THE majority of funding has been secured for a memorial to Private John Hamilton, the only Orange-born recipient of the Victoria Cross, who was recognised for his courage under fire at Gallipoli in 1915.
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However, work on the memorial cannot proceed until the final $25,000 is secured from the federal government.
Until details of Hamilton’s bravery came to light last year during 100th anniversary commemorations of the Gallipoli campaign, his story had remained virtually untold.
Orange City Council spokesman Nick Redmond said council had pledged $25,000 towards the $100,000 cost of the proposed memorial.
“The Orange Ex-Services’ Club has also pledged $25,000, along with the state government,” he said.
Council has been waiting months for the final pledge, with the state government’s contribution promised late last year.
The memorial will be built at the front of the former Town Hall (now OCTEC) where troops rallied during World War I before leaving Orange, and from where the prime minister of the time Billy Hughes addressed troops and the community.
Orange mayor John Davis commended the work of Orange City Library staff, who revealed the information about Private Hamilton after a family member contacted them from Queensland.
“It all happened because of the work of library staff for the Centenary of Anzac commemorations,” Cr Davis said.
Hamilton, who did not enlist in Orange, held the rank of Private when, during one of the Gallipoli battles, he exposed himself to enemy fire so he could tell those in the trenches where to throw their bombs.
He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant after being awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry.
Work on the memorial has been delayed due to the wait for federal government funding, with initial estimates predicting the memorial could have been built in time for this year’s Anzac Day commemorations.
janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au