One of Cromwell’s long serving soldiers was on another mission last week as he made his way to a temporary resting place.

He is a well-known figure in the town, having graced the top of the Cromwell’s cenotaph since 1923 as a memorial to the soldiers who fought in World War 1, and then World War 2.

The cenotaph is the last connection to the Cromwell Memorial Hall site as we know it, with the demolition of the circa 1960s hall a month ago making way for construction of a new memorial hall and events centre.

Before the build could begin, the soldier and the place on which he has stood vigil needed to move, to join the memorial gun in temporary digs on the other side of the Cromwell Town and Country Club.

The World War 1 memorial plaque and stone were also moved during the delicate operation, and relocated for safe keeping while construction is in progress.

This is not the cenotaph’s first shift and won’t be its last: It used to be located at the entrance to Cromwell by the old bridge and was moved during the Clyde Dam construction days in the 1980s. 

Its next shift will be to a special memorial garden outside the new memorial hall and events centre when it is finished in about two years’ time.

After many weeks’ planning and a few sleepless nights, the move went without a hitch and was completed in about two hours.

Strategic planning took place to move the soldier to a new, but temporary, resting place. PHOTO: CODC

The 14-tonne cenotaph was braced with tie downs to prevent the lifting strops from damaging the marble.

The bases were horizontally cut, and the assembly secured by a steel frame and further supports to keep the marble statue attached to the concrete plinth. 

After being lifted by a 100-tonne crane it was relocated using an articulate flatbed truck.

Central Otago District Council property and facilities manager Garreth Robinson was pleased and relieved to see the cenotaph and all the elements of the memorial safely tucked away.

“We recognise how important the cenotaph and memorial are to Cromwell people and to the Central Otago district, and how much of a focal point it has been and will continue to be when relocated on the site in the memorial garden.

“Now that we’ve taken care of this important aspect of Cromwell’s past and future, building can begin, and we’re looking forward to seeing the project take shape, and keeping the community informed of the progress in the key stages and milestones over the next two years.”

The project team, in consultation with the Cromwell RSA, hoped that Anzac services could be held at the temporary site where the cenotaph is stored.

Next steps for the build through July to August include finishing the connections for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater, and also the new carpark.

This will be followed by ground preparation for new building foundations during August-September.