There's a substantial, but little known Memorial for those of this locality who'd Gone West and were killed in action at (sic) Gallippoli, France, Flanders 1915 to 1918. Subsequently a smaller Roll of Honour stone was added for those killed in World War II.
Nearby is a road commemorating a local settler and here also lies a memorial for this settler who "was cruelly, brutally, and barbarously murdered" on this spot in 1864. His grave is in St Mary's Churchyard.
This was a time of war in and around New Plymouth. On this particular day, Sunday 28th February 1864, five settlers had been going along Frankley road looking for strayed horses or cattle. With this settler on horseback a couple of hundred yards ahead, the other four saw him raise his hand in warning, immediately turn his horse and canter back. He had inadvertently approached within 60 yards of an ambush lying on a little bank overlooking the road. The other settlers likewise turned and began running back towards town when they heard a volley and a fiendish yell close behind them, and looking round could see nothing of their friend, but instead some natives following them closely.
When the news reached town Colonel Warre sent out parties in different directions consisting of the 57th Regt, the Bushrangers, and volunteers for the occasion. But the first to arrive on the spot was a small party of settlers who having heard the firing, and well knowing what it meant, instantly set off in the direction they heard it in, so as to give help if possible. Joining with others coming from town they together went on to the scene of the tragedy and found the missing settler's body.
An inquest was held a week later at the New Hospital, before the Coroner, J. Flight, Esq., on the body of the deceased. It was the verdict of the Cononer's Court that the deceased was cruelly, brutally, and barbarously murdered on the public highway by certain persons of the Native Race ..., by gunshot and tomahawk wounds, and of which wounds he did then and there instantly die.
Fifty years later many of the Province's young men - Maori and Pakeha together - were cruelly, brutally and barbarously killed in the fields of Gallipoli, France and Flanders in the Great War. It is timely to remember all their sacrifices on the eve of the Centenary of that war and 150 years since the NZ (Land) Wars.
Please note there is poor parking in this area. Caution is advised. It is recommended you park further south down the road. Now a camoed pill bottle. (Previously it was not a travelling bug, but obviously did.)