This memorial commemorates men from the Coromandel area who died serving in the South African War, World War I and World War II. It was erected after World War I, at a time when most New Zealand communities favoured ornamental memorials rather than the ‘useful’ halls etc that were erected after World War II.

In 1923, after some years of discussion and lobbying, 17 designs for the memorial were exhibited at the county council chambers. A public meeting was then held so that subscribers to the memorial fund could vote on their preferred design.

The middle section of the memorial is made from Coromandel ‘granite’ that was quarried at the northern end of the peninsula.