Joseph F Palazzi South African War Memorial, Wagga Wagga

The memorial is a concrete and white marble obelisk on a solid base, dedicated to the memory of Corporal Joseph Faustino Palazzi who died on 19 July 1900 at Palmeitfontein, South Africa. The obelisk features a relief sculpture of crossed rifles above a trooper helmet on the front face, with the dedication below inscribed in black lettering.

Joseph Palazzi was born in Araluen in 1877 but spent most of his boyhood and youth in Wagga Wagga. In 1895 he joined the local "G" Company of the First Infantry Regiment and was promoted to Corporal three years later. He was a member of the bayonet team and the Rifle and Recreation Clubs connected with the Volunteer Company, securing several prizes in military tournaments and competitions as an expert marksman. When volunteers were called for service in South Africa, Joseph and his brother, Silvio Alfeira Palazzi, were among the first in NSW to enlist for active service. Joseph was the first man of the First NSW Infantry Regiment to be killed in action (The Sydney Morning Herald, 30 July 1900).

Corporal Palazzi was an excellent correspondent and wrote many letters to his former employer, Mr C Douglas, which kept local residents informed of his movements in South Africa. The great esteem in which he was held within the community was demonstrated by the Union Jack being flown at half-mast over the Town Hall with most of the principal businesses placing shutters over their windows as a mark of respect when news of his death reached the town (Wagga Wagga Express, 28 July 1900). A memorial service for Joseph Palazzi was held on 5 August 1900 at St Michael's Catholic Church (The Sydney Morning Herald, 6 August 1900).

The memorial obelisk was a result of a subscription list set up at the newspaper by a few public spirited citizens in September 1901, which raised £52. The obelisk was designed and constructed by Messrs A Larcombe and Co of Sydney and was the first public memorial in Wagga Wagga. The unveiling ceremony was held in Newtown Park (now known as Collins Park) on 7 December 1901. The Mayor of Wagga Wagga, Alderman George Rudd, performed the unveiling in front of a large audience (Wagga Wagga Advertiser, 10 December 1901).