Tenterfield RSL Sub-Branch

26/08/2026

Continuing on for Family History month we thought our followers might be interested in this story. Admittedly not a local story but interesting nonetheless - you may have already seen it on your travels ...

In Blackall Memorial Park two life-size bronze statues stand.
Siblings.
Each have their own history.
Each gave service to their community and their country.

'Towners Call'
Representing the service of Edgar Thomas Towner VC MC (1890-1972) who served in both WW1 & WW2.
The statue depicts Towner at the moment he collected his army kit on enlistment in January 1915. In one hand he holds his putties (leg wraps worn by the soldiers) on top of his folded uniform, in the other are his boots and slouch hat with the distinctive rising sun badge of the AIF. At his feet is an army duffle bag. Inscribed onto the bag is 'E T Towner 1067', (his service number).
Artist: William Eicholtz

'Walking with Greta'
Representing the service of Sister Greta Norman Towner (1891-1961).
Attended Blackall State School. Trained as a nurse at Rockhampton Children's Hospital. Registering in 1914. Enlisted July 1915. Served with AANS in Egypt, Lemnon Island during the Gallipoli campaign from September 1915 & on transport ships. 1917 saw service in Southall Hospital England (specialised in amputations & artificial limbs). March of 1917 she was posted to Wimereux, in the September she was posted to 1AGH Rouen where she remained till the war ended being discharged in 1919.

Commissioned by:
Blackall RSL Sub Branch
Artist: Cam Crossley

Note: Only the second statue in Australia of a woman who has served in war time.

Edited information from:
https://www.historypin.org
https://www.camcrossley.art/public-art-projects/sister-greta-towner-blackall

22/08/2026

1927-2027 (100 years)
the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing — the heart of Ypres.
Generations have gathered here to honor sacrifice, resilience, and the enduring human need to remember.

📷- The Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing, Ypres

Looking ahead in 2027, we mark the anniversary of the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing — a solemn landmark at the heart of Ypres and one of the world’s most powerful sites of remembrance. Since its unveiling in 1927, the Menin Gate has stood as a tribute to more than 54,000 soldiers of the British and Commonwealth forces who fell in the Ypres Salient and have no known grave. For a century, its vast archway has carried the weight of memory, echoing with the nightly Last Post ceremony and the enduring promise that their names will never fade. As this anniversary approaches, we reflect on the generations who have gathered here to honor sacrifice, resilience, and the enduring human need to remember.

📷- The Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing, Ypres

18/08/2026

With utmost respect and gratitude to those who served, Urbanville Public School students had the privilege of commemorating Vietnam Veterans Day alongside veterans who travelled from as far as Tenterfield and Kyogle, together with veterans from their own local community.
In their own words: "Urbenville Public School, will continue to remember, and to honour this day. And, most importantly, we will continue to teach our young people why we remember."

15/08/2026

Something different for you this morning, especially if you like your family history as some of our members do!

15/08/2026

Lest we Forget.

14/08/2026

10/08/2026

An interesting article.

10/08/2026

Lest we Forget.

Today marks the 60th anniversary of the end of the Indonesian Confrontation.

Indonesia and Malaysia fought an undeclared war between 1962 and 1966 which came to involve troops from Australia, Britain and New Zealand. Fighting escalated when Indonesia launched a series of cross-border raids in Borneo in early 1963.

Australia's commitment to operations against Indonesia in Borneo and West Malaysia fell within the context of its membership in the Far East Strategic Reserve - a British Commonwealth force stationed in the region. 3RAR and 1 SAS Squadron deployed to Sarawak and Brunei in early 1965 and fought as part of a larger British force. 4RAR and 2 SAS Squadron served in Sarawak in 1966. Each of these units took part in secret cross-border operations code-named 'CLARET'.

Because of the sensitivity of these operations, which remained secret until 1996, Confrontation received very little coverage in the Australian press. Despite fighting an undeclared war, Australia and Indonesia maintained diplomatic relations.

Australia also sent detachments from the Royal Australian Corps of Signals, an artillery detachment and five squadrons of the Royal Australian Engineers to Borneo. Ships of the Royal Australian Navy served in the surrounding waters, and several Royal Australian Air Force squadrons were also involved during Confrontation.

Continuing negotiations between Indonesia and Malaysia ended the conflict, and the two sides signed a peace treaty on 11 August 1966.

Twenty-three Australians died as a result of their service during Confrontation, seven of them on operations, and eight were wounded.

Today we remember all who served.

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📷 Image: An Australian artillery crew from 102nd Field Battery, Royal Australian Artillery, fires a 105mm L5 Pack Howitzer at dawn from a forward base near the Sarawak–Kalimantan border, c. 1965. Photograph by William Cunneen. AWM CUN/65/0777/MC

10/08/2026

Lest we forget.