Frederickton First World War Memorial

About

The Frederickton First World War Memorial is a grey granite obelisk set on three concrete steps within a fenced enclosure on the border of the Frederickton Public School grounds. Attached to the obelisk are five polished black granite plaques on which the names of veterans and several inscriptions are engraved and gilded. The memorial was relocated to the school in 1938 from the Frederickton Recreation Grounds where it was first erected in 1920-1921. The Macleay Argus (Kempsey), 12 March 1920 reported that the Trustees of the Frederickton Recreation Grounds had instructed their Secretary to place in the hands of a local monumental mason to create a monument for the boys who had paid the supreme sacrifice and in honour of the boys who had enlisted. The monument of free stone was to stand on a concrete stand, six feet square and be nine feet high. The Macleay Argus, 1 July 1921 reported that the unveiling of the memorial memorial in the Recreation Ground was delayed because of the unfavourable weather. The ceremony was to take place at a later date. In 1938 the decision was taken to move the Soldiers' Memorial from the reserve to the grounds of the Frederickton Public School. The Macleay Argus, 25 October 1938 reported that a number of returned soldiers working under the Mr S.B. Lacey and the Shire Engineer Mr K. Stretch had been re-erecting the memorial. The 18 November edition reported that the work was completed and the unveiling was to take place on Sunday 4 December.  The Macleay Argus, 2 December 1938 reported that at the ceremony, Mr Bruce, Inspector of Schools would officially hand over the school plot and the Shire President would accept it.

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