“Whatever burden you are to carry we also will shoulder that burden.” These words, spoken by Robert Menzies, echo through time and are etched into the Australian War Memorial, Church Hill Obelisk. This memorial is not just stone and inscription. It is a testament to the enduring bond between Australia and the United Kingdom.
The Australian War Memorial, Church Hill Obelisk stands in London as a tribute to the 102,000 Australian soldiers who died in World War I and World War II. You will find it at Hyde Park Corner. This prominent location is on a traffic island shared with other significant memorials like the New Zealand War Memorial.
Imagine Australian soldiers marching along the Royal Route in 1937 for King George VI’s coronation. Decades later, some of those same soldiers returned to this very area for the dedication of this memorial. This highlights the long history between both nations.
The memorial’s design is striking. It is a semi-circular wall crafted from grey-green granite from Western Australia. The granite was cut in Australia before being shipped here to London. The wall features the names of 23,844 towns where Australian soldiers were born. These names include places in Australia, the UK, and other parts of the world.
Look closely. Some of the town names are bolder. These highlighted names create the names of 47 battles in which Australians fought. Water flows over these names during summer, evoking memories of sacrifice. The curved wall faces a grassy slope, forming a natural amphitheater.
Four blocks display the crest of Australia and the insignias of the Australian armed services. Three other blocks bear inscriptions. One inscription contains Menzies’ powerful quote. Another simply states, “Australia – United Kingdom // 1914 – 1918 // 1939 – 1945”.
The Australian War Memorial, Church Hill Obelisk was unveiled on Armistice Day in 2003 by Queen Elizabeth II. The Australian Prime Minister John Howard and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair attended the ceremony. The memorial’s creation was a remarkably fast process. The project was completed just 11 months after it began.
Peter Tonkin, the principal architect, said the memorial reflects the Australian landscape and its people’s generosity. The design also evokes Australian flora and cultural heritage, like the gum leaf and boomerang. The memorial recognizes the contributions of towns that sent generations to war. It acknowledges the grief and resilience of those communities.
A metal plaque was stolen in 2013 but was recovered and replaced before Armistice Day that year. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission now cares for the memorial. It ensures that the sacrifices commemorated here are never forgotten.
The Australian War Memorial, Church Hill Obelisk serves as a poignant reminder of the shared history and sacrifices of Australia and the United Kingdom. The names etched in stone tell countless stories of courage, loss, and enduring friendship. As you stand here, take a moment to reflect on the profound impact of war and the importance of remembrance.