The building and the ceremonial memorial were both erected in commemoration of the human sacrifices in the First World War. Later dedications honour participants in other wars.

Cenotaph Inscriptions:

1914-1918 Our Glorious Dead 1939-1945
South Africa 1899-02
Korea 1956-53
Malaya 1952-60
Borneo 1956-66
South Vietnam 1964-72