z Finally a hero’s welcome for John Fitzgerald
JOHN Fitzgerald (1889–1936) fought in France in World War I.
He returned, but not to a hero’s welcome.
A similar snubbing greeted John Fitzgerald’s brothers, Cecil and Raymond, who fought in World War II.
The Fitzgerald brothers were indigenous Australians and, along with most of their peers, were discounted as equal contributors to the war effort.
The wrongs suffered by Aboriginal soldiers in earlier conflicts continued until March 2005 when the ‘Honouring Indigenous War Graves Inc.’ was founded.
Since that time 60 headstones have been placed on indigenous graves in towns throughout Western Australia, in ceremonies that included families and friends of the old soldiers.
The ceremonies also include Army personnel, and various dignitaries.
These important acts of recognition and healing are made possible through Federal Government funding and the efforts of HIWGI president John Schnaars, a Vietnam veteran, and his committee.
John Fitzgerald was finally honoured in a moving ceremony at the York cemetery on December 21 2008.
His brothers were honoured a month earlier at Karrakatta.
About 150 people gathered at York for the two- hour service that commenced with a welcome to country, in the Noongar language, by elder, Mort Hansen.
Mr Hansen then played the didgeridoo to “let John know the day was for him”, and performed a smoking ceremony to ward off unwanted spirits and free the soul of the veteran and of all those taking part.
The Hon. Fred Chaney AO spoke of what “terrific occasions for reconciliation” the ceremonies had become.
Colonel Peter Fitzpatrick AM, Royal Australian Signals WA, reiterated the sentiment.
A small guard regiment, (Kelmscott/Pinjarra 10th Light Horse Memorial Troop), including a New Zealand Maori, stood to attention at the graveside during parts of the ceremony.
Members of the family as well as the public were invited to place poppies on the grave.
The Maori soldier performed a traditional honouring of the former soldier and explained the meaning in English.
All involved joined hands around the grave in a silent honouring.
Lance Corporal Dave Scott played The Last Post and Reveille.
‘The Dark Warrior’ a poem by Victor Churchill Dale, was read by HIWGI. committee member Mick Rainey.
The poem speaks of the soldiers Australia forgot.
Now, through the efforts of Honouring Indigenous War Graves, this is finally being put to rights.
HIWGI has had requests to continue the work in the eastern States, but funding is coming to an end.
Such is the dedication of the group though, fundraising is being considered to make this possible.
Services for veterans, indigenous or non- indigenous, of either sex, are also offered by HIWGI, with a minimum of two weeks’ notice of the funeral date. President John Schnaars can be contacted on hiwg@bigpond.com or 0417 955 914.
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