history of gosford cenotaph by dr richard g van wirdum

Dr Richard G. Van Wirdum

Gosford War Memorial circa 1981.

Gwen Dundon photograph, GCL.

Gosford War Memorial: a history

“Their Names Liveth Forever More”

By Dr. Richard G. Van Wirdum

World War 1 left behind a vast legacy of sorrow. The loss of sixty thousand (60,000)

Australians meant that scarcely a family in Australia was left untouched. Yet for

many, the sadness was delayed or unresolved. Theirs was a lasting grief. The lack of

details about the fate of more than twenty-three thousand (23,000) missing soldiers

delayed the grief for their families. Even into the 1920’s many clung to the slim hope

that perhaps a mistake had been made and their son, brother or husband might still be

alive but unable to find his way home. Australia’s distance from the fighting meant

that it was impossible to return the war dead, who were buried in the huge

http://photosau.com/gosford/scripts/Navigate.asp?mode=half&start=24&pDocs=52&pSrch=30144


Commonwealth War Cemeteries across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. In the

absence of a body to bury and a grave site to commemorate their loss, the bereaved

had to find other ways to cope with the enduring grief. Communities in nearly every

Australian city and town also mourned their losses and marked the service of local

men and woman by building memorials and erecting rolls of honour.1

The ideas put forward by the local people on what form the Gosford Memorial should

take caused much resentment and bickering amongst the residents, with each having

their ideas on how best to remember the fallen. The problem was that in nearly every

case the person making the suggestion was thinking what was the best solution for the

local community, not what was the best way of preserving the memory of those who

died in the Great War as the following will show.

On Thursday, February 3, 1921, a public meeting had been convened by the Shire

President for that evening at the Gosford School of Arts to discuss matters in

connection with the proposed Soldiers’ Memorial. Various suggestions were made at

the meeting as to the best form the Memorial should take, and it was for the meeting

to decide that very question. At that time over one hundred pounds (£100*) had been

raised by the Returned R.S. & S. I. L. A at Gosford towards the Memorial and it was

requested to state by the Gosford Sub-branch that it was perfectly satisfied to abide by

the decision arrived at by the members of the public. Though somewhat late in the

day, it was hoped that the residents of town and surrounding district would take this

matter up in an earnest manner and that there would be a large and representative

meeting held on the 10th

.

The local paper, the Gosford Times noted that columns could be written and printed

reminding the local population of their duty to those who had made the supreme

sacrifice and also the people’s obligation to those who, having done their bit in the

Great War had been spared to return to their loved ones, home and country. The

people at the meeting was told that the State Organiser of the R.S. & S. I. L. A.,

(Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia), would attend the

1 National Archives of Australia, 2008, Shell-Shocked, Australia After Armistice, national Archives of

Australia


meeting on February 10, and that an extra-ordinary general meeting of the local Sub-

branch would be held that same evening.2

At that meeting held on Thursday, February 10, at the Gosford School of Arts,

convened by the Shire President, Mr R. J. Baker, who occupied the chair for the

purpose of deciding as to what form the proposed Soldiers Memorial at Gosford

should take. Also there was Mr McConaghy, Organiser for the R. S. & S. I. L. A.,

occupying a seat on the platform. There was a large and representative attendance of

townsmen and district residents, including many ladies. Mr Baker addressed the

gathering and referred to the previous meeting that had been held, where it had been

decided to investigate the proposal to erect a Memorial Hall in Gosford, but which

proposition was found at the time to be impracticable for certain reasons. It was now

desired some other form of Memorial be considered, whereby the memory of the local

boys might be perpetuated.

Mr Baker read apologies from Mr Turvin Studds and Mr J. J. Frewin. Mr Charles Hill

was appointed Honorary Secretary pro. temp. Rev. Arthur Renwick referred to the

fact that though Gosford was late in bringing matters to a head in regard to a definite

move to erect a Memorial, it was in good company saying that the old town of Oxford

in England had yet to take the step in having a war memorial. He urged the meeting to

adopt a strenuous attitude and bring to fruition the intention so often expressed that

something would shortly be done to perpetuate the memory of the fallen. He moved

that a Memorial be instituted. This motion was seconded by Captain G. I. Adcock,

President of the Gosford Sub-branch of the R. S. & S. I. L. A. and was carried with

enthusiasm by those at the meeting.

Mr E. K. White, Past President of the Gosford Sub-branch moved that the Memorial

take the form of Public Baths to be erected off Waterside Park, where Bluetongue

Stadium now stands. One hundred and forty pounds (£140) was on hand at the time,

collected by the R. S. & S. I. L. A and he suggested that if sufficient money could be

obtained that an up-to-date Baths be the objective, with the ladies and gents

apartments and all appurtenances, boatsheds and possibly refreshment rooms

* One pound =two Australian dollars 2 Baker Robert James, 1921. The Gosford Times, Thursday Afternoon, February 3. Mann St. Gosford


attached, with a returned soldier being given the position of caretaker. He suggested

that each wage-earner in Gosford and the surrounding district might donate one day’s

pay and that business people give in proportion. He mentioned a sum of two thousand

pounds (£2,000) to two thousand five hundred pounds (£2,500*) as an objective for

the purpose. The motion was seconded by Mr F. C. Warmoll.

Mr Kibble moved as an amendment that the Memorial take the form of a Cottage

Hospital, mentioning that about four hundred pounds (£400) was in hand and a site set

apart. Mr Walter Eaton seconded the motion. Mrs Pointer suggested that the parents

of the soldiers be asked to decide the form which the Memorial should take. Before

the motions and amendments were put to the meeting Mr McConaghy was asked to

give his experience of what other towns were doing in the matter of erecting suitable

Memorials. He spoke of several instances and referred to what was done at

Cootamundra, where after due consideration a Repatriation Fund amounting to four

thousand two hundred pounds (£4,200) was collected and later a Literary Institute was

erected in addition, returned soldiers being allowed life membership and the use of a

club room built in the institute for the purpose. McConaghy expressed the hope that

what was decided would meet with the approval of everybody and that all would work

harmoniously to bring the scheme, whatever it was, to fruition.

