Byford War Memorial
The Byford War Memorial was the first war memorial in the Byford region.
Historical information
Before the War Memorial was built in the form you see it today, Byford had a small Soldier's Memorial in the form of an addition to the old Agricultural Hall - which was made of timber and no longer exists. It once sat opposite where the current Shire buildings are today.
The Soldier's Memorial was funded by the local Progress Association in 1920. Set into stone in 1923, the honour roll lists the names of 51 local men who served their King and country in the Great War (World War I, 1914-1918). You can still see the honour roll in the front entrance of the Civic Hall.
Today, surrounded by a memorial garden, curved gravel rock wall, and mosaic paving, the Byford War Memorial stands in honour of those who served and died in armed conflicts far from home.
Physical description
Located within Byford Memorial Park, the War Memorial is surrounded by a memorial garden, a curved gravel rock wall, and mosaic paving. The mosaic tiles that make up the paving were designed and created by local school students in 2001.
The centre of the memorial is a plaque on a large granite boulder, which reads:
Byford War Memorial
In memory of those who gave their lives
World War 1 - 1914-1918
World War 2 - 1939-1945
Korean War - 1950-1953
Malaysian War - 1948-1960
Borneo War - 1962-1966
Vietnam War -1962-1972
Lest we forget
Present day
Today, Byford War Memorial hosts ANZAC Day events and is a place of remembrance and recognition for locals.
Further reading and references
- Coy, N. J. (1984). The Serpentine: A history of the Shire of Serpentine–Jarrahdale (p. 166). Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale.
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