Glenthompson War Memorial

Glenelg Highway Memorial Road GLENTHOMPSON, Southern Grampians Shire

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Vic. War Heritage Inventory

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Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • Physical Conditions

    Glenthompson War Memorial - Physical Conditions

    The memorial reserve is in fair condition, the monument and hard landscaping is in good condition.

    Physical Description 1

    Glenthompson War Memorial - Physical Description 1

    The Glenthompson War memorial, erected after the First World War and added to after the Second World War is constructed of finely cast concrete blocks. It has an unusual form of an octagonal base with two tiers, on which is mounted a column which terminates with a knight supporting a Celtic cross. The whole is constructed from blocks which appear to be specially fabricated. It has a height of about 4 metres. The base is inscribed on each of the eight sides with the names of those who fought in both World Wars. The lower tier is inscribed with the names of those who served 1914 - 1919, the upper tier is inscribed with the names of those who served 1939 - 1945.
    
    The column is octagonal and tapered with a plain base and capital. The knight stands with his head bowed and holding his inverted sword (which may be read as a symbol for the cross). The cross above the knight has an annulus linking the four branches. The choice of a medieval knight and a Celtic cross is most unusual and quite unlike the white marble statues of returned Diggers.
    
    The monument is at the centre of elaborately planned memorial reserve, in the centre of the township, bounded by the Glenelg Highway and a service road. The planning is strictly axial, with a short cross axis marked by paired Lawson's Cypress, Cupressus lawsoniana to the north and south entrances. A concrete scroll stands to the left of the northern entrance. The scroll has inscribed on it "Let those that come after see to it that their names be not forgotten".
    
    The long axis terminates at the east and west in two tiered 'lava-rock' style rockeries, planted with annuals, and beyond a Canary island Palm, Phoenix caneriensis. To the outer perimeter of the reserve, level with the termination of the east and west long axies are pairs of Canary Island Palms, Phoenix caneriensis.
    
    To the west of the reserve, a large sandstone slab with a simple bronze dedicated to Glenthompson and District Soldier Settlers, World War Two, listing those who settled Narrapumelap Souther Estate, Yarrak Estate and Bushy Creek Estate.
    
    Two commemorative flagpoles are located to the south of the site, one near the southern axial entrance and the other closer to the centre of the moument.

    Historical Australian Themes

    Glenthompson War Memorial - Historical Australian Themes

    Theme 7: Governing
    7.7 Defending Australia
    7.7.3 Going to war
    
    Theme 8: Developing Australia's cultural life
    8.8 Remembering the fallen
    
    Theme 9: Marking the phases of Life
    9.7.3 Remembering the dead.

    Usage/Former Usage

    Glenthompson War Memorial - Usage/Former Usage

    war memorial and memorial garden

    Integrity

    Glenthompson War Memorial - Integrity

    The memorial reserve and plantings have been modified in recent years, leading to a loss of integrity, although the monument appears to be very intact.

    Physical Description 2

    Glenthompson War Memorial - Physical Description 2

    Glenthompson RSL

    Veterans Description for Public

    Glenthompson War Memorial - Veterans Description for Public

    The Glenthompson War memorial, on the Glenelg Highway Memorial Road, was erected after the First World War, with inscriptions added after the Second World War. The memorial is constructed of finely cast concrete blocks, with an unusual two tiered octagonal base, on which is mounted a column which terminates with a knight supporting a Celtic cross, at a height of four metres. The base is inscribed on each of the eight sides with the names of those who fought in both World Wars. The lower tier is inscribed with the names of those who served 1914 - 1919; the upper tier is inscribed with the names of those who served 1939 - 1945.The figure of the knight stands with his head bowed and sword inverted (which may be read as a symbol for the cross). The cross above the knight has an annulus linking the four branches. The choice of a medieval knight and Celtic cross is most unusual and quite unlike the white marble statues of returned Diggers commonly erected at this time.
    
    The monument is at the centre of an elaborately planned memorial reserve, in the centre of the township, bounded by the Glenelg Highway and a service road. It is not known when the reserve was planted or who designed it. However it is recorded that the garden was tended for many decades by Augustus Steinke, who was born in South Australia and who migrated to Glenthompson with his parents Carl and Sophie. Steinke died on 20th November 1952 and is buried in the Glenthompson Cemetery.

    The planning is strictly axial, with a short cross axis marked by paired Lawson's Cypress, Cupressus lawsoniana to the north and south entrances. A concrete scroll stands to the left of the northern entrance. The scroll has inscribed on it "Let those that come after see to it that their names be not forgotten". The long axis terminates at the east and west in two tiered 'lava-rock' style rockeries, planted with annuals, and beyond a Canary island Palm, Phoenix caneriensis. To the outer perimeter of the reserve, level with the termination of the east and west long axies, are pairs of Canary Island Palms, Phoenix caneriensis.
    
    To the west of the reserve, a large sandstone slab with a simple bronze dedicated to 'Glenthompson and District Soldier Settlers, World War Two', listing those who settled Narrapumelap Southern Estate, Yarrak Estate and Bushy Creek Estate. Two commemorative flagpoles are also located to the south of the site, one near the southern axial entrance and the other closer to the centre of the monument.

    Heritage Study and Grading

    Heritage Study and Grading

    Southern Grampians - Southern Grampians Shire Heritage Study

    Author: Timothy Hubbard P/L, Annabel Neylon
    Year: 2002
    Grading:

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