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St James Anglican Church Great War Roll of Honour, Guyra

St James Anglican Church Great War Roll of Honour, Guyra
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St James Anglican Church Great War Roll of Honour, Guyra, flanked by stained glass windows
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St James Anglican Church Great War Roll of Honour, Guyra, close-up of board
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St James Anglican Church Great War Roll of Honour, Guyra, close-up of names
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Description / Background

The memorial is a large timber roll of honour for the First World War. It is made from cedar and demonstrates a high level of craftsmanship. The pediment features decorative carvings of the Rising Sun emblem of the Australian Imperial Force, the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, and Waratahs. The sides of the board also feature carved gum leaves. 

The 119 veterans names are printed in gold in the centre of the board. They are divided into three sections, with the first two titled 'Killed in Action' and 'Died of Illness'. The third section is untitled and includes the names of the others who served.

The Church of England Guyra Parish began collecting these names in 1918. On 23 May, the Guyra Argus published a roll under the following headings: 'Killed in Action', 'Died of Illness', 'Accidentally Killed After Return', 'On Active Service', 'Returned home', and 'Rejected volunteers'. The following April, Guyra's Vicar, Reverend A.W. Coates, presided over a meeting at which "it was decided that an Honor Roll, containing the names of those who had enlisted be obtained and erected in the Parish Church" (Guyra Argus, 3 April 1919). In May, Rev. Coates advertised that any further names for the memorial must be forwarded to him before 14 May (Guyra Argus, 9 May 1919).

The roll was dedicated on Wednesday, 20 August 1919 by the Armidale Bishop, Dr Wentworth Shields, assisted by Rev. Coates. The service was reported in the Argus the following day. The article stated the roll included 118 names, indicating one was added at a later date.  

The roll was constructed by a returned serviceman at the Red Cross Industries in Sydney, NSW. Following the war, the Red Cross employed returned servicemen and developed their artisan skills. They made various items for sale or donation to various community groups. This serviceman also made the Lieutenant Gordon Frederick Nalder Memorial Chair for the church, which was unveiled at the same time as the roll.

Access to the memorial is restricted to the opening hours of the church. 

Inscription

St JAMES CHURCH

ROLL of HONOUR

[Australian Imperial Force]

1914 THE GREAT WAR 1918

[ADVANCE AUSTRALIA]

Killed in Action

[Names]

Died of Illness

[Names]

[Other - untitled section]

[Names]

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
Corporal A Porritt First World War, 1914–18 2671 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) Somme 1916 - 1917 view
Corporal J M Porritt First World War, 1914–18 2655 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
Corporal S Porritt First World War, 1914–18 2880 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
Private T E Purcell First World War, 1914–18 92055 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
L R Reeves First World War, 1914–18 view
N Reeves First World War, 1914–18 view
Private W A Roberts First World War, 1914–18 1337 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
Private H G Rootham First World War, 1914–18 459 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
Private A Ruming First World War, 1914–18 2385 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
Private E J Schwalback First World War, 1914–18 4589 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view

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Address
St James Anglican Church
Malpas Street
Guyra NSW 2365
Local Government Area
Armidale Regional Council
Setting
Building – inside
Location status
Original location
Memorial type
Board/roll/plaque/tablet
Recorded by
Graham Wilson
Year of construction
1919
Dedication date
20 August 1919
Conflict/s
First World War, 1914–18
Materials
Timber