Citizens' War Memorial

Last updated

Citizens' War Memorial
New Zealand
Flickr - Roger T Wong - 20100130-21-War Memorial.jpg
Citizens' War Memorial in Christchurch's Cathedral Square
For New Zealand dead of World War I
Unveiled9 June 1937
Location 43°31′50″S172°38′13″E / 43.5306°S 172.6369°E / -43.5306; 172.6369
Designed by William Trethewey (stonemason)
George Hart (architect)
In grateful remembrance of the sons and daughters of Canterbury who fell in the Great War 1914–1918 Give peace in our time o Lord.

The Citizens' War Memorial (alternate: Soldiers' War Memorial) in Cathedral Square, Christchurch, is one of the two major memorials in the city to World War I. It is located immediately north of ChristChurch Cathedral. The annual Anzac Day service was held there until the February 2011 earthquake; since then the memorial has been behind the fence around the cathedral. It is a Category I heritage structure registered with Heritage New Zealand. Between 2021 and 2022, the memorial was repaired and shifted 50 metres (160 ft) to the west. The Citizens' War Memorial was used for the 2023 ANZAC day dawn service in Christchurch. [1]

Contents

Geography

The Citizens' War Memorial is located in Cathedral Square in Christchurch. In its original position, it was immediately north of ChristChurch Cathedral on land owned by the Anglican Church. [2] The heritage tram passes the memorial on the road that goes behind and around the cathedral. [3]

The memorial was dismantled beginning in April 2021 and placed into storage, undergoing earthquake repairs. The redevelopment of the cathedral placed a visitor centre in the place of the memorial, necessitating its relocation. City councillors resolved to have it reinstated 50 metres (160 ft) to the west on land owned by Christchurch City Council. [4] In November 2022, the stone structure making up the memorial was completed, with the bronze figures to be installed over the coming months. The intention is to have the reinstatement completed by 25 April 2023, i.e. for Anzac Day. [5]

History

George Gould in ca 1923 George Gould, ca 1923.jpg
George Gould in ca 1923

George Gould (1865–1941) was a successful businessman, farmer and stock breeder. He was a director of The Press from 1903 until his death with one brief interruption. He chaired the board through the years of the Christchurch newspaper war in 1934–1935. [6] His company, Pyne Gould Corporation Limited, is these days listed on the New Zealand Stock Market.

After World War I, many ideas for a war memorial were put forward. Gould proposed a column opposite of ChristChurch Cathedral and by 1920, this was one of the three dominant proposals. The Bridge of Remembrance was adopted, while the hall of memories idea disappeared due to lack of support. [6] [7] Gould's idea received the support of the Canterbury Anglican elite. While the Bridge of Remembrance was unveiled in 1924, the Christchurch City Council opposed the Cathedral Square proposal and stopped it from going ahead. The argument was that the cathedral would dwarf the memorial, and that the bustling nature of the square was an inappropriate setting for a place of reflection. [8] In 1933, the Godley Statue was relocated from its position just north of the cathedral to its original location opposite it. Gould seized the opportunity and proposed the vacated site for the memorial, and the Anglican Church as the owner of the land agreed under the condition that a cross be incorporated into the design. Gould promoted the memorial as "an emblem of peace rather than ... war". While the original intention was to import statuary from England, the manufacturers' association wanted the work to be done locally and put Trethewey's name forward, but the Returned Services' Association opposed this as he had not gone to war. [2]

The Citizens' War Memorial in front of the Cathedral Cathedral Square Christchurch - 9.jpg
The Citizens' War Memorial in front of the Cathedral
Part of the large memorial where a bronze angel bends the sword of war War Angel, Christchurch.jpg
Part of the large memorial where a bronze angel bends the sword of war

The design was to be of peace not war; a cross should be included, as well as an expression of high ideals. [8] The memorial was designed by the architect George Hart (1876–1961) and the Christchurch sculptor William Trethewey (1892–1956). [8] According to Trethewey's son, the sculptor took out a pencil one lunch and sketched a possible war memorial. He took the sketch to Hart and from this, they produced the design. [9] The design was accepted in 1933, after which Trethewey refined it before carving the figures in clay, boxing them up, and forwarding them for casting to Arthur Bryan Burton's Thames Ditton Foundry in Surrey. Trethewey travelled to London and supervised the casting of the bronze figures. [8]

