The Paddington War Memorial, unveiled by the Governor of New South Wales Sir Walter Davidson on the 19th of November 1922, was originally located on the corner of Oxford Street and Newcombe Street. This location was sectioned within the confines of the Paddington Methodist Church landscape. The unveiling service was attended by over 3,000 people all coming together to pay their respects to those who had sacrificed (photo accessible via the Related link below). The Church also housed the Paddington Methodist Church First World War Honour Roll, which listed all of the names of the men who left from the district to serve.
The memorial consists of a column of polished trachyte, sitting atop of a larger block of trachyte, the sides of which are inscribed with strong and heartful words of dedication to those who served and fell (see Inscription below). The whole stands on a plinth accessed by three steps. The column stands 30 feet high and features a Doric capital that is topped by a stylised acorn (The Methodist, 2 December 1922).
While the contractor is unknown, it is possible the memorial was designed by or with input from a government architect. The inclusion of the acorn finial may have been inspired by the oak trees in Gallipoli that Anzac soldiers would have seen. Soldiers would collect the acorns off the ground from the ridges and valleys of the Gallipoli Peninsula, either sending them home or bringing them back when they returned to Australia. The acorns were then planted by soldiers and their family members.
In 1940, the Paddington War Memorial was moved from its original location in anticipation of the widening of Oxford Street. Its new (current as of 2024) location is outside the Victoria Barracks near Paddington Town Hall.