When Angus McDonald, one of Wandong’s earliest residents lamented the lack of any acknowledgement or memorial to Wandong’s servicemen in 1921, he could hardly have imagined it would take another 95 years for a memorial to finally be built.

Thanks to the efforts of band of local residents a Memorial Committee was formed, funds were found and in 2015 a magnificent digi-glass memorial was constructed in the Bushfire Memorial Park at Wandong.

The memorial was unveiled and dedicated by Victoria’s Governor General, Alex Chernov with dignitaries, local Council, past and present veterans and RSL members in attendance. Representatives from the Defence Force formed the catafalque party, while the local primary school children created a garden of remembrance with crosses made by the Kilmore Men’s Shed. The day was beautiful with a large crowd of local residents coming along to pay their respects to those who had served their country, shire and town. It was a landmark day for Wandong- Heathcote Junction township. ANZAC and Remembrance Days at Wandong have become pivotal dates in our town’s calendar and remain well attended by locals and visitors alike.

The names of those who served are inscribed on the memorial, many once forgotten are now remembered on commemorative days with a poppy, a cross bearing their name and recorded in Karen Christensen’s book – There Was a Soldier Who Wandered Far Away: When Wandong Went to War’ 2015. More stories are being gathered on our soldiers who fought in the Boer War, World War I and World War II conflicts – a selection of their stories follow.

Help Us to Remember

If you have any additional information about one of our soldiers or photographs that we can add to our project please contact us at: wandongheathcotejunctionhistorygroup.com.au or use our enquiry form.

Using accessible sources we have where possible provided:

• An image of a soldier
• Service No and record information
• Location of burial and grave details
• Family stories

Links to other sites for source information

• Australian War Memorial Home | Australian War Memorial (awm.gov.au)
• National Archives of Australia Home page | naa.gov.au
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs DVA’s Nominal Rolls
• Kilmore/Wallan RSL Kilmore Wallan RSL Sub-Branch | Facebook
• Broadford RSL Broadford RSL | Facebook
• Seymour RSL Seymour RSL Sub-Branch | Facebook
• Australian Army Tank Museum, australianarmytankmuseum.com.au
• Puckapunyal