World War 1 Veterans Unmarked Graves Given Plaques

On November 22, community members gathered in Bowen to honour two World War I veterans whose previously unmarked graves were formally recognised with new headstones during a short ceremony.

Secretary of Bowen RSL Sub-Branch Marty Tanzer led the ceremony and said he didn't know why the graves were unmarked but that was irrelevant, what was important was what the RSL would do about it.

"This issue was first brought to our attention by a guy in Brisbane who is conducting research on the WW1 AIF 26th Battalion," he said.

"We then sought and received support from Lyn Burke who has done a lot of work identifying veterans from the Whitsunday area who lie in unmarked graves."

He added that the two that have recently been given thier headstones are laid beside three others Archibald Cheffins, Thomas Garside Barker and Charles Rainbird Rodgers.

The Bowen RSL applied to the Office of Australian War Graves for official commemoration for all five veterans and was successful in obtaining official commemoration for Archibald Cheffins, Thomas Garside Barker and Charles Rainbird Rodgers. The other two were found to be ineligible.

However with grant funding from the Whitsunday Regional Council the plaques were underway.

Now with their plaques finally in place, the stories of Private Edward Edwards and Lance Corporal Edward Henry Hammond can be properly honoured.

Private Edward Edwards, born in 1883, was a miner before enlisting in 1915. Serving with the 42nd Battalion, he fought at Messines, Broodseinde, Passchendaele, the German Spring Offensive, Hamel, Amiens and the St Quentin Canal, surviving gas attacks twice. He returned to Australia in 1919 and died in Bowen in 1938. He was 55.

Lance Corporal Edward Henry Hammond enlisted at 18 with his father’s consent and served in major battles including Messines, Passchendaele and the Spring Offensive. He later served in northern Australia during WWII. Hammond died in Bowen in 1977 at age 79.

Finally now, Private Edward Edwards and Lance Corporal Edward Henry Hammond have a fitting memorial to these brave soldiers who served their country.

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Regional Historian Lyn Burke lays a wreath. Photo supplied

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