Howard War Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Howard War Memorial |
|
|---|---|
Howard War Memorial, 2008
|
|
| Location | William Street, Howard, Fraser Coast Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1921 |
| Official name: Howard War Memorial | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600545 |
| Significant period | 1921- (social) 1921 (historical, fabric) |
| Significant components | memorial surrounds/railings, memorial - soldier statue |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Howard War Memorial is a special monument located on William Street in Howard, Australia. It was built in 1921 to remember soldiers from the area. This memorial is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's an important historical site.
Contents
Remembering Our Heroes
The Howard War Memorial was officially opened on December 17, 1921. A local war hero and politician named Colonel Colin Rankin unveiled it. The bottom part of the memorial was made by John T Satchwill, a stone carver from Maryborough. The soldier statue on top came all the way from Italy.
This memorial honors 37 local soldiers who died during the First World War. Later, more plaques were added to remember two soldiers who died in the Second World War and one in the Korean War.
In 1918, a group was formed to raise money for this memorial. They got help from the ladies of the Red Cross. Together, they collected enough money to build this important monument.
Why War Memorials Are Important
Before the First World War, Australia didn't have many public monuments. But after the war, memorials like this one became very important. They showed how much the war affected the young country. Australia lost 60,000 people out of about 4 million, which was a huge number.
Even before the war ended, people started building memorials. These monuments were like sacred places, acting as "empty tombs" for soldiers whose bodies were buried overseas. The word "cenotaph" means "empty tomb."
Australian war memorials are special because they don't just remember those who died. They also honor everyone who served from a local area. This shows how much communities were involved in the war effort.
These memorials also show the loyalty people felt to both Australia and the British Empire. They display the skills of local stone carvers and metalworkers. In Queensland, statues of a "digger" (an Australian soldier) were very popular. This was different from southern states, where tall, pointed monuments called obelisks were more common.
Many First World War memorials have been updated to include later conflicts. The digger statue was a popular choice in Queensland. It represented the "ANZAC spirit" and the qualities of an ideal Australian soldier. These statues were usually made by local stone carving companies.
The statue at Howard is unique because it was imported from Italy. It looks exactly like an Italian Alpino soldier, even wearing their uniform and badges. It's one of only two memorials in Queensland to include a backpack. Even so, newspapers at the time described it as an Australian soldier.
What the Memorial Looks Like
The First World War Memorial stands in a noticeable spot where William and Steley Streets meet. It has a low green fence around it. The fence is made of cast iron posts with fancy tops, connected by round rails.
The memorial itself is made of sandstone and Italian marble. It has a bottom part, called a pedestal, with a soldier statue on top.
It sits on three red concrete steps. Above these are two more steps made of smooth sandstone. Each step has a decorative edge. On the front of some steps are marble plaques with names on them.
The pedestal has square sections with marble plaques. These plaques list the names of the 37 local soldiers who died in the First World War. There are also plaques for those who died in the Second World War and the Korean War. At each corner of the pedestal are decorative columns. These columns support a small ledge, topped with a larger decorative band and another ledge.
The digger statue stands on a base above the top ledge. The life-sized statue is made of Italian marble. The soldier stands straight, with his right foot forward, using a tree stump for support. As mentioned, he wears an Italian-Alpino uniform, and his face looks Italian.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The Howard War Memorial was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it's officially recognized as an important historical place.
- Showing Queensland's History: War memorials like this one show how Queensland's history unfolded. They represent a time when Australians felt very patriotic, especially during and after the First World War. It also shows the work of stone carver John T Satchwill.
- Unique Features: This memorial is special because its statue was imported from Italy and wasn't changed to look Australian. The way the soldier's rank (Sergeant) is shown is unique in Queensland. Also, the backpack on the statue is rare, only seen on the Bundaberg War Memorial too. This makes the statue very different from other imported ones.
- Typical Memorial Style: Built in 1921, the Howard memorial shows the main features of a monument built to remember a big historical event. It uses good materials and design. As a digger statue, it's a great example of the most popular type of memorial in Queensland.
- Looks Good: The Howard memorial is beautiful and stands out as a landmark. It's located on a prominent corner, making it a focal point for the whole town. It shows high quality craftsmanship and design.
- Important to the Community: This memorial is very important to the local community. It shows the lasting impact of a major historical event. It also has a special connection to John T Satchwill, who helped create it.
