Lower Southgate War Memorial Cenotaph

The Lower Southgate War Memorial Cenotaph is a cement and marble monument, with embossed rifle and sabre sculpted out of cement. An honour roll for the First World War is inscribed on the walls of the pillar. A roll for the Second World War has been added at a later date.

Planning for the memorial was underway by 1918 with an initial committee known as the 'Lower Southgate Soldiers' Committee' being formed. However, at a public meeting around May it was decided to place the matter in the hands of the Parents and Citizens' Association. A public subscription was to be opened and each citizen and subscriber would be able to vote on designs for the memorial, names to be placed on it and other related matters. Following another meeting in May it was reported 53 pounds 6 shillings had been raised and it was unanimously decided to move ahead with purchasing a stone monument (Daily Examiner, 10 May 1918).  

The design by monumental masons Matheson and Collins was chosen, at a cost of 42 pounds. Four sites for the installation were considered and the site at the Lower Southgate public wharf was selected. Subscribers chose to inscribe on the memorial the names of those who enlisted at Lower Southgate; those who enlisted while away from the district; and those who were living at Southgate at the time of enlistment. It was also decided to erect a fence around the memorial, for an additional 12 pounds (Daily Examiner, 14 August 1918).

The memorial was dedicated on 12 April 1919. A brief religious service was held at the Literary Institute, led by Reverend E.G. Hockey and Reverend Jas Carson. Then there was another ceremony at the memorial itself presided over by Councillor A.H. Doust, President of Copmanhurst Shire. The unveiling was performed by Mrs A.H. Doust. A detailed account of the event appeared in the Grafton Argus on 14 April 1919. It was claimed that this was the first permanent memorial established in the Clarence District.

At the time of dedication, the Daily Examiner, 16 April 1919, published that the memorial included a round column with a finely rounded base and cap with a gun shell on top. This column and the fence surrounds were later removed.

Various commemorative services are held throughout the year at memorial.