East Kempsey Public School First World War Honor Roll

About

The memorial is a large marble honor roll, surrounded by a cedar timber frame. The names are incised and gilded, and those who died in conflict are marked with a red letter 'K'. The memorial was organised by East Kempsey Public School Headmaster Mr W. McLaren and the Parents and Citizens' Association. It was made by Henry James Edstein, a stone mason who had established his business in Smith Street, Kempsey in 1906 (Macleay Argus, 21 November 1919).  The roll was unveiled by Mrs Ben Marriott, who lost a son in the First World War, on 17 December 1919. The ceremony was reported in detail by The Macleay Chronicle on 24 December. The Kempsey Brass Band and the Kempsey Orchestra played various selections, Mayor O'Neill was chairman and addresses were also provided by Archdeacon Curtis, Reverend M.L. Bembrick, Reverend D. Smith and Mr E.C. Hollow.  Access to the memorial is restricted as it is within the school.