Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial is a war memorial in Westminster featuring a curved wall of grey-green granite from Western Australia. Water flows across the inscribed surface during summer months, creating a moving effect across the names of those commemorated.

The memorial was unveiled in 2003 and honours over 102,000 Australian military personnel who died during the First and Second World Wars. Its construction marks a major recognition of Australian war sacrifice on British soil.

The granite panels show the names of over 23,000 Australian towns where soldiers were born, creating a geographical link between the two nations. Visitors can locate the hometowns of the fallen and connect with the personal stories behind the inscriptions.

The memorial sits on a traffic island at Hyde Park Corner and is accessible to the public at all times without restrictions. Early morning visits are recommended to view the site calmly, as the location experiences significant pedestrian traffic during peak hours.

The memorial was built using granite from Perth, an Australian material that brings a southern hemisphere connection to London. This choice emphasizes the site's symbolic importance as a testament to enduring friendship between Australia and the United Kingdom.

Location: City of Westminster

Inception: 2003

Creator: Janet Laurence

GPS coordinates: 51.50210,-0.15150

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:50