Atherton War Memorial (Digger)

About

It is a handsome sandstone monument with a life-sized statue of a soldier on a tall pedestal with an octagonal base. The statue is in an aggressive pose, striding forwards with raised arm, wearing tin helmet and gas mask, and holding a rifle with fixed bayonet. It is a figure of victory, advancing from the trenches, rather than the passive figure of mourning familiar to many Australian war memorials. The pedestal, which is capped by a wide cornice, has two leaded marble plates: the WWI plate on the front and the later plate on the back. The plates bear the names of the local fallen soldiers: 67 for WWI and 35 for WW2. The monument has appropriate surrounds in the road reserve: a war trophy, flagstaff, neat flower beds and large poinciana trees. The monument is relatively intact, though painted. The lower step of the base was lost in the re-location. The rifle, which was originally lost has been replaced in recent years. Queenslands only soldier-type war memorial with a statue in animated pose Additional Information Only Qld digger memorial with action or animated pose, rifle with bayonet fixed in offensive pose, gas mask haversack on chest, scroll in left hand, rocks for support, and tin hat. The Atherton War Memorial was unveiled on 1 May 1924 by Chairman of the Tinaroo Shire, Mr Grau. It is thought to be designed and executed by Melrose and Fenwick, the leading monumental firm in north Queensland at the time. Funds for the memorial were raised mainly by the local women, with the Atherton RSL contributing £100. Excess patriotic funds allowed Atherton to expand its existing hospital into a larger war memorial hospital. (Source: Queensland Cultural Heritage Register)