The Gilgandra Library was opened in 1923 as the War Memorial Institute and a plaque with the names of the fallen was placed in the front of the building. In 1997 the plaques were moved to a new expanded site on the banks of the Castlereagh River. The new site hosts the names of the fallen in all wars and conflicts since the Boer War.
The next of kin of each serviceman who died, was sent a form from the Army to record place of schooling, and which town to place his/her name on a local memorial. Of course not every name has been recorded, some were misspelt or the name was added by family or friends, often by a nickname, different from the service record. Hene a few unconfirmed names on the memorials.
When we stand at the Gilgandra War Memorial on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day, we say ‘Lest We Forget and We Will Remember Them’ but do we really know who they are and what happened to them?
We know who most of them are and we know some to their stories.
On the Gilgandra War Memorial George Pagan laid in a field in Fromelles, France for over 90 years before he was identified through DNA and reinterred at Pheasant Wood War Cemetery. CA Finn, WT Hitchen and L Maguire were the Cooees that marched out from Gilgandra in October 1915.
We know that AH Buckley was awarded a Victoria Cross for his bravery in France, and which ones received the Military Cross or the Military Medal?
There were four sets of brothers who died, the Knuckey brothers, the Kelly brothers, the Lewis brothers and the McPherson brothers. What are the families stories as well as the men?
It is difficult to confirm all identities of the own names because there were errors in spelling and not enough information to confirm the correct service record. Please contact WW1 Interest Group members, Margo Piggott or Tex Kilby if you now who these men are; A Aldridge, A Brown, EJ Cobcroft, JC Cox, B Currie, J Davis, M Doyle, C Duncan, J Fallon, BR King, SR Knight, WH Lord, C Lucas, WH Mason, HJ McAlvery, JW Morrison, C Prince, TH Smith and G Turner.
Names of WW1 Diggers who died
ALDRIDGE A UNCONFIRMED
ALLDRITT, Ralph 481, of Ulomogo, Curban, New South Wales enlisted on 28 August 1914 and served with the 1st Light Horse Regiment, C Squadron. He was killed in action on Gallipoli on 18 May 1915.
BIGGS, Richard Henry 1024, of Astermeddi Gilgandra, New South Wales enlisted on 16 February 1915 and he served with the 18th Battalion, C Company. He killed in action an Gallipoli on 21 August 1915.
BROOK, Louis Shannon 484, of Hillside, Curban, New South Wales enlisted on 28 August 1914. He served with the 1st Light Horse Regiment, C Squadronan and was killed in action Palestine on 28 September 1915.
BROWN, Bertie 1896, of Lances Hotel, Gilgandra, New South Wales enlisted on 19 June 1915. He served with the 18th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement and died of wound in France on 18 August 1918.
BUCKLEY, Alexander Henry VC, 1876, of Homebush via Armatree, New South Wales enlisted on 3 February 1916. He served with the 54th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement and was killed in action at Perrone on 1 September 1918.
CARDEW Thullier Lake 2796, of Sydney, NSW enlisted on 23 June 1915. He served with the 2nd Battalion, 9th Reinforcement and was killed in action at Fromelles on 19 July 1916.
CLANCEY W UNCONFIRMED
COBCROFT EJ UNCONFIRMED
COX JC UNCONFIRMED
CURRAN, Edward Lawrence 6038, of Royal Hotel, Gilgandra, New South Wales enlisted on 13 September 1916. He served with the 24th Battalion, 17th Reinforcement and was killed in action at Bullecourt on 3 May 1917.
CURRIE B UNCONFIRMED
DALMAIN, Herbert Clarence 854, of Myrtle Street, Gilgandra, New South Wales enlisted on 19 February 1915. He served with the 18th Battalion, C Company and was killed in action on Gallipoli on 22 September 1915.
DARLINGTON, Henry 3294, of Gilgandra, New South Wales enlisted on 28 May 1917. He served with the 36th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement and was killed in action in France on 7 May 1918.
