Surrey Hills Shrine finally corrects misspelt Diggers’ names

A MISSPELLING of two World War I Diggers’ names endured for a century on a war memorial in Melbourne’s east, and has finally been corrected — in part.

The Shrine at Surrey Hills, which lists the incorrect spelling of two Diggers’ names.

ONE-hundred years after the Surrey Hills Shrine was erected to honour World War I service, the names of two Diggers who were among the first Australians to volunteer have finally been corrected — in part.

Brothers Francis and Thomas Renehan — with service numbers 396 and 19 — fought in Gallipoli and the Western Front.

HISTORIC FIELD GUN SET FOR NEW HOME

Francis was the only man in his landing boat to survive the Gallipoli beach assault on April 25, 1915.

Both survived the war. And neither complained when the local memorial incorrectly spelled their name as Reneham.

The incorrect spelling of Frank and Thomas Renehan’s names has remained for 100 years.

Following numerous calls by relatives over decades, a new plaque correctly spelling their names has been added.

But the original plaque with the mistake has been retained because it carries other soldiers’ names and also to protect the Surrey Gardens Shine heritage value, which was officially dedicated in April 1918.

The Renehan family believes the original copper plaque should have been corrected instead; however, it has been retained.

“Dad was one of the first to enlist,” daughter Jacqueline O’Callaghan said.

Brothers Francis and Thomas Renehan survived World War I.

“It really is very upsetting, it’s such a small thing to change the ‘m’ to an ‘n’.

“To me, the original plaque is the important one, that was the one dad saw and which meant a lot to him. I think it’s such a pity.”

The Andrews Government allocated $17,630 to the memorial to restore plaques and provide new ones for additional names and to correct errors.

DIGGERS WHO NEVER MET THEIR FOREIGN CHILDREN

THE DAY WORLD WAR II CAME TO MELBOURNE

But the government and Boroondara council say it cannot be altered because of its historical significance.

“We’re pleased to have helped right this wrong and funded a new plaque in honour of the Renehan family and other veterans,” Minister for Veterans John Eren said.