Grey Granite Obelisk
GLENROY RSL CENOTAPH
Glenroy threw itself into the First World War effort as enthusiastically as the rest of the country. (Observer. 28th October 1987)
As with so many other memorials to the soldiers of the conflicts as far back as the Boer War and in some places even further back, the community banded together to finance these monuments.
The Glenroy cenotaph, made of granite sitting on a concrete base, was erected in the early 1920’s, initially located on the corner of Wheatsheaf Road and Glenroy Road, just down the road from the Old Post Office and General Store. All the lettering was hand chiselled into the granite by a professional stone mason, a time consuming exercise.
After the founding of the Glenroy RSL in 1951-52 a block of land was purchased on Glenroy Road in anticipation that one day a club house could be built on the site for the use by Returned Servicemen.
This was finally achieved in 1957. Prior to the completion of the club house the Broadmeadows Council agreed to move the cenotaph to the vacant block and this was completed in June 1956.
The first wreath to be laid at the new location was on Anzac Day 1957 by His Worship The Mayor of Broadmeadows K J Robinson.
The cenotaph has 28 names of those men from the area who served their country with four of them making the ultimate sacrifice. The four names are on the roll and also on a separate panel. They are; W Hehir MM (correct spelling Hehr)served as J Anderson, K J S McKenzie, A D Merralls, C F Murrell.
Those who were fortunate to return are as follows; P R Anderson, M Campbell, S W Canning MM, E J Carnsew, J Corrigan, R Cromarty, J Dutton, F G Fisher, A E Gibson, A E Goodman, A W Harrison, A L Hudson, H V Kelly, W L Murrell, J T Pascoe MM, A G Peachey, S S Peachey, J C Pigdon, J G Proudfoot, A R Pryse, W Stockwell, A E Strickland, F A Strickland, H W Strickland.
On the opposing panel is inscribed “Erected by the residents of Glenroy in Honour of the men who served their country in The Great War 1914-1919.”
Although the fighting ceased on the 11th November 1918 with the signing of the Armistice, the Treaty of Versailles to end the war officially, was not signed until 28th June 1919, hence this date is used for the ending date of the conflict. (In addition there were Australians fighting in Russia in 1919 supporting the “White Russians.”)
Further plaques have been added “A tribute to the members of these Wars” 1939-45 World War 11, 1950-53 Korea. 1957-61 Malaya, 1962-1973 Vietnam.
A separate plaque for the “ Korean War 1950-1953, Active Service. 1953-1956, Peacekeeping” is included.
A plaque was recently added “Recognizing the service and sacrifice of Australian Peacekeepers and Peacemakers since the first deployment to Indonesia on 14th September 1947 and the many that followed in the service of Peace.” This plaque shows the United Nations and the Australian Defence Force badges.
When the Glenroy RSL club rooms were upgraded the original brass plaque from the building was removed and placed on the base of the cenotaph. It has the following inscription “Glenroy R.S.S.A.I.L.A Memorial Hall. This hall was dedicated to the fallen of the 1939-45 and Korean Wars and officially opened on 3rd day of March, 1957 by Sir George Holland. C.B.E. M.M. President – H L Treyvaud. Secretary – C F Strachan. Treasurer – C Easton.”
In recognition of the three servicemen who were awarded the Military medal “For Bravery in the Field” the post nominals “MM” were added next to their names in December 2022.
