History

The Southern Downs region of Queensland covers an area of just under 31,000 sq. km. It is comprised of the Goondiwindi Regional Council to the west, parts of the Toowoomba Regional Council to the north, and the Southern Downs Regional Council to the east and the south.

This area is rich in military history from the Boer War to the present day and all conflicts in between. On the following pages you will discover who the veterans from the Southern Downs region were, their stories, connections to local history, important roles played on the home front in both the First and Second World Wars and see the memorials to these brave, honourable men and women.

Below is a list of a few of the events related to this region.

• March of the Dungarees – One of the ten major recruitment marches held during the First World War in Australia.
• First Boer War Memorial – The Allora Boer War Memorial was the first to be constructed in Australia.
• The egging incident – Birth of the Australian Federal Police [AFP] came as a result of this incident in Warwick.
• Kyoomba Sanatorium 1916-1935 – Used by the AIF for returned soldiers suffering from tuberculosis during and after the First World War.
• Warwick – Major WWII defence centre.
• Goondiwindi – Major WWII defence centre.
• Leyburn – Major Airforce training centre.
• Sinking of The Centaur – At least three local men lost their lives when the Japanese sank The Centaur off the Brisbane coast during the Second World War.
• Radji Beach, Sumatra – The harrowing story of the murder of many Australian nurses and sole survivor Vivian Bullwinkle. Her capture and internment in POW camp with Stanthorpe nurse.
• Sinking of the Montevideo – Australian POWs and civilian prisoners were onboard the unmarked Japanese POW ship. A number of local veterans were drowned when the ship was sunk.
• Mt Superbus crash – No. 10 Squadron RAAF flight crashed into Mt Superbus killing four RAAF crew Costello, Mason, Finlay and Cater, Nurse Gray and baby Robyn Huxley.
• Failed rescue mission of the A2-378 – In Jan 1974 Sgt. Peter Vidler and Flt Lt Reginald Van Leuven died when the Iroquois helicopter they were flying crashed near Stanthorpe.

Many veterans do not have their names listed on any physical memorials, but they will be remembered on this site with pride, honour and respect.

As this is an ongoing project from the past to the present, please feel free to contact us if you know of a veteran from this region who is not yet remembered on this virtual memorial.