Westbrook War Memorial

Westbrook War Memorial is a heritage-listed memorial at 114 Toowoomba Road, Westbrook, Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia. It was constructed in 1922 by Toowoomba masonry firm Bruce Brothers, and lies adjacent to the Westbrook Public Hall, which it predates. It stands 4.2 metres high, and consists of a statue of a digger atop a sandstone pedestal and base. The memorial contains the names of the 10 local men who died during World War I on the front face, and the 37 who served on the side faces. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.HistoryThe Westbrook War Memorial was unveiled Anzac Day 1922 by local MP, the Hon Littleton Groom. It was designed and executed by Bruce Brothers (successors of Walter Bruce) of Toowoomba, The memorial was erected by the residents of the district. It honours the 47 local men who served in the First World War, including the 10 fallen.About half of the families listed are represented by more than one member, two families by four members, indicating the impact of the war upon the small community.The town of Westbrook is located on the Darling Downs. The first white settlers arrived on the Downs in search of rich grazing land and by the 1840s, led by the Leslie brothers and John Campbell had established over twenty stations. Westbrook was the site of John Campbell's run. These stations prospered until their expansion was curbed due to the pressures of selection legislation and land was resumed for agricultural use. The area, which had previously been a primary producer of wool, diversified into wheat and dairy farming. By the 1920s, wheat had become the primary crop with state experimental farms located at Westbrook and other places providing the area with superior varieties of wheat.