Dalby War Memorial and Gates facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dalby War Memorial and Gates |
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Dalby War Memorial and Gates, 2008
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| Location | Patrick Street, Dalby, Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1922 |
| Architect | Harry Shill and British firms |
| Official name: Dalby War Memorial and Gates | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600441 |
| Significant period | 1922-(social) 1922 (historical, fabric) |
| Significant components | memorial - soldier statue, park / green space, pathway/walkway, memorial - gate/s |
| Builders | Harry Shill and British firms |
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The Dalby War Memorial and Gates is a special place in Dalby, Australia. It was built to remember the brave soldiers from the area who served in World War I, especially those who died. This important memorial is located on Patrick Street. It was designed by Harry Shill and British companies. The memorial and its gates were officially opened in 1922. Today, it is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it is a protected historical site.
Contents
Why are War Memorials Important?
Remembering Sacrifice and Service
War memorials like the one in Dalby help us remember big events in history. They show how much communities were affected by wars. These memorials became very important after World War I. This war had a huge impact on Australia. About 60,000 Australians died, out of a population of only 4 million. This was about one in five of all who served.
What is a Cenotaph?
Many war memorials are like "empty tombs," also called cenotaphs. This is because the soldiers who died in places like Europe and the Middle East were buried there. Their bodies could not be brought home. So, these memorials became a special place for families and communities to grieve and remember.
Honoring All Who Served
Australian war memorials are unique. They don't just remember those who died. They also honor everyone from a town or area who served in the war. This is because Australia's first big army was made up entirely of volunteers. People were proud of these men, whether they died or came home. The memorials show how much communities supported their soldiers.
Local Craftsmanship and Design
These memorials also show off the skills of local builders. They reveal what people liked in terms of design at the time. In Queensland, a statue of a "digger (soldier)" (an Australian soldier) was a very popular choice. In other states, tall, thin monuments called obelisks were more common.
The Dalby Memorial's Unique Features
The Bronze Digger Statue
The soldier statue at Dalby is special. It is based on a Sergeant-Major from the Grenadier Guards. British sculptors, John Whitehead and Sons of London, created the model. This is one of only two bronze digger statues known in Queensland. To make sure the uniform was correct, an officer from the Australian Army helped supervise the modeling.
Who Built the Memorial?
The bronze statue was cast (made) at the A. B. Burton foundry in London. The stone parts, like the base and gate pillars, were made by Harry Shill in Dalby. The bronze plates with the soldiers' names were made by Ernest Gunderson. He had a company in Brisbane and made many honor boards across Queensland. His work often included both Australian and British designs.
The Memorial's Setting
War memorials were often placed in special fenced areas. Sometimes, they were part of a park where people could gather on days like ANZAC Day. The Dalby War Memorial and its gates are located in Anzac Park. This park was created in 1906. The memorial, gates, and the park itself are all seen as one complete and important site.
What Does the Memorial Look Like?
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The Dalby War Memorial is in a park facing Patrick Street. You enter the park through special memorial gates. These gates have sandstone pillars with torch-shaped lights on top. The pillars are similar to the memorial's base. They have carvings of the AIF badge. The date 1914 is on the right pillar, and 1919 is on the left. The gates themselves are made of wrought iron.
A wide path leads from the gates to the memorial. The path splits behind the monument. The memorial itself has a stone base, called a pedestal, with the bronze digger statue on top.
The pedestal has bronze plaques on all four sides. These plaques have brass letters listing the names of the 360 local men who served in World War I. This includes the 64 men who died. Above each plaque are bronze wreaths. The statue on top is larger than life-size. It shows an Australian soldier standing with his head bowed and his arms reversed, a common pose for digger statues.
Why is it a Heritage Site?
The Dalby War Memorial and Gates was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992. This means it is very important for several reasons:
- It shows Queensland's history: It represents how communities across the state honored their soldiers after World War I. It also shows a time when there was a lot of Australian pride and national feeling.
- It is rare and special: This digger statue is one of only two in Queensland made of bronze. It is also one of only two known works by the London sculptors John Whitehead and Sons in Queensland. It's also rare to find a memorial still in its original setting.
- It shows important design: The memorial is a great example of how these monuments were built to last and remember a major historical event. The digger statue was the most popular type of memorial in Queensland.
- It is beautiful: The memorial and its park are a landmark in Dalby. They add to the beauty of the town. The memorial and gates show excellent craftsmanship and design.
- It is important to the community: The memorial has a strong connection with the Dalby community. It helps them remember the impact of World War I. It is a central place for remembering those who served.
- It is linked to important people: It is also connected to the companies that built it. These include sculptors John Whitehead and Sons, stonemasons J Shill, and metalworker Ernest Gunderson. Their work is an important part of Queensland's history.
Images for kids
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Dalby War Memorial and Gates, 2008
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Side view of monument, 2008
