The Forgotten Diggers are working on a project to place headstones on the unmarked graves of a number of World War I Diggers who returned to Australia after the war only to die and be buried in unmarked graves.
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Many of the returned Diggers found difficulty adapting to the peacetime world with many dying from their war injuries.
Many of them were honoured for their service with a grave and headstone provided by the government.
Many however were not so fortunate with a significant number buried in an unmarked, long forgotten graves.
Forgotten Diggers was formed by John N Thomas the President of the 45th Infantry Battalion Association.
The aim of the organisation is to identify those World War 1 Diggers who for whatever reason either did not either qualify for or whose families did not apply for a Commonwealth funded memorial and, as a result are lying in unmarked graves.
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Once the circumstances of their situation is established, the aim is to provide a headstone with a bronze plaque to commemorate and acknowledge their service to Australia, either through the Commonwealth or through other means.
These memorials will be funded through donations by the public, commercial sponsors, benefactors, philanthropists and where available government or private sector grants.
Much of the administration will be done on a largely volunteer basis thereby ensuring that the lion's share of funding can be applied to providing as many memorials as possible while minimising the administration overhead.
The group is now looking to discover any family members of these Diggers buried in Glen Innes and surrounding areas to appraise them of this project.
Graham Archibald and historical society researchers have carried out some preliminary research and below are the local names and where they are buried, but without a headstone.
**Please contact museum@gleninneshistory.com.au or ring 6732 1035 if you can help.
Forgotten Diggers
Hercules Albert BLANCH Anglican, Section H, Plot 269. Born Uralla, Service # 33672 Enlisted Warwick QLD : NOK Mother Olive Blanch, Texas Q
Ernest J. BLYTON Presbyterian Section B, Plot 145. # 2275 Born Cooma NSW :Enlisted Nimmitabel NSW : NOK Father William Charles Blyton
James BROWN Catholic, Section A, 132. # 1298 : Born Glen Innes : Enlisted Newcastle : NOK Father Brown James, Swan Peak, Elsmore
John Joseph BYRNE Roman Catholic, Section A, Plot 144. # 6706 : Born Tubbamurra : Enlisted Sydney : NOK Mother Annie Byrne, Tubbamurra
Donald CAMERON Presbyterian, Section A, Grave 339. #607 : Born Glen Innes : Enlisted Liverpool: NOK Mother J Cameron Glen Innes
James CAMPBELL Presbyterian, Section D, Plot 355. # 86631 : Born St George QLD : Enlisted Glen Innes : NOK Father James Campbell, Stonehenge
Edward James CLIBBORN Presbyterian Section D, Plot 274. # 1902B : Born Glen Innes NSW : Enlisted Liverpool : NOK Mother Jessie Clibborn, Torrington St Glen Innes
Patrick John Coyle Catholic Section C plot 94. #1188 : Born Wallabadah NSW : Enlisted Narrabri : NOK Father John Coyle
Edwin Arthur DONNELLY Roman Catholic, Section D, Plot 92 # 72088/N90555 : Born Glen Innes : Enlisted Glen Innes NSW : NOK Father James Donnelly, Sunny Hills Glen Innes
Arthur KNAUF Anglican, Section C, Plot 269 # 2013 : Born Boggabilla : Enlisted - Armidale : Next of Kin - (Brother) John Henry Knauf, Furracabad
Charles James MCCARTHY Roman Catholic, Section F, Plot 225 * This may be a grandson of Mrs Mary Corbett pioneer of Grahams Valley; Father of Tim, Tom, Charles and Mrs Hanley of Ben Lomond [ From Obituary 30 January, 1952 Glen Innes Examiner.]
Thomas William SHINER Catholic, Section C, Plot 119 # 94374 : Born Sydney: Enlisted Sydney NSW : Next of Kin - Wife Amy Rebecca SHINER Stonehenge
William Henry Ernest SKINNER Anglican, Section D, Plot 180 # 2661 : Born - Hillgrove : Enlisted - Liverpool NSW : NOK- Father James Skinner, Bracken St Hillgrove.
Arthur Samuel WATTS Catholic, Section F, Plot 77. # 1185 : Born- Glen Innes : Enlisted - Armidale : NOK- Father Samuel WATTS, Edward Street Glen Innes