Mounted Memorial, Canberra

About

The Mounted Memorial, Canberra is on Anzac Parade, the principal ceremonial and memorial avenue in Canberra, the national capital city of Australia. It is a copy of a memorial that was originally constructed in Port Said in 1932 but removed in 1956; a second copy was erected at Mount Clarence, Western Australia. The memorial was sculpted by Melbourne born sculptor, Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal (1863-1918) - it was his last piece before his death.

The memorial shows Australian Army and New Zealand Army horse riders in action. They are wearing the typical uniform of World War I including the slouch hat and the "lemon squeezer" campaign hat that are iconic of the 'Diggers' of Australia and New Zealand respectively.

The horse of the New Zealander on the right has been injured or shot, and the rider is falling to the ground; the rider on the left is supporting his mate.

A plaque at the front of the memorial records as follows:

This statue is a copy of one originally forming part

of a memorial which was erected at Port Said and

The original memorial bore the inscription

"Erected by their comrades and the governments

of Australia and New Zealand in memory of the

members of the Australian Light Horse, the New

Zealand Mounted Rifles, The Imperial Camel Corps

and the Australian Flying Corps who lost their lives

in Egypt, Palestine and Syria 1916 - 1919"

The statue itself was irreparably damaged during

the Suez Crisis in 1956. The remnants were brought

Two castings in bronze were made, the first of which

was erected on the original masonry base at Albany

Prime Minister of Australia on 19 April 1968

General Sir Henry ("Harry") George Chauvel

Australian cavalry leader of 1914-1918 who commanded