Skip to main content

Gilgai War Memorial

Gilgai War Memorial
Middle
Image
Gilgai War Memorial, front
Image
Gilgai War Memorial, Second World War side
Image
Gilgai War Memorial, close-up of honour roll names
Image
Gilgai War Memorial, 2015 plaques
Image
Gilgai War Memorial plaques, close-up of 2015 plaques
0 / 0
-
Description / Background

The Gilgai War Memorial is a polished stone obelisk, made of blue granite, positioned on two blocks of the same material. Inscribed into these blocks are dedications and honour rolls for the First and Second World Wars, highlighted in gold. The memorial stands on top of several rough granite blocks and is surrounded by two sets of decorative fences, each consisting of pillars joined by metal posts or panels. 

The memorial was unveiled on 5 August 1923 by Mrs Woodford, who had two sons from the area killed during the First World War. During the ceremony Reverend E. H. Stammer stated, "this little centre sent every eligible man, totalling 79, to the war, and of those 11 had been killed." The Lands Department dedicated half an acre of land to the village for the memorial (The Sydney Morning Herald, 8 August 1923). 

The Gilgai Public Hall and Recreation Reserves Trust took over care of the memorial in 2011. On 23 September, the Trust received a 'Saluting their Service' grant from the Australian Government to install memorial plaques for the South African (Boer) War, Korea, the Indonesian Confrontation (Malaysia), Vietnam, and Australian National Service. They were installed in 2015 in time for Anzac Day commemorations. Phoenix Foundry cast the plaques and they were installed by Inverell's Thorley and Sons. 

In 2020, the Gilgai Public Hall & Recreation Reserves Land Manager (GPHRRLM) Board, formerly the Gilgai Hall Trust, received a Community War Memorials Fund grant from the NSW Government to conserve, repair, and protect the memorial. Image 1 above shows the memorial following the project, which was completed in April 2022. 

Inscription

Side 1

Gilgai Soldiers Memorial

In everlasting memory of those who fell in the Great War 1914–1918.

[Names]

Side 2

Gilgai Soldiers Memorial

In everlasting memory of those who fell in World War 2 1939–1945.

[Names]

Plaque 1

Dedicated to all Australian National Servicemen

1961–1972

who served, suffered and died

Plaque 2

Korea

1950–1953

Died 340

Wounded more than 1160

Malaysia

1965–1966

Died 36

Wounded 53

Plaque 3

Those who served

Vietnam

1962–1963

Number of Australians served 60000

Killed in action

Died of wounds and others 521

Wounded more than 3000

Plaque 4

South Africa (Boer War)

11-10-1899 1-6-1902

Colonial and Commonwealth Contingents

Number enlisted 16463

Killed in action, death of wounds and other 606

Wounded 553

Prisoners of war 100

Number enlisted from Inverell and District 111

Veterans listed on this memorial

Veterans listed on this memorial

Last held rank Given name Family name Conflict/s Service No. Service Campaign Read more
F Sgt J S Baldwin WW2 404879 RAAF view
Pte O A Cross World War 1 814 Army view
Tpr C Daskey World War 1 1192 Army view
Gunner H J Ferris World War 2 N95718 Army view
Pte F J Hines World War 1 2790 Army view
Pte L Madden World War 1 Army view
Pte B E Marsh World War 1 2353 Army view
W Off D H McNaught World War 2 413135 RAAF view
Pte P Rooney World War 1 4590 Army view
Lieut V Schwenke World War 2 NX34876 Army view

Do you know more about this war Memorial?

Click here to learn how you can contribute
Sidebar
Address
Gilgai Memorial Park
Cnr Stannifer and Marsh Streets
Gilgai NSW 2360
Local Government Area
Inverell Shire
Setting
Garden/park
Location status
Original location
Memorial type
Obelisk
Recorded by
Cristina Schwenke. D. A. Wiedemann. Graham Wilson.
Dedication date
05 August 1923
Conflict/s
South African War (Boer War), 1899–1902
First World War, 1914–18
Second World War, 1939–45
Korean War, 1950–53
Indonesian Confrontation, 1963–66
Vietnam War, 1962–75
Materials
Bronze
Granite