'Lest We Forget'

The events of World War 1 while they may have helped to shape the nation of Australia; also affected many families (some tragically) and every community, no matter how small. In every locality and community in Australia there is a memorial with the names inscribed of those who served their country in WW1. The servicemen and women have long ago passed on but they are remembered each Anzac Day. Or are they? How many of the names mean anything to anyone reading them? Have they been forgotten already by those communities and have they become 'just a name on a wall'?

It is possible to take each of these names and reconstruct a portion of their lives. This site gives some ideas and a suggested method to find out about the life and experiences of individual servicemen using original sources available in online databases; written histories (online and in books); together with informed speculation.

Students and teachers wanting to use this site as a WebQuest, class task or assessment task should start by going to the Task Page and Teacher Information Page. Individuals wanting to find out about past family members, or community historians, may wish to start by going to the Research Page as it gives a method and links to find out about names. The Memorial Page displays the names listed on the Coonabarabran Memorial Clock Tower.