A VERY special dedication ceremony to a WWI boy soldier will be held at the Manning Valley Historical Society and Museum in Wingham at 10am on Wednesday, April 22.
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"Museums are places of coincidences," said Barbara Waters, president of the Manning Valley Historical Society, and nothing illustrates that statement more than how the story of Pte John "Jack" Lancelot Andrews and the display of his memorabilia came to light.
Back in August 2012, the Wingham RSL Sub Branch put out a call for missing honour rolls of Wingham and upper Manning locals who had served in conflict and peacekeeping missions.
At the time local historian Eric Richardson was researching the question of who was the youngest person in the Manning Valley to serve in WWI and found that the answer was John Lancelot Andrews.
John Andrews was only 15 years old when he enlisted. Sadly he was one of the tens of thousands who did not return home. He was killed in action when he was 17, and his grave is at the New Irish Farm Cemetery in Ypres, Belgium.
However, Pte Andrews name could not be found on any honour roll.
Enter Mrs Wills from Tinonee, who read the call of missing honour rolls in the Wingham Chronicle and contacted her son knowing he had the Roll of Honour from Bo Bo Creek Public School in his possession.
Mr Wills was put in touch with Eric Richardson, and Eric was delighted to find that John Lancelot Andrews name was listed on the Bo Bo Creek Honour Roll, as he had attended the Bo Bo Creek school.
In an uncanny coincidence that appears to fall in the "meant to happen" category, Dr Kay Redpath made a donation to the Wingham museum of memorabilia of 'Charity' Jack Andrews. In amongst that collection was memorabilia of John Lancelot Andrews.
"It was a lovely donation to this museum and as the Historical Society was looking for a special and significant way to commemorate the Anzac centenary, this donation was just the answer!" said Barbara Waters.
The collection is now displayed in the museum and includes extracts of letters Pte Andrews sent home, photos, his dog tags, silk embroidered postcards and an illuminated address - the precursor to certificates of appreciation, completely hand painted and illuminated with gold.
At the dedication ceremony a plaque will be unveiled and Rev Darrell McKeough, RSL Chaplain, will be dedicating the tribute.
For more information call the museum on 6553 5823. You can read the story of Pte John Lancelot Andrews in Vol 1 of Maurie Garland's book "At the Going Down of the Sun", which can be purchased at the museum.
