Brooweena artwork

Thanks to the children of Brooweena State School for getting involved in the Anzac Bridge project.

Here are just some of the lovely drawings and writing they produced about their war memorial bridge at Brooweena and why it is so special.

Message from the Brooweena community

At the Anzac Day service at Kaiparoro war memorial bridge, the names of the nine fallen from Brooweena were read out, and a wreath was laid for them. 

We also read out this lovely message from the Brooweena community to the people of Kaiparoro. This is what it said:  

Dear Friends of the Kaiparoro Bridge,

Today is a day on which we remember all New Zealand and Australians who served and died in war and on operational service. The Spirit of ANZAC with its qualities of courage, mateship and sacrifice continues to have meaning and relevance for our sense of national identities.

Mateship continues with this link between our two unique Bridges in a bond that was forged on this day so long ago. We remember those who served our countries and reflect upon their selfless sacrifice and also acknowledge the losses and sacrifices of their families.

Our bridge, of wooden construction with concrete piers, though not so grand as yours, is the only privately erected War Memorial in Queensland.

It is situated 19 km south of Brooweena, a very small township in South East Queensland. It was designed by Laurence Stevens Smith then the owner of historic “ Mount Joseph Station” which is situated opposite. It was constructed by Frank Fallon along with Station hands from Mount Joseph and a number of returned servicemen from the district. It was officially opened on 21 May, 1921. The Fallen of WW1, 9 local men,  are listed on one pier and directly opposite are the names of the Returned Soldiers. It is uncanny that the number should be the same as your bridge and that both bridges were constructed with the help of the Returned.

The bridge carried traffic on the Woolooga Road for over fifty years, ceasing on 16 June 1972 with the completion of a new adjacent road. Restoration works were carried out in 2008 by the staff of the Woocoo Shire Council together with invaluable input from several local residents.

Today the bridge is cared for by the “Friends of the Bridge” in conjunction with the Fraser Coast Regional Council. Each year since 2009 on Anzac Day we hold an informal service followed by a picnic lunch. We remember our fallen and returned, children recite poetry, we tell stories in relation to our fallen, raise our flag with pride, lay wreaths to the eerie sound of bagpipes by our lone piper, and give thanks for the freedom we enjoy.

The Anzac spirit exists in each of us so therefore let us be guided by that ANZAC spirit in facing national and personal challenges ahead and let us strive to be worthy of the memory of those we honour today!

We will include the names of your fallen in our Service and remember the friendship between your country and ours and the link that has now been “bridged”. We look forward to strengthening that bond and continued correspondence in the future!

God Bless

Best Wishes

From the Brooweena  District and “Friends of the Bridge”

Anzac bridges to link commemorations

Thanks to the Wairarapa Times-Age for this article on the Anzac Bridge project. 

"At the Anzac Day service here, we will read out a message from Brooweena and the names of the Broweena soldiers and they will read out a message we send to them and the names of our soldiers at their Anzac commemoration."

I've seen both these messages and I think they are both going to be very powerful and affecting tributes. I won't divulge their contents yet, but will post the text here after the Anzac Day services. 

I'm also looking forward to posting some of the wonderful artwork and poems by the children of the schools,  both here and in Queensland. 

he Anzac Memorial Bridge at Kaiparoro in Wairarapa. PHOTO/FACEBOOK

Kaiparoro and Brooweena links (1)

Earlier I wrote about Shirley and Trevor McIcvor, whose photographs of the Brooweena war memorial bridge formed past of their project to record all the Queensland war memorials for their book "Salute the brave". 

I managed to get in touch with them and had this lovely reply from Shirley: 

You have a "one only" Kaiparoro bridge in New Zealand and thank you for the very clear photo of it that you sent. The link you have made with Brooweena and the Bridge Creek Memorial Bridge is very special... The late Mr and Mrs L S Smith, of Mt Joseph Station, who erected it, would doubtless be amazed that the 9 fallen, and 38 local soldiers from their area will now be honoured in New Zealand also.

As we found when we toured Queensland researching for "Salute the Brave" it is rather staggering when reading such long lists of names from what were then very isolated country regions, and the loss of so many young men must have had long lasting effects. 

We have been involved in many projects including our CD-Rom on Queensland War Memorials and Tributes. On 15th November 2015, ABC Television in Australia screened an hour honouring personnel mentioned on war memorials and we had a short segment on that, which you could probably pick up on Google if you wish. 

Our work also formed the basis for the Queensland war memorial register which now has about 1400 war memorials and thousands of photos listed in alphabetical order of towns.

Thank you again for making contact.

Sincerely
Shirley 

Shirley also emailed a photo of this Anzac fretwork which Trevor made some years ago. 

