Wollomombi Brothers Lodge M.U.I.O.O.F. Second World War Honour Roll

The war memorial is a rectangular timber honour roll for the Second World War. It has a simple pediment at the top, with a carved timber panel at the bottom. On either side of the names are two slats of timber, decorated with carved features including crossed rifles. 

The roll lists the names of 20 members of the Loyal Wollomombi Brothers Lodge No. 291, of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows (M.U.I.O.O.F.), who served in the war. Their names are printed in gold in the centre of the board. 

The memorial was unveiled at the Wollomombi Oddfellows Hall on 19 February 1949. The New England District Grand Master, Brother N. J. McRae, performed the ceremony, with the support of Councillor B. Browning, president of the Wollomombi Soldiers' Welfare Association. At the conclusion of the unveiling, Brother McRae hung a wreath in honour of Sister G. M. Sauer, who was the only lodge member to die during the war. The event was recorded in the Armidale Express on 23 February, including a list of the veterans inscribed on the roll. 

After the Second World War, the community raised money to purchase the hall and it was re-named the Sauer Memorial Hall, after the Sauer family. The roll is available to view during socials held on site.

Image credit: The above photograph was sourced from the chapter 'Memorials and War Service', by Graham Wilson, in the publication Wollomombi: between two bridges (Armidale Regional Council, 2018).