Historical information

The original South Wangaratta Primary School served the district for over 110 years and closed in December 1985 before moving to new premises. When the school closed in 1989 and with the demise of the South Wangaratta Hall due to flooding in the 1990's the Honour Board was wrapped in a blanket and stored in a shed for the best part of 10 years before being donated to the Wangaratta RSL for safekeeping and permanent display
These listed men were either born, worked or enlisted at Wangaratta prior to serving their country in the First World War.
Private William John LAW 1221 - 19 years - Born Murchison in Victoria. Occupation Carpenter Next of Kin - Father John Wilson LAW of Wangaratta
Joined 2-3-1916 Enlisted at Wangaratta Unit 37th Battalion. Embarked Melbourne 3-6-1916 HMAT Persic A34 Discharged 21-9-1919.
Private Joseph Henry LAW 986 - 21 years Born Euroa in Victoria Occupation Labourer Next of Kin - Mother Mrs Robert (Esther) LAW of Yatte Yattah - 18 NSW
Joined 29-3-1915 Enlisted at Wangaratta Unit 24th Battalion. Embarked Melbourne 10-5-1915 HMAT Euripidies A14 Killed in Action 29-7-1916 France.
Private Norman William FOSTER 7785 -18 1/2 years - Born Wangaratta Occupation Labourer Next of Kin - Sister Mrs William (Florence) McLean of Wangaratta
Joined 15-7-1915 Enlisted at Melbourne Unit 54th Battalion Killed in Action 1-9-1918 France
Private James Archibald McCORMICK 3195 - 19 years Born Wangaratta Occupation Engineer Next of Kin Father Samuel McCormick
Enlisted Melbourne 27-7-1915 Embarked 26/11/1915 Unit 24th Battalion Killed in Action 5-8-1916 France
Private Roland Caractacus HUGHES 3134(3131) - 20 years 5 months Born Wangaratta Occupation Blacksmith Next of Kin Father Roland W Hughes
Joined 21-10-1915 Enlisted at Seymour 7th REIN 24th Battalion Embarked 26-11-1915 Wounded - GSW Leg and thigh RTA Discharged 11-10-1917
Private James Kelly O'CALLAGHAN 1250 - 22 years Born Mansfield Occupation Labourer Next of Kin Father John O'Callaghan Swanpool via Benalla
Joined 6-3-1916 Enlisted at Wangaratta 37th/59th Battalions Embarked 3-6-1916 Wounded GSW Face and arm. RTA 30-1-1918 Discharged 2-7-1918
Private Samuel William DAVISON 6793 - 22 years 5 months Born Benalla Occupation Baker - Employer A Watson of Wangaratta Next of Kin Mother Mrs Ellen Tutty of South Wangaratta Enlisted Melbourne 3-1-1917 21/24th Battalions Embarked 11-5-1917 Wounded 9-8-1918 GSW Arm RTA 16-4-1920 (with wife) Discharged 26-7-1920
Private William Leslie HUNTER (Depot) 18 years 2 months Born Yan Yean Occupation Farmer/Labourer Next of Kin Father William James Hunter of Wangaratta
Joined 18-2-1916 Enlisted Wangaratta 3-4-1916 Discharged at Seymour on 26-5-1916 Medically Unfit due to Diabetes

Significance

The honour board was made by John Wilson LAW and presented to the South Wangaratta School and District to honour the men who served in the First World War. John Wilson LAW was the father of two those who served.

Physical description

Timber Honour Board containing 48 names within two side columns

Inscriptions & markings

Top "School & District/Roll of Honour/South Wangaratta/For King & Country"
Bottom 'The Great War/Presented by JW LAW. ESQ./1914 to 1919"