Swan Creek Public School First World War Roll of Honor

The Swan Creek Public School First World War Roll of Honor lists the names of 37 ex-pupils who served in the war. Their names are printed neatly in gold lettering across two columns in the centre of the board. 

The roll was a gift to the school from its current students, who raised funds by holding a "bazaar" (Daily Examiner, 25 May 1917). They purchased the board itself from the long-established departmental store J. T. McKittick Ltd in Grafton. It is a simple design, with a traditional pediment at the top and carved columns on the left and right edges. The lettering was done by Mr G. Campbell, a teacher at the school. 

The unveiling ceremony took place at the school on Empire Day, 24 May 1917. The pupils sang 'Advance Australia Fair' and then patriotic addresses were delivered by Mr Campbell; Reverend H. T. Williams; Reverend G. E. Ure; and Mr W. T. Cameron, Headmaster of Grafton High School. The unveiling was performed by Departmental Inspector W. A. Fraser. The successful event was reported in the Daily Examiner and The Grafton Argus and Clarence River General Advertiser on 25 May. Both newspapers listed the names of the 33 men who were already inscribed on the memorial, noting three were deceased at that stage. A further four would die later in the war. 

Access to the memorial is restricted as it is within school grounds. 

Note: Research on the names for the veterans table below was completed using The AIF Project website and the publication Clarence Valley World War One Volunteers by Tony Morley (Grafton, 2003).