Rainham War Memorial facts for kids
Rainham War Memorial, a clock tower which commemorates soldiers killed in World War I.
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| Details | |
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| Established | 1920 |
| Location |
Broadway and Upminster Road, Rainham, Greater London
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| Country | England |
| Type | military |
The Rainham War Memorial is a special monument in Rainham, London. It helps us remember the brave soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and World War II. It also remembers people who died as civilians during World War II.
What the Memorial Looks Like
This memorial is a clock tower right in the middle of Rainham. Rainham is a town in Greater London, England. The tower is built from red Belgian bricks. It also has special decorations made from Portland stone. Portland stone is a type of rock from the Isle of Portland in England.
The memorial is a short tower with six sides. Three of its sides have clock faces. At the bottom, on a sloped base, you can find the names of the soldiers who died. There are also stone blocks that say "Lest We Forget." These blocks are placed at angles around the tower.
The sides of the monument have special panels with more words. Thin, flat columns called pilasters decorate the corners of the clock tower. There are also arches over a small alcove and a doorway. The very top of the clock tower has a low wall, called a parapet, with a decorative railing.
Iron railings surround the whole memorial. It stands in an important spot between Broadway and Upminster Road. It is right in front of the Church of St Helen and St Giles, which is Rainham's main church.
History of the Memorial
The Rainham War Memorial was built in 1920 by a person named Mr. Vinton. It was officially shown to the public on 7 November 1920. Colonel Sir Francis Whitmore unveiled it. He was an important person who served as the Lord Lieutenant of Essex from 1936 to 1958. This role meant he was the King's or Queen's representative in the county.
The Rainham War Memorial was added to the National Heritage List for England on 25 March 2002. It is a Grade II listed building. This means it is considered very important to the country's history and has special interest.
Remembering the Fallen
You can often see red poppy wreaths placed around the Rainham War Memorial. These wreaths help us remember the soldiers from the area who died. Every year, a special service is held here on Remembrance Day. This day is also known as Armistice Day or Poppy Day. It happens on 11 November. People from Rainham come to the memorial to show their respect. They often place small crosses and fresh poppy wreaths next to the monument.
One of the soldiers remembered on the monument is Ralph Luxmore Curtis. He was a Second Lieutenant in World War I. He was a famous flying ace, which means he was a pilot who shot down many enemy planes. Ralph was from Rainham and was only nineteen years old. He even fought in the air against Hermann Göring. Göring was a commander in the German air force and later became a very important leader in Germany.
