Dulwich College War Memorial facts for kids
The Dulwich College War Memorial is a special monument found at Dulwich College in Dulwich, London. It stands on College Road in the London Borough of Southwark. This memorial remembers the students and teachers from the college who bravely gave their lives. They died during the First World War and the Second World War.
An old student of the college, W. H. Atkin-Berry, designed the memorial. It was officially shown to the public on June 17, 1921. This day was also Dulwich College's Founder's Day. A former student, Major General Sir Webb Gillman, unveiled it. The Dean of Durham, James Welldon, dedicated it. Welldon had been the Master of Dulwich College earlier. Since May 2010, the memorial has been a Grade II listed site. This means it is an important historical building in England.
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What Does the Memorial Look Like?
The Dulwich College War Memorial is about 9 meters (29 feet) tall. It is shaped like an eight-sided stone cross. This cross is made from a type of stone called Portland stone. It stands on two eight-sided bases, or pedestals. The bottom pedestal has bronze panels on each of its sides.
The whole memorial sits on three steps. These steps are also eight-sided. On the top part of the memorial, facing west, there is a bronze plaque. This plaque shows the Dulwich College Coat of Arms. Below this, you can read the words MORTUI VIVUNT. This Latin phrase means "The Dead Live." Another bronze plaque below it has a laurel wreath design. It also says PUERI/ ALLEYNIENSES/ MCMXIV–MCMXIX. This means "Boys of Alleyn's (Dulwich College) 1914–1919."
Remembering World War I Heroes
Seven more bronze panels on the memorial list many names. These are the names of 481 students and 4 teachers. They were all killed during the First World War. A smaller bronze plaque on the eastern side adds even more names.
Honoring World War II Heroes
Instead of building a new memorial for the Second World War, they added to the existing one. Two new stone blocks, called plinths, were added. These are also made of Portland stone. They stand on the northern and southern sides of the main memorial. The names of 352 former students who died in the Second World War are carved onto these plinths. Their names are on the eastern and western sides of these new blocks. John Wells-Thorpe designed these additions.
Other Ways of Remembering
Dulwich College also built a new Great Hall to remember those who served. This hall was another way to honor their sacrifice. The college also published two books called the "Dulwich College War Record." These books contain pictures and stories about the students who died. They also list any military awards they received. The books also include a list of over 3,000 people connected to the college who served in the British armed forces.
