Here at the Petone War Memorial, we stand on hallowed ground. The Petone War Memorial is a testament to sacrifice. It is a tribute to the men of Petone who gave their lives in the Great War.
The Petone War Memorial’s foundation stone was laid in 1921. J W McEwan, Mayor of Petone, officiated the ceremony. The Petone War Memorial was erected by the people of Petone. It honors those who died in service. Their names are inscribed for eternity.
Names like Abbott. Names like Allender. Andrews. Ashton. Ball. Barber. Bassett. Bennett. Birback. Bond. Booth. Boyd. Carene. Cargill. Castle. Clark. Clarke. Coles. Collett. Collins. Colquhoun. De Ridder. Dent. Dixon. Duncan. Durose. Edlin. Eiffe. Englert. Eyres. Falla. Fox. George. Harrison. Hastings. Hebberd. Henry. Hewson. Hoare. Hodgkinson. Hooper. Horne. Hunter. Hurly. Hutchinson. Jackson. Johnson. Jones. Kent. King. Kingdon. Kirby. Kirk. Lines. List. Loader. Ludlow. Macdonald. Marsden. McArthur. McConnell. McDonald. McEwan. McFarlane. McGregor. McKenzie. McMenamin. Mellor. Mills. Minifie. Mockford. Moore. Morrison. Mullany. Murray. Mutton. Naughton. Nelson. Ninness. Norling. Northover. Okeby. O’Leary. Packard. Parr. Percy. Powell. Reeve. Robertson. Ryan. Savage. Scrimshaw. Shea. Simmons. Simons. Simpson. Smith. Stephens. Stevens. Still. Sullivan. Symes. Tait. Tannahill. Taylor. Thomson. Tollison. Turner. Valentine. Vincent. Waite. Wilson. Wolland. Wood. Young.
Unlike many memorials, this one includes the soldiers’ ranks. This was uncommon. Many believed that all sacrifice was equal. The Petone War Memorial commemorates places New Zealanders fought. It covers both World Wars.
Originally, the Petone War Memorial stood at the Buick Street entrance. This was a prominent site. It attracted large crowds on Saturday afternoons. It was near the local rugby ground. The soldier on top faced the harbor. This is where the soldiers departed.
In 1966, the Petone War Memorial moved. It found its current home in the Garden of Remembrance. This garden was established in 1960. It commemorates soldiers who died in World War II.
The Petone War Memorial is made of Coromandel granite. The soldier statue was crafted in Italy. Foreign artists were thought to create more artistic memorials. The government encouraged artistic designs.
The Petone War Memorial was funded by public donations. Public events also contributed. Performances and choirs raised money. Securing government subsidies proved difficult.
In 1994, controversy arose. Some suggested moving the flagpole. It was at the Petone Railway Station. The proposal was to place it alongside the cenotaph. Residents strongly opposed the idea. The plan was eventually abandoned.
Today, the Petone War Memorial stands as a symbol. It is a symbol of remembrance. It honors the brave men of Petone. They served and sacrificed. May their memory live on forever.