Coventry War Memorial facts for kids

The tall Coventry War Memorial tower.

The Coventry War Memorial is a special tower in War Memorial Park, located south of Coventry, England. This tall tower, which is about 26.5 metres (87 feet) high, was finished in 1927. It was built to remember people from Coventry who died in wars. The memorial was fixed up in 2011. In 2013, it became a Grade II* listed building, meaning it's a very important historical site. The park itself and its main gates are also listed as important historical places.

Why Was the Memorial Built?

After the First World War ended in 1918, the city of Coventry wanted to remember the 2,587 people from their city who had died. In 1919, the Coventry City Council set up a committee to plan a memorial. They decided that a public park would be a good way to honor these brave people.

Creating the Park

People in Coventry raised a lot of money, about £31,000, to buy land for the park. The land was in an area called Stivichall, on high ground between two rivers. The park, which is about 120 acres (48.5 hectares) big, opened in 1921. It had a formal garden area and a separate part with playing fields.

The park was designed with paths leading from the central monument. Along these paths, special copper beech trees were planted in 1925. More than 200 trees were planted, many with a bronze plaque to remember an individual person. Some trees were even Verdun oaks, grown from acorns from a famous battlefield. More memorial trees were planted after the Second World War.

Designing the Tower

It took some time for Coventry to build its main war memorial. In 1923, the committee asked architects for designs. They chose a tower designed by a local architect named Thomas Francis Tickner. Sadly, Tickner passed away in 1924. Another local architect, Thomas Reginald John Meakin, then took over building the tower.

People raised more money, about £5,000, to build the tower. Construction started in 1925 and the tower was finished in 1927.

What Does the Memorial Look Like?

The memorial tower is made of strong reinforced concrete and covered with Portland stone. It has a modern Art Deco style with some classic details. The tower is square-shaped and used to stand on a stepped platform. In 2011, this was changed to a round granite platform with steps and a ramp.

The corners of the tower are very strong and step back in ten layers. At the very top, there is an "eternal light" that shines forever. Stone stands near the corners hide lights that shine on the memorial at night.

Special Features

On the north side of the tower, there is a tall stone cross carved into the stone. Below it, you can see a carved wreath and the dates of the two World Wars: "1914-1918" and "1939-1945". There is also a carving of Coventry's city symbol and a shelf for flowers. The south side also has a cross and a shelf for tributes.

On the platform, there are bronze discs that remember men from Coventry who received the Victoria Cross. This is the highest award for bravery in the British military. These include Charles Edward Haydon Parker (from the Boer War) and Arthur Hutt, Henry Tandy, William Beesley, and Alfred Edward Sephton (all from the First World War). Another bronze plaque has a famous quote from Laurence Binyon's poem "For the Fallen".

Inside the Tower

On the east and west sides, there are openings with large bronze doors. These doors, added in 1928, have carvings of a cross and the war dates. Inside the tower is a special room called the Chamber of Silence. Here, you can find a roll of honour which lists the names of all the people from Coventry who died in the wars.

The roll of honour was later made longer to include those who died in the Second World War and other conflicts, like the Gulf War. The Chamber of Silence is usually open to the public on Remembrance Sunday each year.

Dedication Ceremonies

The memorial was officially opened on October 8, 1927, by Field Marshal Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig. Important people from Coventry and families who lost loved ones were there.

After the Second World War, the memorial was dedicated again by Bernard Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein. In 2011, the park and tower were fixed up with money from special funds. The tower was dedicated once more in October 2011 by the Bishop of Coventry, Christopher Cocksworth. On July 17, 2014, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge visited and dedicated the park as one of the first "Centenary Fields" in the country.

Images for kids

• 

  The memorial tower with its new circular platform.

• 

  A view of the memorial from the park.

• 

  The main gates of War Memorial Park.