Commemorative Place Naming – Copeman Memorial Rest Stop – BARGO NSW
Closes: May 30, 2025, 5:00 PM
Copeman Memorial Rest Stop
© Wollondilly Shire Council. © Department of Customer Service
A Notice of Motion was put forward at the 27 February 2024, Ordinary Council Meeting, supporting to formally name the Bargo “Rest A While West Reserve” (Lot 43 DP 246487 – ARTC land) in honour of the Copeman family legacy of service across WWI, WWII and the Vietnam War for their military services to our Shire and Australia.
Council is proposing to formally name the current Rest A While West Reserve in Bargo (ARTC land) to become “Copeman Memorial Rest Stop” to honour their family legacy. Many descendants of the Copeman family still live in the Shire today.
The existing “Rest A While West Reserve” stop is located on a section of ARTC land (ARTC support the new naming) on Remembrance Driveway (Railside Avenue) Bargo NSW. The current rest stop also holds the RSL memorial.
Family History/Legacy of Cecil, Arthur, James & Russell Copeman
Cecil Edward Copeman 5/12/1890 – 31/10/1976 – 85 years
Last ranking – Private, Unit Mechanical Transport Companies (AIF), AIF WWI, hometown Bargo. In February 1917 Cecil sent a letter from his hospital bed to his mother in Australia that he intended to marry a Scottish Nurse who had been caring for him, Regina Ballantyne. He was injured on an attack in German trenches in 1916 in Pozieres France and transferred to a hospital in England until healed. His service with the British expeditionary Force followed his time with the 25th Australian Infantry Battalion on the Gallipoli Peninsula from 12 October 1915 until 9 January 1916. Cecil married Regina. Years later their two sons, Arthur and James (Jim) enlisted when Australia became involved in WWII and one of the grandsons, Russell enlisted for Vietnam. Regina continued to raise five children often on her own post war in the Bargo area.
Arthur Langworthy Copeman – 26/4/1918 – 3/2/2011 - 92 years
Private – Service No. NX4548. Arthur listed with his brother James Copeman at Bowral. Arthur served in Pakistan and was discharged on 5 March 1941 due to illness as a result of contracting Malaria.
James (Jim) Copeman) MBE, MC, MM– 8/12/1919 - 12/5/2010 – 90 years
Enlisted 10 November 1938, last rank of Major, last unit 2nd/3rd Infantry Battalion. He received the Military Medal for “conspicuous gallantry and devotion for his action fighting on the Damascus-Beirut Road on 22 June 1941. He twice traversed the Kokoda track and was awarded the Military Cross when he led a platoon attack on Japanese headquarters at Wewak in New Guinea. Born Ballina, hometown Bargo and passed away, King Island Tasmania. James was working in the peacekeeping force in the Middle East in 1967 when he heard his son Russell had been wounded by enemy fire in Vietnam. Jim was given leave to return to Australia to be with son, Russell when his condition deteriorated and with wife Pearl.
Russell James (Jim) Copeman – 24/1/1947 – 10/4/1967 – 20 years
Private Russell James Copeman, 3rd Squadron, Special Air Service Regiment in recognition of his service in Vietnam where he was critically wounded. Private Russell Copeman was repatriated to the Army Camp Hospital, Ingleburn where his condition deteriorated and he sadly died on 10 April 1967, aged 20. Growing up with such strong military history, Russell always wanted to be a soldier and followed his father’s (Jim) footsteps. He was the only Australian SAS serviceman to die in the Vietnam War due to enemy action. He was wounded two days before his birthday and died later in an army hospital near Sydney. (there is a reserve in Campbelltown LG – Russell Copeman Park)
The NSW Geographical Names Board (GNB) recommends that Councils when naming of assets follow the same Place Naming guidelines for parks and reserves.
Enquiries
General enquiries can be directed to Council’s Information Officer (Property Addressing) on (02) 4677 9736 or email streetaddressing@wollondilly.nsw.gov.au
Submissions
Submissions in respect to the proposed name must be in writing to, Wollondilly Shire Council at, PO Box 21, Picton NSW 2571 or email council@wollondilly.nsw.gov.au , clearly outlining reasons for such objection*. (quote reference CM1458-2)
Submissions for the proposal open 8 May 2025 with close 30 May 2025 at 5:00pm.
*All objections must identify where or how the proposal does not conform to the Principles NSW Address Policy and User Manual (APUM) Place Naming, if they are to be considered and responded to by Local Government in the decision making.
