Boer War Memorial, Marine Parade, Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.
Posted by: 
greysman
S 39° 29.375 E 176° 55.149
60H E 493047 N 5628888
First erected in 1906, this memorial suffered badly along with the rest of the town in the 1931 earthquake and was not rebuilt until after the Second World War, in 1947.
Waymark Code: WMH2RC
Location: North Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 05/12/2013
Views: 4
In a prominent position on the plaza between Herschell Street and Marine Parade,
This Monument was Shattered by
Earthquake in February 1931 and
was Re-erected bt the Citizens of Napier
in February 1947.
H.B.M.Works. Napier.
This is recorded on a plaque below the main unveiling plaque which itself records:
This Memorial was Unveiled by
Lord Plunket.K.C.V.O.
Governor of this Colony
10th February 1906.
Committee
S.Carnell.Mayor. M.N.Bower. Town Clerk
C.H.Edwards.A.E.Eagleton. Hon Secy.
The main dedication plaque is at the base of the 'front' of the memorial, made of marble now somewhat discoloured. It records:
THESE TABLETS
Were erected by the people of Hawke's Bay
to commemorate the part taken by Troopers
from this district in the South African War
1899 to 1902. And as a tribute to the Patriotism
shown by them in offering their services in
the Empire's Cause.
First Contingent
Farier W.Peerles Trooper S.Northe
Trooper J.Cathfral died
" P.T.Emerson " F.Harding
Later Lieut.7th & 9th " J.G.Hughes
" T.C.L.Holroyd Later Lieut.D.S.O.also Capt.& Adjt.10th
Reserve
Lieut. O.H.M.Hovell
Later Lieut Manchester Reg.
Above the 'rebuilding' plaque is a small brass plaque from the Returned Servces Association which reads:
Returned Services Association
This Plaque Commemorates the 100th Anniversary of
the First Deployment of New Zealand Forces
Overseas.
On the 21st October 1899, the First Contingent of 215
Men and 250 Horses left Queens Wharf, Wellington
aboard the SS Waiwera for the South African War.
21st October 1999
The monument is tall, about 10m overall, and consists of four elememts. The base is an oblong block of stone with deeply chamfered corners, a chamfered top and a low skirt to the ground. It has the various plaques placed on the long sides. The second element is the obelisk, placed on the base towards the north end, it is of square section with an inverted coving at the base followed by some stepped coving and pediments. At its top are swages on each side and is about 2m high. Placed on top of the obelisk is an image of a soldier, mustachioed, and wearing plus fours indicating a trooper. He holds an inverted rifle as a sign of mourning, the only one depicted thus in New Zealand. The last element is the supporting lion, a male, holding a shield with two coats of arms and a crown above and with olive branches.
The marble plaques fixed to the sides of the base give the names of the soldiers who 'offered their services' rather than those who died. They left New Zealand in several contingents which are shown as First to Tenth. The names of Napier's First Contingent, seven men and one reserve, are shown on the dedication panel and are mentioned above. The Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Contingent names are shown on four panels mounted together to the right-hand side, the Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Contingent names on four panels, again mounted together, to the left-hand side, and the Tenth Contingent names on an individual panel at the rear. The Seventh Contingent panel has been cracked resulting in some of the names being indecipherable. There are 388 names in all and only a few are recorded as having been killed.
In the earthquake the head of the trooper became detached from his body and was 'lost' for several years. Intensive searching did not reveal its whereabouts and it was suspected as having been stolen. Seven years later a workman found the head on a riverbank when he was clearing some rubble and it was reunited with the body. Theft and guilt, your guess.
The memorial used to be a much grander object with the plaques arranged continuously around the lower part of the base. See earlier images at c1906 or 1907