Council honours former ANZAC residents

On Saturday, 15 August 2009, Holroyd City Mayor, Clr Greg Cummings officially unveiled two interpretive signs to honour former ANZAC residents of Fullagar Road, Wentworthville. The signage can be found within the Fullagar Road Conservation Area at the corners of Fullagar Road and Bridge Road, and Fullagar Road and Lytton Street.

Bronze plaques were also unveiled which are can be found embedded in the footpath outside nine houses on the south side of Fullagar Road commemorating the ANZAC who lived in each house. (The Fullagar Road Conservation Area is the largest and most intact example of Inter-War Service Homes in Holroyd).

The houses were constructed by the War Service Homes Commission during the 1920s to provide loans at low interest rates for returned soldiers from World War 1, to partly recompense them for their sacrifice and enable them to bypass the anticipated house shortage. Applicants could acquire homes on very attractive terms where the usual purchase price appears to have been £800 with the payment term running for 37 years.

In 1917, Frederick John Purdy the owner of Essington on Bridge Road, subdivided the property, and the land along Fullagar Road was later sold to the War Service Homes Commission. The Commission developed a series of standard house designs, such as the single storey 1920s bungalows in an Inter-War style found in the Conservation Area.

Anyone interested can visit the Conservation Area, but please remember these houses are private property and the public are not entitled to enter the properties. Please view these homes from the public footpaths only.

There is more information about the Fullagar Road Conservation Area or you may contact Council’s Local Studies Librarian at Merrylands Library on 9840 9789.

Summary of ANZACs who occupied Fullagar Road

Twelve ANZACs are associated with the Fullagar Road Heritage Conservation Area, living in a total of 9 identifiable heritage houses out of the potential 16 houses.

ANZACs in bold below = Nine residences (one of which is for three ANZACs).

Other possible residents include E J Callagher, G A Cahill, Richard A Thomas (34) and T Sullivan (36, possible ANZAC).

The houses that form the Fullagar Street War Service Homes are: 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 and 38.

Source: the Heritage Report, History And Social Significance - War Service Homes - 6-26, 30-32 And 38 Fullagar Road, by Terry Kass.

For further information contact the Media Relations and Promotions Manager on 9840 9717, 0416 105 029 or email web2@holroyd.nsw.gov.au.