Historical information

On 23 July 1922, Brighton City Council adopted the recommendation from a sub-committee that the site for a war memorial be at Green Point, Brighton Beach. Brighton Council invited designs, limited to returned soldier architects and 18 designs were received. The first prize of £30 was awarded to the architecture firm Irwin and Stevenson and the designs were exhibited at the Brighton Town Hall in 1925. The bronze casting, using lost wax technique, was executed by sculptor Mr. Paul Montford, to the design of the architect and the central assemblage was believed to be the largest bronze casting in relief carried out in Australia at the time. The Brighton War Memorial was unveiled by His Excellency the Governor, the Right Honourable Arthur Herbert Tennyson Baron Somers, K.C.M.G., D.S.O., M.C., on Sunday 24th April 1927 in the presence of 4,000 people. The memorial was originally constructed to commemorate those from the City of Brighton who served in World War One but has since been augmented to commemorate those from the municipality of Bayside who have made the ultimate sacrifice during official periods of hostility.

Physical description

War memorial consisting of a sandstone cenotaph, granite base and sandstone terrace situated at Green Point, Brighton. The cenotaph is a truncated obelisk with classical decoration in stone and bronze. The cenotaph bears the Rising Sun badge in bronze relief near its top with bronze lettering running down the cenotaph reading "ERECTED IN HONOUR OF THOSE WHO FOUGHT IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1919". A bronze relief assemblage of crossed weapons, a wreath, the lamp of valour and the Latin phrase "DUCIT AMOR PATRIA" (love of country leads me) sit above the base which is carved with the word "SERVICE". The terrace walls have bronze relief medallions with images of the head of an airman on the left and an infantryman on the right. The back of the cenotaph bears a torch in bronze relief near its top. On the sandstone wall behind the cenotaph are three large bronze plaques that lists the names of those from the City of Bayside who have served in the various conflicts in which Australia has been involved. At the back of the sandstone wall is carved lettering reading "HISTORY GAVE THEM A COMMON FAME. POSTERITY A COMMON MONUMENT" with 1914 carved on the left and 1919 on the right.

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