Brookhampton War Memorial

Statement of Significance

Brookhampton War Memorial has social significance in honouring those residents of the Brookhampton area who gave their lives in the two World Wars of 1914-18 and 1939-45. Located in a prominent position adjacent to Brookhampton Hall, the memorial and its enclosing fence adds to the aesthetic value of the complex. It illustrates the enormous human sacrifice made by the small regional communities and commemorates the renowned fighting spirit of the Anzacs.

Physical Description

Brookhampton War Memorial is a grey granite obelisk mounted on a Donnybrook sandstone plinth and surrounded by a low fence of horizontal metal pipe between painted granite and concrete pylons. Brookhampton War Memorial was constructed as a tribute to the soldiers from the district who were killed in WWI and WWII.

History

In 1919, Brookhampton War Memorial was erected in the grounds of Brookhampton Hall to commemorate the men from the Thomson’s Brook district who had served in World War I (1914-18). Local residents voluntarily raised the funds for the memorial, which was made by Peter and Gillies, of Subiaco. The grey granite obelisk, ‘enclosed with a double iron railing, supported by four corner pillars of grey granite’, had the 33 names of those who enlisted, including nine who were killed, cut and gilded on one side of the obelisk (Bunbury Herald 20 Dec. 1919). On 17 December, W. G. Pickering, M.L.A., unveiled the so-called Soldiers’ Memorial, and after expressing his sympathy to those present who had been bereaved, he ‘congratulated the people of the district on erecting such a lasting tribute to their men’ (ibid). In 1920, local residents subscribed for a new fence around the Soldiers’ Memorial. In June 1921, a working bee was held to clear and plough up the ground around the Memorial in readiness for planting trees, shrubs and roses. On 6 August, Messrs. Gibbons and Sharp laid out the ground and small garden beds, young men dug over the ploughed ground, plantings were made, and the young ladies planted the surrounds of each bed with violets. The schoolmaster, Mr. Sharp, undertook to keep the ground in order, and local residents anticipated that ‘in time this little plot should prove to be one of our beauty spots’ (Bunbury Herald 16 August 1921). Following World War II, a stone was added to the plinth to record the names of those who served in that war. The local community highly values the Memorial and has well maintained it through into the early 2000s.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.