King George V Memorial, Canberra

51

King George V Memorial, Canberra

King George V Memorial, Canberra

The King George V Memorial, situated near Old Parliament House, is a significant tribute to the leadership of King George V during World War I. Erected in 1953, the memorial's creation was delayed from its original commission in 1936 due to the disruptions of the Second World War. Initially placed directly in front of Parliament House, the memorial was later relocated in 1968 to its current position, which was preferred by the sculptor Raynor Hoff and designer Harry Foskett.

The memorial features a prominent bronze statue of King George V, flanked by a granite pylon. On the opposite side of the pylon stands a stone statue of Saint George, symbolizing the king's role in leading Britain through the First World War. The base of the memorial is adorned with medallions representing key figures of the era: a nurse, a soldier, an airman, and a sailor, all of whom embody the wartime contributions of various service members.

Additionally, the memorial reflects historical ties with Australia through depictions of George V and his wife as they appeared during their visit to Australia in 1901, alongside key figures of the Australian Federation such as Henry Parkes, Samuel Griffith, and Edmund Barton. The imperial crown further connects the memorial to the broader context of the British Empire and its influence on Australian history.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Canberra. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 51 App

King George V Memorial on Map

Sight Name: King George V Memorial
Sight Location: Canberra, Australia (See walking tours in Canberra)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Canberra, Australia

Create Your Own Walk in Canberra

Create Your Own Walk in Canberra

Creating your own self-guided walk in Canberra is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Canberra Civic Center Walking Tour

Canberra Civic Center Walking Tour

Civic Centre, often simply called Civic, lies at the heart of Canberra, Australia's purpose-built capital. This central district is not only a hub for shopping and dining but also a significant cultural and historical site. At its core, lie an array of landmarks that tell the story of the city's past and vibrant present.

Starting with the Australian War Memorial, located at the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Canberra Downtown Walking Tour

Canberra Downtown Walking Tour

Australia’s capital, Canberra, is jokingly nicknamed the "Bush Capital” for the abundance of forested and natural reserve lands around. What's now the Australian Capital Territory previously has been inhabited by Aboriginal people for more than 20,000 years.

The name "Canberra" originates from the Aboriginal Australian language and means a "meeting place"....  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles