Memorial Walk CBD Secondary teacher resource.pdf
Memorial Walk CBD Secondary teacher resource.pdf Memorial Walk CBD Secondary teacher resource.pdf
4 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL Background Information Time to allow: 30 minutes. In 1919 the State Government decided that South Australia needed a memorial to commemorate the Victory of the Great War 1914-1918, and the States’ contribution to the war effort. The State Government conducted a competition for a suitable design. The winning entry featured a crypt inside the memorial with bronze honour rolls to line the walls. These contain the names of the 5511 South Australian men who fell during World War I. The memorial was officially unveiled by His Excellency the Governor Sir Alexander Hore- Ruthven in front of 75,000 people. There are a further four memorials at this site The French Memorial - World War I and World War II The Battle of Lone Pine - August 6 1915 The Australian Armed Forces Memorial - Malayan Peninsula, Korean, Borneo and Vietnam War World War II Memorial - 1939 - 1945 Enshrined in the wall are six Crosses of Memory. These commemorate: The Siege of Tobruk - April 10 - Dec 10 1941 The 10th Battalion – Poziere (July and August 1916) The 27th Battalion - Poziere (August 4,5, & 6 1916) The 48th Battalion - Poziere (August 5 & 15 1916) The 50th Battalion - Villers-Bretonneux (April 24 - 25 1918) Royal Australian Regiment Student questions (1) Why do you think such an impressive memorial was erected? The State Government decided South Australia needed a memorial to commemorate the Victory of the Great War (World War I), the supreme and personal sacrifice of those who participated in that war and the national effort involved. South Australia was extremely proud of its contribution to the most significant conflict in Australia’s short history. The memorial specifically commemorated the significant number of South Australians who were killed or wounded during the conflict by including all their names on plaques inside the memorial. (2) On Anzac Day 1931 the South Australian National War Memorial was unveiled. Why did it take so long after the end of World War I to be unveiled? Arguments over the site, a competition for suitable design, a fire which destroyed the designs of the five finalists, the conduct of another competition which included 11
suggesting a suitable site for the memorial and then the actual construction all delayed the unveiling of the memorial. They were even thinking of demolishing Parliament House at the time and having the memorial closer to parliament house. (3) The cost of the completed monument was £30,000. At a time when the country was in the grip of economic depression this was a significant amount of money. What does this willingness to donate to this project say about the South Australian public at the time? They were community spirited. They were proud of the achievements of South Australians during World War I. The South Australian community recognised the Australian involvement in World War I as being important to the development of the Australian Nationhood and the Australian identity The South Australian community were still feeling the massive loss of life and other impacts of the World War I. EXTERIOR (4) Describe the three figures shown on the eastern facing side. What do you think these figures represent? A student, farmer and girl symbolic of the youth of the South Australian community. They are looking up towards a vision representing the spirit of Duty, bearing in its hands a sword shaped as a cross. As with other aspects of the memorial this imagery shows the strong influence of (Christian) religion at the time. (5) Describe the figures on the western facing side. What do you think they represent? There is a winged spirit this time representing the Aftermath of War. The spirit holds a dead hero in the left arm and in the right a sword, which is in its scabbard. (i.e No longer being used). The intent of the sculptor was to symbolise the attributes of womanhood including maternal compassion, sacrifice of a son or lover and her power of resistance under strain. However students may place a range of equally appropriate interpretations on the images. (6) What do you think the flow of water in the ornamental pond represents? Being ceaseless it represents the constant flow of memories of the soldiers the memorial honours. Once again students may interpret this in other ways for example typifying the endless wars fought by men, the cleansing of the dead and the continuation of life after wars. (7) What link can you find that shows South Australia’s commitment to the British Empire? Hint: Note the presence of the Lion and the flag in the photo at right. 12
- Page 1 and 2: Memorial Walk Secondary Teacher Res
- Page 3 and 4: 1 WOMEN’S WAR MEMORIAL Background
- Page 5 and 6: 2 TORRENS PARADE GROUND Background
- Page 7 and 8: 2 THE RSL ( Torrens Drill Hall - RS
- Page 9 and 10: 3 PATHWAY OF HONOUR Background Info
- Page 11: (6) 2/43 rd BATTALION How many awar
- Page 15 and 16: (14) Locate three names on the Worl
- Page 17 and 18: 5 BOER WAR MEMORIAL Background Info
- Page 19 and 20: 8 AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE and WAR HO
- Page 21 and 22: (10) Provide a brief overview of th
- Page 23 and 24: (2) Please read the information und
- Page 25 and 26: 10 ADELAIDE GENERAL POST OFFICE Bac
- Page 27 and 28: 11 ADELAIDE TOWN HALL Background In
- Page 29 and 30: HONOUR BOARDS and ROLLS Background
- Page 31: (iii) Locate the names highlighted
4 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL WAR<br />
MEMORIAL<br />
Background Information<br />
Time to allow: 30 minutes.<br />
In 1919 the State Government decided that South Australia needed a memorial to<br />
commemorate the Victory of the Great War 1914-1918, and the States’ contribution to the<br />
war effort.<br />
The State Government conducted a competition for a suitable design. The winning entry<br />
featured a crypt inside the memorial with bronze honour rolls to line the walls. These contain<br />
the names of the 5511 South Australian men who fell during World War I.<br />
The memorial was officially unveiled by His Excellency the Governor Sir Alexander Hore-<br />
Ruthven in front of 75,000 people.<br />
There are a further four memorials at this site<br />
The French <strong>Memorial</strong> - World War I and World War II<br />
The Battle of Lone Pine - August 6 1915<br />
The Australian Armed Forces <strong>Memorial</strong> - Malayan Peninsula, Korean, Borneo and Vietnam<br />
War<br />
World War II <strong>Memorial</strong> - 1939 - 1945<br />
Enshrined in the wall are six Crosses of Memory. These commemorate:<br />
The Siege of Tobruk - April 10 - Dec 10 1941<br />
The 10th Battalion – Poziere (July and August 1916)<br />
The 27th Battalion - Poziere (August 4,5, & 6 1916)<br />
The 48th Battalion - Poziere (August 5 & 15 1916)<br />
The 50th Battalion - Villers-Bretonneux (April 24 - 25 1918)<br />
Royal Australian Regiment<br />
Student questions<br />
(1) Why do you think such an impressive memorial was erected?<br />
The State Government decided South Australia needed a memorial to commemorate<br />
the Victory of the Great War (World War I), the supreme and personal sacrifice of<br />
those who participated in that war and the national effort involved. South Australia<br />
was extremely proud of its contribution to the most significant conflict in Australia’s<br />
short history. The memorial specifically commemorated the significant number of<br />
South Australians who were killed or wounded during the conflict by including all<br />
their names on plaques inside the memorial.<br />
(2) On Anzac Day 1931 the South Australian National War <strong>Memorial</strong> was unveiled. Why<br />
did it take so long after the end of World War I to be unveiled?<br />
Arguments over the site, a competition for suitable design, a fire which destroyed the<br />
designs of the five finalists, the conduct of another competition which included<br />
11
Change language