Author name: Dugald Saunders

As we commemorate Anzac Day – I’m sharing some local stories to recognise and remember those who sacrificed so much, so we can enjoy what we have today. — Lance Corporal James Rhodes, also known as James Percy Wederall, was a man with a past when he enlisted with the AIF in Sydney on August 26, 1914. Originally born in Timaru, New Zealand, James Wederall lived in Dubbo before he enlisted, working for Mr. G.W Bell, the licensee of the Court House Hotel. He enlisted under the name Rhodes, and told military authorities that he was a 26 year old

As we commemorate Anzac Day – I’m sharing some local stories to recognise and remember those who sacrificed so much, so we can enjoy what we have today. — Sergeant James Lihou was a Dubbo local who exhibited outstanding bravery serving in France during the First World War. Over the course of the 21 months he served, he emerged as one of Australia’s true war heroes. James was the eldest of 7 children for Stephen and Eliza Lihou…He went to Wongarbon Public School, and was described as a keen and popular student. At the age of 15, he left school

As we commemorate Anzac Day – I’m sharing some local stories to recognise and remember those who sacrificied so much, so we can enjoy what we have today. – – – James Arthur Harding, a corporal No. 218 of the 14th Battalion, was the first soldier with a connection to Dubbo to be killed in World War I. James first arrived in Dubbo with his parents during his younger boyhood years, and attended Dubbo District School, the same school he then sent his children to. James worked as a grocer and a labourer before enlisting shortly after the outbreak of

As we commemorate Anzac Day – I’m sharing some local stories to recognise and remember those who sacrificed so much, so we can enjoy what we have today. – – – George Adam Matchett (known as Adam), was 21-years-old at the outbreak of World War One. A motor driver by trade, he lived with his family on their property 18 miles from Dubbo, with two younger brothers, James and William, and a baby sister, Phyllis. Along with many others at the time, Adam and his family were keen tennis players, and members of the Dubbo District Tennis Association. Adam himself

As we commemorate Anzac Day – I’m sharing some local stories to recognise and remember those who sacrificed so much, so we can enjoy what we have today. — This is the tale of two Dubbo brothers: Edward Dowling, known as ‘Ted’, and Vivian Dowling, who went by ‘Claude’. The sons of Martin and Ada Dowling, Ted and Claude were 24 and 21 respectively when they enlisted in the First World War. Both were drapers by trade, with Ted working at Mumford Brothers, then situated on Macquarie Street. Like many others who expected the Great War to be over in

As we commemorate Anzac Day – I’m sharing some local stories to recognise and remember those who sacrificed so much, so we can enjoy what we have today. — Like many who went to serve, much of what we know about Alfred William Farragher’s service comes from letters to his loved ones. In this case, it was letters to his sister, Maggie. “Alf” as he was known, was born and raised in Dubbo. When he enlisted aged 21 in 1915, he left behind his parents, and numerous siblings, including a twin sister. Writing to his sister in May 1916, Private