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To commemorate the Centenary of Anzac (2014-2018) the City of Ballarat, with the generous support of local institutions, committees, associations and individuals, launched a mobile website titled ‘Honouring Our Anzacs’. This easy to navigate platform enables access to the stories behind the 3,801 brave Ballarat men and women who fought for our country’s freedoms during the Great War. This mobile website is designed to enable access to the information available for those who have a memorial tree planted along the Ballarat Avenue of Honour.

While every effort has been made to ensure the information on this platform is complete, we seek the support of those who have in their possession the stories and photographs of those along the Ballarat Avenue of Honour.

If you have any information and particularly photos of any of the people mentioned on this web site, please contact the Arch of Victory/Avenue of Honour Committee.

 

Upcoming and Recent Events

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A brief service to commemorate the end of the First World War and remember those who lost their lives in that conflict will be held at the Memorial Wall opposite the Arch of Victory in Sturt Street on November 11th at 9.30.

A small crowd braved the chilly, yet sunny morning last Sunday to attend a brief but special service to remember and honour all who fought in WW1, with emphasis on the August Offensive at Gallipoli in 1915.

The service began with a warm welcome and introduction by Jeremy Johnson AM, Hon. Secretary/Treasurer of the Arch of Victory / Avenue of Honour Committee.                Committee President, Garry Snowden followed with his address which emphasised on the impact that WW1 had on Ballarat - the terrible loss of lives, the loss of workmates, team members, future leaders, employers, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers.  Not forgetting the difficulties that faced those who did return and those whose loved ones would never return, and whose final resting places were and are still, unknown.

Twenty-seven men were then remembered with the Tolling of the Bell and the Calling of Names, carried out by Grant Donald, Katie Skilton & Charlie Hann. The Ode was then recited by Phillip Hills and followed by The Last Post and Rouse, played by Bugler, Denis Hawkes. The Service concluded with thanks to all participants and those in attendance.

                                                      

                                                                                    

* Photos courtesy of Marion Snowden

 

 

Following the historic landing on 25 April 1915, the Gallipoli campaign became a stalemate and the August Offensive was planned to break through the Turkish defences and included charges by Australian troops at The Nek and at Lone Pine. The attacks failed to achieve their objective and came at a tragic human cost.

Despite the failure of the campaign, it is important that we remember the courage of our men who gave their all, and reflect on the impact those losses had back at home. Twenty-seven of those men have silent plaques in our Avenue of Honour but at this special service we will call their names.

Those to be remembered: William Tainsh, Henry Caley, William Cockerall, Joseph Lugg, Clarence Pernonie, Leo Anderson, Norman Craven, William Dow, Rasmus Hansen, Thomas Jones, Samuel Sells, William Sells, Herbert Stanley, Alexander White, Harry Williams, Ernest Coffey, Allen Farrer, Edward Fisher, James McGregor, John Wight, Edmund Williams, Willie Wilson, David Fisher, Alfred Jackson, Reginald Thompson, Jason Coulter and Joseph Darling.

                                                                            

 

As part of Ballarat’s Heritage Festival, members of the Avenue of Honour/Arch of Victory Committee were present on Sunday from 10am to 3pm for visitors to learn about the historical  significance of the Arch of Victory precinct.  Walking tours were given at 11.00am and 2.00pm.

There was also the opportunity to discover the stories of soldiers or nurses, by participating in a random name drawing game to find their tree number and then placing a poppy beside their name on the Memorial Wall; colouring activities for younger children; and a captivating photo display of some of Ballarat’s soldiers and nurses who have a tree in the Avenue of Honour.

Research assistance was on hand to help track family history and many a poppy was added to the Memorial Wall of family members who have a tree in the Ballarat Avenue of Honour.

 A big thank you as well to the Ballarat South Rotary Club for taking care of a free sausage sizzle.

                                          

    

 

                                                                                                                                                                    

 

 


Acknowledgements

References

This site relies heavily on the Australian War Memorial, the National Archives of Australia and The AIF Project.

The photos of Gallipoli headstones included on this website are provided courtesy of the Spirits of Gallipoli project.