DAVIS J UNCONFIRMED
DIGGS, Charles Robert 3629, of Gilgandra, New South Wales enlisted on 9 July 1917. He served with the 54th Battalion, 10th Reinforcement and died of disease in France on 2 September 1918.
DOYLE M UNCONFIRMED
DUNCAN C UNCONFIRMED
ENGLAND Walter James 6043, of Dubbo, New South Wales enlisted on 11 September 1916. He served with the 21st Battalion and was killed in action in France on 3 May 1917.
EWIN, Aubrey Eric 1600, of Gilgandra, NSW enlisted on 8 September 1916. He served with the Light Trench Mortar Battery and was killed in action in Belgium on 28 July 1917.
FALLON, James 6250, of Curban, NSW enlisted on 21 December 1915. He served with the 13th Battalion and was killed in action in Belgium on 23 August 1917.
FERGUSON, Donald 5683, of Mundah, Gilgandra, New South Wales enlisted on 14 February 1916. He served with the 13th Battalion, 18th Reinforcement and was killed in action in France on 18 September 1918.
FINN, Charles Arthur 6289, of Gilgandra, New South Wales enlisted on 19 October 1915. He served with the 1st Field Company Engineers, Reinforcement 15 and was killed in action in France on 7 May 1917.
FITZGERALD, Leslie Manning 2139, of Gilgandra enlisted on 11 March 1915. He served with the 9th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement and died of wounds at Bullecourt on 23 August 1916.
HAINS, Maurice/Morris 2150, of North Adelaide, SA enlisted on 23 May 1915. He served with the 3rd Battalion, 6th Reinforcement and was killed inaction on Gallipoli on 7 August 1915.
HANNAM, William Henry2196, of Sydney, New South Wales enlisted on 21 February 1916. He served with the 45th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement and was killed in action in France on 21 February 1917.
HARRISON, Hercules 6063, of Collie, New South Wales enlisted on 31 August 1916. He served with the 24th Battalion, 17th Reinforcement and was killed in action in France on 23 July 1918.
HITCHEN, William Thomas 1677, of Gilgandra, New South Wales enlisted on 10 October 1915. He served with the 45th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement and died of disease in England on 3 September 1916.
HOBBS, Arthur 1933, of Sydney, New South Wales enlisted on 21 February 1916. He served with the 45th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement and was killed in action in Bapaume, France on 19 February 1917.
HOBBS, Charles 1664 enlisted on 4 January 1916… He served with the 54th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement and was killed in action in France on 29 March 1917.
HOWLETT, Alfred Isaac 5089 of Gilgandra enlisted on 2 October 1915. He served with the 13th Battalion, 16th Reinforcement and died of wounds at Pozieres on 6 August 1916.
HOWELETT S UNCONFIRMED
HUNT, Frederick William 492 enlisted on 20 October 1914. He served with the 1st Light Horse Regiment, C Squadron and was killed in action on Gallipoli on 18 May 1915.
JACKSON, Richard Desmond 899 of Gilgandra, enlisted on 24 March 1915. He served with the 20th Battalion, C Company and died of wounds in Belgium on 6 October 1917.
KELLY Frederick 749 of Gilgandra NSW, enlisted on 1 September 1914. He served with the 3rd Battalion, D Company and was killed in action on Gallipoli on 7 August 1915.
KELLY, Thomas William 3075 of Gilgandra, enlisted on 16 July 1915. He served with the 13th Battalion, 10th Reinforcement and was killed in action in France on 4 February 1917.
KEYS, William 1946 of Gilgandra enlisted on 21 February 1916. He served with the 45th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement and died of wounds in Belgium on 14 October.1917.
KING BR UNCONFIRMED
KLOESTER/Kloster Albert August 1160 enlisted on 24 August 1915. He served with the 36th Battalion, D Company and was killed in action in France on 21 January 1917.
