Page 56 - Sandgate Guide April 2021 Issue

HISTORY
Council workers preparing the base of the memorial c1923; Anzac Memorial Park c1953, Cenotaph.
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uring the Great War, The War to End All Wars – WW1, enlistment of men from the Sandgate area was considerable.
Because of that, the death and casualty lists were also high.
First mooted towards the end of 1918, it was proposed to erect a war memorial in Sandgate to commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice. A committee was set up on 1 November, 1918, to be known as the Soldiers Reception and General Committee. The chairman was Alderman Bowser and various other local dignitaries were also on the committee. On 6 February, 1920, the name of the group was changed to The Sandgate War Memorial Committee.
The project needed £1200. Interesting ways of raising the funds included having a badge struck by Wallace Bishop Jewellers. They cost 1 shilling and 1 penny to make and sold for £1. When funds raised reached £571, the committee decided to go head with having plans drawn up. Other funds were raised by holding a ball, concerts, dances, sporting fixtures and from public subscriptions.
At the committee meeting on 29 May, 1923, it was decided to include a poem, written by member Mr W.H. Lister, on the reverse side to the names of the fallen.
56 SANDGATE GUIDE
ANZACS Dead
They died, and yet in memory they shall live That we may know the worth of sacrifice Know that their death in Freedom’s cause Stands as a beacon light, to point the way
To Paths of Peace.
The remainder of the poem, not included on the memorial is:
So let us think. And, as our thoughts arise We draw anear the soul of those who died: And listening, we shall hear the spirit voice Of ANZACS dead
The memorial was unveiled on 24 February, 1924, by Governor Sir Matthew Nathan, and consecrated by the Rev. A.C. Plane. The stone came from a quarry owned by Alderman Bowser. The work was carried out by monumental masons Lowther and Sons. The flag draped on the cenotaph was supplied by McWhirters Ltd, Fortitude Valley. Recorded on the monument are the names of all the Sandgate sons who died during that war. (Later the names of those killed in WW2 and the Korean War were added.) We will remember them. Lest We Forget.
With thanks to the Sandgate Museum and Historical Society
APRIL 2021
SANDGATE WAR MEMORIAL – A HISTORY