Kirby Muxloe Stone of Remembrance and War Memorial Gates

The Kirby Muxloe Stone of Remembrance and War Memorial Gates were erected in 1923 as a First World War memorial. A Stone of Remembrance was later dedicated to those who died in the First World War, Second World War, and conflicts in Korea and Iraq. The structure was erected by Joseph Herbert Morcom and John Russell.

The gates are constructed from Portland stone, slate plaques, and ironwork. The left pier bears the date 1914 in Roman numerals, MCMXIV, accompanied by an inscription reading: “AS YOU HERE JOIN/OTHERS IN RECREA-/ TION THINK OF THE / MEN OF THIS VILLAGE / WHO FOUGHT AND / FELL FOR FREEDOM / AND RIGHT. THE / FOREMOST PURPOSE OF / THIS PLAYING FIELD / IS TO KEEP THEIR / NAMES WHICH ARE ALL / INSCRIBED ON THE / STONE OPPOSITE IN / LOVING REMEMBRANCE.” The right pier displays the date 1919, MCMXIX, followed by a list of 15 names; a later name was added to this list to correspond with those listed on the Stone of Remembrance for the Second World War.

The ironwork of the overthrow of the gates features the initials “KM” and the inscription "AD PERPETUAM AD MEMORIAM."

The Stone of Remembrance is a modified version of Sir Edwin Lutyens’ design for the Imperial (now Commonwealth) War Graves Commission, engraved by Joseph Herbert Morcom. It sits on a two-stepped base, a departure from the traditional three-step design, and includes slate tablets displaying names. It is positioned within a memorial garden adjacent to the gates. The front inscription reads: 1914 THE GREAT WAR 1919 / (NAMES) / THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE.

The left side of the Stone of Remembrance features a plaque dedicated to those who died in the Second World War, listing 24 names beneath the dates 1939-1945. The right side bears the inscription “LET US ALSO / REMEMBER” and includes two names honouring those who died in the conflicts in Korea (1951) and Iraq (2007).