KNIGHT SR UNCONFIRMED
KNUCKEY, James 4716 of Wellington, NSW enlisted on 16 December 1915. He served with the 20th Battalion, 12th reinforcement and was killed in action in France on 3 May 1917.
KNUCKEY, John 4704 of Wellington, NSW enlisted on 16 December 1915. He served with the 20th Battalion, 12th reinforcement and killed in action in France on 28 October 1917.
LAW, Jack 494 of Gulargambone NSW enlisted on 28 August 1914. He served with 1st Light Horse Regiment, C Squadron and was killed in action in Rafa on 9 January 1917.
LEMON, George 7779 of Gilgandra, enlisted on 11 November 1917. He served with the 4th Battalion, 26th Reinforcement and was killed in action in France on 18 September 1918.
LEWIS, Allen Gordon 1863 of Moree, enlisted on 21 January 1916. He served with the 33rd Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement and died of wounds in France on 9 June 1917.
LEWIS, Victor Gerald 6087 of Gilgandra, enlisted on 1 September 1916. He served with the 24th Battalion, 17th Reinforcement and was killed in action in France on 9 October 1917.
LONG, Archie Franklin 4028 of Armatree enlisted on 4 August 1915. He served with the 4th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement and died of wounds in Belgium on 22 September 1917.
LORD WH UNCONFIRMED
LOVETT, Norman Beresford 448 of Bearbong, Gilgandra, enlisted on 23 August 1914. He served with the 1st Light Horse Regiment, C Squadron and was killed in action in France on 9 April 1918.
LUCAS C UNCONFIRMED
MAGUIRE, Laurence Leslie 4840 of Woodvale Park, Curban, New South Wales enlisted on 9 October 1915. He served with the 13th Battalion, 15th Reinforcement and was killed in action in France on 2 April 1918.
MAIN Charles Hay 5134 of Newtown Sydney enlisted on 21 December 1915. He served with the 13th Battalion, 16th Reinforcement and was killed in action in Pozieres on 14 August 1916.
MAIN David Alexander 5383 of Fremantle Western Australia enlisted on 1 March 1916. He served with the 16th Battalion, 17th Reinforcement and died of disease at Etaples, France on 4 July 1916.
MARCH Charles Luscombe Lloyd enlisted 20 July 1915 and died of disease at the Liverpool Camp on 23 September 1915 while in training.
MASON WH UNCONFIRMED possibly MASON, Henry Herbert 1956, of Gilgandra enlisted on 25 February 1916. He served with the 45th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement and was killed in action in Belgium on 7 June 1917.
MCALVERY HJ UNCONFIRMED
MCGILL Roy 6097 of Gulargambone NSW enlisted on 9 September 1916. He served with the 24th Battalion, 17th Reinforcement and was killed in action in France on 5 October 1918.
MCPHERSON Linsay John 1910 of Tooraweenah, NSW enlisted on 23 September 1915.09.23. He served with the 6th Light Horse Regiment and died of wounds on 16 April 1917.
MCPHERSON Stewart Gordon 5708 of Tooraweenah, NSW enlisted on 11 January 1916. He served with the 3rd Battalion and was killed in action in Belgium on 9 November 1917.
MORRISON, George Hugh 1668, of Granchester, Mundooran, New South Wales enlisted on 15 January 1916. He served with the 45th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement and was killed in action in, Passchendaele on 10 October 1917.
MORRISON, JW Probably Thomas William 817, of Granchester, Mundooran, New South Wales enlisted on 14 February 1916. He served with the 36th Battalion, C Company and was killed in action in France on 10 December 1916.
MUDIE, James Thomas 5585 of Myrtle Street, Gilgandra, New South Wales enlisted on 18 March 1916. He served with the 20th Battalion, 15th Reinforcement and was killed in action in France on 2 May 1917.
