An Otago Daily Times article has sparked debate about the origin of the Glenomaru war memorial.
Yesterday the ODT reported a resident had expressed "disgust'' that the cenotaph was broken.
However, an influx of readers have argued the memorial was intentionally designed to appear broken to honour lives lost in World War 1.
RSA member and Gore District Council research officer Bruce Cavanagh, said it looked the same as it did when it was unveiled on August 17, 1920.
He contacted the ODT to set the record straight.
"The picture with the article shows the [memorial] with a broken head. It's a tribute to the fallen soldiers.
"It's good to explore myths and legends. It's not easy to find the information but I've been researching memorials for years.''
An excerpt from the 1920 article confirmed details of the structure during its unveiling.
"Mrs R.C. Kerr then unveiled the monument - a broken pillar of New Zealand granite, resting upon a block of the same stone, itself set on a larger block of Port Chalmers stone, the whole raised on a concrete foundation, and surrounded by low concrete wall and railings.''
Glenomaru resident Kevin Boam, who had initially raised concerns, said he had since heard from a number of people that the top of the memorial was, in fact, not broken.
"I asked the [Clutha District] council years ago whether or not it's meant to be like that and if it had been damaged. Nobody knew at the time.
"The problem is, people haven't got a clue about it. They just look at it and think it's broken.
"It just looks messy. Even veterans are looking at it and saying the same.''
Mr Boam said he appreciated the feedback received since the article was published and "it would be fine'' with him if the memorial was meant to be that way.
- By Abbey Palmer
