Historical information

On 19 April 1915, Brighton City Councillor T. Wilson moved to install a roll of honour in the Brighton Town Hall. "The men who had gone to the war deserved all the praise and consideration that could be given them. Nothing could be said too highly in their favour." The Roll of honour was unveiled at the Brighton Town Hall on Armistice Day, 11 November 1928, by the mayor, Cr. H.E. Pullman. It contained the names of the men of the municipality who gave their lives in World War I. A service was conducted by the Brighton Ministers' Association, under the presidency of the Rev. H. B. Hewitt, of St. Andrew's Church, Brighton. The roll of honour was made by H. Goldman Pty, Ltd, a Melbourne cabinet maker and designer who worked exclusively in Australian timbers. The two metal panels/tablets on either side of the honour roll were added at a later date and commemorate those who died in World War II.

Physical description

Polished wood and metal honour board attached to wall in the Brighton Town Hall. The board is a rectangular shape with a semi-circular curved top at the centre. The central section is a dark carved timber Honour Roll for WWI listing the names of Brighton residents who gave their lives in service 1914—1919. To the left and right of the honour roll are black metal panels/tablets that were added at a later date which commemorate those who died in WWII 1939—1945. The central section contains the honour roll of 228 names which are inscribed in gold with black shadow across three panels which are divided by four decorative round columns. The middle panel is arched at the top and under the arch is a decorative wreath in relief containing the City of Brighton crest within it, below which is "LEST WE FORGET" in gold lettering. The top of the left and right wooden panels each have carved decorative eucalyptus foliage and a bow hanging in the middle. A piece of metal with an incised quote "AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN AND IN THE MORNING WE WILL REMEMBER THEM" is attached to the bottom edge of the central section. Below the metal bar on the left and right panels are the dates 1914 and 1919 in gold lettering, and in the centre "TO COMMEMORATE HEROIC & SUPREME SACRIFICE". The cast metal side panels are set back slightly from the central section and contain decorative wreaths at the top and quotes under them. The left panel has the incised inscription "IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR 1939—1945" and the right panel reads "GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS 1939—1945". They have square columns on their far ends and the capital of the columns and top and base decorations mimic the original timber design.