Erection date: 1/11/1923
{On the front of the plinth:}
In honour of the men of this town who gave their lives in the great wars, 1914 - 1919, 1939 - 1945.
{Around there sides of the base of the statue:}
At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.
{On the back of the base of the statue:}
Richard Reginald Goulden - sculp.
A. B. Burton - founder, 1923
{624 names are recorded on bronze plaques on the base of the plinth and extending onto the flanking granite wings. See Subjects commemorated for the names.}
This bronze nude warrior is far more focussed on proudly raising a flaming cross in his left hand than on using the sword in his right to protect the two scared infants, cowering around his legs, from the serpent and the briars encircling his feet.
Transcribing the list of names we noticed how the layout has been controlled with care. e.g. to fit "F. W. Groombridge" on a single line the two "o"s have overlapped each other. We also appreciate the care taken by the list-makers to differentiate people with similar names, e.g. W. Jas. Davis and W. Jn. Davis. Three names have been added to the memorial on separate metal plates at the ends of columns (presumably late additions): Blackshaw, Smart and Wall.
There are two entries with "&" which we cannot explain: A. & W. E. Dunne and M. & A. Dunne. Also, at this time it was common for women's first names to be given in full while for men normally just the initials were given. This memorial has the name of just one woman, and it made us laugh: Ellen A. Broad.
Site: Kingston war memorial (2 memorials)
KT1, Union Street, Memorial Gardens
This open space was created in 1826 as an overflow burial ground for All Saints Church, a very short distance to the west. When Kingston Cemetery was opened in 1855, burials here ceased and it was turned into a public garden.
In 2024 reported that plans to renovate this garden have been approved.
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