Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From the intersection of Wee Waa Street (Narrabri Road) and Grantham Street (Gunnedah Road), turn west into Grantham Street, pass the hospital, then follow the zig-zag across the bridge over the railway line. Take the first street right (Walton Street) and then the first left (Caxton Street West).

Boggabri General Cemetery is located on a gentle slope on the outskirts of the town. It contains inscriptions dating from 1876 and the graves of many of the pioneers of Boggabri. There are only a few old sandstone monuments and several of these have fallen and broken, possibly the results of vandalism at some time. Unfortunately, no attempt has been made to restore or remount them.

Most of the monuments and tablets are of marble and granite with very few of the modern brass plaques popular in adjoining areas. The inscriptions are generally in good condition and legible. The portions and rows are marked but there are areas in the older parts of the Anglican and Catholic portions where the lack of grave alignment makes rows difficult to determine.

The grounds are in good condition with the grass mown and weeds reasonably well controlled. The cemetery is virtually devoid of trees and therefore shade. There is ample parking space but a parking area has not been defined and the internal roadways are unsealed. A small toilet block has been provided near the cemetery entrance.

The simple post and wire fence which surrounds the site is punctuated in two places by iron gates. One set of these gates features ornate sandstone gateposts. There is little evidence of any landscaping or remnant plantings at the cemetery and generally the site is barren. Monuments evident include a comprehensive coverage of most styles used in the area from the 1880s until the present. A number of examples display a high standard of craftsmanship.

Of particular note is a monument to Edward and Will iam Conway (1886), which is an elegant sandstone stele with copious floral embellishments in high relief.

The cemetery also contains almost unusual iron Etna monument which features a central cast plaque and outer rim, infilled with an open lattice of cast floral motifs. The outstanding feature of the cemetery is a rich array of ironwork including some outstanding cast iron examples, one featuring a very complex floral design. Other interesting surrounds present include stone and wooden examples. Building Material: Sandstone, iron Etna monuments, stone, timber.

The cemetery is administered and maintained by the Narrabri Shire Council. Contact Council at PO Box 261, Narrabri NSW 2390; phone: 02 6799 6866; email: council@narrabri.nsw.gov.au.

Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan.   15 September 2014. Lest we forget.