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Chatswood Garden of Remembrance

Chatswood Garden of Remembrance
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Chatswood Garden of Remembrance
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Chatswood Garden of Remembrance
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Description / Background

The Garden of Remembrance in Chatswood commemorates the Australian men and women from the Willoughby district who died during the Boer War, First and Second World Wars, Korea, Malaya, and Vietnam. It also provides a place to reflect at any time of year on the sacrifices made by service men and women. On each side of the main path are rose bushes with named plaques that commemorate the dead. The Garden also has other memorials to men and women who have severed in the Australian Defence Forces. 

History

The suggestion to create a Garden of Remembrance on the site was first made in 1936, and two buildings and some fruit trees were removed in the late 1930s. Two underground air raid shelters were built on site during the Second World War, and demolished after the war. In 1949-50, the lawns were laid and a grass mound, shaped like the tin hats worn by First World War soldiers, was constructed at the southern end of the garden. During this time shrubs and roses were planted and the paths laid out. 

In 1952, the Boer War memorial was moved from the south-east corner of Chatswood Park to the Garden. The first Anzac Day service was held on site in 1955. In 1961 and 1963, the Garden was awarded the best garden under 2 acres in a Sydney Morning Herald competition. The Cross of Remembrance was erected on the grass mound and the Garden was dedicated on Anzac Day 1964. In 1972, the Mayor of Dunkirk laid a wreath and planted Picardy roses in the presence of 40 veterans of the 1940 Dunkirk evacuation. In 1988, rose diseases and new buildings being constructed next door resulted in some redesigning of the Garden, as has the development of Chatswood Railway Station/Interchange. 

Inscription

Pathway leading from Albert Avenue 

Lest we forget

They gave their today for your tomorrow

Veterans listed on this memorial

Veterans listed on this memorial

Last held rank Given name Family name Conflict/s Service No. Service Campaign Read more
Sergeant EE Willis Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
Able Seaman GB Willis Second World War, 1939–45 Royal Australian Navy (RAN) view
Private E Wilson Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
Leading Aircraftman Ian M Wilson Second World War, 1939–45 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) view
Corporal HV Wooldridge Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
Private J Woolley Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
Sergeant DA Wray Second World War, 1939–45 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) view
Sergeant JG Wright Second World War, 1939–45 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) view
Lance Corporal SM Wynn Second World War, 1939–45 Australian Army view

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Address
69 Albert Avenue
Chatswood NSW 2067
Local Government Area
Willoughby, City of
Setting
Garden/park
Location status
Original location
Memorial type
Garden/park
Recorded by
Willoughby City Council
Year of construction
1949
Dedication date
25 April 1964
Conflict/s
South African War (Boer War), 1899–1902
First World War, 1914–18
Second World War, 1939–45
Korean War, 1950–53
Vietnam War, 1962–75