PHOTOGRAPH (DIGITAL): MONUMENT WITH PLAQUE, CHARLES STOKES RESERVE, DAGLISH, NOVEMBER 2011

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2011

Overview

Digital colour photograph showing two bronze plaques on a large rock. The first plaque is rectangular and the second is an oval bas-relief plaque.

Front Inscription Monument plaque :

'This plaque was unveiled by Dr. Hubert Lelieur Mayor of Villers Bretonneux, France and Mrs. Helen Passmore Mayor of the city of Subiaco, Western Australia to commemorate the dedication of Charles Stokes Reserve 29th December, 1989'.

Monument plaque :

'City of Subiaco

Charles Stokes Reserve - 1989

Sergeant Charles Stokes was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in 1918 for outstanding bravery at Villers-Bretonneux, France, during World War 1. After heavy losses in two platoons Sergeant Stokes led the advance of the remaining men against machine-gun fire, capturing all enemy gun positions in the area. One position was captured by Sergeant Stokes alone.'

Historical information

Images taken at Charles Stokes Reserve in Daglish of the plaques for trees planted in the reserve.

The reserve commemorates Sergeant Charles Stokes who served with the 51st Battalion AIF. during World War One. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 4th February 1919 for outstanding bravery at Villers - Bretonneux on 24th and 25th April 1918.

A monument in the reserve was dedicated on 29 December 1989. A square plaque was on the monument on the day of dedication, but the oval shaped plaque was added some time after the dedication.

On the day of the dedication seven surviving World War One veterans each planted a tree in proximity to the monument. The veteran's name is on a plaque at the base of the tree.

After 71 years, a Subiaco hero has been given local recognition for his bravery in rushing a German machine-gun post in the Great War. Last week, a reserve was named after him – Charles Stokes Reserve – at the corner of Selby Street and Chubb Avenue.

The ceremony was led by Subiaco mayor Helen Passmore and the mayor of Villers-Bretonneux, the French village in the Somme valley which was saved by Australian soldiers. About 120 people watched the ceremony; they included seven survivors of Villers Bretonneux and many descendants of Charles stokes.

Sgt Stokes and Lieutenant Cliff Sadlier – who each lived for many years in Subiaco - were honoured for their bravery at Villers- Bretonneux. Sadlier was awarded the Victoria Cross and a park was named after him in Subiaco. Stokes was nominated for the VC, but awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-43-2024.252.2

Item type

Photographs

Keywords

Charles Stokes Reserve

Commemoration

STOKES Charles

Year

2011

Subiaco Museum