An irreplaceable memorial book from St Luke’s Anglican Church in Toowoomba has been recovered a month after it was stolen from the historic Warrior’s Chapel. This leather-bound tome, containing handwritten records of locals who served during World War II, had been displayed in the church since 1941 until it was taken last month. The story of its unexpected return has captivated the local community.
John Standley, a parishioner who played a significant role in the campaign to recover the book, expressed his initial despair over its loss. After police charged a suspect in the theft, hope seemed dim until a chance encounter changed everything. While running errands at his local shopping centre, Standley had an unexpected reunion with the memorial book.
“I thought to myself, ‘Now, what is the butcher doing in the chemist shop and why are all the staff looking at me?’” Standley recounted. The butcher, Cameron Shepherd, had the book in question, which was discovered under an escalator by trolley collector Scott Shaw. Shaw initially mistook the book for a bible and left it on a shopping trolley. However, an hour later, he decided to place it in Shepherd’s vehicle as part of an ongoing series of light-hearted practical jokes between the two.
“I thought he could use a bit of Christ in his life,” Shaw remarked, adding a humorous touch to the story.
After spending about a week in Shepherd’s vehicle, the book was finally recognized by Shepherd’s wife, who urged him to return it to its rightful home. “I was eventually going to give St Luke’s a ring, but I hadn’t — and then I ran into John the next morning,” Shepherd said. The joy on Standley’s face upon learning the book had been found was palpable.
Dr. Standley noted that while the book showed some signs of its adventurous journey, the writing remained intact. “The good news is that none of the writing has been defaced, and it’s in good condition,” he confirmed. Some blank pages had graffiti, but he assured that this could be addressed.
Plans are in place to return the book to its display case after it receives professional cleaning. “The hope is that it can still go back into the original case,” Dr. Standley said, emphasizing the church’s commitment to ensuring the memorial book remains in a secure location for years to come.
The community’s relief and happiness at the book’s recovery highlight the importance of preserving local history and the shared memories of those who served in wartime. The tale serves as a reminder of the unexpected paths that items of significance can take and the connections forged through shared experiences.
