The Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park was the recipient of 3 significant objects today thanks to RSL NSW and the Redfern RSL sub-branch.
The Henry Bull Honour Board, donated by RSL NSW, lists the names and enlistment dates for the First World War and is the first example of this type of board to be donated to the Anzac Memorial’s collection. It is made of an arched timber frame, with metal header lettering and gold script with carved pillars that frame the sides of the board.
It is a unique example of the large ornate honour boards that companies made to honour their staff who had served and died during the Great War.
Also donated by RSL NSW was the HMAS Anzac Ship Model. HMAS Anzac was launched as a Royal Navy destroyer in 1917 serving in the North Sea and English Channel, before being transferred to the Royal Australian Navy in 1919 and was named in honour of Australians and New Zealanders who had fought at Gallipoli.
This large ship model was built in about 1970 by Royal Australian Navy veteran, Vince Fazio, who had served during the Korean War on HMAS Condamine.
Redfern RSL sub-branch donated the Captain Alfred Shout VC Memorial Tablet. The tables is one of the earliest memorials in NSW that was unveiled to a soldier killed during the Great War. Alfred Shout was 1 of 9 soldiers awarded the Victoria Cross at Gallipoli, where he was also awarded a Military Cross. The tablet was originally unveiled Darlington Town Hall in November 1915, prior to the evacuation of Gallipoli.
Minister for Veterans David Harris accepted the objects on behalf of the Trustees of the Anzac Memorial at a small event. The event also acknowledged Ray James OAM outgoing RSL NSW President for his outstanding service to veterans in NSW and for the donations to the Anzac Memorial.
Minister for Veterans David Harris said:
“I would like to personally acknowledge and thank Ray James for his outstanding service, first as a veteran of the Vietnam War and then as RSL President and Trustee of the Anzac Memorial.
“It’s fitting that one of Ray’s last acts is to oversee such prized items being added to the Anzac Memorial collection. It’s an appropriate tribute to his enormous contribution.
“Thanks to RSL NSW and the Redfern RSL sub-Branch, the people of NSW will get to view these unique items when visiting the state’s premier war memorial.”
