Boggabri War Memorial

About

Boggabri War Memorial is a granite column, four metres tall. It is positioned on a square base and is surmounted by an orb. There are honour roll plaques for the First and Second World Wars attached to each face of the base, each measuring 90cm square. The whole is surrounded by a low wire fence. Following the First World War, action was taken by the Boggabri Soldier's Committee to erect a war memorial. The Daily Observer (Tamworth), 7 February 1919, reported that 140 pounds had been raised so far, with more money promised. Two months later, the Observer, 8 April 1919, reported the committee called for suggestions about what form the memorial should take. By that stage, 250 pounds was at hand. A week later, the committee had received eight proposals. On 24 May 1919, the Armidale Chronicle, reported the memorial was to be a soldiers' monument, at a cost of 500 pounds and that the committee were currently 100 pounds short of the figure. A call for tenders appeared in the Observer on 29 May. No further action was taken at that stage. On 31 July, the Observer advised the committee had approached Mr Ranclaud to assist with the construction. By July 1926, with assistance of the Ladies Auxiliary, a sum of 447 pounds had been raised, out of the full price of 648 pounds (The Sydney Morning Herald, 26 July 1926). The memorial was eventually unveiled on 13 May 1929 by the Governor General, Lord Stonehaven (The Daily Telegraph, 15 May 1929). In 1933, management of the monument was in doubt, following the resignation of the trustees of the committee. As the Boggabri Urban Committee could not be appointed under the relevant legislation, Namoi Shire Council were appointed the new trustees of the memorial (The North Western Courier, 20 November 1933). The memorial was rededicated on 11 November 1989.

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