The Kaeo War Memorial Library was opened on 7 February 1923.
Although the building was designed in the style of a Californian bungalow its purpose was clear: the words SOLDIERS MEMORIAL appeared on the pillars of the portico, and a marble tablet beside the entrance was inscribed as follows: THIS BUILDING IS ERECTED / IN MEMORY OF THOSE / FROM THE WHANGAROA COUNTY / WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE / IN THE GREAT WAR, / 1914 -1919. / - / IN REMEMBERING THE DEAD LET THE / LIVING BE HUMBLED.
The Whangaroa County roll of honour, on display inside, listed the names of 32 men who had given their lives during the war. A similar roll of honour with another 27 names was added after the Second World War.
Appropriately, the Kaeo RSA now occupies the building.
See: ‘Kaeo War Memorial’, NZ Herald, 9/2/1923, p. 6; ‘War Memorial Library’, Heritage New Zealand, 1997
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