The Citizens' War Memorial (or Soldiers' War Memorial) [10] was unveiled on 9 June 1937 by Colonel S C P Nicholls, with Archbishop Julius conducting the service. [11] It was erected next to the cathedral on a site which had been occupied by the statue of John Robert Godley, which was moved back to its original location. [7] According to MacLean and Phillips in The sorrow and the pride: New Zealand war memorials, it is possible to make 'a good case...for it being the finest public monument in the country'. [7] [12]

Each year on Anzac Day, services are held at the memorial with thousands of Cantabrians in attendance. [13] In 2011, with the Christchurch Central City cordoned off following the earthquake in February, the service was held in Hagley Park instead. [14] In subsequent years, the annual service went to Cranmer Square. Just prior to the 2017 Anzac Day service, the Christchurch branch of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association (RSA) asked for the memorial to be relocated to Cranmer Square, as the protracted negotiations between the government and the Anglican Church about the restoration of the adjacent Cathedral deny the public access. [15] In 2020, it became known that the plans for the restoration of the Cathedral required the removal of the Citizens' War Memorial; it was agreed to be removed and put into storage unless a new location can be agreed on. [16] In April 2021, it was announced that the memorial would be relocated to the site of the old police kiosk slightly in front of its original location in Cathedral Square, the memorial will also be restored and repaired. [17] Between April 2022 and September 2022 the sculpture Sacrifice was displayed in the Canterbury Museum foyer. [18] The memorial was to be put back on display in time for Armistice Day 2022 (11 November), [19] but the date was missed. Instead, the structure minus the bronze figures was finished by end of November 2022. [5]

Ownership

The Anglican Church was the original owner of the memorial. With the 2022 relocation onto land owned by Christchurch City Council, the Anglican Church transferred ownership of the memorial to the city council as well as future maintenance. [20]

Design

The bronze memorial stands 16 metres (52 ft) in height. [21] The compilation of bronzes were cast in London and are characterised as classicising idealism. [22] The allegorical figures included Youth, Sacrifice, Justice, Valour, and Peace. [7] They were based on Trethewey's family and friends, such as Trethewey's daughter Pauline, [9] his workman, Bob Hampton who modelled for Youth, [2] as well as the religious figure of Saint George. [8] [21] An engraving at the base of the memorial states: [7]

In grateful remembrance of the sons and daughters of Canterbury who fell in the Great War 1914–1918 Give peace in our time o Lord.

Heritage registration

The memorial is registered with Heritage New Zealand as a Category I heritage structure. Originally registered in 1984 by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, its category was changed in 1995. [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christchurch</span> City in Canterbury, New Zealand

Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island and the second-largest city by urban area population in New Zealand, after Auckland. Christchurch lies in the Canterbury Region, near the centre of the east coast of the South Island, east of the Canterbury Plains. It is located near the southern end of Pegasus Bay, and is bounded to the east by the Pacific Ocean and to the south by the Banks Peninsula. The Avon River (Ōtākaro) flows through the centre of the city, with a large urban park along its banks.

Christ's College, Canterbury is an independent Anglican secondary day and boarding school for boys, located in the city centre of Christchurch, New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cathedral Square, Christchurch</span> Square in Christchurch, New Zealand

Cathedral Square, locally known simply as the Square, is the geographical centre and heart of Christchurch, New Zealand, where the city's Anglican cathedral, ChristChurch Cathedral is located. The square stands at the theoretical crossing of the city's two main orthogonal streets, Colombo Street and Worcester Street, though in practice both have been either blocked off or detoured around the square itself. The square was badly damaged in the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ChristChurch Cathedral</span> Church in Christchurch Central City, New Zealand

ChristChurch Cathedral, also called Christ Church Cathedral and (rarely) Cathedral Church of Christ, is a deconsecrated Anglican cathedral in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. It was built between 1864 and 1904 in the centre of the city, surrounded by Cathedral Square. It became the cathedral seat of the Bishop of Christchurch, who is in the New Zealand tikanga of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ANZAC Square, Brisbane</span> Heritage-listed war memorial in Brisbane, Queensland

