war memorials and commemorative sites in the southern … adelaide student activities.pdf ·...

War Memorials and Commemorative Sites

in the Southern Area

Arch of Remembrance - Brighton Unley Memorial Gardens

Seacliff War Memorial Goodwood

War Memorial

Unley Memorial Gardens

Keane War Memorial Gardens - Happy Valley

Blackwood War Memorial Aldinga War Memorial

Student Activities

On Site (1) List four features of the Arch of Remembrance. (2) What Cold War conflicts are commemorated on the Arch of Remembrance at

Brighton? (3) On what date was the original arch destroyed? When was the present Arch of Remembrance dedicated? (4) Comment on the location of the Arch of Remembrance. (5) How many soldiers’ names are listed on the Arch of Remembrance? (Those who lost their lives

have a cross next to their name). Complete the table below.

(6) Approximately one in five or six of the Australians who served in the First World War did not return home. What percentage of those whose names are listed on the Arch of Remembrance lost their lives?

What does this suggest about the impact of the war across Australian communities? (7) Record the details, including the initials, of the two soldiers with the

same surname who have crosses against their names, for further research when you return to the classroom.

The Brighton Arch of Remembrance was dedicated in 1926 as Brighton’s World War I war memorial. Mr J.D. Lyons of Prospect won a competition run by the Town of Brighton to design the memorial. The original arch was seriously damaged by storms in 1963 and it was replaced in 1964. Features include It is a large concrete arch with bronze plaques affixed to the

front of the pillars.

Four plaques in the shape of wreaths contain the dates 1914, 1918, 1939 and 1945.

A large central bronze plaque takes the form of the insignia of the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F) which is better known as the Australian Army “Rising Sun” Badge.

Two bronze plaques on either pillar contain the names of those from the Brighton area who served and lost their lives during World War I.

Other wreaths commemorate Australian involvement in the Cold War conflicts.

A plaque on the footpath contains historical information about the original and replacement

MEMORIAL

ADDRESS

Arch of Remembrance

Entrance to Brighton Jetty, corner Esplanade and Jetty Road, Brighton

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Lost their lives Total who served

STUDENT ACTIVITIES cont’ (8) Who designed the Arch of Remembrance? When was the original dedication performed? Classroom (9) Complete the table below about the two soldiers with the same surname that you recorded in

Question (7). You can find the information on the Australian War Memorial website at : Enter their names, select ‘First World War, 1914 –1918’ and then ‘click’ on search. (You may need to page through the list of people with same surname to find the correct soldier). The details you require will appear in the Circular Information, which forms part of the “Roll of Honour” records.

(10) Raymond and Thomas Palmer were brothers. How can you verify this fact by referring to their Roll

of Honour records? (11) What is particularly tragic about the timing of their deaths? Remember the first fighting, involving

Australians, occurred on the 25 April 1915 when Australian troops landed at Gallipoli.

MEMORIAL Arch of Remembrance

www.awm.gov.au > Biographical Databases > Roll of Honour

Name Calling (Occupation)

School Age Date of Death

Place of Death

Raymond Roy PALMER

Thomas George William PALMER

http://www.awm.gov.au

The Anzac Memorial was built by the Wattle Day League and dedicated to the Australasian soldiers who fought in the Dardanelles and especially involved in the landings of the Anzac troops on the Gallipoli Peninsula on April 25 1915. The memorial was funded by public subscription, designed by Mr Walter C. Torode. His Excellency, Governor-General Sir R. Munro Ferguson unveiled it on Wattle Day 7 September 1915. It is thought to be the first monument built in Australia to commemorate the Anzac landings.

Inscribed "Dardanelles, April 25 1915", the granite obelisk was dedicated on Tuesday, September 7 1915, while the Anzac Corp, despite a major offensive in August, was still hopelessly pinned down on the shores of Gallipoli. The memorial remembers not just the landing but, from the cross atop it, the dead. It was erected in an atmosphere of nationalism and patriotism driven by the growing number of casualties, increasing number of enlistments in response to recruitment drives, and the desire to prove our commitment to the Imperial effort as a young nation in a European war.

The memorial's enthusiastic promoter, designer and builder was Walter Torode. He was also associated with some of Adelaide's best-known city landmarks. That include for example, Ruthven Mansions and the Cross of Sacrifice.

Described as "vigorous and genial" by the accounts of the time, Torode was among the first to promote the exploits of the Anzac Corps as a highly significant contribution to the Imperial war effort, and also was later credited as the originator of tree planting in memory of Australian soldiers.

Torode organised for the memorial to be erected at no cost to the public purse. The materials and labour were, as The Register noted, "given voluntarily and cheerfully by Australian Britons, each of whom was anxious to 'do his little bit' to bring to a successful culmination a plan so patriotic".