Mr Baker addressed the gathering and favouring the proposal regarding the erection

of Baths, saw no difficulty in financing the scheme which would ultimately become

self-supporting whilst the other proposition, the Hospital, worthy as it appeared,

presented difficulties, which on the experiences of other centres might be intensified

in this locality for many reasons. Mrs Harris at this stage suggested that a chiming

clock be installed as a Memorial in some prominent part of the town. This was

seconded by Mrs Gell. The amendments were both defeated on a show of hands and

the motion that Public Baths be erected as a Memorial was carried by an

overwhelming majority. Captain Adcock referred to the League’s attitude towards the

Memorial. They regarded the matter as wholly a public one and preferring not to take

the lead and would loyally support the movement.

Mr D. E. Mobbs was appointed Honorary Secretary on the motion of Mr E. K. White

and Mr Eaton. Mr Charles Hills was appointed Honorary Treasurer of the Funds on


the motion of Mr White and Mr Kibble. Rev. Arthur Renwick moved that the

Committee be comprised of twelve, made up of four ladies, four gentlemen (civilians)

and four returned men. Being seconded by Mr Parry, the motion was put to the

meeting and was carried. The following Committee was then elected. Ladies: Mrs

Dermondy, Fielder, Wheeler and Campbell; Returned soldiers were G. I. Adcock, E.

K. White, I. C. Warmoll and G. Frewin (elected by the League at a later meeting); the

civilians were H. G. Parry, R. J. Baker, C. K. Adrian and Rev. Arthur Renwick.

Mr Baker then appealed for subscriptions and was largely successful and the

following amounts were promised in the Hall.

£ s d

Anonymous 10 10 0

R. J. Baker 10 10 0

White Family 10 10 0

Mrs Fielder 5 5 0

Rev. Arthur Renwick 5 5 0

Aug. Harvey 5 5 0

P. B. McCauley 5 5 0

Mrs Dermody 5 5 0

N. J. Harris 5 5 0

D. J. Burgin 5 5 0

James Kibble 5 5 0

Mrs Kibble 2 2 0

F. C. Warmoll 2 2 0

W. H. Weiss 2 2 0

F. Wheeler 2 2 0

S. J. Argett 2 2 0

A. N. Muir 1 1 0

E. E. Muir 1 1 0

W. S. Moase 1 1 0

W. Eaton 1 1 0

R. Weeks 1 1 0

Mrs T. Campbell 1 1 0

G. H. Adcock 1 1 0

G. I. Adcock 1 1 0

William Morris 1 1 0

A. Sterland 1 1 0

W. E. Kirkness 1 1 0

W. J. Coulter 1 1 0

Bert Coulter 1 1 0

J. Lloyd 1 1 0

H. G. Parry 1 1 0

H. Young 1 1 0

J. J. Earnshaw 1 1 0

H. Bale 1 1 0


Mrs Buscombe 1 1 0

David Jenkins 1 1 0

Girls’ Patriotic Society 17 0 0

Mr Baker then announced that the amount subscribed in the Hall had exceeded one

hundred pounds (£100*). The anonymous party who had donated the first ten guineas

would add another ten guineas to his donation and loud cheers were heard. The total

then reached one hundred and thirty-six pounds ten shillings (£136/10/-), which

converts to two hundred and seventy-three dollars. The Chairman intimated on

thanking the public for the fine attendance and excellent start in the Funds and that Mr

H. J. Gates, architect, late of Gosford, had promised to draw the required plans and

specifications and personally attend the erection of the proposed Baths free of costs

and his share towards the Memorial. A vote of thanks to the Chairman was proposed

by Rev. Renwick, who congratulated the President of the Shire upon the success of

the meeting.3

However, not everybody was happy with the suggestion of having a Public Baths as a

Memorial. An extensively signed petition was handed to the President of the Shire

Council stating as follows;

We, the undersigned parents and friends of the fallen soldiers,

hereby protest against the erection of Swimming Baths as a

Soldiers’ Memorial, and ask that a public meeting be called

to select some institution more in keeping with the sacrifice

made.

The President of the Shire called for a public meeting to be held at the Gosford

School of Arts on Monday evening on 20 June, 1921, at the request of a number of

town and district petitioners to protest against the erection of Swimming Baths.4

The public meeting was one of the largest public meetings held at Gosford at that

time. Councillor R. J. Baker occupied the chair and others on the platform included

the Rev. Arthur Renwick. Mr Charles Hills, H. G. Parry, F. C. Warmoll, G. Frewin,

D. E. Mobbs, Captain Adcock and Mrs Thomas Campbell, members of the Memorial

Committee. An apology was received for the absence of Mrs Dermody.

* One pound =two Australian dollars 3 Baker Robert James, 1921. The Gosford Times, Thursday Afternoon, February 17. Mann St. Gosford

4 Baker Robert James, 1921. The Gosford Times, Thursday Afternoon, June 2. Mann St. Gosford


The Chairman explained that the meeting had been convened by him in response to a

requisition, the object of the petition being “to select some Memorial Institution more

in keeping with the spirit of the sacrifice that was made.” In congratulating Gosford

upon the record gathering, he explained that on 10th

February last a public meeting

had been called at which it was decided by a large majority that an Memorial Baths

should be erected fronting Waterside Park. A Committee had been chosen and about

one hundred pounds (£100*) had been collected. The result would have been greater,

but that there was a feeling in certain quarters that the Memorial should take the form

of a Cottage Hospital. He hoped that whatever was decided at this meeting that night,

finality was reached so that the people would unite whole-heartedly in establishing

some Memorial to those who had done so much for them.

The Chairman read a letter from the Erina Shire Progress Association League

addressed to Mr J. Kibble in support of the Hospital proposal. Mr W. E. Kirkness

said he had signed the requisition and that he was in favour of a Hospital, but

because he had heard a lot of dissatisfaction about the Memorial taking the form of

Swimming Baths, and he wanted to see the matter re-opened. He hoped that personal

feelings would be forgotten and that the meeting would evolve some scheme that

would suitably honour the men who had given the best that was in them. So far as his

opinion went he did not think Gosford could support a hospital which would costs at

least twelve hundred pounds (£1,200*) a year to maintain.

