Soldiers Memorial Hall
Sydney History
The Soldiers Memorial Hall in Balmain is
An annex built in 1919 attached to the rear of the historic St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, which was established in 1853 on Darling Street. Constructed to commemorate nine World War I soldiers from the congregation, this memorial hall is considered a significant, though sometimes forgotten, piece of local history in the Balmain area.
So many lives were lost in wars, now and yesterday. “Lest we forget” we say, once a year on Anzac Day. Wars are meaningless but the lives lost aren’t. Yet we keep their memories in abyss slowly sinking. Oh the pitiless grind of time.
A plastic chair, a rack, a ladder and a bicycle. Somebody is looking after this place. I can see a plaque behind the ladder, possibly the names of nine soldiers who never made it are on it.
I love when a picture speaks to you. So many layers of meaning. A quiet existence standing. A feeble voice whispering, some passerby to hear.
© 2026 Ergun Çoruh
Always a fan of B&W - particularly for historic buildings / locations. I like the way you’ve used the tree as a frame / counterpoint to the darker building on the left. Nice work.