Memorial Walk CBD Secondary teacher resource.pdf

5 BOER WAR MEMORIAL
Background Information
Time to allow: 20 to 25 minutes.
The Boer War Memorial is also known as the South African War Memorial.
The memorial commemorates one of the earliest times South Australians served overseas. As
part of the British Empire the Australian colonies offered troops for service in the war in
South Africa. Nine contingents totalling 1531 men (82 officers and 1449 other ranks) and
1507 horses left from South Australia between 1899 and 1902.
The memorial contains the names of the men killed during the conflict and it was unveiled
before thousands of people.
It was built using funds raised by public subscription at a cost of £2594 2s 11d.
Student questions
(1) (i) Describe the South Australian Boer War Memorial by completing the following
sentence.
The focal point is the bronze sculpture of a mounted infantryman. It is mounted on a pedestal
made of red Murray Bridge granite. There are bronze shields and ribbon scrolls fitted to the
side of the pedestal. (Hint: What are the shields made of?)
(ii) Who was the sculptor and what was the exact cost? (Circle the correct
answer.)
(a) £1254 7s 19d
(b) £4321 4s 23d
(c) £2594 2s 11d (correct answer)
The sculptor was Captain Adrian Jones. (Hint: The name of the sculptor is carved in the rock
on which the horse stands).
(2) When was the memorial unveiled?
June 6 1904
(3) How many names appear on it? Hint: Follow the base (please take care of traffic
when counting)
60 names
16