The unknown War Memorial - the politics of remembrance

The shock of the unprecedented casualty lists from the Middle East inspired the cenotaph. Scott, who later recalled the “personal grief at the very long lists of losses”, remarked that “the casualty lists had thrown into mourning homes in all parts of the country”. He eloquently recorded the impact in early May 1915 of reports from Ashmead Bartlett and others.

As Torode told those present:

An inspiration was given to me when the sad news came through of the attempted landing of our troops at Gallipoli and the bravery of our men, to create in memory of them an evergreen memorial. An appeal was made to the general public, resulting in all material and labour being given free of cost. Thus Wattle Grove in Sir Lewis Cohen Drive off South Terrace was brought into being … It was my privilege to design the outlay of the garden, Obelisk, and Pergola …

Today only a remnant stand of wattle marks the original site of the Dardanelle’s Cenotaph on Sir Lewis Cohen Drive, an extension through the South Parklands of Morphett Street. Torode conceived the facility among other things as an amenity for Torode’s nearby park side developments so that in years to come “Wattle Grove will be an attraction to citizens and visitors and a pleasant resort on summer evenings.”

Torode incorporated other features of his original conception in the Cenotaph itself, both by inclusion and exclusion.

Portions of the stonework had been polished, while others remained in their rough state: purposely designed to commemorate the rough landing which their heroes had experienced at Gallipoli.

The cross which today surmounts the ensemble is a later addition because at the time “they had not deemed it necessary to mark the obelisk by a cross, because the brilliant southern constellation, celestial emblem of sacrifice, forever cast its inspiring light upon Australia”.

No irreligion was intended, rather an emphasis on nativist civic piety towards those who had fallen in the military service of the community. Torode was after all a Congregationalist Sunday school superintendent.

Another feature conspicuous by its absence today was also mentioned by Torode, one that was, later, not uncommon at other war memorials around the country, for example at Salisbury, South Australia. Torode emphasised that:

He had intended to mount three rifles at the apex of the monument, but had been advised not to do so, because in time to come, when the war was over, the impression given by the obelisk should be one of peace and not conflict. He had acted upon that advice [Applause].

It is important to note that the inaugural cenotaph erected to the ANZACs was studiously devoid of the religious and military iconography which not a few Australians now find alienating.

The Australia of today is as likely to meditate upon the reflections of historians, philosophers and poets as to pray with Christian clergymen, as was conventional when the ANZACs sailed away.