ANZAC Square is a heritage-listed town square and war memorial located between Ann Street and Adelaide Street, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is a state memorial to the men and women who participated in overseas armed service and is named in honour of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. ANZAC Square is adjacent to ANZAC Square Arcade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy Trinity Cathedral, Auckland</span> Anglican place of worship in New Zealand

Holy Trinity Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral situated in Parnell, a residential suburb of Auckland, New Zealand. It is the 'mother church' of the Anglican Diocese of Auckland and the seat of the Bishop of Auckland. The current main church building was consecrated in 1973.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benjamin Mountfort</span> English architect, emigrant to New Zealand (1825–1898)

Benjamin Woolfield Mountfort was an English emigrant to New Zealand, where he became one of the country's most prominent 19th-century architects. He was instrumental in shaping the city of Christchurch's unique architectural identity and culture, and was appointed the first official Provincial Architect of the developing province of Canterbury. Heavily influenced by the Anglo-Catholic philosophy behind early Victorian architecture, he is credited with importing the Gothic revival style to New Zealand. His Gothic designs constructed in both wood and stone in the province are considered unique to New Zealand. Today, he is considered the founding architect of the province of Canterbury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cathedral Grammar School</span> Private full primary school in Christchurch, New Zealand

The Cathedral Grammar School is an independent, Anglican preparatory day school in Christchurch, New Zealand. The school is situated on a site covering two blocks in mid-Christchurch next to the Avon River and adjacent to Hagley Park, which it uses for its playing fields. It is in close proximity to Christ's College, the Canterbury Museum, the Christchurch Art Gallery and the Christchurch CBD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christchurch Central City</span> Central area of Christchurch, New Zealand

Christchurch Central City or Christchurch City Centre is the geographical centre and the heart of Christchurch, New Zealand. It is defined as the area within the Four Avenues and thus includes the densely built up central city, some less dense surrounding areas of residential, educational and industrial usage, and green space including Hagley Park, the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and the Barbadoes Street Cemetery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colombo Street</span> Main road in Christchurch, New Zealand

Colombo Street is a main road of the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. It runs south-north through the centre of Christchurch with a break at Cathedral Square. As with many other central Christchurch streets, it is named for a colonial Anglican bishopric, Colombo, Sri Lanka in what at the time was known as Ceylon. Parts of the street which run through Sydenham were known as Addison Street during the 1880s, and some parts were known as Colombo Road.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chief Post Office, Christchurch</span> Government, with some commercial enterprises in Christchurch, New Zealand

The Chief Post Office or Christchurch Central Post Office, originally known as the Government Buildings, is located in Cathedral Square, Christchurch, New Zealand. The building was initially a post office with Immigration, Customs and Public Works departments. The Government Buildings were later replaced by the new Government Buildings opened in 1913, and the Chief Post Office remained on-site. In 1881, New Zealand’s first telephone exchange was installed in the building. Post services were offered from the building until 2000 when it was re-purposed to house a Christchurch tourist information centre and a restaurant, café and offices. Following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake the building closed. In the early 2020s repairs and strengthening took place. The building was planned to reopen in 2023 in stages, and eventually include a restaurant, shops, and a visitor information centre, under the name "The Grand". The structure is registered with Heritage New Zealand as a Category I heritage building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Trethewey</span> New Zealand sculptor

William Thomas Trethewey was a sculptor and monumental mason from Christchurch, New Zealand. His best known work is the Citizens' War Memorial in Cathedral Square, Christchurch, where the city's annual Anzac Day service is held.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bridge of Remembrance</span> War memorial in Christchurch, New Zealand

The Bridge of Remembrance is one of two main war memorials in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is dedicated to those who died in World War I, and serves as a memorial for those who participated in two World Wars as well as subsequent conflicts in Borneo, Korea, Malaya, and Vietnam. Owned by Christchurch City Council, it is located on the Cashel Street Bridge at the head of City Mall. The Bridge of Remembrance was repaired and strengthened following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake and was reopened with a rededication ceremony held on Anzac Day in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Statue of James Cook, Christchurch</span> Statue in Christchurch, New Zealand

The Cook Statue in Victoria Square, Christchurch, commemorates the three journeys of James Cook to New Zealand. The statue, sculpted by William Trethewey, was unveiled on 10 August 1932 by the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe. It was donated by bookmaker and philanthropist Matthew Barnett (1861–1935).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church of St Michael and All Angels, Christchurch</span> Church in Christchurch Central City, New Zealand

