Big Guns

This photo from our collection was taken on the occasion of the unveiling of the captured German war trophy at Kogarah on 25 April 1921.  The event was described in the Propeller (29 April 1921 p4), and the St George Call (29 April 1921 p5), and it is possible to identify some of the individuals in the photograph from the description of the event.

In the centre, front row, five from right, is Mayor of Kogarah Francis Wheeler, who carried out the unveiling.  He was a relatively youthful Mayor, aged 34 when the photo was taken; however, he died at Waterfall Sanatorium four years later.

Although all of the other Kogarah Aldermen are likely to be present, only a few can be identified with certainty.  Front row, far left, is Alderman William Jones, an architect who was responsible for designing the original Kogarah Council Chambers, in front of which the group is posing.  Standing behind him, with bow-tie, is Alderman William Anderson, headmaster of Kogarah Superior Public School, who also spoke at the event.  Something of a multi-tasker, at the time the photo was taken he was also briefly chairman of St George Hospital.  Seated front row, two from right, is Alderman Harry Poulton.  Standing, back row, behind Anderson, is possibly Alderman William Coleborne, after whom Coleborne Avenue, Mortdale was named.  Standing behind Mayor Wheeler, in bow-tie, is possibly the Kogarah Council Clerk, Roland Rose, who was first clerk of St George County Council.

The three military gentlemen are also identifiable.  Seated front row, five from left, is Brigadier-General H Gordon Bennett, CB, CMG, DSO, who presented medals on the occasion to a number of local soldiers.  He is nowadays best remembered for his controversial role in the fall of Singapore in WWII as commander of the 8^th Australian Division.  Front row, three from left is Lieutenant-Colonel Ernest Herrod, CMG, DSO, who served at Gallipoli.  Front row, four from right, is Major William Inglis, MC, who lived at Kogarah for many years.

Seated, three from right, front row is J G D (Guy) Arkins MLA, known as ‘Digger’ Arkins.  He served in the military in WWI whilst he was a sitting MLA, and held the seat of St George from 1920-27.

Members of the Kogarah Municipal Band, which played before the ceremony, are also in the photograph but are not identified.  Also in the photo but not yet identified is Tom P H Nance, who was awarded the MBE in 1923 for his services to the Voluntary Workers Association; he became Chief Officer of NSW Fire Brigades in 1928, the first Australian to hold that position.