Just 900 more war graves to research and catalogue and Cath Sedgwick’s work will be done.
But these World War I graves are not in France or other parts of continental Europe – they are in the United Kingdom and Ireland and there’s thousands of them.
It’s not something that was well known until the St Andrews resident pivoted to while researching her English husband’s family history more than 10 years ago, and ‘’bumped into’’ Beth Page, an English woman behind https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/
“I just went on from there,’’ Ms Sedgwick tells the South West Voice in Macarthur.
Her work is of such significance that Cath Sedgwick was rewarded with a 2024 Australia Day honour – Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division.
She received the OAM for “service to the community through history preservation’’.
“We had a little celebration,’’ says Cath Sedgwick, pictured above at the Australian war memorial.
“So few people realise Australian soldiers who died in World War I are in graves in the UK and Ireland,’’ she says.
“Most people just think of France and Belgium when they think of World War I graves of Aussies.
“But there’s little villages in England that commemorate Anzac Day every year.’’
Unfortunately fear of flying has so far prevented Cath Sedgwick from going over to the UK and Ireland, but she is determined that it will happen eventually.
Other South Western Sydney 2024 Australia Day honours recipients were:
Dr Brett Anthony Summerell, of Douglas Park, chief scientist at the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, for “significant service to the environment through plant pathology and mycology’’.
Liberal Party councillor Mazhar Hadid, for “service to the community of Liverpool’’.
Peter Moore, president of the Fairfield Liverpool Cricket Association since 2011, for service to cricket in NSW.
Anyone can nominate any Australian for an award in the Order of Australia. If you know someone worthy, nominate them now at www.gg.gov.au.
