National Service MemorialPrint Page
The National Service Memorial Fountain commemorates those who served as national servicemen under the two schemes created under the National Service Act 1951 (1951 - 1959) and the National Service Act 1964 (1965 - 1972).
The memorial is dedicated to the 290,000 young men who were called up for National Service and honours the 212 National Servicemen who died in action. 210 servicemen died in Vietnam and 2 died in Borneo.
The memorial fountain features a sandstone plinth (matching the colour of the Australian War Memorial itself) which symbolises the Army; the reflection of the sky in the black polished granite represents the Royal Australian Air Force and the water in the bronze bowl represents the Royal Australian Navy.
Location
Address: | Fairbairn & Limestone Avenues, Eastern Precinct, Australian War Memorial, Campbell, 2612 |
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State: | ACT |
Area: | AUS |
GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -35.281124 Long: 149.149104 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
Monument Type: | Fountain |
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Monument Theme: | Conflict |
Sub-Theme: | Multiple |
Approx. Event Start Date: | 1951 |
Approx. Event End Date: | 1972 |
Designer: | Richard Johnson (architect) , Johnson Pilton & Walker |
Dedication
Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Wednesday 8th September, 2010 |
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Dedicated to all Australian National Servicemen and in memory of all who died.
Plaque :
National Service Memorial
Officially unveiled by Her Excellency Quentin Bryce AC Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia
8 September 2010
Between 1951 and 1972, over 290,000 young men were called up for National Service.
Approximately 227,000 18-year-old Australian men underwent compulsory training in the Navy, Army and Air Force between 1951 and 1959, at a time of escalating international tension during the Cold War.
Almost 64,000 20-year-old men served in the Australian Army as National Servicemen between 1964 and 1972. They served in Borneo, Vietnam, Malaysia, Papua New-Guinea and Australia, and constituted 40 per cent of those who died on active service.
This memorial was designed by Johnson Pilton & Walker.