The names on the Brooweena bridge (3)

The seventh name on the Brooweena memorial is that of John Keats. (This was another name that took some finding, as it was spelt wrong.) 

John Keates was born in London, England. He was a stockman and draughtsman and enlisted in Maryborough on 20 September 1916, aged 31. His next of kin was his sister Charlotte in England. John Keates was awarded the Military Medal “for bravery in the field”. He was killed in action on 19 October 1917 in Belgium. His name is on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

The eight name is that of Malcolm Spiden.

Malcolm Tait Spiden was born in Thinoomba (east of Brooweena) to Robert and Margaret Spiden and went to Thinoomba State School. He was a stockman and enlisted at Maryborough on 17 October 1916 with the 47th Australian Infantry Battalion. Malcom Spiden arrived in France in August 1917 and was killed in action on 12 October 1917, aged 24. He is buried at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood, Zonnebeke, Ypres, Flanders, Belgium. His headstone says: “In lasting memory of the 5^th son of Mr and Mrs Spiden”. A brother, Charles, also went to the war in August 1916 but returned in May 1919. 

His effects included: "5 Pairs Stockings, Pair Boots, Scarf, Shirt, 7 Handkerchiefs, Balaclava, Pair Gloves, Strop, Sopa Box, 2 Purses, Cards, Photos, Holdall”. 

From Malcolm Spiden's Red Cross records. 

The ninth and last name is that of  Wm. C. Brown.

William Charles Brown was the son  of Alfred and Elizabeth Alice Brown of Gayndah, Boompa, Queensland. He served with the Australian Light Horse and died of malaria  on 3 November 1918, aged 28. He is buried at the Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

Kantara war memorial cemetery

The names on the Brooweena bridge (2)

The fourth name on the Brooweena bridge is that of Geo. R. Bates.

George Richmond Bates was born at Charleville to George and Ellen Maria Bates of Boompa, Queensland. He was a stockman and enlisted on 15 August 1916 at Maryborough, aged 20. Both parents had died and his next of kin was his sister Vera (he had three sisters altogether). George Bates arrived in France in January 1918 and died of wounds on 16 April 1918. He is buried at Vignacourt British Cemetery, France.

I think this is one one of the most poignant letters, from his sister Vera. 

“Dear Sir, On the 25th of last month I received information by telegram from The Military Headquarters Brisbane that my brother No 632 Pte George Richmond Bates had ‘died’ on the 16th April … I have waited patiently for further news, but none has come. Will you kindly do your best to obtain all information about his death. Is there any probability of its being a mistake.  Kindly let me know as soon as you can to relieve my anxiety as the above is my only brother…

Yours Faithfully

Vera E. H. Bates”

But sadly there was no mistake, and his effects eventually turned up at home.

The fifth name is David Boldery.

David William Boldery was born in Maryborough to Thomas and Letitia Boldery. His occuaption was given as a teamster and his address as Aramara on Gayndah Line. His widowed mother Letitia was his next of kin. David Boldery enlisted on 20 October 1916, aged 19 years 8 months. He arrived in France in June 1917 and was killed in action on 28 August 1917 in Belgium, aged 20. His name is on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. 

His effects included “Disc, Letters, Photos, Note book” and his mother wrote to ask if there was any chance of receiving his ring, razor or fountain pen “which he had with him on the battle field”; she also wrote asking to be sent a pamphlet on Graves of the fallen.

"To Officer in Charge, Base Records,

Sir,

I beg to acknowledge the parcel, but am writing to inquire if there was any possible chance of me receiving (Late) Pte D. Boldery’s ring or razor or fountain pen which he had with him on the battle field…

Yours Sincerely

(Mrs) Letitia Smith (nee Boldery)”

David Boldery’s name also appears on the North Aramara War Memorial (north east of Brooweena), built in 1919 by George Greatorex Nichol in memory of his son Edward and nephew David who both died in the war. It was put up at the school which both boys went to (Bowling Green Provisional School) but when that school closed, it moved to North Aramara School. That school also closed in 1948 but the memorial still stands in the school grounds, together with a plaque put there in the 1980s by descendants of George Nichol. 

North Aramara War Memorial (Photographs supplied by John Huth)

The sixth name is E.D.Nichol. 

Edward Nichol was born at Maryborough to George Gratorex and Frances Margaret Nichol of Aramara, Queensland. He was also a teamster and enlisted at Maryborough on 26 October 1916. Edward Nichol was killed in action on 9 August 1918 aged 25. He is buried at Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres, France. His headstone reads: “Sacred to memory” (chosen by "Mrs F M Nichol, Aramara, Gayndah Line Q’ld").

The names on the Brooweena bridge (1)

There are nine names on the Brooweena memorial, all from World War One - but there are also 38 on a separate memorial, these ones commemorating local men who served overseas and returned.

