At the opening of the upgraded cenotaph in Robertson Park last Thursday, Orange mayor John Davis said he would like to see a lasting memorial to the Orange-born Victoria Cross winner, who has gone largely unrecognised for his bravery at Gallipoli, established this year, the Anzac centenary. 

“We need this to happen, and I would hope that with the support of the member for Orange Andrew Gee and the federal member for Calare John Cobb, we can attract funding,” Cr Davis said.

Yesterday Mr Gee and Mr Cobb pledged their support to source funding for a memorial.

“I thought it was a great idea and would be a fitting tribute that we would look at funding options through a NSW Government grants program,” Mr Gee said.

“I will certainly do all that I can to make it happen.”

Mr Cobb said he was happy to support a bid to obtain funding when he had  more detail from Orange City Council.

“Potentially, the Department of Veterans Affairs looks favourably on these type of things, and I will do all I can,” he said.

The recognition of Private Hamilton’s Victoria Cross came to light last year when a relative, 80-year-old Jim Shepherd, of Brisbane, wrote to Orange City Library staff with Private Hamilton’s story, to be used on council’s website as part of the 100th anniversary  commemorations of the Gallipoli landings.

Council staff at highlighted the story, and resident Will Hawke wrote to the Central Western Daily saying the sectarian prejudice that existed in Orange earlier last century was part of the reason  Private Hamilton had not been recognised.

Another relative, Michael Heston of Sydney, said he was delighted with plans to recognise Private Hamilton’s bravery.

“This is so long overdue and on the anniversary of Anzac it is very fitting there are now plans to erect a memorial,” he said.

Cr Davis said as Orange City Council funded the upgrade of the cenotaph without any support from community grants programs , it was hoped funding applications would be successful.

janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au