Otago Sculpture Trust

In Site Library - Greater Dunedin: Boer War Memorial (The Oval) (1906)

InSite

Otago Fallen Soldiers' Memorial.........The Oval..........Carlo Bergamini

When the Imperial troops passed through Dunedin in February 1901 on their to way to fight in the second of the South African (Boer) Wars they were greeted by large enthusiastic crowds. Local men volunteered for this patriotic enterprise and the army was cheered onto the train that carried it away.

The campaign finished in 1902 and in early 1904 it was decided to erect a memorial to those that had died. Two designs were short-listed from a number submitted. Both were by artists living in Dunedin. This was in contrast to the recently commissioned statue of Queen Victoria which was executed by an Englishman.

In fact, although the artist who was finally given the commission was a local monumental mason and carver, he was Italian born. His name was Carol Bergamini and he had lived in the Dunedin for over twelve years. His winning design was called "Amor di Patria" - love of the fatherland - a title that celebrated local pride in Dunedin's contribution to the war. At the same time it conveyed the sense that Britain was still the ultimate fatherland.

The design was sent to Italy where it was carved in Carrara marble. In its drama and elegance the monument is in contrast to the usual more realistic form of representation preferred for figure sculpture at that time. It stands 38 feet high and is topped by the life-size figure of a soldier defending a fallen comrade. At each of the four corners of the pedestal there is an ornamental trophy intertwined with regimental colours and a garland of laurel leaves, symbolic of fame. On the column itself the Union Jack and New Zealand flag, in shield form, are surmounted by a crown which again is wreathed in laurel. The cap of the column is broken by a heavy floral festoon. On the pedestal of Australian bluestone are inscribed the names of the 41 men who died.

To coincide with the unveiling in 1906, all schoolchildren were given a framed commemorative picture designed and drawn by the artist Robert Hawcridge. For many years light field guns, including a captured Boer gun, stood beside the monument.

Richard Dingwall

Text Copyright Richard Dingwall