Boer War Memorial

A local connection for the Boer War and Parramatta in ‘The People’s Park’.

The Boer War Memorial was erected in 1904. It’s one of comparatively few such memorials and is important because the first Australian troops to arrive in Africa in 1899 came from the Lancer Barracks in Parramatta.

The 100 Lancers from the nearby districts who took part in the Boer War were representing Australia, as distinct to Britain, in what was the nation’s first overseas military engagement.

The memorial has its Doric columns and entablature (the architrave, frieze, and cornice) blocks recycled from the Parramatta Courthouse built in 1837. The gun placed on top was purchased by NSW in 1856 as part of the defence of Port Jackson.

You’ll find the memorial in a prominent position on the ridgeline, where it serves as a landmark when viewed from outside the park boundaries.