You may recall that I was instrumental in having a bronze plaque unveiled at Queen Elizabeth Park on 11 November 2018 which named a further 762 Lithgow people who died during or returned from World War One.
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At the same time a plaque, headed Lithgow's Lone Pine Connection, was unveiled in front of a Lone Pine tree I donated. The plaque named 11 Lithgow men who were amongst the 800 Aussies killed during the 4 day battle.
The plaque also showed photos of John Patrick 'Jack' Hamilton and my father, Athol Frederick 'Joe' Burrett. My father was Hamilton's platoon commander, and in the same trench, when Hamilton was awarded the Victoria Cross at Lone Pine.
Hamilton was the only person with a Lithgow connection to be awarded a V.C. during World War One whilst my father was the only person with a Lithgow connection to be awarded a Distinguished Service Order (ranked 2nd only to a V.C.).
At the unveiling service I was approached by a gentleman who said he was a descendent of Hamilton. I did not get his details at the time. I would dearly love to contact him.
Hopefully he, or another Hamilton descendent, may read this letter. I can be contacted on 6355 5546 (best to ring after dark).
Thanking you in anticipation.
- Ian Burrett