Leederville Cenotaph

Story

Author: Town of Cambridge

Posted on 28 March 2019

The Leederville War Memorial, (AKA West Leederville Memorial Gardens and Cenotaph), was unveiled by the Governor, Sir Francis Newdegate on Sunday 25 May 1924. The memorial was an initiative of the people of Leederville in memory of those from the district who enlisted and died on active service. At the time of unveiling the memorial included 88 names. The construction of the memorial was funded by donations from the local citizens. The design and construction was undertaken by well known local sculptor, Pietro Giacomo Porcelli.

In his speech at the unveiling ceremony, the Governor state there were three reasons for its erection "1. Affection for those who had fallen; 2. Respect and sympathy for those who had gone and returned and for the relatives of those who had not; and 3. A lasting object-lesson of the patriotism and duty of the people of Leederville."

Plaques have subsequently been added to the memorial to honour those who served in later conflicts.

Aerial photographs indicate that the grounds around the memorial were largely open grass with a few mature trees until the late 20th century. In the 1990s perimeter planting and formal garden beds around a rotunda appear to have been established and maintained. No date for the dedication of the rose gardens has been determined from research.

In 2018 the Town of Cambridge was successful in winning a Federal Government grant to upgrade the Memorial Gardens and Cenotaph for the Armistice Centenary. This opportunity was used to make the site more accessible to all, including wheelchair access. The garden beds were removed from surrounding the cenotaph, and four pieces of mosaic art installed in the new paving on four sides surrounding the cenotaph. The mosaic artwork was created by Jenny Dawson and features poppies and rosemary sprigs and includes the familiar words from "For The Fallen" by Laurence Binyon. One of these mosaic art pieces also includes a dedication to the new additions to the cenotaph and another of the mosaic art pieces includes a tribute to Remembrance Day in 1918 and why it is commemorated. 

"On this day, 11th November 2018 the Centenary of Armistice Day, the People of the Town of Cambridge bequeath this artwork to the honour and the memory of all the men and women who have served their country. May there always be men and women of such courage, endurance, resourcefulness, patriotism and strength of character.

                                                                                                 Lest We Forget"

The paving was extended from the cenotaph and surrounds and continues on under a new gazebo to the car-park. Surrounding the gazebo, on either side of the path, are six individual concrete seats with a special tree and rosemary bushes planted behind. On the front of each seat is a plaque with either poppies or rosemary and the name and short story of one of the soldiers' from World War I whose name appears on the cenotaph.The gazebo will feature audio, allowing visitors to hear stories of soldiers' from the cenotaph, as read by their descendants.