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Port Macquarie Methodist Church Great War Roll of Honour

Port Macquarie Methodist Church Great War Roll of Honour
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Description / Background

This war memorial is a timber honour roll for the First World War, made of polished oak. A carving of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces emblem features prominently at the top of the roll. The names of 16 members of the Port Macquarie Methodist Church who served in the war are printed in gold down the centre of the board. 

This was not the first roll for the church. The Port Macquarie News, 7 December 1918, reported the parishoners had "decided to erect a more substantial Roll of Honour to replace the temporary one hanging in the church." No information has been found regarding the temporary roll. 

The oak board was designed by Reverend A. E. Putland and completed by Mr T. Hallett. It was unveiled by Mrs W. Dick on 11 April 1919. The News reported on the ceremony the following day, and included the names of the men and their fates. Reverend Putland addressed the assembly and said:

They (the Methodists) believed that just as much honour was due to the lads similarly enrolled in the Catholic Church or the other churches in town, only these were the men whom it was the particular duty and delight of the Methodists to honour. While the roll did honour to the men whose names were inscribed there-on, it was also a rebuke to any others, if there were such, who should have been mentioned there but had not earned the right.

The roll remains in the church, now known as Port Macquarie Uniting Church. The Australian flag and the Union Jack hang either side of the board and form part of the commemorative presentation. Also on site is the Private Charles Harry Nicholls Memorial Pulpit, dedicated to one of the Nicholls men named on the roll. 

Inscription

Roll of Honour

[Names]

1914 1919

Men of this church who served in the Great War

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 Charles Staples First World War, 1914–18 1231 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) Ypres Salient 1917 view
Private Eric Wilson First World War, 1914–18 4887 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) Somme 1916 - 1917 view
Private James Wilson First World War, 1914–18 3533 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
Private Sam Wilson First World War, 1914–18 3534 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) Somme 1916 - 1917 view
Driver Gordon Woodlands First World War, 1914–18 10017 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
Private Leslie Woodlands First World War, 1914–18 1091 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view

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Address
Port Macquarie Uniting Church
144 Horton Street
Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Local Government Area
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
Setting
Building – inside
Location status
Original location
Memorial type
Board/roll/plaque/tablet
Recorded by
Graham Wilson. E. John Wade. Bob Metcalfe.
Year of construction
1919
Dedication date
11 April 1919
Conflict/s
First World War, 1914–18
Materials
Timber