However by 1935, the memorial was in a state of disrepair and neglect, as reflected in the article ‘A Neglected War Memorial’ published in The Advertiser on June 1 1935. Consequently the Adelaide City Council decided that the memorial should be moved. The new location chosen was Lundie Gardens, the site of World War I military camps. The memorial was finally moved in October 1940, at a total cost of 25 pounds.

It was extensively renovated in 1969, this work including the replacement of the original stone cross and the attachment of a copper plaque to the base of the granite cairn.

Source: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/peter.fairweather/docs/Anzac.htm and http://www.dva.gov.au/sa_nt/commemoration/memorials/anzacmem.htm

MEMORIAL

ADDRESS

Anzac Memorial

Lundie Gardens, South Terrace (close to Goodwood Road), Adelaide


STUDENT ACTIVITIES

On Site (1) Who unveiled the original Anzac Memorial and on what day and date? (2) How was the memorial funded? Circle the correct answer. Refer to notes. a) State Government Grant b) Lottery c) A generous donation by the Bonython family d) By private donation (3) The Anzac’s (Australian and New Zealand soldiers) are referred to on the Anzac Memorial as the

A______________n soldiers?

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/peter.fairweather/docs/Anzac.htm

http://www.dva.gov.au/sa_nt/commemoration/memorials/anzacmem.htm

STUDENT ACTIVITIES cont’ (4) What significant date appears on the top of the monument? (5) The name Dardanelles also appears on the top of the monument. This was the

location of the Gallipoli landings. Where are the Dardenelles? Circle the correct answer.

a) Egypt b) Greece c) Turkey d) Syria (6) Examine the Anzac Memorial. List three features of this first memorial to Australian

troops involvement in World War I. (7) Comment on the location of this first memorial to the Anzac’s involvement in World War I. Classroom (8) “The main motive of the memorial was not grief, but pride – nation[al] pride. It commemorated less

the dear Australasian boys who had fallen in the Dardanelles than the entry of Australasian soldiers into European conflict in the name of liberty and honour”. President of the Wattle League (1915).

Contrast this quote, which was made during the first year of Australian troops involvement in the war, with the reasons regional war memorials were constructed following the end of World War I. (9) Wattle has always been an important national symbol. It was noted in the speeches that proceeded

the unveiling of the Anzac Memorial in Adelaide that one patriotic citizen had sent some wattle seed to his son, who was serving at Gallipoli. The seed was planted on the graves of “our boys” who had been killed in the fighting.

When is Wattle Day? (10) When was wattle officially proclaimed our national floral emblem? (11) Why was Wattle Day and wattle significant during World War I?

MEMORIAL Anzac Memorial

The Blackwood War Memorial is a white marble monument with the statue of a soldier standing at ease with a tree trunk support behind the right leg. This type of war memorial known as the “stone digger” was a popular choice by communities wishing to build a memorial to those Australians who served during the First World War. Most were erected in the 1920s and 1930s. Pre fabricated concrete copies of these memorials are still being made. Like many South Australian war memorials, the Blackwood monuament was initially constructed to commemorate those who served during World War I. It separately records the names of those soldiers from the area who lost their lives and those who served during the Great War of 1914-18. Those who served in World War II and subsequent conflicts have also been commemorated.

MEMORIAL

ADDRESS

Blackwood War Memorial

Corner of Main Road and Coromandel Parade, Blackwood


STUDENT ACTIVITIES

On Site (1) Describe the pose of the “stone digger” that is a feature of the Blackwood War Memorial. (2) Contrast this pose with that of the statues at Rose Park, Burra and Broken Hill which are pictured

below. What are the differences?

(3) How many names of soldiers who lost their lives during the First World War are recorded on the

Blackwood War Memorial? How many names of those who served in this war are recorded?

Location of Memorial Soldier’s Pose Blackwood

Rose Park Burra

Broken Hill

Total who lost their lives Total who served

Rose Park

Burra

Broken Hill

(4) Approximately one in five or six of the Australians who served during the First World War did not return home. What percentage of those whose names are listed on the Blackwood War Memorial lost their lives?

What does this suggest about the impact of the war across Australian communities? (5) Most war memorials in South Australia were erected in the 1920s and 1930s. With the advent of

further wars and conflicts involving Australians many have been updated since their construction. What conflicts other than World War I are commemorated on the Blackwood War Memorial? Complete the table below.

(6) During the First World War, 300 nurses from South Australia left to serve in the Australian Army Nursing Corps (AANC). Occasionally their names are recorded on plaques.

Can you find the name of one of these nurses on the Blackwood War Memorial? (7) Two soldiers who were awarded a military honour called the Military Cross (M.C. for short) names

appear on the Blackwood War Memorial. Record their name and initials for further research when you return to the classroom.

