Bedgerabong dedicates war memorial to honour WWI diggers

Descendants of those listed on the new memorial, at Bedgerabong Church, gathered with the community on Sunday for a dedication service.

With the 6^th Light Horse Trundle Troop and 200 Army Cadet Unit Platoon I in attendance, President of the Bedgerabong War Memorial Church Glenn Constable explained the project had been several years in the making.

The idea came from community member and 6^th Light Horse Trundle Trooper Jimmy Rodgers, and quickly drew the support of the church board.

Grant funding for the project was sourced while the team searched the AIF archives, Forbes family history rooms, National Archives, Trove, Births, Deaths and Marriages and cemeteries for those who should be included.

Twenty three World War I service men, one of whom was killed in action, are listed. The community-owned church does hope to expand on this in future.

Bedgerabong Public students read a little about each of those listed on the memorial, their photographs and stories were on display at the church after official proceedings. 

Family members and community groups were invited to lay wreaths before Mr Rodgers sounded The Last Post and piper Rob Neal played the Lament.

Former Bedgerabong resident, Chief Petty Officer Peter Wood who serves with the Australian Navy, gave the commemoration address.

He spoke of Australia’s role in conflict and peace-keeping missions since Gallipoli – he was at the island of Lemnos on the centenary of that conflict, at official commemorations honouring the nurses who worked in such difficult conditions at that time.

Chief Petty Officer Wood has served in Iraq, Timor and the Middle East. He said the service of the original Anzacs would never be forgotten, nor their spirit lost. 

“Current Australian service men and women consider ourselves custodians of the name Anzac,” he said.