New metal soldier added to Wagin War Memorial in time for Anzac Day commemorations

A moving tribute to Australian defence personnel has been added to the Wagin War Memorial in time for Anzac Day.

A metal cutout of a soldier was installed on the north-eastern side of the memorial on March 31 as part of upgrades to the site.

Shire of Wagin community liaison officer Donna George said the idea for the metal soldier came up in talks with the local RSL sub-branch, when a member mentioned metal artwork they had seen at other memorials.

“A browser search provided us with a wide range of options, and the soldier was favoured by the members of the league,” she said.

The body of the soldier displays the words of The Ode of Rememberance, from the 1914 poem For the Fallen by British writer Laurence Binyon.

Ms George said it was critical to the Shire to have the soldier in place by Anzac Day.

“The increased impact of the soldier has already become something of a talking point around town and ensuring he was onsite for the service was very important to the Shire and the members of the RSL,” she said.

Ms George said the community feedback on the soldier had been “extremely favourable”, with a member of the public adding a poppy to the work shortly after it was installed.

“The addition of the soldier has ensured the area is now much more inviting for members of the community to enjoy and remember the great sacrifice that was made for our freedom,” she said.

Shire president Phil Blight said the soldier had reinvigorated the memorial.

The metal soldier is the latest in a series of upgrades to the site, including new seating and replacement of the concrete pavement.

Wagin’s Anzac Day services are scheduled to start at 6am and 11am.