Wardell Methodist Church First World War Roll of Honour

The Wardell Methodist Church First World War Roll of Honour is an elegant timber board, made of polished cedar. It features four finial-like brackets, one in each corner. It is decorated with delicate paintings of the crossed Union Jack and Australian Red Ensign and the first Commonwealth Coat of Arms. 

The roll lists 10 members of the church who served in the war, including two who were killed in action. Their names are neatly printed in gold in two columns, under the heading 'Name'. Below the flags, the names of the two men who fell in the war are repeated under the heading 'Memoriam'. 

The memorial was made by Brown and Jolly of Lismore, long-established furniture makers on the North Coast. They constructed a number of timber honour rolls following the war.

The unveiling service took place at the church on 22 April 1919. The Northern Star reported on the service on 29 April and included in its article the names of two men yet to be inscribed on the roll: Chaplain Bates and Trooper J. Brown. This is fortunate, as for some reason the names were never actually added to the board. 

The service was held for three reasons: farewelling Reverend S. McKibbin, who is listed on the board; welcoming the incoming pastor Reverend Mr Jenkins and his wife; and to unveil the board. Mr P. Lumley presided over the ceremony and visitors came from Wardell, Riley's Hill, Ballina, and Coraki. The chairman called on Mrs J. Law and Mrs J. Elder to perform the unveiling.

The roll is now located in the Wardell and District War Memorial Hall. Access to view it is restricted to the opening hours of the hall.