Matakana War Memorial

The Matakana War Memorial is located in the village of Matakana 67 kilometres north of Auckland central business district in the North Island of New Zealand.
Originally commissioned,.., as a War Memorial to the men of the Matakana district who gave their lives to King and Country in World War 1. In 2007 a second name plaque was added to the Memorial’s plinth by the Warkworth & Districts Returned And Services’ Association to honor those local men who lost their lives in World War 2.
Since it’s dedication, in 1920 this Memorial has served as a site for the annual observances of ANZAC Day (25 April) and Remembrance Day (11 November) and is a significant war memorial in the district.
Background
Designed and sculptured by the English artist William Henry Feldon, the memorial comprises of a statue of King George V standing in full military dress uniform with a sword in hand, upon a large concrete plinth.
Traditionally, prior to World War 1 statues of importance were carved from Italian Marble, however due to the war this was difficult to obtain resulting in Feldon carving King George in Oamaru Stone. A hard compact limestone quarried at Weston, near Oamaru, Otago, New Zealand. Its ease of working appealed to sculptors and examples of Oamaru stone sculpture can be found throughout New Zealand.
Commissioned in 1918 by the Matakana Memorial Committee the monument was completed in 1920 and dedicated on 24 April 1920 by the Honorable Joseph Gordon Coates, the Minister of Defence and Public Works. Although the New Zealand Prime Minister of the time the Rt. Hon. William. F. Massey had originally agreed to dedicate the memorial he was unable to attend due to the arrival of the Prince of Wales in New Zealand. However, in hindsight Joseph Coates was very appropriate to dedicate the memorial due to his family ties to the area having been born and raised on his family farm on the banks of the Kaipara Harbour.
Originally the front of the plinth had the following metal inscription -
This Monument was erected by public subscription as a thanksgiving to almighty God for Peace and victory and in memory of the men of this district who fell in the Great War 1914 - 1918
Major S C Ashton PTE D Cruickshank
SGT M Vipond PTE C L Leeds
PTE J Vipond PTE H J Rowe
PTE E C Brown PTE W R Rowe
PTE W H Braithwaite PTE H B Scott
PTE W. Birdsall Driver W H Stevens
PTE E J Ingram
Their Duty Nobly Done - December 1919"
However over the years this degraded and disappeared. Then in 2007 new bronze plaques were attached - one with the original inscription and a second plaque listing men from the World War 2 with the following inscription -
“In memory of the Men of this district who fell in World War 11 1939 - 1945
M Anderson N Bradman
E Collins M Cotterill
R Mumford A Nottman
R Sharp
They gave their all the highest price to give
Their previous lives that we in peace may live.”
More information on the men listed on the memorial can be found on the Memorial’s Facebook page: “Matakana War Memorial”. Scroll down the TIMELINE for biographic information.
Symbolism
In review of the historic context of this memorial the carving and acceptance of a statue of King George V the reigning monarch of Britain and New Zealand would have been appropriate. The Matakana district was settled predominately by English immigrants during the late 19th century. Consequently, the parents of the Men listed on the memorial may have been born in England. Their respect for the monarchy and in particular King George V would have translated into a view that this statue was appropriate to honor their sons.
William Henry Feldon the sculptor was also an immigrant having been born in Oxford, England.
Sculptor
William Henry Feldon born 16 June 1871 in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England. At the age of 13 and inspired by sculpture and carvings in Oxford, he became an apprentice sculptor to H. J. Arnett. After 5 years he moved to London and worked continuously as an architectural sculptor and modeller in marbles, stones, cement and wood. In 1910 he immigrated to New Zealand and continued his work, much of which survives today. Works such as:
- Auckland Town Hall
- - Auckland
- Mother & Child - AMP Society of Auckland
- Arawa War Memorial - Rotorua
- Helensville War Memorial
During his life William was a member of the Order of Freemasons and served in the 2nd Sussex Artillery as 2nd Lieutenant.
He died in 1945 the age of 74 years and is buried in the Purewa Cemetery, Meadowbank, Auckland.
Neglect and vandalism
Over the past 50 years the monument had been neglected and was subjected to a series of thoughtless acts of vandalism, the first recorded incident was in 1938. These attacks have resulted in several replacement heads and a general deterioration of the statue and plinth.
Relocation and restoration
In 2006 the Memorial was relocated 50 metres to make possible the expansion and improvement of a major intersection in the Matakana Village. The Matakana War Memorial is now located on the Riverglade Lawn Accessway & Esplanade Reserve at the entrance to the village of Matakana, North Auckland. The land on which it stands is currently owned by the Auckland Council.
A major restoration was performed on the Memorial commissioned by the Auckland Council and a new head was carved and placed by Stephen Woodward and Pascal Murello in 2014. A re-dedication ceremony was performed on April 23, 2014 and the memorial was blessed by the Kaumatua from the local Maori Iwi Ngati Manuhiri. Also in attendance Chair of the Rodney Local Board Brenda Steele, Rodney Ward Councillor Penny Webster, NZ First MP and Deputy Leader Tracey Martin, representatives of the Warkworth RSA and members of the public
Commemorations
After the relocation and refurbishment, of the Memorial there has been a resurgence of the laying of wreaths and public attendance at the memorial during the ANZAC memorial week. In 2015 the Matakana Pony Club held a War Horse Parade that lead to the memorial where a service was held to honor the Horses that served in the First World War.
Research
During 2014 an extensive program of research on the memorial and the men listed was undertaken resulting in the development of a dedicated Facebook page
References

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