Every now and again you come across a piece of history that very little people experience, yet its story offers a myriad of fascinating insights. The is so true of the Railway Honour Boards at the Toowoomba Railway Station.
The Honour Boards were designed by railway architect Vincent Price and made at the Ipswich Railway Workshops and unveiled in April 1918. They are a masterpiece of design carving and detail. It was simply an effort from employees of Queensland Railways to honour their colleagues who had served in World War 1. Mates honouring mates, a touching tribute from work colleagues to those amongst them who had enlisted.
Initially there were 209 names of railwaymen from Queensland's Darling Downs listed (of which 21 never returned) but another 350 names were added as more railwaymen were identified. Thus, 559 names are recorded on the board. Unfortunately 102 of those recorded never returned.
The boards provide a poignant reminder of the sacrifices so many made during World War 1, but what makes this board even more special is
that every name on the board has been researched and their military service recorded. This research was conducted by British researcher
Paul Cobb. An example is included below:
Adams, A.H. - 509 Pte Archibald Hugh Adams enlisted on 30th December 1915, aged 21. His address was given as Toowoomba and his
occupation is shown as a fireman. He was single and a Presbyterian. Adams departed from Sydney on 5 th June 1916 on HMAT Borda A30 as an
original member of 42nd Bn (C Coy). His next of kin was shown as his father - James Adams, Mabel Street, Harlaxton via Toowoomba, Qld. The
date he returned to Australia is not stated.
There is so much to learn from the honour boards at the Railway Station. If you want to see them and explore further their significance then Toowoomba Trails 'The Railway that Saved Queensland' is the tour.