Mr A. C. Guerin said that as a returned soldier he was opposed to the Baths scheme

and he supported the Hospital proposal. He moved a motion “that in the opinion of

this meeting the best form the War Memorial could take would be a Cottage

Hospital.” He then dwelt on the absolute necessity that existed for a local hospital

and said it was not required for the soldiers but for the whole of the people of

Gosford and the surrounding district. A Hospital would in his opinion be supported

and as a Memorial would be worthy of the occasion and would be something that

would stand the test of time.

Mr G. E. Cross seconded the motion and speaking on behalf of the local Labour

League said that they were behind the Hospital movement. He was totally opposed to


the Baths scheme and said the soldiers were entitled to something better to perpetuate

the deeds performed by them. Nothing he said could be better than a Hospital and

that such an institution was required at Gosford. He instanced where four deaths had

occurred during the past two years mainly because there was not a local hospital. Mr

J. Delandre said he had signed the petition because he thought a Cottage Hospital

would benefit the town and district and was a more fitting Memorial than the Baths.

People would give one pound (£1*) for the former where they would give a shilling

for the latter he said.

Mr F. R. Archbold said he was opposed to the Baths because it was not a suitable

Memorial in honour of the boys who had gone to war and laid down their lives that

those left behind and the British Empire might be free. The Hospital proposal was

alright, but they would never be able to support it. Moreover, the people resided

midway between Sydney and Newcastle where they could take advantage of the best

hospitals in the State. Mr Kirkness said that he was a trustee of the proposed hospital

site and also the fund which had been started many years ago and which amounted to

about three hundred pounds (£300*).

Yet he was firmly convinced that sufficient support would not be forthcoming to

maintain a hospital in Gosford. At the present time he said, there were only three

hospitals in the State that was free of debt. It would costs eleven hundred and fifty

pounds (£1,150*) a year or thereabouts to maintain even the most economical

institution that they could build. And, considering that, they could go to either

Sydney or Newcastle hospital; he urged the meeting to be careful before deciding in

favour of a hospital.

Captain Adcock, speaking for the Returned Soldiers League said they were

favourable to a Hospital as a Memorial if it could be maintained, but they objected to

any proposal which would mean the everlasting rattle of collection boxes. Mr R. H.

Clifford referred to his frequent efforts through the columns of the Gosford Times to

get the matter re-opened as he was satisfied that the majority of people were opposed

to the Baths as a Soldiers Memorial. He considered that a Hospital should be

established and was certain that the noble band of Red Cross workers would always

see to it that such an institution was maintained. He said he had offers of ten pounds


(£10*) towards a Hospital where they would not give a penny to the Baths. He was

told that a scheme would be submitted to convert Waterside Park into a place where

Shows and Sports gatherings could be held with the scheme providing for dredging

and reclaiming of about four acres.

Such a scheme would cost at least ten thousand pounds (£10,000*) and he hoped

they would have nothing to do with it. Moreover the Baths would costs about two

thousand five hundred pounds (£2,500*) and he was sure they would never collect

that amount. Let them build a hospital he said, as the most fitting way of honouring

the returned soldiers and those who died on the other side. Mr Clifford said that no

matter what the meeting decided as the most fitting memorial he would throw his

weight behind it, but he hoped it would be something that the town and the people

could be proud of.

Dame Campbell, a recent arrival to Gosford and a wife of a returned soldier, said she

had eleven years’ experience of hospital work. She appealed to the meeting to decide

in favour of a Cottage Hospital and promise to render any assistance within her

power. If a Hospital was established at Gosford they would be able to keep the doors

open all night. Mr Charles Hills said that as a townsman who had taken a fair share

of public work, so far as their institutions were concerned, he was convinced that

they could not maintain a hospital in Gosford.

Both the School of Arts and the A. & H. Association were living on overdrafts at the

Bank, guaranteed by certain public spirited citizens and he knew what he was talking

about, he was not in favour of adding another burden to the town’s responsibilities.

Businessmen he said knew what a Hospital would mean and he did not know one of

them who would advocate its establishment. Another scheme, he said, had been

launched in connection with the establishment of the Baths by dredging a portion of

Waterside Park and erecting a suitable Memorial Arch at the entrance to the Park

from Georgiana Terrace.

Mr G. T. Roughley supported the scheme submitted by Mr Hills and opposed the

Hospital on the grounds that the proposal was impracticable at the time. Prevention

he said was better than cure and swimming baths and good healthy, clean sport


would keep people out of hospital. Not only was the Memorial Park proposal a

suitable one, but was an excellent business proposition and would improve the A. &

H. Association and other public bodies. Mr Archbold said they were not out for

business propositions, but he would give five pounds (£5*) towards the Memorial

Arch.

Mr Kibble said that the proposal submitted by Mr Hills was a wild cat scheme. It

would costs twenty thousand pounds (£20,000*) to reclaim the four acres and do the

other things suggested and the costs of upkeep would be more than the hospital. He

said that if soldiers wanted sport there was Victoria Park and the Showground. He

considered that the hospital was the best memorial proposal. In answer to Mr Cross,

the Chairman said he could not answer for the Council, but he personally thought if it

could be carried out, the scheme submitted by Mr Hills would not only provide a

suitable Memorial but would turn the Park into a wonderful town asset.

Mr H. G. Parry supported the proposal. He was opposed to the hospital because from

his experience of local affairs, and as one who had taken a full share of public work,

he was of the opinion they could not maintain such an institution. It was the business

people, he said, who had mainly to shoulder the burden of financing our public

institutions and they should have a deciding voice. However, he was for a Soldiers

Memorial and whatever form was decided on he would put his energy behind it. Mr

Roughley took exception to Mr Archbold’s remarks. He said he played second fiddle

to no man in his loyalty and he still maintained that the proposed scheme would not

only be a fine memorial, but a sound business proposition.

Mr Kilkenny opposed the scheme and objected to the A. & H. Association trying to

steal the Park. A Showground should not be in the centre of a town. He spoke of the

prosperity of the district and objected to Mr Hills referring to the financial difficulties

of other institutions as a means of downing the hospital proposal and bolstering his

own scheme. The Park had not been beautified, he said, as it should have been by the

Council, but he appealed to the people not to let the other fellows get in the thin end

of the wedge. Mr Hills said there was no attempt to take the Park from the people.

The object was to make it more attractive for the people and to cater for all manner

of sport and recreation.


Mr E. Hadfield of Terrigal said he was at present on behalf of a number of returned

soldiers to support the Hospital proposal. They wanted such an institution badly in

the district and he dwelt on the advantages and benefits that would be conferred on

the people living in the outlying district and concluded with words of condemnation

regarding the Shire roads, particularly the Punt section of the Terrigal highway. Mr

A. I. Chapman said he would support the Memorial Arch proposal. The other

suggested matters could follow. The idea of a hospital was no doubt a good one, but

he had lived in Gosford for forty-one years and he did not think they could properly

finance such an institution, which would probably be filled with dead-beats travelling

between Sydney and Newcastle. Other town organisations were in a bad way

financially and he did not want to see such a fate befall the Soldiers Memorial.

Mrs Gardiner objected to the hospital proposal issue being clouded by bringing in the

financial poverty of other local institutions. Mr H. L. Whittell said he had subscribed

to the Baths because it had been chosen as the Soldiers Memorial. He said he was not

present at the previous meeting, but he certainly did not think the Baths was a

suitable memorial for the boys who had gone west and for those who had returned

home. They wanted some fitting place where the people could meet for such solemn

services such as should be held on Anzac Day.

Mr W. H. Weiss supported the proposal outlined by Mr Hills. He had two sons killed

in the war and he felt sure that if they could only be consulted they would vote for

the proposal where good clean healthy sport could be cultivated. Our Australian

soldiers were “sports”, true sports and had played their part in the battle for life. His

sons had revelled in sport and when the time came had not shirked their

responsibilities as true Australians. He considered the Memorial Arch and the

proposal associated with it was by far the best scheme yet put forward.

After two solid hours talking the motion was put to the meeting and was defeated by

a large majority. Mr Hills then proposed;

That this meeting decides that the War Memorial take the

form of an Arch to be erected at the entrance of Waterside

Park, at the foot of Georgiana Terrace, and that the Shire


Council be asked to arrange for the dedication of the Park as

a Memorial Park

Mr Parry seconded the motion, which was supported by the Chairman and Mr

Archbold and carried. Only six votes were recorded against.

Regarding the subscriptions to the Baths, Mr Weiss asked if they could be allocated to

the Memorial Arch. The Chairman said that was a matter for the present meeting could

not decide. Mr Weiss then moved a motion;

That those present who at the previous meeting favoured the

Baths agree to hand their subscriptions to the Memorial Arch

proposal.

The motion was seconded by Mr Whittell and carried. Then Mr Whittell proposed a

motion and Mr Weiss seconded;

That this meeting endorses the appointment of the previous

War Memorial Committee.

Previous to this motion being carried, Mr Kilkenny asked what the Committee had

done. The Chairman said that members of the Committee had been doing their best to

carry out what they had been appointed to do, so that some form of a War Memorial

might be erected at Gosford. The Committee would have been able to do much more,

but their efforts had been retarded by certain people who ran around raising objections

and picking holes in everything instead of lending a helping hand to do something.

And the remark did not alone apply to the War Memorial.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman was proposed by Mr C. K. Adrian and carried and

the meeting concluded shortly before 11 p.m.5

As to the dedication of the Park to be renamed a Memorial Park, the Erina Shire

Council could not at the time grant the Committee’s request. However, there was no

objection to re-naming the Park and it was decided that the public be invited to submit

an acceptable name. The name finally chosen would then be submitted to the Council

for adoption and it was stated then that the name would probably stand for all time.6 It

was decided that a prize of one guinea, which was one pound one shilling (£1/1/-),

* One pound =two Australian dollars 5 Baker Robert James, 1921. The Gosford Times, Thursday Afternoon, June 23. Mann St. Gosford

6 Baker Robert James, 1921. The Gosford Times, Thursday Afternoon, August 4. Mann St. Gosford


which converts to two dollars and ten cents, would be paid to the person submitting

the accepted name. If more than one claimant was found then the prize was to be

decided by ballot. Competitors had to enclose sixpence, which converts to five cents in

stamps. The total proceeds were to go to the Memorial Fund and the decision of the

Memorial Committee was to be final.7

At the next meeting of the War Memorial Committee, presided over by the Erina Shire

President, Mr R. J. Baker, the following report was furnished by Mr Charles Hills and

Mr M. J. Maddy, which was adopted. The report was about the design for the

Memorial Arch. The report stated that after spending a considerable time and though

on the design suitable for the Memorial Arch they came to the conclusion that the

matter would be best left in the hands of qualified architects. With the objective of

getting designs from a number of experienced architects they saw Mr George A.

Taylor, Artist and Editor of the magazine Building and asked his opinion and advice

on the matter.

The report stated that he was most sympathetic and offered to call for competitive

designs through his magazine and stated that it would be sufficient to offer a prize of

only one or two guineas, which converts to two dollars and twenty cents or four

dollars and forty cents on the understanding that the winning competitor be asked to

supervise the erection of the said Arch for the usual fee, which was about seven per

cent of the costs. With regard to the competitions held for designs in Buildings they

stated that architects from all over the Commonwealth would compete and one design

they saw for a Memorial Kiosk was certainly of the highest order.

The report also said that it would be necessary to give Mr Taylor full particulars of the

site, number of names to be left for inscriptions, class of stone for the Arch and

Tablets and the amount of money available. Mr Taylor, the report said, had very

kindly consented to put his scheme through his magazine free of costs to the

Committee. With regard to a plan of the site for publication, they had to state that they

would see to that. As the proposed Arch would be standing for all time, the point could

not be too strongly stressed that it was imperative for the Committee to have the best

7 Baker Robert James, 1921. The Gosford Times, Thursday Afternoon, August 11. Mann St. Gosford


possible designs obtainable for their consideration before a selection was made and

such could be most readily obtained by making use of Mr Taylor’s kind offer.

