Fifteen men from Greensborough who were killed in the First World War are memorialized on the cenotaph in War Memorial Park. The memorial drinking fountain was first located in Main Street. On 26 July 1927 “The Argus” reported that the “The Heidelberg Council has decided to grant a request made by the Greensborough Park improvement committee for the removal of the soldiers’ memorial from its present site, and its re-erection In the park, at Greensborough.” Known to the locals at Lower Park. At a later date possibly in the 50’s to War Memorial Park in Henry St.
Names memorialised on the cenotaph include
Ernest Frederick CLAYTON, son of Amy Clayton of Main St Greensborough
Robin* Henry DAVEY, son of Mr John Henry Davey & Elizabeth Davey
James JUDKINS, Pte No. 7507, 1st Battalion, died 11/8/18
David John MEDHURST, son of David & Martha Medhurst
Robert Lindsay Medley MADDISON, son of Mr Lewis Medley Maddison & Helen Isabel Maddison of Hareah in Greensborough.
James Williams POULTER, son of William Haylock Poulter and Alice Mary Poulter
James Richard PURCELL, son of Edward Caledonia Purcell & Mary Julie Purcell
Reginald Emerson SIMS, son of John Emerson Sims & Eliza Jane Sims of Camelot farm in Greensborough
Frederick Thomas SNODGRASS, son of AAH Snodgrass (who served and returned)
Richard Lewis WEIR (MC DCM), son of William Adam Weir & Catherine Weir of Ulupna farm in Bundoora
Henry Douglas WHITTINGHAM, son of Walter Stanley & Elsie Lily Whittingham of Petersham House in Greensborough.
The following men do not appear in any of the files at the Australian War Memorial or the National Archives of Australia
*M KENNEDY
*P KILLEN
*Benjamin Alfred STARLING, believed to be the son of John H Starling who operated a store in Greensborough. Probably brother of [http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/A120067b.htm John Henry Starling]
*KG Sharp
Please note:
Robin has mistakenly been written as ‘Robert’ on his war grave.
Update October 2011
P KILLEN was Peter Killen
• Born at Stawell in 1884
• Married Lily Ellen Andrews in 1907
• Army records indicate he died at Gallipoli, although it seems there may be some confusion about what actually happened to him.
• During his service Lily was staying in Greensborough, but went back to her usual address in Fitzroy later.
M KENNEDY was Malcolm Stewart Kennedy
• Lt. Kennedy went to Officers School Duntroon
• It seems his parents were living at Greensborough at the time (property unknown) and moved into the city later.
• Kennedy was at Gallipoli from the landing to evacuation
• Was promoted to Captain in 1916
• Died of wounds at Passchendale in France in 1918. Seems to have been an exceptional soldier.
See also: Malcolm Stuart Kennedy
See also Malcolm Kennedy Footballer
KG SHARP
Kenneth Gordon Sharp
• The whole family lived in Greensborough in 1914 ( Australian Electoral Rolls)
• His brother William David (5417) also served
Any information, however small, would be appreciated.
Contact: Felicity Williams Email: williams.felicity.c@edumail.vic.gov.au
The Greensborough War Memorial Park includes the cenotaph honouring 15 men from Greensborough who were killed in the First World War, which gives this park its name. The cenotaph was originally located in Main Street, Greensborough, and after being moved to another park in the late 1920s, moved to its present location in the 1950s.
The park, with its landscaped paths, sporting field, playground and picnic facilities is popular with the community and hosts Anzac and Remembrance Day ceremonies each year. (City of Banyule)
Wooden sculptures inspired by wartime characters created by Eltham chainsaw sculptor Leigh Conkie were featured at the Park for more than ten years before they were removed. In April 2018 a new series of sculptors were unveiled at the park.
Links
Service records for local enlistments can be accessed via the National Archives of Australia Discovering Anzacs
Homefront: New sculptures for Greensborough War Memorial Park
Photo: Greensborough War Memorial Yarra Plenty Regional Library 2010
Updated August 2018
