Herberton War Memorial (Digger)

About

It comprises a life-sized sandstone statue of an Australian Infantry soldier standing at ease, head erect, on a standard type pedestal used by Petrie's for other Queensland war memorials, first in 1918 at Upper Coomera and hence called the "Coomera" type (and also used at Tingalpa, Moggill, Chinchilla, Cordalba, Gin Gin, Kandanga, Tewantin and Cooroy). This is a sandstone pedestal with marble plates recessed behind pilasters with acanthus leaf capitals, and with urns on each corner of the cornice above. The base of the statue has carved ornament which was probably originally highlighted with paint: a laurel wreath on the front and crossed flags on the back. The pedestal rests on a stepped base. The marble plates bear the commemorative inscriptions and the 199 names of all who enlisted from the district in WWI, including the 21 who were killed and the 7 who died on service. The latter list includes the name of an Aboriginal (designated as such). The memorial is enclosed by kerbing and a wire mesh fence with a central gate and flag staffs at two corners. A captured gun (or war trophy) sits on the path approaching the memorial. Additional Information Soldier-type memorial by the (Queensland) firm of A L Petrie with this standardised type of pedestal. It is an historical record of local participation and sacrifice in WWI, unusual in that it records the name of an Aboriginal (designated as such). Petrie Designers 1922-23