Brooklyn war memorial

Brooklyn war memorial.

Inscriptions on the Brooklyn war memorial.

Site	Style	Ornamentation	Unveiling Date	No of Dead
Hill	Soldier at ease	Wreath	22-Sep-1923	48

Credit

Jock Phillips and Chris Maclean c1986 and Jamie Mackay, 2007

How to cite this page

Brooklyn war memorial, URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/memorial/brooklyn-war-memorial, (Manatū Taonga — Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 29-May-2024

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Ryan O'Leary Posted: 22 May 2008

Just wondering why the number of dead is shown as 47 on the Brooklyn memorial, seems that there are a lot more names than that,or are the names shown of those who went to war and returned.Is that why the 'motherland' inscription is only on one face? It would be great if someone could clarify this for me. Also I think the memorial was unveiled in 1923, according to the W.C.C. conservation plan (which cites the Evening post 1923). Just curious as to where the 22 september 1922 date came from. Cheers.

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Jock Phillips Posted: 17 Jul 2008

Thanks, Ryan

The reason there are so many names is that on the two sides and the back side the names record those who served, not those who died. The only ones who died are those on the front of the memorial under the heading 'these men died for their country'.

In fact a recount shows that there were 48 who died, not 47; and according to the Auckland Weekly News the memorial was unveiled on 22 September 1923, not 1922. The report in that paper also says that 47 were killed, so either they could not count or one name was added later (but that does not seem likely since the names are in alphabetical order).

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admin Posted: 17 Jul 2008

Ok, I've changed the number and date now - thanks guys!

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Bob Waters Posted: 2 May 2010

Stanley Gordon Knight of 28 Taft Street Brooklyn lived to a great age, well into his nineties and lived at home till very close to the end with his wife Rachel. Two Daughters Edna and Tui. Stan looked after the community centre for many years, had a batch around the coast and loved fishing. His recollection of the war included hardship in the trenches and English officers not knowing a thing about what to do. Some were "dispatched" in the course of battle to save lives. Stan also spoke of the hospitality of the French to the young NZers.

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Freya B Posted: 17 Oct 2012

Hi I was just wondering how this memorial was funded and how they decided on the monument and the site? Also are all the names just residents from Brooklyn? Thanks

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Mully Posted: 22 May 2013

My interpretation of dates for opening/unveiling is that Colonel Mitchell laid a stone on ANZAC Day 1922 when construction began, or was underway, and that there was an official opening on Saturday 22 September 1923, by which time construction would have been completed. There is a full report in the Evening Post of 24 September 1923 (Monday) which can be read on Papers Past

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Anonymous Posted: 12 Oct 2013

Hi was wondering if anyone had any information with regards to the plaque at the foot of the Western face of the memorial (facing towards Mitchell St). The somewhat crudely mortared plaque reads: "To Commemorate the fallen in all wars. Lest we forget." It has clearly been subsequently added to the memorial (my guess would be shortly after the Second World War, possibly much more recently) for it is made of a different or newer material and is clearly incongruous with the other plaques on the other faces. Any thoughts?

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Jock Phillips Posted: 18 Apr 2016

Concerning the number of dead on the memorial, all the newspaper reports say that there were 47 names; but today there are 48. I suspect that A.J. Wilson was added later to make the 48th; because his name sits at the bottom of the middle column out of alphabetical order.

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