Myrtle Bank War Memorial South Australia
Location: Myrtle Bank, South Australia, Australia
Myrtle Bank War Memorial
|
| Unveiling Ceremony 1921. |
The Myrtle Bank War Memorial is at Ridge Park, corner of Glen Osmond road and Barr Smith avenue, Myrtle Bank, South Australia. Unveiled in 1921, a trench mortar sits on top of a large stone monument, mounted on brown brick pavers. The original copper plaques (on the front and 2 sides of the monument) have been replaced.
The Register, Monday 19 December 1921:
GLEN OSMOND'S WAR MEMORIAL.
THE UNVEILING CEREMONY.
Residents of Glen Osmond have every reason to be proud of the local memorial which has been erected to the young men of the district who went to the front. It was decided several years ago that the men who went from the "village" should be remembered in a fitting manner, and the public spiritedness and loyalty of the people has resulted in the erection of a handsome obelisk, which has been placed in Ridge Park, and in a position which faces the main hills road. It is 25 ft. in height, massive in detail and proportions. The base of the monument is 12 ft. square, and is constructed in brown vitrified bricks, which forms a pavement for the public to make a close inspection of the memorial. The pedestal is 6 ft. by 6 ft. 5 in., executed in stone, and finished with a marble plinth. The shaft is 4 ft. 6 in. square, tapering to a dimension of 3 ft. 6 in., and it is built of hard, rough hewn pink freestone. The apex is finished with massive blocks of pink marble from Angaston, and is relieved with heavy modillions, and is surmounted with a trench mortar, which was secured by the representations of the Mayor of Unley Herbert Clarence Richards M.P. On the front and side faces of the pedestal, copper tablets have been inserted containing the names of those who enlisted and fell. The memorial was designed by Mr Albert S Conrad, who gave his services gratuitously, and the contracting work was done by Mr W. P. Orr. The memorial was unveiled on Sunday afternoon in the presence of a large gathering of residents. The ceremony was performed by Mr. Richards. Others present induded the Chairman of the memorial committee Mr. F. G. Scammell, the Hon. W. H. Harvey, M.L.C., members of the Unley City Council, and the hon. secretary Mr C. G. Langley, who has done fine work in connection with the memorial. The chair was occupied by Mr. Scammell, who, in introducing Mr. Richards, referred to the great assistance which had been rendered by residents. He thanked Mr Richards, personally, for his efforts in securing the gun, which surmounted the monument. He also paid a tribute to the activities of Mr. Langley.
Mr Richards, who was cordially received, said the citizens should take every opportunity of recognising the great sacrifices made by the men of the City of Unley, who went to the war. No fewer than 1,500 had enlisted from the municipality, and of that number 150 had gone from Glen Osmond (Applause) Twenty of the local volunteers had made the supreme sacrifice. They should not forget the advantages they had secured as a result of the loyalty of the soldiers. The result of their sacrifices was in evidence to-day. It was the great Peace Conference which was sitting at Washington. They all trusted that the outcome of the momentous gathering would be peace, and that war would be something which would never be known of again (Hear, hear) The men had fought under the "grand old Union Jack" and he hoped they would always walk and work under it. Mr Richards then unveiled the tablets, and added that they should always be an inspiration to the citizens of Unley, now, and in the future, to do their duty (Applause)
The Hon. W. Harvey, M.L.C., addressed the children, and Mr. Langley moved a vote of thanks to the speakers.
Prayer was led by Mr. H. Hartley, and the Rev. C. F. Hall gave the Benediction. Several appropriate hymns were sung, the music for which was provided by the Salvation Army Band. 1921 'GLEN OSMOND'S WAR MEMORIAL.', The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929), 19 December, p. 8. , viewed 08 Feb 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63348440
See also : 1916 'GLEN OSMOND SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL.', The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929), 9 September, p. 10. , viewed 11 Sep 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article59919481
|
| Front plaque |
^ The deaths of South Australians in WWI were also registered in South Australia, but there is no death for a Clarke (or Clark), first name beginning with J, registered in SA between 1914-1919 who had died overseas. He may be Joshua Clarke, service number 2348, 5th Pioneer Battalion, who died in Belgium on 1 November 1917. He was born in Manchester, England, but had enlisted in Adelaide, and his wife lived at North Adelaide (although does not seem to be connected to the area).
|
| Left side plaque A - L |
|
| Right side L - W |
Note: The unit's linked to the soldier's on the last 2 plaques are the unit they were serving with at the end of the war. They may have served with other unit's while overseas - for instance Stanley Russell Carter served with the 52nd Infantry Battalion for 2 years before they were disbanded in May 1918, he was with the 50th Battalion for the last 6 months of the war.
![Unveiling a war memorial at Glen Osmond [PRG 280/1/41/3]](/photo.php/thumb/e/ec/Myrtle_Bank_War_Memorial_South_Australia.jpg/300px-Myrtle_Bank_War_Memorial_South_Australia.jpg)
- Login to edit this profile and add images.
- Private Messages: Send a private message to the Profile Manager. (Best when privacy is an issue.)
- Public Comments: Login to post. (Best for messages specifically directed to those editing this profile. Limit 20 per day.)