Broome War Memorial, Bedford Memorial Pk

Parent Place or Precinct

26192 BEDFORD PARK/DAMPIER MEMORIAL/WAR MEMORIAL

Statement of Significance

Bedford Park is of considerable significance for the War Memorial, Dampier Memorial, and other commemorations, and as one of the few parks in Broome town overlooking Roebuck Bay. Dampier Memorial is of considerable significance for the commemoration of William Dampier and for the association with Marshall Clifton, an esteemed architect of the Interwar period.

Physical Description

Bedford Park is triangular shaped open parkland in a tropical setting with some mature plantings including Boab trees and palms. A brick wall and iron gates form an entry statement across a corner truncation. The entry leads through to the Broome War Memorial and Dampier’s Memorial. Plaques and commemorative elements are located throughout the park.

History

Bedford Park was named after Governor Bedford and opened by him in 1924. In 1938, a memorial was installed in the Park commemorating William Dampier's visit to the North West coast. The Broome War Memorial and the pearl divers' decompression chamber are also in the park. The chamber was donated to Broome by English firm E. E. Heinke & Co, manufacturers of diving suits. The use of the chamber reduced the number of deaths from the bends from thirty-three in 1914 to one in 1918. In 1990, the Broome Historical Society sent the decompression chamber to Fremantle Maritime Museum for restoration. It was returned in 1992 and is now displayed in the Museum. Other memorials in the park include one honouring Hugh Davis (Pa) Norman, one of the pioneers in the pearling industry and another honouring his son, Edward (Ted) de Burgh Norman, and his wife Catherine Mary (Rene), who was the first Commissioner of Girl Guides in the north-west from 1932-1941. In 1938, a memorial was installed in Bedford Park commemorating William Dampier's visit to the North West coast in the Roebuck in the early 1700s. It was originally accepted that Dampier had landed at Roebuck Bay, but this has since been proved incorrect.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.