Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry War Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry War Memorial |
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| United Kingdom | |
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| For men of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry killed in the First World War | |
| Unveiled | 11 November 1923 |
| Location | 51°43′56″N 1°13′42″W / 51.73233°N 1.22830°W |
| Designed by | Sir Edwin Lutyens |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Official name | Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry War Memorial |
| Designated | 28 June 1972 |
| Reference no. | 1369419 |
The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry War Memorial is a special monument in Cowley, Oxford, England. It remembers the brave soldiers from the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry who died in the First World War. A famous architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens, designed it. The memorial was officially shown to the public on Armistice Day, November 11, 1923. Since 1972, it has been a protected building, known as a Grade II listed building.
Contents
Why War Memorials Were Built
After the First World War, many soldiers had died. Because of this, thousands of war memorials were built all over Britain. These monuments helped people remember the soldiers who gave their lives.
Sir Edwin Lutyens: A Famous Architect
One of the most important designers of these memorials was Sir Edwin Lutyens. People called him "the leading English architect of his generation." He designed many famous memorials.
- He created the Cenotaph in London. This monument is now the main place for national Remembrance Day events.
- He also designed the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing. This is the largest British war memorial in the world.
- Lutyens also created the Stone of Remembrance. You can find these stones in many large cemeteries for soldiers.
Besides big public memorials, Lutyens also designed monuments for specific army groups.
Choosing the Memorial's Location
The soldiers' regiment first wanted to build the memorial near their main office. This office was at Cowley Barracks. But they could not find a good spot there.
Instead, the memorial was built on Rose Hill in Cowley. The land was given by Christ Church College. This college is part of the University of Oxford. The spot was chosen so the memorial would stand out against the sky.
Memorial's Design and History
The memorial is a tall, pointed stone pillar called an obelisk. It sits on a shaped base and a flat square bottom. Like many of Lutyens' memorials, it rises from three low steps.
Special Features of the Obelisk
The obelisk has very few decorations. The only carvings are of the regiment's cap badge. This badge is on two sides of the pillar. It immediately shows who the memorial is for.
Inscriptions on the Memorial
The front of the base has an important message. It says: "TO THE GLORIOUS MEMORY OF 5878 OF ALL RANKS OF THE OXFORDSHIRE AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR". This remembers the soldiers from the First World War.
Later, another message was added to the back. It says: "TO THE GLORIOUS MEMORY OF 1408 ALL RANKS OF THE OXFORDSHIRE AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR 1939 – 1945". This remembers those who died in the Second World War.
The sides of the memorial show the dates of the First World War in Roman numerals. MCMXIV is on the north side, and MCMXIX is on the south side.
Similar Memorials
This obelisk is similar to the Lancashire Fusiliers War Memorial. That memorial is also an obelisk for a specific regiment. It is located in Bury, England. However, the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire memorial is simpler in design.
Unveiling and Protection
Major-General Sir John Hanbury-Williams officially showed the memorial to the public. He was the colonel of the regiment. This happened on Armistice Day, November 11, 1923.
The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry War Memorial became a Grade II listed building on June 28, 1972. This means it is a protected historic site. In 2015, many of Lutyens' war memorials were recognized as a "national collection." Their protection status was reviewed and updated.
