Report in the Evening News, Sydney 1886

Few driving past Bombo Cemetery would realise it contains a monument to the first Australian soldier to die on active service. The local man, Private Robert Weir, died in the Sudan in May 1885 after succumbing to disease.

The impressive sandstone monument, erected with funds raised from throughout the community, is in poor repair and Kiama-Jamberoo RSL is seeking to have it refurbish-ed before further damage is done.

Portrait of Robert Weir

To this end, the Sub-Branch has just received an initial grant from the Minister for NSW Veterans Affairs to have a restoration/conservation assessment done.

Private Weir was amongst eight Kiama men who boarded ship to join the New South Wales Contingent – Sudan, to a brass band farewell from their home town.