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Muswellbrook Memorial Grove

Muswellbrook Memorial Grove
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David Roden
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David Roden
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David Roden
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David Roden
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David Roden
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David Roden
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David Roden
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David Roden
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David Roden
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David Roden
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David Roden
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David Roden
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David Roden
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David Roden
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David Roden
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David Roden
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David Roden
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David Roden
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David Roden
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9 RAR 35 Killed
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7RAR 35 Killed
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6RAR 50 Killed
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Vietnam Memorial
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RAN 8 Killed
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AATTV 34 Killed
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SAS 7 Killed
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1 RAR 53 Killed
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2 RAR 31 Killed
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3 RAR 28 Killed
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4RAR 23 Killed
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5 RAR 51 Killed
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RAAC 23 Killed
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RAE 43 Killed
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ASA 33 Killed
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RAA 14 Killed
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HQ1 12 Killed
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RAAF 17 Killed
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Description / Background

This Memorial Grove is located within a one-kilometre long area between the New England Highway and the railway line, to the north of the centre of Muswellbrook. It contains four memorials to veterans of the Second World War, Vietnam, National Service and the Korean, Malayan and Borneo campaigns. The memorials are spaced apart, but joined with small wooden signs for each of the Service units and the numbers killed in Vietnam. There is also an avenue of native trees.

The Field of Remembrance is the northern most memorial. It comprises a small garden plot with a knee-high stainless steel cross behind it, set in a concrete path surround. This memorial does not have an inscription, but is identified with a sign bearing the words 'Field of Remembrance'.

The next memorial is for the Second World War. It is a bushrock monument with a bronze plaque, set in the centre of a low semi-circular sandstone wall.

The centrepiece of the Grove is a multi-element Vietnam Memorial, dedicated on 6 December 2008. The main components of this memorial are three large black polished granite slabs set into a waist-high semi-circular sandstone wall. Veterans' names are inscribed on the granite and gilded. The red granite walkway leading to the wall is flanked on both sides by eleven stainless steel crosses, and three flagstaffs on the eastern side. A tall white granite pillar and a smaller red granite stone with attached bronze plaques mark the beginning of the walkway. The red granite stone was dedicated on 18 August 2013. Adjacent to this memorial is a flagstaff set in the middle of a rest area for motorists. Facing the flagstaff is a single-cut sandstone block, topped with a bronze plaque inscribed with the dates of the Vietnam War.

The memorial to National Service is a large bushrock with an attached bronze and adjoining flagstaff. Behind the memorial are two low concrete blocks with small name plates attached. To the south, is a large horizontal tree trunk with the words 'Nashos Memorial' carved into it. This memorial was dedicated on 14 October 2000.

At the southern end of the Grove is a memorial to veterans of the Korean, Malayan and Borneo campaigns. Three bronze plaques are attached to two large bushrocks, located within a garden bed filled with white gravel. The memorial is surrounded by low bushes and a red brick path. This memorial was dedicated on 23 October 1999.

Inscription

Second World War memorial plaque

Muswellbrook Remembers [RSL badge] 1945–1995

Muswellbrook Memorial Grove. This plaque commemorates 50 years remembrance of all local World War II Veterans. Lest we forget. 

Vietnam memorial - plaque next to flagstaff in rest area

“For those who have fought for it Life has a quality the sheltered will never know” Vietnam1962–1972.

Vietnam memorial - plaque on red granite block approaching memorial

[Coloured representations of the Australian flag, the Army of the Republic of Vietnam emblem, and the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) flag] 

[In English and Vietnamese] In memory of our fallen 250,000 comrades from the Army of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces (ARVN) and all people of the Republic of Vietnam who fought and sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the Vietnamese people. Lest we forget. Muswellbrook RSL Sub-Branch, August 18, 2013, and The ARVN Veteran Association – NSW Inc.18/08/2013.

