Bundamba War Memorial

The Bundamba War Memorial was originally designed and constructed by F. Williams & Co of Ipswich as a memorial to those who gave their lives for King and Empire in the Great War 1914 - 1919. F. Williams & Co were responsible for the manufacture of a number of war memorials including Toogoolawah, with the company eventually changing ownership to become a subsidiary of J.H. Wagner & Sons which at the time was under the second generation ownership of J.H. Wagner & Sons Neill Wagner.On 19th March 2000, the original sandstone 'Digger' statue as extensively vandalised and although recovered the statue was too badly damaged to permit restoration and re-instatement onto the monument. J.H. Wagner & Sons had at this time provided many restoration services for Ipswich City Council on other monuments and were called upon to carve a replacement sandstone 'Digger'. From selection of our Helidon Sandstone block with patterning closely replicating the original monument and Digger, the sculpting works were undertaking with very accurate duplication of the original Diggers features, dimensions and details. The photograph images below demonstrate the carving progression at various stages at our Toowoomba factory.The replacement 'Digger' soldier statue in World War 1 uniform was officially unveiled on Remembrance Day 2000 and the original 'Digger' was re-located to the RSL club. The works by J.H. Wagner & Sons in preparation for the Remembrance Day 2000 unveiling included full restoration cleaning, replacement of joints, supply and installation of sandstone step treads and risers, repairs to lead lettering and installation of the new Digger.