Earl Kitchner Stone

Can a single stone hold the weight of history? Here at the Earl Kitchner Stone, it feels like it can. This unassuming memorial, tucked away in Wynnum, marks a significant moment in time. It commemorates the day in 1910 when Lord Kitchener, the famed British military leader, reviewed troops from Fort Lytton. It’s hard to imagine the scene now, the pomp and circumstance of the occasion. Kitchener, fresh from his triumphs in the Boer War, was invited to advise Australia on its defense. The Earl Kitchner Stone is a direct link to that visit. Originally, this wasn’t just a stone. It was part of a much larger cairn, unveiled in 1929 by Sir John Goodwin, the then Governor of Queensland. The Brisbane Courier reported on the event, capturing the atmosphere and the significance of Kitchener’s visit. The cairn stood proudly for decades, a testament to Kitchener’s stature and Australia’s connection to the British Empire. But progress, as it often does, came knocking. In 1963, during development, the original cairn was demolished. Thankfully, this stone, bearing the inscription commemorating Kitchener’s review, was saved. It was rediscovered and given a new home here, just a short distance from its original location. In 1992, Lord Mayor Alderman Jim Soorley unveiled the relocated Earl Kitchner Stone, ensuring that this piece of history would not be forgotten. So, as you stand before the Earl Kitchner Stone, take a moment to reflect. Think back to that day in 1910, the marching troops, the watchful gaze of Lord Kitchener, and the weight of history unfolding. This stone, a silent witness to the past, reminds us of the figures who shaped our world and the events that continue to resonate today.