2/24 Australian Infantry Battalion

Memorial Wall Precinct

at Wangaratta Cemetery, Mason Street, Wangaratta Victoria

From the street walk through the Alan Macfarlane Memorial Gates and you are in 2/24 Battalion Drive - the main entrance to the Cemetery.
Immediately on the right is the bluestone Memorial Wall with gumtree sentinels. These 24 eucalyptus trees are dedicated to the memory of the men who gave their lives in the cause of freedom during World War 2. The trees were planted on 29 May 1993 in two rows of twelve trees each side of the wall to define the Battalion. Two trees stand on the other side of 2/24 Battalion Drive to symbolise the Second AIF, completing the symbol of 2/24.

 
The 2/24 Memorial Wall consists of a centre bluestone column with the Honour Roll of the men of the 2/24th who died on active service; abutted on each side by individual plaques of the Battalion Commanders. Over 250 other individual plaques, dedicated to servicemen who have died since the War, are mounted on the bluestone walls. The plaques are inscribed and mounted by the local stonemasons, E J Wright and Sons Memorials of Wangaratta.

Families of 2/24th who wish to have a plaque honouring their serviceman should contact the President of the 2/24 Battalion Association to request an Application Form.
Contact details are
Mail: The President, 2/24 Battalion Association, 34 Jamescott Drive, Drouin Vic 3818
E-mail: President@2-24.battalion.org.au

The cost of a plaque is $110 inc GST. Details of payment are on the Application Form.

Timeline of the Precinct

• The trees were planted on 29 May 1993.
• The avenue of trees was dedicated at a Service held on 23 November 1993.
• The Timeline Plaque opposite the Wall was unveiled by Mayor of Wangaratta, Cr Ray Lawford, on 23 October 1993.
• The Memorial Wall was unveiled on 8 November 1997 by the Mayor of Wangaratta, Cr Geoff Dinning and 2/24 President, Alan Macfarlane, and dedicated by Robin Mitchell VX67518.
• The Bluestone Piers and Gates were unveiled on 10 November 2007 by Mayor of Wangaratta, Cr Don Joyce, and President of 2/24 Battalion Association, Alan Macfarlane, and dedicated by The Right Rev David Farrer, the Bishop of Wangaratta.
• The Marble Panels above the Honour Roll were unveiled on 5 November 2011 by the Mayor of Wangaratta, Cr Anthony Griffiths and President of 2/24 Association, Doug Dobson, and dedicated by Association Secretary, Alastair Davison.
• The Drinking Fountain in the gazebo was donated by the Weir Family and dedicated by the Very Rev Michael O'Brien on 10 November 2012. The entrance road was named 2/24 Battalion Drive in 2012.
• The Bench Seat facing the Wall from across the drive was donated by Hautrie Crick in memory of his Tobruk mates. It was unveiled and dedicated on 9 November 2013.
• The Memorial Gates were named as the Alan Macfarlane Gates on 24 April 2021 and the plaque unveiled by Faye Macfarlane and Isabel Dunstan OAM.