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6th Division Closeup
6th Division Closeup

Photographs supplied by Peter F Williams

The bas relief sculpture and plaque commemorate the men of the 6th Division who sailed from Australia to serve in campaigns in North Africa, Greece, Syria, Ceyon and Papua New Guinea during World War Two.

The 6th Division was re-raised at the outbreak of World War Two, when it was formed as a unit of the Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF). Throughout 1940–41 it served in the North African Campaign, the Greek campaign, on Crete and in Syria, fighting against the Germans, Italians and Vichy French. In 1942, the division left the Middle East and returned to Australia to meet the threat of Japan's entry into the war. Part of the division garrisoned Ceylon (Sri Lanka) for a short period of time, before the division was committed to the New Guinea campaign. In New Guinea, its component brigades had a major role in the successful counter-offensive along the Kokoda Track, at Buna-Gona and around Salamaua-Lae in 1942–43. Throughout late 1943–44, the division was re-organised in Australia before being committed as a complete formation to one of the last Australian operations of the war around Aitape-Wewak in 1944–45.

Location

Address:Wharf Stairs , Hickson Road , The Rocks , 2000
State:NSW
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -33.857444
Long: 151.20955
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

Monument Type:Plaque
Monument Theme:Conflict
Sub-Theme:WW2
Actual Event Start Date:03-September-1939
Actual Event End Date:15-August-1945
Artist:Lyndon Dadswell C.M.G.

Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:Sunday 17th July, 1983
Front Inscription

In Memory Of The Men Of The 6th Australian Division
Who Sailed From These Shores During World War II
1939 - 45 To Serve In N:Africa, Greece, Syria, Ceylon
& Papua New Guinea

Unveiled By His Excellency Air Marshall Sir James Rowland 
K.B.E. D.F.C. A.F.C. K.St.J. Governor of N.S.W. On July 17th 1983
Sculptor Lyndon Dadswell C.M.G.

 

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