Drake Public School First World War Honour Roll

The Drake Public School Honour Roll is a pressed bronze honour roll commemorating the old boys from the school who served in the First World War. The honour roll features decorative patterns and scroll work. A brass plaque inscribed with the name of the school surrounded by floral decoration is centrally placed at the top of the honour roll, with the dedication in raised lettering written below. A circular bronze plaque featuring the lion, cross and four stars of the NSW state badge sits at the centre of the bottom of the honour roll. Two rectangular brass plaques are positioned on either side of the honour roll within decorative frames, and are engraved with the names of 36 veterans. 

The memorial was made by the Wunderlich Company of Sydney, specialists in manufacturing pressed metal ceilings and tiles. They also created many honour rolls like this one, both during and after the war. They were available in a variety of sizes and the company changed the designs and styles over time. It is clear this example was made during the war, as the end date is given as ‘191’.

The honour roll was unveiled at the school in early January 1918 by Mr J P Curran, ex-chairman of the School Board. Fifty two ornamental trees named after district soldiers were planted in the school grounds (Moree Gwydir Examiner and General Advertiser, 11 January 1918).

The honour roll is now located in the Drake Community Hall where there is a small military museum.