Classroom (8) Why do you think so many people lost their lives during World War I which for the most part

involved opposing armies engaged in trench warfare? (9) Complete the table below relating to four of the soldiers who lost their lives during World War I, and

whose names appear on the Blackwood War Memorial. You can find the necessary information by accessing the Australian War Memorial website at

Enter each soldier’s surname, select ‘First World War, 1914-1918’ and then ‘click’ on search. The details you require will appear in the Circular Information, which forms part of the “Roll of Honour” records.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES cont’

MEMORIAL Blackwood War Memorial


Name of Conflict Dates

Name Age Place of Death Place of Birth Calling

COOMBS, Tressilian Herbert

OUGDEN, Frank Leslie

WADE, Percy

PEARSON, Oswald Vincent



MEMORIAL Blackwood War Memorial

(10) Find out why R.B. Reid whose name you recorded in Question (7) was recommended for his military award. You can find the information by accessing the Australian War Memorial website at

Enter his full name (R.B. stands for Robert Baker) and click on search. Locate the correct record, click on the recommendation to find out why he won this award.

www.awm.gov.au > Biographical Databases > Honour and Awards > Honours and Awards (Recommendations: First World War).


This memorial is located on Goodwood Road in front of the Goodwood Anglican Church. It is a large ornate granite memorial featuring a tower on a square pedestal. Within the tower Is a white marble structure. A statue of the crucifixion of Christ helmeted Crusaders, sword in hand in

submission, heads bowed, kneeling on pedestals on either side of the cross. White marble plaques are affixed to each of the pedestal faces with the names

“of the gallant men and boys” from the church and district who gave their lives

MEMORIAL

ADDRESS

Goodwood War Memorial

Goodwood Road and Angus Street, Goodwood


STUDENT ACTIVITIES

On Site (1) Describe the figures within the tower of the Goodwood War Memorial. (2) What do you think these figures represent? (3) The dates for the start and finish of the First World War are recorded on

the Goodwood War Memorial. What are they? (4) Approximately one in five or six soldiers who served overseas during World War I did not return.

Count the names of those who gave their lives that appear on the Goodwood War Memorial. Estimate how many members of the church and district might have served during the Great War. (5) Record the initials of the World War I soldiers with the surname Dickinson for further research in

the classroom. Classroom (6) What name was originally given to 11 November 1919, the day that

marked the end of fighting in World War I? (7) What name replaced Armistice Day following the Second World War?

What was the reason for the change? (8) Why do you think so many people lost their lives during World War I

which for the most part involved opposing armies engaged in trench warfare? (9) Complete the table on the next page relating to the two soldiers with the same surname that you

recorded in Question (6). You can find the information by accessing the Australian War Memorial website at

Enter their names, select ‘First World War, 1914 –1918’ and ‘click’ on search. (You may need to page through the list of people with same surname to find the correct soldier). The details you require will appear in the Circular Information, which forms part of the ‘Roll of Honour’ records.




(10) In what ways can schools commemorate November 11?

MEMORIAL Goodwood War Memorial

Name School Age Place and date of death

Calling (Occupation)

DICKINSON Avery Benjamin

DICKINSON Victor Knowlton

Located within the Keane War Memorial Gardens is the Happy Valley War Memorial. Its features include:

A white granite memorial.

An obelisk and base.

Black granite plaques and a bronze plaque affixed to the faces of the pedestal.

Surrounded by a neatly paved area. The Keane War Memorial Gardens is named after a family known locally as the “Fighting Keanes”, who had five family members who served during World War I. Their names are inscribed on the memorial. Included amongst their number, is Trooper Frederick Thomas Keane of the 9th Australian Light Horse who died in the Middle East on the 19 April 1917. He was aged 24. He was the son of Michael and Pauline J. Keane from Reynella, South Australia. Amongst those who are listed as “Heroes of the Great War” is Bombardier Adolph Klar, who won the Military Medal near Ypres in Belgium 1917 before losing his life at Bailleul in France in 1918. Most likely of German origin, he was one of many South Australian members of the German community who served in the Australian Air Force (AIF). Those who served in the Second World War are listed by families on a separate plaque. Included are two women who served in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and one who served in the Australian Land Army (ALA).

MEMORIAL

ADDRESS

Keane War Memorial Garden

Chandlers Hill Road, Happy Valley


STUDENT ACTIVITIES

On Site (1) Record the initials of the all the five Keanes listed on the Happy Valley War

Memorial who served during World War I. (One is listed under ‘Heroes of the Great War’ the other four under ‘Returned’) These names will be used for research on the internet when you return to class. Make sure to also include any letters that follow their name.

(2) How many soldiers’ names who served in World War I are listed on the Happy Valley War

Memorial? Complete the table below.

(3) Approximately one in five or six of the Australians who served in the First World War did not return home. What percentage of those whose names are listed on the Happy Valley War Memorial lost their lives?

What does this suggest about the impact of the war on the Happy Valley community? (4) Sketch the memorial at Happy Valley. For what practical reasons do you think

this design might have been popular for a war memorial built following the First World War?

