Penrith City Local History - Memories of war - We remember - Penrith Presbyterian Church
Penrith Presbyterian Church Honour Roll
On 22 April 1917 an honour roll containing the names of 29 young local men was unveiled at the Penrith Presbyterian Church. Guests included the Scouts, the senior cadets and some returned soldiers. The Honour Roll measured 30 inches by 20 inches and was encased in an elaborate oak frame. The Honour Roll was unveiled by the Reverend James McKee who made the following comments during his address:
This is no ordinary occasion. We are met to honour our brave boys, who, at the call of King and Country, in the defence of truth, liberty and righteousness, and for the protection of the aged, infirm and helpless, are exposing themselves to great danger, even death. The Roll of Honour which we this day unveil, contains the names of 29 of the best manhood of the district. At least half of these have been members of my Bible class, whom I knew intimately and loved – brave, high-spirited, truthful good boys. Every one of them occupied a good position, with excellent prospects; but love of country and kindred, truth and freedom were dearer to them. Four of them have given their lives.
In the days to come, when the historians shall have recorded the triumphs of Britain and her Allies, by which Prussian Militarism and German inhumanity shall have been for ever destroyed, the heroic part with our boys played in the gigantic struggle shall occupy a prominent place. And when at the fireside these boys will read these records to their children, they will be able, with laudable pride, to tell them the part they played in these terrible battles.
The Roll of Honour included the following inscription:
Penrith Presbyterian Church, Penrith. Roll of Honour. The following are the names of young men connected with our congregation who, at the call of duty, volunteered for service in the cause of King and Country, Liberty and Humanity in the war against German Militarism and Barbarism.
The unveiling of an updated honour roll took place on Sunday 29 August 1920. It was performed by Rev. B. Scott West, of Burwood. Everyone was invited, particularly returned soldiers, the military cadets and scouts. This marble memorial tablet is set in the southern end of the church. It bears the motto: 1914-1919 For God, King and Empire.
The names of 48 people connected to the church are inscribed on the tablet. They are:
| J. Cliff Aubrey | Godfrey Hyslop |
| *Sydney Aubrey | Henry Hyslop |
| Geoffrey Baker | Robert Hyslop |
| Reg Baker | Victor Jordan |
| Harry Baker | Donald Leitch |
| Adele Baker (nursing sister) | *Sinclair Leitch |
| Alex Boyd | Robert McGowan |
| Sydney Boyd | A. McKean |
| Ronald S Brander | James Walter Stewart McKee (doctor) |
| Stafford Brown | *Reginald Donald Joshua McLean |
| Bruce Clements | *Mertoun Mills |
| Robert Davie | *Arthur James Mitchell |
| Rod Davie | William E Mitchell |
| Norman Freeland | James Perritt |
| Arthur Gordon | Harry Phillips |
| Temple Graham | *Leslie Frederick Purdon |
| George Hair | Sydney Spence |
| Herbert Hair | Arthur Stafford |
| Geoffrey Holmes | *Stanley Stafford |
| Vincent Holmes | George Seymour |
| *Cecil William Robert Howlett | David Strang |
| Stan Howlett | *Colin Leslie Thompson (Thomson) |
| Charles James [James Charles] Huxley | *George Sydhral Yansen |
| Arthur Hyslop | *John Andreas (Jack) Yansen |
*killed in action
Sources:
‘Presbyterian Church – Unveiling of Honor Roll’, Nepean Times, 28 April 1917, p 4
‘Honor Roll unveiled in Penrith Presbyterian Church’, Nepean Times, 4 September 1920, p. 5