Kojonup adds names of long-forgotten soldiers to war memorial

Kojonup Memorial Hall adds names of 14 long-forgotten soldiers to war memorial What's new: The farming town of Kojonup has added the names of 14 servicemen to its war memorial, decades after their deaths. The names were added during commemorations of the 100th anniversary of the Kojonup Memorial Hall. About 70 men from Kojonup were killed during World War I and World War II At 99-years-old, Arnold Bilney is almost the same age as the Kojonup Memorial Hall. The former shire president has lived in the historic farming town, 260 kilometres south of Perth, all his life. "It's important that people remember what went on in Kojonup," he said. "I think it's very important. I think your future is controlled by your past." Mr Bilney was among those who turned out to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Kojonup Memorial Hall on Saturday. He remembers some of the many men from the small community who served in World War II. "I knew all those that went away," he said. "They'll always be part of Kojonup." New names on honour roll Built in 1926 to honour those whose lives were lost during WWI, the town hall and war memorial was constructed with funds provided by the local community. A century later, the town came together again, to add 14 previously unknown names to the building’s honour roll. Local historian Robert Sexton said the 100th anniversary was a time to reflect on the town’s deep connection to Australia’s wartime heritage. "There are a great number of people still here, descendants of those from the First World War and the Second World War," he said. "We lost a total of 70, killed, in both of those wars," he said. Mr Sexton said the human cost of war was deeply felt within the farming community. "They were a big loss to Kojonup, a big loss, and those descendants are still here and still recognise that." Mr Sexton helped to find the names of the men who had, for various reasons, not been included on the hall’s marble memorial plaques. "I am guessing that it was because communications were so poor in 1914 to 1918, that if their family had left the district, nobody may not have known in time to correct those things," he said. Homecoming for the fallen Current shire president Roger Bilney said the day was deeply moving. “Their contribution back 100 years ago, and even to today, is the core of our community spirit," he said. "It's within two days of the day that the 100th anniversary should happen, and so the core of today has been to establish the true numbers." Mr Bilney said about 150 people had gathered for the commemoration. "Those people had been forgotten in a sense. Most of them were killed in action with no known burials," he said. "This is where they will be remembered, because they don't have a grave. "This is almost like a homecoming for them." [Image text:] ELLOrT J.N. THEIR SW.U LARSN C.C DITA NAME JVETH FOR CVER 1939-1945 SRSPEER IBILL