The Twofold Bay Magnet : and South Coast and Southern Monaro Advertiser
8 Jan 1917
Notes--Wise and Otherwise
* The idea of holding a woodchop and ball at Eden in March, proceeds to be devoted to a Soldiers' Memorial, is an excellent one, and the object in view should secure the support of all those who wish to show appreciation of what our brave soldiers have done in this struggle. The memorial should record the names of soldiers enlisting from centres like Nethercote,
Kiah, Towamba, Pericoe, etc.

The Southern Record and Advertiser
5 May 1917
Snips and Scraps.
* Pte, T. Laing, of Towamba, was killed in action on April 9. Pte. Osborne Rixon, of Rocky Hall, has also been killed in action.

The Southern Record and Advertiser
12 Jun 1920
Imlay Shire Council.
* The L Gr. Department wrote that the War Memorials Board did not approve of the design submitted by the Towamba Soldiers9 Memorial Committee, as the proportions and outlines of the obelisk and bases were not satisfactory. Decided to forward a copy of the letter to the committee.

The Southern Record and Advertiser (Candelo, NSW : 1910 - 1938)
11 Sept 1920
Imlay Shire Council.
* The Towamba Soldiers' Memorial Committee wrote stating that to construct the monument of the design submitted by the War Memorial Board would require about twice the funds at the disposal of the Committee, and asking the Council to urge the Board to allow the local Committee to revert to their original design, or a slight modification of same. Council agreed to urge that the local Committee's view be acceded to.

September 11, 1920
'The Bega Budget'
* The Towamba people have decided to erect a monument in memory of their fallen soldiers.

September 11, 1920
'The Southern Record and Advertiser'
* The Towamba Soldiers' Memorial Committee wrote stating that to construct the monument of the design submitted by the War Memorial Board would require about twice the funds at the disposal of the Committee, and asking the Council to urge the Board to allow the local Committee to revert to their original design, or a slight modification of same. Council agreed to urge that the local Committee's view be acceded to.

Pambula Voice - Friday 27 November, 1925
Unveiling of Towamba Soldiers' Memorial (excerpt)
* Saturday last, November 21, will live long in the memory of Towamba residents. One, if not the largest gatherings in Towamba, assembled at that village on Saturday last to witness the unveiling of the monument in memory of the men from the district who volunteered for service in the great war, a number of whom left their homes never more to return. At 3 pm Councillor J.W. Dickie, president of Imlay Shire, took the platform erected around the memorial, and explained their object in meeting that day. The National Anthem was then sung by the crowd present. Councillor Dickie then in a well chosen speech, introduced Senator Colonel Cox and referred to the kindly service of the Colonel in making the trip to Towamba to unveil the memorial.
*Mr W. Beasley thanked the General for coming there to unveil the Memorial, on behalf of the parents of the fallen. They were grateful to him, and he had shown himself to be a soldier and a man.
Senator Cox said he deeply appreciated their thanks. It was a fine thing for people in such an out of the way place to ask him to come, and it was always a pleasure for him to do so. The mothers and fathers of the men had a right to see the men who had led them and given them orders. He was proud of them, and of their parents. The Australian soldier was the bravest thing God had ever let live, and he was proud of the name they had made. It was the young people who would reap the benefit. Councillor Dickie had told him they needed a little more money. They all got that way at times. He appealed to them to wipe out the debt of £40, and he understood that some of them were millionaires.

November 28, 1925
'The Southern Record and Advertiser'
* Towamba had a big day on Saturday, the occasion being the unveiling of a soldiers' memorial there by Senator Cox. The memorial is a polished granite monument, erected by Messrs Ziegler & Sons, and is inscribed with about forty names of men who served in the great war, six of whom, made the supreme sacrifice. The total cost of the memorial was £168, on which there was a debt of £40. This was reduced by £27/13 at the unveiling. Senator Cox also presented war medals to the parents and relatives of the fallen.

