Enfield, war memorial
The Enfield war memorial sits outside the former council chambers on Coronation Parade, near Liverpool Road, in the south western suburb of Enfield. This war memorial was built as a World War I memorial and unveiled in 1924. The 105mm Howitzer gun on the sandstone pedestal was donated by the French government in recognition of Australia’s wartime assistance during World War I.
There seemed to be a stronger sense of remembrance for veterans in Australia than elsewhere. Perhaps that is in part because it is extraordinary that Australians made sacrifices for conflicts that were so distant, such as World War I.
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I have posted photos of Sydney on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site today.
Isn't there a rifle known as the "enfield", too. I suspect no relationship at all. I had not thought about it until I read Dave's comment, but we do have a strong commemoration culture: every suburb, town and village. With lists of names. The individual sacrifice was important to us. Is important to us.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Veterans Day here in the US is just 11 days away. Not very well celebrated since the VietNam War, when I served. Thanks for recognizing the veterans.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback everyone. I'm trying to show all aspects of Sydney through my blog.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures and great history behind it. Thank you sharing with us Jim .
ReplyDeleteI've been studying WW1 so your memmorial is interesting to me. I imagine that Aus. lost quite a few fellows at that time. Good picture and food for thought. Also just saw pix on tv of oilwell fire off your coast. Understand therehas been quite a leak. These things suck.
ReplyDeleteMost of my own discussions about war memorials have been based on Victoria, largely rural and regional centres. See "Remember Them: Guide to Victoria's Wartime Heritage". http://melbourneblogger.blogspot.com/2009/11/remember-them-guide-to-victorias.html
ReplyDeleteThank you for the Enfield link.. it is important to realise that every Australian (and New Zealand)community was devastated by the 1914-18 war. I just fear that the sight of a huge gun might have not comforted the grieving mothers, fathers and widows of the fallen soldiers.
Yeah Hels, there's a lot of war memorials around Sydney featuring guns and cannons. I've often wondered about what some of those that fought in the wars might think about those sorts of reminders.
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