Australian War Memorial
4-5 Grosvenor Pl London
View of the Memorial
Name
Australian War Memorial
Connection
The most important memorial to Australia's war dead.
Location
4-5 Grosvenor Pl, London SW1X 7DL
How to get there
Nearest underground station: Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly Line)
Summary
The Australian War Memorial commemorates the service men and women who served in the First and Second World Wars by listing the names of the towns in which they were born. Superimposed on the 23844 town names are 47 of the many battles in which they fought and made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, Australia.
Context
Australia’s military involvement alongside Britain and its commemoration in London is highly significant. The impressive War Memorial stands testament to this and receives many overseas and local visitors. Such involvement plays a key part in Australia’s own history and contributes to the definition and identity of the country. This is keenly felt in the ANZAC tradition, and the New Zealand war memorial sits in the same area of Hyde Park.
Story
In many ways Australia’s military involvement tells Australia’s national story. This is most evident in the story of Gallipoli – describing the gallantry of Australian soldiers, the futility of war and the implied ineptitude of British military decisions in one swoop. That story is highly complex, including the role such military involvements have played in Australian national identity. You can read a book review on the subject – here.
The Australian War Memorial becomes the site of remembrance for ANZAC Day every year – here
Detail of the wall showing towns where soldiers were born
Further information
Other military sites of memory can be found in Londown Under. Read about Australian soldiers spending their leave in London during the First World War – here, Read about the first ANZAC Day march held in London – here. And read about St Clement Danes church and the role it played in continuing ANZAC Day services through the 1920s and 30s – here.
Principal architect of the Memorial Peter Tonkin explains that:
"the form chosen for the memorial reflects the sweep of Australian landscape, the breadth and generosity of our people, the openness that we believe should characterise our culture"