I was honoured today to attend the dedication ceremony for 20 headstones for Tasmanian World War One veterans.
The Tasmanian Headstone project has been engaged in the enormous undertaking to identify the veterans, who were buried in unmarked graves.
The circumstances leading to these men buried in unmarked graves is saddening. Having survived the tragedies of the First World War and returning home, their personal or financial situations meant their graves were never marked, or lost over time.
I would like to commend the Tasmanian Headstone Project on their work to give these veterans the recognition they deserve.
The headstones unveiled today recognise:
Private Horace Michael Cooley, 15th Battalion
Private Frederick Holmes, 35th Battalion
Private Sydney Miller, 12th Battalion
Private William Roy Wakefield, 12th Battalion
Private William John Drew, 12th Battalion
Private Charles Joshaway Harrison, 40th Battalion
Private Walter James Murphy, 49th Battalion
Lance Corporal Richard Brundle, 1st Field Ambulance
CSM Henry John Walch Hare DCM, Australian Corps
Sapper Francis James Trinder, 4th Field Company Engineers
Private Charles Henry Coats, 40th Battalion
Private Francis Henry Wade, 40th Battalion
Driver Thomas Charles Howlett, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade
Lieutenant John Charles Davis, 38th Battalion
Private Henry Allan Cross, Australian Naval and Expeditionary Force
Private Dennis Porter, 12th Battalion
Private Harold Francis Kelleher, 40th Battalion
Sapper Cyril John Hogget, 3rd Divisional Signal Company
Private Frederick Hedley Barrett, 1st Remount Unit
Private Ernest James Wiltshire, Army Veterinary Hospital