St Paul's Anglican Church Memorial Gates, Gloucester

About

The memorial gates outside the entrance to St Paul's Anglican Church in Gloucester consist of two concrete pillars, each topped with a light fitting. The left pillar has one marble tablet attached to its front face, bearing a dedication to those who served and fell in the Second World War. The right pillar has two marble tablets attached to its front face. The top tablet lists the names of those who served in the Second World War. The bottom tablet is dedicated to Darcy Sansom who died in the Korean War, and was added later in 1953. The memorial was established in 1947 and was built by Mr Vic West. It originally included an iron gate and iron lights within the fittings. The memorial was dedicated by Rector David R. May on Sunday 28 December 1947. At the dedication it was revealed the inspiration for the gateway came from Mr H.T. Shepherd. The ceremony was initially planned for the previous Sunday, 21 December, however wet weather prevented it happening (The Gloucester Advocate, 23 December 1947). Up until 1951 the gates were the only Second World War memorial in the town, when Gloucester Shire Council began planning for a new honour roll (The Gloucester Advocate, 19 May 1951). Darcy Sansom was born on 13 November 1927 in Gloucester. As a private in the Royal Australian Infantry Corps, he was killed in action in Korea on 6 May 1953. On 22 May, The Gloucester Advocate published a detailed report on his Memorial Service held at St Paul's on Sunday 17 May. Later that year, a 'Remembrance Sunday' service was held on 8 November and reference was made to the names on the memorial gates, including Sansom's (The Gloucester Advocate, 10 November 1953).

Photos