War Memorials and Honour Rolls in the Penrith District

The catalyst to provide honour rolls which listed local residents who had volunteered to serve overseas began early in the war. Faced with the appalling loss of life at Gallipoli and on the Western Front, many believed that formal recognition was necessary. Soldiers were given public honour as fellow citizens as employees, worshippers and members of community organisations. Government departments and private companies, churches and schools, lodges and sporting clubs everywhere installed honour boards and in many places, put up more substantial monuments. Most committees raised money for the memorials as they had done for wartime funds, by appeals in the press, door-to-door canvassing, fetes and dances and any other device they could think of. Penrith, like many towns, faced a number of hurdles when erecting its public monument. There was disagreement among the community about the form of monument. Many returned soldiers were interested in the erection of a club house or hall for their use. Others wanted a monument that would publicly acknowledge the service of a large number of men from the Penrith District.

The number of Honour Rolls in the Penrith district reflected this desire to honour the dead and to commemorate those fortunate enough to survive the war. Many Honour Rolls were unveiled including: St Stephen’s Church, Penrith Methodist Church, St Nicholas of Myra Church , the Penrith Presbyterian Church, Jamisontown United Church and Lodge Nepean.

War Memorials & Honour Rolls

Castlereagh - Smith Park
Castlereagh - Upper Castlereagh Public School
Emu Plains - Emu Plains War Memorial
Emu Plains Public School
Jamisontown United Church (later Jamisontown Uniting Church)
Llandilo Public School
Luddenham Methodist Church
Mt Druitt and Colyton
Mulgoa - St Thomas Church of England
Orchard Hills Public School
Penrith - Lodge Nepean
Penrith - Masonic Hall - Loyal Alexander Lodge
Penrith - Memory Park
Penrith Methodist Church
Penrith Presbyterian Church
Penrith - St Nicholas Catholic Church
Penrith - St Stephen’s Church of England
Penrith Superior Public School
St Marys – St Mary Magdalene Church of England
St Marys Literary Institute (Mechanics Institute)
St Marys Public School
St Marys - Victoria Park