In December 1915, Charles Reade, a visiting town planner from England, proposed “a memorial for the fallen brave” on the crest of Western Hill to be built “as high as the public could afford.”
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When WWI hostilities ceased in November 1918, discussions started in Albury to decide on an appropriate memorial for Albury. Some favoured a memorial of some practical use such as conversion of Albury’s old hospital into a home for returned soldiers.
The idea of a memorial on Western Hill was revived in 1922. A War Memorial Committee had been formed and Stuart Logan proposed a steel reinforced concrete tower 150 feet tall. Local architect Louis Harrison prepared a sketch of a tower 166 feet tall. A motion was carried that the planning should proceed. The estimated cost was £4000 and a fund was established to pay for the memorial.
In July 1924 the Albury Banner reported: “A striking design for the Albury and District War Memorial has been adopted by the Albury committee.” The design by Louis Harrison was for a 100 feet tall tower, topped by a “Torch of Liberty.” It is said that the intention was one foot in height for every year since Hume and Hovell had passed through the district.
It was some time before funds could be raised. After a number of design changes, the contract was awarded in June 1924 to local builder T H Bartleson for £2460.
The original plan was to have the memorial complete in time for an unveiling during Albury’s centenary celebrations in November 1924.
The monument was unveiled on Anzac Day, April 25, 1925. The night was perfect – clear weather and no moon. The main speaker was General John Jackson Paine. The street lights were switched off and two minutes silence was observed while Jack Jarvie, bandmaster of Albury Town Band, played the ‘Last Post’ and ‘Reveille’ in the darkness and, as the sound died away, a hidden electrician brought the lights on slowly and the memorial came into view, high above the crowd and floating on air. It was a solemn and inspiring sight.
