Clunes Soldiers Memorial Panel

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Clunes RSL Sub-Branch

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The Clunes Guardian and Gazette of Tuesday 8th November 1921 carried a letter from Mrs. G. Williamson which stated: ‘I am endeavouring to make a collection of all the Clunes’ soldiers photos who took part in the war, to be hung in the town hall, and would be pleased to receive same from you, also their regimental number and battalion. I would deem it a favour if you forwarded the photos to me by 1st December, so as to get them installed before Christmas’.

Mrs. Williamson was the mother of Private Stanley Williamson of the 8th Battalion who was killed at Broodseine Ridge in Belgium on 4th October 1917, and of 2nd Lieutenant Milton Williamson.

The Clunes Borough Council agreed to provide a Rising Sun Mural to surmount the photos (Clunes Town Hall Mural (257808)). According to the Clunes Guardian and Gazette of 1st March 1922, when completed the memorial took the form of photos of soldiers and nurses connected with the town and district, mounted in handsome panels which extend the full length of the hall. There were over 150 photos in the panels. Mrs. Williamson was commended for her patriotic work during the war and subsequently so suitably perpetuating the brave memory of the men and women who responded to their country’s call. This public service was highly appreciated by the whole community.

Unfortunately, many of the photographs perished in later years. However, 46 photographs have been saved, and restored by, the Clunes Museum. A copy of these photographs, along with some information about the subjects, together with a list of the photographs which originally graced the Town Hall is held in the Clunes RSL building.

The photographs which have been restored are housed in two panels. Those depicted are:

Panel 1

Sgt. A. Campbell; Pte. J. S. Campbell; Sgt. J. F. Campbell; R. Hull; F. Hull; Pte. R. W. Gaffney; Pte. R. E. Gaffney; Pte. A. B. Notman; Cpl. R. R. Mitchell MM; G. A. Mitchell; Joe Foley; Jack Foley; C. Gillespie; W. Gillespie; F. C. Weickhardt; E. Ogier; L-Cpl A. J. Ogier; Pte. E. Matheson; H. McAlister; J. Purcell; J. Brennan; Pte. J. McAlister; Pte. H. N. Thomas.

Panel 2

J. B. Campbell; Cpl. N. McDonald; H. Barkell; J. Foster; M. King; Pte. L. J. Newton; Pte. J. H. Bolt; W. C. Foulkes; A.G. Parkinson; Pte. G. W. Parkinson; C. G. Parkinson; Tpr. T. B. Wickham; Sister H. Robinson; Pte. A. Horner; V. C. Steinhauser; B. Eberhard; O. Postlewaite; R. Mayman; Pte. P. McDonald (not named on photo); Pte. Rooney; H. E. Harvey; A. Barrett; Pte. T. H. Bray; D. Phillips.

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