Herberton War Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Herberton War Memorial |
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Herberton War Memorial, 2011
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| Location | Myers Street, Herberton, Tablelands Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1922 |
| Architect | Andrew Lang Petrie and Son |
| Official name: Herberton War Memorial | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600541 |
| Significant period | 1920s- (social) 1920s (historical, fabric) |
| Significant components | pathway/walkway, memorial - soldier statue, flagpole/flagstaff, war trophy/ies, memorial surrounds/railings |
| Builders | Andrew Lang Petrie and Son |
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The Herberton War Memorial is a special monument located on Myers Street in Herberton, Australia. It was designed and built by a company called Andrew Lang Petrie and Son in 1922. This memorial is so important that it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992.
History of the Memorial
The Herberton War Memorial was officially opened on May 3, 1922. The person who unveiled it was Ted Theodore, who was the Premier of Queensland at the time. A Premier is like the leader of a state government.
Local people in Herberton helped raise money for this monument. It was built to honor 199 local men who joined the army during the First World War. This includes 21 men who were killed in battle and 7 others who died while serving.
Herberton's Early Days
Herberton became a town after people found tin there in 1880. It grew quickly over the next ten years. In 1910, a railway line reached Herberton from Cairns. This helped the town become a key place for mining and farming in the area.
The memorial stands on a hill, looking over the town. It's a very noticeable landmark. There's also a captured gun, called a "war trophy," displayed near it.
Why War Memorials Are Important
Before the First World War, Australia didn't have many public monuments. The memorials built after this war became our first national monuments. They show how much the war affected Australia. About 60,000 Australians died, out of a population of only 4 million. This was a huge loss for the country.
Even before the war ended, people started building memorials. They were a way to show national sadness. For those who built them, these memorials were as important as graves. They were like "empty tombs" for Australians whose bodies were buried overseas. The word "cenotaph" means "empty tomb."
Australian war memorials are special because they don't just remember the dead. Australians were proud that their army was made up entirely of volunteers. These men were honored whether they died or not. Many memorials honor everyone from a town who served, not just those who died. This helps us understand how much communities were involved in the war.
Different Types of Memorials
Australian war memorials also show us about people's loyalty to the British Empire and Australia. They show the skills of local stonemasons, metalworkers, and architects. In Queensland, the "digger (soldier)" statue was a popular choice for memorials. A "digger" is a nickname for an Australian soldier. In other states, tall, pointed monuments called "obelisks" were more common.
Many First World War memorials have been updated to include later wars. Some have been moved or repaired, sometimes not very carefully.
The digger statue was the most common type of memorial in Queensland. It represented the "ANZAC spirit" and the qualities of an ideal Australian soldier. These qualities included loyalty, courage, youth, and strength. The digger statue was unique to Queensland. This might be because other states had groups of artists and architects who decided on memorial designs. These artists didn't always like the digger statue.
Most statues were made by local stone companies. A L Petrie and Son from Toowong were very busy at this time. They were the biggest stone company in Queensland. They built many First World War memorials across the state.
The Herberton monument is a good example of A L Petrie's work. It uses a standard base that was first used in 1918. This base was then used in many other places in Queensland. The monument was painted in 1974.
It's also very interesting that this memorial lists the name of an Aboriginal man among those who died serving.
What the Memorial Looks Like
The First World War Memorial is on a hill, looking over Herberton. It has a fence around it, which used to be a wire mesh fence. There are also flagstaffs (poles for flags) at each end of the fence. A path leads up to the memorial. Gardens, plants, and steps make the area look nice. A captured gun, or "war trophy," is placed in front of the monument.
The memorial is made of sandstone and is painted. It has a large base called a pedestal, with a soldier statue on top.
The monument sits on a stone step, above two white concrete steps. A square marble pillar comes out from the base. On this pillar are the names of the 199 local men who served in the First World War. This includes the 21 who died in battle and the 7 who died while serving. One of the names listed as having died in service is an Aboriginal man.
At each corner of the pillar are square columns with fancy tops called Corinthian capitals. These support a simple top part called a cornice. On top of the cornice are four decorative pots called urns.
The soldier statue stands on a smaller pedestal. This pedestal has a carved design of a green painted laurel wreath on the front. A laurel wreath is a symbol of victory. On the back, it has carved crossed flags. The soldier statue stands straight, holding his rifle by his side. His left foot is slightly in front of his right. His uniform and hat are painted khaki green.
The whole monument is painted in different colors.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The Herberton War Memorial was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992, for several important reasons:
Showing Queensland's History
War memorials like this one show how Queensland's history developed. They represent a common event that affected most communities in the state. They also show a time when there was a lot of Australian patriotism and nationalism, especially during and after the First World War.
This memorial is special because it lists an Aboriginal person among those who died serving.
Showing Key Features of Memorials
These monuments are a unique record of history. They also show what people liked in terms of design between the two World Wars.
The Herberton memorial was unveiled in the early 1920s. It shows the main features of a monument built to remember a big historical event. It uses the right materials and design. As a digger statue, it's a great example of the most popular type of memorial in Queensland.
Its Beautiful Design
This memorial is a rare example of one that is still in its original setting. It has great beauty because it's a noticeable landmark. It also shows high-quality craftsmanship and design.
Its Connection to the Community
The memorial has a strong connection with the local community. It shows how much a major historical event affected them.
Its Link to Important People
It also has a special connection with the Brisbane stone company, A L Petrie and Son. This company was very important in Queensland's history.
