Introduction

Australia’s greatest war time casualties occurred during World Wars I and II when 101,086 Servicemen and women paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving this nation. This represents 98% of Australia’s total war time casualties in all conflicts to date.

Memorials remembering the sacrifice and loss suffered by Australia particularly during World War I but also World War II may be found in all the State capitals of the Commonwealth of Australia. As the national capital has developed, there has been an increasing tendency, significantly in recent years, to develop the Australian War Memorial, its grounds and Anzac Parade as the national memorials precinct. As a result, this precinct includes many outstanding memorials and artifacts recognizing the contribution of Australian men and women who have served the nation or paid the ultimate sacrifice.

While all Australians are impressed by the quality of the Australian War Memorial and the Anzac Parade precinct, the unfortunate fact is, although there are monuments to the Vietnam and Korea conflicts, the precinct does not provide memorials to the two major conflicts that had the greatest impact on the nation.

Task

The Memorial(s) Development Committee task is to elicit support to plan, design, construct and dedicate separate, but complementary, memorials to World Wars I and II within the National Triangle of our national capital.

Gaza War Cemetery, 1940
Courtesy Australian War Memorial
ID 007394