Call for Fremantle grave to be heritage listed

Call for Fremantle grave to be heritage listed

Fast Facts:

  • Graves and cremation plaques of seven Western Australian Victoria Cross recipients are not heritage listed, including one at the Fremantle Cemetery;
  • The burial rights have expired, meaning without heritage protection these graves could be in jeopardy in the future;
  • As part of the Centenary of ANZAC, the burial places should be protected.
  • WA Labor Leader Mark McGowan has called for seven graves and cremation plaques of Victoria Cross recipients to be placed on the Heritage Register as part of the Centenary of ANZAC.

Ensuring the graves and cremation plaques of seven VC recipients located in Western Australian cemeteries are appropriately recognised and heritage protected should be prioritised.

Leonard Henry Trent was a Group Captain in the Royal New Zealand Air Force and was awarded a Victoria Cross. His grave at Fremantle Cemetery is not listed on the State Heritage Register.

Captain of the 10th Light Horse Regiment, Second Lieutenant Hugo Throssell VC, received his Victoria Cross for exceptional bravery at Gallipoli. Suffering from what was clearly Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, he committed suicide in 1933. His grave at Karrakatta Cemetery is not listed on the State Heritage Register.

Other deceased VC recipients in Western Australia cemeteries include:

Private Martin O’Meara VC – Died 20 December 1935
Private James Wood VC – Died 18 January 1963
Lance Corporal Thomas Axford VC – Died 11 October 1983
Private John Carroll VC – Died 4 October 1971
Private James Gordon VC – 19 July 1986
Private Leslie Starcevich VC – 17 November 1989
Comments from WA Labor Leader Mark McGowan:

“It is disappointing to learn that the graves and plaques of our VC heroes are not properly protected under our heritage laws.

“As we approach the Centenary of ANZAC, I am calling on the Government to recognise the significance of these burial sites and ensure these men are remembered for generations.”

Comments from Simone McGurk MLA:

“Bon Scott’s plaque in Fremantle cemetery is rightly heritage protected; our war heroes should also be recognised.

“Leonard Henry Trent was awarded a Victoria Cross for his efforts during WWII. He was a Group Captain in the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

“Mr Trent died in May 1985 and his grave is located at the Fremantle Cemetery. The ANZAC centenary is an opportunity to give proper recognition to his resting place.”