Merrylands RSL has named its memorial garden in honour of Charles W. Munnery, one of the club’s longest members and former presidents, who passed away late last year.
50 years ago, Munnery, known as Chicka by his friends, came up with the concept for the memorial in the front gardens of the RSL.
He commissioned world-renowned artist, David Darcy, to commemorate servicemen in recognition of their efforts and battles for their country.
Each of the three servicemen represented in the memorial reflect a division of RSL’s service league; the Navy, Army and Air Force and the nurse, added later in 2010 to represent women in war.
The 303 rifle that hangs over the middle soldiers arm and the shell casing are actual weapons of war that were also bronzed in the process.
Now, on what would have been his 100th birthday, the local RSL has paid tribute to his memory by naming it The Charles W Munnery OAM Memorial Gardens.
Munnery was an ex-serviceman from the Army’s sixth division and became a member of the local RSL in 1949. He later became the president of Merrylands RSL Club from 1960 to 1973.
“[He] was a much-loved member of the Merrylands RSL family until his passing on the 18th September 2023,” Merrylands RSL said in a statement.
“It was only fitting that on Sunday 17th March 2024, which would have been Charlie’s 100th Birthday, Merrylands RSL Club and Merrylands Sub-Branch honoured the creator of this inspirational memorial.”
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.