The Ganmain War Memorial Arch/Gates and Honour Rolls
HOWARD R HOLGATEIn 1921 a local referendum was held to decide where, and what, Ganmain's memorial should be.
The following article is from the Wagga Wagga Daily Express, Tuesday 5 July 1921, page 2
WAR MEMORIAL - GANMAIN'S DECISION
GANMAIN, Monday
The referendum in connection with the Ganmain War Memorial, having closed on the various proposals as to what form the memorial should take, the ballot papers were opened late last week, and the verdict found to be as under.—
A suitable fenced park, and a monument to be erected in the centre of such park, on about three quarters of an acre of land, situated near the corner of Ford and Waterview Streets, 18 votes;
a monument to be erected in a public and central site in Ford Street, Ganmain, 15;
lamp or clock with roll of honor to be erected on or adjoining the bridge in Ford Street, Ganmain, 7;
a luncheon booth and caretaker's quarters (to be occupied by a returned soldier) to be erected on the Ganmain A. and P. Association's Showground, 3 votes.
Mr H. Stivens was returning officer and Messrs. W. H. Rowston and J. Bowen scrutineers, while Mr R. L. Laurence (hon secretary) and Mr Henderson, representing the press were also present.
It wasn't until 1924 that the Ganmain Victory Gardens were established, when J Amery, RC Mellor and S Martin purchased the land on the corner of Ford and Waterview Streets and donated it to the Ganmain Town and People. There is no evidence that the gardens were established by 1924 when the Memorial Gates were erected and officially opened by Colonel Cox that same year.
The following year in 1925 a large flood occurred which undermined the foundations of the Memorial Gates. Several flood events followed over the next few years, each time damaging and/or undermining the gates.
In 1927 a field gun was placed in the grounds behind the gates. The gun is a captured German 77mm Krupp made in 1897.
In 1931 the Gates and the Gun were relocated to their present position outside the Ganmain Bowling Club (formerly RSL Club) in Waterview St. well away from flood waters.
The "Ganmain and District War Memorial Park" in Ford Street was changed to "Victory Gardens" in 1946 following WWII
