PINE RIVERS SHIRE, Queensland, Australia - A restored memorial plaque commemorating the 1st Cavalry Division’s training in Australia during World War II has been installed at McGavin View Park, ensuring a significant chapter of the division’s history continues to be preserved for future generations.
The original plaque, which recognized the division’s presence in the Pine Rivers Shire in 1943 before its deployment into the Pacific, had deteriorated over time. Seqwater coordinated the replacement of the memorial, working alongside local supporters to preserve the historic site.
Seqwater is a statutory authority of the Queensland Government that provides bulk water storage, transport and treatment, water grid management and planning, catchment management and flood mitigation services to the South East Queensland region of Australia.
The memorial honors the thousands of Soldiers assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, the America’s Team, who trained throughout the Pine Rivers region after arriving in Australia during World War II. The division used the area to prepare for combat operations that would later support Allied efforts across the Pacific Theater.
"The reinstatement of the 1st Cavalry Division Memorial Plaque provides an important opportunity to honor and preserve the legacy of the American servicemen who trained in this area during World War II before deploying to the Pacific campaign," Paul Jones, Field Ranger for Seqwater. "Although much of the original training grounds now lie beneath the waters of Lake Samsonvale, the history and sacrifices associated with this landscape should never be forgotten."
He went on to say by restoring this plaque, Seqwater is helping ensure that future generations can better understand the significance of this site, recognize the enduring friendship between Australia and the United States, and pay tribute to the men and women who served.
"We are proud to preserve this important chapter of local and military history," said Jones.
The 1st Cavalry Division Association welcomed news of the restoration, noting the historical significance of maintaining the memorial more than 80 years after the division trained in Australia.
“We were very excited to hear from Seqwater that they were replacing the damaged 1st Cavalry Division memorial plaque at the McGavin View Park,” said retired Col. Rosey Carter, president of the 1st Cavalry Division Association. “Our team located articles in the 1988 1CDA Saber newspaper about Cav Troopers attending the original ceremony that honored the Division’s training in Australia prior to commencing the Pacific Campaign.”
Although representatives from the association were unable to attend the 2026 dedication ceremony, Carter said the organization hopes members visiting Australia in the future will document the restored memorial.
“We would have loved to send representatives to this 2026 event, but unfortunately could not,” Carter said. “We hope to get pictures from our Association members as they visit down under in the future.”
Carter also expressed gratitude to those who made the restoration possible.
“We sincerely thank Seqwater and the Australian patriots who made this happen,” Carter said. “It was a purposeful way to honor the Cav Troopers who fought for freedom in the Pacific.”
The restored plaque serves as a lasting reminder of the enduring partnership between the United States and Australia forged during World War II and highlights the important role Australia played in preparing the 1st Cavalry Division for combat operations throughout the Pacific.
Social Sharing