History – Newcastle Civic Park War Memorial Grove

Memorial Grove Civic Park Newcastle was dedicated by The Bishop of Newcastle, The Right Reverend A.G. Housden B.A. on Sunday 12th November, 1961. A bronze plaque fixed to the stone wall on the left hand side of the steps leading to the grove was unveiled by Mrs P. C. Wyatt, President of the Newcastle Groups of the Garden Club of Australia.

The Memorial Grove was dedicated to the citizens of Newcastle, who were killed in the two world wars.

The Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Alderman Frank Purdue, M.L.A, stated in his address to the two hundred people who attended the ceremony, “A great depth of gratitude was owing to the fallen, and the gardens were appropriate to commemorate them”.

The inscription on the bronze plaque reads “Memorial Grove designed by Mr Augustus Aley [A.R.A.I.A.] and implemented by Newcastle City Council for the Newcastle Group of the Garden Clubs of Australia”. The inscription continues, “ Here find quietness and peace and appreciate the consecrated service to humanity of all these who abandoned self interest for the ideal of freedom in our time ”.

The approximate cost to complete this project was £2,500.

Originally there were 27 families of those commemorated and 5 Associations, all whom paid five guineas (pre decimal) each for a Plaque and a tree.

An additional 24 Veterans and 7 Associations have been added, taking todays total to 51 Veterans and 12 Associations. These are made up of 26 RAAF,19 Army, 3 RAN, 2 Merchant Mariners, 1 British Army, 3 WWI, 3 Lost HMAS Sydney and 2 POW’s.

With Ranks from Colonel to Wireman, from Able Seaman to Pilot Officer, Fourth Engineer to Donkeyman, and awards of Military Cross, Distinguish Service Order, Distinguish Flying Cross, Distinguish Conduct Medal, Member of British Empire, Order of Australia and others. From POW’s , to those Missing in Action, those Died of Wounds, each in their own right a Hero, serving their country but with one thing in common, they had an association with Newcastle.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM, LEST WE FORGET