Significance
Criterion AThe place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland’s history.
The Honour Board is important in demonstrating the evolution of Queensland's history, being a reflection of a sentiment that saw its expression in the public chronicling of the names of all servicemen.
The Honour Board is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a commemorative memorial erected by an employer in honour of employees who saw active service during the First World War and of the elaborate memorial metalwork carried out by Sydney firm Wunderlich Ltd.
The Honour Board exhibits in the elaborate art metalwork an aesthetic quality valued by the community.
History
Of the 331,946 Australians who embarked for overseas service, nearly 60,000 did not survive the First World War. Memorials were commissioned by service organisations, shire or city councils and by business groups. Some commemorated those who had died, while others recorded all who had served in the armed forces during the war. This honour board was erected by the Queensland National Bank in commemoration of those employees who served during this War.
The Sydney firm of Wunderlich Ltd, suppliers of architectural metalwork, manufactured the board. Listed in an oval centrepiece are the names of 115 employees of the Queensland National Bank who saw service during the war and returned. Around this are the photographs and names of 22 employees who died while on active service. The memorial was unveiled by George E Bunning, Chairman of the Queensland National Bank Board on 19 August, 1920. It is located to one side of the main entrance of the banking chamber, matched by a less elaborate Wunderlich honour board commemorating service of QNB employees during the Second World War.
Description
The honour board is a large bronze panel framed by mouldings and relief ornamentation, with lettering covering the pediment and frieze. In the upper corners of the panel are brass and enamelled representations of the Australian Commonwealth flag and of the Union Jack. In the lower corners are the brass bas relief figures of an Australian Infantryman and a Light Horseman.
