A RELATIVE of a Boer War and World War I veteran wants the Commonwealth Government to pay for the installation of commemorative badges on diggers’ headstones.
The great uncle of John Good, 68 — William Herbert Good — has no reference to his war service on his headstone.
William and his wife Elizabeth were laid to rest in an Anglican plot at Nichols Point Cemetery.
Originally from Kangaroo Flat in South Australia, William served for one year and 95 days in South Africa, and enlisted for World War I at the age of 40 years and one month on July 30, 1915.
He became a corporal for the 13th Light Horse Regiment, and received a British War medal, a Victory medal and a 1914/15 star, spending the majority of the war in France.
He returned to Mildura in April 1919 to live with his wife at a home on the corner of Eighth Street and Olive Avenue before he died on July 4, 1933.
John, who is William’s adopted grand nephew, said William’s service legacy deserved to be acknowledged at his existing grave site, and was frustrated to learn the government would not pay for it.
“To me, if all they’ve got to do is put something up to commemorate people who were willing to risk their lives, people that did risk their lives, people who died, it isn’t a big ask,” John said.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, acknowledgement of service through the installation of badges on private memorials is a matter for family or next of kin.
Their website states that “you will need to get permission to use the badge from us first” and “unlike an official commemoration, a private memorial is arranged and paid for by the next-of-kin or executor. They are also responsible for its care and maintenance.”
The Mildura RSL has offered to assist John in paying for the installation of a rising sun badge on the headstone, but John is insistent that he and the RSL shouldn’t pay for it, the government should.
“We’re not asking for grants, we’re not asking for anything, we’re asking for what they deserve,” John said.
“This isn’t only about one individual, it’s about Australians as a whole.
“Every man and woman who served for the Australian army, navy et cetera, should have got one of those on their grave.”
John’s wife Kim said it was a matter of common courtesy, and respect for our Diggers.
“It’s hard to put into words how you feel, and how strong you feel about it,” Kim said.
“These men and women, they took up arms to fight for our country, to fight for our freedom and to fight for other peoples’ freedoms.
“If it wasn’t for them, what would this country be like?”
William’s name does feature at the Mildura Cenotaph at Henderson Park, on the list of Mildura & District Servicemen 1914-1919, however there are no individual badges on the memorial.
The pair will continue to lobby the government to install commemorative badges on veterans’ headstones, and said their thoughts were best summarised in the following poem:
“They came with arms
They stood brave and tall
To fight for freedom
They gave their all
Some came home, some did not return
Let’s not forget what they have earned
Lest we forget.”
