National War Memorial, Adelaide

The National War Memorial in Adelaide stands as a solemn tribute to the Australians who fought and sacrificed during the First World War. Opened in 1931, it was the first Australian state war memorial to be confirmed after the war, funded by the State Parliament of South Australia. Despite its initial focus on honoring the nearly 35,000 South Australians who served and the more than 5,000 who fell in "The Great War," the memorial was designated as the "National War Memorial," a title that was already associated with the memorial to the South African War of 1899–1902.

Designed by the architectural firm Woods, Bagot, Jory & Laybourne-Smith, the memorial is a masterful blend of architecture and sculpture. It features marble reliefs and bronze statues by Rayner Hoff, depicting two key scenes: the prelude and epilogue of war. These scenes encapsulate the youthful willingness to serve and the profound sacrifices made, emphasizing not a material victory, but a victory of the human spirit.

The construction of the memorial began in 1928, using marble sourced from Macclesfield and Angaston. By the time of its unveiling in 1931, it became the fourth state World War I memorial to be opened in Australia. In 2001, on its 70th anniversary, the memorial underwent a significant restoration project to preserve its bronze and stonework details and reinforce its foundations, ensuring that it continues to serve as a powerful reminder of the cost of war.