PORTSMOUTH WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 - Detailed Information
Compiled and copyright © Martin Edwards 2008

The Portsmouth War Memorial is to be found at the Guildhall, Portsmouth. It takes the form of a central raised cenotaph surmounted by a stone casket. Behind is a semi-circular wall bearing the names of the fallen on bronze panels. The entrance is flanked by pedestals bearing sculpted figures representing a seated Army Vickers Gunner on the left and Royal Navy Lewis Gunner on the right. Mounted on the cenotaph is an urn and there are panels in relief on each face of the cenotaph depicting wartime scenes. There are stimated to be about 4,500 names listed for World War 1. The memorial was unveiled on 19th October 1921 by H.R.H. Prince Arthur Duke of Connaught; the site cost £20,000, the memorial £2,500, the sculptor was Charles Sargeant Jagger and the architects were Messrs Gibson and Gordon. In 2007 the memorial was vandalised for the 3rd time.

Photograph from an old postcard

THIS MEMORIAL WAS ERECTED BY THE PEOPLE OF PORTSMOUTH IN PROUD AND LOVING MEMORY OF THOSE WHO IN THE GLORIOUS MORNING OF THEIR DAYS FOR ENGLAND'S SAKE LOST ALL BUT ENGLAND'S PRAISE. MAY LIGHT PERPETUAL SHINE UPON THEM

THIS MEMORIAL WAS ERECTED BY THE PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION IN HONOUR OF PORTSMOUTH'S SONS WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918

IN MEMORY OF THOS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN WORLD WAR II 1939-45.

Last updated 28 October, 2022