The Boer War Memorial

Walk Parramatta is a 3-part walk: River Walk, Park Walk and Heritage Walk. The Tudor Gatehouse marks the start of our Park Walk.

The Boer War Memorial was erected in 1904 and is located on the high ground on top of the Crescent area. The memorial is an important example as the Lancer Barracks is still located in Parramatta and they were the first Australian troops to arrive in Africa in 1899 to serve in the Boer War. 100 Lancers including several from Parramatta and surrounding districts served there.

The four Doric columns and the entablature blocks and the cornice are from the Parramatta Courthouse built by Mortimer Lewis in 1837. The broken pillar in the centre of the memorial signifies “life broken short” to remember the lives lost in the War.

The cannon on top of the memorial is one of six nine-pounder field guns acquired by New South Wales in 1856 intended to be part of the defence of Port Jackson also.

The two Georgian cannons that sit either side of the memorial are from two proposed batteries to be raised as part of the defence of the Port Jackson area in the 1850′s.

[ Source: Parramatta Park Trust ]