North Fremantle War Memorial placed on heritage register

11/11/93

The State Government has marked Remembrance Day with the listing of the North Fremantle War Memorial permanently on the register of heritage places.

Heritage Minister Richard Lewis said today that the 70-year-old memorial of a First World War Australian infantryman in the 'rest on arms reserve' position would be placed under permanent protection of the Heritage Act.

The marble soldier stands on top of an ornamental granite slab which has polished inserts inscribed with the names of North Fremantle residents who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars.

The six-metre high memorial is located on the corner of Harvest Road and Queen Victoria Street, on a triangular piece of land adjacent to the former North Fremantle Town Hall.

Mr Lewis said the memorial, which was damaged by vandals in 1988, was representative of commemorative memorials throughout Western Australia following the 1918 Armistice.

"Australians distinguished themselves at Gallipoli and the French battlefields and the losses as a result of these conflicts were felt very deeply by local communities," he said.

"Following the Armistice, communities throughout Australia raised money for the erection of war memorials to commemorate those from their communities who lost their lives in the war.

"These memorials played an important role in recognising the community's sacrifices and as a substitute gravesite for those who lost their lives and were buried overseas."

Mr Lewis said the North Fremantle War Memorial was unique because it included a well-executed marble statue of a soldier.

"Many of the memorials built during this period were usually built as an obelisk, cairn or cross," he said.

Mr Lewis said he had directed the Heritage Council to place the memorial permanently on the register of heritage places.

Media contact:  Paul Plowman 222 9595 : 221 1377