Time-Warp Tuesday - 18 November 2025

Published on Tuesday, 18 November 2025 at 8:30:00 AM

Welcome to #TimeWarpTuesday! Today we are following up on our story last week that commemorated the life of Lance Corporal Arthur Henry Huggins, with a video tribute for Remembrance Day. 

Remembering Our Local Focus Heroes 

Lance Corporal Huggins was especially commemorated this Remembrance Day as our Local Focus Hero, but who and what are they, I hear the questions being asked…. 

What Is A 'Local Focus Hero'? 

Whilst the Town’s commemorative services are always dedicated to every serviceman and woman past and present, the Local Focus Hero, as we call them, refers to one individual serviceman or woman chosen from Victoria Park and suburbs. By highlighting the story of a specific local, everyone is reminded that all those who have served our country, were people, individuals who had lives before they enlisted, they had family and friends, hobbies and responsibilities. Our Local Focus Heroes are more than just names on a cenotaph or honour board, they were once like us, going to the shops along Albany Highway, going to work, going to church, playing sport, being part of local community groups, serving their community. Our Local Focus Heroes experienced horrendous sights, sounds and events, were away from family and friends. Our Local Focus Heroes gave of their youth, their health and their vigour, and some gave all, even up to their very lives, to honour and preserve the freedoms that we cherish and enjoy today. The Town is honouring service and the fallen through the continued telling of their stories. We Will Remember Them – Lest We Forget. 

The covers of the commemorative brochures for Bell and Benporath

How Do We Choose Our 'Local Focus Hero' 

All those servicemen and women who have a Victoria Park connection are eligible to be especially commemorated at a Town service. Initially we are aiming to tell the stories of every serviceman or woman that has a piece of nomenclature dedicated in their honour. This means all those for whom a street, lane or park are named, are being given first preference to be featured. The next preference is to those who died in service, then to those taken as Prisoners of War (POW). 

How Does The 'Local Focus Hero' Feature In Events? 

The Local Focus Hero’s story is researched, and every attempt is made to contact relatives and descendants of the serviceperson. These relatives are then invited to attend the Town’s commemorative service. The Local Focus Hero’s story is told in a special commemorative address during the memorial service on Anzac Day or Remembrance Day. A brochure, giving a summary of their story, is also produced and available to collect at the service, and from the Library afterwards. The serviceperson honoured is also added to the Victoria Park Dictionary of Biography, which is available to view on the Library’s website. 

Our Remembrance Day 'Local Focus Heroes' So Far Are... 

  • Captain Harold Oscar Teague, MBBS (1877-1917) – for whom Teague Street is named
  • Lance Corporal Frank Hilton Benporath (1885-1916) – for whom Benporath Street is named
  • Private Arthur Lancelot “Lance” Devenish (1893-1915) – for whom Devenish Street is named
  • Private Alec Ernest James Bell (1946-1968) – for whom Alec Bell Park is named
  • Corporal Wilfred Harold Ramsden, DCM MM (1889-1918) for whom Ramsden Avenue is named
  • Private Leslie Edward Plummer (1893-1916) – for whom Plummer Street is named
  • Lance Corporal Arthur Henry Huggins (1910-1987) – was captured POW in Crete. 

The covers of the commemorative brochures for Devenish and Ramsden

How Can You Help? 

Are you related to a local serviceman or woman from the suburbs within Victoria Park? Perhaps you have already started doing some research on your ancestor, or even if you just have a photo of them. We would love for you to share those with us, as we regularly add to our biographical records at the Library and look to tell the stories of more of our brave men and women, as we honour the fallen. 

Please also refer to the ‘Lest We Forget’ page of the Library’s website for nominal rolls, honour rolls, and for more information on the citizens of Victoria Park and suburbs and their service. 

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via telephone: 08 9373 5500, email: vicparklibrary@vicpark.wa.gov.au, by mail: PO Box 1109, East Victoria Park WA 6981 or in person at 27 Sussex Street, East Victoria Park. 

#LoveVicPark

Watch the video....'Remembering Our Local Focus Heroes'

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