World War 1 Memorial Gates

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RSL (Port Pirie Sub Branch) Inc.

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¹The Soldiers Memorial Committee meeting held on Friday the 13th January 1922 recommended for adoption the sub-committee’s report for memorial entrance gates at the Recreation Ground. The distinctive memorial in a conspicuous part of town, included a memorial archway, memorial gates and tablet and was prepared by Mr. J.F. Jenkins. The cost estimate of the arch and tablet was £850. The Returned Soldiers' Association had authorised the handing over of £1,050 held by the association to the memorial committee. Plans were exhibited to the public so that citizens might know what was contemplated and specifications were prepared for the work; ²which were delayed and delivered by Mr. J.F. Jenkins (Architect and Mayor) in September 1922. The design was to be surmounted by a bronze Rising Sun badge and a further £1,334 of funds had been raised; one thousand of which was from the War Bond Citizens Fund. The final memorial cost £1,800.

³At 3pm on Sunday the 25th of February 1923 a tribute of memory and respect was given to the men who gave their lives in the Great War by about 500 people in an ‘impressive ceremony’. As a prelude to proceedings 50 returned soldiers wearing their uniforms and decorations marched from the Institute to the Memorial Gates where Colonel Pearce laid the foundation stone; not before a bottle containing documents and coins was placed beneath it.

This first modern world conflict had brought about the mobilisation of over 70 million people and left between 9 and 13 million dead, perhaps as many as one-third of them with no known grave. This Roll of Honour contains the names of 234 men who laid down their lives for freedom and safety of their fellow countrymen.

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; 

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. 

At the going down of the sun and in the morning 

We will remember them."

Lest We Forget

¹Recorder, Port Pirie, SA Saturday 14 January 1922

²Recorder, Port Pirie, SA Wednesday 13 September 1922

³The Register, Adelaide, SA Wednesday 28 February 1923

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