Pinkenba War Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pinkenba War Memorial |
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Pinkenba War Memorial, 2013
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| Location | Eagle Farm Road, Pinkenba, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 – 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1925 |
| Architect | Ernest Gunderson |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Pinkenba War Memorial | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 3 October 2005 |
| Reference no. | 602453 |
| Significant period | 1920s (fabric) |
| Significant components | memorial – pillar/s, fence/wall – perimeter, trees/plantings, garden – bed/s, flagpole/flagstaff |
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The Pinkenba War Memorial is a special monument located on Eagle Farm Road in Pinkenba, Australia. It was built to remember the brave men from the area who served in World War I. The memorial was designed by Ernest Gunderson and finished in 1919. Today, it is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it is an important historical site.
Contents
A Look Back: The Memorial's Story
The Pinkenba War Memorial stands on a small, triangle-shaped piece of land where McBride Road and Eagle Farm Road meet. It was officially opened on August 16, 1919, by Governor Sir Hamilton Goold-Adams. This monument was created to honor the soldiers from the Pinkenba area who fought in World War I.
Pinkenba's Early Days
Pinkenba was a small community even in the 1860s. People living there wanted a school, and by 1874, 22 families with children lived in the area. Many early residents were farmers, some from Germany. Later, a large meat factory called the Queensland Meat Export Company opened in Pinkenba. It was a major employer until after World War I. The wharves, where ships docked, were also very busy with passengers and goods. In 1897, a train line was built to connect the wharves, factories, and homes in Pinkenba.
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Pinkenba During World War I
During World War I, many Australian soldiers left for war from the Pinkenba wharves. This included members of the Australian Light Horse. Students from the local school would visit the wharves to say goodbye to soldiers from their community. The Pinkenba War Memorial lists the names of 42 men who joined the army. Sadly, eight of them are listed as having died during the war.
The Designer: Ernest Gunderson
The memorial was designed and built by a Queensland company owned by Ernest Gunderson. Gunderson was a very skilled craftsman from Norway. His company was known for making bronze honor boards, which are special plaques that list names of people to be remembered. His company worked until the mid-1930s and made memorials all over Queensland. His largest and most famous memorial is in Gayndah. When the Pinkenba memorial was first unveiled, people said it was one of the best in Queensland.
Gunderson created unique decorations for his honor boards. The Pinkenba monument has similar decorations, like an artillery shell surrounded by a wreath. There used to be small statues on the monument, including mounted light horsemen on each corner and a soldier statue on top. These statues were removed, probably before World War II.
In 1983, workers from the Brisbane City Council fixed some damage to the monument. However, important parts like the statues and some of the letters are still missing.
Pinkenba's Changing Face
In the 1960s, Pinkenba started to change a lot. Many people moved away because their homes were needed for the expansion of the Eagle Farm Airport. More large factories and industries moved into the area. The War Memorial is one of the few things left that reminds us of Pinkenba's earlier time, when it was more of a residential neighborhood.
What the Memorial Looks Like
The monument stands on a small, grassy, triangle-shaped area at the corner of Eagle Farm and McBride Roads. It is about 2.5 meters (8 feet) tall. It is surrounded by a grassy space with a white concrete border and a fence made of metal poles connected by chains. A flagpole stands inside this fenced area to the north.
The memorial itself is made of bronze. It sits on a base made of concrete blocks that look like rough stone. On top of this base is a pedestal, which is like a stand. This pedestal has flat panels and a Doric column (a type of ancient Greek column) at each corner. On top of the pedestal is a square platform with a small dome. An upright artillery shell, decorated with a delicate bronze wreath, sticks out from the dome.
The sides of the pedestal have the memorial's main message and the names of the soldiers. The panel facing north has the main inscription in raised letters. The south panel lists the names of the soldiers who died, each on a decorative scroll. The east and west panels have the names of all the soldiers who joined the army.
Near the monument, there is a landscaped area with trees and garden beds. This area also has a seat, a picnic table, and a water tap.
Why the Memorial is Important
The Pinkenba War Memorial was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 3, 2005, because it meets several important requirements.
Showing Queensland's History
This memorial helps us understand Queensland's history. It shows the deep sadness and respect people felt when about 60,000 Australians died in World War I. During that time, people across Australia felt very patriotic. Most communities in Queensland built memorials to honor their local people who served in the war. Each monument is a unique record of history.
A Special Kind of Memorial
The Pinkenba War Memorial is a great example of a World War I memorial, even though it looks a bit different from others. These memorials were designed to be a physical place for people to remember and mourn, especially since many soldiers were buried overseas. The memorial shows the names of those who served and those who died. It is built to last and is in an area big enough for ceremonies. Its mix of classic and unique design elements makes it stand out among other World War I memorials.
Beautiful and Meaningful
The memorial and its green surroundings make Pinkenba look more beautiful. It is very noticeable and stands out in its green setting.
Important to the Community
The memorial is very important to the local community for social and spiritual reasons. It reminds them of a major historical event and is still used for annual remembrance ceremonies, like Anzac Day.
Connected to a Famous Designer
The memorial is also important because it shows the work of Ernest Gunderson. He was a well-known Queensland maker and supplier of honor boards and memorials.
