Shellharbour War Memorial

DESCRIPTION

NameShellharbour War MemorialLocationCaroline Chisholm Park, Addison StreetDescriptionPrivate Samuel Charles Atchison of the New South Wales Mounted Rifles Colonial Military Forces was mortally wounded and died South Africa 20 February 1900, while on active service in the Boer War.

Samuel was born in 1877 at Shellharbour: one of eight children of Samuel Atchison, an Irishman from County Tyrone, and Clorinda Watson (nee Thomas) from Kent, England. He grew up on the family farm at Bass Point and was educated at the local public school.

Samuel served in the Scottish Rifles, and as soon as the NSW contingent was formed to go to South Africa, he volunteered.

On news of his death, the Shellharbour community petitioned for a marble memorial to Samuel which was originally placed at Little Park 30 May 1900. It stood on the hillside in the park until erosion made it necessary to move it to the flatter area in 1957. The monument was moved to Caroline Chisholm Park in 1982, together with the World War 1, World War 2 and Cities Service Boston memorial.

An unveiling and wreath laying ceremony was held by the Warilla RSL Sub-branch on 20 February 2000, 100 years after the death of Private Atchison.

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