The Fallen Returned to Australia Total who served

STUDENT ACTIVITIES cont’ (5) Abbreviations follow the names of the World War II veterans on the Happy Valley War Memorial.

Record these in the table below for further research when you return to the classroom.

(6) Record the initials of the local World War I soldiers with the surname “Mason” and “Wright” for

further research in the classroom. (7) Most World War I and II plaques honouring local men and women who

served simply list individual names of those who served in alphabetical order. What other features can you find on the Happy Valley War Memorial World War II plaque that provides information about the people who served in World War II from the Happy Valley area?

Classroom (8) The Happy Valley War Memorial is an obelisk. Find out the origins and symbolic significance of this

type of structure that make it an appropriate choice as a war memorial. (9) Complete the table below about the five Keane soldiers whose names and initials you recorded in

Question (1). You can find the information by accessing the Australian War Memorial website at Enter the surname Keane and click on ‘search’. Identify the correct soldiers by using the service number, which has been included, and complete the table below.

MEMORIAL Keane War Memorial Garden

www.awm.gov.au > Biographical Databases > Nominal Rolls > First World War Nominal Rolls – Nominal Roll

Name Service/Unit abbreviation

Arthur Adcock

Ralph Klar

Edgar Lang

Dulcie Nicolle

Joan Nicolle

Moss Schurcott

Don Taylor

Service number

Christian name Unit Date of enlistment

Fate Date of completion of

service 312

146

5603

1942

145


(10) By accessing the Commonwealth War Graves website at Enter the name Keane in the ‘Debt of Honour Register’, select World War I and Year of Death ‘1917’, and locate the record of Frederick Thomas Keane. Click on his record to find out the following. What were his parent’s names? How old was he when he died? At which overseas location is he commemorated? Print a certificate in his memory using the button, which appears, at the bottom of the casualty screen. (11) Complete the table below relating to the two soldiers whose names you recorded in Question (6).

You can find the information by accessing the Australian War Memorial website at Enter their names, select ‘First World War, 1914 –1918’ and ‘click’ on search. (You may need to page through the list of people with same surname to find the correct soldier). The details you require will appear in the Circular Information, which forms part of the ‘Roll of Honour’ records.

(12) From his ‘Roll of Honour’ details, why did C.W. Mason’s mother say he enlisted despite no

previous military training or experience? (13) What does Claud Mason’s reasons for enlisting tell you about the patriotism and the level of

commitment to the British Empire within Australia during World War I? (14) Use the internet to find what the letters you recorded in Question (5) represent.



MEMORIAL Keane War Memorial Garden

www.cwgc.org

Christian Names Age at Death Birth Place Date and Place of School

MASON

WRIGHT

Service or Unit Service/Unit abbreviation

A.I.F

R.A.A.F

A.A.S.C

W.A.A.F (W.A.A.A.F)

A.W.L.A

A.W.C

R.A.N


http://www.cwgc.org

In May 1953 the National Fitness Council formed the SA Women's Amateur Sports Council in order to stimulate interest in women's sport and to obtain more playing fields and facilities for women and girls. A 21-year renewable lease was granted to the SA Women's Amateur Sports Council for 18 acres of land.

The grounds were named the Women's Memorial Playing Fields in recognition of the work carried out by women in the armed services during World War II. The oval and tennis courts were officially dedicated as a memorial to women of the services, especially 21 nurses executed by the Japanese Army at Bangka Island. A ceremony remembering the nurses and honouring other women in the World War II services is held each February.

Plaques inside the grounds have been placed in honour of

The South Australian Army Nursing Sisters who lost their lives with the sinking of the Vyner –Brook or on Bangka Island.

South Australian women who died whilst on active service during World War II and

A small plaque honours one nurse, Wilhemina Rosalie (W.R.) Raymont who died of illness in

MEMORIAL

ADDRESS

South Australian Women’s Memorial Playing Fields

Crn Ayliffes Road & Shepherds Hill Road, St Marys (access from Mill Terrace)


STUDENT ACTIVITIES

On Site (1) In what year were the Women’s Memorial Playing Fields

established? (2) Suggest reasons for their establishment. (3) In what year were the Memorial Gates donated by the S.A. Women’s Amateur Sports Council? (4) What do you think is the purpose of the Memorial Gates? (5) Complete the table below with the names of the South Australian nurses who lost their lives on

Bangka Island and those who lost their lives with the sinking of the Vyner Brook?

(6) Complete the following from the plaque in the memory of all South Australian women in the armed forces who died on active service 1939 –1945.