The Australian soldiers' records often include letters and other correspondence which don't appear in NZ soldiers' records on line, and they can make for very sad reading.

The first name is that of Wm C Sorrensen.

I found him hard to track down because there were three other Sorrensens who lived locally, but actually he was William Charles Sorensen, born 25 October 1882 in Laidley to Niels and Anne Sorensen (and registered at birth as Wilhelm Carl). He was a farmer,  married to Sophie, with two children and an address given as Brooweena Gayndah Line. 

William Sorrensen enlisted in Brisbane on 28 September 1915 with the 26th Australian Infantry Battalion. He died on 2 September 1918, aged 36. A handwritten note on his records says: Buried isolated grave in field near Mont St Quentin ½ mile north of Peronne, but he is now buried in Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension, Peronne, Picardie, France. His effects sent to his widow included 1 Match Box Cover, 1 Diary and 1 Testament (Bible).

The next name is Carl E.O. Dombrow. 

Carl Edward Oswald Dombrow was born in Miva (south east of Brooweena) to Frederick and Henrietta Dombrow. He was a stockman and enlisted at Maryborough on 26 September 1916. He arrived in France May 1917 and was killed in action on 4 October 1917, aged 23. His name is on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. 

His effects were a Prayer Book and Handkerchief, but his mother, Henrietta, wrote to the Records Office asking if his other belongings had been found. 

“Dear Sir, I received today 1 package from you containing my Son’s the Late No 6062 Private C E O Dombrow’s... Prayer Book and Hankerchief...

My late Son also had a wristlet watch which I myself gave to Him, when he was leaving for the Front. Also he had a pocket wallet and other little things and a diary, which I would very much like to have; and I would feel very grateful and very very thankful to you if you could get those articles for me…

Yours Faithfully,

Henrietta Dombrow”

The third name is R Wm Dukes. 

Robert William Dukes was born in Maryborough to Robert and Elizabeth Dukes of Brooweena, Queensland. He was a farmer and enlisted in Maryborough on 9 April 1915, aged 18. He was in Egypt, then arrived in France in May 1916. He died of wounds 13 November 1916, aged 20 and is buried at Bernafay Wood British Cemetery, Montauban, France, under a headstone that reads: “The Lord gave and the Lord taketh away” (an epitaph chosen by his mother, Mrs E Dukes, Brooweena) 

His effects included Disc, Knives 3, Fountain Pen, Money Belt, Keys, Chain, Testament, Letters, Cards, Photos, Diary, Wallet and Coins 2. 

Because Robert Dukes was so young when he enlisted, his father had to give permission in writing:

You can only wonder how he felt, writing this letter less than two year later:

“Dear Sir, I am writing to ask you could give any more information about my sons death No 307 Driver Robert William Dukes… I was informed on the 5th of December that he Died of wounds on the 13th of November 1916 in France, could you let me know what front he was on when he got wounded and what he was doing at the time. also could I get a photo of his grave as his Mother is an invalid and she would like to know where he was buried if possible as he is our only Son.

I remain

Yours obediently

R Dukes”

How the Brooweena bridge was built

This is what I found out about the Brooweena bridge: 

• It's the only known privately built war memorial bridge in Queensland
• It's located on the Brooweena-Woolooga Rd, west of Maryborough
• The bridge was officially opened on Saturday 21 May 1921
• The Honour Roll was unveiled by Mrs A Brown, mother of William Charles Brown, one of the fallen soldiers
• It was designed and funded by Mr Laurence Smith, owner of nearby Mt Joseph Station and built by station hands and returned servicemen
• It remembers 9 local men who died in World War One and 38 men who also served and returned
• It was closed to traffic in 1972

Already I can see several similarities between these two bridges. 

Local people were involved in designing and building them, and they were opened at about the same time and closed at about the same time. 

On 18 August 1920, the Maryborough Chronicle reported the Woocoo Shire Council meeting at which the Council considered Mr L S Smith's offer to build the bridge: "It would be of a most substantial nature and in keeping with the object for which it is intended, namely, a memorial to the soldiers who went from Woocoo Shire area and fell in the late war."

On 26 May 1921, the same newspaper described the opening of the bridge. 

Today the "basket picnic" tradition continues and the bridge is the site of an annual Anzac Day picnic. 

Fraser Coast chronicle, 15 April 2011

Bridge Creek memorial bridge

So this is where my search finally took me, to the Brooweena war memorial bridge, located 21 km south of Brooweena on the road to Woolooga. 

The Queensland War Memorial Register has this description of it: 

The bridge was funded and erected on a public road by Mr and Mrs L S Smith of nearby Mt Joseph Station who wished to make their own commemorative gesture during WWI.