Eden Magnet - Saturday 28 November, 1925
Towamba Soldiers'Memorial Unveiled
An event of some note in the history of Towamba took place last Saturday, November 21, when Senator General C.F. Cox, in the presence of a large gathering of residents of Towamba and surrounding districts, unveiled the memorial erected to the memory of soldiers from that neighbourhood, who, to the last eligible man, responded to the call to arms in the Great War. The attendance included visitors from Eden, Merimbula and Bega. The afternoon - following an unpropitious morning was beautifully fine, the glorious sunshine enhancing the ever present beauty of the locality to a degree that furnished an appropriated setting for a ceremony designed to commemorate in time of peace the service and sacri8fice of Towamba's sons in time of war.
The memorial is a beautifully finished obelisk of grey granite, shaped by the master hand of Mr. J.F. Zeigler, the well known Bega sculptor. It is very finely place, being erected in the middle of the main street and in a commanding position from which many be seen to advantage the picturesque valley of Towamba and adjacent countryside through which the river flows. The monument bears the inscription 'This memorial was erected by the residents of Towamba and district in honor of the men who served and enlisted in the Great War 1914-1918'. It also has the names of the men who returned, those who made the supreme sacrifice and others who enlisted for active service abroad. Miss Edna Beasley, daughter of the late Pte. E.J. BEASLEY, was introduced to the General as the only child of a fallen soldier in Imlay Shire. Photographs of the scene were taken by Mr. W.T. Hall (Eden) after which presentations were made by the General of medals for the parents of fallen soldiers, the recipients in attendance being Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Beasley, Mr. Allan Laing, Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Ryan, Mr. and Mrs. G. Young and Mr. and Mrs. R.H. Johnston, who were not present, will receive theirs later. The chairman stated that the cost of the memorial was £168, of which a sum of about £40 remained to be raised. An appeal made by General Cox for contributions met with a generous response, and donations making up the greater part of the amount required were received. Visitors were subsequently entertained at afternoon tea in Towamba hall by the ladies of the town and district, for whose lavish hospitality Senator General Cox pleasingly expressed his own and the popular appreciation.

Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales
Fri 22 Feb 1963 [Issue No.16]
NOTICE APPOINTING TRUSTEES UNDER THE PUBLIC TRUSTS ACT, 1897.-PROCLAMATION
Reserve No. 9,572 at Towamba, parish of Towamba, county of Auckland, notified 31st August, 1889, for Public Recreation:-Roy George Love, Max Henry Sawers and Darcy Elwin Parker (in the places of B. D. Beasley, retired, and G. B. Beasley and J. C. Love, deceased). Pks. 61-4501. (8206)

Opening of the Towamba War Memorial, 21 November 1925 on its original site opposite St.Pauls Church of England.

Opening ceremony of the Towamba War Memorial. 1925 Courtesy Dickie family.

'The Bombala Times'
December 4 , 1925
* The soldiers' memorial which was unveiled at Towamba last week was erected by Messrs. Zeigler and Sons, of Bega. It was made of polished granite, and was said by those who saw it to be a fine piece of work.

Sydney Mail
Feb 1937
Towamba, South Coast, New South Wales
There are places that hold a magic charm for the wayfarer, sights he remembers wherever he may be. To some Iona or the Orkneys may be a dream paradise; to some the Cotswolds or Killarney; but to me peace dwells nearer home. What can he more wonderful than to wander slowly through gullies and mountains, rocky -bottomed creeks, slowly flowing streams lined in parts with drooping willows - Nature unmarred by man's axe? Such to me is the beautiful Towamba district, in the southeast corner of New South Wales. Though it has been said that the old pioneer spirit is dying out, one has only to visit this district to realise the contrary. Rough roads and many creeks with few bridges deter the ordinary tourist from visiting these out-of-the-way places, but a few miles of bumps would be more than repaid by wonderful scenery, a delightfully clear atmosphere, and the pleasure of meeting people who live simply and extend their hospitality to all.
The curse of the land is rabbits, which have driven some settlers away. Where, however, they have not been allowed to gain control man is able to live moderately well. The visitor is delighted with the magnificent view to be had from each hill top. One of the most delightful scenes I know is that from Towamba War Memorial - a simple granite obelisk standing on a height above the river. Hills rise on all sides, with a steep volcanic mountain in the middle background. The soil is red for the most part - a beautiful harmony of colours - red, green, blue, the silver of water in the sunshine-, and the grey-white sand of the river bed. It is such scenes as this that one never forgets.
Perhaps it is the spirit of my Scottish ancestors which makes me love highlands, but, whether it is or not, they have some magic charm which the beauties of the coast can never steal away from them. - 'Canmore.' . ,

