Banyo War Memorial

About

The memorial is a multi-element arrangement, built around the original flag pole erected in front of the local School of Arts in November 1952. The portion at the eastern end of the block where the Flagpole Memorial stood was donated to the Banyo RSL Sub-Branch and a Fallen Comrades Memorial Wall, paved walkways and gardens were included. Finally an artillery piece, a 25 pounder, was inserted and the gardens designed further, including the planting of memorials tress to the rear of the main memorial structures. Three plaques representing the Navy, Army and Air Force are attached to a brick Memorial Wall positioned behind the artillery piece. Underneath the three plaques are attached the words "LEST WE FORGET." Behind the Memorial Wall three Buckinghamia trees were planted by students from the local schools and a grey marble plaque depicting this was placed in front of the middle tree. The plaque was made by T. Wrafter and Sons. In 2008 a red brick memorial wall was erected on either side of the light-brick centre Memorial Wall. These walls were built by Frank and Wade Testa. They were built to carry plaques honouring those who served their country regardless of whether it was at home or overseas. The plaques bear the name, number and branch of service to which the member was attached. On either side of the War Memorial outside of a chain fence that surrounds the Memorial are seats supplied by Queensland Railways. The Banyo War Memorial was dedicated by Major Robinson of the Salvation Army on ANZAC Day, 25 April 1999, and is maintained by the Banyo RSL Sub-Branch. Additional Information After the 1914–1918 war, a School of Arts Building Committee was formed to build a dance hall where returning soldiers could be entertained and socialise. Mr Coomber, Chairman of the Committee, at the time, was able to hold a Meeting in the new Banyo School of Arts on 8 July 1928. This community hall later became known as the Banyo Memorial Hall. From April 1964 to July 1983 the Banyo RSL Sub-Branch was trustee of the Banyo Memorial Hall and its surrounds. The hall remained its meeting place until 1998 when it was demolished because of its poor condition. When the land was sold, the portion at the eastern end of the block where the Flagpole Memorial stood was donated to the Banyo RSL Sub-Branch. Mr Ernie Jones, a member of the Banyo RSL Sub-Branch, proposed the erection of a Fallen Comrades Memorial Wall paved walkways and gardens. The Flagpole Memorial would remain undisturbed. Mr Mark Thompson, a local builder, erected the Memorial Wall and did the paving. An artillery piece which had been behind the Memorial Hall was lifted by an Energex crane to its present position and the gardens designed. In 2009, just in time for ANZAC Day, the Banyo War Memorial had four flag poles added at the rear of the Memorial.On commemorative days such as ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day, Vietnam Veterans Day etc, flags representing the four services - Navy, Army Air Force and Merchant Navy and those on the main flag pole are flown at half mast or as directed by the RSL. Banyo has a long military history. During WW2 the US Corps of Engineers built the Brisbane General Depot at Banyo. A large US Army Camp and the 338th Ordnance Company was established either side of Earnshaw Road, Banyo. After the war on 17 October 1945 the Australian Army was allocated a large portion of this land. On 16 February 1950, the Army acquired the 72 acre site and it was renamed the Banyo Ordnance Depot. This Banyo Army Stores Depot remained a support base, occupied by the South Queensland Logistic Support Group until 2003.