Lower Hutt war memorials

Lower Hutt war memorials

Lower Hutt memorial

Lower Hutt memorial

Lower Hutt memorial

Lower Hutt memorial

Lower Hutt memorial

Lower Hutt's First World War memorial cenotaph and Second World War memorial library stand in close proximity today, and are therefore described together here.

The cenotaph was first unveiled in the Hutt Recreation Ground by Sir Francis Bell on Anzac Day 1923. It was inscribed with the names of 54 men from the area who had given their lives.

On 28 February 1956 Governor-General Sir Willoughby Norrie opened the Lower Hutt War Memorial Library in Queens Drive. Designed by architect Ron Muston as part of the city's new civic centre, the library building featured a memorial lobby and three impressive murals by Wellington artist Leonard Mitchell: two entitled 'Their Sacrifice' and 'Preserved Freedom' in the lobby, and one entitled 'Human Endeavour' behind the issues desk.

 In 1962, after much debate, the cenotaph was relocated to Andrews Avenue. In 1998 it was relocated again, this time to Riddiford Park, not far from the library's entrance. In 2004 tablets inscribed with a total of 345 Second World War names were added at its base, along with seven South African War, Korean War and Vietnam War names.

On 19 April 2015 an 'Anzac Lawn' was opened in Riddiford Park. This development had required relocating the cenotaph yet once more. It featured a stone wall inset with perspex panels echoing the colours of New Zealand flags, the armed services and medal ribbons.

One other memorial in the vicinity must be noted: on 22 January 1945, at the request of Lower Hutt mayor Mr J.W. Andrews, Mr and Mrs Hamuera Ngārimu of Ruatoria planted a  tōtara tree in Riddiford Park in memory of their late son Lieutenant Te Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngārimu, V.C. 

Sources: 'An Unveiling Ceremony', Evening Post, 26/4/1923, p. 9; 'Lower Hutt Memorial', NZ Times, 26/4/1923, p. 10; 'Memorial Tree', Evening Post, 22/1/1945, p. 4; David P. Millar, Once Upon a Village: A History of Lower Hutt, 1819-1965, Wellington, 1972, pp. 177-8; David McGill, Lower Hutt: The First Garden City, Lower Hutt, 1991, pp. 165-7; 'New Anzac Lawn for Lower Hutt set for rededication' (Stuff, 14/4/2015)

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