WOMEN’S ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY SERVICE H.M. S AUSTRALIAN ARMY N SERVICE M.H Mc

Bangka Island Sinking of the Vyner Brook

STUDENT ACTIVITIES cont’ V.A.D / AUSTRALIAN ARMY M WOMEN’S SERVICE J.E Mc EWIN ROYAL AUSTRALIAN A F NURSING SERVICE G.H. R WOMEN’S AUSTRALIAN A AIR FORCE

THEIR NAMES LIVETH FOR EVERMORE (7) Record the name of the nursing sister who died as a Prisoner of War on 8 February 1945. (8) Most war memorials commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australia’s men during conflicts

such as World War I and II. Why is it significant for South Australian women who served their country during World War II to be remembered and honoured in this way? Classroom (9) Briefly outline the circumstances surrounding Australian nurses being on the

Vyner Brook and the background to the sinking of the vessel. Search for Vyner Brook on the internet

(10) What was the fate of the nurses on the Vyner Brook and those washed ashore

on Bangka Island. Briefly describe the circumstances under which Vivian Bullwinkel managed to survive her ordeal?

(11) Complete the table below about four of the seven Nursing Sisters, whose names you recorded in

Question (5), who lost their lives on Bangka Island or the sinking of the Vyner Brook. You can find the information by accessing the Australian War Memorial website at

Enter each surname individually, select Second World War 1939-1945, and ‘click’ on search. The details you require will appear in the Circular Information, which forms part of the ‘Roll of Honour’ records.

MEMORIAL South Australian Women’s Memorial Playing Fields


Name Age Birthplace (Pre-war) Occupation BALFOUR –OGILVY Elaine Lenore

CASSON

TRENERRY

KEATS



MEMORIAL South Australian Women’s Memorial Playing Fields

(12) During World War I women served overseas primarily as nurses. During World War II, women also served in the nursing corps. However, during World War II, they took on a number of other roles within the Australian Army, Navy and Air Force to free men up for front line duties. Some of the arms of the services in which women were recruited are listed on the plaque at the Women’s Memorial Playing Fields.

Find out the function of these services, which you recorded in Question (6) and some of roles (jobs) that women played in them. The information can be found by accessing the Australian Women’s Archives Project website at Select ‘Women in War exhibition’ and then ‘click’ on browse organisations.

http://www.womenaustralia.info/

http://www.womenaustralia.info/

This distinctive monument is located in a small alcove. It features: Three bronzed rifles surmounted on an 8.5 metre sand coloured ionic column

that is mounted on a white marble pedestal. Black granite plaques affixed to three faces of the pedestal. All details in gold leaf. The South Australian Portland Cement Company Limited erected the monument. It is built in honour of those men who worked for the company and who served and

MEMORIAL

ADDRESS

Seacliff War Memorial

Corner of Brighton Road and Scholefield Road, Seacliff


STUDENT ACTIVITIES

On Site (1) Who erected the Seacliff War Memorial? (2) What do you think are the most distinctive features of the monument? (3) How many employees of the company served in the First World War and names appear on the

Seacliff War Memorial? Complete the table below.

(4) Approximately one in five or six of the Australians who served during

the First World War did not return home. What percentage of those whose names are listed on the Seacliff War Memorial lost their lives?

What does this suggest about the impact of the war across Australian communities? (5) Record the names and initials of those soldiers ‘Killed in Action’ for

further research on the internet. (6) Record the names of the three soldiers with the same surname for further

research on the internet. Classroom (7) What is the symbolic and practical significance of columns? (8) Many soldiers were killed and wounded during World War I as a result of

the increased firepower of what were at the time modern weapons. These included the type of rifle (303 Lee Enfield) that appears at the top of the Seacliff Memorial.

Why do you think so many people lost their lives during World War I which for the most part involved opposing armies engaged in trench warfare?

Killed in Action Returned to Australia Total who served

STUDENT ACTIVITIES cont’ (9) Complete the tables below for four of the World War I soldiers, whose names you recorded in

Question (5), who were killed in action. You can find the information required by accessing the Australian War Memorial website at

Enter their names, select ‘First World War, 1914 –1918’ and ‘click’ on search. (You may need to page through the list of people with same surname to find the correct soldier). The details you require will appear in the Circular Information, which forms part of the ‘Roll of Honour’ records.

(10) By accessing the Commonwealth War Graves website at Enter the names of the two soldiers into the Debt of Honour Register. Select World War I and click ‘search’. Use the information provided to complete the table below.

(11) Print a certificate in honour of each of the two soldiers from Question (10). Simply ‘click’ on the ‘certificate’ button which appears in the bottom right hand corner of the record.

MEMORIAL Seacliff War Memorial

Name Date of Death Place of Death Occupation Age

Lieutenant Frank Harold LANG

Name Country of Birth Place of Death Occupation Previous Military service

Douglas Beattie MURPHY

Name Birthplace Age at Death Occupation Wife’s name and address

Private Charles SKINNER

Name Birthplace and Age Occupation Date and Place

Private James

www.cwgc.org

Name Date of Death Age Where buried/commemorated

Frederick Taylor MEASDAY

Horace Fordham POTTINGER


http://www.cwgc.org



MEMORIAL Seacliff War Memorial

(12) Complete the table below relating to the three Seacliff soldiers whose names you recorded in Question (6). You can find the information by accessing the Australian War Memorial website at

Enter the name Laundy. Identify the correct soldiers by using the service number, which has been included, and complete the table below.

