A visit to Stanthorpe Soldiers Memorial

Like many parts of Australia, Stanthorpe has a rich war history, left behind my the brave men and women that defended our country many years ago.

A white cottage-like pavilion nestled in a rocky park offers visitors a chance to take in the view of Stanthorpe and remember the legacy left by the men of this area in WWI.

In 1926, an army hero named Major General Sir William Glasgow officially opened this soldiers’ memorial, to ensure these brave soldiers would not be forgotten for future generations to come.

In this small community, the slatted bench seating inside provides a place to contemplate the impact a war on the other side of the world had on this region, and all Australians alike.

There are five World War I honour boards. The list records the names in alphabetical order, without rank or honour, all are revered equally, and at the time played a big part in the future of our country.

Another is reserved for those who died in World War I, 1914-1919. These are inscribed to the memory of our fallen soldiers: ‘To the memory of our gallant boys who fell in the world’s war 1914-1919′.

Many returned veterans settled in this area because of a government program to resettle returning soldiers.

Towns around Stanthorpe echo the names of French conflicts, such as Amiens, Pozieres, Bullecourt.

A neighbouring house formerly owned by war heroes, Sir Harry Chauvel and Major Alan Chauvel, uncles of Charles Chauvel, also bears a name reflecting WWI, ‘El Arish.

For those that have relatives in Stanthorpe, or even those just visiting, the Stanthorpe Soldiers Memorial is a quite place that allows visitors to pay their respects and reflect on those that defended our country a century ago to allow us to have the life and freedom we all enjoy today, and so often take for granted.