Milton holds three unique Anzac memorials that connect generations of military service—from the soldiers of World War I to those who served in Afghanistan. Just a few streets apart, these spaces each offer a different way to remember, reflect and learn.
Honouring Modern Service — The 42 for 42 Afghanistan Memorial Garden
Tucked alongside Suncorp Stadium on Chippendall Street, the 42 for 42 Afghanistan Memorial Garden stands as a quiet place for personal reflection. The garden features 42 black granite plaques arranged in a circle—41 of them carry the names of Australian soldiers who died during the Afghanistan campaign. The 42nd is for those lost to suicide and mental health issues after returning home.
Built by a group of veterans and supported by their families and community members, the garden offers an interactive experience. Each plaque includes a QR code, allowing visitors to access individual stories and photos on their phones. At the centre of the space is a life-size bronze statue of an Australian soldier kneeling beside an Afghan child—an image chosen to represent the humanitarian side of military service.
The garden was developed with care and involvement from those who served. It has become a place not only of memory but also of healing for many families and veterans across the country. It remains open to the public and is especially visited in the lead-up to Anzac Day.
A Church’s Record of the Past — Christ Church Honour Board
Just a few steps away is Christ Church, a heritage-listed Anglican church established in 1876. Inside the church is a wooden Honour Board listing the names of parish members who served in World War I.
The board is simple but powerful. Unlike more modern memorials, it reflects the early 20th century approach to remembrance—formal, grounded in the local parish, and focused on community connection. Each name represents someone from the Milton area who left home to serve overseas during one of history’s most devastating conflicts.
Today, Christ Church continues to serve the community. It remains a space where history is honoured and where many residents return each year to reflect and pay their respects.
A National Resource with Local Connections — The Virtual War Memorial
While the first two memorials are physical, the third is entirely digital. The Virtual War Memorial Australia (VWMA) is an online platform that documents the lives and service of Australian military personnel across all major conflicts.
Although not physically based in Milton, this digital resource links closely with the suburb’s two existing memorials. Visitors to the 42 for 42 garden or Christ Church can later search the VWMA website to find more information about a specific soldier, unit or conflict. The platform features records, photos, personal letters, and even classroom resources for students and educators.
It offers a broader view of Australia’s military history while still allowing for a personal, local focus—especially useful for those researching family connections or preparing for commemorations like Anzac Day.
One Suburb, Many Generations of Service
Together, these three forms of memorial—garden, honour board and digital archive—show how one Brisbane suburb continues to carry the legacy of Anzac service. In Milton, remembrance isn’t limited to a single day or a single war. It spans generations and grows with new tools, new stories and new ways to engage.
The 42 for 42 garden brings attention to the modern costs of war, while the Honour Board at Christ Church grounds that memory in a deep local tradition. Meanwhile, the Virtual War Memorial offers a bridge between the past and the present, giving people across Australia a way to connect to service and sacrifice from their own home.
Tips for a Meaningful Visit
The best way to experience all three memorials in Milton is to start with a quiet walk through the 42 for 42 Afghanistan Memorial Garden. Reading the plaques and scanning the QR codes offers a deeply personal connection to each soldier. Visitors often leave a flower or poppy by a plaque, or simply stand in silence.
From there, a short stroll takes you to Christ Church. If the church is open, take a moment to view the World War I Honour Board. Look at the names, consider their age, and think about the community that once knew them.
Later, from home or on your phone, you can visit the Virtual War Memorial website and explore more about the individuals you encountered. You might discover additional stories, photographs or connections to your own family.
Early morning or late afternoon visits to the physical memorials are often the most peaceful. Around Anzac Day, the area is more active, with small gatherings and community tributes. Whether you go alone or with others, these spaces offer different but meaningful ways to honour service and memory in the heart of Brisbane.
Published 11-April-2024