2025

On Saturday 22nd November, 2025, Towamba residents celebrated 125 years of the opening and dedication of the Towamba War Memorial. Over 100 locals and visitors assembled in front of the Memorial as locals marched from the Towamba Community Church to the memorial at the sports ground. The march was led by the Catafalque Party which consisted of four members of an armed guard. Upon reaching the memorial, each guard member stands at each corner of the memorial facing outward, head bowed and their arms (weapons) reversed, approximately one meter from the memorial, as a symbol of respect for those who fought and gave their lives for their country.
Two relatives of those who fought in WW1 and WW11 spoke to the crowd relating memories passed down through their families.
Appreciation for the success of the day goes to Mr. Phil Hall, the late Allan Browning and the Merimbula RSL Sub Branch for their invaluable organization, support and financial assistance. It was a day in the history of Towamba which all residents should be proud.

Marching from the Community Church to the Towamba Memorial Sports Ground	The Catafalque Party leading the march.
Dedication Ceremony

INSCRIPTIONS ON WAR MEMORIALS, TOWAMBA

Inscription on WW1 memorial

THIS MEMORIAL WAS ERECTED BY
THE RESIDENTS OF TOWAMBA
AND DISTRICT IN HONOUR
OF THE MEN WHO SERVED
AND ENLISTED IN
THE GREAT WAR 1914-1919

VDC march Towamba. No date. Courtesy G. Beasley

WORLD WAR 11 Inscription on gate posts. THIS MEMORIAL WAS ERECTED BY THE RESIDENTS OF TOWAMBA AND DISTRICT IN HONOUR OF THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED AND ENLISTED IN WORLD WAR 11 1939 - 1945

TOWAMBA WW11 MEMORIAL GATE POST. Lefthand side. Photo K. Clery		TOWAMBA WW11 MEMORIAL GATE POST. Righthand side. Photo K. Clery

WW1 Commemorative plaque at Towamba Primary School	WW1 Commemorative Avenue of Trees

This legend refers to the information below supplied by Bernie Cornell.

WAR MEMORIALS AT: BURRAGATE 1919, WYNDHAM 1922, TOWAMBA 1925
LEGEND: P = PLOT, R = ROW, No. = NUMBER OF GRAVE.
V. B. = VILLERS BRETONNEUX
MENIN GATE = RECORDS NAMES OF SOLDIERS MISSING IN BELGIUM.
V.B. MEMORIAL = RECORDS NAMES OF THOSE MISSING IN FRANCE.
TOTAL = 18,450 AUSTRALIANS
V.C. CORNER = A MASS GRAVE OF REMAINS RECOVERED AT FROMELLES AT WAR'S END.

Anzac Day c 1950-57 Photo courtesy Don Mills		Don Mills (teacher) and Towamba Public School pupils on ANZAC Day. c 1950-57 Photo courtesy Don Mills

Please note that this plaque is on the back of the Wyndham Soldiers War Memorial in Wyndham.

Back Middle Plaque

THESE ALSO SERVED 1939 - 1945

BATTILANA J.
MORTON G.
FARRELL L.
RYAN A.
KEWIN A.
UMBACK F. F.
MORTON D.
UMBACK K. V.

Left Hand Side Bottom Plaque

FOR KING & EMPIRE
[Crossed Australian & British Flags]
1914 - THE GREAT WAR - 1919
ERECTED BY
THE RESIDENTS OF BURRAGATE

HONOUR ROLL

ROBERT SAWERS x
ARTHUR P. SAWERS
CLIFFORD S. C. SAWERS
HENRY P. SAWERS
WILLIAM J. L. ROBINSON x
FREDERICK W. LINDWALL

"GOD SAVE THE KING."

x - Killed

Please note that this plaque is on the back of the Wyndham Soldiers War Memorial in Wyndham

Back Middle Plaque
These also served 1939-1945

BRAY H. C.
FARRELL S. W.
FLEMING A.W.
FLEMING H. J.
FLEMING J. H.
FLEMING V. W.
FLEMING W. J.
McKAY C.
RIXON L.
WHIPP G.
WHITBY E. R. J.
WHITBY G. W.
WHITBY K.
WHITBY M. L.

FLAGPOLE INSCRIPTION
(Adjacent to War Memorial)
Erected To The Memory Of
FRED UMBACK
Loved Postmaster Of Wyndham
From 1960-1983