Blackall War Memorial And Memorial Seat

The bravery of shearers, jackaroos and 'townies' who voluntarily signed up to be a part of WWI is remembered within Blackall's A and M Lehman Park. Returned soldier and former mayor James Minnis unveiled a sandstone obelisk, fashioned by AL Petrie, on ANZAC Day 1927. It carries the names of 37 locals who died in the conflict. There's also a stone seat, dedicated in 1928 by the Queensland Country Women's Association Blackall branch members in 'grateful memory'. And there's a sculpture honouring the town's own Military Cross and Victoria Cross recipient, Edgar Thomas Towner. The grazier's son was 25 when he enlisted. He served at Gallipoli, Egypt and in Europe. The VC, the highest of honours in the British Empire, was awarded for his actions during an attack on Mont St. Quentin, a key German stronghold, on the Western Front in 1918. Towner continued his life on the land in central Queensland, with a short time serving in WWII. He died in 1972 and is buried at the Longreach Cemetery....