Work to restore the Thames First World War Memorial and safeguard it from the elements in the future is set to begin, says the Thames-Coromandel District Council.

Commonly known as the ‘Thames Monument', the iconic structure was unveiled on Anzac Day, 1925, and stands on a hill off Waiotahi Road overlooking the township and the Firth of Thames.

Restoration and protective works on the Thames First World War Memorial are set to start this month. Photo: TCDC

But in late 2015 some cracking was noticed on the upper sections of the structure, says Parks and Reserves manager Derek Thompson.

'The plaster on the memorial had never had any protective coating applied to it when it was first built, and over time this has led to a deterioration of the plaster,” explains Derek.

'Coupled with this, that there was never a dripline designed or installed on the overhang at the top. We've had 90 years of rain water sheeting across the face, more than would normally be anticipated, slowly eroding the plaster which has, over time, eventually eroded to form a crack.”

Thanks to a Lotteries WW1 Commemorations, Environment and Heritage Fund grant, council were able to commission a Conservation Management Plan. Then with a further successful funding bid from LWEH in June, physical restoration work will begin later this month.

'As well as repairing the crack and recoating the plaster in the damaged sites, we will also be installing a dripline to help protect the face of the structure,” adds Derek.

The programmed eight week restoration will start with installation of scaffolding and security fencing around the structure. The scaffolding will then be shrink wrapped so it's weather-proofed to allow for restoration work to proceed in all but the worst of weather

Monument and memorial restoration specialists Architectural Building Conservation Ltd will carry out the specialist restoration work while Matthews and Matthews Architects Ltd, who are themselves specialist conservation architects will be providing oversight in quality control and advice.

Local contractors will be used as much as possible to complete the scaffolding, security fencing, engineering and electrical work.

Three of the original four lights which formerly lit the monument have also been located in Thames. These were originally installed to uplight the structure at night, but due to vandalism, have since been removed.

One of the items that will be considered during restoration is a revamp of the lighting at the site.

'Budget-permitting, we are investigating better lighting of the structure as well as the possibility of restoration of the top cap to its original design,” says Derek.

'However, we don't know the extent of the deterioration until the experts have come face to face with the upper structure. It is a 91-year-old Monument, facing its first restoration. The extent of decay will determine just how much is left from the budget for other works such as the lighting.”

The crack on the western face of the Thames Monument. Photo: Kester Bradwell/TCDC

Part of the problem of caring for this icon is the difficulty of accessing the upper outer structure.

Its height is one of its redeeming features, but it also means that the experts will not definitively know exactly what they have to face until the scaffolding has been erected.

All council have been able to do up until now is take photos, look through binoculars and look at some drone footage and then analyse what they have seen, explains Derek.

'It's been frustrating to say the least, but until we get the scaffolding up, we won't know the full extent of the deterioration. What we are hoping for is that it is readily repairable, but we also have some contingencies planned.”

As much of the work is restorative, there will not be a dramatic difference to the look of the structure once it is unveiled and unwrapped.

The restoration will allow it to stand against time and weather for more years to come, ensuring the continued opportunity for a contemplative space and a place to remember those who served in WW1.

People will still be able to enjoy the views from around the site during restoration, however there will be no real opportunity to view what is happening behind the plastic.

All will be revealed when council, in collaboration with the Thames Heritage Committee including the RSA, Rotary and museums, officially unveil the completed restoration works during a planned official Armistice Day ceremony on November 11.

The Thames Monument is a memorial to the soldiers from Thames and the surrounding district who fought in WWI.

Bronze panels attached to the monument feature the names of Thames soldiers who lost their lives during WWI, along with names of soldiers who returned to this country and who later passed from wounds received during the war.

The Thames First World War Memorial Photo: Kester Bradwell/TCDC