Yarloop War Memorial

The Yarloop War Memorial stands proud within the town of Yarloop and bears the names of 199 men who returned, including two Victoria Cross recipients. Importantly, it also names 57 local soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice.

After World War 1, communities erected war memorials to express their grief for the loss of loved ones. The Soldiers’ Welcome Home Committee contributed around £150 towards the Yarloop Returned Soldiers’ War Memorial Fund. The remaining funds were raised by a popular girl competition, rebranded as the Battalion Queen Contest, to meet the required £700.

The design for the War Memorial was won in a competition by sculptor Pietro Porcelli, who also carried out its construction and erection. The granite obelisk, 20ft 6 inches high, with crouching lions carved in South African white marble, was unveiled on Anzac Day 1922 by Lieutenant Colonel Manning, DSO, OBE.

This Memorial commemorates members of the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) employed at Yarloop, Nanga or Hoffman Mills for at least three months prior to enlistment, as well as those who had lived in the area. The World War 2 plaque lists only those killed in action.

Unfortunately, the Memorial was damaged by the January 2016 Bushfires, but remedial work was completed in time for the Anzac Day 2016 Dawn Service, which was attended by more than 1,000 people.