A resolution was passed at the meeting thanking Mr Hills and Mr Maddy for the report

and it was decided to ask Mr Fenton, the Shire Engineer, to inspect and report upon

the proposed site. Provision was made for inscribing from two hundred and fifty (250)

to three hundred (300) names and the stone to be used being freestone and trachyte. So

far about six hundred pounds (£600*) was in hand and the Committee decided to

invite designs for a Memorial Arch to cost about one thousand pounds (£1,000*).8

The Gosford Sub-Branch of the R. S. & S. I. L. A. had received a number of inquiries

in relation to the erection of the Memorial Arch so they decided to publish a report on

the League’s activities over the past few weeks. It was noted by the Sub-branch that

the returned men had not lost sight of the fact that the Memorial was a public concern

and that they did not wish to imply that it was more their business than that of the

general public and that the people of Gosford and district were vested authority in a

War Memorial Committee some months earlier on which the soldiers were represented

for the purpose of carrying the erection of the Memorial Arch through a satisfactory

conclusion.

With this end in view, the members of the League were not claiming any special rights

or privileges with regard to the matter, have only made enquiries as to costs and so on.

At one point they sought advice and assistance in another direction, but with the full

consent and approval of the Secretary of the Memorial Committee, their intention

being to submit any information so gained to those whom the public elected to fulfil

the work of building this Arch in honour of the men who gave the supreme sacrifice.

The impelling motive for seeking advice from the undermentioned gentlemen was the

near approach of Anzac Day. They had visions of at least seeing something in the

nature of a foundation stone laid on that occasion.

The report went on to say that some weeks earlier their President, Mr G. I. Adcock,

being in Parramatta, saw a fine Memorial Arch at St. John’s Church of England, which

* One pound =two Australian dollars 8 Baker Robert James, 1921. The Gosford Times, Thursday Afternoon, September 8. Mann St. Gosford


impressed him very much. At their subsequent League meeting, the Secretary was

instructed to get in touch with the Rector of that Church requesting particulars with

reference to the Arch. This was done and a very favourable reply was received.

Following is an extract from the letter of the Rev. L. W. Johnstone, Rector of the

Church of England in Parramatta.

I am very much interested in the subject of your letter, and if

you think it would help, will be glad to go to Gosford and

address your people on the subject on any Wednesday,

Thursday or Saturday night you might arrange, except from

the 9th

to the 16th

April. If you cannot arrange a meeting I

shall proceed to write to you further details. But it is better to

talk than to write.

A second letter was despatched from the Sub-branch to the State President of the

League, setting forth the difficulties, chiefly financial, encountered by the Memorial

Committee. Below is an extract from the reply of the above gentleman to the Sub-

Branch Secretary;

I have your letter and am quite please to advise, if able, in

connection with your proposed Memorial Arch. It would

seem to be impracticable to erect an Arch for £850*9 that

would at the same time be an object of beauty to the citizens

and visitors, be the character that the subject demands and be

large enough for practical purposes. If you will state where

the Arch goes, such as the entrance to a Park, what required

width under it, &c., it may be that gates or a concrete pergola

could be done for the money.

In conclusion, the League wished to emphasise that their sole desire in taking that line

of action was to assist the Memorial Committee. They said they had no desire to usurp

their powers in any way. The letter was signed A. E. Upham, Honorary Secretary of

the Gosford Sub-branch.

Another public meeting was held in the Gosford School of Arts Committee Room on

Tuesday night to discuss further matters in connection with the proposed War

Memorial. There were about twenty-five members present. Captain G. I. Adcock was

unanimously voted to the chair and read apologies from Mr R. J. Baker and Mr E.

Wheeler. After a brief reference to the object of the meeting the Chairman then called

upon the Secretary, Mr D. E. Mobbs to read the report. The report detailed that the

Committee was appointed on January 12, 1921 and their decision to build a Baths on

9 * One pound = two Australian dollars


Waterside Park. The General Advisory Committee for War Memorials were written to

immediately asking if the proposal generally met with approval and the reply was that

if the Baths came up to a standard regarded as suitable by the Central Committee, than

favourable consideration would be given to the proposal.

The report next covered how a petition was lodged with the Committee in June, 1921

asking for a further public meeting to reconsider the matter, as it was felt that a more

suitable form of Memorial might be decided upon. The public meeting was held on

June 20, 1921 and was largely attended, the outcome being a proposal which was

adopted that a Memorial Arch be erected on Waterside Park. The Committee met the

following month in July and it was resolved to seek designs from a number of firms

who handled monumental work. A number of firms were accordingly written to,

without result, excepting the personal call some weeks later by Mr Andrews, who

promised to submit a plan which, after waiting for in vain for some further weeks, the

Committee decided that a public advertising calling for plans and designs might meet

with greater success. This was on July 25 and the advertisement was inserted in

Sydney daily newspapers.

One firm competed and on August 31, the Committee decided that plans admitted

could not be accepted, as in one design the price was much in excess of what was

given as a guide in the press, whilst the other was quite out of the question, being in no

way an arch and no price being stated by the way of an estimate. At the same meeting

Mr Hills and Mr Maddy advised that they had interviewed Mr Taylor, Editor of the

magazine Building, who promised to call, free of cost, through his columns, for

designs for an arch and the Committee approved that his offer be accepted. He was

written to, interviewed, re-written to and re-interviewed several times, but his

promises in the matter failed to materialise. After repeated attempts to get ahead on

these lines, it was decided on May 11, 1922, to seek some other avenue whereby the

Memorial erection might be expedited.

A plan was submitted by Mr Haywood of the Gosford Quarries Limited, for an arch

something on the lines desired by the Committee. The Committee met Mr Hayward a

week later and discussed the matter with him and he finally offered to obtain, free of

costs, working plans of his proposed arch. These were supplied and on June 7, the


Committee decided to submit such plans and specifications to a recognised architect.

Some were accordingly presented to Mr Gordon S. Kessing, Architect, of Sydney,

who himself was a member of the Central Advisory War Memorial Committee. Mr

Kessing reported on the plans and submitted a rough draft of what he thought might

prove more suitable.

This was considered by the Committee on August 26, when it was decided to invite

Mr Kessing to visit Gosford and have a personal discussion with the Committee on the

whole question, which he did on Saturday, September 13. The matter was thoroughly

thrashed out with Mr Kessing, the promised site was inspected, the quarries likewise

and after much discussion, Mr Kessing was instructed to draw plans and submit same

to the Central Advisory Committee and afterwards present same to the local

Committee. The costs was named as not to exceed six hundred and fifty pounds

(£650*) over-all. No word was received from Mr Kessing until December 11, when

after forwarding of various photographs and so on to the Central body relative to the

proposed location of the Memorial, the local Committee approved of Mr Kessing’s

plans. The price was estimated at six hundred and fifty pounds (£650*), without names

and without certain embellishments, fencing support and so on.

