Overview

The Glebe War Memorial was built in 1921 in honour of 174 local residents who served in the First World War including the Australian fast bowler, Albert ‘Tibby’ Cotter (1883-1917). It was constructed with funds raised by the Glebe community and designed by Glebe architect and prominent anti-conscriptionist William Martin (1852-1937).

Design Elements

Martin’s design is considered quite unique for a community war memorial, mixing both Egyptian and Greco-Roman architectural elements with Christian and Classical imagery. The main building is a cenotaph with an interior chamber, primarily made of stone, marble, bronze and concrete. A marble bust of an angel acts as a sentinel over the entrance to the enclosed chamber, while the busts of an Australian soldier and sailor flank the main building. The structure is capped by an impressive marble dome, on top of which rests a granite orb.

Treatment

ICS was commissioned by the City of Sydney to manage the conservation of almost every element of the memorial, including:

• Cleaning and repointing of the granite and marble
• Assessment of water penetration into the interior and rectification
• Cleaning of the three marble busts
• Restoration of the interior plasterworks
• Regilding of the roll of honour
• Replication of the original fence
• Repointing of the brick work on the steps
• Replication of the Victoria Cross bronze clasp on the top orb

More information

• Missing Victoria Cross restored, City of Sydney (includes a great video on the project!)
• Unique Glebe WWI memorial gets timely facelift,
  Sydney Morning Herald