Arabic version: نصب كوجونوب التذكاري يضيف أسماء 14 جندياً منسيّاً

According to ABC News, Kojonup has added the names of 14 servicemen to its war memorial, decades after their deaths, during commemorations marking the 100th anniversary of Kojonup Memorial Hall.

The historic farming town, 260 kilometres south of Perth, gathered to remember people from Kojonup who died in World War I and World War II. Built in 1926 with local community funds, the hall and memorial originally honoured those lost in World War I. Two new plaques, carrying seven names each, have now been added to the honour roll.

Local historian Robert Sexton helped identify the men whose names had not appeared on the marble memorial plaques. He said poor communications during 1914 to 1918 may have contributed to omissions when families had left the district. Mr Sexton said Kojonup lost a total of 70 people in the two world wars, and that the losses remained deeply felt by descendants still living in the community.

About 150 people attended the commemoration, where the Last Post was played. Shire president Roger Bilney said the event was intended to establish the true numbers close to the hall’s anniversary date. He said many of the newly recognised servicemen were killed in action and had no known burials, making the memorial a place where they could be remembered.

Arnold Bilney, 99, a former shire president who has lived in Kojonup all his life, attended the anniversary gathering. He said it was important for people to remember what had happened in the town, adding: “I think your future is controlled by your past.”