In 1920, some returned servicemen formed the Balingup sub-branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, later Returned Servicemen’s League (RSL). The sub-branch was very active for a few years, but became more or less defunct in the late 1920s, then revived under a new committee c1930-31, which instigated the establishment of the Avenue of Honour on part of Brooklands Estate, which the Government had acquired for soldier settlement.
In May 1930, Reserve No. 20423 (Nelson Location 8144), which had been part of Brooklands Estate, was gazetted and vested in the Balingup Road Board in trust for the purpose of Park Lands. In June 1932, the Road Board gave permission to the RSL to plant trees in the reserve, at the western end of Brockman Street, this section known as Pine Avenue for its Pine trees.
A double-row of Oak trees (Quercus lusitanica), sourced from Hawter’s nursery at Mullalyup, was planted, 28 sentinels lining each side of the Avenue. The trees represented the local Balingup men who enlisted and who died during WW1.
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It is no coincidence the Avenue was formally opened on the 20th August 1932, by Field Marshall Sir William Birdwood, Commander in Chief of the AIF during WW1, and in whose honour the Avenue is named.
SIR WILLIAM BIRDWOOD.
Visit to Balingup.
The State secretary of the Returned Soldiers’ League (Mr. D. M. Benson) made available yesterday the programme for Field-Marshal Sir William Birdwood’s visit to Balingup next Saturday. The chief purpose of the visit is to declare open an avenue of trees planted in honour of men who enlisted from the district and lost their lives in the war. The land where the trees are was originally part of the Brooklands Estate, and has been handed over to the Balingup sub-branch of the league by the State Government. The avenue will eventually lead to the Brooklands Pool, one of the local beauty spots. Details of the programme are as follow: — 11.45 a.m., parade of ex-Australian Imperial Force and ex-Imperial soldiers at the Balingup railway station; noon, arrival of Field-Marshal Birdwood, accompanied by Capt. F. C. Craig (the party will be met at the bridge by the chairman of the road board, Mr. W. M. Jenkins, representatives of the State executive of the league, the president and secretary of the sub-branch, Messrs. L. McBride and F. W. Hawcroft, respectively, and Parliamentary representatives for the district) ; 12.15 p.m., the guard of honour, commanded by Col. N. M. Brazier and Major R. A. Geddes, M.C., will be inspected by the Field-Marshal; 12.20 p.m., the parade, led by the Bunbury band, will march past; 12.30 p.m., League luncheon, attended by Sir William Birdwood; 2.30 p.m., ex-service men will fall in and march with the band and colours to the Memorial site; 2.55 p.m., ‘The Last Post’; 3 p.m., the sub-branch president will welcome Sir William Birdwood; 3.10 p.m., Sir William Birdwood will reply, and declare the Avenue open: 3.30 p.m., trees will be planted by Sir William and Lady Birdwood; 3.45 p.m.. name plates will be fixed by relatives of the fallen, the Avenue will be dedicated by the Bishop of Bunbury, and ‘The Reveille’ will be sounded: evening, the distinguished visitors will be guests at a social function at the Balingup Hall.
West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Thursday 18 August 1932, page 12
A number of soldiers from Balingup served in the 10th Light Horse (created soon after the outbreak of the Great War), including two brothers, Leslie Craig and his brother Colin, the latter marrying a daughter of Field Marshall Sir William Birdwood.
On 20 August, Field-Marshall Sir William Birdwood (on a visit to his daughter and son-in-law) opened the Avenue of Honour, relatives of fallen soldiers and members of the local RSL placed name plates at the base of each tree, and, in the absence of the Bishop of Bunbury, Rev. Christensen dedicated the Avenue. Sir William agreed to the RSL naming the reserve Birdwood Park, where he planted a tree, Mrs Leslie Craig planted one on behalf of Lady Birdwood for woman’s sacrifice in war, Captain C R Gillett on behalf of the RSL one for the Unknown Warrior, and C Russell, Vice-President, Balingup RSL, one for Fallen Comrades. Subsequently between the two rows of trees a road was made leading to the Brooklands Pool, a local beauty spot on Balingup Brook, and Birdwood Park became a popular recreation place. (This gravel track, the western extension of Brockman Street, is now known as Birdwood Park Road).
By the early 2000s, few original jarrah plaques remained on the trees and the Avenue of Honour was in disrepair. In 2009, the Lions Club of Balingup decided on a project to revitalise it. They researched to determine the names of the commemorated servicemen and obtained and installed 53 new bronze plaques inscribed with their names. New interpretative panels were installed and the landscaping and planting were upgraded.
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This passionate campaign by the Balingup Lions Club, highlights the significance of the Avenue of Honour to the local community. The Lions Club worked hard to secure the necessary funds for the restoration project, including investing in the care and rejuvenation of the original, mature trees and replacement of failed trees as required.
