The Gulargambone War Memorial was erected in 1922 by Larcombes of Dubbo at a cost of 325 pounds and 10 shillings. A machine gun was originally on the top of the monument but was thought to be removed during World War Two. The machine gun was captured by local man, Alexander Henry Buckley during action at Peronne, France. On 1st September 1918, AH Buckley charged forward in the line to clear a nest of machine guns and captured 22 German prisoners. He was killed later in the day and posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for ‘his self-sacrificing devotion to duty’.
The War Memorial was restored in 1991 by Philpotts of Coonamble at a cost of $10,000.
The memorial commemorates the men and women who served in World War One and World War Two. Of the 108 men inscribed on the memorial who served in WW1, 20 men never came home.
The memorial commemorates the men and women who served in World War One and World War Two. Of the 108 men inscribed on the memorial who served in WW1, 20 men never came home. The story of 17 of those men follows, 3 men are unable to be identified through the Service Records.
ANDREWS Samuel Charles 6029; 24th Battalion. Private Andrews was born in Gulargambone and enlisted in Dubbo on 19 September 1916 aged 20. His next of kin was his father, Samuel of ‘Pramble’. He embarked on 30 October 1916 on the ‘Argyllshire’ to Devonport and arrived on 10 January 1917. Samuel joined his unit, the 24th Battalion, in France on 20 April 1917 and was wounded with gunshot wound to his right thigh on 3 May 1917. He rejoined his unit on 21 August 1917 and was killed in action on 9 October 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Belgium.
BLAGRAVE John Francis Chatham 6471; 2nd Battalion. Private Blagrave was a 20 year old telegraph operator and postal assistant. He enlisted on 27 April 1916 and was killed in action on 9 April 1917.
BUCKLEY Alexander Henry 1876; 54th Battalion. Corporal Buckley was born in Warren and was a 24 year old farmer when he enlisted on 3 February 1916. He faced the horrors of winter on the Somme, fought at Bullecourt, Polygon Wood and returned to the Somme in 1918. He was killed at Peronne on 1 September 1918 and awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for his ‘self-sacrificing devotion to duty’. The machine gun that was on the War Memorial until WW2, was one of the guns he helped to capture. He is buried in Peronne.
DAVIDSON D UNCONFIRMED
DONOHOE F UNCONFIRMED
EDGAR E UNCONFIRMED
GREEN Edward Charles 2666; 53rd Battalion. Private Green was a 25 year old labourer when he enlisted on 19 April 1916 in Dubbo. His next of kin was his cousin, Susan Green of Wildwood, Gulargambone. He embarked on the ‘Ceramic’ 1 October 1916 from Sydney to Plymouth, disembarking on 21 November 1916. He joined his unit on 14 February 1917. Edward was wounded in action three times and treated in England. He was killed in action on 1 September 1918 and buried in the Peronne Community Cemetery in France.
GREEN Thomas Bennett 1924; 54th Battalion. Private Green was born in Victoria and was 35 years old when he enlisted on 30 November 1915 in Dubbo. He embarked from Sydney to England on 23 June 1916 on the ‘Barambah’. Thomas joined the 54th Battalion in France on 23 December 1916 and was killed in action on 15 May 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Villers Bretonneux War Memorial. His parents were deceased and his brother, George Michael Green of Wildwood Gulargambone was his next of kin.
HITCHEN William Thomas 1677; 45th Battalion. William Hitchen was born near Mudgee NSW and was a plumber in Gilgadra when he enlisted on October 10 1915. He stated his age as 44 but he was 51 at the time. William organised the Gilgandra to Sydney Recruitment March, known as the Coo-ee March. He marched with the Coo-ees to Sydney but afterwards remained in Bathurst to help organise the Kookaburra Recruitment March from Tooraweenah to Bathurst. He embarked from Sydney on the HMAT Ceramic on April 14, 1916 and arrived in Plymouth via Egypt on June 16 on the transport Franconia. William had reported sick with tonsillitis while on board the Franconia and was admitted to hospital from the ship on June 16, 1916. He gradually grew weaker and died on September 3, 1916 in Harefield Hospital. He was buried in the St Marys Churchyard, Harefield with full military honours.
HOURN Walter 6069; 24th Battalion. Private Hourn was a 28 year old labourer when he enlisted at Dubbo on 30 August 1916. He embarked on the ‘Argyllshire on 31 October 1916 in Sydney and after training in England he joined the 24th Battalion. During his time at the Western Front, Walter was wounded twice and gassed once. He was reported missing on 5 October 1918 ; but he was killed in action in the last battle that the Australians were involved in at Montbrehain. Walter is buried at Bellicourt British Cemetery in France.