All three served in the 27th Battalion which was raised in the Southern area of Adelaide.

www.awm.gov.au > Biographical Databases > Nominal Rolls > First World War Nominal Rolls – Nominal Roll

Service Rank Christian Names Date of Fate Date of Discharge

6111

6112

6113

27th Battalion Headquarters


The grey granite memorial that is located at the northern entrance of the Strathalbyn Soldiers’ Memorial Gardens was unveiled on the 14 August 1921 by the Governor of South Australia, Sir Archibald Weigall.

At the top of the memorial is the insignia of the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) which was raised by the Australian Government and served during the First World War.

It also features a bronze plaque of a World War I soldier standing at ease on the upper part of the pedestal and a bronze plaque depicting an Australian Light Horse charge on the lower tier.

Three bronze plaques are affixed to the top tier of the base. They list the names of those who laid down their lives during the First and Second World Wars.

MEMORIAL

ADDRESS

Strathalbyn Soldiers’ Memorial Garden

Rankine Street, Strathalbyn


STUDENT ACTIVITIES

On Site (1) Describe the stance of the soldier who appears on the monument. How far do you think he

represents how Australians saw their countrymen who served during World War I? (2) Describe the plaque which features Australian’s fighting on horse back. (3) Approximately one in five or six of the Australians who served during the First World War did not

return home. Based upon this average, around how many soldiers from the Strathalbyn area most likely served during World War I? (4) Australian soldiers, who lost their lives during World War I, were buried

overseas. Why do you think having their names placed on local memorials was so important especially to relatives who could generally not make the long journey to visit their graves?

(5) A number of surnames appear twice on the 1914 - 1919 plaque. Record

their names and initials for further research. (6) Record the surname and initials of the local World War I soldier who was awarded the D.C.M.

(Distinguished Conduct Medal) and the soldier who was awarded the M.M. (Military Medal) for further research on the internet.

(7) During World War II the role of aircraft was much greater than during World War I. RAAF aircrew

were exposed to many dangers, in the case of those aircrew flying bombers over Europe, one in three did not survive the war.

How are these changes reflected in the World War II list of ‘fallen’ on the Strathalbyn Memorial? (8) Record the name of the World War II pilot who was awarded the D.F.C for further research on the

internet. (9) One of the greatest Australian naval tragedies of World War II occurred when the German Raider,

the Kormoran, sank the HMAS SYDNEY II with the loss of all 645 men, off the Western Australian coast on November 19 1941.

Record the name of the R.A.N sailor, which appears on the 1939 –1945 plaque who was lost on the HMAS Sydney II.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES cont’ (10) At the top of the memorial appears the badge worn by Australians who served in the Australian

Imperial Forces (A.I.F) during World War I. Sketch or photograph the badge. Classroom (11) The representation of soldiers on local war memorials capture elements of what has become

known as the ‘Anzac Spirit’. Which of these qualities, which are referred to in the information below, might the sculptor, Douglas Richardson, have had in mind when he designed the bronze soldier that appears on the Strathalbyn monument? (12) The bronze relief of the Australian Light Horsemen charging the enemy on

horseback is reminiscent of the famous charge of the Australian Light Horsemen at Beersheba on 31 October 1917.

As prospective Light Horsemen needed to be able to ride and initially had to provide their own horses the Light Horse regiments were largely made up of men from small country towns across rural Australia. Why was the charge at Beersheba considered so significant that it has been the subject of two Australian feature films, firstly 40,000 Horsemen (1940) and The Lighthorsemen (1987)? (13) Australian Light Horsemen are perhaps best known for their horses, which appear on the

Strathalbyn bronze relief and were known as “walers”. How did the “waler” get its name and what were the qualities that made them suitable for service by the Light Horse during World War I? (14) What was the distinctive headgear proudly worn by the Australian Light

Horsemen which can be seen worn by Light Horsemen on the Strathalbyn Memorial bronze relief? Write a brief history of this piece of military apparel. Refer to

(15) Patrick Thomas Pyne was almost certainly the first soldier to lose his life from the Strathalbyn area

during World War I. This information can be found by accessing the Australian War Memorial website at

Enter the surname, select ‘First World War, 1914 –1918’ and ‘click’ on search. (You may need to page through the list of people with same surname to find the correct soldier). By looking at the Circular Information, which forms part of the ‘Roll of Honour’ records, suggest why this is most likely the case. (16) Find out the name and fate of Patrick Pyne’s brother whose initials

you recorded in Question (5)? This information can be found by accessing the Australian War Memorial’s ‘Roll of Honour’.

