Ahoy - Mac's Web Log

(See also "Seeking names for the POW memorial at Ballarat")

Have been trying to find online if there's a list of those on the memorial?

I wanted to check if my uncle Major Benjamin Seddon Heagney WX22 I think , from WA 11th Btn , WW2 is there (taken in Crete and then Kassel Germany). I feel sure his daughter Brenda would have made sure his name's there.

Also, my mother's first cousin, as he had no descendants, I'd like to make sure he didn't miss out:
James Albert Davin WW2 in Indonesia and and then left from Changi for repat to Perth, think he was with 1 Squadron RAAF.

Thank you for your help. Hope you had a wonderful ceremony- going to watch it on news on TV now !!

Margaret Jackson
Grenfell, NSW

Margaret,

I am not aware of any list of the POW's on the internet, but have contacted someone in Ballarat with whom I was in contact when trying to add names for them to their POW list, prior to the Memorial being built. As soon as I get a response I will get back to you.

We were away in Tasmania last week so could not accept our invitation to attend the opening ceremony.

Should your Uncle prove to not be listed on this Memorial, I understand there are arrangements in place to be able to add names that may have been been missed. so one way or another, any one you need to add, should not miss out.

Regrads, 
Mac. Gregory.

Hi there

My hubby plays golf with a chap by the name of Jack Nie who was a prisoner of war in Italy.

Jack knew nothing about the War Memorial in Ballarat and I was trying to find out if his name was on the memorial for him.

Not sure how to go about this though.

Any suggestions?

Thanks Pam Leevers
Mandurah  WA

Pam,

You are the second today asking how to access the 35,000 or so names on the POW Memorial at Ballarat.

I am unable at this stage to give you a lead, but started today to try and get an answer to your question.

As soon as I am able to be of any use to you, I will get back to you again.

I became involved when I was asked by someone helping to ascertain names of POW's for inscription on this Memorial, if I could track down some RAN people who had served as Gunners in Merchant ships, and were subsequently sunk, to become German POW's. I was able to assist in a small way.

I then put up a small article about this worthy project on my Web Site, of course this plan came to fruition only last week to be opened by General Cosgrove.

Regards,
Mac.

Hi Mac

Thanks so much for the information....it is very much appreciated.

Kind wishes,
Pam

Margaret,

From information I have received I understand the Ballarat POW records are held by:

The Ballarat POW Memorial  Committee. Liz Heagley is the contact person on Telephone 03 5332 3300.

Alternately you could write with any enquiry to: POW Memorial Committee C/O Ballarat RSL, 2 Lyons Street South.

Ballarat, Victoria. 3350.

I trust this will allow you to gain the information you need.

Regards,

Mac.

Margaret,

From a separate contact at Ballarat, I have just had confirmed that the names of Heagney, B. S. and Davin, J. A. are both inscribed on the wall of the new P O W Memorial in Ballarat.

You may have found this yourself from the contact name I sent to you, but never the less thought I would confirm this information for you.

With kind regards,
Mac.

Hello Mac,

Thanks for the info. I managed to speak to Liz Heagney (what a wonderful person to work 7 days a week for 2 years to put it together!), which was a bonus as she is now going to send me her husband' s Heagney tree as we must be related way back.

I suppose you know about the video and DVD of the Opening ceremony? If not, I can scan you the application form Liz sent me. I'm going to send it on to a cousin in Perth who is a niece of JA Davin.

Best wishes and thanks again for your help.

Margaret Jackson, Grenfell NSW

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