Memorial gates a tribute to Diggers but also a lesson in local World War I history

THESE memorial gates sit quietly but have many stories to tell about the Diggers who lost their lives during WWI. We share one such tale.

Eileen Kemp looks at Len Draper's name on the World War I memorial gates.

THE World War I memorial gates may sit quietly beside Anzac Ave and Norths Leagues and Services Club, but they have many stories to tell.

The sandstone pillars ­inside the gates bear the names of the young men from Pine Rivers district who lost their lives in the Great War of 1914-18.

To commemorate 100 years since the Anzac landing at Gallipoli, and recognise the sacrifices of those men and women who have served our country since World War I, Quest Community Newspapers will publish one story each day online in the lead-up to Anzac Day.

Do you have an Anzac story to share? Email [e-mail]

The gates used to be the front of Pine Rivers Showground and were officially unveiled by the Queensland Governor on show day, 1923.

Mothers of the fallen and occasionally the wife of a fallen boy or man were made Life Members of the society.

When the building of the Lions Hall made much ­vehicle access through the gates impossible, they were dismantled and donated to the RSL in the 1980s.

One name on the pillars is Leonard Draper, a relation of Samford Museum stalwart Eileen Kemp, who has a copy of a card Leonard sent to Auntie Annie from the front lines in France. A widowed Annie became Mrs Kemp’s grandmother.

“My father spoke of Len and other family members who served in World War I,” Mrs Kemp said.

Len Draper grew up in ­Albany Creek. His mother Jessie was from Greensill. Len was a farmer and farm hand who was working at Woodford when he enlisted.

Sometime after he sent the card to Auntie Annie, he was wounded in action in France and was sent to Harefield Hospital in London. After wounds to his thigh healed he returned to France.

Private Leonard Draper of the 15th Battalion, No 6963, aged 22 and single, was killed in action at Harbonnieres, France, on September 18, 1918 in the aftermath of the decisive Battles of the Somme on August 8 and 21, when Allied troops including Australians, overran German lines. Less than two months later, on November 11, the Great War ended.

The pillar with Len’s name is to be refurbished with a grant secured by the Anzac Memorial Avenue Centenary Project Committee, chaired by Cr David Dwyer. A sponsor is needed to renew the metal gates.

ANZAC Day this year will be especially poignant as 2015 marks the 100th anniversary of the Australian and New Zealand landing at Gallipoli.

To mark this and recognise the sacrifices of those who have served our country since World War I, Quest Newspapers is publishing a story each day online in the lead-up to Anzac Day.

The series highlights unsung heroes, families, volunteers and groups who have kept memories of the fallen alive.

Originally published as Memorial gates a tribute to Diggers but also a lesson in local World War I history