www.monumentaustralia.org.au

Lone PinePrint Page Print this page

07-July-2007
07-July-2007

Photographs supplied by John Huth

The Pine tree commemorates all serving members of the Australian Defence Force.

 

Location

Address:Showground Road, Tara Lagoon Parklands, Tara, 4421
State:QLD
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -27.271615
Long: 150.459943
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
View Google Map

Details

Monument Type:Tree
Monument Theme:Conflict
Sub-Theme:Multiple

Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:Sunday 11th November, 2007
Front Inscription

Lone Pine

Lone Pine - Gallipoli, was the scene of a major diversionary offensive launched by the 1st Australian Infantry Division on 6 August 1915, with the Australians defeating the Turks on 10 August 1915.  The Turks had cut down all but one of the trees that clothed the ridge to cover their trenches.  The ridge dominated by the single Aleppo Pine became known as Lone Pine and was destroyed in the fighting.  In three days of fighting the Australian lost more that 2277 men and the Turks losses were estimated at 5000 plus.  Seven Victorian Crosses were awarded.

As far as we know two Australian soldiers souvenired pinecones from the ridge that found their way back to Australia.

Lance Corporal Benjamin Smith of the 3rd Battalion, whose brother was killed in the Battle for Lone Pine, sent a cone home to his mother, Mrs McMullen at Inverell in New South Wales.  Mrs McMullen kept the cone for 13 years before planting the seeds in 1928.  She grew two seedlings, one of which she presented to the town of Inverell and the other to Parks and Gardens section of Department of the Interior in Canberra.  The Duke of Gloucester planted this second tree at the Australian War Memorial in October 1934.  Today is stands over 20 metres in height.

Sergeant Keith McDowell of the 24th Battalion carried a pinecone in his haversack until the end of WW1.  Upon returning home to Australia he gave it to his aunt, Mrs Emma Gray, who lived at Grassmere near Warrnambool, Victoria.  A decade or so later Mrs Gray planted the seed and four seedlings were grown.  One was planted in May 1933 in Wattle Park, Melbourne.  Another at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne and also at the Soldiers Memorial Hall at The Sisters.  The last was planted in the Warrnambool Gardens, Victoria.

This Lone Pine was planted by Howard Hobbs MP
11 November 2007

In memory of all serving personnel of Australia, for their pride, devotion, courage, selflessness and sense of service to others.

 

Source: MA
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au