I was honoured to attend the re-dedication of the Port Augusta Fallen Soldiers Memorial by Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, exactly 100 years to the day since it was unveiled by Miss Ethel Campbell MBE.
Miss Campbell was known as the 'Angel of Durban'. After the death of her fiancé early in the war, she dedicated herself to supporting troop ships on the wharf at Durban, South Africa by semaphoring with her flags messages of welcome and farewell, singing to the troops, and sending a hearty "coo-ee!" to the Australian troops. As a gesture of appreciation, the Returned Soldiers League invited The Angel of Durban to tour Australia in 1923.
Congratulations to Ken Pollock and Paul Smith from the Port Augusta RSL, Mayor Linley Shine, Port Augusta City Council, Australian Defence Force personnel from the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, TS Augusta Navy Cadets, the South Australia Police Brass Quintet, and the people of Port Augusta for supporting such moving service to remember the service and sacrifice of the brave women and men who have worn our nation's uniform.