Urbenville Showground War Memorial Gates

About

The memorial gates at the front of the Urbenville Showground consist of four concrete pillars bearing six honour roll plaques, with a large central wrought iron gate and two side gates. An arch spans the central gate bearing the dedication. The gates were originally dedicated on 8 March 1934 in honour of those from the district who died in the First World War. On 7 April 1951, the memorial was expanded and rededicated to include those who served in the Second World War.  Arrangements and fundraising for the memorial gates were initiated by the Troopers Welfare Society raising a total of £100 for the construction of the gates, which were erected by Mr H R Hayhoe. The pillars initially held two tablets containing the names of 16 soldiers from Urbenville who died in the First World War. The Society intended to add tablets at a later date with the names of men from the district who had enlisted. A drawing of the war memorial gates was published in The Beaudesert Times, 26 January 1934. The gates were officially opened on 8 March 1934 by Lieutenant Colonel M F Bruxner, Deputy-Premier and Minister for Transport. A very large crowd attended the opening ceremony, which was presided over by Mr S Stoddart, President of the Troopers Welfare Society. After the Last Post, two minutes’ silence and Reveille, the Third Troop of the Light Horse passed through the gates, led by Lieutenant Colonel Bruxner (The Kyogle Examiner, 9 March 1934).  At a ceremony on 19 November 1935 an additional honour roll for the 82 men from the district who enlisted was unveiled by Mrs J McMillan, the mother of one of the first district soldiers who fell in action during the war (Northern Star, 20 November 1935). The Northern Star, 9 April 1951, described the dedication by Reverend A Wilson of the enlarged memorial gates commemorating the servicemen of the district who had served in the Second World War. The names of those who served in Korea and Vietnam have been added at a later date.