The Military Memorial at Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park

by Geoffrey Ball

Three Australian Victoria Cross winners of the First World War, all born in New South Wales, are memorialised in the Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park (Old Botany Cemetery), Matraville, Sydney.

• Private Thomas James Bede Kenny, died on 17 April 1953, whose burial grave is in the Roman Catholic section of the Park.

• Lieutenant Joseph Maxwell, died on 16 July 1976, whose ashes are in Wall G of the Eastern Walls Drive (Remembrance Wall).

• Major Blair Anderson Wark, died on 5 July 1941, whose ashes are in the Columbarium.

The Park’s Military Memorial was officially opened on 29 July 2016, significantly on the centenary anniversary of the Battle of Pozieres, by the Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin AC. On that day 100 years ago, Australian soldiers of 2nd Division AIF were ordered to take Pozieres heights. The attack commenced at 12:15 am but the Germans were ready, and the attack failed at a cost of 3,500 Australian casualties. In less than seven weeks of fighting at Pozieres three Australian divisions suffered 23,000 casualties. Of these, 6,800 were killed or died of wounds. It was a loss comparable with casualties sustained by the Australians over eight months at Gallipoli in 1915.

The three Victoria Cross recipients at rest or memorialised by family in the Memorial Park were uniquely honoured by granite plaques etched with their images.

Private Thomas Kenny VC was serving in the 2nd Division at the time of the Battle of Pozieres. He would later receive his VC for his actions on 9 April 1917 at Hermies, France. 

  

Lieutenant Joseph Maxwell VC, MC and Bar, DCM is regarded by many as possibly the second most highly decorated Australian soldier from World War I. In just over twelve months of action he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, the Military Cross, a bar to his Military Cross, and the Victoria Cross. He was only 22 when the war ended.  

Major Blair Wark VC fought in the battle of Fromelles in July 1916, where he was highly commended for his work, despite being wounded. Next year at Polygon Wood he won the Distinguished Service Order. Blair Wark's finest feat took place during the attack on the Hindenburg Line in his battalion's final action. He constantly showed outstanding leadership, often in advance of his troops.

- Geoffrey Ball is the Secretary of the Shire Military History Club