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.