The Committee dealt with the matter and after two meetings, one of which owing to a

wet night was not representative, it was decided on January 13, to advise Mr Kessing

that his plans involved greater costs than was suggested to him and the matter would

have to be referred to a further public meeting to be called when the then serious

droughty conditions had relaxed and the question of raising further funds or otherwise

dealing with the matter would be considered. Also it was resolved to write to Clare in

South Australia, where pictures of a fine Memorial erected at a low costs indicated

what that town had done.

Clare was written to and no reply had come to hand. The droughty conditions having

recently relaxed, the Committee were about to call the public meeting when the letter

from the Returned Soldiers League precipitated the Committee’s present action and

the meeting being held now had to make a decision in the matter. The funds stood at

five hundred and fifty-three pounds six shillings and two pence (£553/6/2), which


converts to eleven hundred and six dollars and sixty-two cents and accounts to about

seven pounds (£7*) were owing. This completed the report.

The Rev. Arthur Renwick moved for the adoption of the report, which was seconded

by Mr J. J. Frewin and carried. Mr H. L. Marshall moved and seconded by Mr P. L.

Stutfield,

That the motion passed at a public meeting held in the

Gosford School of Arts on Monday, June 20, 1921,

authorising the erection of a Memorial Arch on Waterside

Park be rescinded.

The motion was carried. Mr Hills said that while the Committee might castigate

themselves for not carrying out the wish of the public meeting, still they had to

recognise that there had been a lot of difficulties and disappointments to face.

Gosford was no exception to the rule, as quite a number of towns were only now

unveiling their War Memorials. He referred to the healthy financial position of the

proposal and was sure that the amount in credit was sufficient to erect a Memorial

that would do honour to the town and district. He favoured the suggestion conveyed

in Mr Baker’s letter that the site should be chosen in a suitable place in Gosford Park

overlooking the Broadwater. Referring again to the financial position, Captain G. I.

Adcock, in the chair, said he was opposed to an overdraft or any further collecting, as

it must be recognised that Gosford was continually drained for various causes.

Mr L. W. Turner, President of the Gosford Branch of the R. S. & S. I. L. A. then read

a motion, which as previously stated, precipitated the Committee’s present action and

the meeting being held now had to make a decision in the matter, passed at a recent

meeting of that body, which expressed the wish of the Diggers of this district,

That we consider that the Memorial aspect of the monument

should far outweigh any utilitarian object, and we will not

support any scheme in which there is a possibility of the

solemn purpose of the monument not being immediately and

clearly apparent to any observer, without the necessity of

rending inscriptions.

The Rev. Arthur Renwick then moved that the instructions given to the Committee at

the last public meeting for the erection of a War Memorial in the form of an arch be

rescinded. This was seconded by Mr G. Frewin and carried.


After a lengthy discussion as to the most suitable position in Gosford Park, Mr Turner

moved that the exact location of the Memorial in Gosford Park be left in the hands of

the Executive Committee. This was seconded by J. J. Frewin and carried. On the

motion of Mr G. A. Walpole and seconded by Bert Moore, the following gentlemen

were added to the old Committee. Mr C. J. Fenton, Mr F. G. McPherson, Mr H. L.

Marshall and Mr L. W. Turner. The Rev. Arthur Renwick moved that it be an

instruction to the Committee that any member failing to attend two consecutive

meetings without an accepted apology that he or she forfeit his or her position on the

Committee and that the Executive have the power to fill the vacancy and maintain

proportional representation. This motion was seconded by Mr G. Frewin and was

carried.

Mr C. J. Fenton moved and it was seconded by Mr J. J. Frewin, that the Committee be

empowered to expand up to the amount in hand and in view, as it was not desirable

that there should be any debt on the Memorial then unveiled. As an instruction to the

Committee, the following forms of Memorial designs were suggested, the one outside

the Newcastle Post Office, a column with the form of a soldier on top, a Cenotaph and

the wish of the soldiers embodied in the motion read by Mr Turner. There being no

further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed. 10

The men from the Gosford district gave splendid service in the fight of liberty, justice

and Empire in the Great War. Many of them forfeited their lives in the cause of right

and it was but bare justice that they who enjoy the freedom for which they fought

should mark the people’s appreciation of their sacrifice by a worthy Memorial. A

movement to erect a War Memorial in Gosford was commenced over some

considerable time. It had advanced to a certain stage, when it was found that the funds

in hand at the time were insufficient to provide for a Memorial Arch as was then

projected. Subsequently the matter was allowed to drop, but recent attention had again

been given to the proposal. A meeting had been called for Tuesday night, May 1,

1923, when it was hoped that arrangements would be made to carry the effort to a

successful conclusion.

* One pound =two Australian dollars


It was probable at the time that the whole question of the nature of the Memorial, its

site, and the securing of funds, would be considered afresh; and it was anticipated that

a representative Committee would take such steps as would soon put Gosford in

possession of a fitting Memorial to the district’s fallen heroes. It was certain that

public sentiment would be whole-heartedly with the citizens who undertook to carry

out the project on worthy lines; and it was probable that the adoption of some definite

design and locality and the commencement of work would result in a considerable

revival of interest of subscriptions on the part of the public. The citizens of the

Gosford district sincerely wished at the time that the memory of their fallen soldiers

should be worthily honoured; and there should be no further delay in giving

expression to that desire.11

The Committee in connection with the War Memorial had advanced matters by June,

1923 to the extent of approving plans for the erection of a suitable Memorial in

Gosford Park. The plans drawn by Mr Gordon S. Kessing for the proposed Cenotaph

were considered very attractive and largely resembled the prize design for the North

Sydney Memorial, which was published in the city newspaper since Mr Kessing’s plan

came to hand. The design showed the Memorial standing at 17 feet 6 inches in height,

was to be preferably of local stone, a bronze tablet to be placed on the western face

with the names of the men who went to war. Whilst on the eastern side a bronze rising

sun would face the break of day. The whole would stand on the present site of the old

Band rotunda, which was to be removed and it would be set on a concrete raft

foundation, with steps leading to the upright section of the Memorial, whilst it was

intended to provide for the construction of footpaths leading from the various centres

to the central position where the Cenotaph would stand.

