Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Gary Mitchell the Sandgate Cemetery

It was the spring of 1995 when I first visited Sandgate Cemetery after a trip around the Hunter Valley to take photos of War Memorials.
I was hoping to find names inscribed on headstones of those who served during The Great War.
One headstone changed my direction in research, and set me on a path to honour those who served for King and Country that I pursue to this day.
104 years ago today, at 4.30.am on the 7th August 1915, the charge, the battle, the massacre at The Nek took place on the Gallipoli Peninsula, when 4 waves of 150 men (8th, 9th, 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment) were ordered to “hop the bags” and attack Turkish trenches just 27 metres away. By the time commanders realised the futility of the mission three waves had gone over the top in just 15 minutes and the entire fire ground was covered with dead and dying Australians.
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/ART07965/
2 fallen Heroes are memorialised at Sandgate Cemetery.
Brothers Albert Lacey Evans (born 1892, age 23) and Alexander George Evans (born 1888, age 27), troopers with the 8th Australian Light Horse Regiment "C" Squadron, graziers from Woodglen, via Lindenow, Victoria, born at Lindenow, Victoria, both fell, probably side by side, charging Turkish bullets and machine gun fire.
http://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1723228/
http://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1723221/
They enlisted together on the 14th September 1914 at Bairnsdale, Victoria, the sons of John (died?) and Louisa Mary Evans nee Jennings (died 1920), and sometime after The Great War Louisa relocated to be with her daughter residing at 26 Moolcha Street, Mayfield, New South Wales.
Louisa’s headstone inscription tells us that her 2 sons fell at Gallipoli on the 7th August 1915, United. ANGLICAN 1-74. 23.
http://sandgate.northerncemeteries.com.au/index.php/war-heroes/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&aso=exact&s_f=id&data_search=410139#2
I found it quite unbelievable that 2 young men from a small farming and grazing area of Victoria, who fell during a massacre committed during The Great War, were remembered at Sandgate Cemetery, N.S.W.
Their names have also been inscribed at the Lone Pine Memorial (Panel 6), Gallipoli, Turkey.
Their supreme sacrifice is also etched on the Lindenow Roll of Honour.
Awaiting memorialisation at Sandgate Cemetery is Trooper Mark Reed, 1st Australian Light Horse Regiment, miner from First Street, Weston, New South Wales, who fell on the 7th August 1915 at the Battle of Dead Man’s Ridge, age 21.
http://www.lighthorse.org.au/the-battle-of-dead-mans-ridge/
Born at Tighes Hill, New South Wales on the 15th August 1892 to George (died 1947) and Charlotte Elizabeth (Lottie, died 1945) Reed of 4 Francis Street, Tighes Hill, New South Wales, Mark enlisted August 1914 at Sydney, N.S.W.
Unfortunately, there is no memorial inscription on his parent’s headstone to express their loss, so I have placed poppies in remembrance of his service and supreme sacrifice 104 years ago. METHODIST 4-17. 58.
http://sandgate.northerncemeteries.com.au/index.php/war-heroes/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&aso=exact&s_f=id&data_search=409931#2
Mark’s name has been inscribed on the Lone Pine Memorial (Panel 2), Gallipoli, Turkey.
Mark’s name has also been inscribed on the Mayfield Public School Honour Roll, Tighes Hill Methodist Church Roll of Honour, Book of Gold, Cessnock War Memorial, Kurri Kurri War Memorial (photo, unveiled 1994) and probably inscribed on the Weston Methodist Church Roll of Honour.
I eagerly await portrait photos of these 3 Heroes of The Great War.
Lest We Forget.