MURRAY, Horace Edward 6772 of Adelaide Vale, Collie, New South Wales enlisted on 22 June 1916. He served with the 13th Battalion, 22nd Reinforcement and was killed in action in France on 4 November 1917.
MURRAY, Stanley Delphus Dalley 11366 of Adelaide Vale, Collie via Gilgandra, New South Wales enlisted on 20 October 1915. He served with the Field Artillery Brigade 1, Reinforcement 14 and died of wounds in France on 31 April 1918.
O’CONNOR, George William 1645 of Collie via Gilgandra, New South Wales enlisted on 9 February 1916. He served with the 45th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement and was killed in action in Belgium on 7 June 1917.
OWENS, Ernest Henry6103 of Warrentungle, Gular, New South Wales enlisted on 19 September 1916. He served with the 24th Battalion, 17th Reinforcement and was killed in action in France on 5 October 1918.
PAGAN, George 2906 of Gilgandra, enlisted on 9 July 1915. He served with the 2nd Battalion, 9th Reinforcement and was killed in action at Fromelles on 20 July 1916.
PRINCE C UNCONFIRMED
REDDAN John William 2463 of Orange NSW enlisted on 1 June 1915. He served with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Reinforcement and died of wounds at Pozieres on 4 August 1916.
ROBINSON, John Henry 5636 of Windsor, Gilgandra, New South Wales enlisted on 14 March 1916. He served with 20th Battalion, 15th Reinforcement and was killed in action in France on 2 May 1917.
RUTTER, Thomas Frederick 5396 of Gilgandra PO, Gilgandra, New South Wales enlisted on 29 February 1916. He served with the 20th Battalion, 14th Reinforcement and was killed in action in France on 3 May 1917.
SANDRY, Frederick James 4600, of Gilgandra enlisted on 3 October 1916. He served with the 30th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement and was killed in action in Polygon Wood on 10 October 1917.
SEWELL Augustus 775 of Hunters Hill, NSW enlisted on 11 September 1914. He served with the 13th Battalion, and was killed in action on Gallipoli on 28 April 1915.
SHUMACK, Henry 2877 of Tooraweenah, NSW enlisted on 25 September 1916. He served with the 36th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement and was killed in action in Belgium on 16 July 1917.
SMITH TH UNCONFIRMED
SMIRTHWAITE, George Howett 134, of Gilgandra, New South Wales enlisted on 19 August 1914. He served with the 2nd Field Company Engineers and died of wounds in France on 24 December 1916.
STINSON, Alexander 527 of Claverton Estate, Balladoran NSW, enlisted on 31 August 1914. He served with the 1st Light Horse Regiment, C Squadron and died of wounds in Gallipoli on 19 May 1915.
STUBBING, Rodney John 3488 of The Oaks, Balladoran, New South Wales enlisted on 9 July 1915. He served with the 1st Battalion, 11th Reinforcement and died of wounds in France on 6 may 1917.
STUBBS, Frederick John 568 of Glenbrook, Gilgandra, New South Wales enlisted on 31 January 1916. He served with the 36th Battalion, Machine Gun Section and died of wounds in France on 4 April 1918.
TRAVERS, Ambrose Leslie George 5745 of Gilgandra, New South Wales enlisted on 5 January 1916. He served with the 3rd Battalion, 18th Reinforcement and was killed in action at Bullecourt on 3 May 1917.
TURNER G UNCONFIRMED
WALKER Walter of Breelong, Gilgandra, NSW enlisted on 23 July 1915. He was training in the Liverpool Depot and died of disease at Liverpool NSW on 27 August 1915.
WHEATLEY, Thomas Charles 508 of Bonda, Curban, New South Wales enlisted on 28 August 1914. He served with the 1st Light Horse Regiment, C Squadron and died of disease at Gallipoli on 26 September 1915.
WHEATON Leslie Norman 3408 of Eumungerie NSW enlisted on 14 February 1917. He served with 33rd Battalion, 8th Reinforcement and was killed in action in France on 22 August 1918.