Lost in time. Lilydale War Memorial stands as a solemn reminder of sacrifice. It honors those from the Shire who served in World War One and World War Two.
The Lilydale War Memorial was unveiled on May 19, 1922. The Earl of Stradbroke, Governor of Victoria, officiated the ceremony. Thousands of locals gathered to witness this significant event. The community channeled their grief into creating war memorials. Almost every town in the district erected a reminder of its citizens’ service to the Empire.
The Lilydale War Memorial cost over £800. The Lilydale community funded it. The cenotaph bears the names of the local men who died in the Great War. Originally, a life-sized statue of an AIF soldier stood on top. This soldier wore a uniform and held a rifle. It was made of concrete.
Captured German war trophies once surrounded the Lilydale War Memorial. These included a machine gun, trench mortars, and a howitzer cannon. An old naval gun from the HMVS Nelson was also present.
The unveiling ceremony was a great event for Lilydale. It honored the brave men who risked their lives for the Empire. In the following decades, the memorial hosted Anzac Day and Armistice Day ceremonies.
Changes occurred around the Lilydale War Memorial over time. The concrete digger deteriorated. The RSL requested its removal in the mid-1940s. The war trophy guns also had to be taken away due to their poor condition.
After World War II, names of locals who died in that conflict were added. These names were unveiled in 1950. The RSL planned to place a light with a large glass globe on top. However, connecting it to power proved too difficult. The light was never used and was eventually removed.
Services continued to be held at the Lilydale War Memorial for sixty years. Surprisingly, the RSL and council considered relocating the memorial. However, none of these requests were ever acted upon.
In 1996, a wall was added. It honored those who served in Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam, and peacekeeping operations. Other plaques followed. The area was renamed Ralph Goode Reserve. He was the first man from Lilydale to enlist in World War I.
Crowds attending the Anzac Day dawn service grew each year. In 2018, the RSL president planned to reproduce and reinstall a soldier statue. He collaborated with a stone mason. They recreated the statue in Carrara marble. Harcourt granite was used for the base.
The project cost $53,000. It included grants from the Federal government and the Department of Premier and Cabinet. The statue was unveiled on April 11, 2021. It now stands atop the Lilydale War Memorial. It overlooks the town for generations to come.
The Lilydale War Memorial stands as a testament. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of remembrance. Its granite and marble echo the stories of courage. It is a landmark of gratitude for those who served. The Lilydale War Memorial ensures their sacrifices are never forgotten.