Forest Hill War Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Forest Hill War Memorial |
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Forest Hill War Memorial, 2009
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| Location | Gordon Street, Forest Hill, Lockyer Valley Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919–1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1921 |
| Official name: Forest Hill War Memorial, Forest Hill Soldiers Memorial | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600649 |
| Significant period | 1921– (social) 1921 (historical, fabric) |
| Significant components | memorial surrounds/railings, memorial – soldier statue, flagpole/flagstaff |
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The Forest Hill War Memorial is a special monument located in Forest Hill, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1921 to remember the brave soldiers who served in wars, especially World War I. This memorial is also known as the Forest Hill Soldiers Memorial. It is considered an important historical site and was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992.
Contents
Why Was the Memorial Built?
The Forest Hill War Memorial was put up in 1921. It was built by a group called the Forest Hill Memorial League. They wanted a place to honor the soldiers from their community. The memorial was officially revealed on March 26, 1921.
How Forest Hill Grew
The town of Forest Hill started to grow in the 1890s. This happened after the Queensland Government bought back a large area of land. The railway line from Ipswich to Toowoomba was planned in 1865. However, a railway siding (a short track for trains) wasn't built in Forest Hill until around 1881.
This siding was first called Boyd's siding. It later moved to where the Forest Hill railway station is today, around 1887. As more farmers settled nearby, Forest Hill became a busy place. It was important for moving farm products by train. Sometimes, special trains were needed just for goods from Forest Hill.
Who Built the Memorial?
The stone carvers for the monument were PJ Lowther and Sons from Brisbane. This company also made parts of other memorials. They worked on monuments in places like Blackbutt, Murgon, and Goodna. It's possible that Charles Lowther, a sculptor and son of the family, carved the monument. He was a soldier himself in the Australian Light Horse during World War I.
The monument cost about £300 (Australian pounds). Five mothers of soldiers who had died unveiled it. Later, a plaque with the names of servicemen from World War II was added.
What Does the Memorial Look Like?
The Forest Hill War Memorial is in a small park. It stands at the end of Victoria Street. This means you can see it clearly when you look down the town's main street. The memorial is about four and a half meters tall. It has a detailed statue of a soldier, called a "Digger," made from grey sandstone.
The Digger statue stands on a tall sandstone base, called a pedestal. The statue faces east, towards a steel flagpole. The area around the memorial is marked off with small steel fence posts and chains.
Details of the Pedestal
The pedestal sits on a strong base made of brown sandstone blocks. This base rests on a concrete foundation with steps. The lower part of the pedestal is shaped like a column. It has marble plaques with names on them. The upper part of the pedestal has a central column with a wreath design. The soldier statue stands on a rounded top that caps the columns.
The memorial adds a lot to the look of Forest Hill. Its position at the end of the main street makes it a very noticeable landmark.
Why Is It a Heritage Site?
The Forest Hill War Memorial was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992. This means it's considered very important for several reasons.
Showing History
The memorial helps us understand Queensland's history. It shows how people felt about Australian patriotism and nationalism during and after World War I. Many communities built memorials like this to remember the war.
A Special Type of Memorial
As a "Digger" statue, it's a great example of a monument built to remember a big historical event. It shows the typical features of war memorials from that time.
Beautiful Design
The memorial is also valued for its beauty. The sandstone carving is very detailed and well-made. Its position at the end of the main street also makes it a beautiful part of the town's scenery.
Important to the Community
The memorial has a strong connection with the local community. It reminds them of the big impact that major historical events, like wars, had on their lives.
