This is not always the case. It is now accepted that depression, alcoholism and PTSD are medically war related diseases.

Previously officials would not recognise the graves of these cases, such as those described below.

Frank obviously had an alcohol problem. He walked up and down Banna Avenue at night carrying his lantern, bailed people up and told harrowing stories of his time in the merchant navy.

His only family was a sister in England.

One night he knocked his lantern over and was burnt to death in his hut in the railway yards behind the RSL rooms.

Bert also had an alcohol problem. Drunk and naked he was talking to himself on the channel bank one evening.

A light was turned on him. He jumped into the channel and drowned.

Stanley probably another alcoholic. Stanley was sleeping on the road near Yenda one night when he was run over by a car.

He died of a broken neck and other injuries. His bicycle was found nearby undamaged.

Then there is George. A smarter but possibly sick man.

George obtained a Miner's Lease for land on the channel bank near Hanwood and built a makeshift hut that was an eyesore. He lived as a hermit, daily wandering into town in a great coat.

Council officials could not move him on because of the miner's lease. Nine days after his death the Riverina Advocate reported that the hut had been removed.

Lastly there are Doug, John and Maurice. Elsie Rae stated these boys (as she referred to them) were some of the best workers she ever encountered.

All three served their country but as Aboriginals received only half pay. They returned to society different men and found it hard to fit in. Clear cases of PTSD.

Elsie donated the money for their graves to be marked.

The Office of Australian War Graves rejected my request for them to mark the graves of these men.

They died of war related diseases, but as the death certificates stated 'drowning' or 'broken neck', not that the man was drunk, the request was refused.

So I marked them. Seven men, buried in the Griffith cemetery, rejected recognition by bureaucracy, should be acknowledged.

Note: For privacy reasons, names have been changed.

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