Provision was to be made for the addition of names of enlistments from the district at a

later stage, the main objective of the Committee was to get the Memorial up at the

earnest, and with the principle names inscribed giving the names of the fallen. The

estimated costs of six hundred and fifty pounds (£650) and it was anticipated that the

Memorial would be unveiled free of debt, notwithstanding that sixty pounds (£60) to

11

Baker Robert James, 1923. The Gosford Times, Thursday Afternoon, May 3. Mann St. Gosford


eighty pounds (£80*) would be required to make up the costs. Tenders were to be

called on the plans being approved of by the Central Advisory Board and a few weeks

in time should see the construction get under way.12

There were eight competitors for the erection of the War Memorial in Gosford Park

and the prices ranged from six hundred and twenty-five pounds (£625) to nine hundred

and fifty pounds (£950*). The Committee finally dealt with the matter on Wednesday,

October 3, 1923 and Harrison and Elliott’s tender of six hundred and twenty-four

pounds twelve shillings (£624/12/-), which converts to one thousand two hundred and

forty-nine dollars and twenty cents was accepted. Work was to commence on October

31, 1923 and to be completed within eight weeks. The successful tenderers had a

quarry in Gosford and the stone was to be of white freestone as the sample submitted

the Committee though was an excellent colour.

The design drawn by Gordon S. Kessing was the same as previously described,

standing seventeen feet high, having a face to each point of the compass, with a base

to each face of approximately six feet tapering up to about four feet. Bronze tablets

would show the names of local soldiers who paid the supreme price. The cenotaph,

though simple in design, was noble and impressive according to the local Committee

and when unveiled would prove to be worthy of its great purpose.13

On Thursday, November 1, 1923, was the commencement date for the construction of

the War Memorial and the Committee was about to close the list of names to be

inscribed on the honour roll thereon. The following names had been collected and

should there be any missing names amongst the list, who had just claimed for

insertion, they were to forward the names to the Rev. Arthur Renwick or Mr Charles

Hills before November 10. It was urged that this should be done at once as it was the

final notice. The names were as follows’

Banks A. Bean Albert Bushell A. E.

Campbel F. Campbell H. A. Cato V. A.

Cragg W. Curtis A. P. Eley Samuel

* One pound =two Australian dollars 12

Baker Robert James, 1923. The Gosford Times, Thursday Afternoon, June 21. Mann St. Gosford

* One pound =two Australian dollars 13

Baker Robert James, 1923. The Gosford Times, Thursday Afternoon, October 4. Mann St. Gosford


Evans Walter French T. R. Frewin V. T.

Gardiner Thomas Gell Frank Goldsmith F. H.

Hammond A. J. Hastings George Hitchcock F.

Hobbs Roy Jenkins R. L. H. B. Johnson J. S.

Le Gray H. Mayo Dick Moir C. N

Morris C. W. O’Toole A. S. O’Toole P. C.

Parsons Abe Place E. H. Porritt A.

Ritchie R. R. Weeks R. R. Wright C. W

Scaysbrook M.14

Finally the day had arrived. A meeting of the Gosford Soldiers Memorial Committee

was held in the School of Arts on February 13, 1924, to make arrangements for the

unveiling of the Memorial to the soldiers of the Gosford district who fell in the Great

War. There were twelve members present at the meeting and Mr R. J. Baker, President

of the Committee presided.

A suggestion was received from the Gosford Sub-branch that the ceremony be, if

possible, performed on Anzac Day, Friday, April 25; and the proposal was generally

favoured. Mr C. J. Fenton was asked to report upon the progress made by the

contractors with the erection of the Memorial in Gosford Park and stated that there

was no absolute certainty that it would be completed by Anzac Day owing to the

possibilities of unfavourable weather and the scarcity of masons. If there were no

delays which arise from these or other causes, however, the contractors expected to

finish about a week prior to the date named. On the motion of Mr H. G. Parry and

Major F. A. Stutfield, Anzac Day was decided upon as the most fitting day for the

ceremony and the hour was fixed at 3 p.m.

At the instance of the Rev. Arthur Renwick and Mr H. L. Marshall, Honorary

Secretary of the Gosford Sub-branch, it was unanimously agreed to invite the new

Governor of N. S. W., Admiral Sir Dudley de Chair, who had a distinguished navel

record in the war, to perform the unveiling ceremony. His Excellency who was

enroute to Australia would be communicated by wireless as well as through the

14

Baker Robert James, 1923. The Gosford Times, Thursday Afternoon, November 1. Mann St. Gosford


customary channels. It was also decided to ask General Sir Charles Rosenthal to be

present. Mr D. E. Mobbs, Honorary Secretary to the Committee would call a meeting

when necessary to make further arrangements.15

Finally, the soldiers from the Gosford district who fought in the Great War and all the

heroes who lifted Australia to nationhood at Gallipoli and after were fittingly

honoured on Friday April 25, Anzac Day. The commemoration ceremonies were

attended by a large and reverent assembly of the people and it was evident that though

the method of marking the day would gradually change according to the local paper,

the spirit would grow and be the inspiration for the future. The Gosford ceremonies in

the afternoon were of special significance as they included the unveiling of the district

War Memorial. Brigadier-General Alexander Jobson D. S. O., who was accompanied

by Mrs Jobson officiated at the unveiling.

The commemorations commenced at St. Joseph’s Church at 7 a.m. celebrated by the

Rev. P. J. Donovan and Sung Eucharist at Christ Church at 11 a.m. by the Rev. Arthur

Renwick, who also delivered a panegyrise. In the afternoon a parade of troops lined up

at Gosford Railway Station and was inspected by visiting officers Lieutenant Colonel

Vernon, who was the Officer in Command, the parade and the possession was headed

by the Mounted Police. Stalwart soldiers carried the Union Jack and the Australian

flag guarded by a colour party. The Gosford Band played the music and was headed

by Drum Major, C. Metyard. There was a fair muster of nurses and soldiers and a

large contingent of lads from the Gosford Farm Home (later to become Mt Penang

Juvenile Justice Centre) in smart marching order.

