News

Unmarked veteran's grave honoured in ceremony

By Bree Lambert

Jul 2, 2026

For decades, World War I veteran Ernest Samuel Condick lay at Kyabram cemetery unmarked, unrecognised, but not forgotten by his family and community members.

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On Friday, June 26, that changed when members of the Kyabram RSL Sub-branch, Mr Condick’s family and community members gathered for an unveiling ceremony of his grave marker.

Born in Kyabram in 1895, Mr Condick was just 19 when he joined the Australian Imperial Force on March 30, 1915.

At the ceremony, Kyabram RSL Sub-branch member Ian Waller spoke about Mr Condick’s military and family history.

Kyabram RSL president Greg O'Connell and Ian Waller shared some words about Mr Condick. Photo by Bree Lambert

“Ernest embarked at Melbourne on board HMAT ‘Star of Victoria’ on the 10th September, 1915,” Mr Waller said.

“He landed soon after on the Gallipoli Peninsula at ANZAC Cove.”

“Ernest received a blow in the right eye whilst in the trenches of ANZAC Cove from the rifle of another soldier by accident.”

Following the injury to his eye, Mr Condick was treated across several hospitals before being invalided on May 21, 1916, to Australia aboard the transport ship Armadale, travelling through the Suez Canal for discharge.

He disembarked the ship at Melbourne on June 26, 1916, and was officially discharged from the AIF on October 23, 1916.

Ernest Samuel Condick's great-grandson Jacob Grozdan unveiled the World War I veteran’s headstone. Photo by Bree Lambert

Upon his return to Australia, Mr Condick resided in Melbourne for the majority of his life.

He went on to marry Madge Young in 1920 and also welcomed their first son, Ernest Thomas William Condick.

Mr Condick received the recognition and honour he deserved, made possible through the combined efforts of the historical society, the cemetery trust, and the Kyabram RSL Sub-Branch.

Kyabram RSL president Greg O’Connell said the group was notified in 2024 that there was an unmarked grave in Kyabram cemetery that belonged to Mr Condick.

The RSL applied for funding to get a marker put in and, in addition, for permission from the Department of Veteran Affairs to put an AIF badge on his grave, all of which were approved.

"We received the funding which has enabled us to do this little service today,” Mr O’Connell said.

Mr Condick’s great-grandson Jacob Grozdan unveiled the headstone, after which family and community members each stepped forward to lay a poppy in tribute.

Kyabram RSL member Clive Toms laid a wreath, and Mr O’Connell recited the Ode before The Last Post played.

“It means a lot,” Mr Condick’s grandson, Ernest Condick said.

“It’s great that it’s been finally recognised.”