(17) Find out why the two World War I soldiers whose details you

recorded in Question (6) were recommended for their military awards. By accessing the Australian War Memorial Website at

MEMORIAL Strathalbyn Soldiers’ Memorial Garden

http:/www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/lhplumes/feathers.htm


www.awm.gov.au > Biographical Databases >Honour and Awards > Honours and Awards (Recommendations: First World War).

http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/lhplumes/feathers.htm



STUDENT ACTIVITIES cont’ Enter each soldier’s surname and click on search. Locate their records, click on the recommendation to find out why they won these awards. (18) The airmen whose name that you recorded in Question (8) won the D.F.C (Distinguished Flying

Cross) during World War II. This information can be found by accessing the Australian War Memorial Website at

Enter the name Kenneth Brook and then click on the recommendation to find out the following; Why did he win the award? Who presented the award and where did this take place?

MEMORIAL Strathalbyn Soldiers’ Memorial Garden

www.awm.gov.au > Biographical Databases >Honour and Awards > Honours and Awards (Index: Second World War, Korean War and Malayan Emergency)


Governor Sir Archibald Weigall opened the Unley Soldiers’ Memorial Gardens in 1921. The Unley Citizen Ladies’ Committee raised the funds required to purchase the land. The site was originally owned by Thomas Whistler, one of the early pioneers, who laid out the township. There was some resistance to the purchase with a poll of ratepayers barely succeeding. Colonel T.H. Smeaton who also designed a number of other South Australian war memorials designed it. The Unley Soldiers’ Memorial Gardens commemorates all those lives lost in war. Some 1,200 Unley residents enlisted in the services during World War I and 348 were killed. Early features of the gardens were:

The rotunda where the opening ceremony was conducted Two concrete water fountains erected in 1920 (prior to the garden’s official opening in 1921). The

brass plaques affixed to their bases read, “Lest we Forget”. Presented by the Unley Citizen Ladies’ Committee in loving memory of our fallen heroes”.

A flagpole originally erected in 1921. Its replacement, The Unley Soldiers’ Memorial Flagpole, which was presented by the Rotary Club of Unley, now stands on the original site.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Unley, Mr and Mrs A.E. Morris unveiled the panels on the Memorial Arch, which faces Unley Rd, on Sunday August 3 1924. They list alphabetically the 348 names of the local Unley men who lost their lives during World War I.

In 1955 a polished granite cenotaph was erected by the citizens of Unley and dedicated to those who made the supreme sacrifice in World War II. Subsequently, various plaques have been added to this monument. They include plaques commemorating those who served in Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam, Somalia, Gulf War, United Nations (UN) peacekeeping forces and observers. Others commemorate the contribution of the individual arms of the services.

Two World War I Field Guns are also located either side of the Memorial Garden’s Rotunda. They were war trophies which were captured by the South Australian 27th Infantry Battalion at Abincourt and Warfusee, France during the defence of Amiens on 8 August 1918. The 27th Infantry Battalion (A.I.F) was raised partly from local men in the Unley area. A trench mortar, presented by the 27th Battalion, Royal South Australian Regiment in 1986, is also located on the Thomas Street side of the gardens. The headquarters of the original 27th Infantry Battalion during World War I were at 158-160 Unley Road, which had formerly functioned as the Unley Inn. The battalion’s Commanding Officer was Lt. Col Walter Dolman who was a former Mayor of Unley.

MEMORIAL

ADDRESS

Unley Soldiers’ Memorial Gardens

Corner Unley Rd and Thomas Street, adjacent to the Unley Shopping Centre


On Site (1) What inscriptions appear on the two identical monuments located within the Unley

Soldiers’ Memorial Gardens which were erected by the Unley Citizen Ladies’ Committee in 1920?

(2) Locate the cenotaph, which was erected to honour those who served during World

War II. Five plaques are affixed on the back of this memorial. What is the inscription on the centre plaque?

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

STUDENT ACTIVITIES cont’ (3) Record the acronyms on the cenotaph, which appear on each of the other four

plaques, found on either side of the larger central plaque which inscription you have already recorded. These will be the subject of further research in the classroom.

(4) Locate the memorial which reads ‘to commemorate the memory of all personnel

who served in our naval forces since the Federation of Australia in 1901’. What is the distinctive feature of this memorial? Who unveiled it and on what date? (5) Locate the memorial to the 27th Battalion, Royal South Australian Regiment. Many men in the 27th

Battalion were recruited from the Unley district. What is it and why was it installed in the Unley Soldiers’ Memorial Gardens? (6) The memorial originally built to commemorate those members of the local community who served

during the World War II contains a number of plaques honouring the various armed services, arms of the services and those who served during World War II. Complete the following verse from the Lawrence Binyon poem, “For the Fallen” from the inscriptions in stone, which appear at front and back of this memorial

(7) What feature, which was erected on the 2 June 1988 in the Unley Soldiers’ Memorial

Gardens, stands on the same site as the original, which was erected 67 years earlier? (8) The Unley Soldiers’ Memorial Gardens were established after World War I to

commemorate those who died from the Unley area. It contains two German field guns captured during the defence of Amiens in August 1918. These were allocated by State War Trophy Committee formed in 1920 to recognise the contribution made by cities, suburbs and towns throughout Australia and the feats of units raised in particular states.