JEFFREYS Edward James 7018; 2nd Machine Gun Battalion. Edward was born at Burraway and was 22 years old when he enlisted on 24 October 1916. He embarked for England from Sydney on the ‘Benalla’. On arriving in England Edward was hospitalised with mumps. He was taken on strength in France on 27 June 1917. He was wounded twice and died of his wounds on 28 August 1918. He is buried in the Daours Extension Cemetery in France.
JENKINS Sidney Rowland 5055; 18th Battalion. Sidney was a 24 year old labourer when he enlisted at Holsworthy, Sydney on 16 October 1915. He embarked on the ‘Kyarra’ for Plymouth and arrived in England on 4 August 1916. Sickness delayed his arrival in France and he joined his unit on 31 March 1917.He was wounded in action in the face, leg, hand and foot on 20 September 1917 and died of these wounds on 22 September 1917. He is buried in the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.
LAW Jack 6526; 1st Light Horse Regiment. Jack was a 23 year old carpenter when he enlisted on 28 August 1914. His father George was his next of kin. Jack served in Gallipoli, Mudros and Egypt. He was killed in action at Rafa on 9 January 1917. He is buried in the El Arish Military Cemetery in Egypt, south west of Gaza.
LEMON George 7779; 45th Battalion. George enlisted on the 23 June 1915 when he was underage. The second time was on November 1915 but he was discharged medically unfit in May 1916. His third and final enlistment was in November 1917 and he embarked from Melbourne on board HMAT A71 ‘Nestor’ on February 28, 1918 with the 4th Battalion. In England George had further time in hospital and was also absent without leave several times. George joined the 45th Battalion in France in August 1918 and was killed in action on 27 September 1918. George is buried at Bellicourt British Cemetery in France.
LONG Archie Franklin MM 4028; 4th Battalion. Archie was an 18 year old station hand when he enlisted on 4 August 1915 in Dubbo. He had served with School Cadets for 2 years but he was originally rejected by the Army because his chest measurement was too small. He arrived in France via Egypt on 3 April 1916 and served with the 4th Battalion. He had been promoted to Staff Sergeant and awarded a military Medal’ for his courage and devotion to duty by sniping the enemy as they advanced on Demicourt on 15 April 1917’. Archie was wounded in action on 21 September 1917 and died on the same day. He is buried I Lijssenthoek Cemetery, Belgium.
MCGILL Roy 6097; 24th Battalion. Roy was a 21 year old well borer of Gulargambone when he enlisted in Dubbo on 19 September 1916. He embarked on the ‘Argyllshire’ on 31 October 1916 and after further training in England served in France with the 24th Battalion. Lance Corporal Roy McGill was killed in action on 5 October at Montbrehain and is buried in the Calvaire Cemetery France
MURPHY Arthur Andrew 5365; 19th Battalion. Arthur was a 37 year old Forest guard when he enlisted on 17 January 1916 at Dubbo. Mary Murphy, his mother was his next of kin. He embarked on the ‘Wiltshire’ on 2 August 1916 and after training in England he served with the 19th Battalion in France. He was sick and evacuated to England, then the King George Hospital, Dublin, Ireland, where he died on 2 June 1918 with an abcess of the liver. Private Arthur Murphy is buried at Grangemorgan Military Cemetery, Dublin.
OWENS Ernest Henry 6103; 24th Battalion. Ernest was a 22 year old labourer of Gulargambone when he enlisted on 30 August 1916 at Dubbo. He embarked on the ‘Argyllshire’ on 31 October 1916.He served with the 24th Battalion and was killed in action on 5 October 1918 during the Battle of Montbrehain. Private Ernest Owens is buried at Ramicourt British Cemetery France.
STRANG Donald James 2980; 56th Battalion. Donald was a 19 year old labourer when he enlisted at Liverpool on 11 April 1915. He embarked on 30 September 1915 on the ‘Argyllshire’ with his brother, Alex Robert Strang 2974. His mother was his next of kin. Donald served at Gallipoli and the Western Front. He was wounded in at Polygon Wood on 23 September 1917 and died of his wounds on the same day. Corporal Donald Strang was buried Lijssenthoek Cemetery, Belgium. His brothers David Strang 3884 and Alex returned to Australia.
STRUDWICK Albert John 6133; 24th Battalion. Albert enlisted on 26 September 1916 at Dubbo. He was a 28 year old grazier and his father, John Henry Strudwick was his next of kin. Albert embarked on the ‘Argyllshire’ on 31 October 1916 and arrived in England on 10 January 1917. Sickness delayed him joining his unit in France until 30 April 1917. Albert was killed in action on 31 May 1918 and is buried in Ribemont Cemetery, France.
