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Wilberforce District War Memorial and Gates

Wilberforce District War Memorial and Gates
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Description / Background

Wilberforce Park contains a white stone obelisk with the impression of two crossed Lee-Enfield rifles at the top. The memorial is surrounded by a circular, black-iron picket fence. The names of veterans from the district who served in the First World War are imprinted in black on white marble tablets. The memorial was dedicated on 12 October 1918, and relocated to Wilberforce Park in 1966. The memorial was originally the Ebenezer War Memorial but with council area boundaries changing it became the Wilberforce War Memorial. 

Next to the obelisk is a white flagpole. At the entrance to the park on the corner of Duke and George Roads are a set of gates dedicated to those who served in the Second World War.

The obelisk unveiling took place on 12 October 1918 at a ceremony chaired by Councillor E T Bowd, Chairman of the Wilberforce and District Patriotic League, with the unveiling performed by Mr Walker MLA. Speakers included Mr Kingsley of Messrs E L Kingsley and Co, Lidcombe, the contractors for the memorial. A detailed account of the event was published in the Windsor and Richmond Gazette, 18 October 1918, including the names of those who had served from the villages of Wilberforce, Freeman's Reach and Ebenezer. 

After the Second World War the Shire Council proposed a tree planting on Arbor Day by the local children combined with an unveiling ceremony for a memorial plaque at the park gates. The Shire President, Councillor H C Matheson, suggested the plaque be a general commemorative tablet and that the park gates be dedicated as Memorial Gates to honour the men and women of the district who served in the Second World War (Windsor and Richmond Gazette, 6 August 1947). The dedication of the gates and unveiling of the memorial plaque by Councillor Matheson took place in Wilberforce Park on 19 August 1947.

Inscription

Obelisk - side 1

The Empire called 
and they answered from Wilberforce.

[Names and fate]

Erected by the residents of Wilberforce
1918.

Obelisk - side 2

Erected
to perpetuate
the memory of
the men from
Wilberforce and district
who took part in
The Great War
1914 -1919

Peace with Victory
World War II
1939 - 1945
Korea
1950 -1953
Vietnam
1965 - 1972

[Names]

Obelisk - side 3

The Empire called 
and they answered from Freeman's Reach.

[Names]

Obelisk - side 4

The Empire called 
and they answered from Ebenezer.

[Names]

Gates plaque

Wilberforce Park

In honour of the men & women
of Wilberforce District
who served in the cause of freedom
in World War II
1939-1945

Unveiled by Cr. H. C. Matheson,
19th August 1947,
President of Colo Shire.

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
Pte S Kingham World War 1 KIA view
S Klein World War 2 view
G Knobbs World War 2 view
E Lambert World War 2 view
Pte J F Larachy World War 1 KIA view
Pte C R Larachy World War 1 view
Pte V C Larachy World War 1 view
J Larkin World War 2 view
I Laurie World War 2 view
Pte C Lavender World War 1 view

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Sidebar
Address
Wilberforce Park
Macquarie, Duke and Church Roads
Wilberforce NSW 2756
Local Government Area
Hawkesbury, City of
Setting
Garden/park
Location status
Moved/altered
Memorial type
Gate/lychgate
Obelisk
Recorded by
Ms Jane Williamson and Peter Levarre-Waters. Graham Wilson
Year of construction
1918 and 1947
Dedication date
19 August 1947
Conflict/s
First World War, 1914–18
Second World War, 1939–45
Korean War, 1950–53
Vietnam War, 1962–75
Materials
Marble
Metal
Sandstone
Timber