Virtual Tour of the Memorial

Colonial Commitments Gallery

Australia's early military history from European settlement to the end of the Boer War is presented here. The galleries tell of the part-time volunteers who trained to defend their homes against possible threats. We also learn of the courage and endurance shown by those who left home for active service in New Zealand, the Sudan, China and South Africa.

The exhibition consists of two main areas:

  • Soldiers of the Queen
  • Boer War 1899–1902

Colonial Gallery
360° Panorama featuring the Krupp field gun and HMCS Protector model
REL/01149.001 and RELAWM07945
Low resolution (234 Kb, Java)
High resolution (1.38 Mb, QuickTime™ VR)

HMCS Protector, RELAWM07945 Khaki Uniform, RELAWM15510 Boxer Rebellion relics Krupp field gun, REL/01149.001
Click to enlarge

Objects on display include:

HMCS Protector

HMCS Protector was completed in 1884 for the South Australian government. As the Colony's only warship the Protector was employed to patrol South Australia's coastal waters. The Protector served for three months in Chinese waters without seeing action. In 1922 the ship passed to the Royal Australian Navy and in 1914 saw active service around New Guinea.

Boxer Rebellion relics

During the nineteenth century China came increasingly under the influence of foreign nations. This domination was resented by most Chinese. In 1900 a patriotic group called the "Righteous Harmonious Fists", the members of which Europeans called, "Boxers", began to attack foreigners in Northern China.

Krupp Field Gun

British troops captured the Krupp field gun on display during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. It was later presented to the Commonwealth of Australia by the British government.

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