Islington Green War Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Islington Green War Memorial |
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| United Kingdom | |
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The memorial in 2008
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| For casualties of the First World War | |
| Unveiled | 2007 |
| Location | |
| Designed by | John Maine |
The Islington Green War Memorial is a special monument in Islington, London. It was built to remember the brave people who lost their lives in the First World War. This memorial stands in a place called Islington Green.
The First Memorial
After the First World War ended in 1918, a temporary memorial was put up at Islington Green. A man named Charles Higham helped create it. This first memorial was a concrete pillar, shaped like an obelisk. It had bronze plaques and a wreath, plus concrete boxes for flowers.
However, this memorial was only meant to be temporary. By 2004, the local council decided to improve Islington Green. It became clear that the old memorial needed to be replaced. So, in 2006, it was taken down.
A New Design Takes Shape
A brand new memorial was finished in 2007. It was designed by a talented artist named John Maine. He suggested a unique idea: a twisted stone ring. This design was meant to look like a wreath, which is a symbol of remembrance.
A special group, called a memorial commission, approved his idea. This group included people from the Royal British Legion, the Canonbury Society, and the local council.
Building the New Memorial
The stone for the new memorial came all the way from China, from a place called Fujian province. The huge stone ring weighed about 8 tonnes! It was carved in China and then shipped to England.
Near the memorial, there is a stone slab with an important message. It says, "In Memory of the Fallen," just like the old memorial. Other slabs around it have simple words: "Land," "Sea," "Air," and "Home." The whole project cost about £490,000. The stone for the memorial itself, along with its base and walls, cost around £100,000.
A Small Problem
In 2013, some repair work was needed for the new memorial. It had started to sink a little because its foundations were not strong enough. But now, it stands proudly, continuing to honor those it remembers.
