History of the Bendigo Boer War Soldier's Memorial.

A brief history of the

BENDIGO SOLDIER’S MEMORIAL

                Bendigo’s tribute to the memory of the Australian soldiers who in the South African war of                                         1899 – 1902, and who gave their lives for Queen and Empire.

Location:  In what is now called Sydney Myer place. Between the old Post Office building and the Bendigo Military Museum, Pall mall, Bendigo, VIC. 

It was unveiled in the evening of the 11^th Nov 1904, by Brigadier General J.M. Gordon. ⁽¹⁾  Commandant of the Victorian Military Forces.   

The artist was Mr. John Walker of the Bendigo School of Mines.   The model was Arthur Thomas Pattinson,⁽²⁾ of the Victorian Imperial Bushmen, thus a war veteran, and who later went on to serve with the AIF in the First World War.⁽³⁾

A clay model was approved by the mayoral committee then was sent to Melbourne, where, Mr Perugia made a plaster cast of it, then sent that to London to be caste.

The cost of the memorial was capped at 500 pounds in those days, the money for this was raised by a succession of spectacular once controversial) events in Bendigo.

                                                                                                                    Photo Bill Clark. 

Careful inspection shows the soldier is holding a Lee Metford rifle, and notice his bandolier, the artist’s attention to detail shows covers opened and the soldier has already expended some .303” ammunition. 

Photo Bill Clark. Rear view, notice the soldier only has a haversack and bayonet on his left hip, with his water bottle on his right hip.  (A far lighter kit than heavily encumbered modern foot soldiers) Note that there is no bayonet fitted to the muzzle of the rifle – more about that below.

FUND RAISING CAMPAIGN.

 After a year or so of discussions a Mayoral committee was founded to raise funds to make a just memorial to those that fell. It consisted of the Mayor, Cr. Curnow, the Town Clerk, Mr Honeybone and the mining inspector Mr W. Abrahams.  ( who is generally credited as being the prime mover)

That committee then reached out to two groups in Bendigo.  The first was to the Bendigo Stock exchange where those good fellows donated some money to kick start the fundraising.  The second trip was up to the 5^th Battalion, Bendigo Militia.  Those citizen soldiers heartily joined the campaign with boots on the ground.

The military committee was then composed of Captain D.L. Bayne, (a businessman) Captain C.H. Davis (a Barrister) The O.C. Capt Thompson. (occupation N/A.) 

March 1903 - The first fund raising concert ⁽⁴⁾ a disaster) was held in Rosalind Park.  They had the 5^th BN band with four local ‘civvy’ bands. But, and a wet one at that, that dark cloud that came over Bendigo turned into a storm cell.  The heavy rain sent everyone scattering…so ended the concert! But on a positive note, some money had been raised for the memorial. ³⁾

August 1903. The second fundraising concert ⁽⁵⁾ was held in the Princess theatre, View St, Bendigo.  It followed a torchlight procession up to the theatre.  That concert went ahead smoothly.

November 1903.  The third fundraising concert ( a DISASTER ) was held in the Princess Theatre, Bendigo.  The newspapers noted it …“ended early due to friction between the two participating choirs!…”

Two days later, 9 NOV 1903. The Bendigo Advertiser had a tongue in cheek article titled…”Inharmonious Harmonisers!”…  Briefly, St Andrews choir sang a song that was programmed for the ladies Liedertafel choir.  Ill feelings started!…then  St Andrews sang the National Anthem which effectively ended the music. From these ill feelings a huge uproar grew, then, turned into a furore! 

The Bendigo Advertiser’s article ended up something along the lines that…”the concert ended 

in a “…crotchety Inharmonious Harmony! ⁶⁾

The FIRST MILITARY TATTOO: ⁽⁷⁾

Held in March 1903, at the Showgrounds at the time, it is now called the Tom Flood arena.  The performers were:- the 5^th BN Bendigo Militia, The Mounted Riflemen from the district, and the Victorian Rangers, ( HQ Ballarat with a detachment in Eaglehawk).

From Melbourne, we had the Army Engineers and the gloriously attired the Victorian Scottish Regiment.  We also had numerous local civvy and Fire Brigade bands.  The arena was lit by acetylene gas lights.  In the program the Citizen Soldiers demonstrated precision drill movements.

They also formed an old-fashioned Infantry Square, like the old days, and blazed away with blanks, the muzzle flashes impressed the crowd. 

SHAM BATTLES:  The last two acts were…
Scenario one:  Bushrangers hold up a stagecoach, a small firefight, the driver surrenders, then the Militia arrives and saves the day.  Cheers for the goodies…

Scenario two:  A scene was depicted with British and Scottish soldiers camped in a desert.  Suddenly they were attacked by Dervishes. (about 60 men suitably dressed, from Bendigo’s 5^th Battalion) 

A firefight erupts with lots of blank .303 ammunition expended. The Engineers added to the fun with electrically fired explosive charges.  After the sham battle had been going on for a while, the gallant Victorian Scottish Regiment, ( resplendent in their Red Tunics and Gordon kilts)  arose, then charged and routed the enemy.  Cheers from the Bendigo crowd… Huzzah!

