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Rats of Tobruk MemorialPrint Page Print this page

28-April-2023
28-April-2023

Photographs supplied by Bill Bale

This monument is a replica of the one built by 9th Division Engineers in the Tobruk Cemetery in North Africa. It is dedicated to both those men who died during the Siege of Tobruk between April and December 1941 and those who returned and have since died.

The Siege of Tobruk was a confrontation that lasted 241 days between Axis and Allied forces in North Africa during the Western Desert Campaign of World War Two. The siege started on 10 April 1941, when Tobruk was attacked by an Italo–German force under Lieutenant General Erwin Rommel and continued for 241 days up to 27 November 1941, when it was relieved by the Allied 8th Army during Operation Crusader.

The “Rats of Tobruk” was the name given to the soldiers of the garrison who held the Libyan port of Tobruk against the Afrika Corps during the Siege. 

The garrison, commanded by Lieutenant General Leslie Morshead, consisted of the 9th Australian Division (20th, 24th, and 26th Brigades), the 18th Brigade of the 7th Australian Division, four regiments of British artillery and some Indian troops.

Location

Address:Albert & Alma Streets, Jeffries Park, Rockhampton, 4700
State:QLD
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -23.372651
Long: 150.505634
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

Monument Type:Monument
Monument Theme:Conflict
Sub-Theme:WW2
Actual Event Start Date:03-September-1939
Actual Event End Date:15-August-1945
Link:http://www.qldwarmemorials.com.au/P…

Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:Friday 15th August, 1997
Front Inscription

They shall not grow old
As we thar are left grow old
Age shall not weary them
Nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun
And in the morning
We will remember them

Lest We Forget

Rats of Tobruk Memorial

Left Side Inscription
Freedom
Back Inscription

Unity

Rats of Tobruk Memorial

The construction of the Rats of Tobruk Memorial and the development of Jeffries Park has been a joint project of the Rockhampton Sub- Branch of the Rats of Tobruk Association and the Rockhampton City Council Parks and Recreation Department made possible by the generous support of the community

Unveiled by the Honourable Bruce Scott MP Minister for Veterans` Affairs

Dedicated by the Reverend Canon John Waqrby E. D L. O. A

15 August 1997 

Rockhampton City Council
His Worship the Mayor Councillor J. McRae J. P.
Chairperson Parks and Recreation Councillor R. A. Swadling

Councillor V. Bastin-Byrne      Councillor J.C.J. Rundle, A. I. M. M., J. P. (Deputy Mayor)
Councillor  G. A. Belz, Dip Teach., B. A., B. Ed., Grad Dip Mgmmt, A. I. M. M.     Councillor S. J. Schwarten B. A.
Councillor  D. Bunt                  Councillor M. Strelow, Dip Teach (Prim), B.EA. CH. ED., M.Ed.St.
Councillor  T. Owen Hansen   Councillor J. Webber
Councillor  J. Pearson

Rockhampton Sub- Branch Rats of Tobruk Association
C. Dodds President

J. Heelan, Vice President           R. Hewitt
V. Keily, Vice President               S. Kelly
R. McInnerney, Vice President    N. Lewis
G. Holmes, Secretary                  H. Macarthur
A. Boys                                        S. Mullin
W. Buss                                       S. Pearce
B. Chase                                      J. Thornbery
J. Crouch                                     F. Walker
W. Devonshire                             T. Williams

R. D. Noble, B. Comm(Hons). F. C. P. A., F. I. M. M.  Chief Executive Officer
T. A. Wyatt Director Parks and Recreation

Right Side Inscription
  Sacrifice
Source: MA,SKP,QWMR
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au