Collie
Collie is situated some 200km.South of perth, it is the administrative centre of the Collie Shire which has a population of about 7600. It's main industries are coal mining and generation of electricity, Muja power station on the outskirts of town is the largest in the State. The War Memorial , Foundation Stone laid by the Govenor,Sir Francis Newdegate, May,1921,is located in Soldiers Park which is sited alongside the Collie River and bounded by Johnston and Steere Sts. at the intersection of these streets is the main entrance which was erected in 1929 to mark the Centenary of the State, the foundation stone was laid by the Hon.Phillip Collier, Premier, on Nov.4th.,1929. On the left and right hand sides of the Memorial Diestone are recorded the names of those who fell in WW1, a total of ninetynine. The rear face of the Diestone bears the names of those killed in WW2 (fortyfour ), Korea ( one ) and Vietnam ( three ). To either side of the Memorial are rose beds the surrounding kerbing of which bear brass plates bearing names of those killed in action, in the centre of the R/H rose bed is a boulder bearing the plaque shown left above*, in the centre of the L/H rose bed is a plaque reading:
" In Memory of 5/763 Private K.G.Sketchley 3rd.Battalion R.A.R. first Australian killed at singju -waegwan,Korea 3rd.October,1950 aged 20 years, Pte Sketchley enlisted in Collie "
The photograph at right above shows the approach from the main entrance.
*From the London Gazette 9th.Sept.1916 "For most conspicuos bravery. During four days of very heavy fighting he repeatedly went out and brought in wounded officers and men from No Man's Land under intense artillery and machine-gun fire. He also volunteered and carried up ammunition and bombs through a heavy barrage to a portion of the trenches which was being heavily shelled at the time. He showed throughout an utter contempt for danger, and undoubtedly saved many lives"