The 5^th Battalion band played rule Britannia, followed by the National Anthem, then the 9000 people in the audience dispersed.  ( not a bad turnout for a city of about 45,000 people)

October 1904.   Word had been received in Bendigo that the statue has arrived back from London and will soon be in Bendigo.  It arrives here, the artist does his finishing touches.

The SECOND MILITARY TATTOO. ⁽⁸⁾

Held on the 10^th November 1904.  About 8000 people attended.   This was bigger and better.  Note that by now the Bendigo Militia/CMF unit designation had now changed to the 8^th Aust. Inf. Regt. (ie the 8^th AIR) 

Units involved in 1904 were: - 8^th AIR, The Melbourne Field Artillery with a pair of 15 Pdr. breech loading field guns, Melbourne Royal Aust. Engineers, Aust. Light Horse from Northern Victorian towns, Boer War Veterans wearing their campaign uniforms, the Victorian Rangers in khaki with red facings, the Victorian Scottish regiment, 150 cadets, and five civvy and fire brigade bands.

They all marched in a big procession through Bendigo’s streets, lined by the populace.  Up in the showgrounds, they paraded around the arena then got stuck into the displays.   This tattoo was done under that modern invention – electric lights.

They re-enacted an infantry square, firing their rifles at am imaginary Napoleonic foe, much to the crowd’s pleasure.  ( Nb: If you think about it, in those days they were just about as close to the  battle of Waterloo as we are to the end of the Second World War now.)

The Field Artillery put on a fine demonstration of a musical drive towing their cannons, with 8 horses towing each of the guns and limbers.  Next the Artillery gunners demonstrated their gun drills by swinging the 15 pounders into action, firing of seven rounds apiece.  There were several smaller displays while setting up for the bigger ones. 

Later in the show the artillery riders with their horses, put on a musical horse riding exhibition.  There was no shortage of bands for this event.

There was a splendid ceremonial mounted soldier horse parade.  Lances high, pennants fluttering in the wind, as the soldiers galloped around the arena to cavalry tunes from the bandsmen

The FINALE – SHAM BATTLE.

The Scenario:  A British wagon train is out in the desert. It is attacked by Dervishes and overwhelmed.  The Brits abandon the wagons and departed for assistance.  Soon British soldiers appear, there is a firefight, they put the Dervishes to flight.

The Brits prepare their defences for a counter attack…entrenchments were hastily built, and then the Dervishes attacked  There is a big firefight,  riflemen accompanied by the 15 pdrs blazing away.  Suddenly, the brilliant Victorian Scottish Regiment, rises and leads a dashing charge at the enemy, the Dervishes are put to flight.

The bands play ‘Rule Britannia’ then the ‘National Anthem’ .  “Huzzah” once again!

The THIRD MILITARY TATTOO. ⁽⁹⁾

Location up in the showgrounds, after the unveiling ceremony.  11 NOV 1904.  There was a similar procession through the City as per the previous night.  Lots of smaller demonstrations of military skills.  The Field Artillery display their skills  dashing around on the horses, deploying their guns and firing off several rounds.  The Bendigo crowd enjoyed this performance with a hearty applause.

SHAM BATTLES:

Scenario one: Was about a patrol approaching then attacking a Boer farmhouse.  It had a slightly burlesque air about it.

Scenario Two:   The storyline goes that the Scottish regiment is camped out the desert.  Suddenly they are attacked by Dervishes.  ( The enemy being suitably attired Bendigo Militia men ). The camp is alarmed, the bagpipes playout, a firefight starts,  the Vic. Scottish Regiment gets up and charges the enemy.  The gunfire subdues, the Dervishes are gone.   Cheers from the Bendigo audience.

At the end of the show, all the participants are paraded in the arena where they all received cheers and much applause for the performances. (not bad for Citizen soldiers, eh?)

The National Anthem was played and the crowds departed.   More than enough money had now been raised for the Soldier’s Memorial.

THE BRONZE BAYONET:   

There are numerous photos from the early days showing NO bayonet fitted.   But, by the time we get to the colour film days a bayonet has been fitted.  Then in 1985 the Council removed it.  It is now a museum item.

THE UNVEILING CEREMONY: ⁽¹⁰⁾

This was held in the afternoon of the 11^th November 1904.  Old images show a large crowd in attendance, including people hanging out of the windows of the Bendigo post Office building.

A temporary stage was set up for the VIP’s. The Statue was unveiled by Brig.Gen J.M. GORDON. ( a veteran himself)  The papers stated he was Commandant of the Victorian Military forces at the time.  Wikipedia has him commander of all Commonwealth Military forces, either way it was a great honour for Bendigo to have him here.    Of interest was that during his speech he remarked that the soldiers may be called upon to fight again!   

