South Riana Memorial
South Riana Memorial is a place to connect with South Riana, a small rural community in North West Tasmania, Australia. Over time this website will contain many stories, anecdotes, photographs and upcoming events that relate to South Riana, but for now the primary focus in on the veterans from World War I and World War II who have had a connection with this small community. Some were born in South Riana, others came later and lived here, while others worked here for a time. All are honoured for their service and sacrifice.
Our History
Find out about WW1 and WW2 service men and women honoured on our South Riana Memorial Boards.
Events
Learn about upcoming events being hosted at the South Riana Memorial Hall.
About the South Riana Memorial Gates:
The Memorial Gates mark the entrance to the South Riana Recreation Ground and were designed in 1953. They consist of wrought-iron gates, flanked by two concrete pillars with a rock-faced concrete fence. The names of the four local men who made the supreme sacrifice are inscribed on the pillars of the gates, they are: Walter Henry William Rowsthorn died 7th April 1917 at Boursies, France; Albert James Balaam died 1st October 1917 at Ypres, Belgium; Cyril Gordon Viney died 25th November 1942 in New Guinea; and Stanley Arthur Crawford died 24th June 1944 off Nagasaki, Japan when the P.O.W. transport ship he was on was sunk by an American submarine. In 2019 the four soldier’s names were highlighted in gold leaf as this had not been done originally and in 2023 the gates were restored with a grant from the Federal Government Saluting Their Service.
Since it was built sections of the concrete fence have been accidently knocked down by vehicles several times and a car ran through the gates which required them to be removed and repaired. On each occasion the community rallied to ensure the preservation of this memorial.
Every year on ANZAC Day (25th April) local resident Mrs Pam Ingram, grand-niece of Walter Rowsthorn, places a wreath of flowers on the gates in honour of the fallen.
LEST WE FORGET