By KATH GANNAWAY
SEVEN World War I veterans have been commemorated with the unveiling of plaques at Upper Yarra Cemetery on Sunday 25 October.
The soldiers, residents of the Upper Yarra, survived the war but it was discovered earlier this year, lay in unmarked graves.
In a simple and moving ceremony, each of the stories of George H. Acton, Albert C. Bell, Sidney Connell, William E. Howard (Smith), James B. Maginn, Colin Sutherland and his son Colin Arthur Sutherland were read.
The plaques were funded by Upper Yarra RSL.
Family members of three of the soldiers placed a sprig of rosemary on each plaque.
Powelltown resident Nola Adams said although she didn’t know her grandfather, Albert Bell, the family remembered him through stories told over the years.
“It meant a lot to the family, and will be there for future generations,” she said.
“Without the RSL, it would not have been done.”
Cemetery Trust chairman Debbie De Laps said the decision to formally recognise the seven soldiers came as a result of the ‘Saluting WWI Serviceman Tour’ in the lead-up to Anzac Day this year.
The event recognised 26 WWI servicemen interred or memorialised at the cemetery.
Ms De Laps said the Cemetery Trust knew that the men were buried in the cemetery, but did not know where.
“I think it’s really important from a Trust point of view to recognise these men, and make sure that they are able to be visited,” she said.
Displays of photographs and other memorabilia by Bob Sutherland, Florence Elliott and Kevin Ford added a further dimension to the service.
“It was very moving,“ Ms De Laps said.
