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Grafton Memorial Park

Grafton Memorial Park
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Grafton Memorial Park, hedges spelling out RAAF
Grafton Memorial Park
Grafton Memorial Park, hedges spelling out AFC
Grafton Memorial Park, hedges spelling out AMC
Grafton Remembrance Walk, view through pillars
Grafton Memorial Park Gates, close up of metal gates with wording
Clarence Valley Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Grafton
Grafton Memorial Park, prisoner of war plaque
Grafton Memorial Park, servicewomen plaque
Grafton Memorial Park, National Servicemen plaque
Grafton Memorial Park, war animals plaque
Grafton Memorial Park, South African War plaque
Malayan Emergency plaque at Grafton Memorial Park
Grafton Memorial Park, Indonesian Confrontation plaque
Grafton Memorial Park, Sinai, Namibia and Rwanda peacekeeping plaque
Grafton Memorial Park, Cambodia and Somalia plaque
Iraq plaque at the Grafton Memorial Park
Grafton Memorial Park, East Timor and Bougainville plaque
Afghanistan plaque in Grafton Memorial Park
Australian Defence Forces and Police Force plaque at Grafton Memorial Park
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Description / Background

This memorial is a large commemorative park, located along the banks of the Clarence River in Grafton, NSW. It was established in 1919, in memory of those who served in the First World War. 

The Grafton Argus, 27 October 1919, reported Grafton Council had been gifted a piece of land, which until the conclusion of the war was not marked for a particular use. Council decided it would be converted to a memorial park and work was underway by late September that year. At that stage, a brick wall and paths were laid out, and Council called for donations of flowers and shrubs to beautify the area. By March 1920, the planting of palms and shrubs had been completed. The park was dedicated by General Sir William R Birdwood on 22 May 1920.

Over time, several war memorials have been installed within the park to commemorate Australian service personnel and their involvement in various conflicts. The Grafton Memorial Park Gates provide a stately entrance to the grounds, from Prince Street. Bordering the footpaths are box hedges (Buxus microphylla), trimmed into the shape of letters to commemorate the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.), Royal Australian Medical Corps (A.M.C.), and the Royal Australian Air Force (R.A.A.F.). Positioned on brick walls throughout the park are multiple bronze plaques, inscribed with dedications to various conflicts and veteran groups, including Australian servicewomen, prisoners of war, and war animals. The war animals plaque is decorated with illustrations of a horse, a camel, a pigeon, a dog, a mule, and a donkey.

The Grafton RSL was awarded a 'Saluting Their Service' grant on 19 June 2015 for the park. Commemorative services are held throughout the grounds, at the various memorials.

Inscription

Memorial hedges

AIF

RAAF

+ AMC

Prisoners of War plaque

In memory of Australian Prisoners of War

Let us not forget the suffering that was inflicted on servicemen and women as a result of internment as prisoners of war.

Donated by Grafton RSL Sub Branch

National Servicemen plaque

To the National Servicemen of Australia

Donated by Grafton RSL Sub Branch

Servicewomen plaque

The Servicewomen of Australia

Donated by Grafton RSL Sub Branch

War animals plaque

Dedicated to all war animals they also served

Lest We Forget

Donated by Grafton RSL Sub Branch

South African War plaque

In memory of those who served - and those who died

South Africa War (Boer War) 1899–1902

Lest We Forget

Donated by Grafton RSL Sub Branch

Malayan Emergency plaque

In memory of those who served - and those who died

Malayan Emergency 1950–1960

Lest We Forget

Donated by Grafton RSL Sub Branch

Indonesian Confrontation plaque

Indonesian Confrontation 1963–1966

Sinai, Namibia and Rwanda peacekeeping plaque

1976–1979

1982–1986

1993–Present  Sinai

1989–1990 Namibia

1994–1994 Rwanda

Donated by Grafton RSL Sub Branch

Department of Veterans Affairs

Cambodia and Somalia plaque

1991–1993 Cambodia

1992–1995 Somalia

Donated by Grafton RSL Sub Branch

Department of Veterans Affairs

Iraq plaque

Iraq, First Gulf War, 1991

Iraq, Second Gulf War 2003–2009

East Timor and Bougainville plaque

1999–2013 East Timor

1997–2003 Bougainville

Afghanistan plaque

Afghanistan 2001–2014

Australian Defence Force and Police plaque

Since 1947 members of the Australian Defence Force and Police Forces have served throughout the world

This memorial is dedicated to those men and women who have contributed to world peace

We remember those who were killed in the service of peace

Lest We Forget

Donated by Grafton RSL Sub Branch

Related memorials
Grafton Memorial Park Gates
Grafton Remembrance Walk
Grafton Cenotaph
Grafton Great War Water Brigade First World War Honour Roll
Grafton Avenue of Trees Memorial
Grafton Australia Remembers Memorial
Grafton Korean War Memorial
Clarence Valley Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Grafton
Related links
Grafton's Memorial Park. (27 Oct 1919)
Veterans listed on this memorial

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Address
Memorial Park
Prince Street
Grafton NSW 2460
Local Government Area
Clarence Valley Council
Setting
Garden/park
Location status
Original location
Memorial type
Garden/park
Recorded by
Graham Wilson
Year of construction
1919–1920
Dedication date
22 May 1920
Conflict/s
South African War (Boer War), 1899–1902
First World War, 1914–18
Second World War, 1939–45
Korean War, 1950–53
Malayan Emergency, 1950–60
Indonesian Confrontation, 1963–66
Vietnam War, 1962–75
Iraq: the First Gulf War, 1990–91
Iraq: the Second Gulf War, 2003–09
Peacekeeping, 1947–present
All conflicts