The Church of St Michael and All Angels is an Anglican church located at 84 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch, New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cecil Wood (architect)</span> New Zealand architect (1878–1947)

Cecil Walter Wood was a New Zealand architect. He was the dominant architect in Canterbury during the interwar period.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Saviour's Chapel</span> Church in Lyttelton, New Zealand

St Saviour's at Holy Trinity is an Anglican church in Lyttelton, Christchurch, New Zealand. St Saviour's Chapel was relocated from West Lyttelton to Christchurch's Cathedral Grammar School in the 1970s. Following the earthquakes and the demolition of Holy Trinity Church, Lyttelton, St Saviour's was returned to Lyttelton to the site of Holy Trinity in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cranmer Square</span>

Cranmer Square is an urban park in central Christchurch, New Zealand. It is located 800 metres (870 yd) northwest of the city's centre, Cathedral Square. The major arterial route of Montreal Street skirts the edge of the square. The square is grassed and crossed by concrete paths and edged by mature trees. It covers an area of 1.9 hectares.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardboard Cathedral</span> Church in Christchurch Central City, New Zealand

The Cardboard Cathedral, formally called the Transitional Cathedral, in Christchurch, New Zealand, is the transitional pro-cathedral of the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch, replacing ChristChurch Cathedral, which was significantly damaged in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. The Cardboard Cathedral was designed by the Japanese architect Shigeru Ban and opened in August 2013. It is located on the site of the former St John the Baptist Church on the corner of Hereford and Madras Streets in Latimer Square, several blocks from the permanent location of ChristChurch Cathedral.

References

  1. ↑ "Anzac Day Dawn Service – Cathedral Square". Christchurch City Council . Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Greenaway, Richard L. N. (June 2007). "Bromley Cemetery Guide" (PDF). Christchurch City Libraries. pp. 24–27. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  3. ↑ "Tram Tour". Tram Christchurch. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
  4. ↑ Gates, Charlie (22 April 2021). "First bronze sculpture craned away from Christchurch war memorial". The Press . Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Cross returns to top of Citizens' War Memorial in Christchurch". The Press . 29 November 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  6. 1 2 Rice, Geoffrey W. "George Gould". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography . Ministry for Culture and Heritage . Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Citizens' War Memorial". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Phillips, Jock. "William Thomas Trethewey". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography . Ministry for Culture and Heritage . Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  9. 1 2 "Christchurch war memorial". Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 28 February 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2011.
  10. ↑ The New Zealand guide. 1 January 1969. p. 39. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  11. ↑ "The Citizens' War Memorial". Christchurch City Libraries . Retrieved 23 May 2011.
  12. ↑ Maclean, Chris; Phillips, Jock (1990). The sorrow and the pride: New Zealand war memorials. Historical Branch, GP Books. ISBN   978-0-477-01475-5 . Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  13. ↑ Sachdeva, Sam (25 April 2010). "Thousands turn out for Anzac dawn service". The Press. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  14. ↑ "Anzac Day still raw as thousands gather". Stuff.co.nz. 25 April 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  15. ↑ Spink, Emily (18 April 2017). "Call for cenotaph relocation". The Press . p. A3. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  16. ↑ Gates, Charlie (26 October 2020). "War memorial to be chopped into three pieces and put into storage". Stuff . Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  17. ↑ "Citizens' War Memorial on the move". Newsline. 22 April 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  18. ↑ "Citizens' War Memorial: Sacrifice". Canterbury Museum. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  19. ↑ "Message in a bottle hidden inside Cathedral Square war memorial reveals names from the past". The NZ Herald. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  20. ↑ "Citizens' War Memorial nearer to being restored to Cathedral Square". City Care. 29 November 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  21. 1 2 Dunn, Michael (2002). New Zealand sculpture: a history. Auckland University Press. pp. 46–47. ISBN   978-1-86940-277-8 . Retrieved 26 May 2011.
  22. ↑ Harper, Jenny; Lister, Aaron; Connew, Bruce (1 April 2008). Wellington, A City for Sculpture. Victoria University Press. pp. 58–. ISBN   978-0-86473-570-6 . Retrieved 26 May 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.