The BEREAVED MOTHER: ^{(10) (11) (12) (13)}

On the 12 NOV 1904, the Bendigo Advertiser ended up its description of the unveiling ceremony with a touching note, I quote…” A touching incident in connection with the ceremony, was a beautiful wreath resting at the foot of the monument.  It bore the colors of the Union Jack and was sent by the mother of Pte BARBOUR, who, it will be remembered, was one of the seven members of the Bendigo 5^th Battalion who were included in the First Victorian Contingent…”.

NB: Pte Robert BARBOUR died of enteric fever, 6 MAY 1900 at Bloemfontein, South Africa.  He is buried in President Bland  cemetery there. His name, along with other British & Commonwealth troops, is engraved on a granite memorial wall within that cemetery. He is on panel eight.^{(14) (15)}

This following photo from the Annals of Bendigo book, 1851 to 1909.  Dated December 1904. It shows the new memorial.  What is interesting is that it shows the wreath, that the widowed mother Mrs M. Barbour placed there, and note that the rifleman has not got a bayonet fixed on the muzzle.

SOURCES AND FURTHER READING: -

Most of this research can be found in great detail in TROVE Newspapers.   Mainly the Bendigo Advertiser 1902 to 1904. There are some notes in other Newspapers.

Search terms. ..use “Soldier’s Memorial”  or...”Bendigo Soldier’s Memorial”.

Number.                                              Heading.                                         Source.

1. Brig Gen. Joseph Maria GORDON.

POB Spain. 1856.  POD: England 1929.                                                     Wikipedia.

2. Arthur Thomas PATTINSON. See Bendigo Historical Society.

Id Nr: 10570.                                                                                             Collections Victoria.

3. Arthur Thomas PATTINSON. Serial Nr 17.  WW1.                

ID Nr 8007640.                                                                                          National Archives.

4. Full description of the first fundraising concert.  

Titled: “Soldier’s Memorial Fund”. 5 MAR 1903.

Bendigo Advertiser Article Id: 88594583.                                                  TROVE.   

5. Full description of the second concert.

Titled “ Soldiers’ Memorial Fund”. 13 AUG 1903.

Bendigo Advertiser Article Id: 89603512.                                                   TROVE.

6. Full description of the disastrous third concert.

Titled “Inharmonious Harmonisers”.  9 NOV 1903.

Bendigo Advertiser. Article Id: 89491134.                                                   TROVE.

7. Full description of the first Military Tattoo.

Titled “ The Military Tattoo.”  26 MAR 1903.

Bendigo Advertiser. Article Id: 88596303.                                                   TROVE.

8. Full description of the second Military Tattoo.

Titled “ Military Tattoo.”  11 NOV 1904.

Bendigo Advertiser.  Article Id: 89553195.                                                  TROVE.

9. Full description of the third Military Tattoo.

Titled “The Military Tattoo”.   12 NOV 1904.

Bendigo Advertiser.  Article Id: 89553339                                                  TROVE.

10. Full description of the unveiling ceremony in Bendigo.

Includes VIPs and Mrs BARBOUR’s wreath.

Titled. “ The Soldier’s Memorial ”.  12 NOV 1904.

Bendigo Advertiser.  Article Id: 89553340.                                                 TROVE.

11. A paragraph on the relatives of Pte R. BARBOUR placing -

another wreath on the memorial. 8 MAY 1905.

Bendigo Advertiser.  Article Id: 89735291.                                                 TROVE.

12. Another paragraph on the widowed Mother Mrs Barbour.

Titled “Memoriam Wreath”.  Mrs BARBOUR placing a wreath

 on the Soldier’s Memorial.  7 MAY 1906.

Bendigo Advertiser.  Article Id: 89568008.                                                 TROVE.

13. The last entry about Pte R BARBOUR’s relatives placing –

 a wreath – on the Soldier’s Memorial.   8 MAY 1907.

Bendigo Advertiser.  Article Id: 89725814.                                                  TROVE.

14. Some images of the Bloemfontein Cemetery –

(President Bland). Can be found on the C.W.G.C. website.                         CWGC.

15. Images of the Bloemfontein granite memorial panels can be 

found on the –Anglo-Boer war website.  Pte R.BARBOUR is 

on Panel eight –1^st Victorian Mounted Rifles.                                             Anglo-Boer War.                                                                              

FURTHER READING:-

Bendigo Military Museum holds a copy of the Condolence letter 

written to Mrs BARBOUR, by Pte BARBOUR’s CQMS. J. PAUL.

Catalogue number 7818.                                                                              Collections Victoria.

The Aust. War Memorial holds an example of the Victorian Scottish           A.W.M.

Regiment uniform.  See collection number REL.18455.

Bill Clark.

Bendigo.              

JUNE 2025.