Hamilton Boer War Memorial

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Boer War Memorial
cnr Market place and Milton Street

Erected in 1902 in memory of men from the district who either fell or died later as a result of the Boer War, this monument is of local significance. The caption, inscribed on three white marble scrolls at the base of the obelisk reads:

Erected by the residents of this district to the memory
of those brave men of the H Co. VMR
who gave up their lives for Queen & Country in South Africa 1900

Lieut. RSRS Bree died at Blomfontein May 26th 1900
Pte T Stock killed in action at Rensberg Feb 9th 1900

and of Pte F Suttie killed in action at Basters nek Feb 10th 1900
Pte H Sealey died at Blomfontein April 30th 1900
Pte D Ross died at Noradjuha, Vic after returning from S Africa November 15th 1900
Dulce set decorum ast pro patria mori.

and of Pte F M (Frank) Meagher died 23rd July 1903 from wounds received at Pink Hill S Africa on 12th Feb. 1900.

Garden says "The town was hardest hit by the death of [RSR Stapylton] Bree, aged onl 20 who died from enteric fever. He was a promising young mant, a product of the College, son of one of the leading residents and grandson of S G Henty." ([i]) The monument was the first step in the beautification of the market reserve. After the death of Lieut Bree's father, a councillor, the monument was moved from the reserve its present site.

The obelisk form recalls ancient funerary monuments. It is well crafted by the Warrnambool stonemasons. and presumably scluptors, Wooles and Carpenter. The most notable feature is the bluestone plinth, signifying strength, which is carved from one stone to represent a pile of rocks. The chain strung between the smoothly finished bluestone bollards is also of interest. It is made up of ordinary links and spiked balls. The scrolls and the lead lettering are conventional. Behind the monument are two oak trees, Quercus robur, symbolising remembrance. In front of the monument is a cannon marked 43-0-8, 1843, C-V N C.

Group

Monuments and Memorials

Category

Memorial