Holbrook War Memorial

In 2019–20, the Holbrook RSL sub-Branch was awarded two Community War Memorials Fund (CWMF) grants to support the management of the Holbrook War Memorial, including the preparation of a condition assessment followed by specialist conservation and restoration work.

Unveiled by Major General Charles Frederick Cox in 1921, the memorial was built to honour local soldiers who gave their lives in the First World War. The names of Second World War were added later, along with a more recent a plaque to honour those who served in Korea.

Originally called Germanton, the town changed its name to Holbrook in August 1915 to honour British Commander Norman Douglas Holbrook (1888­-1976), who was the first submariner to be awarded the Victoria Cross and the first naval recipient of the Victoria Cross during the First World War. In December 1914, Holbrook commanded submarine B-11 through treacherous currents under five rows of mines to enter the Dardanelles from where he torpedoed and sank the Ottoman navy’s ironclad battleship Mesudiye. The town was one of many Australian places to have their name changed during the First World War because of their German association.

As the Holbrook War Memorial was approaching its centenary, the Holbrook sub-Branch wanted to repair damage to the structure and restore its inscriptions, which had weathered over time. An initial CWMF grant enabled the sub-Branch to engage licensed stonemason and heritage consultant Brad Rimmer to assess the memorial’s condition and identify necessary conservation work. The condition assessment report included a detailed physical description of the memorial and provided specialist heritage advice to guide the memorial’s short- and long-term management.

“It was interesting to find that the sphere on the top of the Monument is actually a map of the world. The continents are polished, and the oceans are a tooled finish”.

— Brad Rimmer, stonemason and heritage consultant

After having the condition of the memorial assessed, the sub-Branch then successfully reapplied for a second CWMF grant to have the recommended conservation work undertaken. The work included a gentle cleaning of the monument, re-gilding of all inscriptions, repointing the joints, and the application of biocide to help protect the memorial from further deterioration.

“The monument was given a thorough clean then the joints were re-pointed using a lime based pointing mix. To finish the job off I re-gilded the v-cut lettering using 24-carat gold leaf…It was a real pleasure to work on the Holbrook War Memorial. It is in a beautiful location and you can feel the sense of pride in the armed forces history around the town. I believe that the conservation work carried out made a big difference to the overall appearance of the memorial.”

— Brad Rimmer, stonemason and heritage consultant

“The importance of our Cenotaph is evident every year when ANZAC Day, Long Tan Day and Remembrance Day roll around.  People come together to remember and reflect on those no longer with us, who served.  Some returned, but are not with us now, and there are some who did return, and are a living reminder of why the Cenotaph is important.  The Cenotaph enables people to express themselves; by just being there, or laying a tribute or wreath.  No words are needed, it's on the faces of those who remember.  Lest We Forget.”

— Kim Turner, Holbrook RSL sub-Branch Secretary

Today, the memorial continues to serve as the community’s key location for Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services, including the Anzac Day Dawn Service and the end point for the town’s Anzac Day march.

 

The Community War Memorials Fund provides grants of up to $10,000 to support the repair, protection and conservation of community war memorials across the state. including specialist heritage advice and physical work.

For more information and to apply, click here.

 

Project photos