St Michael Cornhill War Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Michael Cornhill War Memorial |
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| United Kingdom | |
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| For 2,130 men from the parish – and the neighbouring City of London parishes of St Peter le Poer and St Benet Fink – who served in the British armed forces in the First World War | |
| Established | November 1, 1920 |
| Location | 51°30′47.9″N 00°05′08.4″W / 51.513306°N 0.085667°W St Michael Cornhill
near London
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| Designed by | Richard Reginald Goulden |
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DURING THE / GREAT WAR / 1914–1919 / THE NAMES WERE / RECORDED ON THIS / SITE OF 2130 MEN / WHO FROM OFFICES / IN THE PARISHES OF / THIS UNITED BENEFICE / VOLUNTEERED TO / SERVE THEIR COUNTRY / IN THE NAVY AND / ARMY + OF THESE / IT IS KNOWN THAT / AT LEAST 170 GAVE / THEIR LIVES FOR THE / FREEDOM OF / THE WORLD
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The St Michael Cornhill War Memorial is a special monument in the City of London. It stands near the entrance of the St Michael Cornhill church. This memorial remembers the brave people who served in the First World War. In 2016, it was recognized as a Grade II* listed building, which means it's an important historical site.
Contents
What Does This Memorial Remember?
This memorial honors 2,130 men from the local area who joined the British armed forces. These men came from the parish of St Michael Cornhill and nearby areas like St Peter le Poer and St Benet Fink. They all served during the First World War, which lasted from 1914 to 1918. Sadly, about 170 of these men lost their lives during the war. Their names are written in a special book called a roll of honor inside the church.
Who Designed the Memorial?
The memorial was designed by an artist named Richard Reginald Goulden. He was a soldier himself during the war, serving in the Royal Engineers. A smaller model of his design is kept at the Imperial War Museum.
What Does the Memorial Look Like?
The memorial is about 4 meters (13 feet) tall. It's made from Portland stone, which is a type of white limestone. On top, there's a bronze sculpture. Bronze is a metal mix that can be shaped when hot. This sculpture was made by a company called A.B. Burton.
The main part of the sculpture shows Archangel Michael. He is a powerful angel often shown as a warrior. Here, he has large wings and wears Roman-style armor. He holds a flaming sword pointing upwards.
What Do the Figures Mean?
At the angel's right foot, there are two lions. One lion is biting the other. These lions represent the struggles and dangers of war. At the angel's left foot, there are four small, child-like figures called putti. They are looking up at the angel. These figures represent peace and hope.
The angel stands on a bronze block. This block has an important message carved into it. It says that 2,130 men from the local offices volunteered to serve their country. It also states that at least 170 of them gave their lives for freedom.
When Was the Memorial Unveiled?
The St Michael Cornhill War Memorial was officially shown to the public on November 1, 1920. Important people attended the ceremony, including the Lord Mayor of London, James Roll. The church's Rector, Rev John Henry Joshua Ellison, and the Archdeacon of London, Ernest Holmes, were also there. Just 11 days later, another important monument, the London Troops War Memorial, was unveiled nearby.
Other Memorials by Richard Goulden
Richard Goulden designed many other war memorials in the 1920s. Some of them are in or near London, like the Bank of England War Memorial. Others are in different towns across England, such as Brightlingsea, Dover, Gateshead, and Malvern.
Similar Angelic Figures
The memorial in Malvern also features an angelic figure with wings standing tall. Other memorials by Goulden, like those in Redhill, Kingston, and Dover, show a figure without wings but holding something high up.
Copies and Other Sculptures
A copy of the St Michael memorial was placed in France in 1927. It's near a place called La Groise. This copy remembers the 1st Division BEF soldiers who fought there. Another similar sculpture was part of the Hornsey County School war memorial in Harringay. It was later moved to St Paul's Church, Harringay and is now displayed at Hornsey Town Hall.
Images for kids
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Entrance to St Michael, Cornhill
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Redhill
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Kingston
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Dover
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