Back to search results

Kew War Memorial
HIGH STREET and COTHAM ROAD KEW, Boroondara City

All information on this page is maintained by Vic. War Heritage Inventory. Click below for their website and contact details.
Vic. War Heritage Inventory
KEW WAR MEMORIAL SOHE 2008
KEW WAR MEMORIAL SOHE 2008
KEW WAR MEMORIAL SOHE 2008
KEW WAR MEMORIAL SOHE 2008
h02035 1 kew war memorial
Kew War Memorial 2004
Kew 2.jpg
Kew 3.jpg
Kew 4.jpg
Kew 5.jpg
Kew War Memorial Honour Board 2004
Kew War Memorial 2004
Kew War Memorial 2004
Kew War Memorial 2004
Kew War Memorial Honour Board 2004
Kew War Memorial Honour Board 2004
Kew War Memorial Honour Board 2004
h02035 kew war memorial plan
On this page:

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
Kew War Memorial is a memorial to local residents who served in World War I, sited on a triangular site in front of the Kew Post Office at the junction of High Street and Cotham Road. Almost every Australian township erected a memorial after World War I to commemorate soldiers from the district. In June 1919, the Kew Municipal Council appointed a sub-committee to consider a suitable war memorial. Steps were taken to secure land in front of the Post Office for erection of the War Memorial. The Mayor (Cr Harry W. Tompkins, an architect) submitted a design for the proposed Memorial, and it was decided that an estimate of the cost be obtained. In August 1920, the land in front of the Post Office was transferred to the Council. It was decided to hold a competition for the design of the War Memorial. The estimated cost was not to be more than £3500. Prizes offered were £50, £15 and £10, with the proviso that the Council was not bound to accept any design. The results were announced in July 1921: the first prize was won by F. Bruce Kemp, and the second by Stephenson and Meldrum. Although Mr Kemp was commissioned by the Council to prepare working drawings, specifications and detail drawings suitable for calling tenders for construction, the Council later decided to reject the Kemp design and to construct the Memorial according to the original design of the former Mayor, H.W. Tompkins. Mr Tompkins had since resigned form the Council and offered to supervise the construction without fee. The Council funded the construction by the sale of some unused land.

Kew War Memorial is a particularly fine example of a classical style war memorial designed by notable Melbourne architect Harry Tompkins. Built in granite and marble as a circular temple supported on ionic columns, its design takes advantage of the site, allowing a clear view of all faces of the memorial. The frieze commemorates the theatres of war in which Kew residents served. In the centre of the temple is a square granite block with a central column. The western face of the block has the details of the purpose of the memorial and the occasion of its opening. The names of those servicemen and women who served in the Great War and of those who died have been inscribed on the other three faces.

How is it significant?
Kew War Memorial is architecturally, historically and socially significant to the State of Victoria

Why is it significant?
Kew War Memorial is architecturally significant as an example of a war memorial designed in a circular temple form by notable architect Harry Tompkins, and for its contribution, together with the court house, police station and post office (constructed 1886-88), to one of the finest civic precincts in the State.

Kew War Memorial is historically significant as an extraordinary example of a municipally funded local response to the loss of those who served in war.

Kew War Memorial is historically significant as it is associated with the contribution of Victorian service personnel to World War I and the profound impact of that conflict on Australian society.

Kew War Memorial is socially significant as a landmark place in the city of Melbourne, sited at the junction of two major highways to the east of the city, High Street and Cotham Road, and forming an important civic precinct with the court house, post office and police station. It is socially significant as a gathering place for the local Anzac Day services and as a place of private reflection and mourning, as "a community's statement of bereavenment, pride and thanksgiving".

Show more
Show less

    • Physical Description 1

      Kew War Memorial - Physical Description 1

      Date Started 1924; Date Finished 1925; Storeys 0; Desc WAR MEMORIAL; DESCRIPTION OF PLACE:

      The Kew War Memorial is a circular temple supported on ionic columns constructed of granite and marble and is approximately eight metres in height. Its design takes full advantage of the site, allowing a clear view of all faces of the memorial. The frieze displays the names of the theatres of war in which the soldiers fought. These were the North Sea, Egypt, Belgium, Gallipoli, France, Palestine, Mesopotamia, and Salonica.

