Standing proudly in our village, the Uki War Memorial serves as a lasting tribute to those from our area who served in various conflicts. This impressive structure has been a gathering place for our community to remember and honour local servicemen and women for nearly a century.
The memorial was designed by none other than the renowned Sir John Sulman and constructed by “Messrs Roberts and Davis of Lismore.” What makes this monument particularly special is that it was a true community effort, with two local WW1 veterans leading the charge to make it a reality.
Local Postmaster Charlie Milsom and general store owner Len Loder—both WW1 veterans—organised public donations to finance the project, which cost a total of £497.
A Unique Memorial
The Uki War Memorial stands out from many others across Australia due to its inclusive approach to remembrance. Built with elegant Gosford Stone, it features “four tablets of Bowral trachyte, one on each face.”
What makes our memorial special is its comprehensive recognition of service: Unusually, it records not just those who fell but all volunteers who enlisted from the area—both those who died and those who returned.”
In its original form, the memorial even featured “two large clock faces driven by batteries from a master clock in the Uki public school,” adding both practical and symbolic significance to this monument of time and remembrance.
A Solemn Dedication
The memorial was unveiled with due reverence and ceremony, acknowledging the profound sacrifice of local families:
“The memorial was unveiled on Saturday, 10th December 1927, by Mrs. George Sweetnam senior, the oldest lady resident of the South Arm who had lost a son in the Great War. As she pulled the cord allowing the flags to flutter away from the monument, the crowd stood with bared heads while the Murwillumbah Town Band played the National Anthem.”
Over the decades, the memorial has evolved to recognise service in additional conflicts. “The plaque commemorating WW2 servicemen and women was added after Anzac Day in 1952, while the plaques for Korea, Vietnam, and Malaysia were unveiled by Sir Roden Cutler on Tuesday, 16th October 1973.”
Living Tributes
What makes the Uki War Memorial grounds particularly special are the living memorials that continue to grow and thrive, connecting us directly to the past:
The cycads growing on the Memorial grounds are descendants of those planted in 1927. The Gallipoli Pine traces its lineage back to a pine that grew at Plateau 400 Lone Pine on the battlefields of Gallipoli. It was planted at Uki School on 11th November 2001 by Eric ‘Chubb’ Sweetnam (WW2 veteran) and Mary Roberts (member of Uki RSL Women’s Auxiliary).
A Continuing Tradition
The Dawn Service held at the memorial on Anzac Day has long been a moving occasion that brings together family, friends, and even strangers to remember the sacrifices made by our local servicemen and women. After these services, our community traditionally gathers at the Hall for breakfast, where the Uki R.S.L., Hall trustees, and the Uki Historical Society work together to create displays of photographs and information about our local veterans.
“Dawn services are held every Anzac Day, and Remembrance Day is commemorated on 11th November.”
Community Support During Wartime
During wartime, many families in our area faced the heavy burden of having loved ones serving overseas. The community would rally around families during these difficult times, helping with farm work, providing meals, and offering emotional support when bad news arrived.
Most families in the area were engaged in dairying, and if a family received bad news, typically delivered by telegram, neighbours would step in to help with milking and other essential tasks. This spirit of community support during times of crisis is an important part of our local history and reflects the deep connections between families in the South Arm area.
Preserving Our History
The Uki War Memorial stands as both a physical reminder of service and sacrifice and as a testament to our community’s commitment to remembering. The memorial, with its comprehensive list of names, reminds us that behind each name was a real person with dreams, fears, and a connection to our special corner of the world.
As our community continues to gather at this special place year after year, we ensure that the stories of service and sacrifice from the South Arm area remain alive in our collective memory, honouring the traditional closing of the Dawn Service: “Lest We Forget.”
The Uki and South Arm Historical Society welcomes any photographs, documents, or memories related to the War Memorial or local veterans. These materials help us continue to tell the stories of our area.