THE Bermagui RSL sub-branch is searching for names of local military personnel, missing from the town’s war memorial.
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The search began when sub-branch secretary Roy Davies was contacted by a woman from Sydney whose mother was from the Bermagui area and served in the WAAF, but her name was not on the memorial.
In addition, Dave Richard-Preston of the sub-branch, Bermagui Public School teacher Lynne Daly and her class are researching the names of World War 1 Diggers on the memorial, as well as those who are not (BDN, 27/6).
Mr Davies said the search has turned up at least one name that should be mentioned on the plaques.
The first war memorial in Bermagui was built in 1974, and Mr Davies believed the names on the Honour Rolls came from the Arts Theatre that had burnt down previously.
The memorial was replaced in 2008 due to salt erosion, and some more names were added.
Sub-branch president Neville Staehr said the reason names are missing from the memorial could be as during WW1 and WW2 records were handwritten and poorly organised.
“Records back in those days were pretty non-existent, and probably some got lost,” he said.
The sub-branch is also looking to update all Rolls Of Honour on the memorial with new plaques, as Mr Davies said now the Afghan and Iraq wars are over there may be some younger service people who were part of those wars and are eligible to have their names on the memorial as well.
In addition he would like to hear from those who have served in peacekeeping or peacemaking roles.
The new plaques will be made longer so there is room for future additions, unlike the current plaques.
The criteria to have a name on the war memorial is that the individual must have been in active service overseas, their name can’t be on another war memorial, and they must have originated from Bermagui or its surroundings - from Tanja to Wallaga Lake.
The closing date for all names will be on January 30, 2015, and for more information contact Roy Davies on 6493 3361.
After the closing date, the Bermagui RSL committee will assess what names are eligible to be added to the new plaques, which will hopefully be installed by Anzac Day 2015.
Send requests to: Hon Secretary Bermagui RSL, PO Box 90, Bermagui, NSW, 2546.