List of Australian military memorials facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Australia has many special places called memorials that help us remember important events and people, especially those who served in wars. Almost every town and city has a memorial for World War I, World War II, or for the ANZACs. These memorials can be statues, buildings, or even gardens. They help us learn about history and honor the brave people who protected our country.

Here's a look at some of these memorials across Australia:

Australian Capital Territory - Canberra

Canberra, Australia's capital, has many important national memorials.

ACT Memorial: This memorial in Civic remembers all the men and women from the Australian Capital Territory who served in different conflicts and peacekeeping missions around the world.
Australian Army Memorial: Located on Anzac Parade, this memorial shows two Australian soldiers facing the rising sun. It represents the strong bond of friendship and support, often called 'mateship', among Australian soldiers.
Australian Merchant Navy Memorial: Found in Kings Park, this memorial honors the Australian Merchant Navy, who transported goods and supplies during wartime.
Australian Peacekeeping Memorial: At the southern end of Anzac Parade, this memorial honors Australians who have served in peacekeeping missions to help keep peace in other countries.
Australian War Memorial: This is Australia's main national memorial. It remembers all members of the armed forces and support teams who have died or served in wars involving Australia. It also has a large military museum.
Boer War Memorial: This memorial on Anzac Parade remembers Australians who fought in the Boer War (1899–1902).
Korean War Memorial: Also on Anzac Parade, this memorial honors Australians who served and died in the Korean War under the United Nations.
Royal Australian Air Force Memorial: This memorial celebrates the 50th anniversary of the RAAF and the service of its members.
Rats of Tobruk Memorial: This memorial on Anzac Parade remembers the soldiers who defended the town of Tobruk in Libya during World War II. They were known as the "Rats of Tobruk" because they held out for a long time against enemy attacks.
Royal Australian Navy Memorial: This memorial honors the sailors who have served in the Royal Australian Navy to protect Australia.
Vietnam Forces National Memorial: On Anzac Parade, this memorial remembers the 50,000 Australians from the Army, Navy, and Air Force who served in the Vietnam War.

New South Wales

New South Wales has many memorials in its towns and cities.

Batemans Bay Vietnam War Memorial: This memorial in Batemans Bay remembers those who served in the Vietnam War.
Batlow War Memorial: In Batlow, this memorial is part of an RSL garden and includes an old anti-aircraft gun.
Berrima War Memorial: Located in the historic town of Berrima.
Braidwood War Memorial: Found in Braidwood.
Chatswood Memorial Garden: In Chatswood, this garden has memorials for different wars, including World War II.
Forbes Boer War Memorial: In Forbes, this memorial specifically remembers the Boer War.
Anzac Memorial: Located in Hyde Park, Sydney, this large memorial was originally for World War I but now honors Australians from all conflicts.
Martin Place Cenotaph: This cenotaph (a monument for those buried elsewhere) is in Martin Place, Sydney. It was built in 1929.
Victory Memorial Gardens Arch: In Wagga Wagga, this archway is a prominent part of the memorial gardens.
Yininmadyemi - Thou didst let fall: This unique memorial in Hyde Park, Sydney honors Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and servicewomen.

Memorials for people

Some memorials are dedicated to specific brave individuals.

Private Patrick Joseph Bugden VC Memorial: In Alstonville, this memorial honors Private Bugden, who received the Victoria Cross, the highest award for bravery.

Northern Territory

The Northern Territory also has memorials to remember its wartime history.

Darwin Bombing Memorial: In Darwin, this memorial remembers the 1942 bombing of Darwin during World War II.

Queensland

Queensland has over 1,000 war memorials. The Queensland Government works with local councils to keep a register of these important sites. They come in many forms, like outdoor monuments, special buildings, or parts of other structures.

Some notable memorials include:

Brisbane

Brisbane, Queensland's capital, has several significant memorials.

Anzac Square

Anzac Square is a special place in Brisbane with several memorials:

Shrine of Remembrance, Anzac Square
Shrine of Remembrance, Anzac Square, showing the lower section with the World War II Shrine of Memories
Second Boer War Memorial
World War I Memorial Sculpture on the external wall of the Shrine of Memories
World War II Memorial
South West Pacific Campaign Memorial
Korea Malaya Borneo 1948-1966 Memorial
Vietnam War Memorial

Brisbane CBD

In Brisbane's city center, you can find:

RAAF Memorial at Queens Gardens
The Eagle on top of the RAAF Memorial at Queens Gardens
Statue of Major-General Sir William Glasgow at Post Office Square

Brisbane suburbs

Many suburbs in Brisbane also have their own memorials:

