Great Eastern Railway War Memorial facts for kids
The Great Eastern Railway War Memorial is a special monument found at Liverpool Street station in the City of London, United Kingdom. It was built to remember the brave people who worked for the Great Eastern Railway company and lost their lives during World War I. This memorial helps us remember their sacrifice and courage.
What the Memorial Looks Like
This large and beautiful memorial is made of marble. It was created by a company called Farmer & Brindley. The memorial lists over 1,100 names of people who died, organized in 11 columns.
On each side of the names, there are carved marble pillars. At the very top, you can see the special symbol, or "arms," of the Great Eastern Railway. A message at the top of the memorial says: "To the glory of God and in grateful memory of the / Great Eastern Railway staff who in response to the call of their / King and Country, sacrificed their lives during the Great War".
Its History and Unveiling
The memorial was first placed in the station's ticket hall. It was officially shown to the public on June 22, 1922. A very important military leader, Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson, unveiled it. The Bishop of Norwich also gave a special blessing.
Sadly, just a few hours after unveiling the memorial, Sir Henry Wilson was killed near his home. This happened as he was returning from the ceremony.
Moving to a New Spot
Around 1990, Liverpool Street station was updated and made new. During these changes, the war memorial was moved to a different spot. It is now located above the main area where trains arrive and depart, close to the entrance from Liverpool Street.
When the memorial was moved, a sign that said "Great Eastern Railway" was also placed above it. This sign used to be on another building nearby that was taken down. Below the large war memorial, you can also find smaller memorials. One is for Sir Henry Wilson, and another is for Captain Charles Fryatt. Captain Fryatt was a brave officer from the Great Eastern Railway's marine service who died during the war.