Rockhampton War Memorial

Most WWI memorials are treasured for the local history they provide - the roll call of citizens who fought, forever recorded. Rockhampton War Memorial however is uniquely devoid of such detail. The 19.5 metre obelisk, made from locally sourced Gracemere grey granite, was unveiled by Queensland Governor Sir Matthew Nathan on 16 October 1924. Few WWI memorials in Queensland are of the scale or cost of this regional monument, designed by architects Hockings and Palmer and produced by monumental masons FM Allen for £2,654, the most expensive in Queensland. Unfortunately funds wouldn't stretch to recording the soldiers' names on the monument. An honour board was planned for the soon to be completed Soldiers Club rooms. One of the architects, Edwin Morton Hockings, had first-hand knowledge of war: he was wounded while commanding a squadron in the Boer War and served in WWI. The First World War Memorial is located in Rockhampton's Botanic Gardens. A gun, or war trophy, is located nearby.