Ashford War Memorial And Ornamental Gates To Garden Of Remembrance

Heritage listing

Details 750/0/10050 CHURCH ROAD 07-FEB-07 ASHFORD WAR MEMORIAL AND ORNAMENTAL GA TES TO GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE II War memorial and memorial gates. 1924, with World War II additions. The monument is built from Chilmark Portland Stone and takes the form of a tall octagonal-sectioned Latin cross surmounting a square section pedestal of roughly equal height to the cross. The pedestal is surmounted by a wide moulding and has bevelled corners framing the bronze tablets containing the names of the fallen in relief, set in double columns. Below the bronze tablets the lower part of the pedestal contains inlaid plaques on each of the four faces. That of the main (west) face reads 'They gave their lives in war that we in peace might live'. The plaque on the east side appears to be of modern date and reads 'In memory of those who gave their lives in all conflicts throughout the world'. The remaining two plaques are blank. The centre of the cross incorporates a roundel containing '1914' on the west face and '1918' on the reverse, carved in relief. The monument is set on a large octagonal base of three low steps and with low ornamental walls of Kentish Ragstone, topped with Portland caps on those sides of the octagon facing the corners of the pedestal. To the outer faces of these walls are affixed bronze plaques containing the names of the dead of the Second World War, five per wall, surmounted by a small oblong plaque bearing the date '1939-1945'. The plaques are divided between service personnel and civilians. Among those named on the First World War memorial is Sergeant Harry Wells, 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, who was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross at the Battle of Loos in 1915. At the entrance to the memorial park, facing the west side of the memorial, stand ornate

From the Historic England List Entry under OGL v3.