This sculpture was commissioned from Ray Ewers (World War II official war artist, born 1917) in 1954. It was intended to commemorate the sacrifices of Australians in all wars. Originally located in the Hall of Memory, it was moved in 1993 during the construction of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and now sits amongst a grove of silver birch trees which also serve as a commemoration to those who served.

The sculpture was cast by Battaglia & Co in Milan in 1959 based on the plaster that Ewers created a year earlier.

It would probably be rare to see a sculpture like this made in modern times. Without wishing to disparage, and recognising that it was a product of its time (the 1950's), the stance is perhaps a little too chisel-jawed and heroic for the contemporary period. Modern sculptures are more likely to be in the style of Peter Corlett who created the Simpson and donkey one in this gallery; ones depicting ordinary people in extraordinary situations.