Shellharbour Village’s War Memorial in Caroline Chisholm Park in Addison St is one of Australia’s oldest War Memorials. In fact, it is recorded as being the third oldest on the NSW War Memorials Register. It was erected in 1900 during the Boer War in memory of Private Samuel Charles Atchinson who was born in Bass Point and killed in South Africa in combat in 1900.
Since then, sadly, many names have been added due to more wars, including World War I and II, as well as those who have served in the Australian Defence Forces since 1945. And there is also a plaque honouring four brave WWII veterans who died while trying to save the victims of a shipwreck on the Bass Point rocks in 1943. The US Tanker “Cities Service Boston” was driven onto the rocks during a storm by its Captain, to avoid the ship breaking up in deep water.
But what of Shellharbour’s involvement in the Great War? Such a small town, but one with residents who had such brave hearts. In this time of remembrance, we have shone the spotlight on just a few of these incredible servicemen and women.
Keith Wickham Allen
The Allen family were well known in Shellharbour as Keith Wickham Allen’s grandparents – Walter Allen and Charlotte Dunster – owned Allen’s Store in Addison St from 1868 for many years.
Growing up in Shellharbour, Keith seemed to have a healthy interest in fitness, a member of the Royal Lifesaving Society and later became a partner in a gym in Sydney teaching physical education. Many years later these skills would be used at the Military Physical Training School, helping soldiers gain an appropriate level of fitness so they could travel back home to Australia.
He joined the Australian Imperial Force – a volunteer army that was founded in 1914 purely for war deployment overseas. It is recorded that in 1916 Keith was first deployed to Plymouth, England as part of the 55th Battalion (Unit D) on Port Sydney. Later, he went to France from 1916-1918.
In 1917 Keith was hospitalised, wounded in battle, suffering from 'shellshock'. A promotion from private to sergeant was earned not long after he rejoined his battalion in May 1917. His military career was on the rise as he was chosen to attend the Officer Cadet Battalion in Oxford in June 1918 – Cadet Battalions were formed due to a shortage of officers. Several months of training involving bayonet training, drill and musketry, field skills and more helped Keith earn the title of Cadet.
Keith was eventually deployed to France, rose through the ranks to become a lieutenant and several times came under hard shelling fire, nearly losing his life on one occasion. He eventually came home in 1919, only to reenlist in 1940 for WWII. He was given the role of fitness training the troops before their deployment overseas and in 1944 he retired from military duty.
Cubbitt (Will) James and his sisters, Beatrice, Miriam and Eva
Cubbitt (Will) was born to Thomas and Rachel James of Dunmore. He joined the Army, enlisted for war in 1917 at 19 years of age and was deployed overseas as a private, serving in both France and England as part of the 17th Battalion, 21st Reinforcement. He was wounded in service twice but not fatally and returned home to Australia.
Like Keith Wickham Allen, he also enlisted for WWII and is recorded as serving for five years.
Three of Cubbitt’s sisters – Beatrice, Miriam and Eva were also crucial to Shellharbour’s war efforts, as all were Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) Red Cross Nurses. VAD Red Cross Nurses were essential voluntary members of the medical staff as they undertook the many laborious tasks in hospitals such as cleaning and washing of patients that keep the system running.
For further Information head to Discover Shellharbour.
