The Five Dock Avenue of Honour is known as the Row of Trees Memorial for the Rats of Tobruk. It was established to commemorate the Rats of Tobruk. A row of Hill’s Fig trees are located at the corner of Great North Road and Lyons Road, in Five Dock, New South Wales. The Avenue is marked with a memorial column at the corner of the roads.
The NSW War Memorials Register explains the Rats of Tobruk: “The name ‘Rats’ was given the defenders of Tobruk by attacking German forces, and was adopted with pride, rather than being received as the intended insult. The H.M.A.S. Vendetta performed a valiant supply and reinforcement role during the fierce Second World War engagement.” For more information visit www.warmemorialsregister.nsw.gov.au/content/rats-tobruk-war-memorial-five-dock
The row of Hill’s Fig trees was planted by the ladies of the Rats of Tobruk Auxillary and is marked by a plaque that reads:
Their Deeds Bought Our Freedom
In tribute to our gallant fighting forces and the sacrifice they made 1939 – 1945 This row of trees planted in their honour by the grateful ladies of the Rats of Tobruk Auxillary.
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