In the days leading up to Remembrance Day on November 11, the Toowong RSL Sub Branch held a ceremony to unveil commemorative plaques for the 301 war veterans that were previously buried in unmarked graves at the Lutwyche Cemetery.
Read: Windsor Air Raid Shelter: A Remnant of WWII in Lutwyche
The plaques were the result of extensive research by Cate Walker and Katrina Trevethan of the Australian Remembrance Army, with support from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ Unmarked WW1 Graves Program which provides funding for grave markers to honour veterans buried in unmarked graves.
Through meticulous investigation, the soldiers’ service backgrounds and personal stories were uncovered.
Around 57 of them served the nation at Gallipoli. Among the identified were two recipients of the Military Medal, one of the Military Cross, and one of the Meritorious Service Medal. Around 203 of the veterans were born in Australia whilst others were from countries around the world, including England, Ireland, and Scotland.
The research by the Australian Remembrance Army uncovered the difficult realities many of the identified veterans faced upon returning home. Some struggled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from the horrors of war, whilst others came back physically disabled from trench warfare.
According to the Toowong RSL Sub Branch President Peter Gow, the project symbolises their commitment to encouraging commemoration and honouring the service of those who fought for the country’s freedom.
Read: Lutwyche: Get to Know One of Brisbane’s Oldest Suburbs
Cate Walker of the Australian Remembrance Army said some of those graves would require an additional funding of $1,000 per veteran grave, in addition to grant from the government, to be fully commemorated. She hopes the grant program would be extended and that the government would increase the funding for each veteran.
Attend a service, wear a poppy, or observe a minute’s silence at 11am, and help keep the legacy of our service people alive. Lest we forget.
RSL Queensland
Published 8-November-2023