Men Who Served
Andrews H E Henry Edward 1674 enlisted 1915.08.03 and served with the 24th Battalion He returned to Australia in 1919.05.15.
Andrews J John Henry 6030 enlisted 1916.09.26 and served with the 6th MV Corps He returned to Australia in 1919.03.23.
Brown A H Unconfirmed
Brown C H Unconfirmed
Buckley C P R George Patrick Richard 2808 enlisted 1916.02.04 and served with the 2nd MGB He returned to Australia in 1919.04.02.
Callan T Thomas Henry 2462 enlisted 1914.08.29 and served with the 1st FAB He returned to Australia in 1918.12.03.
Chapman W Unconfirmed
Coleman A Unconfirmed
Curtis C Charles 4395 enlisted 1916.01.03 and served with the 17th Battalion He returned to Australia in 1917.05.04.
Dowling F O Unconfirmed
Dunn E D Unconfirmed
Edwards G Unconfirmed
Ferguson A Andrew 1639 enlisted 1916.01.12 and served with the 45th Battalion He returned to Australia in 1919.05.04.
Foran MM H Herbert 112 enlisted 1914.10.09 and served with the 6th LHR He returned to Australia in 1918.11.15.
Frend H Unconfirmed
Frend J R Unconfirmed
Green T D Frederick Dalglish 6013 enlisted 1915.11.30 and served with the 53rd He returned to Australia in 1919.01.14.
Harris N Unconfirmed
Hawker C W Unconfirmed
Hewson W W S William Walter Samuel 4777 enlisted 1916.09.16 and served with the 50th Battaliont He returned to Australia in 1919.04.19.
Holland A F Albert Francis 6067 enlisted 1916.10.02 and served with the 24th Battalion He returned to Australia in 1917.05.04.
Holland F T Frederick Thomas 4825 enlisted 1915.09.14 and served with the 55th Battalion He returned to Australia in 1917.03.17.
James F Frank 2169 enlisted 1916.04.05 and served with the 56th Battalion He returned to Australia in 1919.09.23.
Jasper J John 1493 enlisted 1915.08.21 and served with the 10th FAB He returned to Australia in 1919.01.14.
Jasper T Thomas 3798 enlisted 1917.09.14 and served with the 2nd MGB He returned to Australia in 1919.06.28.
Jenkins A J Alfred John 3138 enlisted 1916.08.20 and served with the 4th Battalion He returned to Australia in 1917.02.13.
Johnstone T C B Unconfirmed
Keogh H Harry Unconfirmed
King A Arthur 6082 enlisted 1916.09.20 and served with the 24th Battalion He returned to Australia in 1919.03.31.
Kingsley N O Norman Oscar 59764 enlisted 1918.03.21 and served with the 1st Vet Sec He returned to Australia in 1919.07.23.
Kirkpatrick D David 3668 enlisted 1917.04.23 and served with the 3rd Battalion He returned to Australia in 1919.07.06.
Langbein H J Henry Joseph 2524 enlisted 1916.03.07 and served with the 53rd Battalion He returned to Australia in 1919.03.09.
Law A Allan 6526 enlisted 1916.03.14 and served with the 3rd Battalion He returned to Australia in 1919.09.25.
Law C H Charles 39449/1324 enlisted 1915.07.22 and served with the 5th FAB He returned to Australia in 1919.07.22.
Law G George 66956 enlisted 1918.02.09 and served with the 23rd Reinforcements He returned to Australia in 1918.12.20.
Law P Peter 6307 enlisted 1916.03.07 and served with the 3rd Battalion He returned to Australia in 1919.03.25.
Lemon F E Frederick Eugene Unconfirmed
Long E J Edward James 4029 enlisted 1915.09.07 and served with the 1st Pioneer He returned to Australia in 1919.03.05.
Long R L Unconfirmed
Magick C Clarence 2946 enlisted 1916.06.08 and served with the 20th Battalion He returned to Australia in 1919.01.08.
Maitland A L Unconfirmed
Mathews L Unconfirmed
Mathews W William 50905 enlisted 1917.02.18 and served with the 20th Battalion He returned to Australia in 1919.03.03.
McGill J B Unconfirmed
McGill W D Walter Douglas 2424 enlisted 1915.05.28 and served with the 49th Battalion He returned to Australia in 1919.01.15.
