St Jude’s Military Memorials Collection
A Living Legacy of Faith, Service and Remembrance
The St Jude's Military Memorial Collection brings together a unique group of memorials, historic furnishings and commemorative items associated with St Jude's Anglican Church, Dural, the surrounding district and the ministry of Rev. Ronald Arthur "Terry" O'Brien.
Together, these items tell a story of faith lived through times of war and peace, of local men and women who served their nation, and of a parish committed to remembering those who made great sacrifices for others. They reflect the close relationship between St Jude's and the 2/3rd Australian Machine Gun Battalion, as well as the enduring influence of Padre O'Brien, who served as Chaplain to the Battalion during the Second World War before returning to St Jude's as Rector.
More than historical objects, these memorials remain part of the worship and life of the parish. They remind us of those who have gone before us and encourage us to give thanks for lives marked by courage, service, faithfulness and sacrifice.
The St Jude's Union Jack
The most significant item in the collection is a historic Union Jack that has hung within St Jude's Church for many decades.
This flag is highly likely to be the Battalion Flag presented to St Jude's by Lieutenant Colonel Roy Gordon of the 2/3rd Australian Machine Gun Battalion following the Second World War. Contemporary newspaper reports record the presentation of a Battalion flag to hang near the altar as a memorial to Battalion members and their service.
The significance of the flag is strengthened by its connection with Padre Terry O'Brien, who served as Chaplain to the Battalion during the war. Following his return to St Jude's, O'Brien maintained close friendships with Battalion members, many of whom continued to worship within the parish and support its ministry.
Today, the flag stands as a visible reminder of those who served, those who died, and the enduring bonds of faith, friendship and remembrance that followed the war.
The Communion Table
The Communion Table was presented by veterans of the 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion and dedicated in October 1946.
For almost eighty years, it has stood at the heart of worship at St Jude's. Around this table, generations of parishioners have gathered to celebrate Holy Communion, give thanks to God and remember Christ's sacrifice.
At the same time, it serves as a memorial to Battalion members who gave their lives during the Second World War. Its continued use ensures that remembrance remains woven into the worship and life of the parish.
The Pulpit
Presented alongside the Communion Table, the Pulpit was also donated by members of the 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion.
From this Pulpit generations of clergy have proclaimed God's Word, continuing a ministry closely associated with Padre O'Brien and the veterans who sought to establish a lasting memorial within St Jude's.
Together, the Communion Table and Pulpit represent a remarkable expression of faith, remembrance and thanksgiving by those who returned from war.
Mounted on the inside of the Pulpit, this brass plaque records the gift of the Communion Table and Pulpit by members of the 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion.
The plaque reads:
"To the Glory of God in memory of the members of the 2/3 M.G. Bn. A.I.F. who gave their lives in the cause of freedom 1939–1945. The Communion Table and Pulpit are the gift of the members of the 2/3 M.G. Bn. and were dedicated on the 27th October 1946. Padre R. O'Brien, Rector."
The plaque reflects the gratitude of returning servicemen and their desire to honour those who did not return. It also records the deep and enduring relationship between the Battalion and St Jude's in the years following the war.
The Three Services Memorial
This carved timber memorial panel displays the badges of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces, the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force.
Together, the three badges recognise the service of men and women who answered their nation's call during times of war. The memorial reflects the gratitude of the parish for their service and complements the wider collection of memorials throughout St Jude's.
The use of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces badge situates the memorial within the wartime and immediate post-war period, as represented by many of the items in the collection. Today it stands as a reminder of courage, service and sacrifice.
The St Mark's Glenorie Bell
One of the most remarkable items in the collection is the bell originally associated with a mission station in New Guinea during the 1930s.
According to the commemorative plaque, the mission was occupied during the Japanese invasion of New Guinea, and the dents visible in the bell were reportedly caused by Japanese soldiers striking it with bayonets.
The bell was recovered and brought back to Australia by Rev. Ronald "Terry" O'Brien while serving with the 2nd AIF. It was subsequently installed at St Mark's Anglican Church, Glenorie, in 1945.
Following the closure of St Mark's in 1973, the bell was preserved and later recommissioned at St Jude's during the church's 150th anniversary celebrations.
Having called people to worship in New Guinea, Glenorie and now Dural, the bell stands as a remarkable link between Christian mission, wartime service and the ministry of Padre O'Brien.
Padre O'Brien Memorial Pew
This carved timber memorial panel displays the badges of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces, the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force.
Together, the three badges recognise the service of men and women who answered their nation's call during times of war. The memorial reflects the gratitude of the parish for their service and complements the wider collection of memorials throughout St Jude's.
The use of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces badge situates the memorial within the wartime and immediate post-war period, as represented by many of the items in the collection. Today it stands as a reminder of courage, service and sacrifice.
Memorial Pew – Signalman Alfred Charles Lawson
This memorial pew commemorates Signalman Alfred Charles Lawson, who was killed in action in Malaya on 29 January 1942.
The plaque reflects the grief experienced by local families during the Second World War and reminds us that the consequences of war were deeply felt within the district community.
Today the memorial preserves the memory of a young man whose life was given in service to his country and whose sacrifice remains part of the story of St Jude's and the wider district.
Learn more about Alfred Lawson:
Memorial Pew – Sergeant Pilot Karl M. Miegel
This pew commemorates Sergeant Pilot Karl M. Miegel, who was killed in the United Kingdom on 20 April 1942 while serving with the Royal Australian Air Force.
His memorial preserves the memory of a young local airman whose service and sacrifice form part of the district's wartime story.
Together with the other memorials in St Jude's, it reminds us of the individuals and families whose lives were forever changed by war.
Learn more about Karl M. Miegel:
Roll of Honour 1939–1945
The Roll of Honour records sixteen men from the district who lost their lives during the Second World War.
Carved in timber and displayed within the church, it provides a permanent record of local sacrifice and remains one of the most significant memorials within St Jude's.
Each name represents a life given in service and a family touched by loss. Together they remind us of the cost of war and the importance of remembering those who served with gratitude and respect.
A Continuing Legacy
The St Jude's Military Memorial Collection remains an active part of the worship and life of the parish.
These memorials are not simply reminders of the past. They continue to bear witness to the faith, service and sacrifice of those who came before us. They remind us of the men and women who served their nation, the families who carried the burden of loss, and the Christian hope that sustained communities through difficult times.
Together they tell a uniquely local story connecting Dural, Glenorie, Arcadia, New Guinea, the 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion and the ministry of Padre Terry O'Brien. Through their preservation, future generations will continue to learn from and honour those whose lives helped shape our community.