Young Wallsend Great War Roll of Honour

This memorial is a timber roll of honour for the First World War. It is a large-scale piece, measuring approximately 2.2 meters tall by 1.4 metres wide and is richly decorated with carvings. The pediment features an interpretation of the Australian Coat of Arms, with a kangaroo and emu flanking a wreath and a Rising Sun emblem. The animals are standing on a carved banner emblazoned with the words 'Advance Australia', printed in gold. Below this is a panel featuring three images. In the centre, Britannia is shown shaking hands with an Australian soldier. On either side are matching carvings of waratahs and foliage. The base of the board has a similar panel with three images. The centre image contains the shadow of an enemy soldier frightening a woman and child. On either side are matching panels decorated with other Australian flowers.  

The pediment is supported by two columns, topped with carved capitals. Between the columns is the centre panel on which are the names of 21 veterans from the district who served in the war. They are expertly printed in gold, across two columns. Three are marked with a gold star, indicating they died in service.

The memorial was unveiled at Smith's Hall on 9 November 1917. The unveiling ceremony was reported in detail in the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate the next day. The writer described the roll as follows:

The memorial is one of which the people can well be proud. It is of massive proportions, standing six feet four inches high, with a breadth of four feet nine inches. It is composed of Queensland maple, and is embellished with appropriate carvings. The work was entrusted to Mr. W. Bennett, of Wickham, at a cost of £36, and clever craftsmanship is evident in every feature of the memorial.

Shortly after the unveiling, the roll was moved to the School of Arts (Newcastle Morning Herald, 17 November 1917). It can now be found inside the Edgeworth Memorial Neighbourhood Centre, hanging alongside the Young Wallsend Second World War Roll of Honour. Access to it is restricted to the opening hours of the centre.

Note on veterans: E Stephen is unable to be traced/identified with links to the surrounding area on The A.I.F. Project or National Archives of Australia databases.