The RAE Memorial Precinct is located in front of the Ryan Club
13 Field Squadron, Irwin Barracks, Karrakatta. W.A.
To view photographs of the various stages of construction and the people who helped make it what it is today, go to the Gallery and the Memorial section
The memorial was started in 1999 and was designed by Warwick Broomfield, the Association’s Senior Vice President who was an architect. Warwick served in WWII as a RAAF navigator in bombers, he then joined the Army in the late 40’s early 50’s and was in 13 Field Squadron as a Captain and in the CMF Troop of 22 Construction Squadron.
The memorial is designed to be a focus of respect for ALL Sappers and those who were attached to and served with Sapper Units. 13 Field Squadron, in who’s area the memorial is built acts as custodian alongside the Association. We have made the memorial as a “precinct”, that is the whole area in front of the Ryan Club is dedicated to the memory of our fallen Sappers, not just the central portion.
The viewing platform outside the entrance to the Ryan Club is a popular place with members as it overlooks the Precinct. On ANZAC Day, it is the commentary position for the Dawn Service.
Since the opening in 2000, Survey and Water Transport have taken the opportunity to include their respective monuments within the Precinct.
A memorial bench seat was installed in 2006 in memory of Warwick Broomfield who passed away in 2005.
In 2012, a World War 2 monument was officially opened by Norman Quartermaine, a Sergeant with 13 Field Company during WW2. The monument lists the names of the 68 Western Australian raised Units who fought in WW2.
Other items of attraction within the Precinct are a TD15 dozer and a 5 panel long standard Bailey bridge with end ramp.
There is still work to be done with individual monuments and unit plaques to be obtained and mounted on the Bailey panels around the platform and the mounting of name plates on the end wall of the lecture room facing the Precinct.
Ongoing maintenance of the Memorial and the surrounding grounds is carried out by the dedicated Sappers who form the 13 Fd Sqn “Parks and Gardens” section.
To view photographs of the Memorial and the surrounding Precinct, go to Gallery and the Memorial section.