Meerschaum Vale Second World War Roll of Honour

About

The Meerschaum Vale Second World War Roll of Honour is a polished timber board, with supporting shelves at the top and bottom and carved columns on both sides. Painted in full colour at the top of the board are the Union Jack and Australian flags. Flanking the flags is a crown and a spitfire plane.  Planning for the honour roll was underway by September 1947, when public meetings were held in the town to discuss erecting the memorial. The first meeting, on 2 September, was advertised in the Northern Star on 30 August. A further meeting was held in early 1948 to finalise arrangements for the unveiling (Northern Star, 12 January 1948).  The unveiling ceremony took place at the Meerschaum Vale Hall on 11 February 1948 in front of a large crowd. Mr E.C. Payne presided and the guest speakers included the President of the Alstonville RSL sub-Branch, Mr B. Daley; the President of the Wardell RSL sub-Branch, Mr Robinson; Reverend Clancy of Alstonville; Reverend Father Giesen of Wardell; and Reverend J.V. Robertson of Alstonville. Mrs A. Nobbs of East Ballina, whose son was killed in the war, performed the official unveiling, which was followed by a minute's silence to remember those who died in the war. A social was held that evening, with music from the Clark-Spencer orchestra and guest artists (Northern Star, 19 February).  The board is located in the hall, now known as the Meerschaum Vale Community Hall. It is available for viewing when the hall is open for public occasions.