The Forecourt - Second World War Memorial

The Forecourt was designed by architect Ernest Milston, who had won the architectural competition initiated by the Shrine Trustees in 1949. Milston’s design consists of a large cross-shaped forecourt on the northern approach to the Shrine from the city of Melbourne. 

When it was dedicated in 1954, the Second World War Forecourt became an integral part of the Shrine’s symbolic structure. It was designed to accentuate the monumental nature of the Shrine and to provide an open air assembly point, functioning as a ceremonial parade ground. It is the central focus for the major commemorative services such as ANZAC Day.

The vast cruciform Forecourt and the massive Shrine which towers above it form a closely knit whole, though they commemorate the services rendered in two separate wars.

Brochure for the 1939-45 State War Memorial Appeal

Inscriptions

The inscription on the steps to the northern end of the forecourt reads:

Let all men know that this is holy ground

Upon the central slab of the forecourt design, bronze letters spell out the inscription:

We will remember them

Cenotaph

The Cenotaph in the forecourt stands at 12.5 metres in height. The sculpture on the Cenotaph is made up of six large stone fi gures bearing their fallen comrade on a bier (stretcher). The Army, Navy and Air Force are each represented by two stretcher bearers.

The… sculpture… was conceived as a simple, powerful composition intended to convey the emotions of sacrifice freely given to a great cause… In order to give full import to the emotional content of the composition… all irrelevant detail has been excluded.

Dedication by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, 28 February 1954, official souvenir booklet

The names of the theatres of war where each of the services fought in the Second World War are inscribed on the pillar.

The statutory weighs more than ninety tons and is carved in Footscary basalt.

Eternal Flame

At the foot of the Cenotaph sits the Eternal Flame, which was lit by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the dedication ceremony in 1954. The inclusion of the Eternal Flame in the forecourt design was inspired by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Belgium.

For all time after being lit by Her Majesty, this flame will burn, bearing witness to the heroism of those who gave their lives for the freedom of the world’s people during the years of the Second World War.

Dedication by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, 28 February 1954, official souvenir booklet 

Flagpoles

Three flagpoles in the forecourt fly the Australian flag; the Victorian State flag and flags of the services in rotation.

On special occasions the flags of Australia's allies, or the Unit Colours of service units, are flown.

Read more about the Flags of Remembrance