Unveiled on ANZAC Day 1925, the World War One Memorial reflects the scale of loss felt by the Thames community during and after the First World War (1914-18). Prominently sited on a high spur overlooking Grahamstown, the large concrete monument forms a local example of a national expression of grief following the end of the conflict. The structure has aesthetic and architectural significance as a large and distinctive public monument created by Dunedin-based architect Henry McDowell Smith, which incorporates uncommon design aspects for a war memorial including an octagonal columnar form. Unusually also commemorating all those from the Thames community who served as well as individuals who fell, the memorial - including its associated reserve - continues to be of a place for remembering the conflict and other wars in which local citizens were involved.
Te Kauaeranga was initially settled by Ngāti Huarere prior to conquest by Marutūahu iwi during the sixteenth century. Flat plains by the shoreline of Tikapa Moana-o-Hauraki (Firth of Thames) were generally cultivated, and defensive pā established on overlooking ridges. Prior to European arrival, the Thames foreshore was divided into numerous customary interests enabling hapū from throughout Hauraki to access pātiki (flatfish) in associated fishing grounds. Before 1870 the area that became Grahamstown was known as Tarakonaiti after a large pā situated beside the Karaka Stream. Two other pā sites have also been recorded close to the location of the later World War One Memorial: Tutukaka, a pā with a long association with Hauraki iwi, and Waiwhariki. Following the discovery of gold in 1867, a township at Thames rapidly grew, becoming the country’s fifth-largest settlement by 1871. A title was issued for Waiotahi A Block in 1873 to several Māori owners before passing into Pākehā ownership in 1882 when it was purchased by a mine manager, Robert Comer. The Crown acquired the property in 1904.8
Following the outbreak of the First World War - a conflict of national and international importance - initial discussions about a suitable memorial began. As early as 1916, suggestions were mooted to erect a memorial inscribed with the names of every serviceman from Thames. After fundraising was deferred until after the war, the Thames Peace Celebrations Committee led the project from 1919. Many forms of memorial were considered including buildings, swimming pools and a town clock, before in August 1921 a scheme for a memorial column in the hills overlooking Thames was adopted. In 1922 a site was selected, on a high ridge with good visibility to and from the township and Firth of Thames. This was at Waiotahi A Block.
Following a public competition, Henry McDowell Smith’s design for a tall column surmounting a plinth of Greek cross plan was chosen. Smith, a Dunedin architect who established a successful practice in the years after the war, had served as a rifleman during the conflict and later designed at least two memorials to the Second World War (1939-45). His winning scheme was subsequently modified to account for the ridge’s specific topography: a plinth of Maltese cross design was adopted and the monument’s overall height increased to 15.24 metres (50 feet). Finances for construction were largely secured through public fundraising. Erection of a reinforced concrete column appears to have begun by ANZAC Day 1924. This reflected a wider use of concrete for civic works in Thames following the war. In addition to other uncommon aspects of was memorial design, the monument unusually names all local servicemen –those who returned as well as those who fell. The memorial was completed in late 1924 and was formally unveiled on ANZAC Day 1925 at a service attended by about 500 people.
In 1928, floodlights in memorial urns were added to permanently light the column, as had been originally intended but initially too costly.16 Thames Borough Council took over its management from 1937.17 Additional names linked with the Second World War were added in 1953, and in 1962 the site was formally gazetted for use as a memorial reserve.18 Storm damage in 1966 necessitated a new column top and light. The floodlight urns were removed at an unknown date and walking paths around the reserve formed to facilitate public access. Regularly floodlit at night into the twenty-first century, the memorial continues to be a prominent Thames landmark.
Te Kauaeranga was initially settled by Ngāti Huarere prior to conquest by Marutūahu iwi during the sixteenth century. Flat plains by the shoreline of Tikapa Moana-o-Hauraki (Firth of Thames) were generally cultivated, and defensive pā established on overlooking ridges. Prior to European arrival, the Thames foreshore was divided into numerous customary interests enabling hapū from throughout Hauraki to access pātiki (flatfish) in associated fishing grounds. Before 1870 the area that became Grahamstown was known as Tarakonaiti after a large pā situated beside the Karaka Stream. Two other pā sites have also been recorded close to the location of the later World War One Memorial: Tutukaka, a pā with a long association with Hauraki iwi, and Waiwhariki. Following the discovery of gold in 1867, a township at Thames rapidly grew, becoming the country’s fifth-largest settlement by 1871. A title was issued for Waiotahi A Block in 1873 to several Māori owners before passing into Pākehā ownership in 1882 when it was purchased by a mine manager, Robert Comer. The Crown acquired the property in 1904.8
Following the outbreak of the First World War - a conflict of national and international importance - initial discussions about a suitable memorial began. As early as 1916, suggestions were mooted to erect a memorial inscribed with the names of every serviceman from Thames. After fundraising was deferred until after the war, the Thames Peace Celebrations Committee led the project from 1919. Many forms of memorial were considered including buildings, swimming pools and a town clock, before in August 1921 a scheme for a memorial column in the hills overlooking Thames was adopted. In 1922 a site was selected, on a high ridge with good visibility to and from the township and Firth of Thames. This was at Waiotahi A Block.
Following a public competition, Henry McDowell Smith’s design for a tall column surmounting a plinth of Greek cross plan was chosen. Smith, a Dunedin architect who established a successful practice in the years after the war, had served as a rifleman during the conflict and later designed at least two memorials to the Second World War (1939-45). His winning scheme was subsequently modified to account for the ridge’s specific topography: a plinth of Maltese cross design was adopted and the monument’s overall height increased to 15.24 metres (50 feet). Finances for construction were largely secured through public fundraising. Erection of a reinforced concrete column appears to have begun by ANZAC Day 1924. This reflected a wider use of concrete for civic works in Thames following the war. In addition to other uncommon aspects of was memorial design, the monument unusually names all local servicemen –those who returned as well as those who fell. The memorial was completed in late 1924 and was formally unveiled on ANZAC Day 1925 at a service attended by about 500 people.
In 1928, floodlights in memorial urns were added to permanently light the column, as had been originally intended but initially too costly.16 Thames Borough Council took over its management from 1937.17 Additional names linked with the Second World War were added in 1953, and in 1962 the site was formally gazetted for use as a memorial reserve.18 Storm damage in 1966 necessitated a new column top and light. The floodlight urns were removed at an unknown date and walking paths around the reserve formed to facilitate public access. Regularly floodlit at night into the twenty-first century, the memorial continues to be a prominent Thames landmark.
