Place: Port Augusta, South Australia, 5700
District: Northern Agricultural
Orientation:
Location: Gladstone Square, Jervois Street and Marryat Street
Position: 32 29 50 S     137 45 83 E
Ref: 50005

The memorial is an octagonal band stand on a base of rough hewn Angaston marble with marble steps and facings. It has a wooden floor and ceiling, iron supports and surrounds and a pagoda roof covered with Marseilles terra cotta tiles. A rose garden surrounds the structure.

Until about 1983 the rough hewn marble was covered with paint but this was removed when refurbishment took place.

The memorial was dedicated on 16th November 1923 by Miss Ethel Campbell (1886-1954) who was being feted during her visit to Australia to see her aunt. She became very popular with troops who called in at Durban, South Africa on their way to the First World War. After the man she was to have married was killed in the war she devoted herself to providing gifts and comforts for soldiers, especially Australian and New Zealand, aboard troopships stopping at Durban. She began when the Star of England called in 1915 and met every subsequent transport, arranging entertainment for the boys and seeing they were supplied with fruit and other comforts. She signalled each ship into the harbour by semaphore and became known as 'the girl with the flags'.  In 1919 she received the M.B.E. for her war work. One report says that ex-servicemen contributed towards the expenses of her Australian visit.

Miss Campbell, accompanied by her parents, stopped at Port Augusta on her journey across Australia by train. The ceremony was to be held on a Friday and the organising committee approached her asking if she could postpone the fixture until Saturday afternoon, presumably so that more working people could attend. She had to reply that it was impossible for her to do so. Returned soldiers employed on the railways were given a half-day holiday and businesses in the town closed during the afternoon.

This description of the ceremony is taken from reports in The Transcontinental and Adelaide Advertiser newspapers.

Diggers formed a guard of honour under Captain Lindsay. Associated with them were the Boy Scouts. The children of the public school and the Sisters of St. Joseph school under Mr. R. J. Morgan and the Rev. Father O'Rourke, were in the centre of the ground. Seating was provided for the relatives of the fallen soldiers. There were approximately 800 people in the enclosure, besides a large number on the outside grounds, the largest gathering since the war. The stalls of the Red Cross Society were placed at the western end of the square. The bandstand was decorated with sprays of bougainvillea, and the memorial tables were covered with the Union Jack. A laurel wreath, bearing the following inscription was affixed to the memorial:- Presented by Mrs. N. Rogers of Stirling North, in memory of the brave who won their laurels in the Great War and now "Rest in Peace".

On arrival at the memorial Miss, Dr. and Mrs. Campbell were accommodated with special seating in front of the band stand, the speakers and Red Cross workers being placed nearby. The proceedings opened with the National Anthem by the band, after which His Worship the Mayor, Mr. J. Roberts, on behalf of the town and district, welcomed Miss Campbell. He said it gave him great pleasure to extend a welcome to such a distinguished visitor. It was their duty to do so for had not Miss Campbell met the troops both going and returning from the war. She was a lady they all desired to see and honor for her splendid service to the soldiers and the Empire. He was exceedingly pleased to have the honor of receiving her that day. His Worship then called for three cheers for Miss Campbell. The request was lustily acceded to.

Mr. A. N. Arrowsmith, president of the Port Augusta branch of the R.S. and S.I. League on behalf of the diggers gave Miss Campbell hearty thanks for the splendid service she had rendered to the Australian troops. He had had the honor and fortune to be one of the soldiers Miss Campbell had met and entertained. The memorial was, in his opinion, second to none in the Commonwealth and a credit to the committee and citizens. It was both useful and ornamental. He exhorted those present to maintain the garden and memorial as a tribute to the memory of the 60,000 comrades who had made the supreme sacrifice. Cheers were again given for Miss Campbell.

