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Emden Gun Monument

Emden Gun Monument
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Emden Gun Monument, left side
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Emden Gun Monument, right side
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Emden Gun Monument, front
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Emden Gun Monument, close-up of unveiling inscription
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Emden Gun Monument, close-up of 4" gun inscription
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Emden Gun Monument, close-up of honour roll
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Emden Gun Monument, close-up of list of Officers on board H.M.A.S. Sydney
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Description / Background

This war memorial is a 4" ships gun from the German raider Emden, which was sunk by HMAS Sydney in the First World War. The gun is mounted on a sandstone plinth, surrounded by a low iron fence. The plinth is inscribed with an honour roll of 22 names, which are divided into those who were killed in action, wounded, or received the Distinguished Service Medal. 

The war trophy was unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Sydney, R. D. Meagher, on 21 December 1917. The well-attended event was reported in The Daily Telegraph the following day. In his address, the Lord Mayor said:

We are assembled today to participate in an historic function—to unveil a trophy of war, won by the youngest navy in the world under circumstances which bring a thrill of pride and gratification to all true Australians and faithful sons of Empire that the young Australian navy is worthy to rank with the great and glorious parent—the British Navy—not only in courage, seamanship, and devotion to duty, but also in mercy and magnanimity extended to a beaten foe. 

The memorial is located in the south-east corner of Hyde Park South, facing in the direction of Oxford Street.

Inscription

Front 

This monument

was erected by

the Municipal Council of Sydney

to commemorate the destruction of the German raider “Emden” 

by

H.M.A.S. Sydney

commanded by Captain John C. T. Glossop R.N. 

in the naval action off Cocos Island on the 9th November 1914

The monument being unveiled on the 21st December 1917 

by

The Right Hon. R. D. Meagher M.L.C.

Lord Mayor of Sydney

W. C Layton

Deputy Town Clerk

Thomas H. Nesbitt

Town Clerk

R.H. Brodrick 

Architect and City Building Surveyor

Left side

This monument is surmounted by a 4″ Gun taken 

from the German raider “Emden” destroyed by H.M.A.S. Sydney 

A gift from the Commonwealth Government to the

citizens of Sydney.

Right side

Killed in action

[Names]

Wounded

[Names]

Received Distinguished Service Medal 

[Names]

Back

List of Officers on board H.M.A.S Sydney on the occasion 

of the destruction of S.M.S Emden on 9th

November 1914.  

[Names]

Veterans listed on this memorial

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Sidebar
Address
Hyde Park South
Cnr Liverpool and College Streets
Sydney NSW 2000
Local Government Area
Sydney, City of
Setting
Garden/park
Location status
Original location
Memorial type
War trophy
Recorded by
Matthew Holle
Year of construction
1917
Dedication date
21 December 1917
Conflict/s
First World War, 1914–18
Materials
Metal
Sandstone