More than 300 men. That’s how many Ipswich Railway Workshop workers enlisted to fight in the First World War. Before you stands the Ipswich Railway Workshops War Memorial a testament to their sacrifice.
This magnificent memorial wasn’t built overnight. It was unveiled on September 27 1919. The Queensland Governor Sir Hamilton Goold-Adams performed the unveiling ceremony. The memorial honours those 300 men. Thirty-one never returned home.
The monument itself is quite impressive. Designed by Queensland Railway architect Vincent Price it’s a striking blend of granite and bronze. The bronze digger statue stands proudly atop a tall obelisk. The names of all those who served are inscribed on bronze plaques. The names of the fallen are marked with special letters. This detail speaks volumes about the reverence and remembrance intended.
The memorial wasn’t just built it was funded. The money was raised by the employees themselves. They raised £1400 a significant sum at the time. Their contribution highlights the depth of their feelings about their comrades.
This isn’t just a memorial. It’s a symbol of community spirit. It’s a place of remembrance. It’s a place where every year since 1919 services have been held. It’s a living link to the past. A link to the men who served their country and their families. A link to the spirit of the Ipswich Railway Workshops.
The Ipswich Railway Workshops War Memorial isn’t just a statue. It’s a story. A story of sacrifice. A story of community. A story of remembrance. It’s a story waiting to be heard.