Toowoomba Sub Branch to mark graves of WW1 Veterans ahead of Remembrance Day

Members of the community and invited to join the Sub Branch on November 7 at the Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery for a special dedication service which will honour the “sons of the district” who died and were buried without acknowledgement after returning home from war.

The commemoration will include a mounted vigil by the 11th Light Horse and the reading of the names and biographies of the men who will now have their final resting places officially marked.

Toowoomba RSL Sub Branch Secretary Wendy Holt said floral wreaths would be laid on five WWI veteran graves that were deemed ineligible for official markers.

“Having these men’s resting places marked and their names called out in time for Remembrance Day is so appropriate,” she said.

“It is an opportunity for the local community to show their gratitude and support to these sons of the district.

“We should never forget those who came home from war and carried the scars of their service. It’s just as important as remembering those who fell.”

Toowoomba RSL Sub Branch research officer Lindsay Morrison led the grave marking campaign with the support of the Toowoomba and Darling Downs Family History Society.

He said he was inspired by his own grandfather, Herbert Hill, who fought in Fromelles in 1916.

“I’ll think of him at 11am on Remembrance Day,” Mr Morrison said.“And now it’s tremendous to think that we’ll also be able to remember these 63 men who also served and have gone unacknowledged—for whatever reasons—for so long.”

“They took so many years out of their life to do what they did for our country and we should in turn make sure we take one silent minute on Remembrance Day to remember what they, and all those who have served, did for us.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs' Unmarked First World War Graves Program provided funding for 48 of the Toowoomba grave markers with members of the Darling Downs community sponsoring the other ten.

Toowoomba Regional Council contributed all the labour costs in having markers installed as well as support in identifying the grave sites.

The Toowoomba RSL Sub Branch invites the community to attend the commemoration service for new grave markings at the Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery from 10am on November 7.

The community is also encouraged to attend the Toowoomba RSL Sub Branch Remembrance Day Service at Mother’s Memorial, Margaret St, from 10.30-11.30am on November 11.

For a full list of services and ideas on how you can commemorate Remembrance Day, visit remembertoremember.com.au.

EVENT DETAILS:

Unmarked Graves Dedication Service

WHEN: Sunday 7 November, 10am - midday

WHERE: Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery, Cnr South Street and Anzac Avenue, Harristown

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