Boer War Memorial, Canberra facts for kids

The Boer War Memorial in Canberra

The Boer War Memorial is in Canberra, Australia's capital city. You can find it on Anzac Parade, close to Lake Burley Griffin. This special place remembers the brave Australians who served in the Second Boer War from 1899 to 1902.

What the Memorial Looks Like

An overview of the memorial

The memorial was designed by Pod Landscape Architecture and Jane Cavanough. The amazing statues were created by sculptor Louis Laumen.

The Horsemen Statues

The four horsemen statues

The main part of the memorial features four horsemen riding their horses. They look like they are moving through a rocky field. There are also two blue-copper walls, called plinths, near the horses.

These four statues are made of bronze. The artists used special colouring to make them look real. For example, the soldiers' clothes are khaki, the horses are tan, and their manes and tails are black. These bronze statues were made in Melbourne, Australia.

Poetry and Letters

Poetry by Banjo Paterson on the memorial

On the front wall, you can read a poem about the Boer War. It was written in 1902 by a famous Australian poet named Banjo Paterson. The poem even mentions the Monaro region, which is where Canberra is located.

Here is a part of the poem:

When the dash and the excitement and the novelty are dead,

And you've seen a load of wounded once or twice,

Or you've watched your old mate dying, with the vultures overhead,

Well you wonder if the war is worth the price,

And down along the Monaro now they're starting out to shear,

I can picture the excitement and the row;

But they'll miss you on the Lachlan when they call the roll this year,

For we're going on a long job now.

A soldier's letter carved into the memorial

Also on the front wall are bronze plaques. These plaques show words written by a soldier during the war. They share his thoughts and feelings about being there.

Information about Private Frederick Harper Booth

Award-Winning Design

The company that did the landscaping for the memorial, Glascott Landscape and Civil, won an award. They received the landscaping category award at the Master Builders ACT Building Excellence Awards in 2018.

When it was Opened

The Boer War Memorial was officially opened on May 31, 2017. The opening ceremony was led by the Governor-General of Australia, General Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC.