Temple of Peace (Toowong Cemetery) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Temple of Peace (Toowong Cemetery) |
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Temple Of Peace, 2003
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| Location | 124 Birdwood Terrace, Toowong, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1924 - 1924 |
| Architect | Richard Ramo |
| Official name: Temple of Peace | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600334 |
| Significant period | 1924(fabric, historical) |
| Significant components | sculpture, sarcophagus, gate/s, memorial - mausoleum |
| Builders | Richard Ramo |
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The Temple of Peace is a special memorial found in the Toowong Cemetery in Brisbane, Australia. It is located at 124 Birdwood Terrace in Toowong. Richard Paul Carl Ramo designed and built it in 1924. He created it to remember his four sons. He claimed that three of them died during World War I. This important site was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.
Contents
The Story of the Temple of Peace
The Temple of Peace is near the main entrance of the cemetery. Richard Ramo built it in 1924. He wanted it to be a memorial for his four sons. He said that three of his sons had died in the First World War (1914-1918).
His sons were:
- Victor – He was said to have died at Messines in August 1915.
- Henry – He was said to have died from wounds in Belgium in October 1915.
- Gordon – He died at Gallipoli in November 1915.
- Ferdinand Christian (Fred) Borell – He was a foster son. He died on 28 November 1923 from a gunshot wound.
Richard Ramo was very sad about these losses. He designed and built the temple as a final resting place. Fred's body was buried there, along with the ashes of two of his soldier sons. Ramo's dog, which had been poisoned, was also buried in the memorial.
More Than Just a Memorial
The temple was not just a personal memorial for Ramo's family. It also showed his strong feelings against war. It has many messages inside and outside that speak about peace and being against war. People who believe in peace are called pacifists.
A special ceremony took place on 6 December 1924 to open the temple. Thousands of people attended. Many of them were socialists or pacifists. A band played a song called "The Red Flag" as a coffin was placed inside the memorial.
Uncovering the Truth
Later, researchers looked into Ramo's claims. They could not find proof that three of his sons died in World War I. Richard Ramo was an immigrant from Prussia. He had changed his name from Karl Retzlaff.
He had three sons with his wife, Elsie. One son, Gordon, did join the army under the name Gordon Redcliff. He died at Gallipoli on 1 November, just as Ramo had said. However, there is no proof about the births, military service, or deaths of sons Victor and Henry. A historian named Judith Mackay said that these two sons were "complete inventions." Ramo did have two other sons, Percy and Cecil, but neither of them died during the war.
What the Temple Looks Like
The Temple of Peace is a type of memorial called a mausoleum. It is about 2.76 meters (9 feet) long, 1.76 meters (5.8 feet) wide, and 3 meters (9.8 feet) high. It is made from stone and plaster.
Design Features
Four corner columns hold up a roof that has steps. On top of the roof is a small mausoleum. This small mausoleum holds an urn with a wreath and a flame shape. This flame looks like a lamp of remembrance. The decorations on the corners are shaped like classic urns and festoons (carved decorations that look like hanging garlands).
Each side of the memorial has a marble fence called a balustrade with pillars. Above this fence, there is a row of three leadlight windows. These windows are in a Gothic style. A long, rectangular leadlight window runs along the top of all the walls.
The back wall has many marble tablets with messages carved into them. The front of the memorial is open and has metal gates. A black metal dove sits above the entrance. It holds olive leaves in its mouth. The dove with olive leaves is a well-known symbol of peace.
Inside the Temple
Inside the memorial, there is a sarcophagus. This is a stone coffin. On top of the sarcophagus is a carved figure of a dog. Both the inside and outside of the temple have many messages carved into them. These messages are about remembering loved ones and about peace.
At the bottom of the entrance, there is a sad inscription that says, "All my hope lies buried here."
Why the Temple is Important
The Temple of Peace was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it is a very important historical site. It meets certain rules to be listed as heritage.
A Unique War Memorial
This place is important because it shows how Queensland's history has changed. The Temple of Peace was built in 1924. It is a very different kind of war memorial. It is special because it also expresses feelings against war, which is unusual for a war memorial.
Showing War's Impact
The temple helps us understand the main features of important cultural places. It shows how one family suffered because of war. It powerfully reminds us of how war affected the people of Australia.
Beautiful and Unusual Design
The Temple of Peace is also important because of its beauty. It has a very unusual and fancy design. Its special decorations make it very appealing to look at.
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