Colonel Stanhope, in a brief speech, said he had been honored by the League in being selected as a travelling companion to Miss Campbell on her trip to Broken Hill.  She had had great receptions at all the towns visited but none greater than in Port Augusta. The local returned men had done a great deal toward the erection of  the memorial, and he complimented all concerned and hoped the memorial would be taken care of for all time. He felt sure that it would give Miss Campbell great pleasure to dedicate the memorial.

At this stage the mayor introduced Miss D. Ellis, one of the workers in the garden, who then presented Miss Campbell with a bouquet of flowers cut from the memorial garden and that of  Mrs. N. Rogers, Stirling North. Miss Campbell received the gift in a most gracious way.

The chairman of the committee, Mr A. E. Watkin, gave a history of the memorial. It had cost £473 which was paid. They also had nearly £30 in hand.  This amount together with the day's proceeds, would be invested in the council and expended on the upkeep and improvement of the square. Mr A. B. Eldred designed the memorial and drew up the specifications. Mr. W. J. Stevens, the contractor, had done splendid work. Messrs Eldred, W. H. M. Hargrave, and J. Holdsworth had superintended the work.  Mr Watkin said it was fitting that a lady should dedicate the memorial. The mothers of the race had always been behind the great movements of the Empire. The diggers had gone out as sons of a fighting race; mayhap for adventure some might say, others that they went to have a scrap, but behind it all was their mothers, these they had fought for as heroes and sixteen Port Augusta men had died. Mr Watkin closed a splendid appeal for the motherhood of Australia (cheers). He then asked Miss Campbell to unveil the memorial.

Miss Campbell entered by the gate and cut the ribbons which held the flags shrouding the memorial. She said she was deeply touched at being asked to dedicate the splendid memorial to the gallant men of Port Augusta who gave their lives to maintain the Empire, and the high traditions and ideals which have always been precious possessions of the British race.  The memorial stood as a perpetual reminder of the heroic and glorious deed of their sons enshrined in the history of the great war. The memorial was the visible symbol of the great spirit in which the sacrifices made by the fallen soldiers were cherished, for it was in the hearts of the people where the real depths of the tribute existed.

Oh! the rows and rows of faces that were absent from the deck
When your great big ships came homing but little they themselves would reck
For they died for Australia's honor bravely they sailed to die
And who can paint their glory? Not I, indeed, not I

They counted not the cost nor turned back in the day of battle

Today in proud and loving memory
Their comrades honor their courageous dead
Who selflessly their precious life's blood shed
They counted not the cost "for Victory
Nor turned back in the battle" Liberty 
And peace with honor followed where they led
And triumphed. How shall we laud the dead
Who gave their lives to save humanity?
What would they wish who played their valiant parts
For freedom? This, I think that in the hearts
Of dear loved comrades they should live for aye
And this memorial you raise today
Speaks love and memories of deaths that rise
Too great for tears, too glorious for sighs

The declamation of the poem which was written by Miss Campbell produced a profound effect and was keenly felt by many of those present. After a moment or two of silence, Miss Campbell gave a breezy anecdotal address, which caused much merriment. She stated that she had been the happy recipient of many flattering remarks - the biggest compliment paid her being that she was much like an Australian girl - she didn't know how the Australian girls liked it (laughter). Amid the laughing and appreciative comments of the crowd she related the story of the digger whom she was asked to look up. His whereabout was simple - he was only in Queensland as underground manager of an emu farm (laughter). Many were the fine promises that had been made. She was to be the proud possessor of a hat of kangaroo feathers, not to mention a jackeroo's skin for a coat. She closed by giving a short recitation, "Aussie Land". She thanked them sincerely. By honoring her they were honoring all the war workers of South Africa. (Continued cheering).

The band, under Mr. S. V. Barratt played a selection "In memory of the brave", in which was included "The Dead March in Saul" and hymn tunes. Mr. Barratt sounded the Last Post most effectively.

