York

The York area covers 2010sq.Kms.and has a population of 2950,the main occupation is the growing of grains and sheep;since the late 1970s tourism has become a significant part of the local Economy. During the gold rush of the late 1800s York played an important role as a staging post in the trek to the goldfields of Coolgardie and Kalgoorli.The Memorial is located in front of the Railway Station,behind the large tree on the left, is a German 77mm. field gun manufactured by Krupps and captured in the vicinity of Villiers-Brettoneux in August,1918 and presented to York in 1921(currently-2002- being renovated in Perth by the Artillery Historical Assn.)*.The Memorial bears the inscription"Here York Honours Those Who Fell 1914 to 1918"fiftysix names are shown including R.H.Grant D.C.M. Robert Hannibal Grant was born in South Africa and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Perth in May,1916, he was killed in action October,1918 whilst holding the rank of Temporary Sergeant in the 27th.Battalion,A.I.F. the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal was published in the London Gazette December,1918. A slight distance away is a small boulder ( in foreground) bearing a plaque which reads"Memorial to Lt.McCarthy of York awarded the Victoria Cross for extreme gallantry at Madame Wood,France,23rd.August,1918". The two plaques bearing the names of those killed in action were renewed at the beginning of 2002; the new plaques are shown above. The York Town Hall contains a fine example of an Honour Board,it can be viewed during normal office hours. As a WW 2 Memorial the people of York built a public swimming pool.

* The renovated gun was returned to York in time for Anzac Day Parade 2006 after which it was placed for safe storage in the York Shire Depot; a decision having been made not return it to it's original permanent position at the Memorial site.