Richmond War Memorial, London facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Richmond War Memorial |
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| General information | |
| Type | war memorial |
| Location | Whittaker Avenue, Richmond (in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames) |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Official name | Richmond upon Thames Borough War Memorial |
| Designated | 20 July 2017 |
| Reference no. | 1447856 |
The Richmond War Memorial is a special monument in Richmond, London. It stands near the Old Town Hall and the River Thames. This memorial helps us remember people from the area. It honors those who died fighting in World War I and World War II.
Contents
Remembering Heroes: The Richmond Memorial
How the Memorial Was Built
Local architects named Messrs Goodale and Co designed this important memorial. It was officially shown to the public on 23 November 1921. A very important person, Field Marshal Sir William Robertson, did the unveiling. The Mayor of Richmond and other town leaders were there.
A Special Status
The memorial has a special status called "Grade II listed". This means it is an important historic building. It has been protected on the National Heritage List for England since 2017. This helps make sure it is looked after for the future.
What the Memorial Looks Like
The memorial is shaped like a tall column. It has a round orb on top. The column stands on a double base called a plinth.
Statues and Symbols
- On one side, there is a statue of a sailor.
- On the opposite side, there is a statue of a soldier.
- On the other two sides, you can see the coat of arms. This was the official symbol of the old Municipal Borough of Richmond.
Important Words
Next to the coat of arms, there is a special message:
PRO PATRIA
1914–1918
"Pro Patria" means "For the Homeland" in Latin. The dates remember World War I.
On another side, there is a longer message:
IN REMEMBRANCE
OF THE MEN OF THIS BOROUGH
WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR KING AND COUNTRY
DURING THE GREAT WARS
1914–1918 AND 1939–1945
This message reminds everyone of the local men. It says they gave their lives for their country. It mentions both World War I and World War II.
Names of the Fallen
The names of the people who died are carved into walls. These walls stick out from the main memorial. The walls with names were added later. This happened after a newspaper asked for them in 1989. Sadly, a part of the sailor's statue was damaged in 2003.
