The Armatree War Memorial has several name plates. One lists the members of the Armatree RSL members from 1946 to 1968 and another plaque is in memory of L’Cpl A. H. Buckley VC; L’Cpl A. F. Long MM; Pte G. A. Dowling; and Flt’Sgt W. Prout.
With access to digitised service records, it is possible to search the enlistment papers that include Armatree in the addresses of the servicemen and/or the next of kin. The following names listed are from the war memorial and the digital records.
The centenary of the First World War is a good time to commemorate those men who served and those men who gave their lives in the war of 1914-1918. Lest We Forget
Lance Corporal Alexander Buckley 1876, was a 24 year old farmer of ‘Homebush’ Armatree when he enlisted on the 3rd February 1916 at Dubbo. He embarked on the’ Barambah’ in June 1916 and fought in France with the 54th Battalion. He was killed in action on the 2nd September 1918 and buried in the Peronne Communal Cemetery. He was awarded posthumously a Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice at Peronne.
Lance Sergeant Archie Franklin Long 4028, was 18 years old and his brother, Private Edward James Long 4029 was 22 when they enlisted on the 4th August 1915. They embarked on the ‘Medic’ in December 1915 with the 4th Battalion and served on the Western Front together. Edward returned to Australia in March 1919 but Archie died on the 22nd September 1917 of wounds he received the day before and he was buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium. Archie was awarded the Military Medal for great courage and devotion to duty by proceeding into open and sniping enemy as they advanced on Denicourt on the 15th April 1917.
The Jasper brothers lived at the ‘Maze’ Armatree with their mother Matilda Jasper. Private John Jasper 1493 enlisted in August 1915 and embarked on the ‘Euripides’ in November 1915 with the 7th Light Horse. He served in Egypt and the Western Front and returned to Australia with the Field Artillery Brigade. His brother Private Thomas Jasper 3798 enlisted in September 1917 and embarked on the ‘Ormonde’ in March 1918. He served with the 2nd Machine Gun Squadron before returning to Australia in June 1919.
Allan, Peter and Charles Law also served at the Western Front and Charles served in Egypt as well. Gunner Charles Law 1324, enlisted first in July 1915 and embarked in October 1915 on the ‘Pera’. He was wounded in Egypt in August 1916 and returned to Australia on the Hospital Transport ‘Kanowa’ and was discharged medically unfit on the 11th December 1916. He re-enlisted in January 1918 and embarked on the ‘Port Darwin’ in April 1918. He served with the 5th Field Artillery Brigade until his return in July 1919.
Private Peter Law 6307 was 27 years old enlisted in March 1916 and embarked on the ‘Euripides’ in September 1916 and served on the Western Front with the 3rd Battalion.
Private Allan Law 6526 was 26 years old when he enlisted in March 1916 and embarked on the ‘Ceramic’ in October 1916. He also served with the 3rd Battalion on the Western Front until he returned home in March 1919.
Private Donald Patrick Blowes 1305 was a 22 year old Ironmonger when he enlisted on the 27th July 1915. He embarked in October 1915 on the ‘Pera’ and served with the 1st Light Horse Regiment in Egypt and Palestine. He returned to Australia in March 1919.
Private Albert Henry Harlow 2905 was a labourer of Armatree when he enlisted in May 1916. He embarked on the ‘Ascanius’ in October 1916 and served with the 53rd Battalion. He returned to Australia in July 1917.
Corporal Leonard Frank Long 1690 was a 26 year old farmer of Armatree when he enlisted on the 21st November 1915. He was born in England and his mother, in England, was his next of kin. He embarked on the ‘Ceramic’ on the 14th April 1916. He served in the Western Front with the 54th Battalion and returned to Australia in July 1919. He is buried in Gilgandra Cemetery.
Private Clarence Magick 2946 was a 19 year old labourer of Armatree when he enlisted in June 1916. His father was Harry Magick of Armatree. He embarked on the ‘Ascanius’ in October 1916 and served with the 53rd and 20th Battalions. He returned to Australia in January 1919.
Charles and Archibald Owens father, Mr Christopher Owens, lived at ‘Pathagreen” (query spelling), Armatree. Private Charles Allen Owens 2360 was a 24 year old labourer when he enlisted in December 1915 and embarked on the ‘Anglo Egyptian’ with the 1st Light Horse. He served in Egypt and Palestine with the Camel Corp and then the 14th Light Horse. He returned to Australia in July 1919.
Gunner Archibald Owens 1925 was 22 years old when he enlisted August 1915 and embarked on the ‘Aeneas’ in December 1915. He served in Egypt with the 6th Light Horse and at the Western Front with the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade.
Private Alexander William Patrick 6402 was a 28 year old grazier of Armatree, his father J Patrick lived at ‘Myall Park’ Armatree. Alexander enlisted in October 1916 and embarked on the ‘Suevic’ in November 1916. He served in the Western Front with the 20th Battalion and returned to Australia in June 1919.
Private Leslie George Pownall 4266 was a 19 year old station hand when he enlisted in September 1915 and embarked on the ‘Aeneas’ on the 20th December 1915. He served with the 3rd Battalion on the Western Front until he suffered a gunshot wound to the eye and was returned to Australia to be discharged in 1917.