McGill W R P William Robert Patrick 434 enlisted 1914.08.17 and served with the 2nd Battalion He returned to Australia in 1918.10.08.
McGuinness M Matthew 5686 enlisted 1916.01.24 and served with the 4th Battalion He returned to Australia in 1919.02.19.
Mill A H Allan Hoames 6314 enlisted 1916.03.14 and served with the 3rd Battalion He returned to Australia in 1919.06.20.
Mill G C George Charles 3346 enlisted 1917.03.21 and served with the 34th Battalion He returned to Australia in 1918.11.08.
Mill L W Unconfirmed
Mills E Unconfirmed
Mills F Unconfirmed
Mills L Unconfirmed
Mitchell D C Unconfirmed
Mitchette J C Unconfirmed
Mooney C J Charles James MSM 11891 enlisted 1915.08.27 and served with the 34th Battalion He returned to Australia in 1919.08.28.
O’Neal H Henry Unconfirmed
Owens C E Charles Allen 2360 enlisted 1915.12.11 and served with the 14th LHR He returned to Australia in 1919.07.24.
Owens G A Archibald 1925 enlisted 1915.08.21 and served with the 3rd FAB He returned to Australia in 1919.04.20.
Patrick A W Alexander William 6402 enlisted 1916.10.16 and served with the 20th Battalion He returned to Australia in 1919.06.19.
Peacock J G W James Gordon Wentworth 1969 enlisted 1916.05.07 and served with the 54th Battalion He returned to Australia in 1919.03.25.
Power A Alfred James 1730 enlisted 1915.10.08 and served with the 55th Battalion He returned to Australia in 1919.02.07.
Press H J Herbert James 5818 enlisted 1918.11.16 and served with the 1st Pioneer He returned to Australia in .
Russell H Unconfirmed
Ryan D J Darrell Joseph 6167 enlisted 1916.06.30 and served with the 5th TMB He returned to Australia in 1918.01.10.
Ryder R Rupert 30275 enlisted 1916.08.01 and served with the 5th FAB He returned to Australia in 1918.01.30.
Saunders W L William Lawson 3557 enlisted 1915.08.27 and served with the 5th MGB He returned to Australia in 1919.04.08.
Simpson A T Alexander Thomas 1445 enlisted 1916.04.25 and served with the 1st AWS He returned to Australia in 1919.03.23.
Simpson C M Charles Edward 505 enlisted 1914.08.28 and served with the 1st LHR He returned to Australia in 1918.10.08.
Simpson T M Thomas Mason 3674 enlisted 1915.10.04 and served with the 18th Battalion He returned to Australia in 1919.01.25.
Slade G George 91913 enlisted 1918.09.02 and served with the DEPOT He returned to Australia in 1918.11.11.
Smith F R Frederick Rowe 6084 enlisted 1916.03.08 and served with the 1st Battaliont He returned to Australia in 1919.07.10.
Smith R H Richard Henry 6087 enlisted 1916.03.08 and served with the 1st Battalion He returned to Australia in 1918.12.20.
Smith R L Unconfirmed
Sowden C A Claude Australia 1564 enlisted 1915.04.08 and served with the 20th Battalion He returned to Australia in 1919.04.05.
Sowden M C Matthew Claremont 3021 enlisted 1916.08.19 and served with the 45th Battalion He returned to Australia in 1919.04.19.
Sowden W Wiliam Harold 2532 enlisted 1915.05.10 and served with the 18th Battalion He returned to Australia in 1918.07.21.
Strahorn J Unconfirmed
Strang A R Alex Robert 2974 enlisted 1915.07.19 and served with the 56th Battalion He returned to Australia in 1918.02.15.
Strang D K David Kenneth 3884 enlisted 1915.09.14 and served with the 20th Battalion He returned to Australia in 1919.01.13.
Sutherland K T Unconfirmed
Sutton R Richard 1985 enlisted 1916.01.03 and served with the 54th Battaliont He returned to Australia in 1919.10.08.
Terry C George 1589 enlisted 1914.08.28 and served with the 3rd Battalion He returned to Australia in 1915.10.31.
Ward A E Arthur Edwin 3685 enlisted 1915.09.29 and served with the 20th Battalion He returned to Australia in 1917.02.13.
Williams E Ernest 3399 enlisted 1917.06.16 and served with the 33rd Battalion He returned to Australia in 1918.12.11.
Wilson J James 1758 enlisted 1915.11.12 and served with the 56th Battalion He returned to Australia in 1919.06.02.
Winton A D R Alfred David Roger 2846 enlisted 1915.11.15 and served with the 7TH FCE He returned to Australia in 1919.05.15.