The Arno Soldiers' Memorial Hall near Waihau Forks was opened on 27 August 1919 with a social evening and dance. On 19 November 1920 a roll of honour was unveiled in the hall. This listed the names of seven local men and one woman (Staff Nurse Mary Gorman) who had died during the war, and 18 men and one woman (Sister Violet Maud Trott) who had also served.
After the Second World War the Waihao Downs-Arno District World War II roll of honour was added, listing the names of three men killed in action and 28 men and one woman (Sister I. Olorenshaw) who had also served.
See: 'Arno Memorial Hall' [public notice], Waimate Daily Advertiser, 9/8/1919, p. 3; 'General News' [note], Waimate Daily Advertiser, 18/11/1920, p. 2; 'Arno Memorial Hall', Waimate Daily Advertiser, 20/11/1920, p. 4.
Images: Rex Stace, 2014
Text: Bruce Ringer, 2024