Services Reconaissance Dept.
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This Memorial comprising rough hewn grey blue granite blocks with polished red granite insets on both sides commemerates those who gave their lives in covert operations* against the Japanese Forces in the Islands to the North of Australia in WW2,it was erected on Garden Island and unveiled by the Premier,The Hon.D.R.Mclarty MLA on 6th.November,1949. The front inset is inscribed:
Erected in memory of the members of SERVICES RECONNAISSANCE DEPARTMENT who gave their lives for King and Country in the Pacific Campaign during World War 2
1939 - 1945
below which is engraved a map showing Australia and the Northern Islands followed by the areas of operations Singapore,Malaya,Timor,Java Sea,New Guinea,China Sea,New Britain,Borneo and Philipines. The inset on the other side is the Roll of Honour,it bears 113 names including 8 British Forces,3 New Zealand,1 Portugese Army and 5 civilians; all three arms of the Australian Forces are represented. Garden Island was the base for special forces during WW2 and it was from here that most of the operations* against the Japanese Forces in S.E.Asia were launched. On the 19th.December,1946 surviving Special Force members who were residents of W.A. held a meeting which resulted in the formation of the "Z Special Unit Assn. of W.A.". In 1947 the Association decided to build a Memorial at Garden Island, a committee was formed under the Chairmanship of Major Colin Ednie-Brown who had been Senior Training Officer at Garden Island, at this first meeting members donated £12.0.0, by the end of 1948 donations amounted to £56.16.0 with a further £50.0.0 promised by ex Special Force members elsewhere in Australia and England. Major Colin Ednie-Brown in private life was an Architect and provided his services free in the design of the Memorial which was completed in 1949 at a cost of approximately £300.0.0. In 1975 the constuction of HMAS Stirling Naval Base required the Memorial to be relocated to a new site nearby.*
*The Heroes" by Ronald McKie details two such operations.
* Historical details courtesy of Lt.Col. E. W. Dubberlin, Sec. Z Special Unit Assn.