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Shellharbour Village War Memorial

Shellharbour Village War Memorial
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Shellharbour Village War Memorial, southern face
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Shellharbour Village War Memorial, western face
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Description / Background

The Shellharbour Village War Memorial consists of two distinct sections. The top section is made of white marble and has four stepped levels. It is positioned on a concrete plinth, which forms the lower section of the monument. The whole is approximately 2.2 metres high and the plinth is approximately one metre square.

The memorial was originally dedicated in 1900 as a memorial to the Boer War, and has been added to over the years. It is inscribed on the southern, eastern, and western faces. The northern side of the memorial is blank. 

Southern face

The southern face of the top section commemorates those who served in the Boer War. The inscription is spread over the top three levels. Attached to the fourth level is a small bronze plaque commemorating the 100th anniversary of the sacrifice made by Samuel Charles Atkinson in the war. This plaque was placed by Shellharbour City Council and the Albion Park and Warilla RSL sub-Branches. It is dated 20 February 2000.

The lower section of the southern face bears a plaque commemorating those who served in the Great War. The names are inscribed in two columns and blackened. A simplified laurel wreath design decorates the top of the plaque. 

Eastern face

The eastern face of the plinth bears a plaque commemorating those who served in the Second World War. The names are inscribed in two columns and blackened. A simplified laurel wreath design decorates the top of the plaque. 

Western face

Attached to the western face of the memorial is a plaque commemorating the wreck of the United States tanker 'Cities Service Boston', which hit an offshore reef during a storm in 1943. The Captain drove the vessel onto the rocks of Bass Point to avoid it breaking up in deep water. The plaque is dedicated to four Australian Second World War veterans who died while rescuing the 62-man crew of the tanker. The names are inscribed on the plaque in alphabetical order and blackened. A simplified illustration of the ship decorates the middle of the plaque. More information on the history of this event can be found on Michael McFadyen's Scuba Diving website.

Inscription

Southern face - top section, first level

This monument was erected 

by public subscription

in memory of Samuel Charles

Atchison

Southern face - top section, second level

Who was killed

at Rensburg South Africa

on the 22nd February 1900

while in active service

in the British-Boer War

Southern face - top section, third level

Aged 24 years

Wait until thou hast fought

the noble strife,

and won: through Jesus Christ

the crown of life.

Southern face - lower section

Shellharbour Roll of Honor

The Great War

1914–1919

[Names]

Eastern face

Shellharbour Roll of Honor

World War II

1939–1945

[Names]

Western face

World War II 1939–1945

Wreck of U.S. "Cities Service Boston"

Bass Point - Shellharbour

May 16 1943

They died that others may live.

NX 133805 Sgt. Allen W.F

NX 127791 Private Pitt G.W

NX 118174 Private Snell R.J

NX 111705 Private Symons B.H

Unveiled by Ald. R.J. Harrison. Mayor

Shellharbour Municipal Council - 15.5.1983

6 Aust M.G.BN.AI.F Association 

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
F W Aitken First World War, 1914–18 view
Sergeant W F Allen Second World War, 1939–45 NX133805 view
K W Allen First World War, 1914–18 view
K P Anderson First World War, 1914–18 view
Private Samuel Charles Atchison South African War (Boer War), 1899–1902 17 South Africa 1899 - 1902 view
C M Blair Second World War, 1939–45 view
R W Boyce First World War, 1914–18 view
V J Buckley Second World War, 1939–45 view
R R Burke Second World War, 1939–45 view
A L Bursill First World War, 1914–18 view

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Address
Caroline Chisholm Park
14 Addison Street
Shellharbour NSW 2529
Local Government Area
Shellharbour, City of
Setting
Garden/park
Memorial type
Monument
Recorded by
Shellharbour City Council. Lake Illawarra High School students.
Year of construction
1900
Dedication date
30 May 1900
Conflict/s
South African War (Boer War), 1899–1902
First World War, 1914–18
Second World War, 1939–45
Materials
Concrete
Marble