Bell Block War Memorial (1921)

Located on State Highway 3, this memorial honours the men of Bell Block, Hillsborough and Tarurutangi who were killed in the First and Second World Wars.

Unveiled by Governor-General Lord Jellicoe at 2.15pm on 30 October 1921, the monument was erected by mason William Francis Short and the marble statue of 'Memory' was produced in Italy. More than 100 local returned servicemen, wearing their uniforms and medals, met at the Fitzroy tram terminus before marching to Bell Block where they were joined by members of the 4th Battalion Wellington Band for the ceremony.

Earlier in Jellicoe's visit, on his way from Whanganui to New Plymouth on 27 October, he had unveiled the Pātea District High School memorial avenue, the Manaia and Auroa memorials and the foundation stone of the Opunake Memorial.

Mnemosyne (Greek Mνημοσύνη) was the personification of memory in Greek mythology. This titaness was the daughter of Gaia and Uranus and mother of the Muses by Zeus.

Inscription on front:

In remembrance of the men from Bell Block, Hillsborough and Taururutangi Districts who gave their lives in the Great War of 1914-1918 in the cause of Liberty, Justice and Humanity.

Inscription on right:

Taururutangi and Hillsborough

Sgt J Cuthbert
Sgt H G N Skelton
Lance Corp M (Bill) Hayden
Trooper  A E Bishop
Trooper L Copestake
Pvt A E C Barriball

Pvt D Street
Pvt C W Sutherland
2nd Lieut W J R Hill MC
Rflmn D H Cooper
Pte A L A Duller

Short NP [Stone mason]

Inscription on left:

Bell Block

Sgt S Hoby
Sgt E A Dustow
Sgt H J Jeffery
Lance Corp K Corbett
Pte V H Holmes
Pte C E Street
Pte C H Potts

Inscription on rear:

Roll of Honour World War II 1939-1945

L/Cpl L K Arnold
Pte N J Hunter
Pte E T Karena
Pte T K Katene
Pte C A McLeod
Pte P C Moore
Pte D Puke           
Pte B C Sampson
F/O A D Howlett
P/O R Florence DFM
P/O J C Mallon    
P/O T A Mallon  

Small bronze plaque beneath:

This plaque was dedicated on 18 May 1990 to all who served on RNZAF Station Bell Block 1939-45 

[RNZAF Emblem] 

Per Ardua ad Astra

[literally 'through struggle to the stars', the official motto of the Royal New Zealand Airforce]