Sphinx Memorial - North Turramurra NSW
Posted by: 
jinkson
S 33° 41.324 E 151° 09.354
56H E 329071 N 6270828
Hewn from surrounding bush sandstone by 5756 Pte. W. T. Shirley as a memorial to fallen A.I.F. comrades from World War 1, the Sphinx is approximately 1/8th the size of the Great Sphinx, located on Egypt’s Giza Plateau.
Waymark Code: WMX1MP
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Date Posted: 11/13/2017
Views: 6
Pte. William Shirley was a patient of the Lady Davidson Convalescent Hospital for returned World War One Australian veterans. He sailed to war in January 1916 and served with the 13th Btn A.I.F. (the “Two Blues” – as a result of the Battalion’s two tone blue colour patch). Like many of his comrades at Lady Davidson he suffered from gas inflicted during the fierce battles on the Western Front - with the added complications of a tuberculosis infection.
Between 1926 - 1928, an ailing William Shirley laboured at creating his personal memorial to his fallen A.I.F comrades. The Sphinx took some one and a half years to complete. He died in 1929, leaving an unusual legacy in stone to be contemplated by the many bushwalkers who enjoy the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
Front Inscription
To my glorious comrades
of the A.I.F by the late
W. SHIRLEY
No 5756 Pte. 13th Battalion
Died 27th August 1929
(Plaque)
This Memorial, Following Restoration,
Was Rededicated On The 9th November 1995,
In Recognition Of The Selflessness And Sacrifices
Of The Members Of The A.I.F.
LEST
WE
FORGET
1914 - 1918
Statue Name: Sphinx Memorial
Style: Egyptian
Medium: Sandstone
Head Type: Man
Specify Other Head: Pharaonic
Head Namesake: No
Website: [Web Link]
Street Address:
Sphinx Road
North Turramurra, NSW Australia
2074
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