This website is a dedication to the Australian Union and Confederate Veterans of the American Civil War of 1861 – 1865. It has been created from numerous sources, government documents, research libraries and hundreds of pieces of information emailed in and donated by individuals from all over Australia and the United States; and includes work by individuals in both the “Sons of Confederate Veterans”, the “Sons of Union Veterans”, the “American Civil War Round Table of Queensland” the “American Civil of Round Table of Australia”, the late Roy Parker and others.

Hundred of thousands of individuals from all over the world participated in the American “War Between the States”; many in the north forcibly and against their will, inducted into Union service right off ships as they immigrated to America seeking a better life. Many others volunteered for what they thought would be a very short conflict, in a war that was deemed by the U.S. Constitution to be both illegal and without merit. Men of the southern states, however, white and black, all served voluntarily in defence of their “states rights”, brought on by aggressive northern governmental taxation, and in the protection of their homes and property from total destruction.

What ever the reason for their participation, no matter what their nationality, no matter what their race and no matter for which side they fought; all served gallantly as honourable soldiers in a war that took thousands of lives needlessly. As such, all American Civil War Veterans, Union and Confederate, should always be remembered and honoured for their bravery and gallantry in that disastrous conflict.

Many veterans after the war was over left America for other parts of the world, seeking peace and solitude, hoping to forget the tragedies of war and begin life anew somewhere else. May returned to their native lands of Scotland, England, Ireland, Germany, Russia and other countries. Many others followed Australians who fought in the war back to Australia, where they built new lives, married, raised families and left many descendants who remain even today.

It is for those veterans, now buried in Australia, and for their descendants, that this perpetual memorial website has been made. To insure that their war veteran ancestors, like the Australian war veterans of modern wars, will never again be forgotten.

Major Arthur John

Australia’s last “Real Son” of a Civil War Veteran

Australian Army Education Service Corp

Senior Australian Education Officer,

British Commonwealth Occupation Forces, Japan

Major Arthur W. John, who today lives in Cheltenham, Victoria, Australia, is the 99 year old son of Confederate veteran Joseph John, 54^th Virginia Infantry, Company K, who is buried in Fulham, London, England.

PRESIDENTIAL MEMORIAL CERTIFICATES

For

AUSTRALIAN – NEW ZEALAND AMERICAN CIVIL WAR VETERANS DESCENDANTS

The American Civil War Round Table of Queensland, Inc. has made contact with officials in Washington, D.C. relating to the issuance of Presidential Certificates for descendants of all American Civil War veterans. Confirmed documentation has been compiled by ACWRTQ for many of the 140 confirmed Australian and New Zealand American Civil War veterans who valiantly served during the war of 1861 – 1865; and are now buried throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Presidential Memorial Certificates, signed by the President of the United States, honouring those veterans who honourably served during that war, are now readily available for ‘all’ descendants of those veterans. The certificates are printed on parchment, written is bold script, bears the gold seal of the President of the United States, honours the veteran by name and is signed by the ‘President of the United States’. It is a beautiful, historical document suitable for framing that provides undisputed proof the individual named is indeed a ‘recognized war veteran’; and it is a rare memento that can be handed down in the family for generations.

The American Civil War Round Table of Queensland, Inc., who has acquired military headstones and bronze memorial plaques for some 15 of the veterans graves, has made arrangements to act on behalf of any descendant of Australian or New Zealand American Civil War veterans, to acquire a Presidential Memorial Certificate honouring their ancestors. There is no cost; it is completely free.

Required documentation of the veterans service and forms have already been compiled, and the certificates can be applied for upon the written request of any descendant authorizing the American Civil War Round Table of Queensland, Inc. to act on their behalf. Upon receipt of said authorization, the ACWRTQ will forward the required documentation and forms requesting the certificate and upon its being received, it will be sent directly to the descendant requesting it.

ACWRTQ requests that any descendant wanting ACWRTQ to act on their behalf, simply forward to us a letter of authorization and information confirming their relationship.

Veteran histories of confirmed veterans buried in Australia and New Zealand can be viewed on the Australian Memorial Website at www.acwv.com.au. Any descendant whose veteran ancestor is not on the website can also participate by forwarding information on their veteran ancestors service, along with an authorization letter, and ACWRTQ will be happy to act on their behalf as well.

Forward all information and authorization letters to:

Dr. Jack Ford

President

ACWRTQ

11 Corndale St.

Loganholme, Qld. 4129