First World War memorial plaque 1
250mm S Chwererminenwerfer (Heavy Trench Mortar)
This heavy mortar was developed for the Imperial German Army from 1910-1918; 1,234 pieces were in service during WWI. A 97kg shell could be fired a distance of 1,000 metres up to an elevation of 75%, rate of fire was 20 rounds per minute of ammonium nitrate-carbon. They were very effective for destroying trenches, bunkers and large fortifications; the shells penetrating more deeply than artillery. This mortar was captured by Australian soldiers on the Western Front during WWI.
Presented to Muswellbrook Shire Council in 1920. Refurbished April 2015 for 100 Year Anniversary of Anzac.
First World War memorial plaque 2
77mm Feldkanone 96n.a (Field gun)
Manufactured by Krupp prior to 1914, this artillery piece was the workhorse of the Imperial Germany Army. The guns were hitched to a limber; which carried the ammunition in cane baskets, guns and limber then hitched to four draught horses, crew was 6 men. The Geschoss - a projectile combined high explosive with shrapnel weighting 6.85kg containing 300 lead bullets, in addition there was smoke, star and gas shells, the range was 7,000 metres. The design complimented the German doctrine of mobility and speed of emplacement. However, the gun, due to light weight had a restricted range of 5,000 metres and a low velocity. Records indicate gun was captured by 30th Battalion during the Battle of Somme, Western Front WWI.
Presented to Muswellbrook Shire Council in 1920. Refurbished April 2015 for 100 Year Anniversary of Anzac.
First World War memorial plaque 3
Anzac Centenary Memorial
1915-2015
Lest We Forget
Dedicated 11 November 2015
Muswellbrook Shire Council Mayor Martin Rush
RSL Sub Branch President Greg Cole
Second World War memorial plaque
Muswellbrook Remembers [RSL badge] 1945–1995
Muswellbrook Memorial Grove. This plaque commemorates 50 years remembrance of all local World War II Veterans. Lest we forget.
Vietnam memorial - plaque next to flagstaff in rest area
“For those who have fought for it Life has a quality the sheltered will never know” Vietnam1962–1972.
Vietnam memorial - plaque on red granite block approaching memorial
[Coloured representations of the Australian flag, the Army of the Republic of Vietnam emblem, and the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) flag]
[In English and Vietnamese] In memory of our fallen 250,000 comrades from the Army of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces (ARVN) and all people of the Republic of Vietnam who fought and sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the Vietnamese people. Lest we forget. Muswellbrook RSL Sub-Branch, August 18, 2013, and The ARVN Veteran Association – NSW Inc.18/08/2013.
Vietnam memorial - white granite pillar approaching memorial - top to bottom
[Royal Australian Navy, Australian Commonwealth Military Forces and Royal Australian Air Force service badges]
Plaque 1
Muswellbrook Vietnam Memorial. Dedicated 6th December 2008 by Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashier AC. CVO Governor of New South Wales
Plaque 2
The Concept
The Memorial is to create a focal point which displays the names of those who gave their lives, this is achieved by the design.
A visitor on arrival will see the red granite plinth representing a ships bow and surmounted by the silent sentinel granite pillar, the “right marker”, with the Three Australian Service Emblems and the New Zealand Defence Force Emblem “on guard” at the entrance.
Upon entry along the track of red granite, the sloping walls, gradually increasing in height, are faced in green granite, burnt faced, to give effect to a green and confining space experienced with a rubber tree and jungle track environment.
On either side of the track are eleven crosses in staggered settings which represent the eleven years of continuous duty in the Republic of South Vietnam. The crosses are of stainless steel and placed to reflect the morning and evening sun.
This track opens into a circular viewing area which represents an artillery gun emplacement found at fire support bases, the floor is of red granite with a burnt texture to represent the red clay earth found in the area of operations.
The circular wall is a clay colour to represent a “dug in” effect. To the left and right of the entry point are the Battle Honours awarded to units, emblazoned in steel letters, to the front, the commitment … “We should never forget”
To the immediate front are three large black granite tablets, polished and ragged edged. These tablets or panels are vertically placed but separated, they have rock faced edges and denote the rift or schism in Society of the time, caused by the objection of the population against the involvement of Australia in the Vietnam War and Conscription.
Upon each of the polished tablets are etched the names of all those (521) Australians killed, in alphabetical order without rank or number or unit. To the lower right of the tablets are the names of the 39 New Zealand servicemen killed, who in the ANZAC tradition, fought with the Australian task Force.
This record is to suggest that all were equal in their sacrifice, rank or unit of no consequence.
The tablets will be softly illuminated during darkness.
MUSWELLBROOK RSL SUB BRANCH
[New Zealand Defence Force emblem]
National Service memorial
[National Servicemen’s Association of Australia emblem]
To Australia’s National Servicemen erected by their Upper Hunter Comrades. This memorial was unveiled by Brigadier John Colvin, Ret’d 14th October, 2000.
Pres. M.J. Frame, Foundation Member, Sec. F.T. Ward, Foundation Member, Tres. J.M. Kilby, Foundation Member.
Korean, Malayan and Borneo memorial - plaque 1
[Royal Australian Navy, Australian Military Forces and Royal Australian Air Force insignias]
Lest we forget. Our comrades who remain on the battlefield of North Korea [Names by service] Missing in action their souls finding their way home.
Korean, Malayan and Borneo memorial - plaque 2
[Royal Australian Air Force, Australian Imperial Force and Royal Australian Navy insignias]
This plaque was erected in memory of all the men and women who served during the Korean, Malayan and Borneo campaigns. Lest we forget.
Korean, Malayan and Borneo memorial - plaque 3
This memorial was opened by His Excellency, The Hon. Gordon Samuels AC Governor of New South Wales 23 October 1999.