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. — 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

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 Henry Rankin Woods was born in Mudgee in November 1873, the son of Mr William Frederic Woods and Mrs. Flora Ann Woods. He was educated at Mudgee Public School, and then in Sydney, before going on to become a bank clerk. William spent over two decades working with the Bank of New South Wales, but was equally known for his musical talent, which he carried with him during his military

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. — Robert Munckton, known as Bob or Bluey, was the first ‘man’ from Dubbo to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force on the 17th August 1914…although at just 19 years old he was really still a boy. War had been declared against Germany for just three days, when Bob returned home in the evening, and in a serious manner, asked his mother to allow him to “do his bit” for the Empire.

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. Brigadier-General James Heane is Dubbo’s most highly decorated soldier from the First World War. James was educated at Dubbo Superior Public School, and then Sydney Boys’ High, becoming an auditor and then a farmer in the Dubbo district. After serving for five years in the Cadet Forces he was commissioned second lieutenant in the 3rd Australian Infantry Regiment before transferring to the Light Horse Regiment as a lieutenant. In 1910, on the