On November 24, 1917, the World War I memorial pillars at Pelaw Main Public School were unveiled with great celebration and ceremony.
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A large gathering from all parts of the Newcastle and Maitland districts gathered to witness the unveiling of the pillars – which listed the names of 112 men and one woman who either attended the school, or lived in Pelaw Main, who had gone off to the war.
One hundred years on, a large crowd once again gathered at the school to remember their sacrifices and bravery.
Students laid poppies for each of the 113 people listed on the pillars, and a further 14 people whose names have been discovered during this year’s research project.
Several generations of the tight-knit Pelaw Main community were in attendance, including many people with ancestors named on the pillars.
Among these were descendants of Lt James Bruce, a Pelaw Main resident who went on to earn the Military Cross – the third-highest honour for battlefield bravery.
Having received the Distinguished Conduct Medal earlier in the war, Lt Bruce was awarded the Military Cross for his actions on the night of April 4, 1918 in an attack on the enemy line in the vicinity of Villers-Bretonneux.
Known as the ‘ginger-haired devil’ by German soldiers, he was recognised for his gallantry, bravery and leadership under extreme adversity.
Lt Bruce was killed in action on July 17, 1918. He was laid to rest in the Villers-Bretonneux Cemetery.
With assistance from Kurri Kurri RSL Sub-branch, the school installed a plaque in Lt Bruce’s memory that was unveiled as part of the ceremony.
Four current students at the school – Amy Boughton, Kye Boughton, Hayley Robertson and Caleb Jenkins – are direct descendants of Lt Bruce.
They were given the honours of joining Cessnock MP Clayton Barr to unveil the plaque.
Mr Barr said it was an important occasion that reinforced the importance of remembering those who have served our country.
“If indeed we are going to say ‘lest we forget’, then we need to have days like this,” he said.
School principal Merilyn Burton said learning about the pillars’ centenary has made the students more aware of their significance.
“They have much more of an understanding,” she said.
In conjunction with Coalfields Heritage Group, the school has researched each of the names listed on the pillars, and has compiled a book detailing each person.
Their research also discovered the extra 14 names that were missing from the original pillars.
Ms Burton said the school hopes to unveil a plaque carrying these names at its Anzac Day ceremony in 2018.
