Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

A fenced park area, with dedication plaques and a decorative entrance gate.

Plaque 1
To recall the heroic sacrifice of a former sister of this hospital SFX10594 Major Irene Melville Drummond one of 21 Australian Army nurses massacred by the Japanese Army at Bangka Island on Feb. 16th 1942

This park is fondly dedicated

Lest We Forget

Plaque 2
Sister Irene Melville Drummond

This park celebrates the memory of Sister Irene Melville Drummond, a nursing sister who worked at the Broken Hill and District Hospital before joining the Australian Regular Army in October 1940.

Irene was on of 21 nurses massacred by Japanese soldiers on the island of Bangka on 16th February 1942, after the ship evacuating them from Singapore was bombed and sank. Irene was Mentioned in Dispatches for distinguished services and posthumously promoted from the rank of Major to Lieutenant Colonel.

Due to her past dedication to the nursing professions and the care of the Broken Hill people, especially children, the loss of Irene Drummond was felt deeply by the local community.

On 9th October 1949 this park was consecrated to her memory. The plaque on the left gate column as you enter the park commemorates this event.

The present memorial park was redesigned as part of the redevelopment of the new health facility and reopened with a blessing on 9th October 1999 - the 50th anniversary of the original consecration.

This park serves to remind us all of the tragedies of war and the sacrifice of those who give their lives in the service of others.

Plaque 3
Australian Commonwealth Military Forces

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