Why barred out.

Came across this War memorial 1914-1918 on our travels at a place called Dalwallinu
(Dal - Wal - in - yu) which had a name barred out.
In all my travels to these shrines in obscure places and well known ones I have not seen a persons name so barred out.
Sadly the names were very hard to read almost impossible really as it was so weather beaten I could not get a clear indication of all of their names.

So 2 possible answers formed as I tried to get an idea why this may happen.

1. The so named person was declared KIA/MIA somehow through various missed actions paper trail mix-ups they somehow made those lists.
And after a very lengthy recovery made their way home back to Australia alive.
Probably much to the surprise of relatives and town folk so rather a new obelisk they barred out their name.

2. The most unpalatable was that for some reason the said person was found to have committed some heinous act related by reports or witnesses in action, and KIA.
These reports taking time to come back after their name was placed on the memorial then struck from it after the report came to light.

I prefer option 1. but I have not seen this anywhere here in our state except this one any countrymen here like to expand an explanation on this please do assist by replying to the post.

There's a story there for sure Cinders.

Looks like someone glued the bar onto the marker. Almost makes it seem personal.

I have seen names struck from memorials in the US but they are ground off, not covered up and it is because they were not killed and it was either a paperwork error or they were POW's not KIA's.

Agreed, if that were legit by the WD they would have struck the name the same way the great monuments for the missing have done...they strike over with chisel. This ain't that. This is someone other in recent times for some personal reason.

I may write to the Shire and see if they have an original list of those names and see what I can uncover stay tuned!

My e-mail to the shire;
Hello,
Last Saturday 19/09/2024 we were leaving the township after coming down from the Murchison region and one of my passions is to visit & pay respects to any war memorial I come across in the townships as a son of a returned WWII vet with family ties to the 10 ALH in WWI it is a very important aspect of our trips.
In all the ones I have seen & photographed here and in other states yours is the very first & only one that I have encountered where a name has been purposefully barred out so I am asking does the shire or the RSL if there have any idea as to why this action was taken.
As a parting note the names are so very hard to read I feel we owe it to these men & women that went away never to return are honoured every day the sun rises and sets on our beautiful landscape they gave all of their tomorrows so we could have our todays.
For a small cost of having the granite cleaned and the name grooves re-painted and then sealed would make a fitting gesture to ensure people like myself, others and children will see and remember what these brave folk have done for us like those that still go away from Australia today to ensure peace in our time.
I have attached a pic of the monument un filtered so you can see the barred out name along with just how difficult it is to read those names, please make in roads to having this done as for me it is very important we never forget them.

Thank you for your time can you please keep me informed as to what will be happening as I am on a military forum with allot of returned Australian diggers & o/seas military personnel so I can keep them up to date with this request in relation to the upgrading of the memorial.

Regards,

I'll be curious...

I hope you get a reply, and that the monument gets a good clean.

The Dalwallinu Shires response on the matter they will contact the RSL as they had no idea that a name was barred out so we will see if the RSL can enlighten the situation will keep you updated, so it will possibly be done next year don't know why they cannot do it in this years budget '24/'25 before April.
I will see if I can push the throttle a bit by stating April is approaching and it being the 110 years since Gallipoli it would be nice to have a pristine memorial for the event.

Reply;
Good morning,

Thank you for your email regarding the Dalwallinu Memorial.

I do not know why a name has been blanked out but I will contact the local RSL to see if they know.

We will obtain a quote to have the granite cleaned and the names re-painted and submit to Council in next year’s budget deliberations.

Regards


Jean Knight
Chief Executive Officer

My reply to Jean Knight;
Gooday Jean,
Thank you for your quick reply to my enquiry as to the barred name and general condition of the towns memorial to our fallen armed services personnel from the district of Dalwallinu.
You may think I am being a bit cheeky, but from working for shires and large corporations they do possess a float or working account for sundry occurrences in fact I am sure the RSL may be able to assist with the memorials clean/repaint/seal upgrade using the national RSL to assist.
I will however add why it would be so nice to have a pristine memorial for next years’ service that being it will be 110 years (25th April 1915) since the Australian New Zealand Army Corps came to being in a campaign that defined our nations in the eyes of the world a legacy that still is very much alive on the world stage today the prowess of ours and New Zealand’s service personnel.

I also understand how important it is ensuring those engaged in its restoration are capable of the job understanding how to clean the granite without damaging the granite or those inscribed names if they say they are going to wire wheel it then nope, even hi pressure water jetting may not be advisable industrial ones operate at @5000psi so not a good option.
A Karcher is around 1500psi used with demineralised water may be an option I am only giving ideas as the next best is chemical cleaning but here again it needs to ensure it will not alter chemically in the granite to bleed out after a few years of weathering making it a greater cost to refresh.
I thank you for your timely correspondence and appreciate your time in this matter and await an update on what actions may arise from this request.

Regards,

Google tells me RSL is the "Returned Services League". Is this a government agency responsible for memorials? or has your government just delegated such things entirely to an NGO. I'm just curious about how you all are set up on the other side of the world. Over hear it's no surprise if a local government has spent or already allocated all their discretionary funds just as soon as a budget is voted and approved.

I'd say the RSL has a big say in it with the construction/funding of them having the service records available to them for inscription on to the obelisk.
I am not sure afterwards who would be responsible for their upkeep I know our RSL chaps meet every thursday and our memorial area is well kept though the ANZAC depiction of the soldiers is starting to weather somewhat think its been up 5 odd years I'll check when I took the pic (oops 4/2017).

Shires reply as we surmised that the paper trail lost track of the individual and with the spanish flu just after the war this may have precluded this person returning to home I can but imagine the relatives finaly finding their long lost relative alive and hopefully well.

Good afternoon,

I have just spoken to a representative of the local RSL and he advised that the name has been blanked out as he actually returned from the war.

With regards to the lettering, we will be obtaining quotes, but at the moment there are no available funds in this year’s budget.

For a long time I have sorta loosely followed WWI vets and their returning to Australia and in allot of cases they died fairly young many tried farming with the returned soldiers scheme by the govt this was a backbreaking time for all not too many made a real go of it A.B Facey did well but was ravaged by his war experiences mainly his heart.
In saying this also soldiers from all conflicts that have a sustained nature about them a higher % of them die from roughly 40+- years of age onwards which even if they have no physical injuries the constant stressors staying alive must accelerate the decline of ones body such a sad thing to see, but we need armies to thwart terrorism & aggressors for the peace of our planet.
Not sure if peace will ever reign on this rock but for now and from me my recognition of those served and serving have my unconditional thanks for your service.

Cinders is right about the RSL's. They were/are a bit like the RBL's (Royal British Legions) in the Uk. But the RSL's always seemed to have a BIG say in service matters....., right up to Battalion Commander level of the affiliated Infantry Battalion.

I remember one occasion when someone from one of the regiments (won't say which...) was refused a bit of compassionate leave for a close relative just before going overseas. The RSL got involved at local and state level and he was sent off on leave within a few hours. Yep, they certainly packed some clout!