The Douglas Shire Historical Society will launch its Douglas Diggers project next Tuesday, April 14 at the Douglas Shire Council Offices, in Front Street, Mossman at 2.30pm.

After a smoking ceremony by the local Kubirriwarra Elders, Project Manager Ken Keith and Society President Noel Weare will explain the project to family descendants and the community.

Volunteers from the Historical Society have spent many hours collating photos, family stories and histories of soldiers who are named on the Douglas Honour Board for World War 1.

It has been an intensive search. 

Some people have detailed war records that are available on-line. 

Some locals have been discovered who are not on the Honour Board at all.

The Australian War Museum has digitized most of the old war records which has made the research easier, and local families have come forward with letters, war medals and photos.

The project has been made possible through the generous support of the Queensland State Government through

the Anzac Centenary Grants Program.

All this research has been put onto two new touchscreen computers, and the project will be officially launched by the Hon. Leeanne Enoch, Minister for Housing and Public Works and Minister for Science and Innovation, who will represent the Queensland Government on Tuesday.

By touching on a soldier’s name, records will appear with photos and in some cases even a video made by present family. Details of campaigns and regiments will also be available.

One of the new computers will remain in the Shire Council’s foyer until the end of April, and the other will be available in the Court House Museum after the Anzac March in Port Douglas. 

Afterwards, they will both travel throughout the Shire, making World War I history available to the entire community.