Roles Of Charles Bean And John Treloar

In 1915, Australia’s official war correspondent, Charles Bean, travelled with the AIF to the Western Front. The hardships of Australian soldiers, particularly in the battle of Pozieres, effected in Bean’s determination in the idea of creating a memorial museum dedicated to Australian soldiers in remembrance of their trials in WW1 and how faithfully they served their country, even in their dying moments.

Roles of Charles Bean and John Treloar

Charles Bean and John Treloar are known as the ‘founding fathers’ of the AWM. Their individual work formed as a collaboration to the conception, lobbying and creation of the memorial. Bean was appointed as official war correspondent in 1914, sending stories back home from Gallipoli. Witnessing avid interest

It was temporarily located in Sydney and Melbourne, but eventually found its permanent home in Canberra where it is now located.

The Design Competition

When an architectural competition in 1927 could not generate an adequate design for the building, entrants Sodersteen and Crust were asked to work together and produce a joint design. It brought together Sodersteen’s vision for the physical structure and Crust’s idea for cloisters to host the Roll of Honour. The core of today’s building, opened on Remembrance Day of 1941, is the fruition of their joint design.

Guiding Ideas for the exhibitions

Charles Bean made clear his wishes for the memorial to maintain a solemn tone focusing on commemoration and steering clear from the glorification of war, or triumph over enemy. Instead, he urged ‘relics’ to be used over ‘trophies’ and discouraged derogatory terms when describing former enemies in war.

He wanted the exhibits to be designed for maximum understanding, but also interest of viewers, even “75 years after the

The Roll of Honour is a major part of commemoration at the AWM as it engraves the names of over 102,000 Australians who perished during or due to their service for the country since 1885. Within the courtyard is a cabinet holding two volumes of the Commemorative Roll, containing names of more Australians who sacrificed their life. This includes serving in the conflicts of the Allied nations, the Merchant Navy or participating in civilian organisations aiming to aid in relieving those affected by such conflicts. Both Rolls are available for visitors to place poppies next to names that hold significance to them, otherwise simply as a sign of gratitude or respect.

The tomb of the unknown soldier is an integral symbol to Australia’s war history. It honours an unrecognised soldier, in reflection of all soldiers who served the country. It lies immediately below the dome to reflect the souls of those perished ascending to heaven.

The inscription at the foot of the tomb writes “He is all of them and he is one of us.”

Commemoration in the AWM on special dates such as Anzac Day and Remembrance Day share several customs and