address
Cnr Bong Bong and Merrigang Streets
Bowral NSW 2576
Local Government Area
Wingecarribee Shire
Setting
Roadside
Location status
Original location
Memorial type
Column/pillar
Recorded by
Jane Williamson
Year of construction
1919–1920
Dedication date
31 January 1920
Conflict/s
South African War (Boer War), 1899–1902
First World War, 1914–18
Second World War, 1939–45
Korean War, 1950–53
Malayan Emergency, 1950–60
Indonesian Confrontation, 1963–66
Vietnam War, 1962–75
Materials
Bronze
Marble
Other stone