Historical information

The photo shows the cenotaph on the steps of Parliament House in Spring St after a wreath laying ceremony. There was a picket fence around the area which was erected for occasions (see the newspaper clipping from Anzac Day in 1928 copied from item no 01204).
It is possible that the stamp on the reverse, '4 24', means April 1924, also see similar photos at 01203.
From articles in Trove: The temporary cenotaph was the original first world war memorial until the Shrine of Remembrance was dedicated in 1937. The cenotaph was a half size replica of the London Symbol of Remembrance in Whitehall. It was made from timber and plaster and was initially meant to only last for the 1926 Anzac day service and be removed. With annual upkeep it remained until at least 1934 when ex-service men proceeded from the incomplete Shrine to the cenotaph on the steps of Parliament House.

Significance

An early Anzac day ceremony held at the cenotaph in Spring St, Melbourne, before the Shrine of Remembrance was built.

Physical description

Black and white photo of the cenotaph in Spring St, Melbourne.

Inscriptions & markings

Stamped '4 24' in blue ink and 'Printed by Harringtons' in black ink in a circle.