Bundamba honour for soldiers who fought and died in WWII

AFTER nearly 70 years four Second World War servicemen have been recognised on the Bundamba cenotaph.

RECOGNITION: A group of WWII servicemen were honoured during the unveiling of the WWII Plaque at the Bundamba Honour Stone. Bundamba Anzac Observance Committee patron Keith Pennell lays a poppy at the unveiling. Picture: David Nielsen

AFTER nearly 70 years four Second World War servicemen have been recognised on the Bundamba cenotaph.

Veterans of the war were joined by members of the community as a plaque remembering Clement Ralph Buckeridge, David Arthur Millar, Michael James Kelleher and Alexander Carrington Titmarsh, Bundamba men who fought and died during the war.

Second World War veteran and patron of the Bundamba Anzac Observance Committee Keith Pennell said he was privileged to see his fellow servicemen officially remembered.

"It's a great honour to see them (the four soldiers) finally on the monument," he said.

"But we never forgot them.

"They're in the right place now though."

Mr Pennell said he was proud to see a strong contingent of veterans brave the heat and impending storms to pay their respects.

Seeing Ipswich's Second World War troops officially recognised has been driven by historian Eddie Habben.

Speaking at the unveiling Mr Habben said the plaque to the fallen was well overdue.

A group of WWII veterans were honoured during the unveiling of the WWII Plaque at the Bundamba Honour Stone. WWII Veterans who attended the event. Photo: David Nielsen / The Queensland Times. Picture: David Nielsen

"Hopefully this will provide a spark that will continue to grow," he said.

"The men we honour today on this memorial tablet would have volunteered their service with the expectation their service would be remembered."

Mr Habben is continuing to push for a dedicated memorial to Second World War veterans in Ipswich.

His passionate speech calling for more recognition of Ipswich's soldiers was followed by Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale who promised to act on Mr Habben's calls.

"I can't change the past," he said.

"But we will fulfil ... our moral obligation to the city," he said.

Cr Pisasale read a resolution to the crowd, admitting the recognition of the four fallen soldiers was long overdue.

"On this special unveiling occasion, we would sincerely apologise that it has taken so long to acknowledge the supreme sacrifice of four Bundamba lads in their duty to God, King and Country during World War Two."

To the veterans present Cr Pisasale said he thanked them for their "service and sacrifice."

Mr Pennell said with Mr Habben's passionate support behind it, he believed it was only a matter of time before a dedicated memorial for Ipswich's Second World War became a reality.

Originally published as Bundamba honour for soldiers who fought and died in WWII