Legacy recognised at graveside service

Bunbury Returned and Services League sub-branch is forever grateful to Rose Victoria Clements.

The late Bunbury businesswoman left £600, the equivalent of about $1 million today, to the sub-branch when she died in 1932 aged 73.

At the time, the sub-branch had no permanent headquarters and the money was used to buy the land and build the hall in 1935, which is still located on Spencer Street.

Bunbury RSL vice-president Tim Thomson has been researching Mrs Clements, an English immigrant, in preparation for the sub-branch’s centenary on July 1.

Mr Thomson discovered Mrs Clements was from a prominent English family and established a successful drapery business – believed to be next to the Rose Hotel – when living in Bunbury.

Today the sub-branch placed a plaque at Mrs Clement’s grave and held a service to recognise her generosity.

“The service is in recognition of Rose Clements,” Mr Thomson said.

“We haven’t done this before. It’s been very interesting the last four to five weeks researching her, very surprising.”