Whatever the weather, Griffith’s ex-servicemen, women and residents will gather around the city’s Cenotaph at 10.30am on Sunday.
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It’s set to be a special commemoration to mark the Centenary of Remembrance Day, but also to dedicate a particularly important part of history. A new plaque featuring 18 names of Griffith men who died in the World War I and an extra six from World War II will be dedicated.
The research has been done by Theo Bollen with help from Margaret Tucker.
“I’m very happy because we now have information for those names which are on the Cenotaph and that the World War I soldiers are there now,” Mr Bollen said.
The research is available to read at the War Memorial Museum in Banna Avenue.
Griffith RSL Sub-branch president Hank Veenhuizen said he was thankful for the people who had worked to get the names onto the Cenotaph. “It’s great to see it finished in time for the Centenary,” Mr Veenhuizen said.
“I’m thankful for all the help of members who have put it together. It’s a significant piece of Griffith history and it’s great to see it acknowledged.”
RSL Sub-branch commemorations co-ordinator Terry Walsh said adding the 18 names was the culmination of the Centenary of Anzac commemorations.
“For us it’s very poignant, its the Centenary and there will be the name of World War I soldiers who were killed in action during the First World War,” Mr Walsh said.
“For the first time, these 18 names are now on permanent display to ensure they are never forgotten.”
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Among the men to have their name on Griffith’s Cenotaph is Lance Sergeant Reginald Collins Worthington.
On his enlistment in Februay 1915, 22-year-old Worthington was listed as labourer from Farm 23 at Griffith. He was assigned to the 17th Battalion and departed for the Western Front in May 1915.
During fighting at Westhoek in Belgium on September 20, 1917, Worthington took charge of his platoon after his superiors had become causalities.
He led his platoon to the objective, holding it despite significant artillery and sniper fire and demonstrated skill, determination and courage, for which he was awarded the Military Medal.
Worthington was killed in action on October 9, 1917.
Following the Remembrance Day service, Griffith’s War Memorial Museum will be open and serving tea and biscuits.
It will be a chance for residents to get to know the people with the names on the city’s Cenotaph.
NAMES ADDED TO THE CENOTAPH’S NEW PLAQUE
WORLD WAR I
Ernst BARING, Egerston Anson CORFIELD, Hubert Aloysius DALY, Arthur ELLIS, Edward James ELY, Philip John ESMONDE, James Cameron FRASER, James Norman HARCUS, Robert Cecil JACK, John James RILEY, Charles SOLE, George Martin WADE, Alan McGregor WHYTE, William Edward WILD, Hector Oxford WILLIAMS, Reginald Collins WORTHINGTON and Edward YOUNG.
WORLD WAR II
Edward Arthur DOYLE, Lenard Harold DOYLE, Philip Frederick GRAF, Arthur JONES, Clive MASON and Douglas Alexander YOUNG.