Locals gather at a memorial honouring people of Ipswich, Queensland, who served in the First World War, unveiled in December 1917. [AWM H17698]

War memorials commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australians during wartime, and are an important part of Australia’s cultural history. Most were created during or after the First World War, and were considered ‘surrogate graves’ for the families of deceased soldiers who could never visit their gravesites on overseas battlefields.

War memorials are subject to similar threats of deterioration as other outdoor collection items. The category ‘war memorials’ includes obelisks, pillars, cairns, cenotaphs, windows, statuary, flagstaffs, headstones, ornamental structures and plaques.

It is useful to document the appearance of your war memorial now by taking photographs and making a written report about its condition and colour, so as to better understand any future changes.

You may wish to employ an engineer of historic structures to check the memorial’s structural stability. Remember to consult the local government heritage advisor and engage an objects conservator if possible. The stability of the memorial is extremely important and will affect your ability to access and clean the object.

Clean your memorial using plain water and a soft brush, which can aid in the removal of debris and bird droppings. Monuments should also be kept clear of weeds that will attract pests such as mould and lichens. Don’t consider the use of a chemical cleaner without referring to a professionally trained conservator or heritage advisor.