Christchurch South African War memorial

Christchurch South African War memorial.

The unveiling of the Queen’s Jubilee Memorial statue in Christchurch’s Victoria Square was one of the last acts of Governor Lord Ranfurly, a keen supporter of New Zealand’s part in the South African War.

On 7 April 1904 he unveiled the tablets in the memorial’s pedestal dedicated to the Jubilee of Canterbury, the reign of Queen Victoria and the Canterbury men who lost their lives in the South African War.

Above the list of war dead is a carved tablet of a man in cap and gown standing in front of a globe with a scroll in his hand. It was originally intended that only the dead of the 3rd New Zealand Contingent would be inscribed. That was later changed to include all Canterbury men – those who were born or resided in the province or those who served in Canterbury contingents in the war – who died while on active duty.

The ceremony was witnessed by Mayor H.F. Wigram, Colonel Potts (representing Premier Richard Seddon who was ill), district Volunteer commander Colonel Porter, relatives of the dead, Canterbury pioneers, local body politicians and officials, clergy, judiciary and community representatives.

Further information

• ‘The Jubilee Memorial’, Star, 12 December 1902, p. 2
• ‘This Afternoon’s Ceremony’, Star, 7 April 1904, p. 2
• ‘The Queen’s Memorial – Unveiling the Tablets’, Star, 7 April 1904, p. 3
• Chris Maclean and Jock Phillips, The Sorrow and the Pride: New Zealand War Memorials, GP Books, Wellington, 1990