A platform was erected in Gosford Park and the area around the Memorial was divided

to afford accommodation for troops, relatives of the fallen soldiers and the ladies of

the Red Cross and School children were grouped round the platform. At each corner of

the steps to the Memorial, a returned soldier with reversed arms mounted guard. The

service was conducted by the Padre in Charge, Chaplain Birch of H. M. A. S.

Brisbane. The Rev. Arthur Renwick, Rector of Christ Church, read the prayers and

15

Baker Robert James, 1924. The Gosford Times, Thursday Afternoon, February 24. Mann St. Gosford


portions of Scripture were read by Revs. L. Bains of the Presbyterian Church and G.

Williams of the Methodist Church.

Captain Birch, in the course of an address, said they would not be true men and

woman if they let the memory of that Sunday in April, 1915, die out. The memory of

Anzac stood for honour, victory and sacrifice and the day marked the birth of a nation.

He gave an impressive word picture of the historical landing and quoted some

eloquent lines in confirmation of the belief that the men who died were now gloriously

happy. They had left us a heritage, he said, of sacrifice and honour which it was their

duty to keep alive in a glow of honest patriotism which would build up a nation strong

in fearing God and loving righteousness. The service ended with the sound of

Reveille.

Brigadier-General Jobson read the messages from the King and Prime Minister of

Australia and said that the concluding words of the King’s message “the glorious

achievements of your beloved dead”, aptly summed up the feelings of Australians on

that day. What was it, he asked, which caused ordinary men to achieve deeds of

glorious heroism when the need arose? It was because they had in them, he said, the

spirit of the British nation, which had been handed down to them by the splendid

pioneers who came here from Great Britain and bred the stock from which the men of

Anzac came.

These men, he said, had left a proud heritage to the Australians of the day, who should

keep alive this true spirit of Australia, the spirit to conquer so that if they were ever

called upon again to defend these shores, the fight for the right would be as strong as

ever. The Brigadier-General said he was honoured in being asked to unveil the

memorial erected by the people of Gosford and district to their men who had fallen in

the Great War. The two flags fell away from the Cenotaph and the assembly stood

with bowed heads as the ”Last Post” was sounded.

The Monument was erected a few yards from the Boar War memorial was impressive

in its simple dignity, said the Gosford Times. Constructed of Gosford freestone, it

bears in handsomely bronze the A. I. F. crest and a laurel wreath with the words


“Their name shall live evermore,” and the names of the fallen heroes. A great many

wreaths were laid on the steps. The names inscribed on the Cenotaph were

Banks A. Bean A. Bushell A. E

Campbell Flem. Campbell H. A. Cato V. A.

Coull S. A. Cragg W. Cunningham J.

Curtis A. P. Eley Samuel Evans W.

Farrell J. Farrell M. French T. R.

Frewin V. J. Galloway J. Gardiner Tom

Gell Frank Goldsmith F. H. Hall W.

Hammond H. A. Hastings George Hitchcock F.

Hobbs Roy Jenkins R. L. H. B. Johnson J. S.

Le Grey R. H. Martin C. Mayo Dick

McKenna V. Moir C. N. Morris C. W.

O’Toole A. S. O’Toole P. C. Parsons Alf

Pinkstone V. J. Place E. H. Porritt A.

Ritchie F. H. Scaysbrook M. Sohier N. H.

Weeks R. R. Weiss E. V. Weiss F. A.

Wright C. W.

The Rev. L. Baines said that the men of Anzac should not be mourned for as dead or

loss, properly speaking there was no such state. These heroes had left us a duty to

follow their example of courage and fidelity. Mr S. L. Gardner, M. H. R., local

Member of Parliament said the district was to be congratulated on the beautiful

Memorial. There was a very practical side to the memory of Anzac and the other

fields; it was about the debt we owe the boys who came back. He emphasised that this

was a debt which should be paid in no niggardly spirit. These men had also left to us

an obligation to eliminate from our national life sectarianism and class divisions,

which led to weakness.

The Hon. Walter Bennett, M. L. A., urged that more thought should be given to the

need for defending this country of ours. If we were not willing to prepare to fight for it

if necessary, we were not worthy of the name of Britons. One prime necessity was the

building up of an Australian navy, the exploits of which might someday find a place

alongside the records of the A. I. F. in the Great War. Mr W. F. O’Hearn, M. L. A.,


was proud to join in this tribute to the fallen soldiers. Anzac Day was a great day for

Australia and should be the Australia national day for all time. One good feature of the

day was that it was an occasion on which party politics could be forgotten and all

could meet on a common platform.

Mr R. J. Baker, Chairman of the Memorial Committee thanked Brigadier-General

Jobson and Chaplain Birch for their presence and said he had apologies from Mr W.

Cameron, M. L. A., Major Stutfield and Mrs Tom Campbell, a noted Red Cross

worker. He briefly outlined the history of the movement which resulted in the erection

of the Memorial and intimated that it was the intention to erect gates to the Park, on

which a record of the district enlistments would be inscribed. He said the district had

reason to be proud of the dignified memorial which had been erected and stated that

most capable work had been done by the architect, Mr Gordon Kessing and the

contractors Harrison & Co., Ltd.

Mr Kessing and Mr Harrison, he said, were returned men. The Committee had worked

hard and with success. The costs of the Memorial was five hundred and seventy

pounds (£570*) and it was unveiled free of debt; in fact, there was a small surplus to

go towards the gates and park improvements, for which objects Mr D. E. Mobbs,

Secretary and Mr Charles Hills, Treasurer, would be glad to receive subscriptions. It

was only right to mention the particularly valuable services rendered by the Rev.

Arthur Renwick and Mr Hills, who were always foremost in good work and the last to

come into the limelight. The necessary funds were largely raised by returned soldiers,

assisted by Red Cross ladies, to whom, and to all other workers, thanks were due.

Proceedings for the unveiling of the Gosford War Memorial terminated with the

National Anthem.16

16

Baker Robert James, 1924. The Gosford Times, Thursday Afternoon, May, 1. Mann St. Gosford

history of gosford cenotaph by dr richard g van wirdum

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