Great Southern Herald Friday 24th December 1948

Extract from the Great Southern Herald Newspaper, Friday 24th December 1948

UNVEILING BY BRIGADIER POTTS

On Saturday, December 11, practically the entire district and many representatives from other centers were present when the Pingrup War memorial and Honour Board in Remembrance of the district mena and women who served in two world wars, was unveiled in the Pingrup RSL grounds by Brigadier AW Potts, MC, DSO. The dedication of the Memorial and Honour Board was performed by the Rev CG Tiller.

The ceremony opened with the singing of a hymn at the memorial, which is a granite obelisk on a square granite plinth, bearing a simple legend, "Lest We Forget". In performing the unveiling, Br Potts, who was introduced by the Memorial Committee Chairman, Mr WF George, expressed his admiration of the steadfastness and loyalty of those men who in two wars, had fought, and in many cases died, for the things they believed to be good and right. They had placed on all who were left the responsibility of carrying on that fight for justice and freedom, in order that those who gave their lives should not have their sacrifice wasted. Brigadier Potts went on to say he felt deeply honoured at having the opportunity of performing the unveiling as so many of the men honoured had in fact, served with him in both wars, and he felt unable to sufficiently express his admiration of them, and this district should feel proud of their record.

The dedication was then performed by Rev. Tiller, himself a returned man, followed by a hymn, during which the flag was raised from half mast by M Ben Bamess DCM. A number of wreaths were laid at the memorial, including a very beautiful one from the children and teacher of the Pingrup School. 

The assembly then moved to the Pingrup Hall, where the list of servicement, from both wars, was read by Brigadier Potts, who drew attention to the large percentage of enlistments of both occasions, particularly when in 1914 and the settlement was only a few months old, practically every settler had enlisted. Mrs T Deacon Snr, whose large family had enlisted practically in its entirety, unveiled the Honour Board. The dedication was then performed by Rev. Tiller and a simple ceremony concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.

The function was brought to a close with the serving of afternoon tea, when Mr G Wilcox proposed a vote of thanks to Brigadier Potts, Mr W J Hicks a vote of thanks to Mrs Deacon, and Mr J Deacon JP, a vote of thanks to the Rev Tiller. 

The Final speaker was the chairman of the Kent Road Board Mr R. Jury, who congratulated Pingrup on erecting the first war memorial in the district and the Committee responsible for its successful effort.