Boer War Memorial
cnr Market Place and Milton Streer HAMILTON, Southern Grampians Shire
Melville Oval Precinct Hamilton
Statement of Significance
SIGNIFICANCE: »Not just an expression grief for the local fallen of the Boer War, this monument marks a turning point in the history of Australia and of the squabbling of local politics.
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
Boer War Memorial
cnr Market place and Milton Street
Erected in 1902 in memory of men from the district who either fell or died later as a result of the Boer War, this monument is of local significance. The caption, inscribed on three white marble scrolls at the base of the obelisk reads:
Erected by the residents of this district to the memory
of those brave men of the H Co. VMR
who gave up their lives for Queen & Country in South Africa 1900
Lieut. RSRS Bree died at Blomfontein May 26th 1900
Pte T Stock killed in action at Rensberg Feb 9th 1900
and of Pte F Suttie killed in action at Basters nek Feb 10th 1900
Pte H Sealey died at Blomfontein April 30th 1900
Pte D Ross died at Noradjuha, Vic after returning from S Africa November 15th 1900
Dulce set decorum ast pro patria mori.
and of Pte F M (Frank) Meagher died 23rd July 1903 from wounds received at Pink Hill S Africa on 12th Feb. 1900.
Garden says "The town was hardest hit by the death of [RSR Stapylton] Bree, aged onl 20 who died from enteric fever. He was a promising young mant, a product of the College, son of one of the leading residents and grandson of S G Henty." ([i]) The monument was the first step in the beautification of the market reserve. After the death of Lieut Bree's father, a councillor, the monument was moved from the reserve its present site.
The obelisk form recalls ancient funerary monuments. It is well crafted by the Warrnambool stonemasons. and presumably scluptors, Wooles and Carpenter. The most notable feature is the bluestone plinth, signifying strength, which is carved from one stone to represent a pile of rocks. The chain strung between the smoothly finished bluestone bollards is also of interest. It is made up of ordinary links and spiked balls. The scrolls and the lead lettering are conventional. Behind the monument are two oak trees, Quercus robur, symbolising remembrance. In front of the monument is a cannon marked 43-0-8, 1843, C-V N C.
[i] Garden, D, Hamilton, p 157 - 8.
-
-
-
-
MECHANICS INSTITUTE
Victorian Heritage Register H2171 -
HAMILTON BOTANIC GARDENS
Victorian Heritage Register H2185
-
FORMER HAMILTON TUBERCULOSIS CHALET
Victorian Heritage Register H1066
-
'Mororo' 13 Oxford Street, Malvern
Stonnington City -
1 Arnold Street
Yarra City -
1 Austin Street
Yarra City
-
-
