The Nymagee Progress Association has been working on a project that will honour their local service men and women who served in both world wars.
An honour roll with 21 names from those who served in World War I and 30 more from World War II is to be officially unveiled at next week’s 2018 Anzac Day service at the Nymagee Hall.
Among the names of the 45 men and six women listed on the honour roll are some well known family names which have a long connection to the Nymagee district.
The Collins, Hamilton, Mackey, Fennamore, Kershaw, Hudson and Harland families, to name just a few, all have relatives who served and have been listed on the honour roll.
The Nymagee Progress Association has called upon the assistance of local museum curator Kay Stingemore to provide information about the Nymagee residents who served. Some of the war stories Mrs Stingemore has uncovered are those of:
Kenneth Holt (Service No 1311), a blacksmith who served in the Light Horse and was later transferred to the 13th Field Artillery Brigade. He joined up in July 1915 leaving home as an unmarried 21 year old boy. When he returned in 1919 aged 25, he brought with him his English bride.
Frank Roberts (Service No 6542) was 43 years old and working as a boundary rider in Nymagee when he enlisted to serve in World War I. Having previously seen service in the Boer War, Frank would no doubt have had some idea of what he was in for. Unlike many of the older men who enlisted and didn’t come home, Frank completed his term of service and returned to Australia in 1919.
Alfred Thomas Williams (Service No 1347) was another boundary rider from Nymagee who joined up in July 1915 at age 23. He was taken into the 6th Light Horse Regiment and spent all of his term of service in Egypt. Despite a term of absence without leave, he was later promoted to Corporal.
Edward McLaughlin/McLaughlan (Service No 1424) was 21 when he enlisted in August 1915. Edward was killed in action on December 7, 1916 when he was hit by a German short range mortar. As a single man, following his death, his mother was eventually entrusted with the care of his war medals.
