The honour roll was an initiative of the school’s parents and citizens association, which was formed the year before and made the project a priority.

With the war still underway when the board was unveiled, a panel was left blank to allow more names to be added.

One hundred years on, the organisers of Kurri Kurri’s Centenary of Armistice activities are searching for the original honour roll. 

It was described in the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate on March 4, 1918 as being "seven feet high and five feet wide” with the words ‘For King and Country’ at its foot.

The honour roll’s last known whereabouts was the former Kurri Kurri RSL Club, and while anecdotal evidence suggests it may have ended up at the tip, the organisers are hopeful it may be recovered.

Hunter historian John Gillam is one of the organisers and said the idea behind locating the honour roll is to have a re-enactment of the dedication ceremony during the Centenary of Armistice period.

Mr Gillam said if the honour roll cannot be found, the men’s shed will be commissioned to make a replica.

Mr Gillam and fellow historian Yvonne Fletcher became involved in the activities after the publication of their 2017 book “You Can’t Fight, You’re a Girl!” (which told the extraordinary story of Kurri Kurri girl Maud Butler, who dressed up as a boy and stowed away on a troop ship in an attempt to join the war effort).

While researching some background context for an author talk about Maud Butler, Ms Fletcher discovered some amazing statistics about Kurri Kurri’s high ratio of residents who served in the war.

The pair was inspired to write another book and from there the Centenary of Armistice activities have grown.

While neither author hails from Kurri Kurri, they have become quite attached to the community throughout their research.

“We continued the research out of interest which became a passion to have this town’s wonderful story told,” Mr Gillam said.

“So we began writing No Shirkers from Kurri: The Great War experience of one Australian town and from that the activities were identified.

“We contacted some key people in the town and the momentum is building.”

Other activities planned throughout the year include a mural of Maud Butler, library workshops and a street parade.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the honour roll is asked to contact John Gillam on 0412 061 718.

The extract below is from an article that appeared in the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate on March 4, 1918.

An honour roll, containing the names of 153 former scholars, was unveiled by Mr. James, the Minister for Education at Kurri Kurri Public School on Saturday.  There was a large gathering of the general public, and adjoining centres were represented.  The cadets and returned soldiers, headed by the Weston Brass Band, marched from the drill hall to the school.  The national and .allied flags were hung from lines between buildings in the grounds, where addresses were given.

Mr. W. Thurling, the president of the P&C association, said that when twelve months ago, the association was formed, the preparation of an honour board was given preference over all other matters.  On the board had been placed the names of the boys who had  attended the school during the period that it was opened, now a matter of thirteen or fourteen years, and who had answered the call of duty.  The citizens took the idea up, and the assistance of the local picture theatres was also given.  The board, he thought was a credit to the town, and would have an honoured place at the school.  There were other names to be added, and it was likely that there were other boys fighting with the forces whose early years had been spent at the school.  The association would be glad of this information from those able to give it.

Mr. Nettleshlp, Head Master of West Maitland Public School, said the names on the roll were those of gallant men gone away to right a wrong.  He also said the mothers of such also deserved to be honoured. Many a mother deserved a  V.C.  Their sons were fighting for the best things In life, and in that fight many of them had laid down their lives.  He commended the patriotism of the people of Kurri Kurri, and the part taken by the schools.

Mr James, the Minister said he was equally honoured and  pleased to have the privilege of unveiling the Roll of Honour.  The Minister drew aside the. National flag covering the roll—a massive specimen of the cabinet worker's art, in polished oak.  It Is seven feet high and  five feet wide, with room in each of the five face panels for forty names, these being in brass lettering  three eighths of an inch in length  Two' Grecian columns carry a massive pediment  within which is the inscription--"Kurri  Kurri Public School Honour Roll”.  At the foot of the names are the words “For King and Country”.

Read the full article here.