Crewe War Memorial facts for kids

The Crewe War Memorial is a special monument found in Municipal Square, Crewe, Cheshire, England. It features a bronze statue of Britannia, a symbol of Britain, standing on a tall stone base. The famous sculptor Walter Gilbert created this statue. It was first shown to the public in 1924. The memorial honors people from Crewe who lost their lives in the World Wars and other conflicts. Their names are written on bronze plaques around the base and on the paving stones nearby. The memorial used to be in Market Square but was moved to Municipal Square in 2006. This square was renamed Memorial Square in 2014. The memorial is a very important historical site, recognized as a Grade II listed building on the National Heritage List for England.

Why Was the Memorial Built?

After the First World War, the people of Crewe wanted to build a monument. This would honor the 700 soldiers from their town who died in the war. Crewe already had a memorial for the Boer War, built in 1902–03 in Queen's Park.

The town hoped to create a joint monument with the London and North Western Railway. This railway company was a major employer and landowner in Crewe. However, the railway already had its own memorial at Euston station in London.

In 1922, the town council's War Memorial Sub-Committee decided to build a monument in Market Square. Money for the memorial was raised through public donations. They also hoped the railway company would help pay. Seven different designs were submitted. The committee chose the design by Walter Gilbert, which showed a bronze figure of Britannia. Gilbert was the art director for H. H. Martin and Company in Cheltenham, who were chosen to cast the statue.

Building and Moving the Memorial

The foundations for the memorial were laid in September 1923. It was officially unveiled on June 14, 1924. General Sir Ian Hamilton unveiled it, and the Bishop of Chester dedicated it. The total cost of the memorial was £1,600. The railway company contributed £600 of this amount.

After later wars and conflicts, more names were added. These included names of those lost in the Second World War, the Falklands War, the Gulf War, and other conflicts. In 2004, the Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council decided to improve Market Square. This meant the memorial would need to be moved.

In November 2005, the memorial was taken to the National Conservation Centre in Liverpool. Here, it was carefully restored. The memorial was then installed in its new home, Municipal Square, in October 2006.

What Does the Memorial Look Like?

Britannia in its former location in Market Square

The main part of the memorial is a bronze statue of Britannia. She stands on a pedestal made of Darley Dale limestone. This whole structure rests on a large square base that was added in 2006. The Britannia statue is about 2.7 meters (9 feet) tall. The pedestal is about 3.3 meters (11 feet) high. Britannia stands on chains and holds a trident (a three-pronged spear) and a palm leaf.

On the front of the pedestal, there is an important message:

THIS STATUE WAS

PLACED TO COMMEMORATE

THE MEN OF CREWE

WHO SEEKING THE

WELFARE OF THEIR

COUNTRY GAVE THEIR

LIVES IN SO DOING

AND ARE NOW RESTING

IN AND BEYOND

THE SEAS

On the back of the pedestal, another message reads:

LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS

1914 - 1918

The memorial is surrounded by paving stones with more inscriptions.

Inscriptions on the paving

One inscription says:

WHEN YOU GO HOME TELL THEM OF US AND SAY FOR YOUR TOMORROW WE GAVE OUR TODAY

The paving in front of the memorial has another powerful message:

THEY SHALL GROW NOT OLD AS WE THAT ARE LEFT GROW OLD

AGE SHALL NOT WEARY THEM NOR THE YEARS CONDEMN

AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN AND IN THE MORNING

WE SHALL REMEMBER THEM

Why Is the Memorial Important?

The Crewe War Memorial was officially recognized as a Grade II listed building on February 16, 2005. Being "Grade II listed" means it is a building or structure of national importance and special interest. It's the lowest of three grades, but still very significant.

War memorials are usually listed because they have great cultural and historical importance. The Crewe memorial is special because it includes not only the names of soldiers but also civilians who died in the Second World War. It also lists servicemen killed in the Falklands and Gulf Wars.

The monument is well-designed with a striking figure of Britannia. It also has a prominent position in Memorial Square. The memorial was built using high-quality materials and excellent craftsmanship. In the Buildings of England series, it is even called the "highlight of the square."