William Thompson Masonic Schools Second World War and Vietnam Memorial

This new memorial records the names of the eighteen students (ex-pupils) who attended the Masonic Schools and made the supreme sacrifice during the Second World War, and one ex-pupil from the Vietnam conflict. 

The memorial is located at the end of a pathway approximately 110 feet (33m) long and 5 feet (1.5m) wide. The path starts behind the commemorative tablet for the 103^rd Australian General Hospital and adjacent to the school's Administrative Office. There are five steps at the start and then the path proceeds on a slight decline through an open grassed area. 

The memorial is positioned in the centre of a 20 foot (6m) diameter circular area. It is made of polished granite and is surrounded with a garden of rosemary. It measures 1.5m tall, 2m long and 1.5m wide. It is surrounded by four identical granite posts, 20cm square by 86cm high and connected by chain.

On one side of the memorial, the Honour Roll for both the Second World War and Vietnam is attached. Engraved into the polished granite base of the memorial are the words ‘Lest we forget’. On the reverse side, etched into the granite are the dates 1939 to 1945.

The original memorial was dedicated and unveiled on 8 November 1947 with eighteen names engraved on it, highlighted with gold paint. It was relocated to the Masonic Centre in Sydney when the 78.6 hectares of land was sold to the Baulkham Hills Shire Council in 1973. A photograph of the old memorial taken in 1947 can be seen on the wall surrounding the garden. Inspection of the old memorial at the Masonic Centre, shows an additional name (C.M.Wood KIA 7 July 1944) from the Second World War was added after the dedication in 1947 and omitted from the new memorial. The Vietnam veteran was added after his death in June 1970 on both memorials.

Additional information:

• The Masonic Centre in Sydney.
• The Hills District Historical Society Inc.
• The Hills Shire Council.
• ‘A Start in Life’ The History of the William Thompson Masonic School 1922 -1988 by Beverley Earnshaw. The book was published by The William Thompson Masonic School Council 1988. National Library of Australia Catalogue Card Number and ISBN 0 7426 3333 4.