Headstone Unveiling For Un-Marked Graves Of Soldiers

The unmarked graves of 16 soldiers will receive the recognition they deserve, when their newly made gravestones are unveiled at a special Graveside Dedication Service taking place on Saturday 27th July at Proserpine Old Cemetery.
In the many years before, the 11 soldiers from WW1 and the five from WW2, have gone without any form of headstone, with one soldier in particular, Joseph Leary, having laid there for 102 years. This has meant that the families and the community have not been able to commemorate their lives and service.
Up until recently, temporary white crosses were constructed by dedicated volunteers, to mark the resting places of the soldiers.
Organiser of the event Lyn Burke, mentioned how, before the crosses, very sadly, there was “nothing to remember that they existed.”
The day's events will consist of a welcome address by Jason Rateri, a Welcome To Country by the niece of one of the Indigenous soldiers, Robert Petersen, a speech by special guest Colonel Boniface Aruma, some prayers, a minute of silence and a national anthem sung by around 30 individuals from Mommas and Poppas.
Alongside some other proceedings, the day will close with the unveiling of the headstones and a light lunch provided at Proserpine R.S.L.
Many members of the community have got involved with the momentous event, including the Whitsunday Old Iron Restorers Car Club who paid out over $5,000.00 for the plaques and formwork for the headstones. Additionally, members of the club came and assisted in putting up over 400 flags in the Proserpine Old Cemetery a week before ANZAC day in 2023.

The Whitsunday Old Iron Restorers Car Club, decided to provide money to the cause, having noticed the timber white crosses that had been erected for the soldiers whilst helping out before ANZAC day. Having felt that something more needed to be done for the soldiers, funds raised from their car show went towards the headstone project.

Alongside the Whitsunday Old Iron Restorers Car Club, many other Proserpine community groups have assisted by crocheting poppies, sewing plaque covers and making reefs.

Concrete for the headstones was also supplied by Concrete Product Australia and Proserpine Tilt Trays is carting them to the cemetery.
Lyn added how some of the soldier's family would be in attendance, despite the majority of the men not having anybody:
“Seems to be the case for these guys, they came back and didn’t have anybody.”

Lyn encourages everyone to come on down and celebrate the lives of the soldiers who were for a long time forgotten about.

She also mentioned, how she would love if students and younger generations would come along, as they are the future of projects like this.

When asked why it is important for people to go and support the soldiers on the day, Lyn said the day is:

“To remember them in the future, so they are not lost and forgotten."

"We want them remembered. This will make them visible to their community."

‍

What: Graveside Dedication Service
When: 27th July 2024, 10:30AM
Where: Proserpine Old Cemetery

Edwin Packett, Served in the Boer War & WW1
George Usher Served at Gallipoli and the Western Front in WW1 and Served Proserpine During WW2, with the Volunteer Defence Force

‍