Cowper Public School First World War Honor Roll

About

This war memorial is a timber honour roll for the First World War. It features carved columns and decorative timber edging on the pediment. There is also a small colour painting of the Union Jack and Australian Red Ensign towards the top of the board.   The roll includes the names of 34 students from Cowper Public School who served in the war, including seven who died. Their names are neatly printed in gold lettering across two columns.  Planning for the memorial was underway by mid-1917. A meeting of the Cowper Parents and Citizens' Association (P & C) held on 17 May decided to allocate £5 towards purchasing the board and inscribing up to 40 names. Contributions were to be sought to cover the remaining cost. Two P & C members were also put in charge of finalising the list of names for the board (The Daily Examiner, 19 May 1917). The roll was unveiled at the school on 10 August 1917. The Daily Examiner, 16 August, reported the school's classroom was full to capacity and extra guests filled the verandah. Proceedings were led by P & C President Alderman Napper and Inspector Fraser performed the unveiling. After the ribbon was cut, the school children sang patriotic songs and their teacher, Mr McLachlan, read the names on the roll. The function concluded with an afternoon tea.  Access to the view the roll is restricted, as it is within school grounds.