Esk War Memorial
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| Esk War Memorial | |
|---|---|
 Esk War Memorial, 2010 | |
| Location | Ipswich Street, Esk, Somerset Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Coordinates | 27°14′24″S 152°25′16″E / 27.2401°S 152.4212°E |
| Design period | 1919–1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1920–1991 |
| Architect | George Brockwell Gill |
| Official name | Esk War Memorial and Esk Memorial Park |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600494 |
| Significant period | 1921– (social) 1921–1991 (historical, fabric-memorials) 1979–1985 (fabric – park) |
| Significant components | memorial – other, memorial/monument, park / green space |
| Builders | Frank Williams & Co |
  Location of Esk War Memorial in Queensland  Esk War Memorial (Australia) | |
Esk War Memorial is a heritage-listed memorial at Ipswich Street, Esk, Somerset Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by George Brockwell Gill and built in 1920 by Frank Williams & Co. It is also known as Esk Memorial Park. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.[1]
Esk Memorial Park was proclaimed a reserve for memorial purposes in 1979, but a First World War memorial has stood on the site, at the intersection of Highland and Ipswich Streets, since 1921.[1]
The memorial was commissioned by the Esk Patriotic Committee on behalf of the Shire of Esk. Subscriptions commenced in 1916, and tenders were called in April 1919 by prominent Ipswich architect George Brockwell Gill. The foundation stone was laid on 30 November 1920, and the memorial was unveiled on 28 September 1921 by General Lachlan Chisholm Wilson.[2] The masonry work was carried out by the Ipswich firm of Frank Williams & Co., and the art metalwork was supplied by Wunderlich Ltd of Sydney. It cost £885.[1]
This was not the first war memorial in the shire. Colinton had erected an honour board at the local School of Arts building in 1916, and a stone memorial in 1917. The Toogoolawah War Memorial had been unveiled in March 1917.[1]
In 1983 the memorial park was extended, and a stone memorial to Captain Patrick Logan, commandant of the Moreton Bay Penal Settlement who was murdered while exploring the Brisbane Valley in 1830, was erected in the park in 1984. The site was landscaped in 1985.[1]
In 1988 some of the lettering on the First World War memorial was restored, and two plaques commemorating Australian sacrifice in post-1945 conflicts were affixed. In 1991 another plaque was attached, honouring those who fell in the Second World War.[1]
Description
Esk Memorial Park, which contains two stone monuments and landscaped paths and gardens, is located in the main street of Esk.[1]
The First World War memorial consists of a sandstone plinth with four ionic corner pilasters and an entablature sheeted in bronze. Recessed into each of the four faces is a marble tiled panel with a bronze honour roll of 462 shire residents who enlisted together with the letters AIF and its emblem. The memorial sits on a stepped base of concrete aggregate.[1]
Three bronze honour rolls bearing the names of 83 local men who fell during the First World War are fixed to the side and rear of the plinth. Four commemorative plaques bearing inscriptions 1939 – World War II 1945, 1914 – The Great War – In Honour Of Our Boys – 1919, Korea – Malaya, and Borneo – Vietnam are fixed to the front of the plinth.[1]
Also located within the park is a memorial to Captain Logan. This consists of a single, upright sandstone block. Fixed to the northern face is a bronze plaque bearing an inscription in white lettering.[1]
The park is landscaped with native trees and palms, and includes pathways, a barbecue area, seating and a children's playground.[1]
