Kojonup adds forgotten soldiers' names to war memorial on hall's centenary

The small farming town of Kojonup, Western Australia, marked a significant milestone on Saturday, celebrating the 100th anniversary of its Memorial Hall and honoring soldiers whose names had been forgotten. The hall, erected in 1926 with community funds to commemorate those lost in World War I, now bears 14 new names on its honor roll, recognizing individuals from both WWI and WWII.

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It's important that people remember what went on in Kojonup. I think it's very important. I think your future is controlled by your past.

Among those present was 99-year-old Arnold Bilney, a former shire president who has lived in Kojonup his entire life. Bilney, who remembers many of the men from his community who served in World War II, emphasized the importance of remembering the past to shape the future. The addition of the new plaques, each bearing seven names, was a deeply moving moment for the approximately 150 people who gathered for the commemoration.

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I knew all those that went away. They'll always be part of Kojonup.

Local historian Robert Sexton played a key role in identifying the previously unlisted soldiers. He explained that communication challenges during World War I likely led to some names being missed, particularly if a family had moved away from the district. Sexton noted that the human cost of both wars was profoundly felt in the farming community, with a total of 70 residents lost across WWI and WWII. The commemoration underscored the town's enduring connection to Australia's wartime history and the ongoing recognition of sacrifices made.

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There are a great number of people still here, descendants of those from the First World War and the Second World War. We lost a total of 70, killed, in both of those wars.