Emden Gun Monument
Description
This war memorial is a 4" ships gun from the German raider Emden, which was sunk by HMAS Sydney in the First World War. The gun is mounted on a sandstone plinth, surrounded by a low iron fence. The plinth is inscribed with an honour roll of 22 names, which are divided into those who were killed in action, wounded, or received the Distinguished Service Medal.
The war trophy was unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Sydney, R. D. Meagher, on 21 December 1917. The well-attended event was reported in The Daily Telegraph the following day. In his address, the Lord Mayor said:
We are assembled today to participate in an historic function—to unveil a trophy of war, won by the youngest navy in the world under circumstances which bring a thrill of pride and gratification to all true Australians and faithful sons of Empire that the young Australian navy is worthy to rank with the great and glorious parent—the British Navy—not only in courage, seamanship, and devotion to duty, but also in mercy and magnanimity extended to a beaten foe.
The memorial is located in the south-east corner of Hyde Park South, facing in the direction of Oxford Street.
Inscription
Front
This monument
was erected by
the Municipal Council of Sydney
to commemorate the destruction of the German raider “Emden”
by
H.M.A.S. Sydney
commanded by Captain John C. T. Glossop R.N.
in the naval action off Cocos Island on the 9th November 1914
The monument being unveiled on the 21st December 1917
by
The Right Hon. R. D. Meagher M.L.C.
Lord Mayor of Sydney
W. C Layton
Deputy Town Clerk
Thomas H. Nesbitt
Town Clerk
R.H. Brodrick
Architect and City Building Surveyor
Left side
This monument is surmounted by a 4″ Gun taken
from the German raider “Emden” destroyed by H.M.A.S. Sydney
A gift from the Commonwealth Government to the
citizens of Sydney.
Right side
Killed in action
[Names]
Wounded
[Names]
Received Distinguished Service Medal
[Names]
Back
List of Officers on board H.M.A.S Sydney on the occasion
of the destruction of S.M.S Emden on 9th
November 1914.
[Names]
Do you know more about this war memorial?
Address
Hyde Park South
Cnr Liverpool and College Streets
Sydney NSW 2000
AustraliaLocal Government Area
- Sydney, City of
Setting
- Garden/park
Location status
Original locationMemorial type
- War trophy
Recorded by
Matthew HolleYear of construction
1917Established Date format:
$e_original_date = $entity->field_established['und'][0]['value'];
if (!empty($e_original_date)) {
$changed_date = strtotime($e_original_date);
$new_date = date("d F Y", $changed_date);
print 'Established date
';
print $new_date;
}
else{
print '';
}Dedication date
21 December 1917 Conflict/s
- First World War, 1914–18
Materials
- Metal
- Sandstone