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Parramatta War Memorial

Parramatta War Memorial
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Parramatta War Memorial, surroundings with church visible in background
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Parramatta War Memorial, main obelisk in full height, west and south sides in view
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Parramatta War Memorial, western side
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Parramatta War Memorial, western side, close-up of cylindrical casket
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Parramatta War Memorial, western side, close-up of names
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Parramatta War Memorial, western side, bottom plaque
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Parramatta War Memorial, main obelisk in full height, north and west sides in view
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Parramatta War Memorial, northern side
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Parramatta War Memorial, northern side, close-up of names
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Parramatta War Memorial, main obelisk in full height, east and north sides in view
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Parramatta War Memorial, eastern side, with rosemary garden beds and staircase in view
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Parramatta War Memorial, eastern side
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Parramatta War Memorial, eastern side, close-up of unveiling inscription
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Parramatta War Memorial, eastern side, close-up of the Australian Commonwealth emblem atop centre panel
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Parramatta War Memorial, eastern side, close-up of centre panel
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Parramatta War Memorial, eastern side, close-up of World War II dedication plaque
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Parramatta War Memorial, eastern side, close-up of dedication plaque to various conflicts
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Parramatta War Memorial, eastern side, close-up of foundation stone inscription
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Parramatta War Memorial, main obelisk in full height, south and east sides in view
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Parramatta War Memorial, southern side
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Parramatta War Memorial, southern side, close-up of names
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Parramatta War Memorial, surroundings with southern side visible and rotunda in background
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Parramatta War Memorial, statue on pedestal
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Parramatta War Memorial, close-up of statue pedestal
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Parramatta War Memorial, obelisk to right of statue
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Parramatta War Memorial, obelisk to left of statue
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Description / Background

The Parramatta War Memorial is a trachyte stone obelisk, supported by a rectangular base of the same material. The whole monument is approximately five metres high. It stands on a stepped platform, on the eastern side of Prince Alfred Park, facing Church Street. This is considered the front of the memorial, and a short staircase gives access to this side from the footpath.  

Attached to the front of the memorial is its original dedication plaque, as well as an inscription, which identifies the official unveiling date as 12 May 1923. 

The names of the fallen from Parramatta and district are inscribed on the base of the memorial and highlighted in gold. A parchment containing all those who enlisted in the war was installed in a cavity in the base during the unveiling ceremony. 

Read more about the origins of the memorial on the City of Parramatta Research and Collections website

Digger statue

A life-sized statue of a First World War soldier was unveiled at the memorial in April 2019. It was commissioned by City of Parramatta Council and Parramatta RSL sub-Branch to commemorate the Centenary of Armistice in 2018.

The new Digger statue at Prince Alfred Square is a significant and powerful addition to Parramatta's first and largest First World War memorial, It is fitting to have a lasting tribute to members of the Parramatta community who courageously served our nation in World War I and subsequent wars.

This monument has since been dedicated to those who had served in World War Two, Malaya, Korea, Borneo, and South Vietnam. It remains a gathering point for Anzac day memorials. It has and will perhaps always be a reminder of the effects of war, but at another level this memorial, through its history of how it came to be – the community involvement, fundraising through public subscriptions and events, the debate over the preferred site and design, whether names should be inscribed on the monument or not – also symbolises community spirit, participation, debate, and the evolution of a city. Perhaps one could also see this as a monument to a town coming of age.

— Councillor Andrew Wilson, City of Parramatta

Commemorations

Anzac Day ceremonies at Parramatta's Prince Alfred Park regularly attract more than 2,000 attendees. According to Doug Mackay, Vice President of the local RSL sub-Branch, "Anzac Day is the most important day on the sub-Branch calendar, as it allows the community the opportunity to come along and honour the sacrifices made by those in service."

In 2019, a free Anzac Day interactive 'touch table' display exhibited 1,962 First World War biographies and accounts of Parramatta service personnel, including photos, diaries and biographies.

Inscription

Eastern side, top

France 

Gallipoli

New Guinea

This memorial was unveiled by His Excellency the Right Honourable Lord Forster, P.C., G.C.M.G., Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of the Commonwealth of Australia May 12th 1923.

[Australian Commonwealth Military Forces Emblem]

Eastern side, left plaque

This memorial is also dedicated to those who served during World War II 1939–1945

Eastern side, centre panel

Erected to perpetuate the spirit of those who served their country in the cause of freedom 1914–1919



"Pass not on till thou hast blessed their memory and paid those thanks which god appointed the reward of public virtue" 

Eastern side, right plaque

This memorial is also dedicated to those who served in

Malaya 1948–1960

Korea 1950–1954

Borneo 1962–1966

South Vietnam 1962–1972

Eastern side, bottom

This foundation stone was laid by Ald. L. A. Simpson, Mayor. November 25th 1922.

Southern side, top

Belgium

Salonica 

Cocos Islands

Southern side, centre

Fallen 

[Names]

Western side, top

Egypt

Atlantic 

Mediterranean

Western side, centre

Within are the names of all those from this town who took part in the war. 

[cylindrical casket with the names of those who enlisted locally inscribed on vellum, embedded in memorial]

[Names]

Western side, bottom plaque

[Australia Remembers 1945–1995 emblem]

In honour of the men and women who served Australia in time of conflict during World War II 

Lest we forget

15.8.1995

John Haines OAM Lord Mayor City of Parramatta 

The Hon. Paul Elliott Federal Member for Parramatta 

Northern side, top

North Sea 

Palestine 

Mesopotamia

Northern side, centre

Fallen 

[Names]

Bronze 'Digger' statue centre pedestal

[The Australian Army emblem]

To commemorate the centenary of Armistice in 2018 

This bronze statue is dedicated to the men and women of Parramatta who served our nation in the First World War

Lest we forget 

[Australian Defence Force emblem]

Obelisk to left of statue, facing statue

[Royal Australian Navy emblem]

Obelisk to right of statue, facing statue

[Royal Australian Air Force emblem]

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
W Castles view
S F Chippindale view
A C Christian view
R Coates view
S Colbert view
P Comyns view
W J Cook view
C J Cooper view
J W Cottam view
W Cox view

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Address
Prince Alfred Park
353D Church Street
Parramatta NSW 2150
Local Government Area
Parramatta Council, City of
Setting
Garden/park
Location status
Original location
Memorial type
Obelisk
Statue/sculpture/artwork
Recorded by
Andrew Phelps. Parramatta North Public School. Peter Levarre-Waters. Vaughan Williamson.
Year of construction
1922–1923
Dedication date
12 May 1923
Conflict/s
First World War, 1914–18
Second World War, 1939–45
Korean War, 1950–53
Malayan Emergency, 1950–60
Indonesian Confrontation, 1963–66
Vietnam War, 1962–75
Materials
Bronze
Concrete
Granite
Other stone