NIMMITABEL SOLDIERS’ MEMORIAL 
(Laying of the Foundation Stone)

The laying of the foundation stone of the Nimmitabel Deceased Soldiers’ Memorial on Sunday afternoon as the means of attracting hundreds of adults and children to the Anzac Park, where the monument is being erected, and it was indeed gratifying to those who have been conducting the arrangements to witness such a large assemblage.

The weather some days previous and right up to that morning had been very boisterous, and it had been feared that numbers would not venture out. However, the residents and visitors proved their great enthusiasm on such an occasion as this by attending regardless of weather conditions, and received their due reward by the wind dropping and the sun peeping out on a glorious afternoon.

The procession, consisting of school children, members of the M.U. and Hibernian lodges, public bodies and citizens, commenced at about 3.00pm from the School of Arts, and marched to the Park, where a very large assemblage had congregated. The absence of the Cooma Brass Band, which had been expected, but at the last moment was unable to favor us with its presence, was the only disappointing omission in the day’s programme. The assistance of a number of our public men was gladly lent to effect the necessary requirements for the function and carrying out of the programme, and valuable assistance was given by Mr Underwood of Riley Newman Co., with his motor lorry in conveying the piano, chairs, forms etc to and from the Park and the School of Arts; the lorry was also used as a platform for the speakers and musicians. Interspersed through the proceedings hymns were sung, led by a combined choir of children and a string orchestra (Miss Morton, piano; Messrs Rowe and Draper, violins; and Mr Bondfield, cello). The following numbers were rendered: “Lead Kindly Light”, “Nearer My God to Thee”, “Advance Australia Fair” and “God Save the King”.

Apologies were received from Revs Chas Anderson and HS Brown, and Messrs Austin Chapman, MHR, and John Bailey MLA.

Mr OE Silk one of our oldest and much respected citizens, with over 50 years of active public life in Nimmitabel to his credit, was the privileged one to perform the ceremony; Mr Silk was also President of the Memorial Committee and the Returned Soldiers’ Welcome Home Committee. After thanking the numerous visitors for their presence that afternoon (there being visitors in large numbers from Cooma, Bega and other parts) and expressing his gratification of the large number of residents in attendance, Mr Silk said that they were assembled that afternoon to commence their work of perpetuating the memory of their fallen soldiers, who today were sleeping in foreign lands, by the erection of a monument in Nimmitabel, He then asked Mr Harvey, the Hon Secretary, to read the names of the 219 dead heroes which were to be inserted in the Memorial.

“These are the names” said Mr Silk, “of the fallen boys to be inscribed on the monument in letters of gold; and I feel sure that their names will forever be written in our hearts also in letters of gold”. He had watched those boys grow up from childhood and the splendid lives they led in our midst was consistent in every way with the magnificent sacrifice they had made so willingly for us all. He asked was there sacrifice in vain?  No! because the accomplishment of that great humane cause to which they had answered the call had been effected, the boys having unhesitatingly of their own free will left their mothers, wives, fathers, sister and brothers to fight for the great cause of Liberty and Justice, for which they paid the tremendous penalty.

In response to Mr Silk’s request to the children that they would come on the first Sunday in November and lay a wreath on the monument, a loud chorus unanimously acknowledged their intention of doing so. Mr Silk said he knew that they would accede to the request and hoped that the future generations would continue the practice and keep in memory for all time, the honour of our brave fallen heroes.

He expressed his thanks for the honour and privilege extended to him to perform the ceremony of the laying of the foundation stone, and stepping down from the platform, placed the slab in position, which completed the foundation, declaring it officially laid. Mr Silk then asked all to stand in silent memory of the fallen dead. It was at this juncture that “Nearer My God to Thee” was impressively rendered.

Excerpt taken from “The Nimitybelle News” Thursday November 10, 1921