A North-west based researcher, Cate Clark, is urging Moree residents to look closely at a photograph of National Service (Nasho) veterans.
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Ms Clark believes the men pictured may be from or around Moree, taken in the early 2000s of the men receiving their Defence Force Service Medals.
The photo belonged to Gunnedah historian Don McDonagh who was also a National Serviceman from 1951 to 1957, giving seven years of his life to the army and was eligible for the service medal.
“Don’s home was recently destroyed by fire with only some items being salvaged. I have hundreds of photos that need identification but I know the Nasho’s in the photo aren’t all from Gunnedah and may be from around the Moree area,” she said.
“Moree people may have known Don for his magnificent model train set. People would often come from all over the region to view it.”
Already one man, of Warialda, has been identified standing in the photo.
Ms Clark said social media has been a big help in the journey to name the men.
“It is believed that the photo was taken in Gunnedah but it featured Nashos from all over the region. Many of the people have been identified through Facebook and phone calls, but some remain nameless. So I would like your help to pin a name to the faces,” Ms Clark said.
She said the photo was short around four or five names and those who had been identified included:
Front row from left: possibly Peter Gumbleton, unknown, John Anderson, Trevor Jackson, Carl Stenholm, Lester Baldwin. And top row from left: unknown, Warialda man named Charles Allen, Laurie Symmington, Don McDonagh, Peter Riordan, Robert Wilson, Peter Clarke.
“I’ve also sent the details to a number of newspapers around the region in hopes someone will be reading the article and see the picture to see a familiar face. Hopefully I will have continued support if I find more photos with Moree faces in them,” she said.
If you can help with any details, including the date the medal was issued, as well as the names of the unknown servicemen, email Cate at cate@writerightmedia.com.au