Baxter Memorial close to going ahead on new site

With a new site and a new  design, the Archibald Baxter Memorial for World War 1 conscientious objectors is back on track.

Earlier this year, as the Archibald Baxter Memorial Trust was preparing to announce the winning memorial design, to be built in the Otago Museum Reserve, it was discovered a major partner in the project had partially withdrawn its support for the project.

Archibald Baxter Memorial Trust chairman and University of Otago National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies director Prof Kevin Clements said  after it became clear the trust had no realistic chance of retaining the Museum Reserve site for the memorial, the Dunedin City Council offered a smaller but more prominent site at the intersection  of George and Albany Sts.

The Archibald Baxter Memorial aimed to honour Mr Baxter and his companions in a reflective sculptural setting, offering visitors a chance to contemplate their sacrifice and consider alternatives to war.

"Unlike the Museum Reserve, this is not a place for quiet contemplation, but it is passed by large numbers of pedestrians and vehicles every day.

"This seems appropriate insofar as Baxter himself took his stand against the madness of war amid the noise and tumult of the front line in France and Belgium.

"We are happy with this site because it will attract many visitors and provide a talking point which other more spacious but remote sites would not."

Prof Clements said the memorial was being designed by Shane Woolridge, of Arrowtown, and Paddy Baxter, of Queenstown, and plans were expected to be complete by the end of this month.

At this stage, the memorial was expected to be made of stone, resembling three figures tied to posts on the front line, for Field Punishment No1.

It would be surrounded by native alpine plants which were favoured by Mr Baxter’s wife, Millicent.

It was hoped construction of the memorial would be complete by the end of next year.

"We just need to get final approvals and then we’re ready to go."

Prof Clements said the site presented some practical challenges, notably the presence of buried service pipes, so any structure would need to be removable to allow maintenance work.

"We are working closely with the council to ensure all such technical requirements will be met."