Hall of Memory

In 1937 the Australian War Memorial board commissioned Napier Waller(1893–1972), an artist and former AIF soldier, to design stained-glass windows and mosaics for the Hall of Memory that was intended to commemorate the sacrifices made by Australians in the First World War. 

The mosaic inside the dome depicts the souls of the dead rising from the earth towards their spiritual home, represented by a glowing sun within the Southern Cross. The figures on the walls – a soldier, a sailor, an airman, and a servicewoman – recall the Australian experience of the Second World War.

This is one of the largest mosaics in the world. Over six million pieces of glass tesserae were used in the composition; it was installed by an Italian craftsman and took over three years to complete.

There are stained-glass windows on three sides of the Hall of Memory, each window divided into five panels. Each of the fifteen panels features a figure in the uniform and equipment of the First World War, and typifies one of the quintessential qualities displayed by Australians in war.

A powerful documentary paying homage to the Australian War Memorial’s Hall of Memory with its stained glass windows, mosaics and Byzantine dome.

This documentary draws upon archival material, including photos and documents held by the Memorial woven together with interviews and cinematic footage.

Available on DVD from the Memorial shop :https://www.awm.gov.au/shop/item/101024754