Dutton Park War Memorial, Dutton Park
Cameron Rocks War Memorial, Hamilton
Anning Monument, Hemmant
ISA War Memorial, Inala
Indooroopilly Fallen Sailors and Soldiers Monument, Indooroopilly
Oxley War Memorial
Ithaca War Memorial, Paddington
War Memorial, South Brisbane
War Memorial, The Gap
War Memorial, Windsor

Monument to non-Australian forces

Monument to the United States forces for their help in World War II. The monument is in the grounds of Newstead House, Newstead

Regional Queensland

Many towns outside of Brisbane also have memorials:

Queensland Korean War Memorial, Broadbeach
Babinda
Cairns
Cooroy
Eacham
Esk
Boer War Memorial, Gatton
Goondiwindi
Innisfail
Millmerran
Port Douglas
Runaway Bay
Southport (from 2010) - gates and statue
Southport (from 2010) - statue
Southport (pre 2010)
Tiaro
Upper Coomera
Warwick

South Australia

South Australia has important memorials, especially in its capital, Adelaide.

South African War Memorial: In Adelaide, this memorial from 1904 remembers the Boer War.
National War Memorial: Also in Adelaide, this memorial was dedicated on Anzac Day in 1931 and honors those from World War I.

Tasmania

Tasmania has over 1,000 war memorials, including special tree plantings and honor rolls.

Hobart Cenotaph: In Hobart, this cenotaph was dedicated in 1925.
Ulverstone War Memorial: Located in Ulverstone.
Ross War Memorial: Found in Ross.
Bicheno War Memorial: In Bicheno.
Cygnet Soldiers Memorial: In Cygnet.
Stanley War Memorial: Located in Stanley.
Burnie War Memorials: In Burnie.
Queenstown War Memorial: In Queenstown.
New Norfolk War Memorial: In New Norfolk.
Railton War Memorial: In Railton, known for its unique topiary soldiers.
Launceston Boer War Memorial: In Launceston, this memorial remembers the Boer War.
Launceston War Memorial: Also in Launceston.
Legerwood Carved Memorial Trees: These unique memorial trees in Legerwood were dedicated in 1918.

Victoria

Victoria also has many memorials across the state.

Bonnie Doon War Memorial: In Bonnie Doon.
Crib Point Memorial: Located outside the naval base HMAS Cerberus in Crib Point.
Corryong War Memorial: In Corryong.
World War I memorial, Kalorama: In Kalorama, specifically for World War I.
Shrine of Remembrance: This major memorial in Melbourne was dedicated in 1934. It honors Australian soldiers from all wars since World War I.
Melbourne GPO WW1 memorial: At the General Post Office in Melbourne.
Seymour Vietnam Veterans Memorial: In Seymour, this memorial is for Vietnam War veterans.
Torquay War Memorials: In Torquay.
Australian Turkish Friendship Memorial: In Melbourne, this memorial remembers fallen soldiers from World War I and celebrates the friendship between Australia and Turkey.

Western Australia

Western Australia has over 900 war memorials and related sites.

Perth metropolitan

Perth and its surrounding areas have several important memorials.

Axford Park memorial obelisk
North Fremantle Fallen Soldiers' Memorial
East Fremantle Roll of Honour

Kings Park

Kings Park in Perth is home to several war memorials:

State War Memorial

Tobruk War Memorial
Vietnam War Memorial
Honour Avenues: These avenues have trees planted for individuals who died in war, each with a plaque.

Monument Hill, Fremantle

The Monument Hill Memorial Reserve in Fremantle also has several memorials:

Fremantle War Memorial or Fallen Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial

Merchant Navy Memorial
Royal Australian Navy in Vietnam Memorial
RAN Corvettes Memorial
United States Submariners' Memorial

Rockingham

HMAS Orion fin and HMAS Derwent gun turret at Naval Memorial Park

The Rockingham Naval Memorial Park, opened in 1996, honors the Royal Australian Navy's role in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. It includes parts of ships like the HMAS Orion fin and the HMAS Derwent gun turret.

The Rockingham War Memorial, opened in 2005, remembers all Australian servicemen and women from the area who died in conflicts.

Albany

Desert Mounted Corps Memorial on Mount Clarence

Albany has several memorials, including:

Albany War Memorial
Anzac Peace Park
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk statue and Atatürk Entrance
The Desert Mounted Corps Memorial: On Mount Clarence, this memorial honors the Desert Mounted Corps.
National Anzac Centre: This center includes the "Still On Patrol" memorial and the Merchant Navy Memorial.

Outside of Australia

Australian memorials can also be found in other countries where Australians have served:

Australian Memorial Park – France
Australian War Memorial, London – England
Mont Saint-Quentin Australian war memorial – France
V.C. Corner Australian Cemetery and Memorial – France
Villers–Bretonneux Australian National Memorial – France