Lt Thomas Armstrong Memorial facts for kids

The Lt Thomas Armstrong Memorial is a special monument located on Victoria Street in Mirani, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1918 to remember a soldier named Lieutenant Thomas Armstrong. This memorial is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's an important part of Queensland's history and heritage.

The Story Behind the Memorial

This memorial is quite unique because it remembers just one soldier, not a whole group. It was built to honor Lieutenant Thomas Acheson (Tom) Armstrong. He was a soldier in the 33rd Battalion who sadly died in a big battle called the First Battle of Passchendaele on October 12, 1917. He was 26 years old and fighting in World War I.

Before he joined the army in 1916, Thomas was studying to become a doctor at the University of Sydney. His family lived on a farm between Marian and Mirani.

The memorial was first placed inside St James Presbyterian Church in Marian. This church was made of timber and was near the Marian sugar mill. We don't know who made the memorial. It was set up behind the pulpit, which is where the minister speaks during church services.

The memorial was officially shown to the public on Saturday, September 14, 1918. Major Stuart Key led the ceremony. After the unveiling, a bugle player played a tune called Last Post. Everyone then had a moment of silence before singing God Save the King.

Later, around 1991, the St James church was no longer used. The memorial was then moved to St Stephens Uniting Church in Mirani, where it is today.

Thomas Armstrong is also remembered at the Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium. This memorial honors soldiers from World War I whose graves could not be found.

What the Memorial Looks Like

The memorial is a smooth, black stone tablet. It measures about 104 centimeters tall and 64 centimeters wide. On top of this black stone are two white marble carvings.

The bottom carving looks like a scroll with a sword. It has these words written on it: "In Loving Memory of Lieut Thomas A Armstrong 33rd Battalion AIF who was killed in action near Passchendaele, Flanders on 12th October 1917 aged 26 years. Greater love hath no man than this."

The top white marble carving shows the symbol, or crest, of the 33rd Battalion. It's colored in different shades. Below the crest is the battalion's Latin motto, Strenue Percute. This means "strike vigorously" in English.

Why This Memorial is Important

The Lt Thomas Armstrong Memorial was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it's recognized as an important historical site for several reasons:

Showing Queensland's History

The memorial helps us understand how Queensland's history has changed over time. It shows how people in the Marian community were affected by World War I, especially when one of their own died in battle. The symbols on the memorial, like the sword and battalion crest, show pride in Australia's role in the war. They also show the deep sadness of losing someone.

A Rare Memorial

This memorial is special because it's one of the few war memorials in Queensland that was put up by private citizens to remember just one soldier. This makes it quite rare and unique.

Its Beautiful Design

The Armstrong memorial is also important because it is well-designed and made with good quality materials. It is a beautiful war memorial that is publicly displayed inside the church.

Images for kids

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  The memorial inside St Stephen's Uniting Church, Mirani, in 2009.