Commander Holbrook Memorial Park is situated in the centre of the town of Holbrook in the NSW Riverina. The park commemorates Commander Norman Douglas Holbrook (1888-1976) after whom the town was named in 1915, and was dedicated as a war memorial to the town and district on 11 September 1971.
Within the park is a scale model submarine one-fifth the size of the HMS B11 commanded by Lieutenant (later Commander) Holbrook of the Royal Navy during the First World War. The model commemorates the endeavours of Holbrook who won the first Victoria Cross medal to be awarded to a submariner for his actions in sinking the Turkish battleship Mesudiye on 13 December 1914 in the Dardanelles. Holbrook successfully navigated the B11, an obsolete submarine built in 1905, through five rows of mines, and returned his craft back to the Mediterranean evading gun fire and torpedo boats, after having been submerged for nine hours.
Over 300 people attended the dedication of the memorial park, unveiling of the B11 model and the submarine “launching”. Holbrook Apex Vice President, Mr Robert Winnett, welcomed distinguished guests, including Hon. David Fairbairn MHR Minister for Defence, the Turkish Ambassador Mr Baydur, Admiral Sir Victor Smith KBE CB DSC, Chairman of Chiefs of Staff, Canberra, the British Naval Attache Captain V C Merry DSC RN, the Shire President Mr Ian Scobie, Council members, members of the clergy, and community to the event.
The dedication ceremony was performed by Reverend Dalba Primmer, Father Albert Stanley and Reverend Ronald Williamson. Following which Admiral Sir Victor Smith unveiled the submarine plaque. Captain V C Merry read a message from Commander Holbrook, after which Mrs Merry broke the traditional bottle of champagne across the submarine bows, officially launching the model.
The submarine, which cost $2,800, was donated to the people and shire of Holbrook by the Holbrook Apex Club. It was purchased with assistance from a Captain Cook Bicentenary Government Grant of $1,000 in 1970 and was constructed by Landsea Constructions, Sydney. Landsea’s owner, Mr Robert Walker, personally brought the model from Sydney and was present as a guest at the unveiling.
A bronze statue of Commander Holbrook is situated in the adjacent Germanton Park.