Ben Venue Public School First World War Roll of Honour, Armidale

About

The memorial is a timber honour roll that commemorates ex-pupils from the school who served in the First World War. The curved pediment is carved with the Australian Imperial Forces emblem in the centre, a banner with the name of the honour roll written in gold and decorative flora and gum nuts. The names and fate of 56 former students are written in gold across two columns on the board. The honour roll hangs in the Ben Venue Primary School library. The honour roll was unveiled at the school on 6 June 1921. A large gathering attended the ceremony which was presided over by local businessman Mr W Curtis, President of the Parents and Citizens Association. Captain J L G Johnstone unveiled the honour roll, with speeches from several dignitaries including Councillor V E Belfield, President of the Dumaresq Shire, Alderman A Purkiss, Mayor of Armidale, and Mr Cameron, the School Principal. The Armidale City Band provided music at the event (The Armidale Chronicle, 8 June 1921).  The memorial was obtained from the Red Cross Society with the craftsmanship undertaken by disabled returned soldiers. In this case the work was completed by a young man who had lost two feet in the trenches during the war (The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser, 10 June 1921). The board was restored in 1999 in readiness for the school's centenary celebrations which were held in 2000. The list was compiled from the Ben Venue School Admission Register held by the school. Each person's name is recorded showing their date of enrolment, age at that date, parents' addresses and occupations.

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