Vietnam memorial - white granite pillar approaching memorial - top to bottom

[Royal Australian Navy, Australian Commonwealth Military Forces and Royal Australian Air Force service badges] 

Plaque 1

Muswellbrook Vietnam Memorial. Dedicated 6th December 2008 by Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashier AC. CVO Governor of New South Wales

Plaque 2

The Concept

The Memorial is to create a focal point which displays the names of those who gave their lives, this is achieved by the design.

A visitor on arrival will see the red granite plinth representing a ships bow and surmounted by the silent sentinel granite pillar, the “right marker”, with the Three Australian Service Emblems and the New Zealand Defence Force Emblem “on guard” at the entrance.

Upon entry along the track of red granite, the sloping walls, gradually increasing in height, are faced in green granite, burnt faced, to give effect to a green and confining space experienced with a rubber tree and jungle track environment.

On either side of the track are eleven crosses in staggered settings which represent the eleven years of continuous duty in the Republic of South Vietnam. The crosses are of stainless steel and placed to reflect the morning and evening sun.

This track opens into a circular viewing area which represents an artillery gun emplacement found at fire support bases, the floor is of red granite with a burnt texture to represent the red clay earth found in the area of operations.

The circular wall is a clay colour to represent a “dug in” effect. To the left and right of the entry point are the Battle Honours awarded to units, emblazoned in steel letters, to the front, the commitment … “We should never forget

To the immediate front are three large black granite tablets, polished and ragged edged. These tablets or panels are vertically placed but separated, they have rock faced edges and denote the rift or schism in Society of the time, caused by the objection of the population against the involvement of Australia in the Vietnam War and Conscription.

Upon each of the polished tablets are etched the names of all those (521) Australians killed, in alphabetical order without rank or number or unit. To the lower right of the tablets are the names of the 39 New Zealand servicemen killed, who in the ANZAC tradition, fought with the Australian task Force.

This record is to suggest that all were equal in their sacrifice, rank or unit of no consequence.

The tablets will be softly illuminated during darkness.

MUSWELLBROOK RSL SUB BRANCH

[New Zealand Defence Force emblem]

National Service memorial

[National Servicemen’s Association of Australia emblem]

To Australia’s National Servicemen erected by their Upper Hunter Comrades. This memorial was unveiled by Brigadier John Colvin, Ret’d 14th October, 2000.

Pres. M.J. Frame, Foundation Member, Sec. F.T. Ward, Foundation Member, Tres. J.M. Kilby, Foundation Member.

Korean, Malayan and Borneo memorial - plaque 1

[Royal Australian Navy, Australian Military Forces and Royal Australian Air Force insignias]

Lest we forget. Our comrades who remain on the battlefield of North Korea [Names by service] Missing in action their souls finding their way home.

Korean, Malayan and Borneo memorial - plaque 2

[Royal Australian Air Force, Australian Imperial Force and Royal Australian Navy insignias]

This plaque was erected in memory of all the men and women who served during the Korean, Malayan and Borneo campaigns. Lest we forget.

Korean, Malayan and Borneo memorial - plaque 3

This memorial was opened by His Excellency, The Hon. Gordon Samuels AC Governor of New South Wales 23 October 1999.

Veterans listed on this memorial

Veterans listed on this memorial

Last held rank Given name Family name Conflict/s Service No. Service Campaign Read more
L E Cowper Vietnam NZDF view
A J S Don Vietnam NZDF view
S W Ellwood Vietnam NZDF view
C R Fisk Vietnam NZDF view
D C Frith Vietnam NZDF view
J R Gatenby Vietnam NZDF view
G R Grigg Vietnam NZDF view
J L Gurnick Vietnam NZDF view
K H Harding Vietnam NZDF view
R A Hawthorne Vietnam NZDF view

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Address
44 Aberdeen Street (New England Highway)
Muswellbrook NSW 2333
Local Government Area
Muswellbrook Shire
Setting
Roadside
Memorial type
Flag/flagpole
Garden/park
Monument
Stone/bushrock
Recorded by
David Roden
Conflict/s
Second World War, 1939–45
Korean War, 1950–53
Malayan Emergency, 1950–60
Indonesian Confrontation, 1963–66
Vietnam War, 1962–75