Location: Memorial Avenue, Timaru
Access: Public
Associated years: 1899 to 1902, 1904, 1905, 1926
Associated people/groups: South Canterbury soldiers in the South African War, local memorial committee, later First World War dead with South African War service
The Timaru Troopers’ Memorial remembers local men who died in the South African War, also called the Boer War. NZ History records the inscription: “This memorial is erected by the inhabitants of Timaru and districts to the memory of their soldier sons who died in action or from wounds or disease during the Boer War 1899-1902.” It also records names on the memorial, including men who served in South Africa and later fell in the Great War.
This stop is important because Timaru’s war memory did not begin at Gallipoli. The South African War was New Zealand’s first major overseas war, fought within the British imperial system. The memorial shows that before 1914, South Canterbury already knew the pattern of sending men overseas, receiving news of deaths, raising memorials and linking local service to events on the other side of the world.
Find a WUHoo: Compare its language with First World War memorials. What does it say about Empire, duty and country?
Postcard featuring the Trooper's memorial on the corner of High and King Streets, Timaru, circa 1905(?) opposite Alexandra Square before it was relocated. Depicts the memorial for troops who went to the Boer War. Note the Drill Hall in the background on High Street. The Troopers memorial was unveiled on 23 February 1905. Following the First World War the memorial was moved to its present site about 1929 to a triangle of grass bounded by King Street, Catherine Street and Memorial Avenue. Memorial Ave (previously Charles Street) now leads past the Troopers memorial to the cenotaph commemorating those lost in the Great War. Photographer Ferrier, William, Photographer, Timaru. Published by H J Anderson, No.1. South Canterbury Museum 1160
Troopers Monument 2026 - Photography By Roselyn Fauth
Official Guide: Timaru and surrounding districts. Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 10/05/2026, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/8923
FALLEN TROOPERS' MEMORIAL - TEMUKA PARK GATES.
Yesterday afternoon a large gathering of the Temuka public assembled to witness and take part in the formal unveiling and opening of the handsome Fallen Memorial gates at the north-western corner of Victoria Park. The weather was beautiful for the occasion, and everything looked its very best — all the surrounding country green and bright,and the trees in the park with their spring foliage well grown.
The ceremony was a semi-military, semi-civic function, all the available volunteers being paraded for the occasion ...
Mrs Twomey, on behalf of the Ladies Committee, formally handed the gates over to Mr Henry, the chairman of the Victoria Park Board. Mr Henry accepted them as a memorial to the men Temuka had lost ... He detailed the means by which the work had been done. Mr J S Turnbull had done the architect's work free of charge; Mr H B Hall, of Timaru, had contracted for the stone piers; Messrs Anderson and Co., through Mr J A Findlay, had made and erected the gates; and Mr Findlay had erected the picket fence, designed by the Gates Committee ; Mr H. Monahan made the concrete foundation for the fence railings. He requested Mr H Lee to perform the ceremony of opening the gates ...
A small marble panel is sunk in the top block of each pillar, and on each is inscribed the name of one of the troopers. The inscriptions are as follows :
"Lance-Corporal W Roddick, killed Bothasberg, SA. 24th Feb 1902."
"Trooper D Clarke, killed Klerksdorp, SA 14th Jan 1902." "Trooper J Counihan, killed Bothasberg SA 24th Feb 1902."
"Trooper W G Monahan, killed Bothasberg, 24th Feb 1902."
Timaru Herald 6 November 1903
Temukas Boer War Memorial gates unveiled 1903