Marrickville War Memorial
Description
The Marrickville War Memorial is a granite column, set on a rectangular granite base. Positioned on top of the column is a four-metre-high bronze sculpture of Winged Victory, holding a laurel wreath in one hand and a downward-pointing sword in the other. She stands on a decorative capital, inscribed with the Latin phrase 'Pro patria', meaning For one's country.
The base of the memorial is inscribed on its four sides, with the text highlighted in gold. The east side includes the dedication to the fallen and the honour roll is inscribed on the other three sides. The foundation and unveiling stones are also inset into the base on the east side.
The memorial is located in the forecourt of Marrickville Town Hall. It is set on four steps and is bordered on three sides with a brick and concrete fence. Three of the fence pillars have plaques attached, which tell the story of the history and evolution of the memorial.
The memorial was first unveiled on 24 May 1919. The original Winged Victory was designed by prominent local sculptor Gilbert Doble, and was the largest known bronze casting on a memorial in Australia. His original Victory held a raised sword, pointing to the sky. She is shown in images 14 and 15 above, which were taken in 1919.
Over the years, Doble's Victory has been repaired and restored several times. In April 2009, Marrickville Council undertook a major restoration of the memorial, including re-gilding all the lettering and honour roll. By February 2010, the sculpture had been removed and placed in storage. In 2014, it was decided to donate the sculpture to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Doble's iconic sculpture was replaced by the current version, created by principal sculptor Darien Pullen, who was assisted by Andrew Poppleton. The sculpture was fabricated at Meridian Foundry in Fitzroy, Melbourne. Titled Winged Victory, 2015, it was installed in time for the Centenary of Anzac commemorations and unveiled on 19 April 2015.
Inscription
Inscription - capital of column, east side
Pro Patria [for one's country]
Dedication - base, east side
Erected to the Honor and Glory of the Men of Marrickville who gave their lives for God and the cause of humanity in the Great War 1914–1919.
"They died that we might live. –
Hail! – and Farewell!
–All honor give
to those who nobly striving nobly fell.
That we might live!
(Oxenham)
Gilbert Doble
Sculptor
Foundation stone - base, east side
This stone was laid by the Mayor Ald. J. T. Ness, J.P. 26th January 1919
Unveiling stone - base, east side
This memorial was unveiled by His Excellency Sir Walter E. Davidson K.C.M.G. Governor of New South Wales 24th May 1919.
Honour roll - base, north, east, and south sides
[Names]
Plaque - fence, left pillar
The Winged Victory, 1919
Gilbert Doble's Winged Victory was created at his foundry in Hillcrest Street, Tempe. It was inspired by Greek mythology - a figure of Nike, the goddess of victory - and unveiled on 24 May 1919. The sculpture was removed in 1962, after concerns were raised around its preservation.
In November 1988, following restoration work by sculptor Dr Alex Sandor Kolozsy, the Winged Victory was returned to the Memorial. The sculpture was removed permanently in 2008 when stability again became an issue.
In 2014, the Winged Victory became part of the collection at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, symbolising how The Great War affected so many lives in Marrickville.
Marrickville Council
Plaque - fence, right pillar
The Winged Victory 2015
Winged Victory, 2015 is a contemporary interpretation of Gilbert Doble's original sculpture.
"The sword, a symbol of victory, has been lowered and is more passive than the original, in a gesture of peace. The wreath is more overt, casting it to the fallen. The downcast gaze symbolises mourning and is reverential to Doble's sculpture" - artists, Darien Pullen and Peter Corlett.
Winged Victory, 2015 was unveiled by Mayor of Marrickville, Councillor Mark Gardiner on 19 April 2015.
The Marrickville Soldiers' Memorial was restored by Marrickville Council with funds provided under the Australian Government's Anzac Centenary Program.
Marrickville Council
Plaque - fence, far right pillar
[Photograph of unveiling of the Winged Victory 1919]
The Winged Victory, 1919
Gilbert Doble's Winged Victory was created at his foundry in Hillcrest Street, Tempe. It was inspired by Nike, the Goddess of Victory in Greek mythology, and unveiled in front of a crowd of 15,000 people on 24 May 1919.
The monument commemorates the 458 local soldiers who died in service or were killed in action in World War I.
In 2014, the Winged Victory 1919 became part of the collection at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, symbolising how The Great War affected so many lives in Marrickville.
Former plaque
Australia
1788–1988
Winged Victory Restoration
The upper half of the statue is the work of the original sculptor, Gilbert Doble. The restoration and re-creation of the lower half is the work of sculptor, Alex Koloszy.
The restoration was unveiled on 11 November, 1988 by Sir Thomas Daly, K.B.E. C.B. D.S.O.
Veterans listed on this memorial
| Last held rank | Given Name | Family Name | Conflict/s | Fate | Service No. | Service | Unit at embarkation | Campaign | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | Abrock | World War 1 | view | ||||||
| W T | Adam | World War 1 | view | ||||||
| C W | Adrian | World War 1 | view | ||||||
| W C | Agate | World War 1 | view | ||||||
| J | Alexander | World War 1 | view | ||||||
| H C | Allan | World War 1 | view | ||||||
| J | Allan | World War 1 | view | ||||||
| PTE | P B | Allen | World War 1 | Died at sea 11.8.1915 | 1908 | AIF | 1st Batt | Gallipoli | view |
| C | Amos | World War 1 | view | ||||||
| F C | Amos | World War 1 | view |
Do you know more about this war memorial?
Address
Marrickville Town Hall
Cnr Marrickville and Petersham Roads
Marrickville NSW 2204
AustraliaLocal Government Area
- Inner West Council
Setting
- Roadside
Location status
Original locationMemorial type
- Column/pillar
- Statue/sculpture/artwork
Recorded by
NSW War Memorials Register. Peter Levarre-Waters. J Naughton. David Roden.Year of construction
1919Established Date format:
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$new_date = date("d F Y", $changed_date);
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else{
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}Dedication date
19 April 2015 Conflict/s
- First World War, 1914–18
Materials
- Bronze
- Granite