The war memorial was erected on the then Memorial Oval in the 1920s by the community and the shire to remember those men and women who served our country from the North-Western Riding.
The monument was officially unveiled on 19 May 1922 by His Excellency, the Earl of Stradbroke, Governor of Victoria in the presence of the largest concourse of people which has ever assembled in the streets of Lilydale.
The memorial was elected to remember those local residents who gave their lives in the Great War.
When the memorial was first erected it had a soldier statue on top of it.
“A very large crowd gathered in Lilydale’s Main Street on Sunday to take part in the Anzac Commemorative Service and to witness the unveiling of the new war memorial.
“The monument, recently redesigned, now bears the names of the men from the North and West Riding of the Shire of Lillydale, who paid the supreme sacrifice in both world wars.
“The resemblance to a flaming torch replaces the old statue at the top of the column and when illuminated at night time will be an even more fitting tribute to those who gave so much for freedom.”
Speaking at the unveiling, Colonel TP Cook said the monument is in “the centre of the district from which they hailed…There will be many returned soldiers and the general public who will notice it – and noticing it – will think upon its significance and so recollecting, remember what the men did for them.”
A memorial wall has now been added which carries the names of local citizens who served in other conflicts – Malaya, Vietnam, Borneo, United Nations Peace Keeping Force and the Victorian Mounted Rifles.
More information about the War Memorial, other places, events or people is available at www.lilydalehistorical.com.au or by emailing info@lilydalehistorical.com.au.
Remember: yesterday is now part of our history.
