Lieut. General Sir J.J. Talbot Hobbs Memorial

Statement of Significance

The place is an excellent piece of memorial design, with a well rendered likeness of its subject, set over an Art Deco style base of Donnybrook sandstone and Mahogany Creek granite against a background of Canary Island Palms.
The place commemorates Lieutenant-General Sir J. J. Talbot Hobbs, Western Australia’s most distinguished World War One soldier, and a renowned architect.
Since its unveiling in 1940, the place has continuously been the focal point for the annual Perth Anzac Day parade, being the point from which the salute is taken.
The place is significant as one of the major works by sculptor Edward Kohler to a design by well known architect Alex Winning, of Hobbs & Winning.
The place was the first memorial erected in Perth in commemoration of a distinguished soldier and is one of only a few public memorials to an individual erected in the Perth in the first half of the twentieth century.
The place is a rare example of a bust on a tall pedestal in this State, an important example of technical achievement in the World War Two period, and was the first bronze statue of its kind to be cast in Western Australia.

Physical Description

The memorial is approximately seven metres high and comprises a twice life-size cast bronze bust of Sir Talbot Hobbs in military uniform mounted on a deeply-fluted column of Donnybrook stone.
A sword, also of cast bronze, is suspended from the waist on the proper left of the figure. Two bronze Australian Field Artillery badges are located on either side of the memorial. The memorial is mounted on a low raised platform with pavers. The overall appearance of the memorial could be described as being in the Inter-War Art Deco style.

History

The memorial commemorates Sir JJ Talbot Hobbs – one of Western Australia’s most distinguished military soldiers. He is also acknowledged for being one of Australia’s leading military commanders from the First World War. Apart from his military career, Hobbs was a prominent architect gaining considerable recognition from his 1891 winning design for the prestigious Weld Club in Perth. Many major commissions were to follow from this. He was Treasurer then President of the West Australian Institute of Architects which was formed in 1896.

Integrity/Authenticity

High integrity.
Medium authenticity.

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Last Update

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