Bob Clarke Reserve Memorial, Malabar

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Sandstone monument with granite plaques dedicated to the Army, Navy, Merchant Navy, Air Force and Women's Service on the front. A bronze wreath is in the centre  of the monument. Three flagpoles are set and bolted on wooden bases mounted at the rear of the monument. There are two lamps/torches on steel poles either side. The lamp on the left is missing. Bronze medallions mounted above the granite plaques represent the Air Force and Army. Flanking the monument on each side are cast iron cannons, muzzle loading, 24 pounder (1) painted black and mounted on sandstone base. The memorial is located off the road in a grove of trees. The war memorial designed and completed by Mr W T Wills, past president of Malabar RSL Sub-Branch, was originally located in front of the Malabar Shopping Centre and later removed to its present location on Anzac Parade, Malabar. The two cannons, either side of the memorial dating back to the 1800s were originally located at Coogee in a neglected condition. Malabar RSL removed, restored and relocated them to their present position.” The area, designated Bob Clarke Memorial Grove/Reserve, was dedicated by Randwick Council in memory of Bob Clarke, President, Treasurer and Life Member of the Malabar RSL Sub-Branch. The trees at the rear and south of the memorial were planted by the Malabar Sub-Branch Executive and Committee to commemorate ex-servicemen who paid the supreme sacrifice during and after the two World Wars. The cenotaph was moved from Coogee because people used it as a thoroughfare and had no respect for its historical significance. Quoted oral history from: Mr Ken Law, life member/trustee, Malabar RSL, 2 December 1995.  SMOCM Survey Form, Monument, Bob Clarke Memorial, The Art Gallery of New South Wales, Christine Law, 27 Oct 1995.  Southern News, 28 July 1981, p 2.

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