OUR image this week shows the unveiling of the silk honour roll banner at St Stephen's Church on the corner of George and Howick streets on Armistice Day 1918. The elaborate decorations and numerous flags from countries who were our Allies were in place for the unveiling.
A fine memorial flag, which contained the names of those connected with the congregation who had gone on active service, was hung in the church. Other names were added later, the complete list containing 86 names. Most of the young men of the congregation were on active service during Rev Stewart’s ministry. Sister C.C. McSpedden was the only woman on the list, with two McSpedden men there also.
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A marble honour roll was later installed indoors to commemorate those from the church who served in World War One.
So many people were affected in Bathurst and around the various villages. Few people would not have had a husband, brother, cousin, grandson, father, uncle, friend or colleague who served or would not have known someone serving overseas. With the huge numbers involved serving abroad and the number who gave their lives, honour boards started to appear in schools, churches, workplaces and villages.
A special Children’s Day Memorial Service took place at St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church at 11am on December 15, 1918. The church was very prettily decorated with flowers and bunting. Mr A.T. Keeble had charge of the choir and special music suitable for the occasion was rendered. In the morning, the choir splendidly sang Ye That Stand In The House Of The Lord. The choir was assisted by Mr Kiss (cello), Miss B. Wadell and Mr Keeble (violin). At night, the anthem Glory To God This Night was taken, the soprano solo being nicely sung by Miss N. Guy. The pulpit was occupied at each service by Rev Mr Crane, Blayney, with Rev W. Pendleton Stewart taking Mr Crane’s services in the sister town.
Other churches also held services to honour servicemen. Two flags were presented to Holy Trinity Church Kelso by Robert Evans, in memory of the Kelso boys who had served and of the fallen. They were dedicated by Archdeacon Howell at the morning service on Sunday, December 15, 1918.
At St Stanislaus’ College earlier in the year, in April, Rev Father John Hall, on behalf of the president of St Stanislaus’ College, unveiled a silk temporary honour roll containing the names of 100 past students who were serving or had served on active military service in the present war. There were also enlarged photographs of Very Rev Father Byrne CM., for 14 years the president of the college, the late Rev Fr. Dowling, ex-vice president, and the late Dr. W. Prichard Bassett, medical officer of the institution for 25 years.
To mark the end of World War One, Bathurst will hold a Remembrance Weekend, featuring activities and displays, from November 10-11. There will be plenty to see and do over the weekend, which is being organised by the Bathurst RSL Sub Branch and the Bathurst District Historical Society. On Saturday, there will be the Services Band playing in Machattie Park from 10am to 3pm and a Freedom of Entry to the City ceremony for the 1/19th Battalion at 11.30am. Don’t forget the Remembrance Day Commemoration Service at 10.15am on Sunday, after which there will be a family picnic in Kings Parade from noon, with bands, singing, dancing and children’s games. The Family History Group will be conducting a tour of veterans’ graves at 3pm.
There will be a significant photographic display with over 350 enlarged photographs with the Snapshots of World War One and the Wall of Valour photographic exhibition in the Walshaw Hall, near All Saints’ Cathedral.
There will also be around 500-plus Great War artefacts, trench art, memorabilia, medals and militaria on show. There will be no charge to see the exhibition, which will open each day at 9am.
