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Cessnock War Memorial

Cessnock War Memorial
Middle
Cessnock War Memorial, looking through the timber entrance pergola
Cessnock War Memorial, obelisk
Cessnock War Memorial, plaques attached to wall
Cessnock War Memorial, First World War honour roll panels
Cessnock War Memorial, First World War honour roll panels
Cessnock War Memorial, First World War honour roll panels
Cessnock War Memorial, Second World War honour roll panels
Cessnock War Memorial, Second World War honour roll panels
Cessnock War Memorial, Second World War and Boer War honour roll panels
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Description / Background

Cessnock War Memorial is located within a park at the corner of North Avenue and Darwin Streets and consists of several elements. The focal point of the memorial is an obelisk, with two marble plaques attached. One is inscribed with The Ode and the other with the words 'Lest we forget'. Standing behind the obelisk is a semi-circular wall, which is faced with large marble honour rolls and several smaller plaques of marble and bronze. The wall is protected by a verandah-style shelter. 

The memorial is accessed via a timber pergola, which acts as a formal entrance to the park. The pergola is connected to the memorial by a paved pathway, alongside which is a flagstaff. 

On site is also the HMAS Cessnock Deck Gun, which was dedicated on 11 November 2005 to those who served on board. In 2022, a Conservation Management Plan was developed for the gun, to assist Cessnock Council in retaining the gun's significance and to implement a planned schedule for any future maintenance or conservation works. 

Notes on veteran names:

  • The honour rolls only identify casualties incurred during the First World War.
  • The following information is reflected in the below veterans table. Numbers recorded for each conflict are:
    • 25 Boer War (South Africa); 818 First World War; 818 Second World War; 4 BCOF (British Commonwealth Occupation Forces (Japan); 8 Korean War; 3 Malaya-Borneo Emergency; 36 Vietnam War; 1 Bougainville Peace Keepers. 
  • There are discrepancies around some veterans listed as Killed in action (KIA) on this memorial. If they should not be listed as KIA, a note has been included on their veteran page. To view a particular page, scroll to the far right column in the veterans table and click 'view'.
Inscription

Obelisk plaque 1

"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."

Obelisk plaque 2

"Lest we forget"

Wall plaque 1

World War II 1939–1945.

Vietnam 1962–1973.

Malaya 1948–1960.

Borneo 1962–1966.

Korea 1950–1954.

Lest we forget.

Wall plaque 2

Australia Remembers 1945–1995

Wall plaque 3

Australia Remembers 1945–1995

In honour of the men & women who served Australia in time of conflict during World War II. Lest we forget.

Wall plaque 4

The Anzac Centenary

2014–2018

This plaque has been placed in recognition of one hundred years since the First World War.

This war helped define Australians as people and encapsulate our unique national identity: courage, mateship, sacrifice, generosity, freedom and a fair go for all.

This is a Cessnock City Council initiative in conjunction with the Cessnock RSL Sub Branch

100 years of Anzac

The spirit lives

2014–2018

[Cessnock City Council emblem]

Honour roll 1

1914–1918

[Names]

Honour roll 2

1939–1945

[Names]

South African Boer War

[Names]

Plaque in proximity

HMAS Cessnock Deck Gun

Decommissioned Thursday 23rd June 2005.

In memory of HMAS Cessnock and those who served on both ships.

Unveiled by Clr John Clarence Mayor of the City of Cessnock. 11th November 2005.

Sponsored by Hardie Holdings.

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
C Black World War 1 view
F W Blackwell World War 1 view
A J Blanch World War 1 view
J D Blanch World War 1 view
P W Blick World War 1 view
D Bloomfield World War 2 view
D Bollen World War 2 view
B Bollen World War 1 view
P O H Boonstoppel Vietnam War RAN view
G Boughton South African Campaign view

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Address
Cnr North Avenue and Darwin Street
Cessnock NSW 2325
Local Government Area
Cessnock, City of
Setting
Garden/park
Location status
Original location
Memorial type
Obelisk
Wall
Other
Recorded by
Kevin Coburn. Rusty Priest AM. Peter Levarre-Waters. Sue Simmonds.
Conflict/s
South African War (Boer War), 1899–1902
First World War, 1914–18
Second World War, 1939–45
Occupation of Japan, 1946–51
Korean War, 1950–53
Malayan Emergency, 1950–60
Indonesian Confrontation, 1963–66
Vietnam War, 1962–75
Peacekeeping, 1947–present
Materials
Bronze
Concrete
Marble