IPSWICH Military Historian, Eddie Habben has recently added to the area’s rich history with assistance from former Councillor, David Pahlke.
Eddie said that David had always been a passionate supporter of Rosewood’s history with a particular ambition to have the military history of the area written.
“David approached me in regard to compiling the military history and I was enthusiastic with the concept as little had been done in relation to the Ipswich and district’s rich military history particularly in the Rosewood area,” he said.
“So together with the help from the Rosewood sub Branch of the Returned Services League that secured funding for the project and the local Bendigo Bank Branch that funded the publication costs, the vision of a written history came to fruition.
“I set off to locate all of the World War I Honour Boards that existed in Grandchester, Walloon, Rosevale, Glamorgan Vale and Rosewood, compiling the names that appeared on these boards.
“With a few exceptions I was able to identify the majority of the servicemen whose names appeared on the boards.”
To do justice to the men who served, Mr Habben said it was necessary for him to publish the history into three volumes.
“Volume One was completed and launched on Anzac Day in 2018, it contains the military and family biographies of 61 men who sacrificed their lives in World War I,” he said.
“It also contains information on 24 men from World War II with the biographies of all those who received awards for bravery and distinction on the field of battle in World War I.
“Volume Two was completed in 2019.
“It contains the military and family biographies of all those who survived the Great War and were fortunate enough to have returned to their families.”
Once completed the two publications were distributed to the organisations in the area which hold an honour board.
The Rosewood Library has now also received a copy for placement in the Local History Room collection.
Eddie said he is currently working on Volume Three.
“It will contain the history of those who served in the Boer War, those who were a part of Anzac Park and the Rosewood Rifle Club, the Militia Units of Rosewood, war trophies and the anti-German attitude that led to Marburg being renamed Townsend.”
And there’s more.
“Information on the movement to create the Rosewood Memorial Hall and many other interesting military aspects associated with Rosewood will also be published in the future, subject to grant money for research and publication.
“I owe all of my thanks to David for his support, because if it were not for him planting the seed to start this important history the voice from these inspirational men would never have come to life.”
