South West Rocks Cenotaph

About

The memorial is a grey granite obelisk, supported by a terazzo stone base, which is positioned on top of three stone steps. It is surrounded by grass and bordered by a low, granite block wall. A marble honour roll for the First World War is attached to the front (western side) of the monument.  The memorial was established by the South West Rocks sub-Branch of the Returned Sailors' Soldiers' and Airmens Imperial League of Australia. The stonework and inscription on the First World War roll were completed by Mr Dunn of nearby Frederickton.  The obelisk was unveiled on Anzac Day, 25 April 1940. The ceremony was described in the Macleay Chronicle on 1 May. At a later date, an honour roll for the Second World War was inscribed on a marble plaque attached to the left-hand side of the monument.  More recently, several bronze plaques have been added to the site. They include: Six plaques dedicated to Australians who have served in the Boer War, Boxer Rebellion, Korean War, Malayan Emergency, Indonesian (Borneo) Confrontation, Vietnam War One plaque dedicated to Australians who have served in peacekeeping missions since 1947. A plaque for those who were held as prisoners of war. Ten plaques to individual veterans who received the Victoria Cross for their service in the Second World War, dedicated as part of the Australia Remembers campaign. They are listed below in alphabetical order. Plaques 3-10 were dedicated on 15 August 1995: Lieutenant Albert Chowne V.C., M.M. Sir Arthur Roden Cutler V.C., A.K., K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., O.B.E. Lieutenant Thomas Currie Derrick V.C., D.C.M. Corporal John Hurst Edmondson V.C. Wing Commander Hughie Idwal Edwards V.C., D.S.O., D.F.C., C.B., O.B.E. Corporal John Alexander French V.C. Private Percival Eric Gratwick V.C. Private Arthur Stanley Gurney V.C. Private Richard Kelliher V.C. Sergeant William Henry Kibby V.C. Commemorative services are held on site at the cenotaph.

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