The historic war memorial at the old Dunedin bus depot in Princes St was pictured in situ during an Anzac Day service last year, with Royal NZ Navy personnel Leading Hydrographic Survey Technician Vanessa Simpson (left) and Able Combat System Specialist George Weeks standing as a catafalque party. Photo: Supplied
For many years, Laurence Simpson would attend the Dawn Service on Anzac Day and then visit the memorial at the former Princes St bus depot, to lay a poppy in memory of his great-grandfather Duncan Claude James Ingle, who was killed in World War 1.
Mr Ingle’s name is one of four World War 1 and five World War 2 servicemen — all former city Tramways employees — listed on the 70-year old 1.5m by 1m marble plaque.
The World War 1 servicemen listed were G Browning, A Moir, G A Nicol, and C Ingle; and the World War 2 servicemen listed were Pte Vic Wilson, Pte Stan Brough, Sid Mclean RAF, Cpl Bruce Mark, and Lt Vince Bransgrove. All had worked in Dunedin’s public transport department.
Dunedin men Laurence Simpson (left) and Alan Savell are campaigning for a new publicly-accessible home for the historic marble war memorial plaque commemorating Dunedin City Corporation Tramways staff who died in military service, which was until recently sited at the old Dunedin bus depot in Princes St. PHOTO: BRENDA HARWOOD
After Go Bus vacated the council-owned building last year, leaving it empty, a small group of campaigners, led by Mr Simpson and Alan Savell, began discussions with council staff on finding a new home for the plaque.
‘‘We have been making progress on the project, albeit slowly,’’ Mr Simpson said.
On Anzac Day last year, a small service was held at the site.
Recently, with the future of the unused building in doubt, the memorial plaque was carefully removed and taken into protective storage by Dunedin stonemasons Wainwright & Hickey.
Now that the plaque has been removed from the empty building, Mr Simpson and Mr Savell are pushing for a new base to be created for the memorial at a new site, preferably at the Market Reserve — near to its original site.
Dunedin City Corporation Tramways staff who died in military service during World War 1, from left, G Browning, A Moir, G A Nicol, C Ingle.
‘‘We would really like the memorial to have a new home in time for a re-dedication ceremony on Armistice Day [November 11],’’ he said.
With the support of the Otago Military History Group, Mr Simpson and Mr Savell are putting the call out for descendants of the fallen soldiers listed on the memorial to come forward with any information they may have about the men.
‘‘We also want to connect with them, so that when we are able to rededicate the memorial. We can invite them to be part of it.’’
In response to inquiries from The Star, Dunedin City Council Property Services group manager Anna Nilsen said the historic Tramways war memorial plaque had been removed from the building at 658 Princes St for safekeeping.
‘‘The plaque was being looked after by Wainwright & Hickey [stonemasons] until final decisions are made about its potential relocation to the Market Reserve, which we support with some conditions,’’ Ms Nilsen said.
People who have information to share about the fallen soldiers can email tramwayswarmemorial@hotmail.com.
