Models for the Le Quesnoy Memorial

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These models were gifted by sculptor Fred Graham (Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, Tainui) during the planning of the Cambridge Le Quesnoy Memorial. Graham’s design draws inspiration from two powerful symbols: the Eiffel Tower and the New Zealand silver fern. The star-shaped paving around the sculpture represents the historic walls that surround the town of Le Quesnoy in France.

Shared History with Le Quesnoy

Le Quesnoy (pronounced ler ken-wah) and Cambridge became sister towns in 2000. This special relationship honours a key moment in history when New Zealand soldiers bravely freed Le Quesnoy from German occupation in November 1918. One of the first links between the towns came through Chaplain Clive Mortimer Jones of St Andrew’s Church in Cambridge. After serving at the Western Front, he sought to commemorate the soldiers who went to war and helped to initiate the installation of a Le Quesnoy memorial window on the north side of St Andrews.

The sculpture was officially unveiled in Cambridge Domain on 2 November 2019. Its creation was supported by New Zealand’s World War I Centennial Commemoration Fund, and guided by the Cambridge Community Board. Board member Sue Milner helped oversee the project from start to finish.

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• Accession Number: CM4472/1-7
• When: 2017
• Materials: Paper, cardboard, wood
• Measurements: Height range between 18 and 44 cm

 

External Links:

• 25 Years of Friendship, Te Arawhata New Zealand Liberation Museum https://nzliberationmuseum.com/25-years-of-friendship
• Le Quesnoy Story Te Arawhata New Zealand Liberation Museum https://nzliberationmuseum.com/le-quesnoy-story/
• Cambridge-Le Quesnoy Friendship Association https://www.cambridgelequesnoy.co.nz/ 
• Le Quesnoy Window at St Andrew’s Church Cambridge Le Quesnoy Window at St Andrews