It is a substantial wooden bridge over a small creek with a pair of sandstone piers at each end. Leaded marble plates are fixed to the piers.

A small commemorative stone cairn with metal plaque was later erected at the entry to the bridge by the Smith's son.

Brooweena Memorial Bridge - sign. Source: Shirley and Trevor McIvor

Brooweena Memorial Bridge Cairn. Source: Shirley and Trevor McIvor

Brooweena Memorial Bridge. Source: Shirley and Trevor McIvor

Brooweena Memorial Bridge. Source: Shirley and Trevor McIvor

Brooweena Memorial Bridge - Declaration plaque. Source: Shirley and Trevor McIvor

Brooweena Memorial Bridge - Peace plaque. Source: Shirley and Trevor McIvor

I really like the fact that it has a Peace Plaque as well as one that marks the Declaration of war.

You might have noticed that several of these photos are credited to Shirley and Trevor McIvor. They are such lovely photos that I thought the McIvors might be an interesting couple to talk to about the Brooweena bridge, so I tried to find out more about them, and what I found was fascinating! 

Trevor McIver was an electrical fitter in Toowoomba, but in 1983 he received a severe electric shock which had ongoing repercussions. He was told he might soon be in a wheelchair, so he and his wife Shirley toured nearby area around the Sunshine Coast to find out what sort of places had good wheelchair access, in case he needed it in the future. Luckily he didn’t need the wheelchair, but in the meantime they published two books on wheelchair access in the area, which prompted other tourist attractions to make their sites wheelchair friendly.

The McIvors didn’t stop there. While driving round looking for wheelchair-friendly sites, they noticed that almost every community had a war memorial that was often easily seen from a car, and these would make for an interesting road trip, even if someone in a wheelchair couldn’t get out of a car easily. So they approached the University of South Queensland Press to ask if they would be interested in a book about them, and USQ Press said yes, but only if the McIvors covered all the war memorials across the whole of Queensland.

This was obviously going to be a much bigger project (in the end they drove over 40,000km to and fro across the state), but the McIvors said yes, partly as a tribute to Shirley’s father George Jamieson (who was on Gallipoli and later received the Military Cross at Buckingham Place) and other veterans.  They published Salute the brave: a pictorial record of Queensland war memorials in 1994.

I love this story because it show how they took a piece of bad luck and turned misfortune into something that has since benefited so many people. (During the launch for their book, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs announced that the Government was going to fund a programme to make sure that war memorials were restored and maintained.)

So thanks to Shirley and Trevor McIvor for these photos of the Brooweena bridge.

Brooweena and its digger statue

Brooweena, according to Wikipedia, is a small town and rural locality in Fraser Coast Region of Queensland, Australia with a population of 263 as of the 2011 census. It's located 266 km north of Brisbane, on the Maryborough-Biggenden road.  

The railway arrived in 1889, the same year that the Brooweena Post Office opened. The school opened in 1904. A timber mill was set up in 1924. The school is still there (but very small) although I think the timber mill closed a few years ago. It has an Early Settlers Museum run by the Woocoo Historical Society and two war memorials:  a soldier, or 'digger' statue, and the bridge. 

I didn't know any of this before but I was interested, so I kept looking. 

This is the Brooweena 'digger' statue. 

Brooweena War Memorial (Digger). Source: Fraser Coast Regional Council

Brooweena War Memorial (Digger) Panel. Source: Fraser Coast Regional Council

Brooweena War Memorial (Digger) Panel. Source: Fraser Coast Regional Council

The top panel contains a four-line poem. I'd never come across these lines before: 

On Fame's eternal camping-ground
Their silent tents are spread,
And Glory guards, with solemn round,
The bivouac of the dead.

They come from a much longer poem called "The bivouac of the dead" by Theodore O'Hare (1820-1867), a lawyer, soldier and editor, Mexican War veteran and poet. More about him here. This was a total distraction but very interesting (I'd never even heard of the Mexican War, which took place in 1846-48, more than a decade before the American Civil War).

According to the US Dept of Veterans Affairs website, he wrote the poem to remember the many casualties suffered by the Second Kentucky Regiment of Foot Volunteers at the Battle of Buena Vista in 1847. The poem became very popular and these four lines in particular appeared at national cemeteries all over the US after the Civil War.

This was still on the way to finding the bridge itself, but I already liked this link because Masterton, the nearest big town to Kaiparoro, also has its own 'digger' statue. 

Photo by Brenda Anderson, Creative Commons licence

The Masterton soldier is sometimes called "the untidy soldier" and another version of him appears on the war memorial in Devonport, Auckland. The idea is that he is looking back after battle, with clothes creased and battle-worn and boot laces untied.