The Lone Soldier War Memorial at 35 Adelaide Road, Gawler South, was unveiled by the South Australian Police
Commissioner on 24 September 1921. It commemorates the World War I service and sacrifices of men from the Gawler
South community. The names of 164 soldiers who enlisted from Gawler South and Gawler Blocks are engraved on the
monument as well as the names of those who didn’t return.

The Memorial is a Local Heritage Place, listed due to its historical and social values, its role in the lives of local residents,
its association with a notable event, and its landmark quality.

Carved from Angaston marble, the Memorial is resplendent in its current location. Positioned to face Adelaide Road into
Gawler’s town centre, the monument stands proudly in the public domain with the Digger looking down Adelaide Road as
a ‘gateway’ to the town.

The Memorial has significant local cultural heritage value which was clearly demonstrated some years ago when there
was an application submitted to have the Memorial moved to a new location. The development application was ultimately
refused by Council’s Assessment Panel as the removal and relocation of the Memorial would diminish the historical
significance of the local heritage place.

Unfortunately, the Memorial has suffered from acts of vandalism, often just before ANZAC day. This has happened twice
in the last eight years. The Digger’s hand and gun have been broken off and the flag behind the Digger has been stolen.
Anti-ANZAC propaganda has also been attached to the Memorial in the lead up to ANZAC Day. Whilst the Memorial’s
flagpole is lit from behind, and the Memorial itself is relatively well lit during the night, there is no CCTV in the area to act
as a deterrent to such vandalism.

In March 2022 the Diggers’ hand and gun were once again broken off the statue and found lying on the ground nearby.
Council and the RSL Gawler Sub-branch have been considering ways to deter future vandalism prior to restoring the
monument again.  

“In October 2022, Council applied for a $10k contribution from the Australian Government’s Saluting Their Service
Community Grants Program to improve protection and preservation of the Memorial by installing Closed Circuit Television
(CCTV) to act as a deterrent to future vandalism,” said Mayor Redman. “In fantastic news, Council has recently been
advised that it was successful in this application.”

Delivering the Project provides the opportunity for the Memorial to remain in its historic location, in the public realm, where
the community can honour the service, sacrifice and experiences of Australia’s service personnel, with particular
emphasis on World War One service.

“Enabling the Lone Soldier War Memorial to remain where it is, serves to remind all passers-by of the Diggers’
contributions to protecting Australia,” said Mayor Redman. “With the Memorial being in situ for over 100 years, it
reinforces the local community’s acknowledgment to wartime heritage and this project will enable this to continue into the
future.”

The media may wish to make contact with: Mayor Karen Redman on 0421 839 359