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Newman Park Great War Memorial Avenue

Newman Park Great War Memorial Avenue
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Newman Park First World War Memorial Avenue
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Newman Park First World War Memorial Avenue, service in September 2019 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the avenue
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Newman Park First World War Memorial Avenue, unveiling of the sign in September 2019 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the avenue
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Description / Background

In August 1919, the principal of East Orange Public School, Mr Arnold T. Caldwell, arranged for a group of returned soldiers to take part in planting a memorial avenue in Newman Park, adjacent to the school. The 16 trees that form the avenue are Pin Oak (Quercus palustrus) and an English Elm (Ulumus procera) is positioned at the head of the avenue.

In the early years after the planting, vandals destroyed the name plates attached to each tree, which signified who it was planted for. At one time, Council considered removal of the avenue but strong protest by the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) saved the trees.

In August 1978, a memorial plaque attached to a large basalt stone was donated by the Orange RSL sub-Branch and Orange City Council to replace the plaques. It is inscribed with the names of the 16 former students who were killed in action or died of wounds during the war.

Newman Park has been the venue for the school's Anzac Day services for many years. On 6 September 2019, a service to celebrate 100 years of the memorial was held. The event was attended by school children and representatives of the RSL. An interpretative sign was unveiled to commemorate the event and is shown in image 3 above.  

More information about the 16 veterans is available on Orange City Council's Orange Wiki website.

Inscription

Plaque on stone

This memorial of trees is a tribute to the memory of those gallant soldiers who attended the East Orange Public School and paid the supreme sacrifice in the Great War of 1914–1919.

[Names]

The avenue of trees was planted by the principal (Mr. A. T. Caldwell) and the pupils of the school August 1919.

The stone and plaque were donated by the Orange City Council and the City of Orange sub-Branch of the Returned Services League

8th August 1978

R. O. Thomas Mayor                

M. H. Thomas President

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
Private H Argall First World War, 1914–18 2330 view
Private P Argall First World War, 1914–18 5292 view
Private C Baylis First World War, 1914–18 590 view
Private W R C Beasley First World War, 1914–18 593 view
Private W Coppock First World War, 1914–18 2127 view
Private H W Corkett First World War, 1914–18 610 view
Gunner W Cornish First World War, 1914–18 2533 view
Private T M Curtayne First World War, 1914–18 3798 view
Private A J Dein First World War, 1914–18 5634 view
Sergeant J A Earls First World War, 1914–18 167/1703 view

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Address
Cnr March and Autumn Streets
Orange NSW 2800
Local Government Area
Orange, City of
Setting
Garden/park
Location status
Original location
Memorial type
Memorial avenue/Memorial tree/Memorial trees
Stone/bushrock
Recorded by
Orange City Council
Year of construction
August 1919
Conflict/s
First World War, 1914–18
Materials
Bronze
Other stone