Upper Orara Hall First World War Roll of Honour

About

The Upper Orara Hall First World War Roll of Honour is an elegant memorial board, made of beech timber. It lists the names of 23 men who served in the war. The board is decorated with a painting of a soldier's head, positioned between laurel wreaths and flanked by the Union Jack and the Australian Ensign. It was built by cabinet maker Mr. A.E. Fowler, who was also the secretary of Coffs Harbour's Win-the-War League. The memorial was unveiled on 23 January 1918 at a function organised by the Upper Orara Red Cross Society. The Coffs Harbour Advocate published a detailed report of the event in their issue of 26 January. Held in the Upper Orara Hall, the large crowd included visitors from many areas of the district. Mr W.N. Small presided and speeches were given by Recruiting Sergeant McLeod Mr. Saywell and local religious leaders. Mr Findlay Kerr, a returned serviceman, officially unveiled the roll. Note: The image of the roll pictured above is from Red Gold to Green Grass - History of the Upper Orara Valley, by Michael Seccombe, 1986. It was provided to the NSW War Memorials Register by the Coffs Harbour District Family History Society Inc.