On Saturday, 14 December 2024, I had the honour of attending the Centenary Ceremony for the Burnside District Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial in Rose Park, representing the Rotary Club of Burnside. This memorial stands as a profound cultural and spiritual landmark within the City of Burnside, established to commemorate the fallen soldiers of the Great War.
At the original dedication ceremony in 1919, relatives of the fallen soldiers planted trees along Alexandra Avenue and Prescott Terrace in their honour. These trees now stand tall, a living testament to the memory and eternal sacrifice of those who gave their lives.
In 1920, funds raised by the Burnside Memorial Committee commissioned a bronze statue by renowned Australian sculptor Charles Web Gilbert (1867-1925). The statue, unveiled on 14 December 1924 by the Governor of South Australia, Lieutenant General Sir Tom Bridges KCB KCMG DSO, captures a profoundly evocative scene: a soldier climbing over the top of a trench and turning back to offer a helping hand to his mate.
Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, delivered a heartfelt keynote address that resonated deeply with all present. Additional thought-provoking speeches were given by Colonel Stephen Larkins OAM and Mayor Anne Monceaux.
The ceremony was attended by Cressida O’Hanlon MP, representing the Premier, and local member Jack Batty MP, representing the electorate of Bragg. Also present were Councilor’s from the City of Burnside, members of the RSL, the Burnside Historical Society, numerous volunteers, a local choir, Chaplain Carl Aiken OAM JP, and many current and former service personnel.
This memorial serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who came before us. It is a place to reflect on the struggles that have granted us the freedoms we enjoy today. By honouring these sacrifices and preserving their memory, we ensure that the lessons of the past are not forgotten. It is our collective responsibility to pass on this torch of remembrance to future generations, so that their sacrifices were not in vain and history is not unnecessarily repeated.
I highly encourage everyone to visit the memorial and take a moment to reflect.
Lest We Forget.
Dr. Andrew Bradley MIEAust CPEng NER APEC Engineer IntPE(Aus)