
Located in Caroline Chisholm Park, Shellharbour, the Shellharbour Village War Memorial consists of two distinct sections. The top section is made of white marble and has four stepped levels. It is positioned on a concrete plinth, which forms the lower section of the monument. The whole is approximately 2.2 metres high and the plinth is approximately one metre square. The memorial was originally dedicated in 1900 as a memorial to the Boer War, and has been added to over the years. It is inscribed on the southern, eastern, and western faces. The northern side of the memorial is blank. Southern face The southern face of the top section commemorates those who served in the Boer War. The inscription is spread over the top three levels. Attached to the fourth level is a small bronze plaque commemorating the 100th anniversary of the sacrifice made by Samuel Charles Atkinson in the war. This plaque was placed by Shellharbour City Council and the Albion Park and Warilla RSL sub-Branches. It is dated 20 February 2000. The lower section of the southern face bears a plaque commemorating those who served in the Great War. The names are inscribed in two columns and blackened. A simplified laurel wreath design decorates the top of the plaque. Eastern face The eastern face of the plinth bears a plaque commemorating those who served in the Second World War. The names are inscribed in two columns and blackened. A simplified laurel wreath design decorates the top of the plaque. Western face Attached to the western face of the memorial is a plaque commemorating the wreck of the United States tanker 'Cities Service Boston', which hit an offshore reef during a storm in 1943. The Captain drove the vessel onto the rocks of Bass Point to avoid it breaking up in deep water. The plaque is dedicated to four Australian Second World War veterans who died while rescuing the 62-man crew of the tanker. The names are inscribed on the plaque in alphabetical order and blackened. A simplified illustration of the ship decorates the middle of the plaque. More information on the history of this event can be found on Michael McFadyen's Scuba Diving website. No RSL Commemorative Services are held at this memorial.