      The inscription reads


      City of Kew

      to the

      Honor of the Living

      and the Glory of the Dead

      who Served in

      the Great War

      1914-1918

      Unveiled by His Excellency

      the Governor of Victoria

      Earl of Stradbroke K.C.M.G.

      10th August 1925

      J. Lewis Carnegie Mayor

      1924-25

      with a list of servicemen.

      There have been no alterations or changes to the original facades.

      The land on which the War Memorial stands consists of two sections. One section is the land in front of the Kew Post Office. This was transferred to the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901 as part of the land on which the Post Office was built. The other section appears to have been the land on which the Queen Victoria Jubilee Drinking Fountain was constructed in 1887. When this was removed to the Alexandra Gardens in 1924, the War Memorial was built on the two pieces of land. Thus for many years the eastern part of the War Memorial was on Commonwealth owned land leased to the Kew Council and later sold to a private owner. The rest of the War Memorial was on the western portion of land which is owned by VicRoads on behalf of the State Government.


      Usage/Former Usage

      Kew War Memorial - Usage/Former Usage

      1925 ; commemorative ;

      Physical Conditions

      Kew War Memorial - Physical Conditions

      State of the Historic Environment survey report - Condition: Good. See Events.

      Veterans Description for Public

      Kew War Memorial - Veterans Description for Public

      The Kew War Memorial, on High Street and Cotham Road, was erected to commemorate the First World War. The War Memorial was unveiled by His Excellency the Governor of Victoria, Lord Stradbroke, before a very large gathering of citizens on August 30th 1925. A guard of honour was formed from the 39th Battalion and the First Kew Scouts.

      The Memorial is a particularly fine example of a classical style war memorial. Built in granite and marble as a circular temple supported on ionic columns, its design takes advantage of the site, allowing a clear view of all faces of the memorial. The frieze commemorates the theatres of war in which Kew residents served; the North Sea, Egypt, Belgium, Gallipoli, France, Palestine, Mesopotamia, and Salonica. In the centre of the temple is a square granite block with a central column. The western face of the block has the details of the purpose of the memorial and the occasion of its opening. The names of those servicemen and women who served in the Great War and of those who died have been inscribed on the other three faces.

      The memorial was planned from June 1919 when the Kew Municipal Council appointed a sub-committee to consider a suitable design. Steps were taken to secure land in front of the Post Office for erection of the War Memorial. The Mayor Cr H. W. Tompkins, also an architect submitted a design for the proposed Memorial, and it was decided that an estimate of the cost be obtained. In August 1920, the land in front of the Post Office was transferred to the Council. The Jubilee Fountain on the site was moved to the Alexandra Gardens and a large Moreton Bay fig tree which had been surrounded by seats for the public was removed to make way for the Memorial, despite local protests.

      It was decided to hold a competition for the design of the War Memorial. The estimated cost was not to be more than £3500. Prizes offered were £50, £15 and £10, with the proviso that the Council was not bound to accept any design. The results were announced in July 1921: the first prize was won by F. Bruce Kemp, the second prize by Stephenson and Meldrum. Although Mr Kemp was commissioned by the Council to prepare working drawings, specifications and detail drawings suitable for calling tenders for construction, the Council later decided to reject the Kemp design and to construct the Memorial according to the original design of the former Mayor, H.W. Tompkins. Mr Tompkins had since resigned form the Council and who offered to supervise the construction without fee.

      After the Second World War, George Allen was commissioned to complete a Civic Memorial in the form of a sculptured panel symbolising the sacrifice of those who served. It was incorporated into the new City Hall building completed in 1960.

      Permit Exemption Policy

      Kew War Memorial - Permit Exemption Policy

      /n

      The purpose of the exemptions is to allow works that do not affect the cultural heritage significance of the place.The significance of the place lies in the intact and unaltered form of the memorial and in its siting as a major landmark in Melbourne at the intersection of two major highways leading to the east of the city.

Public contributions

Note: Developments may span multiple time periods
Timeline browser

< to 1849
< - 1849
1850 to 1879
1850 - 1879
1880 to 1909
1880 - 1909
1910 to 1939
1910 - 1939
1940 to 1969
1940 - 1969
1970 to 1999
1970 - 1999
2000 to >
2000 - >