Bingara Returned Servicemen's Memorial Park Honour Roll

About

Positioned within the leafy setting of Bingara Returned Servicemen's Memorial Park, this honour roll is dedicated to the men and women of Bingara and district who served in the Boer War, the First and Second World Wars, and the Vietnam War.   The roll consists of eight bronze panels, divided into two sets of four. Each set is mounted within the alcove of a wall-like structure made of brick. Standing between the two walls is a smaller concrete monument, which has a bronze plaque attached bearing a separate dedication to all those who have served.  In front of the memorial is a garden bed and a bushrock with a plaque in the shape of a laurel wreath surrounding an eternal flame. Two flagpoles are also positioned nearby.  The origins of this memorial may go back as far as May 1921, when a group of returned soldiers and relatives decided to erect a war memorial at the School of Arts. The piece was to include an honour roll and photographs of the men who died on active service (The Daily Telegraph, 11 May 1921). However, it is unknown if this roll was ever constructed or unveiled.  More than a decade later, the Warialda Standard reported on a decision to create a roll of the fallen in its issue of 19 September 1938. It was made of brass and installed at the Bingara Soldiers Memorial Hall, which had been completed in 1923.  After the Second World War, the 1938 roll was moved to the memorial park, and a new brass roll for the Second World War was also unveiled. It is possible the 'brick-wall' structure, or something similar, was also built around this time to house the rolls. At some stage prior to 2007, research had been undertaken to identify names missing from the rolls. These were added to the memorial via a smaller plaque. All these names were later combined onto the eight panels shown in the images above. These were unveiled and rededicated in 2009 by the Member for New England, Tony Windsor, and the Member for Northern Tablelands, Richard Torbay. The earlier brass rolls were moved to the Bingara Historical Society Museum.  Various commemorative services are held in the park throughout the year.

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