Lest we forget

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 Collins, born in the Wellington region of New South Wales in 1876, was the son of William Collins and Sarah Knight. His mother, Sarah Knight was the first child of Aboriginal woman Diana Mudgee and James Knight. George’s parents had a farm between Lincoln and Spicers Creek in the Wellington Region. George had four brothers and five sisters and it is believed he may have attended school with his siblings …

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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. — William Francis ‘Nip’ Clifford was born on 16 May 1892 at Wallsend NSW, to parents James Clifford, a miner, and Bridget O’Connor. He was known as Nip due to his short stature – he stood at just 5 feet and 6 inches. Nip enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 19 February 1917 in the 3rd Battalion, 24th Reinforcement. Nip’s brother, Terence Thomas Clifford, 3rd Battalion, was killed in action …

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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. — Narromine’s Victor Douglas Guthrie was an 18-year-old railway porter when he enlisted in the RAAF at Cobar in 1941. He became a career airman and served in the Second World War, afterwards with the Occupational Forces in Japan and in the Vietnam War where he met then Prime Minister, Harold Holt. He qualified as a pilot and was promoted to Warrant Officer, Pilot Officer and Wing Commander in 1967. Victor was …

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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. — Private Charles Prince, from Dubbo, was 29 at the outbreak of hostilities and enlisted in World War I on December 15, 1914. He subsequently served in Egypt, Turkey, France and Belgium — but would never get that longed-for trip back home. In almost three years abroad, Private Prince had endured freezing winters and several bouts of illness. Little wonder then that an uncensored letter home to his father dated August 28, …

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‘Sacrifice’ is a word that gets a lot of use at this time of year, as we remember all the men and women who have served our nation during war and in peacetime. For many families across our district this ‘sacrifice’ is not an abstract concept – in fact it hits very close to home. Like the descendants of Arthur Rupert Rathbone, from the Narromine district. Arthur enlisted not once, but three times to serve his country. Arthur was shot and injured many times but eventually returned home and married his sweetheart, but his brother Harry never returned, killed in …

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Contributed by Robyn Carter ANZAC DAY 2021 was a day of recognition for Arthur Rupert Rathbone WW1 and WW2 Service. A plaque with military recognition was attached to the headstone by family following the Narromine ANZAC 11am service. Arthur Rupert Rathbone enlisted three times to serve his country. 1914 – he joined the AIF with the 6th Australian Light Horse Regiment which involved enlistments from the NSW Central West District. He was injured with gun-shot wound fracture to his thigh at Lone Pine in the August Offensive August 1915. He returned to his home “Ormonde” Alagalah to recover. While walking …

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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 …

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