Just over a year ago, I was contacted by historian, Maureen Roberts to ask if I could take a photograph of a headstone (if there was one) in the Kalgoorlie Cemetery. She had been researching the family of Hubert Lawrence and found he died in Kalgoorlie in 1970.
When I visited the cemetery I found the following memorial on his grave. His wife wife Ruth and his infant son are also buried here.
Grave of Hubert and Ruth Lawrence, Kalgoorlie Cemetery
Maureen was able to tell me that Hubert or Hugo as he was known was an Indigenous Gallipoli Veteran in the 10th Light Horse and had a distinguished war service record.
He was born in York and was was working as a farm hand when he joined up to defend his country at the age of 18yrs. He gave his fathers name as next of kin, Aubrey M Lawrence of Merredin, his mothers name was Martha. On the 14th June 1917 he was enlisted to the 10th Light Horse Regiment, 32nd Reinforcement which embarked from Fremantle on the 9th Nov 1917. He returned to Australia on the 10th July 1919.
He is also mentioned on the Canberra War Museum site and he is the nephew of the well know Dickerson Brothers one of whom, James Dickerson, made the supreme sacrifice.
This photograph from the Canberra War Museum shows Hugh Lawrence/Laurence with two of his uncles, Harry Dickerson and James William King. As you will see from the above article, Harry Dickerson was also an Indigenous soldier and James King was married to an aboriginal woman, Fanny Eliza (Eliza Bella) Skelton.
Both Outback Family History and Maureen Roberts feel strongly that Hugh’s war service should be recognised on his grave. To this end, we first contacted councillor Mandy Reidy (Councillor with the City of Kalgoorlie Boulder) who tabled our request at a council meeting. We also contacted The Hon Dave Grills, MLC Member for Mining and Pastoral Regions, who has been involved in war service plaques for other servicemen. He has been of great assistance, offering advice and giving his expertise. He is also a member of the 10th Light Horse Regiment.
We obtained a quote from the Kalgoorlie Monumental Works to do some restoration work on Hugh’s existing grave and for a plaque and plinth. The following is the example of how it will look.
Proposed Plaque
Maureen was able to locate a relative of Hugo’s, Keith Walter Harwood, who is his Great Nephew. Keith has kindly give us permission to proceed with this memorial for his Great Uncle.
To enable us to proceed we need to raise $1800 which was the cost of the restoration and the plaque. We approached the City of Kalgoorlie Boulder and asked if they would assist us in recognising this local Indigenous Gallipoli Veteran. The CEO, John Walker, said he would be happy to be a part of this project. We have now ordered the work to be commenced and we propose that a service be held at the grave of Hugh Lawrence on the next Anzac Day.
We will be asking a local Noongar aboriginal elder to do a ‘welcome to country’ and we will also invite Joe Francis, Minister for Veterans Affairs WA, Peter Collier Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and local RSL members and 10th LHR representatives. Maureen Roberts will be advising us on any other requirement that will be needed to make this occasion fitting and respectful.
Should anyone know of any other relatives of Hugh Lawrence that would like to be informed do contact me. Everyone will be welcome to the ceremony.
Moya Sharp
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Moya. A fantastic result. Question: You mention that the welcome to country will be given by a local member a Noongar. Are the local tribal groups Noonars? Wonga? What were king, Dickenson and Lawrence?
Hi Barrie Im afraid I dont know as yet, someone else is organising everything at that end for me.
Yaama Moya,
My name is Michael Bell Indigenous Liaison Officer with the Australian War Memorial, congratulations on you work. have been in contact with Uncle John Schnaars, Honouring Indigenous War graves Incorporated? Uncele and his organization may be able to assist. they can be found at the following link,
http://www.hiwg2005.websyte.com.au/
hope this helps
Yaluu
Michael
Hi Michael, Thank for getting in touch. I originally started this project with a lady called Maureen Roberts who drew my attention to the grave of this soldier. She know Mr Schnaars and the work he has been doing but she said that he has recently had his funding withdrawn from the Lotteries commission. I did contact him via his web site and he did photo me but I haven’t as yet been able to reach him by return call as yet. We were able to raise the fund to both repair the grave (which was damaged by a tree) and to have a plaque made for him. We were assisted by a local politician, Dave Grills who is with the 10th Light horse. We are now at the stage of planning some sort of ceremony and we though it would be appropriate to hold it in NADOC week. I am not aboriginal so I am not sure of the correct type of ceremony to hold. I have been given the number of a local elder who may be able to help me with this.