Preston Cenotaph facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Preston Cenotaph |
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Preston Cenotaph
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| For the dead of World War I and World War II. | |
| Established | 1926 |
| Unveiled | 13 June 1926 |
| Location | 53°45′34″N 2°41′58″W / 53.75944°N 2.69940°W Preston, Lancashire
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| Designed by | Sir Giles Gilbert Scott |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Official name: War memorial cenotaph | |
| Designated: | 20 December 1991 |
| Reference #: | 1218458 |
The Preston Cenotaph is a special monument in Market Square, Preston, England. It was built to remember the brave soldiers from Preston who died in World War I and World War II. This important memorial was first shown to the public on June 13, 1926. It was designed by a famous architect named Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. The beautiful sculptures on it were created by Henry Alfred Pegram.
Contents
What the Monument Looks Like
The main part of the monument features a figure called “Victory.” This figure has her arms raised high and holds laurel wreaths in each hand. She stands between tall columns that support a triangular top section called a pediment. On both sides of the “Victory” figure, there are carvings of people who died. These carvings show them "pleading for acceptance of their sacrifice."
At the very top of the monument, there is an empty coffin. This is why it's called a “cenotaph” which means “empty tomb.” Around the coffin, you can see carvings of small angels (cherubs) and plants. There are also flagpoles on each side of the monument. A special ceremony was held on June 13, 1926, when the memorial was officially opened by Admiral of the Fleet Earl Jellicoe.
The main message carved on the monument says:
- BE EVER MINDFUL OF THE MEN OF PRESTON
- WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WARS
- 1914–1918 1939–1945
- THIS LAND INVIOLATE YOUR MONUMENT
Remembering the Soldiers
The names of the soldiers from World War I are written in a special book called a Roll of Honour. This book is kept at the Harris Museum in Preston. The names of about 2,000 Prestonians are carved onto marble tablets on the ground floor of the museum.
In 1998, seven more names were found that had been missed from the original list. A special framed document with these names was added to the museum. Even though no Roll of Honour was made for World War II, the Cenotaph still honors everyone who died in both World Wars.
Restoration in 2012
In 2012, the Preston Cenotaph was carefully cleaned and fixed up. This restoration work cost a lot of money, about £835,600. It was finished in the autumn of that year. As part of the work, a new dedication was carved into the monument. This new carving remembers people from Preston who have died while serving their country since 1945.
On June 13, 2014, exactly 88 years after it was first shown, the Cenotaph had another special ceremony. This was part of Preston’s way of remembering the start of World War I.
Light Projection Event
On November 23, 2013, the Cenotaph became the center of an amazing light show. This event was designed by an artist named Andy McKeown. It was paid for by Arts Council England. The light show used pictures and stories from the collections of the Harris Museum and the Lancashire Infantry Museum.
The project showed some of the stories and faces of the men who died in World War I. All the names from the Roll of Honour were projected directly onto the Cenotaph itself. It was a powerful way to remember them.
Gallery
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The main feature, "Victory"
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Cenotaph with wreaths laid for Remembrance Day (panorama)
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Close up of the main feature
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The empty coffin on the top of Preston Cenotaph
