Legacy recognised at graveside service
![Bunbury RSL president John Gelmi laid a wreth on Rose Clements grave during the service.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/B88516722Z/GMN13NTCT.1-1.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
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.
![Bunbury RSL vice-president Tim Thomson reads Rose Clements life story at her graveside during a service thanking her for her generous donation to the sub-branch in 1932.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/B88516722Z/GMN13NTD6.1-0.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
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.
![The sub-branch placed a plaque on Mrs Clements grave acknowleging her legacy.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/B88516722Z/GMN13NTDD.1-0.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
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.
![Father Kuzie blessed the plaque of acknowledgment placed on Rose Clements grave during the service in her honour.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/B88516722Z/GMN13NTDM.1-0.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
![Father Kuzie blessed the plaque of acknowledgment placed on Rose Clements grave during the service in her honour.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/B88516722Z/GMN13NTDM.1-0.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
“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.”
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