An artistic way to remember our fallen
Published on 30 April 2026
“There is a link death cannot sever, loves remembrance lives forever”.
Those words, written in Wedderburn more than 100 years ago, have now returned to the town in time for Anzac Day.
They honour Frederick Cairns Drysdale, a Wedderburn-born soldier who was killed in action at the age of just 23 while serving in the Australian Imperial Force in Belgium in 1917 during World War I.
Following the war, families of those who had died were invited to write an epitaph – with a maximum of 66 characters – to be included on the headstones of their loved ones.
The words for Frederick’s epitaph sit on his headstone at the Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendaele, Belgium, and might have remained in Flanders Fields and never returned to his home were it not for a project by the Australian National Veterans Art Museum (ANVAM).
The Unknown Widow by artist Sacha de Wit in collaboration with performer Kirshy McAinch, both Royal Australian Navy veterans, is a collection of 66 embroidered handkerchiefs containing words from soldiers’ epitaphs.
It was displayed at the Wedderburn Mechanics Hall and Literary Institute as part of the Loddon Valley Arts festival in September-October 2025.
During the event, the handkerchief was presented to Loddon Shire Council, which has framed and donated it to the Wedderburn Korong Vale RSL.
Wedderburn Korong Vale RSL president Roger Paterson said the sub-branch was delighted to accept the donation.
“We are honoured to receive this framed epitaph honouring Frederick Cairns Drysdale, along with the many other servicemen from Wedderburn and the broader region whose stories deserve to be remembered,” he said.
“We sincerely thank ANVAM and Loddon Shire for their role in preserving and sharing this important piece of history. It is important to us that the service and sacrifice of our local men and women continue to be remembered and shared with future generations.”
Frederick Drysdale’s Wedderburn-born great nieces Judith Sobol and Margaret Matthews, great-great niece Lynette Matthews and great-great nephew Derek Drysdale (Judith’s son) were present for the handover.
“Our family is deeply honoured to see Frederick’s legacy recognised in this meaningful way, and we’re grateful to have been made aware of this generous donation,” Derek Drysdale said.
“We are proud to represent our family to help commemorate this special occasion.”
Loddon Shire Mayor Dan Straub said it was a timely donation.
“Anzac Day is probably the most important date on the Australian calendar and while it commemorates the sacrifice of all Australian service men and women, World War I is where it all started,” he said.
“And the region did more than its fair share in the Great War, and Private Frederick Drysdale is a great example of that, as much as our two Victoria Cross recipients and everyone else who served.
“We are delighted this embroidered handkerchief will find a fitting home, and it’s great that this came about through Loddon Valley Arts, which we have supported since its inception and has proved to be a wonderful way for our communities to come together and show others our creative talents.”
Caption: Wedderburn Korong Vale RSL president Roger Paterson, Frederick Drysdale’s great niece Judith Sobol, great-great-nephew Derek Drysdale, great-niece Margaret Matthews and great-great-niece Lynette Matthews with Loddon Shire Council Tourism Coordinator Bradd Worrell after the handover of the framed handkerchief from Council to the RSL.