Complete the following table by examining the plaques and inscriptions on the field guns.

(9) Approximately one in five or six of the Australians who served during the First World War did not return home.

Given around 1,200 people enlisted from the Unley area what percentage of these lost their lives during the conflict? What does this suggest about the impact of the war on communities throughout Australia? (10) Locate the tribute which bears the inscription “in memory of those members of the Australian

Defence Force who have served this nation in aviation since 1915”. What is the distinctive feature of this memorial? Who unveiled it and on what date? (11) Record the letters that follow the names of Bradley F.M and Shierlaw N.C. Both of these

servicemen won military honours during World War I and information about their awards can be found on the internet when you return to the classroom.

MEMORIAL Unley Soldiers’ Memorial Gardens

They shall grow ____ ___, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We ___ ________them.

Krupp Unit which Place Date War Trophy No. Date of

South 27

North 27


Classroom (12) The Unley Soldiers’ Memorial Gardens were established as the result of the work of

a patriotic group of local women known as the Unley Citizen Ladies’ Committee. Women were also responsible for the establishment of a number of war memorials throughout South Australia, including the Cross of Sacrifice in North Adelaide. How were women in Australia impacted by World War I? Why do you think they were the driving force in the establishment of some of South Australia’s war memorials? (13) The Australian Government actively lobbied the British Government after World War I to send war

trophies back to Australia to be allocated to the Australian War Memorial and communities whose local men had contributed to the war effort.

Why do you think the Australian Government thought this was so important? (14) The best known and largest war trophy captured by Australians during

World War I was the so called Amiens Gun which is currently on display at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. (It was previously located at the Port Wakefield Proof & Experimental Establishment in SA). It was captured at the same time as the two Krupp Field guns that are located in the Unley Soldiers’ Memorial Gardens.

Briefly summarise the history of the capture of this gun and comment on the role played by Australian soldiers between August and October 1918.

Hint: Search the internet using “Amiens Gun”. (15) Perhaps the best-known war trophies to be found in South Australia are two Crimean War

cannons, presently located at the Torrens Parade Grounds. No Australian soldiers fought in the Crimean War, which is best known for the “Charge of the Light Brigade”. Find out how and why South Australia came into possession of the two Russian Crimean War cannons. Refer to

(16) You recorded a number of acronyms in Question (3) which relate to the women’s services that

were formed during World War II. Search the Australian Womens’ Archives Project website at Browse under ‘organisations’ to complete the acronyms and write a brief description of the roles of women in each of these services. (17) Find out why Bombardier Frederick (F.M.) Bradley and Captain Norman Craig (N.C.) Shierlaw who

names you recorded in Question (11) were recommended for their military awards. You can find this information by accessing the Australian War Memorial Website at

Enter each soldier’s surname and click on search. Locate their records, click on the recommendation to find out why they won these awards. A M.M. is a Military Medal and a M.C. a Military Cross. (18) Frederick Mark Bradley had a brother Alfred Lionel (A.L.) Bradley whose name is also listed on the

plaques on the Unley Memorial Arch. Find out the following information about Alfred Lionel Bradley by accessing the Australian War Memorial website at


http://argo.net.au/andre/tropheysCWENFIN.htm

www.womenaustralia.info > Women in War exhibition

www.awm.gov.au > Biographical Databases >Honour and Awards > Honours and Awards (Recommendations: First World War).


http://argo.net.au/andre/tropheysCWENFIN.htm

http://www.womenaustralia.info





Enter his surname, select First World War, 1914 -1918 and click on search. Locate the correct soldier and from the ‘Circular Information’ find out the following: What was his occupation or “calling”? Where did he go to school? Where and when did he lose his life? How old was he when he lost his life? Did he have previous military experience? Where did his elder brother Frederick lose his life? (19) By accessing the Commonwealth War Graves website at Enter the name Bradley and initial of one of the brothers in the ‘Debt of Honour Register’, select World War I and year of death. You will have to scroll through the list of names and select the correct record by verifying the date of death. Click on the record and then print a certificate in the soldier’s honour. (20) Why do you think so many people lost their lives during World War I which for the most part

involved opposing armies engaged in trench warfare?

www.cwgc.org

Unley Soldiers Memorial Garden Map

http://www.cwgc.org

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