This was followed by an oration by Dr. L. Pellew of Adelaide. The doctor, who had resided some years in Port Augusta and who saw service in the war, received a splendid welcome, and his address was most fitting for the occasion. He said he was deeply stirred by the invitation to speak that day and help in the dedication. There were two reasons why he was pleased to be present - the dedication of the memorial as a tribute to the dead and the honor of having Miss Campbell to dedicate the memorial. In all wars the outstanding feature was a woman, notably Florence Nightingale and Edith Cavell and later Miss Campbell had done all that a woman could do. He congratulated the residents on the fitting memorial to 51 brave men of Port Augusta who had gone west. He hoped they would keep the memorial bright for all time.

At this stage the Doctor recited:
O valiant hearts who to your glory came,
Thro' dust of conflict and through battle flame,
Tranquil your life, your knightly virtue prove,
Your memory hallowed in the land you love.

The last verse closing with
O, Saviour, Christ!, O, Shepherd of our dead,
Whose arm has brought them and whose staff has led,
In glorious hope their proud but sorrowing land
Commits her children to thy gracious hand

The doctor's utterance caused a profound sensation and was a splendid oration.

The Town Band rendered selections between the addresses. Miss Campbell asked the crowd to give three cheers in Zulu fashion. The audience soon gripped the words and gave them with great force.

A vote of thanks to Miss Campbell, the Red Cross workers, speakers, the band, and the business people and the licensed victuallers who had closed their houses during the dedication ceremony, was moved by Mr. Holdsworth, town clerk, and carried by acclamation.

A photograph of the proceedings was taken by Mr. Duryea, a framed enlargement of which was to be forwarded to Miss Campbell. The post cards of the memorial which were on sale at one shilling each were donated by Mr. Duryea, who also presented the committee with the plates.

Afternoon tea was dispensed by the Red Cross president Mrs. J. Holdsworth, and a band of willing workers. A flower stall under the care of Mrs. P. Mealy, Mrs. Sharp, and Mrs. N. Rogers did good business. The result of the collection, sale of photographs, programmes, flowers, and refreshments totalled about £50.

North east corner
THE GREAT WAR
IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO FELL
1914 - 1919

North west corner
THE GREAT WAR
IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO FELL
1914 - 1919

West side
IN HONOUR OF THOSE WHO FELL IN WORLD WAR II
1939 -s-1945

Plaque on south west corner
IN HONOUR OF THOSE WHO FELL IN THE VIETNAM CAMPAIGN

1962 - 1972
DAVIES P.W.                                                        HUGHES R.E.

About 13 metres to the north east of the rotunda is a large walled garden bed in which there is a metal cross and a stone with a plaque. On the south west side of the garden wall is a series of 7 plaques.

Plaque on base of cross
LEST WE
FORGET

Plaque on stone on north side of cross
horn insignia

DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF
FREDERICK WILLIAM
HOLMES V.C.
No. 9376 LANCE CORPORAL
2ND BATTALION KING'S OWN
(YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY)
VICTORIA CROSS - LE CATEAU, BELGIUM
26TH AUGUST 1914
MEDAILLE MILITAIRE - THE AINSE, FRANCE
NOVEMBER 1914 (ARMY ORDER 446)
PASSED AWAY, PORT AUGUSTA,
22ND OCTOBER, 1969
WITH RANK OF CAPTAIN (RET.)

HIS DEEDS WILL LIVE TO ETERNITY
LEST WE FORGET

Plaques on wall from north to south

1st plaque
PORT AUGUSTA EX-SERVICEWOMEN

2nd plaque

3rd plaque

4th plaque

5th plaque

6th plaque

7th plaque

Information current to May 2000

More info on Frederick William Holmes at Victoria Cross Reference website http://www.chapter-one.com/vc/          
More info on Ethel Campbell at Clem Tompson's website http://home.primus.com.au/clemtomo/1stww(poems).htm

Sources:  The Inglis Collection in Australian War Memorial, AWM PR 00944  6/197 464 51
             Dictionary of South African Biography, Vol IV, p75
                  The Transcontinental, 9 November 1923
                  Adelaide Advertiser, 20 November 1923                  
                  The Transcontinental, 23 November 1923

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