A framed collection of their photographs was donated by Mrs. J.B. Richardson. These were unveiled in a special ceremony at the school on the 17th October 1921. Also in 1921 an Avenue of Honour of gum trees was planted by schoolchildren and residents, along both sides of the Boorahaman road in front of the school. I do not know the exact date most of these trees remain. When the school was closed in 1949, local residents were invited to remove what ever they fancied, so Mr W.B. Richardson chose the two above mentioned items. After the death of both parents - last one in 1977 - Clarice Tobias and her Husband Jim took care of the shield and the photo`s. During 2002 the photo`s were presented to Wangaratta R.S.L. Sub/Branch,Timber frame with ornate edging containing 12 oval framed photographs of men in uniform with writing above and below. At top - State School No 1962 Roll of Honour Below - August 1914 - June 1916 The following soldiers are depicted from top left to right: Pte S Grossman, Pte S Plum, Pte W Byrne, Pte C Smith, Pte B Cummins, Pte H Perkins, Pte F Perkins, Pte A Perkins, Pte A C McDonald, Pte F Vonarx, Pte T Frasca, Pte G Richardson (centre)frasca, francis john vonarx 1981, william thomas byrne 5692, stanley w grossman, alexander mcdonald, richard cummins, sydney plum, leslie richardson, john claude smith, albert perkins, harry perkins, frederick perkins

1.Photocopy of letter dated 24/12/1914 handwritten by William Thomas Byrne of Docker's Plain whilst at training camp - 3rd light horse brigade train - to his sister. 2.Photocopy of brief summary of W.T.Byrne's life to when he was discharged in 1918 - photocopied from Docker Plains School Honor Book William Thomas BYRNE was born on 21/9/1890 at Docker Plains to William and Johanna Byrne. He was educated at Docker Plains and Wangaratta State schools. A farmer when he enlisted on 13/10/1914. He trained at Broadmeadows and embarked on Hororata on 17/4/1915. He served with the 3rd Light Horse and 12th and/or 27th ASC - Army Service Corps as a Driver. Newspaper article dated 7/11/2003 states letter was found inside second hand book and the writer of the letter identified as the uncle of local Wangaratta resident and historian Bill O'Callaghan. The letter written prior to embarking overseas was addressed to Mrs Connell Ford Street Wangaratta but intended for his sister Nora, a Nun at Brigidine Convent, Albert Park. Photocopy of handwritten letter and life history summary in black ink on white paper 3rd Light Horse Brigade train 24/12/14william thomas byrne 5692, docker's plains

North Wangaratta State School 2391 was opened in May 1881 and closed October 26 1969. Today a plaque commemorates the site of the old school in Eldorado Road North Wangaratta. The Honour Board preserves the names of past students who enlisted to serve their country during the First World War and commemorates those who lost their lives. In 1965 after being stored in a woodshed for two years the Honour Board was put on display at The Eldorado Memorial Hall. The Eldorado Memorial Hall Committee became Trustees of the Honour Board and 1992 approved its transfer to the Vine Hotel Museum for public display. In 1996 at a meeting held on February 7, the Wangaratta North State School No 2391 Memorial Committee moved a motion that all memorabilia pertinent to the Wangaratta North State School be displayed at the Vine Hotel Museum under the guardianship of trustees appointed by the Wangaratta North State School Memorial Committee. In 2005 The North Wangaratta State School Trustees donated the Honour Board along with two photographs of WW1 soldiers to the Wangaratta RSL for safe keeping and display to the public. Students who enlisted include:- Private (Shoeing Smith) John BLAIKIE 2341 who was born at Wangaratta. He was a Blacksmith and at the age of 42 enlisted on May 28 1915. He embarked on August 10 1915 and served with the 14th Battalion. He returned to Australia in January 1918 and discharged medically unfit on April 10 1918. 5692 Private William Thomas BYRNE was born on 21/9/1890 at Docker Plains. He was educated at Docker Plains and Wangaratta State schools. A farmer when he enlisted on 13/10/1914. He trained at Broadmeadows and embarked on Hororata on 17/4/1915. He served with the 3rd Light Horse and 12th and/or 27th ASC - Army Service Corps as a Driver. 5347 Private Cyril BUCKLER, 14th Battalion. A postman from Wangaratta, Victoria, prior to enlistment on 16 February 1916 he embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Euripides on 4 April 1916 for Egypt. His unit relocated to the Western Front, France, in June 1916. Pte Buckler was killed in action near Pozieres, France, on 7 August 1916. He has no known grave and he is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial 3451A Private Sydney Spencer PLUM 1st Pioneer Battalion A.I.F, Born January 3rd 1894 at Dockers Plains. He was educated at North Wangaratta and Docker's Plains State School. He was a blacksmith when he enlisted June 12th 1915. He was trained at Flemington Racecourse and embarked on SS "Nestor" October 11th 1915. He fought in battles; Peronne, Cambrai, Somme. Being wounded 3 times. He embarked for home per SS "Orontes"; disembarked January 28th 1919 and he was discharged March 16th 1919. He died on July 25 1958. 483 Private Percy Albert TIPPETT served with the 6th Battalion AIF and was wounded on the 25/4/15 during the initial landing at Gallipoli and later died on 28/4/1915. 1981 Private Francis John VONARX Enlisted at Wangaratta on 15/6/1915 aged 33 years and embarked on 26/8/1915. Served with the 23rd Infantry Battalion and 2nd Machine Gun Battalion. Returned to Australia on 8/4/1919 On 13/4/2024 the Honour Board was deaccessioned from the RSL collection for permanent display at North Wangaratta CFA Brigade.Honour Board listing the 52 names of North Wangaratta State School students who enlisted to serve their country during the First World War and commemorates those who lost their lives. Large solid timber Honour Board with two carved minature cannons on top and above side columns."North Wangaratta State School/Roll of Honour/The Great War 1914 to 1919" 52 names in gold paint.north wangaratta state school 2391, honour board ww1